Megan Innes takes Rising Star Award
YOUNG Megan Innes of the Newmeadow herd from Nairn had a extremely busy day at the Expo, topping an elite line-up of young dairy enthusiasts to win the prestigious Rising Star Award while also bringing out the family’s reserve intermediate Holstein champion.
Megan (18), who attained five straight As in her final year at school, is taking a year out to work with the family’s 1200-cow Holstein herd which averages 9500 litres. She particularly enjoys bringing out show cows having shown the privately purchased VG88-2yr Wolfa Chief Sue to win numerous awards at various events up and down the country.
Her showstopper at the Expo, Chief Sue, a second calver, boasts a load of awards with Megan at the helm. She was junior interbreed champion at the Royal Highland Show, first in her class at UK Dairy Day, and heifer champion at AgriScot.
The Rising Star Award is presented to an exceptional young person working behind the scenes. The judges were looking for a good allrounder, knowledgeable, and with a great skill set working with animals.
Meanwhile, the inaugural photograph competition, which was judged by the livestock photographer
Catherine MacGregor, entitled ‘Milk Makers – Capturing the Hard-Working Girls’, was won by Eimear McErlean (9) from Ayr for a picture of her dairy cows in the sunshine, with the runner-up award presented to Gregor Laird (4).
This year’s Tidy Lines Award, was presented to Toi Toi Genetics for its team effort and hard work which goes on behind the scenes.
At the end of two bumper, busy days, event organiser
Glyn Lucas said: “Since the very first Borderway UK Dairy Expo held here 12 years ago, our aim was to recognise the many people who work within the industry, to encourage the younger generation, and importantly to highlight new innovations and cutting-edge technology.
“This is exactly what we achieved here today, and I am delighted to see that so many trade exhibitors attended and showcased new products as well.”