Meet your 2023 ABAB Judges

Mr James Doherty (Firstlook, Shropshire) will judge the National Holstein Showmanship Competition. James along with his wife Stephanie, began milking their own cows in 2020 and have steadily built to milking 175 cows today. James is no stranger to the showring having been placed as Honourable Mention at the 2015 National Showmanship Competition and he has had an abundance of Firstlook animals in the ribbons at shows across the UK.

Mr Andrew Patton (Ards, N. Ireland) will take to the centre of the ring to judge the National Holstein Calf Show. Andrew, along with his family, milk 275 cows at their farm in Newtownards, County Down, with a focus placed on strong cow families and breeding healthy, medium sized, efficient cows with good components and fertility. Andrew has judged many shows throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland, as well as further afield with his judging highlight to date being the Judge at the Western Districts Calf Show in Victoria, Australia.

The British Friesian judge for this year’s All Breeds All Britain Calf Show will be Andrea Debenham from the Oakalby/Eastpoint herds. Andrea hails from Oaklands Farm near Beccles in Suffolk where she works with the herd of 400 autumn block calving British Friesians with her family. The herd are milked twice daily through a 54 point rotary parlour and are yielding an average of 7,700kg. 

 

What are you most looking forward to about judging at this year’s ABAB Calf Show?

James Doherty (JD): I am most looking forward to really testing out the showmanship skills of some of the most talented young people in this country. It is an honour to be asked to judge this show.

Andrew Patton (AP): It is a massive privilege to have been asked to judge at this year's show. I am looking forward to the whole experience, to stand in the ring. The opportunity to judge and place the top calves in the country will be a huge honour.

Andrea Debenham (AD): The atmosphere, seeing friendly faces, along with great stock for the future.

 

What will you be looking for in your judging?

JD: I am looking for a competent handler who keeps their eyes on calf and judge, ensuring the calf is never out of shape. I want to see young handlers that are smartly dressed, well presented in HYB uniform and wearing smart, clean footwear. My preference is to see sensible footwear and trousers should cover the boot rather than being tucked in.

AP: I will be looking for calves that are well grown for their age, that show dairy quality with strength and balance and great legs and feet – in my opinion the most important attributes a calf should have, which will set them up for the future.

AD: I’m looking for a strong, wellbalanced calf that shows the great traits of the Friesians but with added style.

 

What is your fondest memory of the ABAB Calf Show?

JD: The year we won Champion, Reserve and Honourable Mention calves with Knowlesmere Solomon Diamond, Blydale Lynn Fitz All and Knowlesmere Jones Sol A No 1 was definitely a stand-out year and a fantastic accomplishment for us all.

AP: The ABAB Calf Show was always one of the highlights in my HYB calendar. My fondest memory must be the first time in 10 years that the Northern Ireland team got back over with calves in 2016, with one of my own calves Ards Atwood Ashlyn being tapped out into the top five in show.

AD: Getting both Champion Handler and Champion Calf in the same year with Oakalby Quadrant  Sheila 50 – she was such a great calf.

 

What advice would you give to someone preparing for the ABAB Calf Show?

JD: Practice, practice, practice! Remember to keep calm and smile.

AP: It is important to keep working with your calf, ensuring that she is at one/familiar with the handler. Little and often is best; don’t tire your calf out when practising or she will pick up bad habits. That way she should show herself off to her best on show day. Also make sure your calf is on the right diet, try to avoid letting your calf put on or lose too much weight. It is all about finding the right balance to get her into ‘show form’.

AD: Trust your instincts on choosing calves. Also, preparation at home goes a long way in the ring.

 

What cow, past or present, do you admire the most?

JD: Riverdane Absolute Springsteen – to me she is as close to true type model you will find. Knowlesmere Roy Diamond is a cow that I have milked at the farm day in, day out – she has never had a bad day and is still at the farm today.

AP: There are several cows that I have admired at home and away on various trips, it is hard to name just one! At home my favourite cow was Ards Juror I Ruth 3 EX94, she has had a massive impact on our herd and indeed started the most successful line of the Ruth family. Away, one of my favourite cows of all time has to be Knonaudale Jasmine. I saw her at the Royal Winter Fair in 2017 and have since invested in the family. I am also a big fan of Oakfield Solomon Footloose and look forward to seeing what impact she will have on the breed.

AD: I have always admired cows like ‘The Tank’ (Peak Goldwyn Rhapsody) and Huronia Centurion Veronica. I have also admired one of our own at home, which was originally from the Shopland herd. Her daughters have just shown so much breed characteristics and have great longevity.

 

What have been your own highlights from showing or judging?

JD: My top show memory is the success we had with Blydale Lynn Fitz All, including being Junior Champion at UK Dairy Expo. Also the year Firstlook Aftershock Ricki won her class at UK Dairy Expo was a highlight for me. Judging-wise, the highlight of my career so far is the showmanship classes at the AllIreland Calf Show 2019 – there were so many talented young handlers there.

AP: My judging highlight was judging the Western Districts Calf Show in Victoria, Australia, when I was on the HYB Australian Exchange. There were great numbers, and the quality was top class – it also makes a nice difference to be judging in 30 degree heat! There was also a bull calf class (of any breed) to judge and a calf fancy dress class – which was a bit of a novelty! The enthusiasm within the young members for this class was second to none.

AD: I have had so many highlights over the years but to be at ABAB within a team is where so many memories and friendships are made.

 

The ABAB Calf show is taking place at NAEC Stoneleigh on 6th -8th October. Find out more about the event here: