Lifetime achievement award for Alister

Champion of Champions Illens Atwood Australia with, left to right, Izzy Wright, Ann Laird, Colin Laird, Alister Laird and Cathleen Laird.

Eyes in the UK dairy industry were firmly focused on Carlisle when thousands of spectators flocked to the city for Borderway UK Dairy Expo 2016.

With an international line up of judges this is one of the top dairy cattle shows in Europe.

The event highlighted the tremendous quality of dairy cattle that the UK has to offer, and all three judges were hugely impressed with the line-up of entries, and enthusiastically praised all the animals on display as being world class in breeding and presentation.

However, without a doubt the star of the show was Alister Laird, of Blythbridge in Peebleshire. Alister and his family won three championship awards, including Champion of Champions with Holstein cow Illens Atwood Australia.

Alister himself won the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award for is commitment and dedication to the dairy industry.

Organised by Harrison and Hetherington, Borderway UK Dairy Expo brings together the very best of British dairy cattle, talent from the UK dairy industry and international dairy genetics.

With over 6000, visitors, 350 dairy cattle entries, 50 showmanship entries, over 120 trade stands, it is an industry platform which is aimed at supporting farmers, and commercial representatives.

Brian Richardson Chief Executive of the H&H Group said: “This is a key event for the industry, and for us.

“Although uncertainty surrounds the dairy industry, breeders and exhibitors attending the Borderway UK Dairy Expo demonstrated faith and confidence, going forward.”