Holstein UK is delighted to announce that the judges for the 2023 Holstein classes have been selected. Mr Andrew Patton (Ards, N. Ireland) will take to the center of the ring to judge the National Holstein Calf Show while Mr James Doherty (Firstlook, Shropshire) will judge the National Holstein Showmanship Competition.
Andrew, along with his family, milk 275 cows at their farm in Newtownards, County Down, with a focus on strong cow families and breeding healthy, medium sized, efficient cows with good components and fertility. Andrew has judged many shows throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland, as well as further afield with his judging highlight to date being the Judge at the Western Districts Calf Show in Victoria, Australia. The Patton family have seen great success in the showring and have previously claimed the top spots at Balmoral Show, Royal Winter Fair and the Northern Ireland Calf Show. The Ards herd won the NI Premier Herd Competition in 2022, along with being awarded a Master Breeder Award in 2019. Aside from showing, Andrew has been heavily involved with HYB since a young age and is now Coordinator of the NI HYB Club. Through HYB, Andrew’s involvement saw him win the Holstein UK Presidents Medal Award in 2016 and travel to three different continents on various study trips.
Showmanship Judge James, along with his wife Stephanie, began milking their own cows in 2020 and have steadily built to milking 175 cows today. James is no stranger to the showring having been placed as Honourable Mention at the 2015 National Showmanship Competition and he has had an abundance of Firstlook animals in the ribbons at shows across the UK. James has previously judged the All Ireland Calf Show showmanship classes, alongside numerous HYB calf show qualifiers. Showing highlights include Reserve Champion Udder with S Bro Doorman Esprit at Junior Bulle in 2022 and Reserve Champion with Firstlook Aftershock Ricki at the 2014 ABAB Calf Show who also went on to win the Junior Three Year Old class at UK Dairy Day in 2017. Amongst many other animals, the Doherty’s have had huge success with All Britain Award winner Blydale Lynn Fitz All who was Reserve Champion at the 2017 ABAB Calf Show, Junior Champion at UK Dairy Expo in 2018 and, Agriscot Reserve Intermediate Champion in the same year.
