Holstein UK presented its President’s Medal award to Natasha Kirby at the International Semex Conference in Glasgow yesterday evening (Monday, January 16).
Kirby is a member of the Lancashire Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) Club and received the prize of an engraved medal and a trip to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto this November.
The Holstein UK President’s Medal aims to recognise and reward young talent in the next generation of dairy farmers.
President of Holstein UK, John Jamieson, said that Kirby has been an “integral part of Lancashire Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) for many years” and that he was delighted to award her the medal.
“Throughout her time in HYB, Natasha has been dedicated to taking part in a multitude of club activities and also encouraging younger members to develop their skills across all aspects of HYB,” he said.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to the runners up, Alison Lawrie and Pippa Tudor, who are equally as passionate and dedicated towards their careers in the dairy industry and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
Holstein UK President’s Medal award
The entry process into the competition for Holstein UK’s President’s Medal includes clubs nominating one HYB member, aged 23-26, who must then submit an essay.
The essay title for 2022 was: ‘You are at a recruitment fair. Convince the young people attending that entering the UK dairy industry would be a good career choice’.
Shortlisted candidates are then invited for an interview with a judging panel.
The panel of judges this year consisted of Holstein UK president John Jamieson, Semex representative Rodger Mather, and Holstein UK’s industry representative Jane Arrell.
Holstein UK said it was delighted to welcome the judges, along with the eight shortlisted young breeders, to the new Holstein UK Head Office in Telford, Shropshire, for the first in-person President’s Medal interviews since 2019.
