The 2022 Hokkaido National Holstein Show was held on September 24th & 25th 2022 in Abira, Hokkaido, Japan. The official judge was Shinji Kodama of Tokachi AI Center, and the Associate Judge and Judge of the Showmanship Contest was Isao Fujita of Genetics Hokkaido. Over two days, they placed 320 head (296 Holstein and 24 Jerseys).
The show is an annual event, but was not held in 2020 & 2021 because of COVID. The total number of dairy animals that could enter the show grounds, had to be decreased by 20% than usual years, as part of COVID control regulations this year. Therefore, the JUNIOR CUP (for exhibitors 20 years old and younger) was not held, and the Sale usually held at the show grounds was changed to an online version. Also, there was only one Showmanship contest class, for just Grade 12 High school students. For the Holstein show, only animals that placed high at their county qualification shows, can be exhibited.
The Junior Champions were selected out of seven heifer classes. Only daughters of bulls that were progeny proven in Japan could be exhibited in the first class. There were two milking classes (2-year-olds & 3-year-olds), where only daughters of bulls that were progeny proven in Japan, could be exhibited. Intermediate Champions were selected out of these two classes, plus Junior 2-year-old, Senior 2-year-old, Junior 3-year-old, Senior 3-year-old classes; a total of 6 classes. Senior Champions were selected out of the 4-year-old, 5-year-old & aged cow classes. A Jersey show was held at the beginning of the 2nd day. Junior Champions were selected out of two heifer classes and Senior Champions were selected out of two milking classes.
Thank you to the Hokkaido Holstein Agricultural Cooperation for the photos and full show report!