Mattia Wears The Kilt Again
With its usual great atmosphere and turn out of top quality cattle, Agriscot once again attracted a large attendance from all corners of the UK and Ireland. With our judge Michael George of the famous Brynhfrydd herd in South Wales, it was a recipe for an excellent day for all.
First class in the ring was for junior heifers in milk and provided Michael George with one of the most difficult decisions of the day. After long deliberation he gave the red rosette to the Wilson’s of Warnelview with their home bred Integrity Wonder just ahead of Holgates Aliann Champion Isis, again another heifer bred by the owners. Judge George told the packed ringside it was a fantastic class and had a difficult task splitting the top two. Bone quality, veination of udder and slightly more length of body gave Wonder the edge but praised the Holgates entry for her great rear udder and rump structure.
Senior heifer in milk saw some different types and judge George went for the Patterson / Swale Aldingham Leduc Mitzi 6th. Praised by the judge for her balance, hardtop and open rib it was the cleaner hook bones of Mitzi that gave her the edge. Second place went to the Knutfords with Riverdane Stormatic Beauty for her snug udder and locomotion.
We now had the breed heifer championships of the day. Our judge Michael George had no hesitation in selecting his champion and reserve from the junior heifer class. He explained he could not split these two great heifers from their class.
When all the breed champions had been selected Bill Callander had the task of selecting the Super Heifer Champion and Kevin Wilson was the proudest man in the ring as Warnelview Integrity Wonder was tapped forward as the winner to end a great year for this herd.
After the break for lunch our judge was again faced with another large class of junior cows in milk. The long journey for the Mackellar’s with homebred Drointon Astre Virtue was made worthwhile as she gained first place for her balance and great open rib. Second place went to the Rawcliffe entry Almond Journalist Haley praised for quality of udder and fore udder attachment.
Next class was for intermediate cows and there was no surprise to see the Davidson’s leading the way and turning out yet another winner from their Errolston herd with Brockafield Lee Lottie, a cow admired by our judge for her balance, open rib, carrying a great udder and excellent locomotion. These points gave her the advantage over a consistent prizewinner from the Whitfield string Lamb Dosephine 4th a cow praised for her depth of rib and power through the front end.
Last class of the day senior cows was described as the best of the day by our judge with some great cows right to the end of the line. With such an excellent standard judge George said he had an easy winner in the Whitfield / Nutsford entry Applevue Rudy Mattia coming out in great form. Our judge said his winner was a great cow showing style and ring presence with power in her front end, excellent spine and an udder carried high and wide. Second place was a very close placing and Weatherups homebred Lesmay Nan 60th got the advantage for her fantastic udder and dairy character. Close behind was Stephen Morley’s Llydan Storm Farrah.
With all the classes over the ringside then turned their attention to the climax of Agriscot with the breed championships and the ultimate Supercow 2006. Michael George first had to decide our Holstein Champion and was full of praise for all the contenders but explained his champion was a comfortable winner and tapped forward Mattia for her second win in three years. Reserve champion went to Brockafield Lee Lottie from the Davidson’s who you just cannot keep down for long!
Interbreed champion was the final award and with some excellent contenders judge Callander had no hesitation in giving Appleview Rudy Mattia from Brian Whitfield and Mark Nutsford their second Supercow win with this cow.
