Guinness Records recognises tallest cow that stood over six feet

Belonging to the Holstein breed, a cow that stood over 6 feet tall, but died this May, has been posthumously recognized by the Guinness World Records as the tallest cow to date.

Among the chief challenges in measuring the cow was procuring a large measuring stick. According to the owner, the cow was even taller when younger.

Blosom, the 13-year-old cow, from an Illinois farm died on 26 May due to a leg injury.

The "friendly and gorgeous" animal will be featured in the 2016 Guinness Book of World Records.

"The funny thing about Blosom was how unaffected she was by all the attention that seemed to surround her. As long as she had her oats, daily chin rubs and ear scratches, life was good," owner Patty Meads-Hanson said in a Guinness World Records news release.

Passed down to her from her father, Blosom measured 190 cm shortly before she passed away.

"Our veterinarian couldn't reach her so we had to find a step stool or stepladder for her to step on," the owner recalls in a youtube video.

"We hold our tallest animals at Guinness World Records in an extremely high regard due to their uniqueness and rarity in finding. We were devastated when we heard the news of Blosom's death as she was such a friendly and gorgeous animal and her owner equally as wonderful and took such great care of her," Guinness World Records Editor-in Chief, Craig Glenday, said in the release.

"She is definitely one of the standout highlights in our upcoming book and we hope the world enjoys seeing the pictures of her."

The previous record-holder for the tallest cow was a Holstein-Durham cross that stood at 6-foot-2 in the early 1990s.