Ask Stoney Point Joel Bailey, EX 97, “How now, brown cow?” She’d likely moo, “2025 Supreme Dairy Champion, that’s how.”
Bailey added another jewel to her crown at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, after winning Grand Champion in the National Jersey Show and the Supreme title on Nov. 14.
WHY IT MATTERS: Canada’s national dairy shows are held at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair every November.
“Bailey has accomplished everything we could ever ask for, and today she reigned SUPREME at The Royal!” posted Vierra Dairy Farms, from Hilmar, California, on Facebook.
But it was more than that. It was redemption.
Early in October, the five-time World Dairy Expo Jersey Grand Champion stumbled in her defence of her 2024 Supreme Champion title and was overtook by Red & White challenger Golden-Oaks Temptress-Red-ET, a four-year-old Unstopabull daughter owned by MilkSource Genetics, Laurie Fischer, Stein-Crest Holsteins, and Crescentmead in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
When the Jersey and Red & White Grand Champions came teat-to-teat again in the Royal’s Supreme Grand Champion ring, tensions were high with a roar of excitement erupting when judge Kelly Barbee crowned Bailey.
“Quite an impressive group for Supreme Champion. There’s a lot of cow-power out here,” said Barbee.
“(Bailey) has so much balance to her frame, she tracks around the rail on a beautiful set of legs. So snugly attached in her udder, she carries her milk so high above her.”
Granron Holsteins’ Echo Glen Master Ivy, from Beaverton, Ontario was crowned Quality Seeds Supreme Junior Dairy Champion.
The National Holstein Show saw its largest class ever, leaving judge Joel Lepage to assess 464 Holstein cows over the course of two days before crowning Altona Lea Unix Herminie (Unix), 1st mature cow, exhibited by Dalton Faris, East Gwillimbury, as the 2025 Grand Champion.
Vieux Village Gentleman Joy (Gentleman), 1st mature cow, owned by Florent, Vicky & Bianca Foley, of Piopolis, Que., took home Grand Champion in the National Ayrshire Show.
The Quebec connection excelled in the Breeder’s Herd, with Ferme Jacobs from Cape Sante, Que., taking first place, followed by Ferme Famipage Inc. from St-Louis-De-Gonzague, Que., and Sweetview Holstein from Ayer’s Cliff, Que., rounding out the top three.
The RAWF has always drawn good support from across the border, and this year is no different, despite political tensions and increased biosecurity measures around H5N1 testing.
“Notably, this year we have a strong contingent of exhibitors from the United States, particularly in the Dairy show,” said Cyrus Cooper, RAWF CEO. “We have seen strong entry numbers in many of our livestock shows — our cattle this year are the largest numbers we have had post-pandemic. Our youth shows continue to grow and thrive with so many incredible young people competing.”
Cooper said there were 1,146 cows in the open dairy show with 370 youth competing in the TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic, 350 competing in the Masterfeeds National Junior Beef Heifer show and 1,000 head in the beef open shows.
Small ruminants, like sheep and goats, saw over 300 animals entered, with up to 144 youth competing, not to mention the 90 junior swine, 60 alpacas, 600 birds, and 300 rabbits and cavies, rounding out the entry numbers.
“Royal exhibitors are committed to national herd health and still bringing the best in show to the big city,” he explained. “Our date sequence this year has made things easier for many exhibitors who showed at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin. Giving (them) more than enough time to clear quarantines and appropriately test.”
There hasn’t been a marked change in the exhibitor base, said Cooper, adding that the Royal always showcases Canadian-made and local products as a central element for global visitors, including butter tarts, ice cream, cheese, 4-H field crops, and giant pumpkins.
The post Bailey’s Triumph: A Supreme return to glory at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair appeared first on Farmtario.
