Holstein UK President’s Medal Finalists Announced for 2024

Four Holstein Young Breeders have excelled during the judging and interviewing for the Holstein UK President’s Medal Award. Holstein UK is delighted to announce the finalists as Christie Baker (South Wales), Emily Shorthouse (Western), Jamie Pottow (South & Wiltshire) and Lizzie Cotton (Staffordshire).

The President's Medal is presented to a HYB member whose contributions have significantly benefited the breed, Holstein Young Breeders, and their own club. In January, the overall winner will be announced at the Semex International Dairy Conference, which all four finalists will attend. The winner will receive an engraved President's Medal from the Holstein UK President and the Sue Cope Memorial Trophy, together with a trip to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto in November 2025, courtesy of Semex UK. 

The entry process began as each HYB Club was asked to nominate one young breeder aged between 18 and 26 years of age who were invited to Scope House for an interview. Joining Holstein UK President Nick Helyer on the judging panel were Jeremy Dain (Semex UK) and Heather Pritchard (Pedigree Livestock Services).

To be considered for the award, entrants were asked to write and submit an essay titled ‘Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the genetic breeding techniques commonly available to UK farms, and then suggest your optimum solution to driving genetic progress in an average UK herd.’ Following the announcement of the winner, all essays will be available on Holstein UK's website, and the winning essay will be published in The Journal.

Following the interviews, Nick said “The four finalists impressed me with the knowledge they have about the subject ‘The strengths and weakness of genetic breeding’. I thought all the essays were well researched and well presented. All four applicants are passionate about the Holstein Society, the cows and HYB. I must admit they made me aware of what we need to do to encourage new members and to also keep them in the Holstein Club as they mature.”

Jeremy added “Well done to all four finalists; due to the quality of the nominees it was tough to separate them after completing all the stages. It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to be involved in the 2024 President's Medal. All four finalists produced high quality essays to the question set this year. All showing a great depth of knowledge and understanding of areas associated with genetic progress along with the whole industry that they are all clearly passionate about. It was a pleasure to be able to sit and spend time with each of them and the panel discussing their essays, HYB, personal goals and their visions of the future in the industry through their eyes. Congratulations to all four finalists, you are a credit to the industry, HYB and more importantly, yourselves. Truly inspiring, thank you.”

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The Finalists

Christie Baker (South Wales)

Christie manages the BB herd together with her father and other family members, near Usk, South Wales. The family milk over 400 head of pedigree Holsteins and Christie and her family are active members of the South Wales Club. Christie is a central figure within the South Wales HYB Club and is a keen supporter of many of their events, especially club calf shows. When able to attend with their own calves, she usually brings a full team of calves helping to make the calf show a success, but also encourages younger family members and other members to lead in the handling classes.

Emily Shorthouse (Western)

Emily is not from a farming background but has always had a love for animals leading her to take a course after school in Animal Management at Rodbaston College. Emily went on to study Agriculture with Animal Science at Harper Adams which led to her working for a number of pedigree herds before joining the Genus Graduate Scheme. The Western Club nominates Emily for the President’s Medal Award as she has demonstrated an enormous commitment to the Holstein breed over the time she has been involved. With the goal of owning her own heifers and show cattle, Emily will continue to contribute to the breed and encourage others along the way

Jamie Pottow (South & Wiltshire)

Jamie joined HYB in 2009 following in his uncle and grandfathers footsteps and he has been an active member ever since, competing in many rallies, national calf shows and national stock judging events. Coming from one of the clubs’ most successful herds, Jamie looked at ways to improve both the family farm and use opportunities to help HYB members, he obtained a degree in Agricultural Business Management and then worked as an assistant manager at J&L Walker Farms in South Western Ontario, Canada for two years before returning home to Eastknook. If unable to compete with his own cows, Jamie can always be found at shows helping, often more than just one team, either clipping, leading or just being there.

Lizzie Cotton (Staffordshire)

Lizzie grew up on her family farm in County Durham with pedigree Holsteins under the Langpark prefix. From there she was a member of Northumberland HYB from the age of four until the HYB club folded. She attended Askham Bryan college where she gained a Distinction * in a Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture. Now an active member and Coordinator of the Staffordshire Club, Lizzie always gives her all and is always to encourage new members. In her short time in the club she has made a huge difference with no task too big and always getting stuck in.