Three world class judges coming to Carlisle from US, Canada and Holland
A trio of top class international judges have been appointed to appraise the cream of dairy cattle in the UK’s top spring showcase.
Harrison and Hetherington’s third Borderway UK Dairy Expo, on Saturday March 8, 2014, is set to attract some of the best dairy genetics in the world for the one day show of animals, dairy technology and innovation in Carlisle.
Reflecting the quality of animals expected, Harrison and Hetherington has appointed a trio of world class judges – Mark Rueth from Wisconsin to judge the Holstein classes; Callum McKinven from Quebec for the Coloured Breeds; and Erica Rijneveld from the Netherlands, who will assess entrants in the International Dairy Youth Championships.
Mark Rueth who owns and operates Rosedale Genetics with his partner Nick Reape near Oxford, Wisconsin will judge the Holstein classes. Rosedale is home to some of the breed’s most elite type genetics with International interest resulting in embryo sales to ten different countries and a successful merchandising program for females and bulls. Mark has judged numerous shows across the US and Canada, and has judged national shows around the world, including International Dairy Week in Australia, the Brazil National Show, the Eastern France Spring Show and the Swiss Junior Bulle Winter Show.
Rueth has twice been recognized for his skills with dairy cattle, earning the Klussendorf-MacKenzie Award in 1995 and the Klussendorf Award in 2008.
Canadian judge Callum McKinven is highly experienced, having judged at World Dairy Expo eight times and served as the official judge for the 2012 Royal Winter Agricultural Fair, where he has also been a member of the judging panel eight times. Judging duties have taken him to 28 countries and he is also a successful exhibitor, scooping the 2000 Curtis Clark Award at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
He co-owns and operates Lookout Holsteins and Jerseys in Quebec with his wife, Katherine, and three daughters, Tara, Brooke and Alana. The family milk around 30 cows, and focus on the best genetics in their successful show herd, which saw five Holsteins and two Jerseys nominated for the All-American in 2009.
Mr McKinven said: “I’ll be paying particular attention to the coloured breeds’ frame, dairy strength, rear feet and legs and udders.”
Erica Rijneveld, an international authority in preparing dairy cattle for the show ring, is returning to Borderway UK Dairy Expo for a second year to preside over the International Dairy Youth Championships
She has run her own business, Livestock Show Equipment, since 1998 offering showing and cattle grooming products, and uses her expertise to instruct young breeders and show enthusiasts in the art of cattle clipping, presentation and showmanship. She has run several successful clipping schools in Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Austria.
Erica, who judged the 2011 National Showmanship and Clipping Finals in France, and has also judged in Denmark, Spain, Czech Republic and Germany.
She said: “I’m flattered to be invited back to Dairy Expo and I am looking forward to seeing the best young breeders in the UK display their skills. Two years ago, I saw some great cows and some great young showmen and women in the making. I hope the class of 2014 is able to match the quality I judged in 2012.”
David Pritchard, from Harrison & Hetherington, said: “The calibre of international judges we’ve been able to attract for our third Borderway UK Dairy Expo shows the high regard in which the event is held.
“We are expecting to see the very best of UK dairy genetics in the ring at Carlisle and thousands of visitors are expected from across the globe to enjoy both the show and the opportunity to catch up with latest developments in the industry.”
The 2013 event attracted more than 300 entries, and Holstein cow LavenhamAdeen, owned in partnership by Mark Nutsford, Anthony Grimshaw and Stephen Bell, was crowned Grand Champion.
For details of the 2014 schedule and how to enter, please go to www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk.