The National Ayrshire and Brown Swiss Shows, as well as the National Holstein Show, will return to the ring at UK Dairy Day 2023, which will be held on September 13, 2023 at the International Centre in Telford, Shropshire. Colin Christophers from Cornwall will judge the Ayrshire classes this year, and Brian Weatherup from Fife will judge the Brown Swiss classes.
Colin Christophers of Truro, Cornwall, has been chosen by the Ayrshire Cattle Society to judge the National Ayrshire Show. Colin runs the Rosehill Ayrshire herd with his wife Jenny, son David, daughter Debbie, and granddaughter Megan. The 300-acre Cornwall Council farm has a herd of 300 cows and followers, including 170 milking cows. A new slurry system has been installed on the farm, collecting and converting methane from the herd to power tractors, vehicles, and generators.
The Rosehill Ayrshire Herd has previously shown all over the South West and at the Royal Show. Their crowning achievement was winning the Royal Show with Rosehill Black Velour. Colin has judged at shows all over the UK, including Balmoral and Antrim in Northern Ireland, The Highland Show and AgriScot in Scotland, The Welsh Dairy Show, Royal Welsh, and the Royal and Royal Welsh Shows.
The Brown Swiss Cattle Society has chosen Brian Weatherup as the judge for their National Show at UK Dairy Day. Brian Weatherup jnr runs the Parkend herd in Fife with his parents and wife Gillian. They milk 220 pedigree cattle with a focus on proven genetics, aiming for exceptional udders, feet, and legs, and consistently pushing for high-yielding, long-lasting cows. In 2020/2021, the herd won back-to-back Scottish herds competitions.
Brian has judged at shows in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire, and Irish National calf shows. Four Royal Highland championships, champion heifer at the National Holstein Show, and winning the red and white championship at UK Dairy Day are among the family’s show highlights.
The National Holstein Show judge was announced in December as South Wales dairy farmer Iwan Morgan, who runs the Erie herd of 150 Holsteins and 30 Jerseys with his father Edward.
