fortunate to showand work for some of the leading names in the show world including Smiddiehill, Sandyford, Primo, Wintersell, Designer, Bluechip, Hanoverhill and Olympian. I am really struggling to narrow down to a few achievements as I have lead more champions than I even remember and worked on the string with even more. Perhaps leading two calves to finish second in classes of 46 at International Dairy Week in January this year should be up there though.
What do you aspire to win in the show ring?
Personally I’d love to breed an All Britain
Champion...so either my little herd needs to achieve something miraculous soon or I should lay my hopes on my four year old daughter Hattie becoming an All Britain Champion one day.
Who do you think is the best showman in the World?
I think you have to really look to the USA and Canada to answer this and I would say either Mario Comtois, Don Johnston or Mike Deaver. They have a very easy manner with a showing style that exudes a calm confidence. A little closer to home I think I learnt most watching the skills exhibited by the likes of James Tomlinson and Steve Miller.
DAVID BOOTH Holstein Judge
Prefix: Feizor No Cows: 120 Average yield: 12,066kg, 3.86%bf, 3.03%p Current AI sires: Explode, Contrast, Windbrook, Atwood,
McCutcheon, Flame, Armani, Doorman
What is your previous judging experience? A few years ago as a Young Farmer I won National Intermediate and Senior dairy judging. Over the years I have judged many local shows and consider every show to be a highlight regardless of size or numbers.
What are the main achievements of the Feizor herd? Winning the Premier Herd in 2012 has to be the best achievement of recent years. Before that winning the Royal Show in 2005 with Cleevale Storm Meggie as a second calver was a huge achievement.
What have been your highlights in the show ring? Again, winning the Royal Show in 2005 but also winning Super Heifer at Agri-Scot 2003 with Cleevale Storm Meggie. Winning the champion heifer in milk at the National Holstein Show in 2003 with Shanael Gelpro Melody is another success that stands out. The latest show ring success was winning grand champion at Northern Expo 2012 with Feizor Shottle I Melody.
What are the All Britain Calf Show highlights for the Feizor herd? Feizor Jordan Flo 2 winning champion calf in 2011 is definitely that highlight. She is a daughter of Berryholme Shottle Flo and is now a VG88 classified heifer having given 10,468kg at 4.33%bf and 3.05%p in her first lactation.
What is your favourite cow of all time and why? There has been so many great cows, but the best one I’ve seen in the flesh is RF Goldwyn Hayley. I saw her at the Royal Winter Fair 2012 and she was still as good a cow when she was milked after the show. She is just such a great balanced cow and you have to credit the fact she has competed at major shows in every lactation.
Is there an All-Britain Calf winner that stands out for you? Blythbridge Sam Nanda was a great calf in her day.
What qualities are you looking for in the handlers?
I like handlers to be calm, confident and keep a quiet, relaxed attitude with their calf, with style and fluidity in their movements around the calves. I think it is important to know your animal’s quirks or faults and correct them appropriately rather than simply going through the motions.
Are there any areas you will be particularly hard on?
Like most judges, I do have a few pet hates. For me I don’t like seeing people being discourteous to fellow competitors, so no creeping in to the middle of the ring or blocking another competitor. It is easy to get stuck in corners, but at this level it won’t be forgiven and there isn’t room for anything other than a perfectly trained calf. One last thing – I HATE SPARKLY HALTERS!
What makes a worthy All Britain winner for you? I like stylish calves with a nice cut to them. They must have width throughout, a correct rump structure and walk correctly on their legs and feet.
Where has been the best show of dairy cattle you have ever seen? Without doubt for quality right down the line the Royal Winter Fair 2012 has been the best I’ve experienced.
What show would you most like the chance to go to?
Madison and the Swiss Expo in Lausanne are on the top of my wish list of shows to visit.
ABOVE LEFT
Jessica Hassall acted as Showmanship judge at the HYB Weekend Rally in 2012
RIGHT David and Pam Booth receiving the
Premier Pedigree Herd Award in 2012
THE JOURNAL OCTOBER 2014 103
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