A spectacular grand entrance set the stage for an unforgettable championship showdown at the Western Dairy Expo. Senior 3-Year-Old Olortine Avenger Design captured the Grand Champion title for R&F Livestock and Walker Dairy. Meanwhile, Hamming Holsteins dominated the junior show with Junior Champion and Honorable Mention honors, proving their heifer program remains unmatched in Western Canada.
Championship Showdown: Senior 3-Year-Old Rises to the Top
The colored shavings at the Western Dairy Expo set the stage for an elite battle of dairy excellence. Judge Paul Trapp and his associate Jon Larson faced the challenge of selecting a Grand Champion from an exceptional lineup of class winners. When the dust settled, Olortine Avenger Design, the first-place Senior 3-year-old, received the coveted championship handshake.
This outstanding “Avenger” daughter, exhibited by R&F Livestock Inc. and Walker Dairy Inc. of Saskatchewan, was impressed with her combination of dairy strength, mammary system, and overall balance. The victory marks another milestone achievement for R&F Livestock, which has established itself as a powerhouse in Western Canadian show rings over recent years.
Marylander Thunder Hippy, a “Thunderstrike” daughter shown by Rocky Mountain Holsteins, T&L Cattle Ltd., and Wendon Holsteins of Alberta, secured Reserve Grand Champion honors after placing second in the Senior 3-Year-Old class. Rounding out the championship lineup was Honorable Mention Grand Champion Silvermaple Limited Cersee, the first-place 4-year-old exhibited by T&L Cattle, Robella Holsteins, and Tyler Dorian of British Columbia.
Senior Cow Classes Showcase Depth of Quality
The older cow divisions featured impressive depth of quality, with Benbie Sidekick Prissy leading the way in the Mature Cow class for Benbie Holsteins Ltd. of Saskatchewan. This “Sidekick” daughter showcased the balanced combination of strength, dairy character, and mammary quality that has become synonymous with the Benbie prefix.
In the Longtime Production class (70,000kg), it was 10-year-old Serli Sammy Belinda, exhibited by Laurie D. & Donna Harp of Manitoba, demonstrating that longevity and show ring excellence can go hand-in-hand. This “Sammy” daughter exemplifies the industry’s goal of combining production with type – a testament to functional conformation.
The 5-year-old class saw Lucky Sidekick Golden Girl shine for the R&F Livestock and Rocky Mountain Holsteins partnership. Meanwhile, Silvermaple Limited Cersee topped a competitive 4-year-old class of 15 entries before advancing to her Honorable Mention Grand Champion recognition.
Intermediate Cow Division Reveals Future Contenders
The intermediate cow classes featured some of the most competitive lineups of the day, with several standouts that could contend for championship honors in coming years.
In the Senior 3-Year-Old division that ultimately produced Grand and Reserve Grand Champions, the class featured exceptional quality that caught Judge Trapp’s attention. The class depth continued in the Fall 2-Year-Old group, where Hamming Master Boss Baby secured the win for Hamming Holsteins Ltd. of British Columbia.
Jacobs Chief Bayla emerged victorious in the Winter 2-Year-Old class for Wendon Holsteins of Alberta. At the same time, Benbie Loyall Carmela claimed top honors in the Spring 2-Year-Old division for Benbie Holsteins Ltd. of Saskatchewan, earning Best Udder of the Class recognition. Rounding out the 2-year-old winners was Westcoast Unreplaceable from Westcoast Holsteins of British Columbia in the Summer 2-Year-Old class.
Hamming Holsteins Dominates Junior Show
The heifer show revealed the strength of Hamming Holsteins’ breeding program, as they claimed both Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Junior Champion honors. Their Summer Yearling entry, Hamming I Have to Replay, impressed Judge Trapp enough to earn the Junior Champion banner. Their Fall Calf, Hamming Believep Bonita, also secured Honorable Mention Junior Champion recognition.
Benbie Detective Harlow, the first-place Spring Yearling shown by Benbie Holsteins Ltd. and Rocky Mountain Holsteins of Saskatchewan, earned Reserve Junior Champion. This “Detective” daughter showcased exceptional style and dairy quality that set her apart in a competitive heifer show.
The depth of Hamming’s heifer program was further demonstrated when they captured the Junior Breeders Herd class, showcasing a uniform group impressed with their combination of strength, style, and dairy character.
Throughout the day, several operations demonstrated the strength of their breeding programs across multiple age divisions:
Rising Stars in Yearling Classes
The yearling classes featured tomorrow’s potential champions, with Benbie Detective Harlow leading the Spring Yearling class, Wheatheart Master 441 topping the Winter Yearlings for R&F Livestock, and Benbie Eye Candy Fancy winning the Fall Yearling class for Roswitha Holsteins Ltd. of Manitoba.
Hamming I Have Too Replay’s Junior Championship came after winning a competitive Summer Yearling class of 18 entries, showcasing the depth of quality in this division.
Calf Classes Set Foundation for Future
The youngest competitors still brought serious quality to the ring. Hamming Believep Bonita topped a large Fall Calf class of 21 entries before her Honorable Mention Junior Champion recognition. Benbie Attract Alani led the Winter Calf class for Benbie Holsteins Ltd. of Saskatchewan, starting the Holstein classes with strength and style.
Breeder Recognition Highlights Program Excellence
Beyond individual animal achievements, the Western Dairy Expo recognized breeding program excellence through group classes. Mosnang Holsteins of Alberta captured the Senior Breeder’s Herd class, showcasing their program’s consistency and quality in mature cows.
Hamming Holsteins’ dominance extended beyond individual winners to their uniform Junior Breeders Herd, which impressed with its consistency and overall quality. This achievement underscores the long-term vision and selection principles guiding their breeding decisions.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 Western Dairy Expo showcased exceptional dairy cattle quality across all age divisions, with R&F Livestock and Walker Dairy’s Olortine Avenger Design earning Grand Champion honors in a competitive field. Hamming Holsteins’ dominance in the junior show, capturing both Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Junior Champion, signals their emerging influence in Western Canadian Holstein breeding.
