Hugh Kennedy, who farms in East Carngillan, Ayrshire, was named the 2023 recipient of the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Borderway Dairy Expo.
Hugh Kennedy, who has been a passionate advocate for the Holstein breed his entire working life, received this highly regarded award on Saturday, March 11th, at the UK Borderway Dairy Expo. The award was created in 2013 in memory of well-known dairy farmer John Dennison, with the goal of recognising a dairy cattle breeder who is deemed an exemplary role model and high achiever in the dairy industry.
Hugh Kennedy, a well-known and highly respected dairy breeder, has been a leading Holstein breeder since he began farming at East Carngillan near Tarbolton 54 years ago. Hugh has grown his Stair and Stairend herds at East and West Cargillan into a leading dairy and breeding operation, with bloodlines that have won prizes and accolades throughout the UK, Europe, and the United States.
Glyn Lucas, Harrison & Hetherington’s Senior Pedigree Dairy Auctioneer, said in announcing this year’s winner, “When this award was established, its aim was to recognise high achieving individuals within the dairy industry who are admired and respected by their peers, and Hugh certainly has all of these attributes.”
“As mentioned in his nomination, Hugh’s passion, knowledge and sheer joy in his cows, whether showing, judging, watching judging, attending sales or at home milking was an inspiration to everyone who came into contact with him. So, on behalf of the Dennison family and everyone here at Borderway Dairy Expo today, I’d like to congratulate him on this well-deserved honour.”
Hugh, who was born in 1943, moved to East Carngillan, Tarbolton, with his family when he was four years old. He was always interested in farming and left school at the age of 15 with no academic qualifications but everything he would need to be successful in a life dedicated to dairying – a strong work ethic, drive, ambition, and, most importantly, an eye for good cattle.
After inheriting Ayrshires from his father David, he made the decision to convert to the British Friesian breed, becoming one of the first in the area in the late 1960s. He travelled to breed sales and dispersals across the country, purchasing pedigree stock that helped to establish the Stair herd in the early 1970s and lead to great success in production, showing, and herd competitions.
Hugh moved into the Holstein breed proper in 1991, after both of his sons chose to go into dairy and after purchasing the neighbouring West Carngillan farm in 1986. He travelled all over Holland and Germany buying in-calf heifers as the quickest and most cost-effective way to build a Holstein herd large enough to split into the Stair and Stairend herds by 1993.
He has supported many shows and competed in West of Scotland Herd comps and the Scottish Club Herd comp numerous times, winning a slew of awards including individual, progeny, and the coveted team prize.
At the age of 79, and following the tragic death of his son Jim a few years ago, he made the difficult decision to disperse the entire Stair Herd on December 7, 2022, at H&H Carlisle. This demonstrated his years of breeding and love for the breed, which was one of his greatest lifetime achievements.
“This is unbelievable, I am absolutely speechless,” Hugh said upon receiving this prestigious award. Cows were my life, and John Dennison was one of my heroes and one of the nicest gentlemen you could ever meet. “I am truly humbled to receive this honour.”
