Holstein UK’s Premier pedigree Herd for 2013 is Bill Nadin and Yasmin Bradbury’s Sterndale and Peak herd from Earl Sterndale near Buxton in Derbyshire. The announcement was made at the Holstein Celebration in Aberystwyth in front of 200 members and guests.
Remarkably, Bill and Yasmin’s current herd was re-established only 8 years old following Bill’s retirement and this is the first time it has qualified for the National final as winner of the Western Region. The herd today, which is grazed through the summer months, numbers 150 and averages 10,410 kg at 4.32% fat and 3.13% protein.
Families have been vital to the success of the herd and the dominant lines include Ashlyn, Ghost, Rachel, Rhapsody and Altitude.
In Reserve spot was Andrew Birkle’s Whinchat herd near Loughborough in Leicestershire, winner of the Eastern Region, while the Honourable Mention title went to the Southern regional winner; Dennis Smith’s Oakroyal herd at Woodbury Salterton in Devon.
The other four finalists were Brain Moorhouse’s Aireburn herd near Skipton in North Yorkshire (Northern winner), Edward and Iwan Morgan’s Erie herd based near Carmarthen (Welsh winner), Brian, Valerie and Craig Davidson’s Errolston herd from Gretna (Scottish winner) and Lewis McMurray’s Matfield herd from Banbridge in County Down (Northern Irish winner).
The National Judge was David Booth of the Feizor herd in North Yorkshire, winners of the Premier Pedigree Herd title last year. David commented on the very high standard of all seven herds and commended all the finalists, but felt that the Sterndale and Peak matched his own vision on what a herd of modern Holsteins should be.
