Sara Wins 10th Anniversary McLarnon Championship

The Final of the McLarnon Feeds / NISA Dairy Cow Championship 2011 held at Antrim Show proved to be a spectacular event as the sun shone on the largest turnout of cows seen in the 10 years of this Championship. Fifteen cows in total were presented on the day representing some of the best dairy stock in the Province from Northern Irelands top breeders battling it out for the "Dairy Cow of the Year 2011" title.

The Judge chosen to decide who should win this prestigious 10th Anniversary Championship was Mr Henry Cornthwaite who owns Kirkwood Holsteins at Preston, Lancashire. He certainly had a difficult task as many spectators agreed the line up was one of the best line ups of dairy cows ever seen in the Province.

The Championship was awarded to Philip & Simon Haffey from Lurgan with their 2nd lactation cow Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 EX90. The judge described the cow as a "tremenduous class of cow in every way." This cow also has excellent production figures to back up her good looks having produced 14100 kg of milk in 253 days in her current lactation at 4.70% Butterfat and 3.50% Protein. This cow has seen much success in the show ring this year including Holstein Champion at Balmoral Show 2011, Reserve Champion Irish National Holstein Show 2011 and Reserve Champion RUAS Winter Fair 2010. The success continued for the Haffeys as this cow also picked up the award for best udder in the McLarnon Feeds/NISA Championship with the judge commenting, "I admired her tremenduous udder as soon as she entered the show ring".

Reserve Champion was picked up by John A Patterson and Sons from Crumlin with their 3rd lactation cow, Wiltor Goldwyn Lausine EX93. This cow is also no stranger to show success as she was Irish National Holstein Show Champion 2011, Reserve Holstein Champion Balmoral Show 2011 and Emerald Expo Champion 2011.

Sam & John McCormick from Bangor won the Second Reserve Champion prize. Their 2nd lactation homebred cow, Hilltara Damion Reann EX90 was also awarded the Exhibitor Bred Championship. The judge described this exhibit as "A beautiful animal showing superb dairyness." She has a projected yield of 10,202 kg milk.

Fourth prize also went to Sam & John McCormick's Hilltara Herd for another excellent homebred cow Hilltara Zenith Echo VG89. Both of these young Hilltara cows have much to offer and will surely have more Show success in the future.

Jim & Charlotte Stevenson travelled from Kilkeel and were placed fifth in the Final line up. Their much fancied 3rd lactation homebred cow Newry Goldwyn Mayflower produced 11347kg of milk in her 1st lactation and classified EX93 as a 3rd calver.

Sixth place was awarded to Robert Hunter who made the long journey from Castlederg with his 4th lactation cow, Carndreen Sprite Amy EX93 (2). It was pleasing to see this herd achieving success on their first year showing in this Championship.

On reflection, this year's 10th Anniversary Championship definitely proved to be a huge success with spectators afforded the privilege of viewing one of the largest & best line ups of dairy animals seen on these shores in recent history.

Willis Mackey, McLarnon Feeds, thanked all the exhibitors for their time, effort and commitment shown throughout this year's Dairy Cow Championship. Additional pictures, Final line up results and a brochure are all available to view below:

• Cow of the Year Brochure 2011

Champion: Willis Mackey, McLarnon Feeds, congratulates Philip & Simon Haffey, Lurgan on winning the 10th Anniversary McLarnon Feeds/NISA Dairy Cow Championship Final at Antrim Show with their cow Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2. Also included from left are Andrew Kennedy, Handler, Colin McDonald, NISA, Jemma Haffey, Tommy Collins, NISA, Robert Wallace, Antrim Show, Lily and Isla Haffey and Neil Aston (Haffeys farm helper).

Reserve Champion: John A Patterson and Sons won Reserve Champion with Wiltor Goldwyn Lausine. Included is Andrew Patterson, handler, Brian King, NISA, Henry Cornthwaite, Judge and David Mawhinney, McLarnon Feeds.

2nd Reserve Champion & Exhibitor Bred Champion: John Maginn, McLarnon Feeds congratulates John McCormick, Bangor on his success in the Dairy cow Championship with their cow Hilltara Damion Reann. Also included is Brian King, NISA, Henry Cornthwaite, Judge and Fred Duncan, Antrim Show.

Best Udder: Copywood Goldwyn Sara 2 owned by Philip and Simon Haffey also took the McLarnon Feeds/NISA Best Udder award at Antrim Show. Looking on are Seamus McGuckin, McLarnon Feeds, and Tommy Collins, NISA.

Fourth Prize: Sam & John McCormick exhibited the fourth prize cow, Hilltara Zenith Echo. Congratulating them is Tommy Collins, NISA and Michael Copeland, McLarnon Feeds.

Fifth Prize: Jim & Charlotte Stevenson exhibited their homebred fifth prize cow, Newry Goldwyn Mayflower. Included from left are Robert Forrest, Handler, Charlotte Stevenson, Harold Stevenson and Wayne Cunningham, McLarnon Feeds.

Sixth Prize: Sixth prize was won by Carndreen Sprite Amy, owned and exhibited by Robert Hunter, Castlederg. Congratulating him are Philip Whyte, McLarnon Feeds, Henry Cornthwaite, Judge, Harold Stevenson, McLarnon Feeds.

Impressive Line-up: An impressive line up of cows at this years 10th Anniversary Final.

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

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To view previous Dairy Cow Champions Click here.