On the comeback trail

Jun 20 2008 Chester Chronicle

TWO girls from Tarporley helped to bring a famous old breed of cattle back into the front rank at the Cheshire Show this week, securing a run of successes for Shorthorns to reverse a long decline.

The girls, Amy Wright and Rebecca Latham, led out the breed champion from the Yew Tree Farm herd, run by grandfather Vernon, father Alan and brother Mark at Haughton, after facing strong competition in a breed that once dominated and is now returning.

The Wright herd of 500 does include Holsteins as well as Shorthorns, but it was the old breed that was making the impact on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The breed champion was four year old Chatter Daisy who went on to become the Reserve Supreme Dairy Champion on the second day, pipped by a fine Holstein, shown by Ian Williamson from Wardle Bridge Farm, near Nantwich.

The two girls also led out the reserve breed champion on the Tuesday, and took the exhibitor-bred awards for the breed.

These results reflected the general revival of the Shorthorns and there was a similar strength back in the Ayrshires, although Holsteins still provided the heaviest entry and secured many top placings.

Four Ayrshire classes went to the Barnett partnership from Twemlow, Holmes Chapel, with the last two classes going to John Tomlinson from Acton, near Nantwich, who also won the breed championship and followed up with successes on Wednesday, with his mother and daughter pair winning the interbreed class, and his Ayrshire taking the exhibitor-bred championship, with the Wrights’ Shorthorn as reserve.

Jersey entries were fewer than usual, but showed high quality.

Graham Wallace from Goostrey took six class firsts and rounded off with the breed championships, with the reserves thrown in.