LIVESTOCK are at the very heart of all agricultural shows – and that rings true at the Royal Cornwall more than anywhere else.

The grand parade of prize-winning farm animals at Wadebridge is renowned as the finest such showing in the land.

And heading the procession to take a gentle bow before Princess Alexandria were a magnificent British Charolais cow and a top-quality Holstein cow – the beef and dairy interbreed champions.

Charolais specialist Henry Vooght was joined by daughter Grace in showing Little Bovey Vogue, a five-year-old calf no stranger to the winner's slot in the showing arena. She won her breed championship at Devon County, but yesterday's performance landed her with her first supreme championship.

Mr Vooght, who farms at Bovey Tracey, explained: "It's a shame she couldn't make an appearance here last year, as she had a calf at foot, but bluetongue disease movement restrictions ruled that out.

"Never mind, she's done it this time."

Now Vogue, currently in calf to a Scottish Charolais champion, Ballindalagh Evo, will be making the trip up the motorway next month to try her luck at the Royal Show in Warwickshire.

A considerable size, she bucks the trend for Charolais, which are generally breeding smaller.

The Vooghts now have a Charolais herd of 35 cows, but also run a dairy herd of 100.

Beef interbreed judge Bill Quan, from Herefordshire, commented: "This champion is a real sight to behold.

"In these difficult times it rejuvenates me to see such a fine beef cow. She's the best example of a Charolais cow you could hope to see."

Reserve beef champion was the British Simmental bull Sterling Viking, from the Boddington Estates herd at Cheltenham, which was the interbreed champion at Devon County Show last month, and is now valued in excess of £10,000.

The dairy supreme champion, winning the Western Morning News trophy, was Moorshard Jodi Tellar from the Miller family's celebrated herd at Dunwear, near Bridgwater. It was the cow's first time at the Royal Cornwall.

Reserve Championship went to a superb Ayrshire cow, East Church Ambitious Patacack, owned by Mark Evans of Honiton.

Judge William de Luff, from Guernsey said: "I've really enjoyed myself and have been dazzled by what I have seen.

"Everything that came before me was of excellent quality. I have seen no tail-enders at all.

"The Holstein was a truly beautiful dairy cow, with excellent length, perfect placement and above all real commercial value, which is what is needed."

Paul Quick, from Zeal Monachorum, near Crediton, is a regular in the showing rings with his Texel sheep.

This time he produced Loosebeare Outstanding, a yearling ram, to take the supreme sheep championship.

It was the first time for Outstanding, whose father was a former Royal Show winner.