A Northern Ireland syndicate has struck the right notes at a national six-breed dairy show today (September 13) lifting the title of Jersey Champion.
The cow was the only Northern Ireland-owned animal to enter UK Dairy Day in Telford, Shropshire.
Despite coming up against almost 200 other cattle, Bluegrass Vindications Harp EX93 went on to win Honourable Mention in the Interbreed Championship.
Harp is owned by three Northern Ireland breeders; the Fleming family, John Henning and Keith Agnew from counties Down and Armagh.
Third calver
Approaching five-year-old, Harp had her third calf in February and is classified Excellent 93 points.
She yielded 9,000 litres milk in her second lactation with very high components of butterfat (4.92%) and protein (3.7%).
So far this year she has won the Jersey Championship at UK Dairy Expo (for the third time); Jersey Championship at the Royal Highland Show (for the second time); Overall Show Championship at Ayr County Show and a member of the Winning Interbreed Pair at the Royal Welsh Show.
She is housed with the Yates family in southwest Scotland, after being purchased for 11,000gns at the Red Ribbon Sale in 2015.
National show
UK Dairy Day is a dedicated annual 1-day event for the dairy industry, held at the International Centre in Telford, Shropshire at a key time of the year when decisions are being made for the winter.
Blythbridge Holsteins’ Illens Atwood Australia was named this year’s Interbreed Champion.
Reserve Champion went to J Adamson and Son’s Swaites Bright Spark 5.
The event is free for exhibitors and visitors, and features more than 300 trade strands. The event also hosted a series of seminars and demonstrations – covering topics including foot trimming, knife sharpening and dairy cow anatomy.
This year the event also hosted both The National Ayrshire Show and The National Holstein Show.
