RED DEER – When a trio of dairy producers entered their newly purchased Jersey in Western Canada’s largest dairy show, they were sure they had a winner.
Named Marshfield Counciller Angelic, the four-year-old cow had never been shown before, so her owners were pleased to win the grand champion Jersey banner at the Westerner championship dairy showcase held in Red Deer Oct. 26-28.
“We were confident she was a good cow,” said co-owner Jason Rietveld of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., who milks 130 Holstein and Jersey cows. The other owners include David and Tracy Morey of Unique Stock Farm of Rochester, Alta., and Rod York of Saskatchewan.
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Besides grand champion, she received the best udder award from judge Dale Bienart at the Oct. 28 show where about 60 Jerseys were paraded.
Born in Prince Edward Island, the young female was originally purchased in an Ontario Jersey sale and moved to Saskatchewan. The group bought her from R and F Livestock at Osler, Sask., and moved Angelic to Alberta earlier this fall.
Her next trip is a six day journey back to Ontario for the Royal Winter Fair where her owners believe she will place well against more than 250 entrants.
It is not unusual anymore to see a smattering of doe-eyed Jerseys in a herd of Holsteins. The quiet temperament and high producing cows have been winning converts, said Morey.
“Good cows are good cows no matter what the colour,” said Morey, who milks 250 Jerseys. “She has matured into herself, which most good cows do,” he said.
It is also more common to see partnerships in high-end cows.
“The cost of high quality cows is going up, so it helps spread your risk with a partnership,” said Morey.
He and his partners believe in showing cattle but as working farmers they do not always have the time to attend the important shows and promote their genetics. By sharing costs and show time duties, the work is spread around.
“If you have good quality genetics, nobody will know if you stay at home,” said Morey.
Most partnerships are also friendly. They may compete in the ring but afterward they help feed, milk cows, clean stalls and share laughter.
Partnerships are found in various configurations.
This trio won junior champion Jersey the day before and the reserve grand champion named Rapid Bay Just Wait Spits came from a partnership that included Rietveld, York and Tom Hofstra. Morey won reserve junior champion on his own.
Partnerships also prevailed at the Holstein show where more than 170 cows competed.
The grand championship for the second year running went to Irwindale Leduc Macy, described as a cow with a lot of heart by the judge.
Owned by Rocky Mountain Holsteins of Cochrane, Alta., R and F Livestock and Continental Holsteins of Ponoka, Alta., this dappled five year old won best udder and has won shows across the country.
The reserve grand, Dappledale SLJ Shauna born in 2001, went to Chilliwack Cattle Co. of Chilliwack, B.C., and R and F Livestock.
