'Good little cow' wins big at Southland Otago Jersey Cattle Breeders Club competition

Jersey cow Beledene Demo Starleena, owned by Julie Skedgwell, of Tuatapere, was the supreme winner of the Southland Otago Jersey Cattle Breeders Club on-farm competition. Photo / Supplied

A Western Southland Jersey cow is the cream of the crop.

Cow Beledene Demo Starleena, owned by Julie Skedgwell, was the supreme champion of the Southland Otago Jersey Cattle Breeders Club on-farm competition, held last month.

Skedgwell (18), of Tuatapere, who is the club president, said she was surprised and proud "her good little cow" won the competition.

"To me, she's worth her weight in gold."

Competition judge Bruce Eade travelled more than 1000km, visiting 15 farms between Palmerston and Tuatapere in two days, to inspect the nearly 150 cows entered in the competition.

Eade, a dairy farmer at Kelso, said Skedgwell's cow won the supreme prize because it was the "closest to the complete package", including traits such as a beautiful udder and teat placement.

"I had no qualms in giving her the big ribbon."

Southland Otago Jersey Cattle Breeders Club on-farm competition junior handler winner and Graham Mercer Trophy recipient Annika Buhre, of Otautau. Photo / Debbie Mercer

Club secretary Debbie Mercer said Eade did a brilliant job judging.

"It was a mammoth task."

Competition entries were up on last year, which was "brilliant", Mercer said.

"We had a lot of new entries and they did very well."

She expects the competitions to continue going from "strength to strength".

Club members were passionate about the Jersey breed.

Mercer milks about 130 Jersey cows in Edendale.

"Jerseys have been my life."

Many of the younger members shared the passion, she said.

The club recently awarded the Graham Mercer Trophy to Annika Buhre (9), of Otautau, to recognise her "dedication and commitment" to Jersey cattle last year.

Mercer thanked club member Teena Simmons for her hard work presenting the results of the competition.