TWO talented and ambitious Cumbrian Holstein Young Breeders have been chosen to represent Holstein UK as part of the Youth Team.

Robert Morley and Jonny Woodhouse will travel to Libramont, Belgium on April 12 and 13 to take part in the prestigious Holstein European Championship.

Held every three years with 19 countries represented, the competition is regarded as a highly-anticipated dairy date for international breeders.

Robert, 17, who is a member of the Border & Lakeland HYB Club, has been competing from the age of 13. He is currently in his second and final year of sixth-form studying for A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and PE with plans to study for a degree in Agriculture.

As well as studying he works behind the bar of a local pub and on the family farm, which has 200 pedigree Holstein cows with 100 followers under the Petteril prefix. The herd, based at Petteril Bank Farm at Southwaite averages 10,800 litres and in 2018 were awarded Master Breeder status.

Robert has represented Holstein UK at the 2016 Cremona Open Junior Show and winning the overall stockjudging was the stand out moment for him. He has also won the senior showmanship and reserve champion at the 2018 All Breeds All Britain Calf Show.

Being part of the Youth Team at Libramont, said Robert, would further his knowledge of clipping, showmanship and preparing show cattle. He is also looking forward to meeting new friends, learning from Europe’s best and seeing some of the highest quality Holstein cattle in the world at the European Championships.

Senior competitor is Jonny Woodhouse from Stubb House Farm, Bootle Station, Millom.

The 21-year-old has been a HYB Lancashire club member for eight years and works on the family farm with the prefix Shoreline. The herd comprises of 100 cows averaging 33kg milked twice a day.

The family bull everything with sexed semen, sell surplus heifers and the bottom animals go for beef.

In November 2018 the herd was classified 20 EX and 51 VG, which Jonny wants to keep building and improving.

The notable greatest achievements for Jonny were winning overall Honourable Mention at the ABAB National Calf Show on two occasions with home bred calves, winning the clipping at both HYB Weekend Rally and the 2016 European championships in Colmar.

Selected to represent the UK in Libramont is such an exciting opportunity for Jonny to showcase his extensive experience gained over the year both in this country, at European competitions both Cremona and Colmar as a junior and at the HYB Weekend Rally.

Hannah Williams, Head of Events & Marketing for Holstein UK, comments, “We are delighted to have such amazing talent amongst the Holstein Young Breeders movement and being in a position to select two individuals to represent the society at this prestigious event.

“Robert and Jonny have excelled across all areas of HYB throughout recent events and are a credit to Holstein Young Breeders. We wish them all the very best of luck in the competition.”