Holstein UK has announced the judges for the 2024 All Breeds All Britain (ABAB) Calf Show but stated that it does not have a confirmed venue for the event yet.
Steve McLoughlin will take to the centre of the ring to judge the National Holstein Calf Show, and Laura Helen will judge the National Holstein Showmanship Competition.
Holstein UK has said it has been “working hard” to secure a location for the 2024 ABAB Calf Show, and is currently “in talks with a number of venues”.
“We are looking at all available options and are hopeful that a location will be secured soon,” Holstein UK said.
Steve McLoughlin
McLoughlin farms a small group of elite pedigree heifers at his farm in Ellistown, Co. Kildare, Ireland, alongside his wife Maria.
The pair also contact rear 60 pedigree heifers.
McLoughlin has previously judged local and county shows throughout Ireland, as well as Club Calf Show qualifiers across Ireland and the UK.
He has judged both showmanship and calves at the Luxembourg Summer Classic Junior Show and was the Holstein Showmanship judge for the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show in 2017.
Showing highlights include winning the European Holstein Show in Brussels with Team Ireland in 2004, being the head fitter for Holstein UK team at the European Holstein Show, Libramont in 2019.
However, McLoughlin said one of his most treasured memories is winning Supreme Champion at UK Dairy Expo three times with Peak Goldwyn Rhapsody, EX97.
Laura Helen
Helen and her husband Jason and his father Robert have a herd of 90 Holsteins on 145ac.
They recently bought into several new cow families and are working together to push forward in both the show ring and marketing the herd.
“Laura’s judging highlights include being the Showmanship and Jersey judge at the Northern Ireland HYB qualifier and the National Showmanship league finals judge at the 2019 Irish National Dairy Show,” Holstein UK said.
“Laura was Champion Handler at the Shropshire, Western and Staffordshire Holstein Club Calf Show in 2017 and went on to win her class and Reserve Champion Handler at the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show.
“She also won Champion Showman at UK Dairy Expo in both 2017 and 2018. In more recent years, the Eedy herd took home the Champion and Honourable Mention titles at the National Dairy Show 2023.”
