Eacham Vale Precious 7 takes supreme dairy cow award at Ekka

Exhibited by Greg and Bronwyn English, Malanda, Qld, the very impressive Eacham Vale Precious 7 was named the overall champion of the six breeds on show.

For the first time the dairy judging moved away from having its six breed judges jointly select the interebreed champions. This year the challenge was up to noted Millaa Millaa Holstein breeder Colin Daley.

It is the first time in 10 years the supreme cow award has gone to a breed other than a Holstein or a Jersey.

"The Illawarra has the balance, the capacity and a marvelous udder that makes her the champion," Mr Daley said.

Precious (Silverleigh Manhattan/Eacham Vale Precious 4) earlier won the four to five year old class before being named the senior champion.

The unbeaten Precious last made the 1700km journey to the Ekka in 2017, when she was named both the intermediate champion and udder.

Ecstatic owner Greg English said he was blown away by the win.

"The only thing I can say is she is not for sale," a delighted Mr English said.

Mr Daley said he was also particularly attracted to the older Jersey in the line-up, Kenarie False Alarm exhibited by Pat and Pam McDonald, Murwillumbah, NSW.

The supreme group of three females were two cows from the Beattie family's Nobbyview Partnership at Glamorgan Vale - Nobbyview Eltons Lorna and Nobbyview Virgil's Pam - alongside Kenarie False Alarm, exhibited by Pat and Pam McDonald, Murwillumbah.

A total of 120 cattle were on show at this year's Ekka.

Dedicated Guernsey breeders, the Hayden family from Pilton, Qld, came up trumps at the Ekka, exhibiting the supreme champion udder of Royal Queensland Show.

Previously judged the breed's champion cow, the three years and under four years class winner, Bruanna Frances 12 (Lindrain Pilot Grumpy/Bruanna Frances 11) drew plenty of praise from interbreed judge Colin Daley from Millaa Millaa in Far North Queensland.

"It's a near perfect udder," Mr Daley said, giving the nod to the Guernsey over the Illawarra (the eventual supreme champion cow) and the Jersey.

"Everything is right about this very productive udder from its placement and suspension, its equal quarters and straight hanging teats.

"This is our winner today from a very good line-up."

Illawarras. Sen champ cow: Eacham Vale Precious 7, Greg and Bronwyn English. Res: Ovensdale Rose 182, Henry and Bourke. Champ intermediate female: Eacham Vale Erin 4. Res: Myrtleholme Empress 85 ET, Bourke family. Jun champ female: Allen Vale Linda 40, Tim Nichols, Phillips, Baron. Res: Panorama Jean 25, Loka Manu.

Jerseys. Sen champ cow: Kenarie False Alarm, Pat and Pam McDoanld. Res: Nobbyview Virgil's Pam, Nobbyview Partnership. Champ intermediate female: Nobbyview Eddies Jewel. Res: Glen Echo GN Mist, Parker Pastoral. Jun champ female: Nobbyview Whiskeys Rosie. Res: Kenarie Handsome Spotlight.

Holsteins. Sen champ cow: Arabella Broke Tam, Arabella Farming Co. Res: Arabella Jetair Dotti. Champ intermediate female: Arabella Diamond Lynrose. Res: Pooley Bridge Velvet Anne, AD&SL Barron. Jun champ female: Arabella First Grade Ding. Res: Ardylbar Classy Flora, AD&SL Barron.

Guernseys. Sen champ cow: Bruanna Frances 12. Res: Bruanna Marmonte Reo, Hayden family. Champ intermediate female: Shadow Valley PV Abby, Jim and Janice O'Donohoe. Res: Shadow Valley PV Carol. Jun champ female: Bruanna Superman Spring. Res: Bruanna Frances 13.

Brown Swiss. Sen champ cow: Oakleigh Payssli Roby 5, J&N Bradley. Res: Oakleigh Jongleur Lassie 5. Champ intermediate female: Oakleugh Blooming Ladora. Res: Quicksilver Blooming Ladybettle, Andrew and Larina McConnell. Jun champ female: Maverick Arrow Chloe, Josh Kramers. Res: Quicksilver Nick Interesting.

Ayrshires. Sen champ cow: Boombana Crown, Nicholas Schneider. Champ intermediate female: Pineville Thistle Burdette, RG&RO Zerner. Res: Boombana Yang. Jun champ female: Tailor's Grove Ella Lace, Leo Schneider. Res: Pineville Teds Vicking.

This story first appeared on Queensland Country Life