Future Dairy Leaders Join 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Development Programme
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.
Held at the Stratford A&P Showgrounds from January 3-6, the Youth Camp was the largest yet, with 24 young people - including one from Australia - coming together to upskill in the areas of showing and handling dairy cattle.
Open to young people aged 10-21, the youth camp, run by Holstein Friesian NZ, encourages participants to make friends, complete educational modules and take part in team building activities and a mini show.
Each year, six awards are presented at the conclusion of the young camp. In 2026, Most Improved Clipper (Dennis Terry Memorial Trophy) was awarded to Phoebe Calvert (15, Tasmania); Best Presented Heifer (McDonald Trophy) and Senior Young Handler to Sienna Bourke (13, Opunake); and Junio Young Handler to Adam Watson (11, Te Awamutu). The Muritai Holsteins team won Best Team.
Holstein Friesian NZ field officer and youth camp co-ordinator Amelia Griffin said 15-year-old Holly Williams, from Palmerston North, was a worthy recipient of the coveted Paramount Cup, awarded to the camp's best all-rounder.
"Holly showed great teamwork and leadership during the camp while working with a difficult heifer," Griffin said.
"She showed great maturity in the face of the challenge, staying calm and demonstrating resilience to the younger participants.
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"Holly has demonstrated a lot of growth and gained leadership skills since her last youth camp in 2024.
"As part of the winning Muritai Holsteins team, she made sure that not only did the team work well together, but that everyone was taking part."
In 2025, Holly's sister Zara won the Paramount Cup and Top Senior Handler.
Griffin said the 2026 youth camp was a fantastic event. On day one, participants were allocated their heifers and on day two, participants did a bulk clip, and showmanship and nutrition modules.
On day three, participants got down to cutting their toplines and belly hairs, in addition to learning how to read three generation pedigree reports and bull proofs. They also had a bit of fun with the crew from the Inglewood Young Farmers Club and visited Nairuo Farms. Day four concluded the camp with a mini show, judged by Ron Baker (Fusion Genetics Ltd).
"There was a large proportion of younger participants, with only six in the 15+ age bracket," Griffin said.
"There were lots of new attendees: first timers and those new to showing. The participants all did an amazing job with their animals."
