HOLSTEIN UK has announced the winners of its 2019 Master Breeder Awards – no less than 18 high-performing herds which have surpassed the high standards needed for this prestigious recognition.

Master Breeder rewards Holstein UK members whose herds breed productive, trouble-free, long-living cows that display desirable traits and conformation. Cows and heifers in each herd are allocated points according to set criteria and only animals carrying the member prefix, and which are recorded as having produced a lactation within the last two years, are eligible for inclusion in the calculation.

The Master Breeder Winners for 2019 are

• Aliann, J D and J A Holgate, North Yorkshire;

• Ards, H Patton and Sons, County Down, Northern Ireland;

• Bannistree, D and E Monk, Lancashire;

• Clandeboye, Clandeboye Estate Co Ltd, County Down, Northern Ireland;

• Clwch, W J and H Williams, Gwynedd;

• Enchmarsh, J and G Allsop, Shropshire;

• Havendale, T H Flower and Sons, Derbyshire;

• Hayvalley, D W and G N Renfree, Cornwall;

• Hilltara, S M McCormick, County Down, Northern Ireland;

• Killington, J and R Waller, Lancashire;

• Lan, R and E Bowen, Carmarthenshire;

• Moorshard, R K and S G Miller and Sons, Somerset;

• Moree, R J V and A R J Kelso, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland;

• Newbirks, A Lawson and Son, West Yorkshire;

• Pennine, Drinkall Bros, Lancashire;

• Saintclear, P E and D M Thomas, Dyfed;

• Steveacre, Cox Farming Company, Staffordshire;

• Wormanby, Wormanby Farms Ltd, Cumbria.

HUK said that over 120,000 type classifications have been completed in the last 12 months, highlighting the 'continued popularity' of this service as a tool for identifying cows which thrive in modern production systems. Most classifications are carried out for private farmers but many are also undertaken on behalf of the AI industry to progeny test UK Holstein sires.

HUK chief executive Sue Cope said: “The Holstein UK Master Breeder is an important status which carries credibility and desirability. It demonstrates the breeders’ strengths in rearing and progressing cattle to an outstanding standard and offers the herd a level of superior ranking and greater value. Congratulations to the 2019 Master Breeders who I look forward to meeting during the year as we present the certificates and plaques at their nominated events.”