The National Ayrshire and Brown Swiss Shows return to the ring at UK Dairy Day 2023, along with the National Holstein Show, all being held on September 13, 2023 at the International Centre in Telford, Shropshire. This year’s judges will be Colin Christophers from Cornwall for the Ayrshire classes and Brian Weatherup from Fife for the Brown Swiss classes.
The Ayrshire Cattle Society have selected Colin Christophers from Truro, Cornwall to judge the National Ayrshire Show. With wife Jenny, son David and help from daughter Debbie and Granddaughter Megan, Colin runs the Rosehill Ayrshire herd. The 300-acre Cornwall Council farm has a herd of 300 with 170 milking cows and followers. Recent investment on the farm has seen a new slurry system installed, collecting and converting methane from the herd to power tractors, vehicles, and generators.
The Rosehill Ayrshire Herd has shown all over the South West and previously up to the Royal Show. Their greatest accolade is winning the Royal Show with Rosehill Black Velour. In addition to showing Colin has had the honour of judging all over the UK, including at Balmoral & Antrim in Northern Ireland, The Highland Show and AgriScot in Scotland, The Welsh Dairy Show, Royal Welsh and the Royal and Royal Welsh Shows.
UK Dairy Day will welcome Brian Weatherup as the judge chosen by the Brown Swiss Cattle Society for their National Show. Brian Weatherup jnr of the Parkend herd in Fife runs the family farm with his parents and wife Gillian. They milk 220 pedigree cattle with a focus on proven genetics, aiming for exceptional udders and feet and legs, always pushing for high-yielding, long-lasting cows. The herd won back-to-back Scottish herds competitions in 2020/2021.
Brian has judged at shows across the UK and Ireland, including at the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire and Irish National calf shows. Showing highlights for the family include four Royal Highland championships, champion heifer at the National Holstein Show and winning the red and white championship at UK Dairy Day.
The National Holstein Show judge was announced in December as South Wales dairy farmer Iwan Morgan who with his father Edward runs the Erie herd of 150 Holsteins and 30 Jerseys.