2019 National Brown Swiss Show judge confirmed for UK Dairy Day

Robbie is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and stud breeder from Queensland, Australia
Robbie is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and stud breeder from Queensland, Australia

A national cattle show with a total prize fund of over £25,000 returns for its second year at the UK Dairy Dairy in September.

The National Brown Swiss Show makes its second appears at the dairy trade event, which takes place on 11 September at the International Centre in Telford, Shropshire.

Alongside the National Holstein Show and the National Ayrshire Show, the show offers visitors a display of cattle competing for a prize fund of over £25,000.

Classes will also take place throughout the day for Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey and Jersey cattle breeds.

And this year, Robbie Radel from Queensland, Australia will travel to the UK to judge Brown Swiss classes.

Robbie is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and stud breeder. His stud is the oldest Illawarra stud in Queenstown.

He also produces his own label milk, which he delivers to a 300km radius of the farm.

Robbie was privileged to attend the Mondial Brune 2016 (World Brown Swiss Congress) as a keynote speaker as well as judge at Sydney Royal, Adelaide Royal and Toowoomba Royal shows.

A highlight of his showing career is breeding and exhibiting the only Brown Swiss animal to ever win interbreed Champion at the Royal Show Australia.

UK Brown Swiss Cattle Society Chairman, Jonathan Lochhead, said the Brown Swiss Cattle Society is 'honoured' to welcome Robbie Radel to the UK in September to judge the National Show.

“We support our 150 members across the UK and Ireland in improving the Brown Swiss breed,” he said.

“The society publishes The Chimes magazine, maintains a genealogical record of the breed through the herdbook and promotes breeders and owners.”

Mr Lochhead added: “The Brown Swiss dairy cows desirable cattle, characterised by ease of management, quality milk production and longevity and we look forward to showcasing them at UK Dairy Day.”

Originating from the Alpine regions of Europe, the Brown Swiss breed has successfully travelled to all corners of the world and adapted as one of the leading breeds of a milking cow, particularly where the primary market for milk is the manufacture of cheese.

Brown Swiss adapt to any climate or environment conditions, being noted for their resistance to extremes in temperatures. They are renowned for their natural grazing instinct and efficient conversion of forage.

Entry for cattle exhibitors will be free following renewal, for a second year, of the cattle infrastructure sponsorship package by NWF Agriculture.