Dairy Shorthorn pair take top honours at the Dairy Show

Yorkshire dairy farmer Ian Collins enjoyed huge success with his Dairy Shorthorn cows at the Dairy Show this week, taking home numerous ribbons and the interbreed pairs award.

Mr Collins took top honours in a number of Dairy Shorthorn classes, including the breed championship with his cow Churchroyd Heather 50. Topping it off, he secured the prestigious interbreed pairs championship, sponsored by Old Mill accountants.

Head of rural services Andrew Vickery presented the trophy and prize money to handlers Rebecca Jarvis and James Young (pictured), alongside Bath & West president Michael Eavis and judge James Warren. “As accountants to the farming sector it’s very important to us that we support dairy producers and agricultural shows,” said Mr Vickery.

“The dairy industry is going through some difficult times at the moment with milk prices on the floor, but the atmosphere at the Dairy Show was fantastically upbeat. With the nation’s best dairy cows on display and top speakers from across the country, it really was an unmissable event.”

Judge James Warren from Penzance, Cornwall, said he was looking for uniformity and balance between the two animals, which demonstrated good breeding within the herd. “The pairs can really show uniformity in a way that a single animal cannot. Exhibiting a bred pair of excellent cattle is much harder than pulling out one good animal to show,” he said.

The commercial aspect of the animals on show was of particular importance, he added. “I want to see animals that will last and are commercially appealing; an animal that suits its purpose. It is a great feeling to win at the Dairy Show: It makes all of the hard work worthwhile.”

Photo L-R: Michael Eavis (President of the Royal Bath & West Society), James Warren (judge), Rebecca Jarvis and James Young (handlers) and Andrew Vickery (Old Mill).