A young Eden lad with a passion for informing the public about farming can hardly believe his latest success.
Despite snowfall in parts of the UK, Friday and Saturday saw thousands of enthusiasts descend on Borderway mart, Carlisle, for the 2023 UK Dairy Expo, with thousands more watching the event online.
One of the triumphs many witnessed was when 11-year-old Seth Davidson, from Calthwaite, took top spot in the young farming vlogger competition, sponsored by video production company Herd’s Media and judged by Farmers Weekly writers and Boots & Heels podcasters Rebecca Wilson and Lizzie McLaughlin.
Seth’s inspirational vlog was created on his local dairy farm, Inglewood House, Calthwaite, where the Williamson family run the Ingleden Holstein and Blackrack Brown Swiss herds. A keen member of the Border and Lakeland Holstein Young Breeders organisation, Seth often helps out at Inglewood House and his winning entry highlighted the story of how milk is produced — from when dry cows enjoy a “holiday” before entering the “maternity unit” to the silo where their milk is stored before being taken to Lockerbie to be made into cheese and yoghurt.
Seth’s mum, Angela, said: “I don’t think Seth can quite believe he has won this. It’s his first time at doing anything like it, but he is quite passionate about the subject.”
Andrew Williamson, from Inglewood House, added: “Seth has done a lot with us working with calves and learning about showmanship — he’s already a fantastic stockman.
“With the video it’s all his own work. We just let him get on with it with his phone camera and the results are very impressive. He’s got a bright future.”
Seth’s YouTube channel is at @Sethsfarminglife
The culmination of Dairy Expo saw the top Holstein, Evening Sidekick Jennifer, from James and Louise Wilson, Evening Hill, Thursby, scoop the supreme championship. This second calver from the family’s 450-cow herd was shown by their daughter Charlotte.
James said: “Amazing! We have shown here at Dairy Expo for the last 10 years and it is just fantastic to scoop this award on our own doorstep for a home-bred cow, shown by our daughter Charlotte. What more could you ask for?”
On behalf of the judges, Nathan Thomas, from Ohio in the USA, said: “It is always a challenge to judge such a fantastic line-up of cattle, but the Holstein overall was freer and easier on her feet and legs and the way she moves herself is incredible.”
Also keenly anticipated was the announcement of the winner of the Genus supreme heifer championship.
This award was based on an invitation to the public to vote for their favourite heifer to take home.
This accolade went to the champion Dairy Shorthorn heifer, Mossrigg Barrington Iris 16, a maiden heifer from Jonathan and Joanne Fisher and their daughters Georgina, Abbie and Ellie, of Holmewrangle, Armathwaite.
In the junior Holstein section, the championship went to Newbirks Chief Jazz, from Scott Forsyth, with reserve honours awarded to Woodcatt Crushabull Rapture, DR & HM Horsley, from Catterlen.
Given in memory of the highly regarded breeder of Denmire Holsteins, the 2023 John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Hugh Kennedy, formerly of the Stair Holstein herd, West Carngillan, Ayrshire.
