SPECTACULAR was a well-used phrase to describe the winner of the Grand Champion Guernsey at this year’s International Dairy Week.
Rockmar Miami Graceful has had a stellar rise to the top after being judged reserve intermediate champion as a three year old in 2017.
Rockmar had rapidly developed since last year’s IDW according to Tyson Shea who led the heifer for parents Mark and Roxanne Shea, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria.
He said the now four year old had been set for this year’s event, calving in October.
“It’s pretty exciting to see what she will do as a five and six year old.
Guernsey judge Patty McMurray, Pennsylvania, United States, said the champion was “right on the money”.
Illawarra
IT HAS been a three year build for the three partners in this year’s Interational Dairy Week Grand Champion Illawarra cow, Llandovery JR Joan 982.
The six year old cow was an honorable mention in the senior championship in 2016 and reserve senior champion in 2017.
Owners Glen and Drew Gordon from Gorbro Holsteins and Craig Rapley, New Zealand, bought the female at a sale “because we thought she had the goods”, Glen Gordon said.
Illawarra judge, Paul Morrison, England, said the champion was a “tremendous”, quality cow.
Ayrshire
The grand champion Ayrshire cow at International Dairy Week was the first time its owner James Dillon had shown at the event a cow from his own breeding.
Mr Dillon, who milks 260 cows at Waaia, Vic, bought the champion Parkville Burdette Katie's mother as a 5-6-month-old at the Midway Park dispersal sale in 2012.
The three-year-old cow impressed judge Blair Weeks, Canada, taking the intermediate championship before winning the champion udder and grand champion awards.
Mr Dillon has been showing at IDW for five years and was thrilled to win with the cow from his own breeding.
Brown Swiss
Tandara Brown Swiss took all before it at International Dairy Week on Tuesday.
The Dingee, Vic, stud won the grand champion cow, the senior champion cow, the reserve senior champion cow, the best udder and the champion intermediate cow.
Tandara's team of 10 animals comprised two heifers and eight in-milk animals and took home the premier breeder and premier exhibitor awards.
The grand champion cow Tandara Jolt Sarajevo 55 has won the top award at International Dairy Week twice before.
