A young cow that was pulled from the ring at last year's Victorian Winter Fair made a triumphant return this year claiming the intermediate championship.
John Gardiner, Avonlea Holsteins, Cardinia, Vic, bought the classy Murribrook Reginald Victory ET last May from Stuart and Andrew Mackie, Meeniyan, Vic, who had picked her up at the Murribrook Holsteins sale two years ago.
Mr Gardiner had seen her at International Dairy Week where she had impressed him in the dry heifer classes.
"We brought her here last year but some things went wrong and we actually took her out of the ring because she wasn't right," he said.
But three-year-old Murribrook Reginald Victory calved in in April and was right for this year's event.
Mr Gardiner said he liked the cow's pedigree.
The cow's dam - Strongbark Linjet Victory - was one of the unique breed cows in the country.
"She's bred so exceptionally well, she's bred to a whole heap of different bulls," Mr Gardiner said.
"There are so many daughters out of that cow that have been really good cows and there is a lot of depth of pedigree behind that."
Mr Gardiner said he really liked the champion's angle and depth of rib and the fact that her udder was right up in her.
"I could see that in my opinion she was going to make a really good cow down the track," he said.
Judge Matt Templeton and associate judge Jo Holloway agreed.
"She puts it all together for us," Mr Templeton said.
The cow was all dairy but with beautiful strength through her front end and a beautiful long, clean neck.
The cow had a great mammary system, having being awarded the intermediate best udder.
Mr Gardiner said the cow had been bred a couple of days before the show and hopefully would be back next year.
Avonlea has enjoyed considerable success at the Victorian Winter Fair in the past couple of years, including senior champion at last year's show.
"It has worked well for us but it is a tough time of year, where it requires a lot of work, particularly leading in to it," he said.
"But also after the show because they are clipped, you can't just put them back with the herd because of the cold and the wet.
"So the management doesn't just stop now."
After the event, the show animals are kept in an undercover loafing area and milked separately for five to six weeks.
Champion results
Supreme Intermediate Champion: Murribrook Reginald Victory ET, JH & CJ Gardiner.
Reserve Intermediate Champion: Elmar Solomon Jessica 2 ET, Elmar Holsteins.
Honourable Mention: Gorbro Solomon Livia, Gorbro Holsteins.
Supreme Intermediate Udder: Murribrook Reginald Victory ET, JH & CJ Gardiner.
Red Intermediate Champion: Bluechip EV Awesome Destini ET Red, Sunrise Holsteins.
Reserve Red Intermediate Champion: Amelia Park Faber Naomi 2nd Red, Nathan Hart.
Honourable Mention: RJ's Mustang Sallie Red, RJ's Holsteins.
Related reading:
- All the fun of the fair | Day 3 - intermediate judging - classes 15-18 - with gallery
- Victorian Winter Fair junior champion epitome of breeding program - with gallery
- All the fun of the fair | Day 2 - junior judging - classes 4-14 - with gallery
- All the fun of the fair | Day 2 - handlers' competition - classes 1-3 - with gallery
- All the fun of the fair | Day 1 - with gallery
- Victorian Winter Fair to be held in Bendigo
This story first appeared on Australian Dairyfarmer
Carlene Dowie
Carlene Dowie is the editor of the Australian Dairyfarmer magazine and has more than 30 years' experience as a rural journalist.
Carlene Dowie is the editor of the Australian Dairyfarmer magazine and has more than 30 years' experience as a rural journalist.
