UK Dairy Day 2024 attracted huge crowds for its 10th anniversary event this year.
There were over 280 trade stands at this year’s UK Dairy Day, which was hosted on Wednesday, September 11, displaying all aspects of the dairy industry, 100 of which had exhibited at the first event a decade ago in 2014.
The best Small Trade Stand Award was presented to BCW Agriculture, Nettex won Best Medium Trade Stand Award, KW Feeds won the Best Large Trade Stand Award and GLW Feeds won the Best External Trade Stand Award.
Over 150 dairy cows were displayed under spotlight in the largest British dairy event of the year, which once again, proved to be a highlight.
A host of judges were in attendance to adjudicate the six dairy breeds on competition; Marcel Egli of Switzerland assessed the National Holstein Show; Ian Collins judged the National Ayrshire Show and the Guernsey classes; Blaise Tomlinson judged the National Brown Swiss Show and Paul Harrison the Dairy Shorthorn classes.
UK Dairy Day Winners
The Grand Champions were:
- Holstein Grand Champion – Evening Sidekick Jennifer, Evening Holsteins;
- Ayrshire Grand Champion – Swaites Lois 8, J Adamson & Son;
- Brown Swiss Grand Champion – Kedar Rhappily Ever After, T Lochhead & Sons;
- Dairy Shorthorn Grand Champion – Churchroyd Heather 123, IRC Collins & Partners;
- Guernsey Grand Champion – Kimcote Brogdon Fragrant 8, AD & RM Thomas;
- Jersey Grand Champion – Rivermead Verdi Pixie, The Davis Family.
The Holstein UK Premier Exhibitor Banner was won by Tregibby Holsteins and Premier Breeder Banner was won by Wormanby Holsteins.
The Howard Sneesby Memorial Trophy was presented to Ian Gibson, owner of Boundary Events, for his contribution to the National Holstein Show.
His team implements and manages all infrastructure required for an event like UK Dairy Day to function.
Leading figures in the industry will feature on panels to discuss the latest opportunities and innovations for dairy farmers in regards to costs, culture and carbon.
The website will subsequently broadcast the recordings and seminar presentations online.
Visitors also enjoyed the foot trimming and knife sharpening demonstration by Tim Carter, the NBDC Classification team’s two Type Classification and Linear Scoring demonstrations and the Scarsdale Vet’s ‘Beneath the Black and White’ Calf Painting Demonstration.
The latter focused on twin pregnancies, what causes them and how best to manage them. The New Product Competition featured 11 finalists, with Hoofcount Ltd winning the award for PediVue.
A Highly Commended was awarded to Oxi-Tech Solutions Ltd for Pulse Oxidation and a Judges Special Mention was presented to milkrite | InterPuls LTD for MIPulse.
UK Dairy Day Cattle Show director, Ben Yates, said: “The atmosphere at UK Dairy Day 2024 has been extremely buoyant, with trade exhibitor feedback being very positive.
“The display of cattle in the ring gets better and better each year, seeing the final lineup of six Holstein cows standing side by side in the Holstein Championship was a sight to behold and will be talked about for many years.”
Event director, Hannah Williams added:
“UK Dairy Day would like to thank all exhibitors, visitors and sponsors for yet again supporting UK Dairy Day and celebrating the 10th anniversary.
“A major recognition goes to our principal sponsors, Lely Center Midlands and NWF Agriculture as well as Holstein UK who organised the event.
“UK Dairy Day really is the most important and dedicated event for the dairy industry; it is where new concepts, products, ideas and innovations are shared and where dairy farmers can do business. We look forward to welcoming everyone to UK Dairy Day 2025,” she said.
The UK Dairy Day 2025 will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the International Centre, Telford, Shropshire.
