By Tom Collins
METCALFE — Looking for a good pedigree — mixed with great dairy quality and femininity — in an animal at the start of the showing season is the best way to help increase your odds of a successful show, according to the leadsman of the champion dairy heifer at the 4-H Dairy Regional Show at the Metcalfe Fair last month.
Brendan Velthuis of Velthuis Farms Ltd. at Metcalfe was showing Fleury Douglas Lisaly, a junior yearling heifer that was purchased by the farm just before last year’s Royal.
“Her side profile is definitely a talking point,” he said. “She walks on an exceptional set of feet and legs and carries great dairy strength up to her front end.”
This is the second year in a row that Velthuis has led the grand champion at Metcalfe.
Velthuis’ sister, Nicole, who was showing Velthuis Atwood Prada, won her heat and came fourth for champion Holstein heifer. Brendan said there is no sibling rivalry when they are in the ring, adding that while they both hope for the best for each other in the show ring, “It’s definitely good to be competitive amongst each other.”
