An EXcellent day for us

[rawlingsdexter]

Well we are super proud of our herd classification results from yesterday, we had 21 females and 2 bulls classified with outstanding scores. The first two cows to be done were Rawlings Delta Blue and Kirup Park Angelica who both went EX90 so it could only go down hill from there, but many of our girls improved on there previous scores and 16 of the 21 were VG or better.

A basic run down without naming the cows, we had:-
3 females GP83 two of those are 1st calvers
2 females GP84 both 1st calvers
4 females VG85 three of those were first calvers and the highest score for a 1st calver is VG86
2 females VG86
3 females VG87
3 females VG88
2 females VG89
2 females EX90


For our bulls Rawlings Blueprint went EX90 and to qualify for this he must have a least 5 daughters classified at VG or better, and from our herd and another we had 8 classify VG or better on the same day. To my knowledge he is the first polled bull in Australia to classify EX something we have strived to achieve was to get our polling without compromising our structure. Our young bull Rawlings Grand Design classified GP84, which I am happy with as he still has some maturing to do - his sire classified VG88 and his dam classified VG89.

But for me the most pleasing is that our herd averages for 21 females are better than the breed averages (shown in brackets)across all catergories
Final Scores VG86.3 (80.2)
Mammary System VG85 (81.6)
Rump VG88.3 (81.6)
Feet & Legs GP84 (80.3)
Dual Purpose Character EX91.6 (83.2)something we have been working to improve for many years now.

Add to this the scores for Ian Clayton's stock which were all bred by us that gives us 27 animals ranking way above the breed averages as a complete herd.

I have found this a most useful tool in defining the areas we needed to improve and working to do so on a herd basis, not just produce a few stunning animals which score highly. Our lowest scoring female at home is a GP82 with the majority of our females at VG or better.

I must say I feel very humble to have such a beautiful herd of cattle, now to get to a totally homozygous polled herd - and that is not far away with 18 to test for homozygous polling out of last years drop of calves.

[legendrockranch]

What a great accomplishment Marg, I only wish it were possible for me to get my hands on some of your stock.
As for Blueprint he has been one of my favorites for a long time. A BIG congratulations.

Barb

[ssrdex]

What a great achievement Marg, you have a lot to be proud of! No doubt you've made some difficult descisions along the way but they're paying off for you now. Well done!

[cddexter]

well done, Marg. How much blame to you put on Peter?

cheers, c.

[midhilldexters]

They are great scores, to be way above the average like that is a great achievement, well done.

Carol K

[zephyrhillsusan]

Really fantastic! You have a right to be proud!

[carragheendexters]

More fantastic results. They are brilliant. The classifiers down your way? We have problems getting them now we live in Cootamundra, not around this area very often, unlike when we were on the coast.
Which classifier did you get?

regards Louise

[rawlingsdexter]

Hi Louise
The classifiers come down twice a year and because we are in dairy country it is relatively cheap compared to when we were on the west coast of Au.

Leanne Summerville did our classification and a new classifier Shane Patten, I was most impressed with their explanations and scoring.

[zephyrhillsusan]

And they were obviously impressed with your animals!