McLarnons/NISA Championship Proves a Great Success

The Final of the McLarnon Feeds / NISA Dairy cow Championship 2010 was once again held at Antrim show on Saturday 24th July. The man chosen to decide who should win this event, was Judge Mr Blaise Tomlinson, Sandyford Ayrshires, Leicestershire. Blaise described the line up as being, "an extremely difficult class of cows to judge". It proved to be one of the closest fought events in recent years, with the largest turnout of dairy cows the Championship has seen in the 9 years McLarnon Feeds has been sponsoring it. In total 14 cows turned up to do battle for the prestigious title of, "Dairy Cow of the Year 2010".

The Championship was awarded to John A Patterson and Sons from Crumlin, with their 3rd Lactation cow, Bilsrow Breezy Shower EX92. The judge described this cow as having, "tremendous legs and feet, and had a great udder. She had superb power and strength in her shoulder which was carried throughout her body."

The success continued for the Patterson family as they also picked up the Reserve Champion accolade with their home bred 3rd calver, Ballyginniff Jasper White Rose EX92. This animal also picked up the Exibitor bred Championship. The judge commented, "there was very little to separate the Champion and Reserve Champion".

T S Haffey & Sons from Lurgan won the Second Reserve Champion prize. This 4th Lactation cow, Ridgefield Amy EX94(2) also picked up the award for Best Udder, with the judge commenting, "her udder was superb, with wonderful height and depth of rear udder".

T S Haffey & Sons also picked up fourth prize with their 3rd Lactation red cow, Kilvergan S R Jewel Milky Red EX92. The judge described this cow as having, "great power and depth of rib".

Fifth prize went to Iain and Joyce McLean from Bushmills, with their homebred 2nd Lactation cow Priestland Axiom Dina VG89. It was pleasing to see the Priestland herd achieving some success on their first year showing in this Championship.

And finally sixth place was awarded to T Keatly who made the long journey from Castlederg with his 2nd Lactation red cow, Aghyaran September Rae Red VG89. This cow has had show success since she was a calf, and as she is a young cow she will surely have more show success in the future.

On reflection, this year's championship definitely proved to be a huge success with spectators afforded the privilege of viewing one of the best line ups of dairy animals ever seen on these shores.

Harold Stevenson, McLarnon Feeds, thanked all the exhibitors for their time, effort and commitment shown throughout this year's Dairy Cow Championship.

• Cow of the Year Brochure 2010

Champion: Willis Mackey and Alan Johnston, McLarnon Feeds, presents The McLarnon Feeds Cow of the Year Perpetual Shield to John Patterson, Crumlin, with his cow Bilsrow Breezy Shower. Also included are Randal Hayes, NISA, Handler, James Patterson, Harold Stevenson, McLarnon Feeds and Judith Patterson.

Reserve Champion & Exhibitor bred Champion: John A Patterson and sons also won Reserve & Exhibitor bred Champion with their home bred cow Ballyginiff Jasper White Rose. Included is Andrew Patterson, handler, Blaise Tomlinson, Judge, Brian King, NISA, Fiona Patterson and David Mawhinney, McLarnon Feeds.

2nd Reserve Champion & Best Udder: Seamus McGuckin, McLarnon Feeds, and Fred Duncan, Antrim Show, congratulate T S Haffey and Sons, Lurgan, on their success in the Dairy cow Championship with their cow Ridgefield Amy. Also included is Willie Wilson, commentator.

Best Udder: Blaise Tomlinson, Judge, and Harold Stevenson, McLarnon Feeds, Congratulate T S Haffey and Sons on winning the Best Udder award with Ridgefield Amy.

Fourth Prize: T S Haffey and Sons exhibited the fourth prize cow, Kilvergan S R Jewel Milky Red. Congratulating them is Michael Copeland and Wayne Cunningham, McLarnon Feeds.

Fifth Prize: Iain, Joyce and Jonathan McLean, Bushmills are pictured with their homebred fifth prize cow, Priestland Axiom Dina. They are congratulated by Robert Wallace, Antrim Show, David Dunlop and Sam Ritchie, McLarnon Feeds.

Sixth Prize: Sixth prize was won by Aghyaran Rae Red, owned and exhibited by T Keatley & Family, Castlederg. Michael Copeland, Seamus McGuckin and David Mawhinney of McLarnon Feeds Congratulate them.

Impressive Line-up: An impressive line up of cows at this years Final.

Cows on Parade: Large crowds enjoyed watching this superb class of cows on parade.

McLarnon Sales Team with Winning Line up: The McLarnon Feeds sales team congratulate the winning line up at this years Dairy Cow Championship.

Willie Wilson gave commentary on the Pedigree of each animal while on parade.

Crowds: Onlookers enjoyed this tremendous class of cows being judged.

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To view previous Dairy Cow Champions Click here.