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Premier Results: Royal
Udders emphasized, size & stature de-emphasized, Leduc retains crown
From the first milking class of the day through to the mature cow class at the 2006 Royal Winter Fair, it was all about great udders and strong dairy frames. Judge Mike Deaver made it clear: they didn’t need to be biggest to be best. And in selecting his Champions – the winning 5 year old – Thrulane James Rose - Pierre Boulet and the 1st place Mature cow, Belroux Storm Cristal - David Crack, Lylehaven – outstanding udders made the difference, with both cows besting former All-Canadians en-route.
Meanwhile, for the fourth year in a row, Alta’s famous “King of the Ring”, Lystel Leduc was named Premier Sire at what many were calling the highest caliber Holstein show in the world this year. With many borders still closed for live cattle – including the US – the positive impact on quality is clear to see creating a fantastic show for the packed house of locals and foreign visitors. In that light, Leduc’s achievement at the 2006 show takes on even greater meaning. And let’s be clear, there are three or four sires who have had plenty of opportunity to steal the crown. They hold the advantage not only in sheer daughter numbers but in having had been bred to the best cows. That Leduc has continued his reign four years running is thus an amazing feat. Furthermore, one can add two more banners gained from the Junior section of the show in 2001 and 2002 making it 6 uninterrupted years of Premier Sire titles for Leduc at the Royal!
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With winners in two milking classes and two daughters fetching second and third place ribbons, no other sire came close to stealing the Premier Sire crown. In the 4-yr-old class, it was a dominating pair of Leducs that over-powered the field (Drakeview Leduc Allure - Marthaven Holsteins, A D I Cattle Corporation, Andross Holsteins & Silverridge Leduc Noleta - Chilliwack Cattle Co., R & F Livestock Inc.). The biggest winners on the day, they might normally have been expected to make a strong bid for the Grand Champion prize. The pair, both with excellent mammary systems, had each been fresh for over a year. In the end, their udders were very good, but the Champions were just that slight bit better, especially on the winning 5-yr-old, who would be named Supreme Champion at the Royal. |
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Tomalynn Leduc Della - Morsan Farms Ltd. Huddlesford Holsteins, the 2005 All-Canadian Jr-2-yr-old, fresh again and maturing nicely, easily claimed the top prize in the Jr-3-yr-old section. She would go on to be named Reserve Intermediate Champion an hour later. Her udder is still her best feature. A new milking Leduc made a strong opening Royal performance as well. Cyrmo Leduc Blossom - David Crack, RockyMountain Holsteins, a beautifully balanced young cow with a terrific udder, is certainly one to watch in the coming years. Four more Leduc daughters achieved top-10 finishes in the milking classes to help secure the Premier Sire title for their father, including one fashioned from the 3-time former Royal Winter Fair champion, Acme Star Lily. |
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Not since the long and dominating run of Hanoverhill Starbuck has one sire held all others at bay so convincingly. But even in his hey-day the great old Starbuck with five banners spread over 6 years couldn’t match Leduc’s feat of 4 Senior/Overall titles in a row or banners six years running. To the chagrin of his vociferous detractors, in the end he simply cannot be denied a prominent place in history among the breed’s best for making the fancy kind. Perhaps it’s his swan song, maybe there will be one more crown. No matter. It has been an enviable run. |
And let us be clear: Alta has evolved. Shows that demand sires with a focus on fancy, take a back seat to making sires whose daughters can be successful in progressive commercial settings. Still, the point is about delivering results. It’s part of Alta’s mission, it is part of Alta’s promise and it’s why producers trust Alta.
Posted Nov 20th
