South West Scotland Holstein Club Hosts Second Fantasy 5 Winter Herds Competition
The South West Scotland Holstein Club recently held its second annual “Fantasy 5” Winter Herds Competition, which saw farms from across the region participating with a total of 29 entries. Notably, 12 of these entries were from new competitors, showcasing the growing interest and engagement within the industry. The event, a significant success as compared to the previous year, attracted a diverse range of farms eager to showcase their best animals.
The competition format required each farm to select their top five animals to form their “Fantasy 5” team. This year’s judging panel featured renowned cattle photographer Jane Steel, who meticulously evaluated a total of 145 animals from all participating farms over a three-day period. While the event is organised by the Holstein Club, it welcomed entries from all dairy breeds, both pedigree and non-pedigree, enhancing the competitiveness and diversity of the event.
J & W Cowan of Meikle Killantrae in Newton Stewart clinched the prestigious Best Team award, while the title of Best Heifer was awarded to Logan Latenite Shania from Brian and Michael Yates of East Logan, Castle Douglas. John Forrest of Hurkledale Farm in Annan took home multiple accolades, winning both the Best Cow and Best Udder awards.
The event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Adam Prentice – George Prentice & Sons Contracting, Jayde Devlin – Agricultural Buildings, Bell Ogilvy Chartered Accountants, Davidson’s Animal Feeds, and NFU Dumfries and Stewartry Branch. The evening concluded with an award presentation, honouring the top-performing farms across different categories.
In summary, the South West Scotland Holstein Club’s “Fantasy 5” Winter Herds Competition provided a platform for local farms to showcase their prized animals and celebrate excellence within the industry. The event’s success underscores the passion and dedication of farmers in the region towards promoting quality livestock and fostering community engagement within the agricultural sector.