Dairy Industry Connected at UK Dairy Day

UK Dairy Day was the event to be at for anyone connected to the dairy industry last Wednesday. The bustling event provided an opportunity to network and do business for dairy farmers and businesses from across the UK.

Over 8,000 visitors attended what really has become the UK leading dairy trade event which featured over 280 dairy-specific trade stands across internal and external exhibition areas and showcased 160 dairy cattle in the multi-breed dairy show.

UK Dairy Day hosted the annual National Holstein, Ayrshire and Brown Swiss Shows along with classes for Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey and Jersey cattle.  The show ring was kept busy from 9am until the exciting finale of the Ayrshire and Holstein Championships at the end of the day, the whole cattle show was live streamed giving the opportunity for the classes to be watched nationally and internationally and can be watched back on UK Dairy Day’s YouTube channel.

The six cattle judges travelled from near and far to decide on the final line-up of each breed. Adam Liddle who judged the National Holstein Show and travelled from New York, USA was amazed by the size of the show for a one-day event and was delighted by the calibre of animals in his final line-up.

The Heifer Champions were:

• Ayrshire Heifer Champion - Mid Ascog Patricia 3, Firm of D M Lindsay
• Holstein Heifer Champion - Davlea Crushabull Raven, I M Davies

The Grand Champions were:

• Ayrshire Grand Champion -Morwick Reality Emerald, M A Howie
• Brown Swiss Grand Champion - Kedar Rosa, T Lochhead & Son
• Dairy Shorthorn Grand Champion -Marleycote Olive 27, G G Baynes & Son
• Guernsey Grand Champion - Je-Taime Double L Bijou 2, R Norman & P Whetham
• Jersey Grand Champion - Erie Victorious Caramel, E M & E & I R Morgan
• Holstein Grand Champion -Styche Armour Hilgonda, Seaton Farms

The Holstein UK Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder Awards were both won by Davlea Holsteins, B & L Davies & Son and the Best Tidy Cattle Line was awarded to Panda Holsteins.

The Howard Sneesby Memorial Trophy was awarded to Ian Leach for his contribution to the National Holstein Show. Ian is a very valued member of The Holstein UK Group and his knowledge and compassion for the dairy industry knows no bounds. Ian joined the Holstein Society in 1988.  Ian has been actively involved with the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show for many years and, latterly, every UK Dairy Day, as Biosecurity Officer.

Trade exhibitors included feed manufacturers, animal health suppliers, vets, milk buyers, dairy and farm equipment suppliers - plus professional service providers and charities.  The fantastic display of trade stands showcasing their products and services, offering advice, innovative giveaways and providing fantastic hospitality was recognised with the trade stand awards. Internally, the best Small Trade Stand Award went to new exhibitor Powell & Co Construction, the Medium Trade Stand was presented to Caisley Ear Tags and the Agri-Lloyd won the Large Trade Stand Award. The External Trade Stand Award was won by KUHN Machinery.

The New Product Competition featured 11 innovative products launched into the market since 1st August 2021. HerdVision 3D Camera was awarded the Best New Product Award, with Transform from Carr’s Billington receiving the Highly Commended Award and Genotyped Embryos on Demand from Semex UK awarded a Special Mention.

Sustainability was the focus of the four industry panels with discussion related to farms, finance, employment and the dairy market.  Seminar presentations from Volac, NWF Agriculture, Kingshay and Lely offered insight and learning to the packed audiences in the Sharing Knowledge Zone.

Learning continued with visitors watching the practical demonstrations which included the return of Tim Carter for the foot trimming, blocking and knife sharpening. Scarsdale Vets, led by Carolyn Bagley,  presented their innovative and engaging ‘Beneath the Black and White’ calf painting and in the Breed Village members of the National Bovine Data Centre’s (NBDC) Classification team ran type classification and linear scoring demonstrations.

UK Dairy Day was without Holstein CEO and UK Dairy Day Event Director Sue Cope and in her memory fundraising for Brain Tumour Research raised over £3,900.  Cycle for Sue started during event build-up on Friday 9th September and the team cycled two spin bikes from Land’s End and John O’Groats to UK Dairy Day and the return journey, a total of 1,743 miles.

Hannah Williams, UK Dairy Day Event Manager, said; "I am proud that we yet again delivered a great dairy industry event and would like to thank our Principal sponsors Crystalyx, Lely, Holstein UK and NWF Agriculture, our media partners Farmers Guardian and Holstein International, along with all our associate and cattle class sponsors, trade exhibitors, cattle exhibitors and visitors who all supported UK Dairy Day. The level of interest in rebooking trade stands or securing a stand for next year’s event is testimony as to how beneficial our exhibitors found the event.  My thanks go to the organising team who without our leader Sue Cope worked together to make the event happen.  We raised a tremendous amount for Brain Tumour Research which will help inch closer to finding a cure or at the very least an effective treatment to give some hope and time to others".

Michael Smale, Holstein UK Chairman, concludes; “The display of trade stands and the cattle at this year’s event is a testament to the hard work that goes into making UK Dairy Day one of the best UK events.  Finally, I extend my thanks to everyone involved with the event and the first-class venue”.

Save the Date for 2023.

UK Dairy Day returns on Wednesday 13th September 2023

at The International Centre, Telford, Shropshire.