By Tom Collins
METCALFE —A five-year-old cow bred and owned by a mainstay at Eastern Ontario dairy shows is quickly piling up the victories.
Hendercroft Fever Bazooka, bred and owned by Herb Henderson at Ashton, west of Ottawa, was named grand champion at the Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec Championship Show at Metcalfe on Oct. 12.
She was named reserve grand champion at last year’s show, and was named the grand champion at the Carleton-Russell Holstein Show in the last three years, the grand champion at the Metcalfe Fair in 2015, and was reserve grand champion at the Ontario Summer Show earlier this summer.
Henderson said while his cow has had a lot of success, “You never know until it’s over. You’re optimistic, but a lot of things can happen.”
Henderson said Bazooka comes from a top-notch family. Bakooza’s dam is Hendercroft Lheros Gumball, who was also a grand champ of the East West Show back in 2008. Bazooka also has 12 Excellent sisters.
When asked why Bazooka was tapped as the winner, judge Carl Phoenix said simply “because she’s the best one.” He said he was impressed by Bazooka’s dairy strength and her mammary system.
“She’s just an extremely well-balanced cow, well-put-together cow,” he said moments after declaring the victor. “She walks with so much ease. She’s the type of cow everybody wants in their barn.”
Hendercroft Holsteins is a perennial winner at the show. He has now won the premier breeder banner at the show 12 times, including the last four years. The record is 17, held by Bill and Donny Carrs of Sandycrest Holsteins.
Here are the winners and top contenders at the show:
Grand champion: Hendercroft Fever Bazooka, bred and owned by Herb Henderson of Ashton, Ont.
Reserve: Ms Dana Epic Dot, bred by Purple Fever, Michael Heath and Steve Morrill at Lowville, New York; owned by Glenn and Larry McDonald of Breeze Hill Holsteins at Winchester, Ont., and Raymond J. Smygwaty, at Winchester, Ont.
Honourable mention: Windcroft Goldchip Indigo, bred by Bryan and Cheryl Dickson at Joyceville, Ont., owned by Cory Dickson at Joyceville, Ont., Eaton Holsteins at Marietta, NY, and Jamie and Petra Black at Constable, NY
Premier breeder: Herb Henderson
Runner-up: Ferme Lolisee, owned by Michel Guay & Linda Latulipe at Chatham, Que.
Premier exhibitor: Ferme Lolisee
Runner-up: Herb Henderson
Junior champion: Bonnie Brae Ape Quinn, bred and owned by Bruce and Susan Mode at Vankleek Hill, Ont.
Reserve: Riverdown Doorman Abrooklyn, bred and owned by John, Karen and Justin Velthuis of Riverdown Holsteins at Metcalfe, Ont.
Honourable mention: Lilyking Ahead By A Century, bred and owned by Lorne and Bobby Briscoe of Bonnechere Holsteins at Renfrew, Ont., Mary Pearson, Adam Hunt and Jessica Brown of Lilyking Farm at Elginburn, Ont., and Adam Hunt of Trekili Holsteins at Elginburg, Ont.
Junior herd: Riverdown Holsteins
Junior premier breeder: Peter Rylaarsdam at Winchester, Ont.
Runner-up: Brian Joseph Enright of Winwright Holsteins at Winchester, Ont.
Junior premier exhibitor: Brian Joseph Enright and Peter Rylaarsdam
