Despite growing concerns over coronavirus and the expectation that the country would be in lockdown within days, Harrison and Hetherington's Borderway UK Dairy Expo at Carlisle, enjoyed a cracking good turnout of exhibitors, albeit with fewer spectators.

With many believing the two-day event would in fact be their last outing for a good number of weeks if not months, exhibitors – most of whom had been on site since the Thursday with cattle – were determined to make the most of it. And, they did, with many also waiting on for the All Britain Awards, staged on the Saturday night.

"The event has gone very well even though there were fewer spectators with some people of the opinion it could be 'the last supper,'" said David Pritchard, joint managing director at Harrison and Hetherington.

"Government advice showed there was no reason for us to cancel or postpone the event, which alongside resounding support from the exhibitors to go ahead, meant we did our best to maintain a business as usual approach as much as possible while also adhering to government and medical advice."

The company also advised people in the 'at risk' category, those who were experiencing any symptoms of coronavirus; had come into contact with a positive covid 19 case or had visited a high risk area in the previous 14 days, not to come to the Expo.

Those who did attend were advised to wash their hands more often and use the hand sanitisers that available on site.

Virtually all cattle entries were forward with the Holstein section as always proving the most popular both in terms of quantity and quality. And again, it was the breed champion – Wiltor Silver Centerpiece from Nick and Louisa Sercombe – that went on to be crowned supreme overall.

"This cow has no faults and she has a tremendous udder," said the Holstein judge, Yan Jacobs from Quebec, Canada. "She is full of dairy quality throughout with a great top line and rump. She really is the perfect shape," added Mr Jacobs who was equally impressed by the overall quality of cattle on show.

"You guys have a real passion for breeding cattle and your cows – I really appreciate being asked to judge this show. I have been surprised at the quality, which I have to say, is better than I expected. It has been an awesome show," said Mr Jacobs.

While Mr Jacobs selected the winners in the Holstein, Brown Swiss and Dairy Shorthorn classes, he also teamed up with Pat Conroy, Indiana and USA, who found the winners in the Ayrshire, Jersey and red and white classes, and Brian Miller, who judged the National British Friesian Show, to find a supreme overall.

They were all unanimous in their choice of champion and reserve too.

"The Holstein is one of the best cows I have seen in a long, long time, as she shows real dairy quality with an excellent udder," said Mr Miller, adding that all three judges were of the opinion that the champion Ayrshire – Sandyford Prime Heather Honey from Blaise Tomlinson and Beth Granvill – would have been their reserve choice, if there had been such an award.

The star attraction was one of five 'special cows' owned by Leicester-based dairyman Nick Sercombe, who manages a 600-cow commercial herd, but also owns the Shambles herd in partnership with his wife, Louisa.

Wiltor Silver Centerpiece is in fact a 'special cow' as she was bought for 43,000gns at Wiltor production sale, in April 2019. Bred by David and Claire Jones and brought out by their son, Matt, this Ex93 third calver is the result of a 2000gns American embryo from the Larcrest Cosmopolitan family. Second at the UK Dairy Day and Nominated All Britain Junior as a two-year-old, she calved in January and is giving 50litres per day on cubicles.

Near neighbour, Blaise Tomlinson, might not have won the big one, but he wasn't far off it as his Ayrshire best, Sandyford Prime Heather Honey, was the judges' reserve overall pick, while Blaise himself won the Dennison Award (see article on page 14).

Blaise, who runs 200 mostly Ayrshire cows in the Sandyford herd with his wife Deborah and daughters Evie, Millie and Annabell, bagged the breed honours with last year's supreme, an Ex92-classified cow owned in partnership with student Beth Granvill of the Gelligaredig herd. A daughter of the Canadian sire, De La Plaine Prime, bred from the Ex94 show cow, Sandyford Burdette Heather Honey, this big girl calved her third six weeks previous and is currently giving 55litres per day at 4.0%BF and 3.3%P.

Daughter Evie and Ifin Wilson, landed the blue and white sash amongst the Ayrshires with Evie's home-bred Allstar Provider Honesty – the breed leader at AgriScot in November and inter-breed heifer at UK Dairy Day in 2018. She calved her second in September and is giving 32litres at 3.9%BF and 3.2%P.

Other top winners in the Holstein section which attracted just shy of 100 milking animals included Icow Huddlesford Rosann 899 Ex95, Ex96mammary, the mature cow winner that went on to lift the reserve breed honours for Tom and Andy Cope and Isaac and Claire Lancaster from Lichfield and Staffordshire, respectively.

This German import which was brought in as a heifer in milk, is backed by 12 generations of straight Excellent cows being out of Romy and sired by Regancrest Bradnick. She also boasts some pretty big prize wins after standing champion at AgriScot in 2018 and reserve at UK Dairy Day the same year. Milky with it too, this fourth calver which has been in a flushing programme, has already given 15,800litres and is still yielding 50litres per day having calved this time last year.

Intermediate Holstein champion was Castle Douglas-based Brian and Michael Yates' Logan Estate Jazz, a second calver that lifted the Superheifer title at AgriScot in November. No stranger to the limelight, their VG88-2yr Edg Esther Estate-sired entry, boasts inter-breed heifer honours at the Highland, Dumfries and UK Dairy Day and champion heifer in the South-west and Scottish Herds competition, to her credit. Bred from the Ex90 Logan Atwood Jazz, she was paraded just 20 days fresh and giving 50litres per day.

Dumfriesshire Brown Swiss breeders, Jonathan Lochhead, partner Jessica Miller and daughter Hattie Hassall, had a day to remember too, winning or breeding all the top winners. It was nevertheless nine-year-old Hattie who stole the show amongst the heifers, when her September 2018-born girl, Holdontoyourhats Bo Peep, not only lifted the top award amongst the Brown Swiss youngstock, but was also the 'people's choice' for supreme heifer having attracted in excess of 3000 votes.

This was in fact Hattie's first home-bred female, being bred from the VG88 show cow, Inspired Wonderment Bows and by the Swiss sire, Gantenbeins Blooming Alasko. Bo Peep was second in her class at the All Britain Calf Show.

Breed leader amongst the 'adults' came from first time exhibitors, Ricky and Emma Jones who own 200 mostly Holstein cows in their Bliss herd from Brynbannal, Carmarthenshire, alongside 30 Brown Swiss. Their best was Kedar Blooming Snowdrop, a second calver bred by Jonathan Lochhead and bought at the Perfection Collection sale at Shrewsbury in April, 2018. Champion heifer at the Welsh Dairy Show that year, she calved her second in November and is now giving 42litres at 5.06%BF and 3.60%P. Top breeding is also behind this youngster with the dam being the former AgriScot champion, Kedar Calvin Sanchia Maria Ex95, and the Swiss sire, Scherma Glenn Blooming.

Notably, the dam of the champion, Kedar Calvin Sanchia Maria Ex95, lifted the honourable mention for Mr Lochhead's 120-cow herd from Beyond the Burn, Mouswald, Dumfries, while the same home's reserve breed leader was Kedar Virestar Jodie VG88-2yr. Reserve here as a baby calf, she calved at the beginning of January and is giving 30litres per day. Equally well bred, Jodie is by Studers BS Vigor Virestar and out of Kedar Wonderment Jolie Ex90, a former honourable mention winner at UK Dairy Day.

Having bred the Holstein champion and supreme overall, there were more celebrations to come for David and Claire Jones, Newport, Gwent, when their Wiltor Awesome Rosie Red, a previously unshown female, landed the red and white section championship. This home-bred fresh heifer is by Luck E Absolute Awesome Red and bred from the champion winning show cow, Wiltor Chipper Rosie Polled Red Ex94 (2)-5yr. Calved in December and giving 32litres per day, Rosie Red classified VG87 and was shown by son, Matt Jones.

Just pipped at the post and taking home the blue and white sash was Andrew MacKellar's Drointon JBF Promis Red, a former champion heifer at AgriScot and nominated All Britain Award winner, from the Staffordshire-based herd that numbers 90 cows. A fourth calver, she is a daughter of Lanarkshire breeders Andrew and Ewan Lawrie's Grangehall Goldwyn Promise Ex90, which was bought privately as a calf, and sired by Syke Jumping Jack Flash Red. Promis Red calved in October and is yielding 47litres per day.

The Fleming family from Seaforde, Co Down, was well rewarded for their trip across the Irish Sea, with two Jersey females, taking a brace of red tickets and the breed championship. Living up to her name and taking the tri-colour in this section was the previously unshown Potterswalls Impression Lady, a daughter of Rock Ella Impression bred from the VG89 second calver, Potterswalls Valentino Lady.

Runner up amongst the Jerseys was Philip Manning and Emma Murray, Windyridge Tequila Diamond, which classified Ex93 as a third calver, from Bank Farm, Shrewsbury. Bred by Windyridge Holsteins and bought at the Wyndford sale, Shropshire, she produced her fifth early November and went on to stand champion and honourable mention overall at AgriScot, having earlier claimed the breed honours at the Royal Welsh and UK Dairy Day. The breeding behind Tequila Diamond includes Tower Vue Prime Tequila onto the show cow, Shellen Connection Diamond.

First time exhibitors, Bob Kite, son Rob and his wife Kate, had a field day down the Dairy Shorthorn lines, taking champion and reserve honours back home to their 180-cow Cotonhall herd from Stafford. Supreme here was Cotonhall Tuck Clarissa, a fresh heifer giving 32litres at six weeks. She is by the Australian sire, Riversleigh Tuck, and bred from one of the top cow families, being out of the VG87 Cotonhall Mc Clarissa that is a daughter of a Ex90 Clarissa cow.

Cotonhall Pingerley Sonnschein, a fifth calver paraded five weeks fresh and giving 45litres was reserve. Inter-breed dairy champion at Leek and senior cow at the National Show at Cheshire, this big girl is by Treeton Pingerley and out of Nejay Sonnschein, bought at a youngstock sale.

LEADINGawards

Showmanship (Judge: Amy Miller, UK).

Mature (21-25years) – 1 and reserve, Will Horsley; 2, Natasha Kirkby; 3, Neil Sloan.

Senior (16-20years) – 1 and overall champion, Elliot Jackson; 2 and honourable mention, Rosie Dennison.

Intermediate (12-15years) – 1, Jeremy Jackson; 2, Connor Wharton; 3, Rory Scott.

Junior (11years and under) – 1, Erica Gray; 2, Kyle Scott; 3, Andrew Watson.

Red and White

Heifers – Junior calf – 1 and honourable mention heifer, BG Yates and Son's Logan Diamondback Kiwi Red, by Mr D Apple Diamondback; 2, Panda Holsteins' Panda Tangtastic Red, by Riverdown Unstapabull Red.

Senior calf – 1 and champion heifer, Panda Holsteins' Panda Unstopabull Lemonade Red, by Riverdown Unstopabull Red; 2, Panda Holsteins' Panda Tango Red, by Riverdown Unstopabull Red; 3, D Howat's Drointon Diamondback Marqi Red.

Junior heifer – 1, Riverdane Holsteins' Riverdane Miss Awesome Advantageous Red, by Luck E Awesome Red; 2, BG Yates and Son's Logan Shania Red, by Cycle McGucci Jordy Red; 3, Winkleigh Holsteins' Auchensala Unstopabull Sumptuous Red, by Riverdown Unstopabull Red.

Senior heifer – 1 and reserve heifer, Panda Holsteins' Panda Exceptional Fools Gold Red, by Wilt Emilio; 2, TLC, R Tomkinson and M Nutsford's TLC Seisme Street Red, by Mr D Apple Diamondback RC; 3, Messrs Fisher's Wiltor Jordy Jodie Red, by Cycle McGucci Jordy Red.

Milking two-year-old – 1 and champion, DW and CE Jones' Wiltor Awesome Rosie Red, by Luck E Absolute Awesome Red; 2, DA Howie and Son's Morwick Gladys 84, by Morwick Bradley Red; 3, SG Holsteins' Drointon Awesome Veryspecial Red, by Luck E Absolute Awesome Red.

Three-year-old – 1 and honourable mention, Maverick Holsteins' Maverick Lady in Red, by Mr Ansly Addiction P Red.

Senior cow – 1 and reserve, A and D MacKellor's Drointon JBF Promis Red, by S Syke Jumping Jack Flash Red; 2, AE and A Swale and M Hill's Valleyhill Haynes Patsy, by Gold-n-Oaks 271 Haynes Red.

Jersey

Maiden heifer – 1 and honourable mention heifer, S and T Wake and A Harvey's Layward Cosmocolitan Delight, by Chilli Action Colton; 2, AH Wilson and Son's Tregibby Yegabomb Blusher, by Tregibby Yegabomb; 3, Miss S Wilson's Haughton S-O Sassy, by River Valley Spice Shot Out.

In-calf heifer – 1 and heifer champion, AH Wilson and Son's Tregibby Tequila Blusher, by Tower Vue Prime Tequila; 2 and reserve heifer, S and T Wake and A Harvey's Layward Victoriously Divine, by River Valley Victorious.

Milking two-year-old – 1 and champion, Fleming Family's Potterswalls Impression Lady, by Rock Ella Impression; 2, P Manning and E Murray's Darnlaw Colton Glitz, by Chilli Action Colton; 3, JA and Y Raven's Skiddaw Governor Coral, by Griffens Governor.

Three-year-old – 1, Fleming Family's Potterswalls Glams Elisha 3, by Potterswalls Glams Comerica; 2, R and M Scott's Monument Chrome Regina, by River Valley Cece Chrome; 3, P Manning and E Murray's Glanmor Bruce Destiny, by Vermalar Bruce CJCC.

Senior cow – 1 and reserve, P Manning and E Murray's Windyridge Tequila Diamond, by Tower Vue Prime Tequila; 2 and honourable mention, Dreammaker Jerseys' Trengothal Tequila Bandanna, by Tower Vue Prime Tequila; 3, Honeyfields Jerseys' Rapidbay-UK Liquor JG Panama, by Rapidbay-UK Liquor.

Ayrshire

Maiden heifer – 1 and reserve champion, C and N Davidson's Halmyre Urr Blossom, by Swaites Dermot; 2 and honourable mention heifer, E and ET Tomlinson's Allstar Supreme Joybell 2, by Sandyford Supreme; 3, ET Tomlinson, A Timbrell, Toi Toi's Sandyford Triple T Fable, by Sandyford Triclo.

In-calf heifer – 1 and heifer champion, M Howie's Sandyford Famed Clover, by Hunnington Famous A1A1; 2, GG Baynes and Son's Changue Maybelle 167, by Changue Cadell; 3, GG Baynes and Son's Changue Deborah 35, by Changue Cadell.

Milking two-year-old – 1, DA Howie and Sons' Morwick Kirsty 13, by Duo Star Gentleman; 2, GG Baynes and Son's Marleycote Queen 2, by Marleycote Jaegerbomb.

Three-year-old – 1, ET Tomlinson's Sandyford Triclo Diamond, by Sandyford Triclo; 2, JE and SM Seedall's Jamara Triclo Heather Honey, by Sandyford Triclo; 3, GG Baynes and Son's Marleycote Joybell 2, by S-West Mossgiel Modern Reality.

Four-year-old – 1 and champion, ET Tomlinson's Sandyford Prime Heather Honey, by De La Plaine Prime; 2 and reserve, E and ET Tomlinson and I Wilson's Allstar Provider Honesty, by Richaven Provider; 3, GG Baynes and Son's Horseclose Lorna 137, by Horseclose Q.

Senior cow – 1 and honourable mention, ET Tomlinson's Sandyford Dark Hester 2, by Sandyford Dark Knight; 2, C and N Davidson's East Church Brazilian Blossom 2, by Palmyra Reality Brazil; 3, GG Baynes and Son's Changue Celandine 285, by Changue Meiklelad

Dairy Shorthorn

Maiden heifer – 1 and heifer champion, RD Kite and Son's Cotonhall Blaze Lady Barrington, by Cotonhall Blaze; 2 and reserve heifer, SE Dixon and G Holliday's Shaunlea Geri 21, by Hooton Fair Reflection; 3, RD Kite and Son's Cotohhall Rupert Lady Barrington, by Sunnbanks Rupert Onyx.

In-calf heifer – 1 and honourable mention heifer, SE Dixon and G Holliday's Shaunlea Geri 18, by Marleycote Royal Flush; 2, GG Baynes and Son's Marleycote Peeress Rose 420, by Marleycote Royal Flush; 3, ????

Milking two-year-old – 1 and champion, RD Kite and Son's Cotonhall Tuck Clarissa, by Riversleigh Tuck; 2, IRG Collins and Partners' Churchroyd Gwen 29, by Churchroyd Wildcard; 3, GA and DW Dent's Winbrook Clara 32, by Cotonhall Ambrose.

Three-year-old – 1, S Dixon and G Holliday's Shaunlea Geri 10, by Hylite Barbwire Red; 2, S Dixon and G Holliday's Shaunlea Geri 13, by Marleycote Cosmonaut; 3, IRG Collins and Partners' Churchroyd Heather 107, by Churchroyd Wildcard.

Four-year-old – 1 and honourable mention, AE Wilkes' Dee Wild Queen 26, by Dee Vinnies Lad; 2, IRG Collins and Partners' Churchroyd Lilian 25, by Treeton Pingerley.

Senior cow – 1 and reserve, RD Kite and Son's Cotonhall Pingerley Sonnschein, by Treeton Pingerley; 3, T Moscrop's Irthingelt Talula 2, by Skyhigh Hartland.

Brown Swiss

Maiden heifer – 1 and reserve heifer, Messrs Williamson's Blackrack Dynamite Reia, by La Raindbow BFly Dynamite; 2 and honourable mention heifer, T Lochhead and Sons' Kedar Hurricane Speedy, by Voelkers TD Carter; 3, DW and LK Mycock's Lathkill Biver Jolie, by Scherma Blooming Biver.

In-calf heifer – 1, heifer champion and people's choice overall champion, Hattie Hassall's Holdontoyourhats Bo Peep, by Gantenbeins Blooming Alasko.

Milking two/three-year-old – 1 and reserve, T Lochhead and Sons' Kedar Virestar Jodie, by Studers BS Vigor Virestar; 2, T Lochhead and Sons' Kedar Carter Snowchance, by Voelkers TD Carter; 3, Atomic Swiss' Kedar Norwin Snuggles, by Norwin.

Junior cow – 1 and champion, R and E Jones' Kedar Blooming Snowdrop, by Scherma Glen Blooming; 2, T Lochhead and Sons' Kedar Alaska, by Scherma Glenn Blooming.

Senior cow – 1 and honourable mention, T Lochhead and Sons' Kedar Calvin Sanchia Maria, by Vetschs Nesta Calvin

Holstein

Autumn-born calf – 1, TA and ML Jackson's Panda Twilight, by Riverdown Upstapabull Red; 2, Messrs Williamson's Ingleden Pepper Rosie, by Delaberge Pepper; 3, W and A Watson's Muir Undenied Eliza, by Our Favourite Undenied.

Summer-born calf – 1 and honourable mention junior, T Lomas and 5Guys' 5Guys Raptors Blexy, by Blondin Raptor; 2, Evening Holsteins' Evening Stanleycup Jennifer by Gillette Stanleycup; 3, Absolute Genetics' Absolute Callen Pic n Mix, by OCD 1st Class Callen.

Spring-born calf – 1, Wormanby Farms' Wormanby Denver Gloriette 2, by Brenland Denver; 2, N Sloan's Leagh Secretariat Lavish, by All Nure Secretariat; 3, Messrs Williamson's Ingleden Fitz Charline, by Toc-Farm Fitz.

Winter yearling – 1, JL Miles and Son's Littlebridge Doorman Flo 2, by VAl-Bisson Doorman; 2, W Horsley and E Monaghan's Carldanton Lambda Ashlyn, by Farnear Delta Lambda; 3, Messrs Dennison's Denmire Sidekick Marie, by Walnutlawn Sidekick.

Autumn yearling – 1 and junior champion, Evening Holsteins' Evening Sidekick Jennifer, by Walnutlawn Sidekick; 2, McLean Family's Priestland Solomon James Rose, by Walnutlawn Sidekick; 3, Messrs Dennison's Denmire Sidekick Marie 534, by Walnutlawn Sidekick.

Senior yearling – 1 and reserve junior champion, T Henry and Son's Mostragee Attitude Ellie, by Mostragee Attitude; 2, R and S Bradley's Langpark Unix Entice, by Croteau Lesperron Unix; 3, R and M Scott and RD McInnes and Co's Nethervalley Kingpin Sara, by Kerndtway Kingpin.

Milking yearling – 1, BG Yates and Son's Eastford Diamondback Tabitha, by Mr D Apple Diamondback; 2, Absolute Genetics' Absolute Unix Suzette, by Croteau Lesperron Unix; 3, Wormanby Farms' Wormanby Emilio Mahala, by Wilt Emilio.

Junior two-year-old – 1, WA and A Booth's Feizor Octane A Lana, by Stantons High Octane; 2, A and D MacKellor's Drointon Flashy G Babydoll, by Skye Jumping Jack Flash Red; 3, Riverdane and Messrs Dennison's Denmire Archimedes Pamela 61, by Stantons Archimedes.

Senior two-year-old – 1, 1, AH Wilson and Son's Tregibby Beemer Kitty, by Pol Butte McBeemer; 2, AH Wilson and Son's Feizor Unix W Lasenza, by Croteau Lesperron Unix; 3, R Bown's Richaven Byway Mahala, by Oh River Syc Byway.

Junior three-year-old – 1 and intermediate champion, BG Yates and Son's Logan Estate Jazz, by Edg Esther Estate; 2, Evening Holsteins' Evening Fitz Nell, by Toc Farm Fitz; 3, H Wright and Son's Berryholme Doorman S Flo, by Val-Bisson Doorman.

Senior three-year-old – 1 and reserve intermediate, Riverdane Holsteins' Riverdane Absolute Springsteen, by Apples Absolute Red; 2, Huddlesford Icow's Aireburn Mogul Pearloma, by Mountfield SSI DCY Mogul; 3, AH Wilson and Son's Tregibby Doorman Cinderella.

Four-year-old – 1, Holstein champion and overall champion of champions, N and L Sercombe's Wiltor Silver Centerpiece, by Seagull-bay Silver; 2, Evening Holsteins' Evening Seaver Mischief, by Rew Seaver; 3, DW and CE Jones' Wyndford Doorman Atlee 2, by Val-Bisson Doorman.

Five-year-old – 1 and honourable mention, N and L Sercombe's Aliann Atwood Roxette, by Maple Downs IGW Atwood; 2, Messrs Williamson's Ingleden Goodwhone Hyacinth, by TW Goodwhone; 3, Riverdane Holsteins' Riverdane Colt Strawberrry, by Mr Chassity Colt 45.

Mature cow – 1 and reserve, Huddlesford Icow's Icow Huddlesford Rosann 899, by Regancrest Bradnick; 2, Evening Holsteins, L Lancaster, C Wilson and D O'Neil's Whinchat Stanleycup Farrah, by Gillette Stanleycup; 3, Riverdane Holsteins' Riverdane Ex Rosabel, by Wabash Way Explode.