A spring showcase of dairy cattle, The UK Dairy Expo, is set to attract some international interest when it’s held on 9^th March at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway livestock mart in Carlisle.

The UK Dairy Expo, now in its second year, is a great shop window for international dairy genetics and attracted over 6000 spectators last year. The 2013 show provides an opportunity for breeders and farmers from across the UK to meet, compete and catch up on the latest industry developments in breeding, science and farm technologies.

Three eminent international judges have been appointed to oversee proceedings at the prestigious international livestock event with Canadian breeder, Barclay Phoenix taking to the reigns in the Holstein classes, Bruce Mode overseeing the Coloured Breeds and Monique Rey, who will award the International Youth Dairy Championships.

Glyn Lucas of Harrison & Hetherington said; “We are extremely pleased that these highly regarded international judges have agreed to take part in our second event. Between them, the three judges have a huge amount of experience in both breeding and judging world class cattle and we look forward to seeing which animals will take the top honours this year.”

While the judges names may not be too familiar with UK farmers, they have plenty of experience under their belts.

Barclay Phoenix farms the Phoenix Holsteins in Ontario and is heavily involved with both the breeding and sale of elite Holstein cattle. He has owned several champions including the Junior Champion at the 2008 World Dairy Expo, and the Reserve Intermediate Champion at the 2012 Red and White Show at the Royal Winter Fair. He has also judged numerous shows throughout the world, including 2007 World Dairy Expo and the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Fellow Canadian Bruce Mode who owns and operates Bonnie Brae Holstein herd at Bonnie Brae Farms, Vankleek Hill, Ontario has has exhibited 13 Grand Champion Ayrshire females at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair including six time Royal Grand Champion Des Prairies Toutou, the first Coloured Breed cow to ever be named Supreme Champion at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. He has been involved with international shows for Ayrshire, Dairy Shorthorn and Jersey cattle in Canada, the USA, Australia and the UK for approximately 35 years.

Finally, Monique Rey is one of Switzerland’s most famous breeders. After spending time in the USA and Canada, she returned to Switzerland and she has achieved numerous many European successes. The family farm near Geneva has 180 cattle including Black & White, Red & White and some recently acquired high end Jersey cattle. Her judging career began in Batice, Belgium where she judged the showmanship at the Young Breeders and has since judged National Showmanship competitions in Germany, Switzerland & France and the finals of the European Young Breeders Showmanship & Clipping competition in Cremona, Italy in 2010.

Last year’s event saw seven breeds paraded in the Borderway Exhibition Centre. In addition to the Champion Cattle Classes and the International Dairy Youth Championships, there is a Global Classic Sale and a trade exhibition with 150 stands including representatives from all the main breed societies.