Holstein Australia president David Johnston and UK judge Ken Proctor present grand champion Holstein exhibit to the Hore family, Elmar Holsteins, Leitchville. Pictured with (back) Steven and Deanne Hore, Mitch Flemming, Kelsie Hore, (front) Brady
In an International Dairy Week first for any breed, the Hore family’s stud Elmar Holsteins, Leitchville, Vic, won all three broadribbons in the senior Holstein cow class – champion, reserve and honourable mention.
And the feat was all the more impressive because all three were from the same maternal line that can be traced back to Elmar Leader Jessica that was grand champion cow at IDW 2003.
This year’s senior champion Holstein Elmar Ice Jessica went onto win grand champion Holstein.
Judge Ken Proctor, England, was impressed with the grand champion as soon as she walked into the ring for her six-year-old class and said was a “powerhouse out of a great cow family”.
He highlighted the “million dollar” cow’s width, capacity and veination of udder and was particularly impressed by the “snugness” of her fore udder and teat placement.
He said the capacity of April 2009 drop cow walked so smoothly “… as if she’s on coasters”.
“And look at that top-line, as I’ve said before today, that’s the kind of topline you could put a spirit level on,” Mr Proctor said.
Its paddock mate Elmar Goldwyn Jessica 11-ET was reserve senior cow and won best udder of the breed.
Steven Hore said they would try to get Elmar Ice Jessica in-calf and show her at the Winter Holstein Fair and IDW 2016.
He said the family, including wife Deanne, sons Brady and Marty and daughter Kelsie, would sit down and discuss the breed topping cow’s future.
“We might flush her for some embryos because a lot of farmers here (in Australia) and in the US and Canada want to buy her embryos,” he said.
“We try to breed good cow families with corrective mating and giving the animals an opportunity to grow out and be shown.
“But we are dairy farmers first, so those cows will be treated as the others are, well they might get a bit of special treatment.”
Of the six cows and three heifers the Hore family took to IDW, the milkers got four firsts of class, four best udders of class; and they also won the two breeders’ group classes.
Bluechip Genetics, Zeerust, Vic, dominated in the preliminary Holstein classes at International Dairy Week taking the Intermediate and Junior Champion Awards.
The Intermediate Champion three-year-old Paringa Windstorm Ezra also won the Intermediate Champion Award at the inaugural Victorian Winter Fair at Bendigo last year.
Bluechip Genetics principal Dean Malcolm bought the cow with his father Phil Malcolm at Shepparton in 2013 for $17,000.
“We paid a bit for her, but it’s cheap buying now,” Dean Malcom said.
The cow was dried off immediately after the Winter Fair and was fresh for IDW, just two-and-a-half weeks in milk.
Judge Ken Proctor said the cow was “very solid”.
It deserved to be champion for its dairyness, particularly the width and height of the udder.
The Reserve Intermediate Champion was Avonlead Winbrook Lulu 2 IMP-ET, exhibited by Elmar Holsteins and R Blackburn, Leitchville, Vic.
Mr Proctor said she impressed with an udder that was going to last.
“She has a topline you could lay a spririt level on,” he said.
The Junior Champion was Bluechip Goldchip Bonnie.
The almost two-year-old heifer, owned in partnership with Fairvale Holsteins, pipped the heifer that sold for the top price at the IDW World Wide Sires Evolution Sale on Wednesday night.
Mr Proctor said the winning heifer had great balance; it was immature but would grow out well.
“She’s smart, young and will keep that way,” he said.
The heifer was the youngest in its class and when judging the class Mr Proctor said it was unusual to put the youngest animal first.
“But when the youngest animal is the best you must,” he said.
“Her style and body balance is terrific.”
The Reserve Junior Champion was Avonlea YF Windbrook Cinnamon, which was bought for $27,000 at the sale by LGL & KN Marshall.
The judge said the reserve was lovely in the rib and had a great future.
“She’ll grow into a great cow,” he said.
Source: The Australian Dairy Farmer
