The judges for the Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, and Jersey classes will complete the final lineup of cattle show judges at UK Dairy Day. They will be casting their professional eyes over the breeds during the 10th anniversary annual event on Wednesday, September 11th at the International Centre in Telford.
Dairy Shorthorn Judge: Paul Harrison
Paul is a second-generation dairy farmer in Northumberland. He farms in partnership with his wife Ann. Their milking herd consists of 80 cows, 30 pedigree Dairy Shorthorns and 50 pedigree Holsteins, calving all year round. The Breckney Shorthorn herd was established in 1989 by Paul and Ann when they purchased a maiden heifer Winbrook herd. The Holstein herd was established in 1958 by Paul’s parents.
Paul has shown and judged dairy cattle for over 40 years—first a member of the Holstein Friesian judges panel then a member of the new Holstein Society Judges and the Dairy Shorthorn panel. Over the years Paul has judged numerous shows, herd competitions and stock judging competitions with the highlights being judging the Interbreed Group of Five Animals at the English Royal Show, along with The Dairy Shorthorn calves and showmanship classes at the National All Breeds calf shows and visiting Australia twice to judge the Illawarra classes. Both herds have been very successful in the show ring and herd competitions over the years.
Guernsey Judge: Ian Collins
In addition to judging the National Show for Ayrshire, Ian will also judge the Guernsey classes. Ian is the owner and breeder of the Churchroyd herd after farming in partnership with his late parents. He has been involved with the Ayrshire Society since he was 10 years old where he competed in the young members competitions at the Royal Show. He is an experienced judge, being on several breed panels.
Jersey Judge: Willie Taylor
Willie farms in the Eden Valley just on the edge of the Pennines at 750ft above sea level. He runs the Jaytee Jersey herd alongside Harras Holsteins on the 250-acre farm with his nephew. 200 hogs are also lambed to sell with lambs at foot. Willie has judged many shows up and down the country from Cumbria to Somerset in the last 25 years. Willie is a past chairman of the Lakes Jersey Club and a member of the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club.
Alongside the coloured breed classes, UK Dairy Day will host the National Shows for Brown Swiss, Ayrshire and Holstein. Judges were announced earlier in the year as Marcel Egli for Holstein, Ian Collins for Ayrshire and Blaise Tomlinson for Brown Swiss.
Like previous years the cattle show will take centre stage in Hall 2 offering visitors, media and the dairy industry a spectacular display of show cows. Classes will run throughout the day with the coloured breed classes and championships taking place first, followed by the Ayrshire and Holstein with the finale of the day being their two championships. The cattle show will be live-streamed with commentary for a worldwide audience to watch the winners tapped out by the judges.