There were only three exhibitors in the Illawarra ring at the Sydney Royal Show this year but judge, Glen Gordon from Cohuna, Victoria said the champions were outstanding and would have stood up to a lot more competition if the classes had had more depth.
Mr Gordon put the low numbers down to it being a difficult time for the dairy industry.
"I guess it's just a sign of the times we face as dairy farmers, expenses need to cut to try and survive at the moment," Mr Gordon said.
In the milking female sections of the competition the Cochrane family of Kangawarra stud at Pyree were the only entrants with two intermediate cows and one senior.
Their cow Kangawarra Samantha 4737 was the intermediate champion and Kangawarra Socks 4389 won in the senior division.
Mr Gordon said he saw a lot of balance and dairy quality in the senior champion cow.
"I really admire the texture through the cow, the spring and the openness of the rib, the way she walks, a great set of feet and legs and a very worthy winner," Mr Gordon said.
Tom Cochrane of Kangawarra stud said she was a good, honest herd cow that made up one of their 500 milking cows.
Her breeding making evident that she was a Kangawarra stud cow through and through.
"The Socks are a long-standing family for a us and she's by a bull we bred ourselves," Mr Cochrane said.
In the heifer and dry-cows there was more competition with three exhibitors.
The junior champion female went to Brad and Jess Gavenlock and Annette Dorries from Tallygaroopna, Victoria with their six to nine month old heifer, Panorama Blossom 2.
Mr Gordon said the heifer that topped the line because of her scale and stretch and her overall diary quality.
"I can't go past this young heifer for junior champion, for me she's the most balanced heifer, the length to her frame is impressive and when she gets on the move you can see the distinct advantage in the way she handles her ring legs," Mr Gordon said.
"When you get inside, she's longer in her neck, mid section and down to her rump."
The reserve junior champion female and the honorable mention went to heifers from Kangawarra stud.
Their heifer in the 16 to 20 month class, Kangawarra Claire 4967 taking the reserve and heifer in the nine to 12 month class, Kangawarra Hope 6108 the honorable mention.
Dr Ellen Downes from Ellwater, Canowindra was the only entry in the dry cow class with Creighton Park Faith 2490 given the blue ribbon.
