A trio of top-class international judges have been appointed to adjudicate the cream of dairy cattle at the UK’s top spring showcase.
Harrison & Hetherington’s (H&H)third Borderway UK Dairy Expo, which takes place on Saturday, March 8, 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, organisers at H&H have appointed a trio of world-class judges Mark Rueth from Wisconsin, Callum McKinven from Quebec and Erica Rijneveld from the Netherlands.
Mr Rueth, who owns and operates Rosedale Genetics with his partner Nick Reape near Oxford, Wisconsin, will take to the centre of the Holstein ring.
Rosedale is home to some of the breed’s most elite-type genetics with international interest resulting in embryo sales to 10 different countries and a successful merchandising programme for females and bulls.
Mr Rueth 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.
He has also twice been recognised for his skills with dairy cattle, winning the Klussendorf-MacKenzie award in 1995 and the Klussendorf award in 2008.
Canadian judge Callum McKinven is similarly 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. He milks around 30 cows, and focused on the best genetics in his 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, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Austria.
Erica, who judged the 2011 national showmanship and clipping finals in France, and has also judged in Denmark, Spain, the 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 H&H, 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.