For the sixth year running, UK Dairy Expo saw thousands of dairy farmers descend upon Carlisle to see the flagship event which attracts a global audience.
Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway UK Dairy Expo saw the very best of British dairy genetics and industry innovations gather together.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the 2017 event was the 67 cattle classes, which included sections for Holsteins, Ayrshire, Jersey, Dairy Shorthorn, Red and White, Brown Swiss and British Friesian, who also hosted their National Show.
Another key event in this year’s schedule was the Showmanship Youth Championships. Aimed at encouraging and inspiring the next generation of dairy breeders, this event brought together young breeders from across the UK and Europe to compete for the top honours.
'Very best competitors'
David Pritchard Event Organiser and Operations Director for Harrison and Hetherington said: “Our excellent location and facilities here at the Borderway Centre put us in the perfect position for attracting the very best competitors from the UK’s main dairy producing areas.
“We have a fantastic number of dairy cattle entered (360 head) in the show classes, which really does showcase the quality of the British dairy industry, and the extreme hard work of those involved, not only on the day, but on a day to day basis. The event was extremely well represented this year with a very high calibre of entries across all classes.”
Judging the classes was a line-up of British and International judges; Roger Turner of Winconsin, America judged the Holstein classes; Canada’s Blair Weeks, of Prince Edward Island, judged the Coloured breed classes; the UK’s Meurig James judged the British Friesian National Show; Paul Harrison of Northumberland, UK, judged the Champion of Champions; and Michael Halliwell, also from the UK, judged the UK and International Showmanship Championships.
As in previous years, the demonstrations are highly anticipated and offer dairy farmers the chance to gain an insight into the services available to them to help maximise the efficiency of their enterprise, or simply improve the overall quality of their herd.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Returning to Borderway UK Dairy Expo for the fifth year was The John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award is in memory of the life time industry contribution made by Cumbrian dairy farmer and highly regarded breeder, John Dennison, with the aim of recognising a high achiever and excellent role model within the dairy industry.
Former recipients have included Mike Miller of Shanael Holsteins, near Evesham in Worcestershire, John Gribbon and Sammy McCormick, of the Hilltara Herd, Bangor. The 2016 recipient was renowned Holstein breeder, and 2016 Champion of Champions exhibitor, Alister Laird of Blyth Bridge, Peebleshire.
Taking place in the evening, following Borderway UK Dairy Expo, was the All-Britain Awards Presentation Dinner and Dance, sponsored by Holstein UK and Cattle Information Service (CIS).
