The National Fold Competition is back! It’s open to members of any Highland Cattle Society Breeders Club up and down the UK. Whether you have a small fold or a large one, you can take part. Read on for more details and then download the entry form provided.
Purpose
The purpose of the National Fold Competition is two-fold: it promotes, interest in and awareness of the Highland Cattle breed in its natural state to the general public and other farming sectors, as well as allowing breeders to showcase their fold to new and existing breeders and demonstrate sound stock husbandry and herd management.
The National Fold competition was a Breed Development initiative, whose objective is to ensure the breed is developed in such a way to ensure the successful marketing and sales of Highland Cattle and Highland Beef.
Structure
The structure of the competition is all-inclusive. We want to encourage all folds, large or small, to take part in this competition. A large fold is a fold with 11 cows or more and a small fold is a fold with 10 cows or less.
Regional Fold Competition judging criteria
The Regional Fold Competition has been designed to suit every breeder’s needs. The judges will evaluate the fold as a whole, taking into account the quality of the stock, husbandry skills and herd management. The judge will be looking for an even, balanced, and consistent fold. The cattle must be in good condition with good conformation, displaying excellent locomotion and sound feet. The cows should be healthy, functional, and milky, with thriving calves at foot.
Within their assessment however they will be looking not only for the best large fold and best small fold but also, they will be judging a further six categories within the competition:
Best group of calves by the same sire
Best group of pure highland cows with pure calves
Best group of pure highland cows with cross calves
Best group of heifers
Best stock bull
Best cow with calf @ foot (to be nominated by the regional judge)
The Regional Competition is organised by your nearest Highland Cattle Club and you must be a member to take part. The Highland Cattle Society suggests an entry fee of up to £40 per fold. All entry fees will be kept by the local club to assist with the travelling expenses of the judge.
Timing
Each Highland Cattle Club will arrange the regional competition to suit the availability of the selected judge. However, the needs of the breeders will also be taken into account where possible. The deadline for receipt of entries is 15 June and for the completion of all regional judging 2 September 2024.
Regional judges
The regional judge will be selected by the area Highland Cattle Club. Ideally this judge should be from out of the area. However, clubs can specify a judge from within the area provided there is no vested interest in any of the folds being judged.
Mottistone fold, large fold winner in 2019 (when the competition was last held, pre-Covid)
The National Final
All the regional small fold and large fold winners will go head-to-head in a National Final, which will be judged by Andrew Kirkpatrick from 6 to 23 September 2024. The winners of the two categories will be announced at the Annual Members Meeting in October.
Good luck!