More than 250 dairy cattle from across the country will be competing for the prestigious interbreed championship at the Dairy Show in Somerset next month.
Entries are already flooding in, with some of the nation’s best breeders hoping to take home the silver. And show organiser Alan Lyons has secured some top judges from as far afield as Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. “The Dairy Show is one of the largest specialist dairy events in the country, and everyone wants to come and exhibit their best cows and see how they measure up to their compatriots both within and between the breeds,” he says.
Iwan Morgan from Carmarthen will be judging the Holstein section for the first time this year, having judged across the UK, Europe and Australasia over the past 20 years. “Everyone thinks they’ve got great cows at home, but the Dairy Show attracts more top cows than most, and it’s the best way to see how you compare,” he says.
Mr Morgan will be looking for a well-balanced, milky cow with good conformation and capacity to take home his breed championship. “I’m looking for a cow that everyone can appreciate.” But he won’t just be called upon to judge the Holstein section, with all nine judges coming together to judge the exalted interbreed championship. “If you can judge one breed, you can judge all breeds; essentially you’re looking for the same traits,” he says.
“I’m really looking forward to getting in amongst some fantastic cows in the ring, and meeting so many knowledgeable people.” And there will be something for everyone, with at least six different breeds on display. “The coloured breeds have improved a lot in recent years, and Holsteins are becoming less extreme again – there will be something to suit every farming system.”
Entries for the show, which will be held on 2 October at the Bath & West Showground, close on 16 September. Schedules are available at www.bathandwest.com.
- This year’s judges will be: Michael Broadley, Buxton (Ayrshire); Dawn Coryn, Newquay (showmanship and any other breed); Philip Cox, Lifton (Guernsey); Eluned Davies, St Clears (Dairy Shorthorn); John Hunter, Crumlin (heifer and pairs championships); Andrew Jones, Wrexham (calf classes); Jonathan Lochhead, Dumfries (Brown Swiss); Iwan Morgan, Carmarthen (Holstein); and Richard Saxby, Skipton (Jersey).
The Dairy Show, sponsored by Micron Bio Systems and Pearce Seeds, will be held on 2 October at the Royal Bath & West Showground. Tickets can be purchased in advance from www.bathandwest.com or via the ticket hotline – 01749 822222.
About the Royal Bath & West of England Society
The Society was founded in 1777 in Bath by a group of philanthropists led by Edmund Rack. We are a registered charity organisation (Registered Charity Number 1039397). The Society was formed with the aims of encouraging agriculture, arts, manufacture and commerce.
Our charitable activities provide:
- Agriculture, veterinary, educational and art scholarships
- Technical events and Seminars
- Practical farming advice and conferences
- Countryside Education
- Diversification advice for farmers
- Education for children
- A market place for countryside products
- Plus all the events run by the Society and the Bath & West Trading Company
As the Society approaches its 236th year it continues to deliver a wonderful mix of established traditional exhibits through to the latest energy technology and contemporary entertainment.
The entertainment and features around the 242-acre site ensure enjoyment for every member of the family and include attractions that are spectacular to watch, educational, inspirational, “hands on” or just plain fun.