Page 98 - Shorthorn Magazine

JUDGE: ADAM LAWSON
Staffordshire County Show I 31st May 2023
I was delighted to be asked to judge Staffordshire County Show and I was thoroughly impressed by the standard of stock forward and how well they were presented by the exhibitors.
Championship Trio
The maiden heifer class was split due to large numbers. In the Junior class the top two were difficult to split. I went for the deeper and more open ribbed calf in first place. The second calf had a cleaner bone and was more dairy through the front end than the nice calf in third that was the biggest in the class.
I had a handy winner in the Senior calf class. A beautifully balanced heifer with a deep chest and
open rib. This chest depth gave her the advantage over second with dairyness through the neck and shoulder giving second the advantage over third.
The In Calf Heifer class was another strong one. I went for
the tall heifer that was closest to calving as my class winner. It was her openness and spring of rib that gave her the advantage over the well balanced heifer in second. Second place had the advantage over third due to being more dairy through the front end and more level through the rump.
Just one forward in the dry cow class but she was a beautifully balanced cow. She had a well attached udder showing a lot of promise for her third lactation.
First place in the Heifer in Milk class went to the heifer that was deeper through her chest and had more cover on her front teats. The heifer
in second was very fresh and will develop when longer calved and be a different prospect.
Just one forward in the Junior Cow class. This was a deep bodied second calver with a wide rump and a high, wide rear udder.
It was a very handy winner in the Intermediate Cow class. This cow oozed style and was clean and dairy through her front with a great spring of rib. She had a superbly balanced fore udder and high and wide rear udder. It was her overall balance
and udder quality that gave her the advantage over the very milky cow in second.
Two cows in the Senior Cow class and what a pair of cows they were.
In a very close placing I went for the seventh calved cow for her levelness through the fore udder ahead of the sixth calver. These cows were both excellent examples of the longevity of the Shorthorn breed and deserved huge credit.
For my Champion I went for the standout Intermediate Cow ahead of the two Senior Cows who couldn’t be split for Reserve and Honourable Mention.
Adam Lawson with Championship L-R
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Shorthorn