Nearly 100 Young Farmers from across England and Wales put their judging skills to the test at NFYFC’s Dairy Stockjudging final at the Great Yorkshire Show, competing for top honours in junior, intermediate and senior classes, as well as the coveted overall team title.
Sponsored by Kerbl/Rutland Electric Fencing, the competition showcased not only an eye for quality dairy cattle but also the communication, confidence and decision-making skills that stockjudging helps develop.
Leading the winners was Herefordshire's Chloe Watkins, who secured an impressive third National Senior Dairy Stockjudging award, having also won the competition in 2023 and 2024.
Having joined Young Farmers at the age of 10, Chloe has spent almost two decades honing her judging skills.
“It's actually my third time of winning the senior competition. I won it in 2023 and 2024, and I've also had success in the junior and intermediate classes as well in the past,” she said.
“I'm actually in my last year, so this is one of my last stockjudging competitions. It will be 19 years I've been doing stockjudging for.”
For Chloe, success in stockjudging is about far more than placing animals correctly. The reasons section, where competitors explain and defend their decisions, has been just as valuable.
“I really enjoy the two elements of it, like judging the stock, but then also doing the reasons,” she said.
“I've also done a lot of public speaking in Young Farmers, and that's really helped with the reason-giving and getting your points across to the judge.”
Living on a dairy farm has given Chloe plenty of opportunities to develop her knowledge, but she is also keen to pass on her skills by training the next generation.
Her advice to members considering entering Stockjudging competitions is simple: “Just have fun. Make sure you smile and don't be afraid to give it a go.”
The overall team trophy went to Devon YFC, with Jane, Victoria Cordwent and Kim Hawkins combining strong performances to lift the trophy.
Kim admitted the final was a tough test, thanks to the exceptional quality of cattle on show.
“I found it quite tricky. It was hard classes. The quality of the stock was really great, so it was quite hard to pick between them.”
For Victoria, the competition has built confidence that extends well beyond the judging.
“I've gained a lot more confidence in public speaking and also backing myself a bit more.”
Jane who believes one of the biggest benefits of stockjudging is the opportunity to learn from different judges and work with the livestock, encouraged others to take part, regardless of experience.
“Always give it a go. It doesn't matter where you come,” said Jane. “It's worth a chance.”
Lowri from Dorrington YFC in Shropshire won the Junior category, and was delighted by the unexpected victory.
“It was quite surprising. I didn't expect it,” said Lowri. “There was loads of people there, which is good to see.”
Meanwhile, Thomas Herd claimed top marks in the Intermediate category, continuing a successful record in the national competition after winning the junior section two years ago and finishing runner-up last year.
Thomas, who has been involved in dairy judging since childhood through both Young Farmers and the Holstein Society, said the competition reflects his family's long-standing connection with dairy farming.
Most importantly, he believes stockjudging develops skills that are invaluable both on and off the farm.
“I've gained confidence to talk to people that I’ve never met,” he said. “You learn the confidence to ask questions of people and, yeah, more confidence than anything else really.”
Supporters of the competition Kerbl/Rutland Electric Fencing presented all the winners with a Rutland Electric Fencing Dual Powered Energiser.
National Sales Manager Huw Burnham said backing stockjudging is about investing in the future of the industry.
“Rutland Electric Fencing is very proud to sponsor this again for, I think, the fourth or fifth year in a row,” he said.
“It's very important for us to sponsor events like this, to look after the next generation and the future of UK farming.”
NFYFC is indebted to the Great Yorkshire Agricultural Society for allowing the national competition finals to take place during the show and to all the exhibitors who provided cattle for YFC members to judge, especially Jersey, Holstein, Shorthorn and Ayrshire exhibitors.
