The Jersey Cattle Society of the UK is holding its national show at this year鈥檚 Dairy Show which will be judged this year by Duncan Hunter, owner of Hunter Dairy Consulting.
Based in Hertfordshire, Duncan has judged at a number of fixtures across the UK as well as overseas, and this year鈥檚 assignment at the Dairy Show will be the third time he has judged at the event.
We find out more about the judge and what he will be looking for.
Q: Can you explain a bit about your dairying background?
A: 鈥淚 was brought up on a dairy farm and had an Ayrshire and Holstein herd up until 2011 when the decision was taken to disperse. After this, I worked as breed manager at the Ayrshire Cattle Society until 2019 before setting up my own dairy consultancy business which specialises in developing breeding plans and diversification projects for dairy farmers around the country.鈥�
Q: Which shows have you judged at in the past?
A: 鈥淚 am lucky enough to have done a lot of judging over the years in the UK and overseas at Ayrshire and Jersey shows as well as many inter-breeds. Alongside many national and local shows around the UK in both cattle and showmanship sections I have judged internationally out in Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Finland, where I judged Jerseys at Finn Dairy Expo in 2018, and Latvia. In 2017 I judged Jerseys at the Royal Jersey Summer Show on Jersey, which was probably one of the biggest sections in terms of numbers I have ever judged.鈥�
Q: What will you be looking for in your champion?
A: 鈥淚 am ultimately looking for longevity. I want to see animals which excel in their functional traits that will aid them to live long and healthy lives. I will be looking for animals with balance and correctness, showing me dairy quality with strength, along with strong mammary traits and good legs and feet.鈥�
Q: What has been your judging highlight to date?
A: 鈥淚t has been a real honour to judge at all the events I have been asked to, but one of my most enjoyable experiences has to be when I judged in Jersey at the Royal Jersey Summer Show in 2017. 鈥淵ou could not fail to be impressed by the sheer numbers and quality of Jersey cattle forward, especially when considering the size of the island.
鈥淪outh Africa too was an amazing place to visit. I have been very lucky that judging dairy cattle has taken me to some amazing locations.鈥�
Q: How do you view the dairy sector as an industry at the moment?
A: 鈥淲e have experienced years of frustration and difficulty as an industry. Many of those who have survived the hard times have had to look to diversify within their businesses in order to survive, but equally it has been difficult for people to reinvest with the milk prices of the past.
鈥淲e have seen a big increase in milk prices now but at the same time we are seeing a huge increase in input costs.
鈥淟ooking ahead, I think all dairy businesses will need to commit to having sustainable goals in the future and environmental sustainability is set to continue to be high priority. Also up there is encouraging young people, the next generation, into the sector. Ultimately, as an industry, we must be open-minded, forward thinking and ready for change.鈥�
Q: What role to agricultural shows have in a modern dairy industry?
A: 鈥淔rom local shows to county and national events, agricultural shows are a way of showing the public what the farming industry is all about and it is important they keep this aspect.
鈥淪hows are a platform to show people how well looked after animals are in this country and demonstrate that we have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.
鈥淣ot only that but they are a platform for farmers to get out, understand that they are not alone with any issues they may have and to see and discuss new concepts that may improve their businesses which is all so important to the industry. For those exhibiting, there is not better shop window.鈥�
