A passion for home-breeding paid off for exhibitors at the Dairy Show, with one of the championship winners coming from long and beloved Holsworthy-based family bloodlines.
Taking the reserve interbreed title was Thuborough Farms’ Holstein senior cow, shown by Roland Ley. Another homebred, by Stantons Adorable, Thuborough Freda 610 is rated EX95 and is yielding 48 litres after having her fourth calf in March.
Despite a string of previous successes, Roland has never previously won the breed championship at the Dairy Show. “So to get breed champion and reserve interbreed is a great result.”
The family milk 270 Holsteins near Holsworthy, with an average yield of 11,000 litres. Before her success at the Dairy Show, Freda won the breed and interbreed championship at the Devon County Show and was breed champion and reserve interbreed champion at the Royal Cornwall Show.
“She’s got a really good udder and is very youthful despite being a fourth-calver,” said Roland. “She has a lovely balance and moves really well.”
Scooping the prestigious interbreed championship was a home-bred Jersey cow exhibited by Emily Davis. Rivermead Minx Candy VG89 had her third calf just three weeks ago and is already yielding 33 litres/day.
Sired by Stonyrun Aus Tbone Minx, she was riding on a tide of success, having won her class at UK Dairy Day in 2022 and been placed as champion Jersey at Dairy Expo earlier this year.
The Davis family milk 230 cows near Tiverton, and all share the Jersey passion, including Emily, her brothers, sisters and parents.
The other breed champions were: Ayrshire Rosehill Madison Jelly VG87, Dairy Shorthorn Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 63, and British Friesian Greenway Solo Billie Jo.
For more information visit www.bathandwest.com/the-dairy-show