A MAGNIFICENT young Poll Hereford cow from Kerlson Pines stud, Keith, reigned supreme in the feature breed judging with international judge Jack Ward, Kansas, United States, admiring her "beautiful udder" and "quality and balance".
Mark, Anita and Andrew Wilson, received a rousing applause as the 28-month-old, Kerlson Pines Last Day J8, and her two and a half-month-old bull calf were ushered forward by American Herefords Association executive vice president, Mr Ward.
Mr Ward said the cow and calf unit were a "quality combination."
"She exemplified the goodness in the Hereford breed," he said.
"In the Hereford breed we want to be producing good females which last a long time and udders are critical for longevity."
Last Day came from a strong maternal line with her dam also a reserve senior champion female at Adelaide, and a daughter of Canadian sire McCoy 25M Renaissance who has being breeding well for the stud. The calf was sired by Cascade Jarrett.
The Wilsons' first Adelaide supreme win in nearly 30 years of showing was all the more special as Herefords were the feature breed at this year's event and attracted a high standard of entries.
"The milk production in that female line is fantastic and she has the muscling and depth we are looking for," stud principal Mark Wilson said.
A prize pool of more than $21,000 attracted an outstanding field of 68 cattle from 12 SA, Vic and NSW exhibitors.
It was the first Adelaide feature breed showing combining Hereford and Poll Hereford entries with some large classes including 11 cows with calves in the senior class.
Another local stud also rose to the top for grand champion bull with Days Wizard K5.
Lachy and Lou Day, Days Whiteface stud, Bordertown, repeated their broad ribbon success of 2014 with a son of Days Calibre G74 - the breed's $90,000 record priced sire.
Hereford
Judge: Jack Ward, Kansas, US
Exhibitors: 12
Entries: 89
Supreme exhibit and grand champion female: Kerlson Pines Last Day J8, Wilson Partnership, Keith
Grand champion bull: Days Wizard K7, Days Whiteface stud, Bordertown
Junior champion female: Mawarra Minerva 971, Mawarra Herefords, Longford, Vic
Reserve: Grassy Mountain Fern 402, G&H Neilson, Canowindra, NSW
Senior champion female: Kerlson Pines Last Day, Wilson Partnership
Reserve: Allendale Dawn H183, AE Day & Sons, Bordertown
Junior champion bull: Days Wizard K5, Days Whiteface Pty Ltd
Reserve: Allendale Washington K5, AE Day & Sons
Senior champion bull: Mawarra Magnificent, Mawarra Herefords
Reserve: Minlacowie Jubilant J123, Anthony Honner, Brentwood
Most successful exhibitor: Mawarra Herefords
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
