CREAM OF THE PROVINCE LINED UP AT ANTRIM SHOW

The Final of the McLarnon Feeds / NISA Dairy Cow Championship 2009 held at Antrim Show proved to be a spectacular event with what the judge Mr Andrew Dennison described as "a superb line-up of dairy cows, what a class of cows". He also commented that he was privileged to be asked to judge this prestigious event, but after entering the ring he said "the heat is really on as all 12 cows presented here today are fit to win any show."

He certainly had an arduous task as many spectators deemed the line up to be one of the best line ups of dairy cows ever seen within the province. In fact, spectators travelled great distances, from as far a field as Cork, eager to see who would be crowned "Cow of the Year 2009".

This honour was once again awarded to Ivan and Louise Robinson from Ballygowan with their 4th lactation cow Glaslough Charles Fancy EX93. This is the second successive year this cow has won this hotly contested dairy cow championship. The judge described the cow as a "Big fancy cow that is beautifully balanced. This is a cow that would win any show, anywhere. She really is on the money today, fantastic". This cow also has excellent production figures to back up her good looks with Fancy giving 14688 litres of milk in her 3rd lactation at 4.92 Butterfat and 3.43 Protein. She also picked up the award for best udder with the judge commenting, "her udder is mind blowing, the best udder I have ever seen".

The sun continued to shine on Ivan and Louise, as this father and daughter team also picked up the Reserve Champion accolade with their 3rd calver, Aldringham Stormatic Ghost VG89. The judge went on to comment "this cow showed herself extremely well when on parade, showing a great rear udder".

David Wilson from Newtownabbey won the Second Reserve Champion prize. His 2nd lactation homebred cow Gravelhill Atom Anne VG89 was also awarded the Exhibitor Bred Championship. The judge described this exhibit as "A beautiful animal. She is a real dairy machine, showing superb dairyness." This cow also possesses excellent production traits, as she is currently yielding 55.8kgs of milk daily.

Fourth prize went to Sam McCormick's Hilltara Herd from Bangor. His son John exhibited their excellent homebred cow Hilltara Jordan Tury EX93 at the final. This cow has an excellent show pedigree as she recently won the Best Exhibitor Bred and Best Overall Cow in the Northern Ireland Herds Competition 2009. She is classified maximum points of EX93 for a third calver. Once again this cow is producing vast amounts of milk giving 12,653kgs of milk in her second lactation.

Morrell McCollum travelled from Coleraine to be placed fifth in the final line up. His much fancied 2nd lactation homebred cow Boghill Goldwyn Gloriette VG89 produced 10398kgs of milk in her 1st lactation. She is from 7 generations of VG/EX.

Despite calving down nearly 8 months ago, a 2nd lactation homebred cow, Ballyginniff Jasper White Rose VG89, from John Patterson and Sons, Crumlin, was awarded sixth place at the final. It was pleasing to see that this cow has matured well, as she placed second reserve champion at last year's final as a heifer.

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 seen on these shores in recent history.

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 2009

• Dairy Cow Championship Results 2009

Champion: Fancy Champion: Willis Mackey, McLarnon Feeds, presents The McLarnon Feeds Cow of The Year Perpetual Shield to Louise Robinson. Also included are Ivan Robinson, owner, Randal Hayes, NISA, Harold Stevenson, McLarnon Feeds and handlers David Gray and Andrew Kennedy.

Best Udder Andrew Dennison, Judge and Harold Stevenson, McLarnon Feeds, congratulate Louise Robinson on winning the Best Udder award with Glaslough Charles Fancy.

Reserve Champion Ivan Robinson, Ballygowan, is congratulated by his brother Cecil Robinson, Brian King, NISA, David Mawhinney, McLarnon Feeds, Andrew Dennison and handler Glynn Lucas for being placed reserve champion with Aldringham Stromatic Ghost.

2nd Reserve Champion & Exhibitor Bred Champion David Wilson, Newtownabbey, is congratulated by Wayne Cunningham, McLarnon Feeds, on winning Second Reserve Champion and Exhibitor Bred Champion, with Gravelhill Atom Anne. Dennis O'Neill is at the halter.

Fourth Prize Michael Copeland congratulates John McCormick, Bangor, with his homebred cow Hilltara Jordan Tury being placed fourth at the final.

Fifth Prize Morrell McCollum exhibited the fifth prize cow, Boghill Goldwyn Gloriette, from his herd in Coleraine. Dennis Nelson, McLarnon Feeds and Willie Wilson, commentator, congratulate Morrell.

Sixth Prize John Patterson & Sons's homebred cow Ballyginnif Jasper White Rose picked up the 6th prize at the final. Sam Ritchie, McLarnon Feeds, congratulates Andrew Patterson, Crumlin.

Andrew Dennison Hard At Work Final 2009 Andrew Dennison examines the superb line up of dairy animals.

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To view previous Dairy Cow Champions Click here.