On the second day of the Royal Highland show the dairy breeds took pride of place in the cattle rings. Four breeds took to the stage this morning, before the prestigious dairy interbreed category event took place in the evening when the Queens cup was presented to the overall champion.

Jerseys

It proved an exceptional championship for one family, which not only claimed the overall championship but also the reserve. The Laird family of Blythbridge started the morning by claiming the Jersey and Holstein championships, before going all the way to claim the top two positions under judge Willie Whiteford.

Pole position in the interbreed class went to their Jersey champion, Fourcross Anthony Carozza, exhibited by Izzy Laird. This EX93 classified third-calver ticked all the boxes for Jersey judge Sarah Pye. Having calved in December, the stylish cow is currently giving 28 litres/day. No stranger to winning ways, Carozza claimed the top spot in the Jersey championship at the UK dairy expo back in March and had secured the reserve championship at the Highland last year. This young cow is sired by Fourcross Anthony.

Izzy’s husband, Colin, was on the halter of the Holstein champion Blythbridge Jessy D2 Cou. Having come out as the overall Holstein champion earlier under well-known Cork breeder Ricky Barrett, the prime cow was tipped to the post by her Jersey penmate. Currently giving 52 litres, the stylish second-calver calved back in December and is projected for a yield in excess of 14,000kg. Classified at a max of VG89, Cou is sired by the renowned Maple Downs IGW Atwood.

Ayrshires

In the Ayrshire championship, D M Lindsay was out in front with Harperfield Eilene III. This third-calver of four weeks classified VG88 after her second calving and is well on track to exceeding this on her next evaluation. Currently giving 50kg, Eilene is coming off the back of a 9,000kg lactation. This win marks the Lindsay's first win at the Highland in over 30 years, having claimed it a massive seven times before that.

Shorthorns

Top of the dairy Shorthorn ring were Thomas and Stephen Moscrop with Irthingelt Tavia 2nd. This homebred cow is after four calves and currently giving 35 litres/day, having calved in January. Classified VG87, Tavia’s win marks the first Highland championship for the duo, having started showing three years ago. Sire behind the champion was Skyhigh Hartland.