Borderway UK Dairy Expo 2020 returns for the ninth year to the Borderway Exhibition Centre, Carlisle in Cumbria on Saturday 14th March. The highly successful showcase to bring together the elite of the global dairy industry – linking farmers, exhibitors, dairy experts and the next generation of dairy farmers.
This year, some of those representing Cumbria in the line-up of in the region of 400 entries are: RW & J Bell from Kirkbride, I & GM Blamire from Thursby, Miss B Blenkharn from Kirkby Stephen from Crossfell Holsteins from Kirkby Thore, Messrs Dennison from Ulverston, GA & DW Dent from Kirkby Stephen, Evening Holsteins from Thursby, Messrs Fisher from Eamont Bridge, M & R Harper from Maryport, DR & HM Horsley from Penrith, Will Horsley & Eamon Monaghan from Penrith, Katherine Jenkinson from Scaleby, Lillyhall & Whinhill Holsteins from Dearham, Thomas Moscrop from Brampton, JA & Y Raven from Mealsgate, A & L Rimmer from Cronton, Messrs J & I Watson & Son from Wigton, Messrs Williamson from Penrith, Jack Wilson from Appleby and M & D Wilson from Appleby, Wormanby Farms Ltd from Burgh By Sands and Askham Bryan College in Penrith.
Alongside the outstanding show of dairy cattle, the exhibition embraces some of the latest genetics, science and technology, and a major platform for business. It offers a dynamic hub for advice, information, exchange, and commerce, with its importance reiterated by the number of trade stand attendees.
This is a key role for the industry with UK and International business exhibitors representing all sectors. An A-Z of companies and organisations features accountancy, breeding, buildings, engineering, equipment, feeding, financial, genetics, legal, technology, and veterinary – all there to provide advice and support, and to help farmers and breeders plan for the future. Many of the exhibitors will also be on hand to demonstrate the use of their products first-hand.
This year, there will also be a key focus on health and safety in farming. In a notoriously hazardous industry, a dedicated H&H Safety Farm Zone will be set up by H&H Safety, a partnership between H&H Insurance Brokers and IRM Safety, to advise visitors to the Expo on a variety of health and safety topics such as Animal Handling, Equipment Security, Risk Management Tools, Accident Prevention, First Aid for Farmers and Farm Support. There will also be a programme of health and safety presentations and demonstrations to help visitors improve their own on-farm safety awareness.
Attracting a large attendance of visitors, Borderway UK Dairy Expo is not only seen as an event for showing, it is also an event for those within the dairy industry to share commercial, innovation and educational developments.
The showcase of livestock competing for the Championship Awards and a share of the £15,000 prize fund continues to be at the heart of the event, with in the region of 400 head of the finest dairy cattle in the UK being shown. There are a total of 70 classes across the seven breed sections – Holstein, Ayrshire, Jersey, Dairy Shorthorn, Red and White, and Brown Swiss. In addition, the event also hosts the British Friesian National Show.
For the exhibitors, winning adds to the reputation of the herd, and makes its livestock more valuable in the marketplace. Taking away the prestigious Champion of Champions is the ultimate accolade and for an unprecedented third time last year, it went to the incredible Holstein cow, Sahara-Sanchez Ambrosia 3, owned by Mark and Sue Nutsford and Michael and Barbara Hollins from Cheshire.
This year’s four judges travelling from North America, Canada, and across the UK are all highly respected. Yan Jacobs, from Quebec Canada, will judge the Holstein, Brown Swiss & dairy Shorthorn classes, Pat Conroy, from Indiana USA will judge the Ayrshire, Jersey & Red & White classes; Brian Miller from Somerset UK will judge the National British Friesian Show and Amy Miller from Evesham, UK will judge the International Showmanship class.
Commenting on the judge appointments for the 2020 event, David Pritchard, Event Organiser and Joint Managing Director at Harrison & Hetherington, said:
“We always attract such a high calibre of judges thanks to the increasing reputation of the internationally acclaimed Borderway UK Dairy Expo. This year is no exception, when our impressive line-up of judges joins us to celebrate the very best in UK breeding and genetics. The quality of animals at this event is always second-to-none so we truly value our judges’ knowledge and eye-for-detail, that ensures we can identify the very best of the dairy-world.”
Yan has judged all over Canada and was born and raised on Jacobs Farm in Quebec, a farm he now owns with his dad Jean Jacobs and his sister Ysabel Jacobs, where they are currently milking 215 cows. The farm has been eight times Premier Breeder at World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in the States and eight times at Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada. They also have bred and owned 94 All-Canadian nominations and 60 All-American nominations.
Throughout his career Pat has been judging cattle. From Indiana in the USA, he markets high-end type and commercial cattle, both domestically and internationally. He is also co-owner of Genesis Genetics in Mexico, who specialise in identifying genetic issues and solutions for cattle breeders. Pat owns 60-90 registered Holsteins and Jerseys a small registered herd of Angus owned in partnership.
From Somerset, Brian Miller is part of family partnership that farms 450 acres and owns the famous dairy herd under the Moorshard prefix. They milk 240 Holsteins and 20 Brown Swiss cows averaging 10500kg 4.2% on 2 times milking and with 90 EX’s. Brian has judged the Holstein classes at several major UK and Ireland dairy events.
Amy Miller is from the home of Shanael Holstein’s where her Dad Michael and two brothers Paul and Steven run a 600-cow dairy herd. she is no stranger to the show ring and has won showmanship classes at the Young Members Association, All Britain National Calf Show and National Holstein show. She continues to play a big part in Holstein Young Breeders as the West Midland Co-ordinator and has also judged at numerous shows.
For many, competing and showing cattle in World class dairy events starts at a young age and it takes a huge amount of time, commitment and dedication. The young people entering the Showmanship classes demonstrate tremendous knowledge and attention to detail with this the future generation starting their showmanship careers within the industry from as young as five years old.
The organiser of Borderway UK Dairy Expo, Harrison & Hetherington is aware of this and underlines the importance of supporting the next generation through their own commitment to young farmers. Specifically tailored to encourage young people to take part, the Showmanship Youth Championships and Stock Judging classes inspire the next generation of dairy breeders. With dozens of young breeders from across the UK and Europe competing, these classes are key to overall success and popularity of the event.
Acknowledging that individuals are also key in the continuing success of UK Dairy is the presence of The John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award. Presented by the family of John Dennison of Cumbria, who was one of the industry’s most respected breeders, this award is now in its 7th year.
Recognising a dairy cattle breeder, or exhibitor judged to be a high achiever and excellent role model within the industry, last year’s winner was Bill Nadin from Sterndale Holsteins, based in Derbyshire. This industry accolade is held in the highest esteem and already entries are being received by the judging panel for 2020. The 2020 winner of the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award will be announced during the judging of the Holstein classes during Dairy Expo.
Success is also demonstrated through the continued support received from mainline sponsors; Holstein UK, CIS, HSBC, Farmers Guardian and Carrs Billington.
Demonstrating the key role these organisations have in the industry, their presence and sponsorship also ensures the continued appearance of UK Dairy Expo as an annual event.
David concluded: “Borderway UK Dairy Expo is a unique event specifically aimed at the best in the dairy industry. Its reputation has continued to grow year-on-year to become the event for dairy farmers, and for the wider industry as a whole. Its reputation continues to grow.
“It has and continued to be a challenging year for the farming community, so as we move into the new decade, it will be imperative that we pull together to drive forward the dairy industry so that we remain a progressive force. Borderway UK Dairy Expo 2020 is the perfect environment to ensure that we can provide the right information to dairy farmers to ensure that they can future-proof their businesses.”
The 2020 Borderway UK Dairy Expo is a free event for spectators and takes place at the Borderway Exhibition Centre, Carlisle, on Saturday 14 March 2019.