RED DEER – A Holstein show is like a beauty contest in black and white.
Polished to perfection, 105 Holstein cows paraded before Quebec judge Liette Labbé at the Westerner Dairy Showcase Oct. 27.
For some dairy producers, this event is part of a whirlwind schedule that starts at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin and ends with Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
The Westerner show is one of Canada’s largest and presents some of the best the breed has to offer.
Shows are as much work as play, says show committee member Don Chalack.
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Leading these elite animals into the ring is the culmination of years of genetic selection and serves as a perfect promotion tool.
“People are looking for cows that will produce lots of milk as well as good show animals. A show animal is worth a premium,” said Chalack, who owns Wendon Holsteins at Innisfail, Alta.
Noted for their size, strength, productivity and general “dairyness,” Canadian Holsteins are in demand around the world.
In the show ring, the judge looks for a feminine type head and long neck with a smooth, balanced body. Feet and legs are examined to ensure the cow can walk and work well.
This show does not include milk production.
For Bryce Fisher of R & F Livestock at Warman, Sask., this show was a stopover between the Wisconsin show and the Toronto Royal Winter Fair.
His junior champion at Red Deer was third in her class of 45 at the American show. As a calf, Blue Top Counsellor Highclass was reserve junior champion at the Royal last year. Following the Red Deer show, that same heifer was set to leave for Toronto to compete in a yearling class.
By the end of the day at Red Deer, R & F Livestock joined forces with Lampada Holsteins of Lampman, Sask., to win grand champion with a 1997 cow named Deruisseaux Rocky. Lampada was also named premier exhibitor and breeder of the show.
The reserve was Goldenflo Triumphant Neptune, entered by Bienert Holsteins of Cooking Lake, Alta.
At the World Dairy Expo on Oct. 5 and 6 with more than 400 cows on display, Canadians showed nine class winners and placed near the top of all classes.
Nearly 70 percent of all females in the leading 10 positions of the junior and senior shows were by Canadian sires.
Those heifers went on to capture reserve grand champion honours. The reserve grand champion bull was exhibited by Continental Holsteins of Leduc, Alta.
