Ten herds have been named among the UK’s best with the 2026 Holstein UK Master Breeder Award, including one in Shropshire.
Among this year’s winners are Cracking, owned by C & SA Brassington & Son in Wem, Shropshire.
The Master Breeder Award is given to Holstein members whose herds consistently achieve high standards in production, classification, and longevity.
Melanie Harmitt, chief executive of Holstein UK, said: "The Master Breeder Awards are a true celebration of long-term commitment to breeding.
"They recognise herds that have been built with consistency and a clear vision over many years.
"What makes this award so special is that it goes beyond short-term success – it reflects generations of Type Classification Scoring, strong cow families, and excellent milk production.
"Our Master Breeders set the benchmark for the industry, and their achievements continue to inspire breeders across the UK."
The Master Breeder score is calculated automatically each month for every herd prefix, and the ten herds with the highest average score over the previous 12 months are awarded Master Breeder status each April.
The other winners for 2026 are: Boclair (J Brewster, Lanarkshire), Dorset (IW Dimond, Dorset), Eryri (E Owen & Sons, Clwyd), Glasson (Wm Philip Haffey, Co. Armagh), Kilvergan (Thomas S Haffey, Co. Armagh), Prospect (MJ & J Owens, Ceredigion), Ramshill (Thomas Partners, Carmarthenshire), and Redhouse (David & Alan Irwin, Co. Tyrone).
Holstein UK praised the achievements of all the winning herds.
Share