From clipping calves at Riverdane to walking parlours as a vet, Jodie Nutsford’s Medal win shows what “next generation” leadership really looks like.
The Holstein UK community has its 2025 President’s Medal winner, and she’s bringing a powerful combination of veterinary expertise, showing success, and grassroots mentorship to one of the breed’s highest honors.
Jodie Nutsford, 25, from Western Holstein Young Breeders, claimed the coveted award at the Semex International Dairy Conference during the Burns Supper in Glasgow on January 12th. She beat out two other exceptional finalists – Samuel Blease, 27, from Lancashire HYB, and Lauren Gilbert, 27, from Northern Ireland HYB – to win the engraved medal, the Sue Cope Memorial Trophy, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto courtesy of Semex UK.
Twenty Years in the Making
What makes Nutsford’s win particularly compelling is the depth of her commitment. She’s not a newcomer riding a wave of recent success – she’s been grinding in HYB since she was four years old. Growing up on her family’s Riverdane Holsteins operation in Cheshire, she’s competed at the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show for years, attended multiple Weekend Rallies, and this past year represented Holstein UK at the Young Breeders School in Belgium.
But here’s where her story gets interesting: she took that lifetime of hands-on breeding knowledge and channeled it into veterinary medicine. In 2024, she graduated as a qualified vet and joined Nantwich Farm Vets, where she now serves a large portfolio of dairy clients across Cheshire. That’s a rare combination – someone who can talk genetics and show ring strategy with breeders in the morning, then walk into the parlor and discuss mastitis protocols and reproductive efficiency in the afternoon.
What the Judges Saw
Holstein UK President Mark Logan, who judged alongside Janette Mathie (Head of CIS Field Services) and Rodger Mather (Semex UK representative), put it this way: “Dare I say that as with judging an outstanding class of dairy cows, we were looking for that overall perfect balance, and in Jodie I think we have found that.
Logan specifically highlighted Nutsford’s “knowledge of the Holstein breed,” her commitment to the industry through her veterinary work, and her support for younger HYB and YFC members as factors that made her “a very worthy winner.
The application process wasn’t a cakewalk. Each club nominated one member, who then had to submit an essay titled “Data-driven decision-making on the farm leads to greater productivity, better animal welfare, improved sustainability, and greater profitability.” The judging panel interviewed the shortlisted candidates before selecting the final three to attend the conference.
The Mentorship Factor
What really sets Nutsford apart – and what likely pushed her over the top in a field of strong candidates – is her grassroots impact on Western HYB. According to Holstein UK, she’s “generously mentored countless HYB members, helping them develop the essential skills of showmanship, stock judging, and clipping. That hands-on support has opened doors for young enthusiasts to gain confidence and experience in the show ring.
That’s the kind of contribution that extends far beyond personal achievement. She’s not just winning banners – she’s building the next generation of breeders who will compete and contribute for decades.
Still Hands-On at Home
Despite her busy veterinary schedule, Nutsford remains closely involved with the family operation at Riverdane Holsteins. She helps with the daily management of both the dairy herd and the show team. That’s the reality of many young breeders today – juggling off-farm careers while staying connected to the home operation and the passion that started it all.
Principal Sponsor Support
National HYB Coordinator Lizzie Yates emphasized the importance of Semex UK’s continued support: “It has been a fantastic opportunity for the three finalists to attend the Semex International Dairy Conference and learn from a variety of respected industry voices. It is also an excellent platform to present this prestigious award, and I would like to express my gratitude to Semex UK for being the principal sponsor of HYB and their continued support of the President’s Medal Award.
The Semex International Dairy Conference, held at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel, has become the traditional venue for announcing the President’s Medal winner, giving the award maximum visibility among industry leaders and decision-makers.
Looking Ahead
With her veterinary career developing alongside continued involvement in breeding and youth work, Nutsford is positioned to remain a familiar and influential figure within the Holstein community for years to come. The Toronto trip later this year will add an international perspective to her already extensive network and experience.
The President’s Medal has a strong track record of identifying future industry leaders. Previous winners include Jamie Pottow (2024) from South & Wiltshire HYB and Andrew Neilson (2019) from Scotland HYB. The award recognizes individuals who will shape the breed and the industry for the next generation – and based on what Nutsford has already accomplished at 25, she’s well on her way to fulfilling that promise.
Congratulations to all three finalists – reaching that stage is an outstanding achievement in itself. But this year, the medal goes to the Western Club’s farm vet, with 20 years of commitment, a growing client base, and a passion for bringing the next generation along.
Key Takeaways
- Jodie Nutsford, 25, wins the 2025 Holstein UK President’s Medal—farm vet, lifelong HYB member, and grassroots mentor in one package.
- Her path from Riverdane Holsteins to Nantwich Farm Vets shows what “next generation” leadership looks like when it’s built, not borrowed.
- Western HYB and Riverdane have created a youth model worth copying: open gates, shared calves, real mentorship.
- The judges didn’t just reward ribbons—they rewarded balance: breed knowledge, vet expertise, and hands-on support for younger members.
- The challenge for every club and region: invest in people who connect barns, data, and community—because that’s where the future gets built.
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