Dairy at Wensleydale Show Online

D1 is for a young handler, where the judge is looking at the handler rather than the animal. This class is extremely popular across all breeds with young handlers competing throughout the year culminating in national finals and even international competitions. In contrast to normal showmanship judging where the handlers are scrutinised over their techniques in the ring, for the virtual show the judge will be looking at how the competitor has prepared the animal, the control they have in leading the animal, their ability to stop and ‘stand-up’ the animal to show it off to its best advantage and their overall stockmanship skills on display.

D2 is for a maiden heifer born on or after April 2019, where the judge will be looking for the animal which most correctly matches its own breeds character, which is well grown for it’s age, walks correctly on good feet and legs and which should develop into a desirable member of the herd after calving in and beginning to produce milk.

D3, we have the heifers in milk. These are animals that are in their first lactation after giving birth to their first calf at somewhere between two and three years of age, being some variation among breeds though it is now commonly accepted that it is preferable for both the animal and the business for this to be sooner rather than later. By far the largest proportion of dairy cows will be the black and white cattle of the predominately Holstein bloodlines with the smaller, thicker set Friesian type also seen, though not as often in the showring. Other breeds that are usually seen here at Leyburn are the Dairy Shorthorn with its coat anywhere from dark red to almost white, and a lot roan in between. The Jersey breed are the smaller usually brown cattle with their ‘doe’ eyes and black noses which usually captivate the hearts of the general public and are noted for their very rich creamy milk. We have in recent years also had representatives from the Ayrshire, Guernsey breeds and even a Swedish Red cross bred, all competing within the normal any other dairy breed classes.

D4 is for animals milking in their second or third lactations where they are beginning to show more maturity with great body depth, moving on sound feet and legs and carrying their milk high and wide in a well attached udder which runs snuggly into the body and four well placed teats.

D5- The final class is for the mature dairy cows who have had four or more calves, judged in a similar manner to the other milking classes, their udders should be well attached as many of these cows could be producing around 50 litres of milk per day at the peak of their lactations. Showing all the requirements needed to create longevity within the herd and the breed it is the mature cows which contributes the most to profitability after all its rearing costs have been met in earlier years of milk production.

Best Animal from local area not entered in other sections.