Last updated 08:58, Friday, 25 July 2008

Armathwaite farmer Ian Mallinson has already made history with his new generation of Holsteins.

Premier breeder: Ian Mallinson

Carhall Lyster Elizabeth and her daughter Jordan won the coveted junior second calver and heifer trophies at the Holstein All-Britain awards announced last week and Mr Mallinson was named Premier Breeder in England for 2007.

Exciting things are happening at Low Northsceugh Farm where Ian believes he is nurturing a future Holstein champion – Jordan’s sister Talent.

He said: “The family is breeding true and I’ve hit the jackpot in the show ring. The first will be sold in November and then I will be able to see if everyone else thinks what I think.”

Last year, Lyster won the National Holstein Show, one of the industry’s highest accolades. She yielded 13,500 litres in her second lactation with an average 4.15 butterfat and three per cent protein.

He thinks that eight-month-old Talent is destined for even greater glory and said: “She is showing even more potential. I was there when she dropped out of the cow `and I went and phoned Glynn Lucas at Harrison and Hetherington and said I’ve got the next Holstein champion.”

The story behind this success started when the Mallinsons were restocking after foot and mouth. They bought Lyster’s mother – Wiltor Cousteau Elizabeth – from Monmouthshire and mated her with a relatively unknown Semex sire.

When Lyster emerged, he knew straight away that he had something special. She has strength in her topline, depth of rib and openess, width in the chest and width and weight in her rear udder.

A daughter born by embryo transfer will test the market at the Black and White sale at Borderway mart on November 29. Mr Mallinson added: “It will be a test to see how much this family is worth. We have had approaches from Ireland for embryos and for bull calves.”