NSW based Andrew and Abbey Crawford, Numbaa near Nowra, entry Exkwizit Active Barbell took Grand Champion Guernsey exhibit at International Dairy Week this year..
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The five-year-old was senior champion cow also won the John Stephens Memorial Trophy for best udder.
Andrew Crawford said he and wife Abbey took over the herd from his parents in July 2018.
The herd comprises 950 cows, of which 10 were Guernseys and the balance Holsteins.
“I’ve always liked Guernsey cattle,” he said.
He said they purchased cattle from Alan Little and Leesa Ison, Black and Gold Dairies, Monto, Queensland, six or seven years ago.
“In 2017 when we heard they were having a dispersal, we went and bought what we thought was the best Guernsey cow in the sale (as well as some Holsteins),” he said.
Exkwizit Active Barbell was a VG 87 sired by Sniders Gold Dust Activate and was a direct descendant to Brookleigh GH Bronte EX.
“When we saw her we knew she was a show cow and we could set her for International Dairy Week,” Mr Crawford said.
They bought the cow in August 2017 and took her to the Sydney Royal in 2018 when she was reserve champion. This year’s IDW was just her second outing for the Crawfords.
“She has come from the far north to the south coast of NSW,” he said.
“She should have a few more IDWs in her we think,” he said.
Guernsey judge, Chris Lang, Spring Hill Farm, Ohio, United States, said the Grand champion was a “slam dunk”.
“She is an incredible cow. It’s so easy to judge really good cows,” he said.
Check out our gallery from the Guernsey judging here
In judging her the best udder Mr Lang said Barbell beat a tremendous line-up of cows for the honour.
“That cow would do quite well anywhere in the world,” he said.
Reserve senior champion was a cow from the same class as the champion, Rockmar Miami Graceful, from M & R Shea, Bacchus Marsh, Vic.
Mr Lang said that from the quality of the Guernsey cattle that came into the ring, it shows the breed’s future was “looking promising”.
“The cows here are a good indicator and I was very impressed,” he said.
“This was a great show, I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen here.”
Mr Lang said he was blessed to have the opportunity to judge at IDW.
The intermediate cow was Brookleigh Jocelyn exhibited by LF and JM Cleggett, Glencoe, South Australia.
The cow, sired by Indian Acres Prada and out of Brookleigh Jolie, came from the junior three-year-old in-milk class.
Brendan and Corrie Hayden, Pilton, Queensland, presented the reserve intermediate champion, Bruanna Frances 12.
The junior champion heifer was Brookleigh Imeeta by Maradore Gary Pistoll-ET and out of Brookleigh Iona - from one of Cleggetts “I” family cows.
The heifer was shown by Martin Downes, Numdaa, NSW.
Mr Downs said he bought the heifer from the Cleggetts six months ago.
“I’ve been brought up with Guernseys. We will breed from her,” he said.
Reserve junior champion heifer was shown by T and S Shea and M and R Shea, Bacchus Marsh, Vic.
The heifer, Kearla Latimer Koala 4 was sired by Coulee Crest Fame Latimer and out of Floranda SD Koala.
GUERNSEY HONOUR ROLL
Grand champion: Exkwizit Active Barbell, Andrew and Abbey Crawford, Numbaa, NSW.
Senior champion: Exkwizit Active Barbell.
Reserve: Rockmar Miami Graceful, from M & R Shea, Bacchus Marsh, Vic.
Best udder: Exkwizit Active Barbell.
Intermediate champion: Brookleigh Jocelyn, LF and JM Cleggett, Glencoe, SA.
Reserve: Bruanna Frances 12, B and C Hayden, Pilton, Qld.
Junior champion: Brookleigh Imeeta, M Downes, Numbaa, NSW.
Reserve: Kearla Latimer Koala 4, T and S Shea and M and R Shea, Bacchus Marsh, Vic.
Catch all the action from the Guernsey judging here
