Ambrosia is the real cream of the crop

In all, some 368 animals were put through their paces, with the overall champion of champion honours eventually presented to the Holstein supreme, Sahara-Sanchez Ambrosia 3, from the Cheshire-based duo, Mark and Sue Nutsford and Michael and Barbara Hollins.

“The Holstein is the most mature, has had the most calves and boasts the best udder,” said Molly Sloan, Wisconsin, one of the three inter-breed judges.

“She has real dairy quality with good open rib and an excellent mammary system with height and width throughout to the rear udder.”

It was a point echoed by the American Holstein judge, Carl Saucier from Champlain, Quebec, who was most impressed by his top line-up of cows.

“You have a fantastic show of cows here with the fore end showing real dairy strength and quality being able to walk freely with excellent mammary systems.

“Selecting an overall winner is like a beauty contest, you have to select the prettiest one and the champion for me was an easy contest.

“It is all about the mammary system and the champion has the levelness in front and the height of the rear udder while also having the dairy strength and frame and good open rib,” said Mr Saucier.

Taking centre stage to win the grand champion of champions, Sahara-Sanchez Ambrosia 3 was originally bought at the New Abbey dispersal at Carlisle, in 2014 for 5800gns by Michael and Barbara Hollins for their Barmick herd. It was not however until the following year when the Nutsfords who own the Riverdane herd, bought a share, that her show career took off.

With Mark Nutsford at the helm, this big girl by Gen-Mark Stmatic Sanchez, out of Smiddie Toystory Ambrosia Ex94, has been placed at the European Holstein show in Colmore in 2016. Last year, she was stood inter-breed champion at Nantwich, first at UK Dairy Day and at AgriScot she lifted the prestigious SuperCow award.

Not just a pretty face either, she calved 11months ago and is still giving 60kg of milk having already produced 73 tonnes of milk. Classified Ex94, Ambrosia 3 would also have been forward for the European Holstein Show in Brussels next month, if it was not for the fact that Mr Nutsford – who was winning his third Holstein championship at the Expo and second supreme overall here – is in fact judging the event.

While there is no award for the reserve, the judges selected the Ayrshire supreme, as second best. This was Sandyford Prime Heather Honey VG89-3yr, which was described by the judge, Molly Sloan, as a “beautiful cow,” from Blaise and Deborah Tomlinson and daughters Evie, Millie and Annebell, Leicestershire and Beth Granvill, Wales.

Their show stopper, which was bred by the Tomlinsons, is by the Canadian sire, De La Plaine Prime, and out of the Ex93 Sandyford Burdette Heather, that stood first in her class here last year. Also a red ticket holder from last year's Cheshire Show, this big red cow calved in December and is giving 45kg per day.

It was a cracking day for the Tomlinsons as they also scooped the reserve and honourable mention in the Ayrshires with home-bred cows from their 230-cow herd from Charnwood Forest Farm, Loughborough. Taking the blue and white sash was the third calver, Sandyford Lucky Florrie Ex90. Another former show winner having stood champion at the Royal Welsh and inter-breed exhibitor bred champion at Cheshire, last year, this Sandyford Lucky Charm daughter out of the Ex90 Sandyford Reality Florrie, was paraded giving 47kg per day having calved three weeks previous.

Local breeders James and Louise Wilson, of Evening Holsteins, Evening Hill, Thursby, enjoyed their best year here too. While they narrowly missed out on winning the breed title in the largest section, they did lift the reserve and honourary mention awards. Runner-up was Evening Stanleycup Jennifer, an Ex95-classified cow paraded by Isaac Lancaster. Placed at the European Show in Cormar in 2016, this big girl has since gone on to win the breed honours at Penrith and Cumberland. A red ticket holder from here last year too, she calved in November and is still giving 57litres. Her sire is Gillette Stanleycup, while the dam, Evening Kingly Jennifer Ex93, is one of 460 cows milked at Evening Hill where the herd boasts an average milk yield of 11,900kg through robots.

There were celebrations north of the Border too, when Dumfriesshire-based Jonathan Lochhead and his partner, Jessica Miller, scored a hat-trick in the Brown Swiss lines, winning a third consecutive supreme championship with Kedar Rhapsody, a fourth calver on her first outing since last year’s big event. Bred from another top show cow in the shape of Kedar TD Reia Ex93 which was a former champion winner here on two previous occasions and numerous other events, she is sired by Vetschs Nesta Calvin. A big milker too, she produced 8500kg of organic milk in her third and since calving a month ago is yielding 48kg.

The couple from Beyond The Burn, Mouswald, who have scooped the breed honours here six times in the event’s eight-year history, also picked up the reserve title with the seventh calver, Kedar Vigor Heike Ex94, which lifted the same award in 2018. She is by the American sire, Sun Made Vigor, out of Kedar Becks Heike and was parading giving 45kg of organic milk having calved six weeks previous.

Robbie and Margo Scott, who run the Nethervalley herd at Shacklehill, Ayrshire, also enjoyed their best year at the Expo, going one step better than their reserve win in the Jersey lines last year to win the supreme with Clifton Vanahlem Clover VG87. This third calver bred by Steven Bland, is by Pannoo Abe Vanahlem, out of Clifton Julian Clover and stood reserve at Ayr last year. She was bought at Carlisle two years ago for 1350gns and since calving in November is now giving 44kg per day. The Scotts also won honourable mention in the Jerseys.

Alison Hunter (21), who lives with her boyfriend, Kevin Lawrie at Myremill, Maybole, also had due cause for celebrations, when she won the overall showmanship competition on the Friday and on the Saturday lifted the reserve Jersey honours. Her top winner, Clydevalley Excitation Magic, bred at the family farm at West Tarbrax, Shotts, is a second calver by Bridon Excitation, out of the Ex90 Clydevalley Governor Magic Ex90. She classified VG86 as a heifer and since calving on Christmas Eve, is giving 36kg per day.

Caroline Gilmour and Sheila Yates’ Eastford Atomium Kiwi Red VG88, continued on her winning ways too, to lift the runner-up sash in the Red and Whites, for the duo from Monkton, and Castle Douglas, respectively. All Britain intermediate heifer in milk 2018 and AgriScot Superheifer 2017, this second calver shown by Michael Yates is by Gen I Beq Atomium Red and out of the privately purchased Coton End Secure Kiwi Red. She is giving 52kg having calved mid November.

Standing in front of her was Worcs-based Richard Bown’s Richaven Absolute Stocking Red VG88, a previously unshown three-year-old giving 49kg at eight weeks calved. She is bred from Crockers Rock Stocking Red, a former reserve winner at AgriScot and by Apples Absolute Red.

There were some new names at the top end of the Dairy Shorthorn lines, compared to previous years, with Thomas Moscrop and son Stephen, Ryeclose, Irthington, Carlisle, winning their first championship here. Taking them straight to the top was the previously unshown Irthingelt VI 5, a June calved heifer that is still giving 23kg and is projected at 7500kg. The breeding behind this roan heifer includes Blisful Teds Spurgeon, onto Winbrook V1 136, a cow that was bought privately from David Dent.

Brothers Frank and Dave Bailey and his son, Lewis who previously ran a Holstein herd but have switched to the Dairy Shorthorn for their longevity and better feet and legs, lifted the reserve honours with Tanat Rosemary 2, a second calver by Aprilday Winconsin out of Tanat Milverton Darowen. Previously unshown, she calved mid January and is now giving 31kg, while the 84-cow Tanat herd based at Bryn-Coch, Oswestry, Shropshire, boasts a herd average of 7300kg.

LEADING awards

Showmanship (Judge: B Yates, UK). Mature – 1 and champion, Alison Hunter; 2, Natasha Kirkby; 3, Neil Sloan; 4, Mark Guthrie; 5, Georgina Fisher. Senior – 1 and reserve, Jonny Woodhouse; 2 and honourable mention, Robert Morley; 3, Rachel Corley; 4, Katie Jackson; 5, Rosie Dennison. Intermediate – 1, Katie Watson; 2, Charles Jackson; 3, Rory Scott; 4, Maisie Dennison; 5, Jeremy Jackson. Junior – 1, Peighton Robertson; 2, Callum Gray; 3, Lois Williams; 4, Kyle Scott; 5, Andrew Watson.

Dairy cattle

Red and white (Judge: Molly Sloan, Wisconsin, USA). Calf born Sept 1, 2018 onwards – 1 and honourable mention junior, A and JE Smith's Futureproof Absolute Cockella, by Apples Absolute Red; 2, Topstone Holsteins' Panday Jolly O'Kalibra Red, by Cycle McGucci Jordy Red; 3, RJ and AJ Kirk's Leedham Awesome Seisme Red 2, by Luck-E Awesome Red. Maiden heifer born Dec 1, 2017-Aug 31, 2018 – 1 and junior champion, Knowlesmere, Jones and Firstlook's Knowlesmere Toi Toi Defiant Dream Red, by Scientific and Defiant; 2 and reserve junior, Panda Holsteins' Panda Emerald Fools Gold Red, by Wilt Emilio; 3, Grayridge and Parkend Holsteins' Rockset Berlin Rachel Red 2, by DG Berlin Red.

Milking – Two-year-old born Feb 28, 2016-Mar 1, 2017 – 1, Panda and Leedham Holsteins' Panda Autumn O'Kalibra Red, by Luck-E Absolute Awsome Red D; 2, A Rimmer's Holmeswood Absolute Ella, by Apples Absolute Red; 3, Maverick Holsteins' Maverick Lady in Red, by Mr Ansly Addiction. Three-year-old born feb 28, 2015-Mar 1, 2016 – 1 and champion, RA Bown's Richaven Absolute Stocking Red, by Apples Stocking Red; 2, B and M Yates' Logan Integral Jodie Red, by Blondin Integral; 3, Messrs Fisher's Newtonmoss Algeria Vaakje Red. Senior cow born before Mar 1, 2015 – 1 and reserve, Eastford Holsteins' Eastford Atomium Kiwi Red, by Gen I Beq Atomium Red; 2, WJ Nadin and Co's Sterndale Alchemy Noel Red, by Hunsberger Alchemy; 3, RA Bown's Hanview Adventure Stocking Red, by Riverdane Adventure Red.

Jersey (Judge: M Sloan). Maiden heifer born in 2018 – 1 and junior champion, KE Jenkinson's Monument Engineer Blackberry, by Enniskillen Engineer; 2 and reserve junior, M Bryson and Son's Blythbridge Tequila Rumour, by Tower Vue Prime Tequila; 3, A Harvey and T Wake's Layward Belles Yega Lollipop, by Tregiddy Yegabomb. In-calf heifer born in 2017 – 1 and honourable mention junior, EG Amitage's Longing Excitation Islanders Day Dream, by Longing Excitation Day Dream; 2, TA and ML Jackson's Clifton Barnabas Clover, by Jays of Clay Barnabas.

Milking – Two-year-old born Feb 28, 2016-Mar 1, 2017 – 1 and honourable mention, R and M Scott's Monument Chrome Regina, by River Valley Cece Chrome; 2, B and M Yates' Logan Colton Glamour, by Chilli Action Colton; 3, Butterfield and Burton's Toobees Tequila Cash, by Tower Vue Prime Tequila. Three-year-old born Feb 28, 2015-Mar 1, 2016 – 1 and reserve, G Lawrie's Clydevalley Excitation Magic, by Bridon Excitation; 2, MJ and LJ Robertson's Haughton Tequila Viva La Vida, by Tower Vue Prime Tequila; 3, B and M Yates' Logan Oliver P Glitter, by Dutch Hollow Oliver P. Senior cow born before Mar 1, 2015 – 1 and champion, R and M Scott's Clifton Vanahlem Clover, by Pannoo Abe Vanahleem; 2, Blythbridge Holsteins' Fourcrosses Ringmaster Pepper, by Family Hill Ringmaster; 3, The Firm of B Sloan's Bluegrass Snowmans Malteser, by Bluegrass Snowballs Mr Snowman.

Ayrshire (Judge: M Sloan). Maiden heifer born in 2018 – 1 and reserve junior, ET Tomlinson's Sandyford Supreme Clover, by Sandyford Supreme); 2 and honourable mention junior, Evie Thomlinson's Allstar Tricky Honesty, by Sandford Triclo; 3, A Rimmer's Holmeswood Drunken Bella, by Terrace Bank Free Beer. In-calf heifer born in 2017 – 1 and junior champion, Tomlinson, Crothers and Timrell's Sandyford Triclo Fable, by Sandford Triclo; 2, Tomlinson and Timbrell's Millford Maple Lark, by Sandyford Maple Man; 3, A Rimmer's Holmeswood Drunken Florrie, by Terrace Bank Free Beer.

Milking – Two-year-old born Feb 28, 2016-Mar 1, 2017 – 1 and honourable mention, ET Tomlinson and Son's Sandyford Supreme Fable 2, by Sandyford Supreme; 2, A Rimmer's Holmeswood Clover, by Ardmore Crown Napier; 3, SN Bailey and Partners' Beeline Supreme Senior, by Sandyford Supreme. Three-year-old born Feb 28, 2015-Mar 1, 2016 – 1 and champion and reserve overall, Messrs Tomlinson and Beth Granvill's Sandyford Prime Heather Honey, by De La Plaine Prime; 2, P and J Mattinson's Troutbeck Skyfall Avril, by Troutbeck Skyfall; 3, I Service and Co's Knockbrex Pippa, by Brocklehill Eldorado. Four-year-old born Feb 28, 2014-Mar 1, 2015 – 1 and reserve, ET Tomlinson and Son's Sandyford Lucky Florrie, by Sandyford Lucky Charm; 2, Tomlinson, Crothers and Timbrell's Sandyford Dark Fable, by Sandyford Dark Knight; 3, ET Tomlinson and Son's Sandyford Dark Hester, by Sandyford Dark Knight. Senior cow born before Mar 1, 2014 – 1, P and J Mattinson's Troutbeck Burdette Jess, by Palmyra Tri Star Burdette.

Dairy Shorthorn (Judge: C Saucier, Champlain, Quebec). Maiden heifer born in 2018 – 1 and junior champion, SE Dixon and G Holliday's Shaunlea Geri 18, by Marleycote Royal Flush; 2, IRG Collins and Partners' Churchroyd Heather 119, by Churchroyd Wildcard; 3, SE Dixon and G Holliday's Shaunlea Geri 18, by Marleycote Royal Flush; 2 and reserve junior, IRG Collins and Partners' Churchroyd Heather 119, by Churchroyd Wildcard; 3, SE Dixon and G Holliday's Shaunlea Geri 17, by Marleycote Royal Flush. In-calf heifer born in 2017 – 1 and honourable mention junior, M Jackson's Bilbro Dewdrop Rose 106, by Churchroyd Wild Card.

Milking – Two-year-old born Feb 28, 2016-Mar 1, 2017 – 1 and champion, T Moscrop's Irthingelt VI 5, by Blissful Teds Spurgeon; 2, IRG Collins and Partners' Churchroyd Heather 108, by Churchroyd King Willie; 3, DW Dent and RL Blenkharn's Winbrook Peeress Rose 27. Three-year-old born Feb 28, 2015-Mar 1, 2016 – 1, IRG Collins and Partners' Churchroyd Heather 93, by Nejay Prince 4. Four-year-old born Feb 28, 2014-Mar 1, 2015 – 1 and reserve, PE Bailey and Sons' Tanat Rosemary 2, by Aprilday Winconsin. Senior born before Mar 1, 2014 – 1 and honourable mention, IRG Collins and Partners' Churchroyd Fay 11, by Rejay Prince 4; 2, T Moscrop's Irthingelt Talula 2, by Skyhigh Hartland.

Brown Swiss (Judge: C Saucier). Maiden heifer born in 2018 – 1 and reserve junior, T Lochhead and Sons' Kedar Big Star Shania, by Zumbuhls Blooming Big Star; 2, Messrs Williamson's Blackrock Biver Reia, by Scherma Blooming Biver; 3, M WEaver's Elite TD Heke, by Webster Ridge. In-calf heifer born in 2017 – 1 and champion junior, Toi Toi Genetics' Kedar Aurora by Jolahofs Nesta Jenor; 2 and honourable mention junior, Atomic Brown Swiss' Kedar Norwin Angel, by Norwin; 3, T Lochhead and Son's Kedar Rhapunzel, by Studers BS Glen Genox Boy.

Milking – Two/three-year-old born February 2015-Mar 1, 2017 – 1, Messrs' Williamson's Kedar Alino Sozzle, by Steiner Tau Alino; 2, T Lochhead and Sons' Kedar Big Star Alabama; 3, M Weaver's Lillyhall Bosephus Southern Comfort, by Jobo Wonder Bosephus. Junior born Feb 28, 2013-Mar 1, 2015 – 1 and champion, T Lochhead and Sons' Kedar Rhapsody, by Vetschs Nest Calvin. Senior born before Mar 1, 2013 – 1 and reserve, T Lochhead and Son's Kedar Vigor Heike, by Sun Made Vigor.

Holstein (Judge: C Saucier). Autumn calf born Sept 1, 2018-Nov 30, 2018 – 1, Knowlesmere, Jones and Firstlook's Knowlesmere Jones Oct Poppi, by Stantons High Octane; 2, Toi Toi Genetics' Nobold Toi Toi Missy, by Oh River Syc Byway; 3, Grayridge and Drointon's Drointon Doc Promis. Summer calf born Jun 1, 2018 to Aug 31, 2018 – 1, Wormanby Farms and Sarah Sutton's Absolute Jacoby Ciao Bella, by Cycle Doorman Jacoby; 2, R and M Scott's Nethervalley Kingpin Sara, by Kerndtway Kingpin; 3, Knowlesmere Jones and Firstlook's Firstlook Blacklabel Doorman Petrelle, by Val Bisson Doorman. Spring calf born Mar 1 2018-May 31, 2018 – 1 and reserve junior, Knowlesmere, Jones and Firstlook's Knowlesmere Toi Toi Defiant Dream Red, by Scientific B Defiant; 2, N Sloan and E Corbett's Drointon Solomon Petrelle, by Walnutlawn Solomon; 3, C and AJ Woodhouse's Shoreline Callen Seaspray, by Ocd First Class Callen. Winter yearling born Dec 1, 2017-Feb 28, 2018 – 1 and honourable mention junior, T Lochhead and Sons' LH Kedar Lindsays Let Rip, by Pol Butte McBeemer; 2, Grasmere, Enchanted and Balmoor's Damm Callen Lavish, by Ocd First Class Callen. Autumn yearling born Sept 1, 2017-Nov 30, 2017 – 1, Nobold and Tlc's Nobold Next Jeneration, by Claynook Tonka; 2, Wormanby Farms and S and A Morley's Wormanby Atwood Melody, by Maple Downs Igw Atwood; 3, A and JE Smith's Futureproof Talent Swuaw, by Ladino Park Talent. Senior yearling born Mar 1, 2017-Aug 31, 2017 – 1 and junior champion, Messrs Dennison's Denmire Expander Roxy 81 by Stantons Expander; 2, Y Bradbury's Peak Doorman Camilla, by Val-Bisson Doorman; 3, Nobold and Tlc's Nobold Soloman Margie, by Walnutlawn Solomon.

Milking – Yearling born Dec 1, 2016-Jun 30, 2017 – 1 and reserve intermediate, BL Davies and Son's Davlea Doorman Ashlyn, by Val-Bisson Doorman; 2, JD and MR Holgate's Aliann Mario Miss Lolli, by Quality Doorman Mario; 3, B and M Yates' Logan Mario Ethel, by Quality Doorman Mario. Two-year-old born Sept 1, 2016-Nov 30, 2016 – 1, H Wright and Son's Berryholme Doorman S Flo, by Val Bisson Doorman; 2, R and M Scott's Nethervalley McCutcheon Sara, by De Su McCutcheon; 3, Wormanby Farms' Wormanby Elude D Rose, by Silveridge V Elude. Two-year-old born Mar 1, 2015-Aug 31, 2016 – 1 and intermediate champion, JD and MR Holgate's Wiltor Beemer Sara, by Pol Butte McBeemer; 2, B Nadin's Sterndale Byway Rae, by On River Syc Byway; 3, Knowlesmere, Jones and Firstlook's Blydale Lynn Fitz All, by Toc-Farm Fitz. Three-year-old born Sept 1, 2015-Feb 28, 2016 – 1 and honourable mention intermediate, DM and J Booth's Shawdale Atwood Pamela 119, by Maple Downs IGW Atwood; 2, Riverdane Holsteins' Riverdane Brady Sharon, by Butz Butler Atwood Brady; 3, Knowlesmere Holsteins' Knowlesmere Doorman Starlet, by Val-Bisson Doorman. Three-year-old born Mar 1, 2015-Aug 31, 2015 – 1, Evening Holsteins' Evening Seaver Mischief, by Rew Seaver; 2, Nobold and TLC's Wyndford Brokaw Mrs Melody 6, by Mr Atwood Brokaw; 3, Riverdane Holsteins and A Birkle's Whinchat Stcup Farrah 2, by Gillette Stanleycup. Four-year-old born Mar 1, 2014-Feb 28, 2015 – 1, Still Game Genetics' Kepculloch Atwood Snowboots, by Maple-Downs-O GW Atwood; 2, C and AJ Woodhouse's Shoreline Bossman Trudy, by Bassingthorpe Bossman; 3, R and E Butterfield's Ingleview Rebel Ideal, by Ingleview Rebel. Five-year-old born Mar 1, 2013-Feb 28, 2014 – 1 and honourable mention, Evening Holsteins' Evening Atwood Baby, by Maple Downs IGW Atwood; 2, RA Bown's Richaven Shadow Tandy, by B Crest Shadow; 3, Blythbridge Holsteins' Blythbridge Shottle Marcia, by Picston Shottle. Mature cow born before Mar 1, 2013 – 1, breed champion and overall champion of champions, Riverdane and Barmick Holsteins' Sahara-Sanchez Ambrosia 3, by Gen-Mark Stmatic Sanchez and reserve champion, Evening Holsteins' Evening Stanleycup Jennifer, by Gillette Stanleycup; 3, Meiklefirth Holsteins' Meiklefirth Plaid Lutske, by Windy Knoll View Plaid. Production – 1, Wormanby Farms' Wormanby Bottle Mahala, by Whiteleys Bottle; 3, RA Bown's Richaven Goldwyn Squaw, by Braedale Goldwyn.