Three Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) have excelled during the judging for the Holstein UK President’s Medal.

The three finalists are:

• Andrew Neilson (Scotland Club);
• Cari Thomas (Cornwall Club);
• Frances Griffiths (Yorkshire Club).

The trio made their cases in front of the judging panel on Thursday (November 14) and are invited to attend the Semex Conference in January where one will be announced as the winner.

President’s Medal

The Holstein UK President’s Medal recognises and rewards young talent and highlights successes of the dairy farmers of the future.

The award is presented to an HYB member who has made an outstanding contribution to the breed, Holstein Young Breeders, and, also their own club.

Each HYB club is asked to nominate one young breeder aged between 23 and 26 years of age. From this, six young breeders are shortlisted for interview.

Applicants were also required to submit an essay titled: “What can all of us, as breeders who work in the UK dairy industry, do to reverse the trend of consumers choosing cows’ milk alternatives?”

The essays will be published on the Holstein UK website and the winner’s essay will also be featured in Holstein UK’s membership magazine, The Journal.

Cerys Petrie, events and national HYB Coordinator for Holstein UK, commented: “We are very excited to once again announce an exceptionally high calibre of finalists for the coveted President’s Medal Award.

“This prestigious accolade not only recognises the contribution of our young members to HYB and the Holstein breed, but also opens up a wide range of opportunities for them in the future.

“We hope all three finalists enjoy their time at the Semex Conference and find it informative and engaging.”

Three young dairy enthusiasts have been selected for the final of this year’s Holstein UK President’s Medal.

Holstein Young Breeders members James Doherty (Shropshire Club), Jess Hurren (North East Club) and Jessica Mills (Derbyshire Club) will be invited to attend the Semex Conference in January where one will be crowned winner.

Sponsored by Semex, the Holstein UK President’s Medal recognises and rewards young talent and highlights individuals who are the dairy farmers of the future.

The entry process started with each club asked to nominate one young breeder aged between 23 and 26.

Through several different rounds including an essay and a panel interview stage, the competition has been whittled down to just three finalists.

This year’s panel, which included Peter Waring, Holstein UK President; Darren Todd, Holstein UK Geneticist; and Rodger Mather, Semex; commented on the high quality of this year’s interviewees.

The essays written by the three finalists will be published on the Holstein UK website. The winner’s essay will also be featured in Holstein UK’s membership magazine, The Journal.

The judges said, “All the candidates interviewed were very impressive and came across as particularly hard-working, dedicated young people.

We were very impressed by their passion and enthusiasm for the industry as a whole, but in particular pedigree breeding.

“They displayed some very innovative thinking in their quest to improve their herds. HYB has obviously been a great experience for them, both socially and in terms of developing their knowledge of dairying.

“With the future of our industry in the hands of such capable young people, we should be confident that British dairying will progress and thrive in the years to come.”

Once crowned, the winner will receive an engraved medal and an all-expenses-paid trip, sponsored by Semex, to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto in November.

Miriam Bagley, Events & National HYB Coordinator for Holstein UK, said: “We are very excited to once again announce an exceptionally high calibre of finalists for the coveted President’s Medal Award.

“This prestigious accolade not only recognises the contribution of our young members to HYB and the Holstein breed, but also opens up avenues for them in the future, allowing them to network with a wide range of dairy farmers and professionals working within the industry.”