Holstein UK is delighted to announce the joint winners of its President’s Medal – and this year it is double glory. Andrew Patton and Andrew Patterson have both claimed the accolade, announced at Monday night’s Semex Conference in Glasgow.
The top title has been awarded to two winners: 25 year old Andrew Patton of County Down, Northern Ireland and 24 year old Andrew Patterson from Shropshire. The winners receive an engraved President’s Medal from the Holstein UK President, alongside a visit to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto in November 2017, courtesy of Semex.
The President’s Medal is awarded to a Holstein Young Breeder (HYB) member who has made an outstanding contribution to the breed, Holstein Young Breeders, and their own club. The entry process began with each HYB Club being asked to nominate one young breeder aged between 18 and 26 years of age. Six young breeders were shortlisted for interview with the panel of judges David Tomlinson (Holstein UK President), Sue Cope (Managing Director of CIS), and Peter Arthur (Semex Marketing Manager) at AgriScot in Edinburgh before the final three were selected.
Last night, Monday 16th January 2017, two of the finalists attended the Semex Conference in Glasgow, whilst the third waited in Australia to hear the results where he is on a month long HYB exchange.
Miriam Howarth, Events and National HYB Coordinator for Holstein UK, commented: – “We’d like to offer huge congratulations to the two Andrews in recognition of winning the Holstein UK President’s Medal. Andrew Patton and Andrew Patterson are two highly passionate, enthusiastic and determined individuals who have made tremendous effort for the HYB organisation and the wider dairy industry.”
Andrew Patton of Northern Ireland said: – “I feel absolutely overwhelmed to be presented in Australia with the Holstein UK President’s Medal – it is a huge honour and I am extremely delighted. The year so far has been amazing having had the opportunity to represent HYB on an Australian exchange and now to win the President’s Medal. I have been involved in HYB from a young age and it has provided me with endless learning and social opportunities. The HYB Australian Exchange programme I am currently participating in is enabling me to further experience other farming techniques and practices – and this is all through the wonderful work of the HYB organisation. We’re extremely lucky to have HYB and I would encourage any young dairy enthusiast to get involved!”
Andrew Patterson from Shropshire added: – “It is a huge honour to have won the Holstein UK President’s Medal alongside Andrew Patton. HYB provides young people like me with vital technical, business and husbandry skills that stand you in excellent stead for a successful commercial dairy career. Through HYB I have competed in showing cattle, clipping and stock judging – these skills I have learnt through the organisation since being a member from the age of 10.”