The Complete Image Gallery from the Royal Jersey Show 2018 is now available for you to view, share and purchase photos. Grand Champion – Esperanza GA Vivian (Getaway), 1st 4yr Old, Rivendale Farms of Pittsburgh LLC., PA Junior Champion, L’ormiere Tequila Lili (Tequila), 1st Summer Yearling, Christine Desrosiers, Julien & CA Sicard, QC Intermediate Champion – Showdown Justine (Showdown), 1st Jr 3yr Old, Vierra Dairy Farms during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Mike Berry, OR, serves as judge with Associate Allen Berry, OR.
Visit the Royal Broadcast Archives HERE
Official Judge: Mike Berry
Mike Berry developed a passion for show animals at a young age as he was surrounded by Holsteins and Jerseys. He took a strong interest to the dairy industry from his father, who was a Holstein Classifier for 10 years and also managed a few different herds.
Upon graduation from the Dairy Management program at Michigan State University, Mike made a natural transition to become a dairy fitter while buying and selling elite animals. Currently, Mike owns approximately 100 Holsteins and Jerseys under the Robinhood prefix. Mike raises the top end of his show heifers and cows in Albany, Oregon, where he lives with his wife Kristin and 10-month-old daughter, Morgan.
1. What has been your most memorable judging experience so far? The animals at the World Dairy Expo are incredible and judging the Jerseys last year was something I will never forget. However, I also really enjoyed judging the Sydney Royal Show in Australia. My brother and I traveled together and we got to do a lot of farm tours and sightseeing. The entire trip in general was amazing.
2. Who is your favorite cow of all time? One that you have judged and/or one that you admire. My favourite cow of all time is Elliots Blackstone Charlotte-ET, who I made Reserve Grand Champion at the World Dairy Expo last year. She is the most unique animal I have ever judged, combining her pedigree and conformation. Her dam is Arethusa Veronicas Comet EX-95, a Royal Winter Fair Champion, and her grandam is Huronia Centurion Veronica EX-97, a two-time Supreme Champion at the World Dairy Expo. Having 3 generations of champions at elite shows is super cool, which is why she is my favourite.
3. What do you love the most about judging? I love the feeling of never knowing what is going to come in the ring next. Perhaps it will be the next young cow, a famous cow, or a future super star…. the unknown is exciting.
4. Describe the feeling you had when you got the call to judge the Royal. I was very excited because truthfully, I didn’t know I was even on the ballot until shortly before I got the phone call asking if I would be the official judge. It is always an honour to judge elite shows and I am really looking forward to it.
5. What are you looking for in your winners? I am looking for cattle with high quality, good feet and legs and great udders. Size doesn’t matter to me, they just have to be good and functional.
6. Who is your associate judge? How did you select them? My brother Allen will be my associate for the Royal this year. We have always done everything together and I have always wanted to use him for a big show somewhere. He has such a good eye for cattle and I am happy to have him as my associate.
7. What is your best piece of advice for upcoming judges or ones that aspire to judge big shows? It is important to judge the cows for how they look at that moment. Do not over think what they could look like on a different day. At a big show, they have to be on the money because the quality is amazing. Although they may look different on another day, it is important to remember that we are not judging what the future might be or what the past was.
