Two privileged Holstein UK members have been selected to judge on the other side of the world at the prestigious New Zealand Dairy Event in February 2018. Edward Griffiths and Claire Swale will be flying the flag for UK Holstein breeders in New Zealand!
Edward, from South Yorkshire, represents Yorkshire and the North East on the Holstein UK board of trustees, and is also Chairman for the Show & Sale Committee. He will be judging the Holstein Friesian Breed in New Zealand. He’ll be joined by Claire, from Lancashire, who has been judging showmanship competitions for over 20 years, officiating in Canada, England, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. At the New Zealand Dairy Event she will overseeing the Youth Handlers Competition.
Celebrating its 10th year anniversary, the New Zealand Dairy Event at Manfeild Agri-Centre comes alive as the very best cattle from all over New Zealand compete for national praise and recognition. It is regarded as the leading dairy event in the country and an invitation to judge at the acclaimed event is a huge opportunity for those connecting to Holstein breeding.
Edward Griffiths – Judging Holstein Friesian Breed
Edward Griffiths farms with his wife and three daughters Frances, Sally and Lydia. The family milk 180 Holsteins plus a few Jerseys and Ayrshires which all share the Coachgate prefix. The 270 acre farm is 750 feet above sea level and is predominantly grass and wheat. Edward’s past judging appointments include; The UK National Holstein Show, Irish National Holstein Show and All Ireland Baileys Championships, Royal Highland, Royal Welsh, Royal Ulster, Royal Bath and West, UK Dairy Event, Agriscot and National shows in Sweden and Slovenia.
Edward Griffiths, said; “I am thoroughly looking forward to the challenge of judging and placing cattle at the New Zealand Dairy Event – this is an exceptional opportunity and one that I feel very honoured to be part of. It will be interesting to see the best of New Zealand dairy cattle and to meet the breeders. I look forward to working with judges from around the world, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand – it really is a great honour to represent Holstein UK at such an internationally admired event.”
Claire Swale – Judging Youth Handlers Competition
Married to Dave, with two children, Jack and Harvey, Claire owns 40 head of registered Holsteins under her own Heavenly prefix. These operate alongside the family run Joylan Farms, which farm over 800acres, milks 500 cows, and retails all their own milk independently. Claire is the sales and marketing manager for PrimeVal Genetics in the Netherlands, a company which has invested heavily in to the Genomics business and is now beginning to put world-class bulls into international A.I. She is a familiar sight in and around the show ring, whether it be showing or judging or as a valued part of the Cowsmopolitan team providing global show coverage.
Claire Swale adds; “Having been involved in the pedigree business since an early age, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have a career in an industry that I love, working with great cows and fantastic people. Passionate about the next generation of our industry, I am excited to be working with the youth of New Zealand at the New Zealand Dairy Event and cannot wait to experience the standard of competition.”
Source: Holstein UK
