Crowds flocked to the Eikon exhibition centre for the 2017 RUAS winter fair. Both northern- and southern-bred stock packed the purpose-built showgrounds to put on one of the best shows of dairy stock on the island of Ireland.

Taking the helm on the day was US judge Hank Val Exel. Hank has a worldwide reputation in the centre ring, having travelled the world judging at all major dairy events.

Supreme interbreed and Holstein champion Hilltara Lauthority Echo 2.

Having quickly made his way through the long list of classes, he eventually found his supreme interbreed champion in the form of Holstein cow Hilltara Lauthority Echo 2.

This five-year-old from Sam and John McCormick is no stranger to winning ways, having also secured the overall championship at this year’s Baileys cow competition.

Sired by Comestar Lauthority, she is out of homebred Hilltara Zenith Echo. The third-calver gave nearly 11,500kg in her last lactation, of which 821kg were milk solids. Echo is currently giving 42 litres having calved in June.

Maximum classified EX93, the judge said: “This is a beautiful silky black cow. She is a cow you love a lot of things about. Her mammary system in particular and I just love the volume that cow possesses.”

The Holstein breed also secured the reserve supreme spot with Priestland 5446 Shot J Rose. Exhibited by the McLean family, Rose is sired by well-known Picston Shottle and out of Pierstein Talent Ruby.

Classified VG89 as a second calver, the reserve supreme calved four weeks ago and is currently giving 60litres a day. This comes off the back of her first lactation where she produced 11,500kg of 4.56% fat and 3.33% protein.

Mr Val Exel had a lot to say about this young winner: “I really think a lot of this cow. A beautiful framed cow. I give her advantage over my honourable mention because she’s just a little bit more overall dairyness, the quality of bone she has, a little bit more depth of four rib and I just love the mammary system she has.”

Closing off the top interbreed honours was the Jersey breed which claimed the honourable mention with Clandeboye Tequila Cookie. The youngest of the line-up, this three-year-old was brought out by Clandeboye Estate, Bangor, Co Down.

No stranger to shows, this EX90 second-calver was also awarded the Jersey heifer in milk championship in 2016. The stylish young cow also secured the all-Brittan title as a two-year-old.

Coming off a 5,700kg lactation of 5.3% fat, the stylish young cow is currently giving 32kg/day. Sire behind Cookie is Tower Vue Prime Tequila, while the dam is Newmoor Sultan.

Southern Ireland

The substantial number of southern Irish exhibitors made their presence known, particularly Gary Hurley with his Clonpaddin Holstein herd.

Gary’s team stole the show in the intermediate section, claiming both the overall and reserve interbreed heifer championships.

Securing top spot was his senior heifer in milk Clonpaddin Polly 2 ET. The now three-year-old calved in September and is classified as VG87.

Sired by Mr Chassity Gold Chip, Polly 2 goes back on Erbacres Damion-bred dam called Leagh Damion Precious ET. Having secured the Holstein heifer championship, the stylish black and white continued her run to claim the heifer interbreed championship also.

Going head to head with Polly 2 for both the Holstein heifer championship and the interbreed heifer championship was pen-mate Clonpaddin MCC Chrisi.

This August 2015-born heifer was shown having calved down in October. Classified VG86, Chrisi has a projected 305-day yield of nearly 8,600kg. Sired by McCuthen, this one is out of a homebred Braedale Icefrye daughter Clonpaddin BFY Chrisi.

The Clonpaddin herd prefix was also behind the day’s Holstein championship honourable mention Clonpaddin G Fame. Originally bred by the Hurley family, Fame is now owned by Cyril and John Dowling of Baldonnel Holsteins.

This cow was tipped by spectators right from the start having secured the supreme championship at the National Dairy Show in October. Sired by Sanchez, the EX92 classified cow is out of Cradenhill Linjet Fame.

Junior championship

It was the Holstein breed that was out in front in the junior interbreed championship also. Another from the Fame family, the champion came in the form of Lissue Doorman Fame.

Exhibited by Conor McAufield, the February 2016-born heifer is sired by Doorman and out of Clonpaddin G Chip Fame ET.

The Fleming family took the next two positions when they secured the reserve overall and honourable mention placings with the junior Jersey champions.

Securing the junior Jersey championship and reserve interbreed junior championship was Potterswalls Rum Magic. This January 2016-born heifer is homebred on both sides, with Potterswalls Lord Rum the sire and Potterwalls Shyster Magic as the dam.

Securing the honourable mention spot was Potterswalls Primero Evening 2. Born March 2016, this heifer placed second in her class to Rum Magic before securing the reserve junior Jersey championship and reserve junior interbreed championship. Sired by Evangelo Del Primero, this one is out of Potterswalls Regan Evening.