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UK DAIRY EXPO


An international line-up of judges has been confirmed for Borderway UK Dairy Expo 2015, which will bring together the cream of British dairy genetics and talent from the industry’s next generation. The industry showcase event at Borderway Exhibition Centre will comprise 59 show classes on Saturday


March 7, including the Dairy Youth Championships on Friday evening, and Supreme Championships. The 2015 judging team has been drawn from the USA, Canada and the UK. Hank Van Exel, from California, will be judging the Holstein classes, while Stephen Borland from Quebec will appraise the coloured breeds. Meanwhile, Lancashire-based Claire Swale will act as showmanship judge. The Dairy Youth Championships and the Heifer Show will dominate proceedings on the Friday evening, with the Milking classes and Championships taking place on the Saturday. Some 7000 people from the UK and overseas visited the 2014 event and similar numbers are expected in 2015, where more than 130 trade stands will also be sharing educational, commercial and innovation developments.


We’ve gone head to head with Holstein judge Hank van Excel


What is your previous judging experience? “I have judged World Dairy Expo Shows for Jerseys and Holsteins, all National Shows over here, as well as the National Jersey Show in Louisville, The New York Spring Show, The Royal Winter Fair and vari- ous countries such as Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, England, Ireland, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.” What are the highlights of your judging career? “Judging Madison was an honor, as well as The Royal Winter Fair Germany and Italy which both hosted European Shows. In each case I had the chance to put forward great champions that were known around the world.” What are the main achievements of your own herd? “Having Exels Dundee Beauty named All American Aged cow is up there as one of the best highlights for the herd. We have also stood reserve Grand champion at WDE with both Holstein and Jersey cattle. We have also had the reserve grand champion red and white at the Royal Winter Fair, as well as more than 30 all American nominations.”


What is your favourite cow of all time and why? “For me, Brookview Charity was the most dominant cow of her time. She was a cow that I think changed the way our breed looked at cattle.” Where has been the best show of dairy cattle you have ever seen?


“There have been many impressive shows of cattle, but at Madison in 2013 the quality was out of this world. The top five in every class could have easily won classes in years gone past.”


Is there a dairy show which you would like to go to and haven’t yet been? “There are two shows I would like to attend that I haven’t been to, firstly The All Hok- kaido show in Japan and the Swiss Expo.” What are you looking for in a winning cow or heifer? “Show cows for me must have a great mammary system and they must travel and stand comfortably on strong feet and legs with enough width through the rump and front end and muzzle. They should have dairy strength with openness and capacity. When choosing heifers I try to find heifers that will become good cows, looking more critically at feet and legs as well as blending of all parts of the female.” You milk a lot of cows, but is type still your main breeding focus? “My breeding focus is on correct cows that will give high production which means type. I find it easy to get productive life, but much more difficult to get high production, so I’m looking for big strong cows that can eat high amounts of home grown feed and produce a lot of milk easily from good udders. There- fore, I’m using bulls from good cow families that are genomic or proven.”


82 THE JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2015


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