50 years ago western European farmers all had similar ideas on the conformation of cows and bulls. My field is dairy cows. We like cows not too tall, height 125-135cm with good udders and legs, also meat on their bones i.e. small fat cows. The English farmers had their British Friesians and the Dutch their Friesian Holland, both black and white.
My first show, in 1958 was in France, I was sent by the Dutch Cattle Exportation Company to Bordeaux, South West France. I had good knowledge of our local cattle in The Netherlands. I noticed a great difference between the Dutch and French cattle. Even within The Netherlands there was great variation between the East and the West. In 1964 we sent a cow to our National Show, she was the tallest cow in her class, but she took last place, in spite of the fact that she produced double the yield of the others 8000l against 4000l. I was encouraged by one of the Dutch exporters who indicated that in spite of coming last in the class, my cow was of huge value.
I also attended shows in Germany where they were importing semen from the the United States. A British judge was given a difficult time judging the new German cows and had to re-educate his judges "eye" to accommodate the changing breed. When at the South of England show over the years, I have noticed a change in the breed requirements in the UK with the use of Canadian semen.
We now need a more practical dairy animal in these difficult economic times, good legs, udder and conformation as before. We are returning to a smaller animal which produces milk of a higher protein and less fat with good longevity (the first 2 years of the life of a cow being the most expensive).
A quote from a Dutch farmer "the fashion and feeling for cows is like the fashion for ladies: it is always changing". Judging is like an examination, you are aware of the people around the ring which can make you nervous and of course has his own taste.
Formerly there were always 2 judges, one a young person who had the opportunity to learn. Now there is a single judge which is easier as there is no discussion.
As a judge you say to yourself "the professional in you is on your side"
Niek Ruyter
First published in the Eurolink Newsletter 2009
