AgriScot 2023 Dairy Classes Preview

​AgriScot is renowned for its premier dairy cattle classes, bringing breeders from all across the UK and Ireland, to compete for the largest prize fund of any event in the UK, £25,000.  

For 2023, the event has increased prize money for each class as well as introducing a new category, Best Udder, kindly sponsored by Harrison & Hetherington. The SuperHeifer and SuperCow returns, with a £1000 prize fund for each title, and classes are available for Ayrshires, British Red and White, Holsteins, Jersey and Any Other Breeds.  

Commenting on the competition, Robert Hunter, AgriScot Director said, “As an event, we are only too aware of the increasing costs to farmers, and in particular the cost of bring livestock to show. It is not only the transport associated, but for many taking time away from the farm results in the need for bringing in additional resource back at home. This was a key driver for increasing the prize money this year, to help reduce that barrier and continue to attract well performing herds from right across the UK. 

“In addition, by moving the date AgriScot to one week later, many herds that attend UK Dairy Day, earlier in November, can now compete at AgriScot as there is enough time between events to meet the TB movement regulations.” 

The event strongly believes in investing in the competition, as the commitment and challenges involved in showing, are significant for each farm. In addition, they seek out high-calibre judges who have their own experience and knowledge within the sector.  

The well-known and highly regarded Riverdane herd is run by this year’s judge, Mark Nutsford and his wife Sue. Based at Ravenscroft Hall Farm in Cheshire, the couple milk 200 pedigree Holsteins and have recently invested in GEA robots, which run alongside their 20:20 GEA parlour.  

Their breeding programme is managed via artificial insemination, and all milk is sold to Muller on a Sainsbury’s contract. Their youngstock is kept locally, and they have recently just hosted their first on-farm sale which included 60 milkers, plus youngstock and embryos.  

Robert added, “Mark is very respected throughout the UK and is the first person who will tell you he is a “cow man” at heart. He is often heard saying that a good cow, is a good cow, irrespective of the breed or colour. This open-minded approach makes him perfect for AgriScot, and as the only breeder to have one Super Heifer and Super Cow on the same day, he knows what it means to pick up the top prize.”