The sun once again shone on Clogher Valley last Wednesday, as Clandeboye Estate's homebred cow, Clandeboye Champion Willow, picked up the prestigious accolade of McLarnon Feeds / NISA Dairy Cow Champion 2007.

This aptly named cow proved a worthy winner, with the judge, Mr Mick Gould, from the Woodmarsh Herd describing her as "a near perfect specimen". Mr Gould went on to comment on "her tremendous balance, quality of neck with great depth of body and a superb udder". Mark Logan brought this second lactation cow to the show ring with impressive performance to back up her good looks, as she gave over 10,000 litres of milk in her first lactation. This cow also won the Exhibitor Bred Championship.

After choosing his Champion, Mr Gould, turned to the remaining "super line up of dairy animals" to pick his Reserve Champion. This honour went to Aubrey Patterson's Ballycrochan Herd in Bangor, with his red & white Holstein, Cheviot View Monks Ori 2. This was an exceptional show of stockmanship from Aubrey, as this cow only calved a week ago! The freshness of this animal was acknowledged by the judge and he complimented the "cow's fantastic depth of body combined with her strong degree of dairyness".

Next in the prizes was Ivan and Louise Robinson's cow, Glaslough Charles Fancy. This cow travelled from Ballygowan to pick up Second Reserve Champion 2007. Another cow with impressive production figures with over 12,000 litres milk at 5.82% fat in her second lactation. This cow showed with a fantastic udder, in fact, Mick Gould felt it was "one of the best udders he has ever seen".

Overall it was an exceptional show with viewers around the ring truly spoiled with the quality of dairy animals on view. McLarnon Feeds would like to thank and acknowledge the efforts and commitment shown by all the qualifiers throughout the championship. There is no doubt that the high quality of dairy animals residing within the province was definitely evident at this years Championship, with many onlookers saying "that was the best line up of cows seen at any show".