The Illawarra show included a triumphant return of the 2015 Supreme Champion of International Dairy Week, Wallumlands Sunstorm 8.
There was never going to be any stopping the cow that first made a Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jersey breeder famous in 2015, when she hit the ring in the six years and over class.
Sunstorm, fresh and in-form, is owned by Glen Gordon (Gorbro Holsteins), Daniel Bacon (Brookbora Jerseys) and Ben Govett (Tandara Brown Swiss). She was part of a quality Illawarra show that gave US judge Michael Heath all the ammunition he needed to put together some line-ups that proved why Australian Illawarras are competitive the world over.
When Sunstorm 8 won in 2015 she had cheated death twice six weeks before the show, after she had a twisted uterus and caesarean, followed by a severe reaction to a botulism vaxccination.
The only that was the same this year, was that Ben Govett (Tandara Brown Swiss) again also won Grand Champion Swiss as well as being one third of the Champion Illawarra campaign.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Glen Gordon, who houses Sunstorm said after judging. “I guess when we won last time we always planned to get her back, because she was so youthful.
“She was dry for 13 months, which made the challenge a little harder. She freshened in October and it’s been a bit of challenge to get her here, so we’re very proud to exhibit her the way we have done today.”
And Michael Heath was just as proud to make her his Grand.
“This is a cow that has one incredible frame, incredible feet and legs, and a beautiful mammary system,” Michael said. “This is just my kind of cow. She’s your senior Champion. The Reserve is in the same mould and is perhaps a little more dairy than Honourable Mention.”
JUNIOR CHAMPIONS
Panorama ANGELINE 48
Junior Champion
Exhibitor: B and J Gavenlock Cherrylock Cattle Co, Tallygaroopna, VIC
Sire: Panorama Classic 5011
Riversleigh Pingerly DORRIS 4
Reserve Junior Champion
Exhibitor: Tuhan Family Trust, Tatura, VIC
Sire: Treeton Pingerly
Llandovery Pridebutternut VENUS
Honourable Mention Junior Champion
Exhibitor: Hayes family, Girgarre, VIC
Sire: Blackwood Park Butternut
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONS
Llandovery Thorpes STELLA
Intermediate Champion
Exhibitor: Hayes family, Girgarre, VIC
Sire: Myrtleholme Thorpe
Llandovery Pingerlys PRIDE
Intermediate Champion
Exhibitor: Hayes family, Girgarre, VIC
Sire: Treeton Pingerly
Illinga Ribbons n Rosettes
Reserve Intermediate Champion
Exhibitor: R Coburn and M Flemming, Ballarat East, VIC
Sire: Lemon Grove Butter
SENIOR CHAMPIONS
Wallumlands SUNSTORM 8
Senior Champion and Grand Champion and Best Udder
Exhibitor: Gordon, Bacon, and Govett, Cohuna, VIC
Sire: Apples Aboslute-ET-RED
Llandovery JR JOAN 982
Reserve Senior Champion
Exhibitor: Gordon and Rapley, Cohuna, VIC
Sire: Fradon Jet-RED
Bluechip Absolute PAMELA
Honourable Mention Senior Champion
Exhibitor: Eagle Park Farming Co, Terara, NSW
Sire: Apples Absolute-ET-Red
Premier Breeder/Premier Exhibitor: Hayes family, Girgarre, VIC
Encouragement award: Tim O’Lachlan
Premier sire: Treeton Pingerly
