2026 Breed Judges

The NZDE Management Committee is proud to announce the judges for the 2026 17th annual All New Zealand Show, their industry expertise, reputation and knowledge of cattle will provide for spectacular viewing. Once again the All New Zealand Show will have associate judges in the Holstein Friesian Breed, Ayrshire Breed and Jersey Breed Sections.

Jersey Breed 2026: – 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐊𝐮𝐡𝐧𝐞

Wayne Kuhne – of Bushlea Jersey fame which has won Grand Champion Jersey five times at Australia’s International Dairy Week (IDW) – will judge the Jerseys at the 2026 NZ DairyEvent at Feilding from January 25 to 28. Wayne and wife Lisa are the third generation to operate Bushlea Farms at Koonwarra in South Gippsland. They milk 420 seasonal calving cows (over a 10-12-week period once-a-year). Wayne has been a board member of Jersey Australia for the last six years, and he is the current chair of its Genetic and Breed Development. Wayne’s involvement in the South Gippsland Jersey breeders club spans more than 30 years, and he is its current president. Showing, promoting, and selling Jersey cattle has been an integral part of Bushlea’s business for many years - along with a strong commercial focus under Wayne's stewardship. It's hard to know which name better known in world Jerseys circles - Bushlea (the farm), Fernleaf (the cow family that helped put Bushlea on the map), or Kuhne (the tightknit family behind it all) - take your pick. In addition to IDW broad ribbons, Bushlea has won Champion Cow at the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane Royals. It has also been the name on multiple high-sellers throughout a profile career for this popular family. Notably, Bushlea sold Bushlea Van Fernleaf 10 EX93 for AUD$50,000 – an Australasian record price – at the Global Impact Sale in 2017 after she had won Grand Champion Jersey at IDW before the sale. She went on to secure her IDW back-to-back Grand Champion title in 2018 for the international syndicate that bought her. Wayne is quick to acknowledge the opportunities Jerseys have afforded him. He judged the 2025 Central Gippsland Jerseys Fair (which coincided with the World Jersey Tour), the 2023 Great Northern Jersey Challenge, the 2023 Brisbane Royal Show, the 2019 New South Wales State Jersey Show, the 2019 Sydney Royal, the 2017 Gatton QLD State Show, various features shows throughout Victoria, and the Waikato On-Farm Competition. Wayne and Lisa have a daughter, Ruby, who is studying Year 12. Fiona Hanks (thanks Fiona - you're a star)

Combined Breeds 2026: Brent Crothers

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐒 – 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒, Shropshire, UK. Born and bred in New Zealand and now living in the UK, Brent Crothers will be the 2026 Combined Breeds judge at the NZ DairyEvent at Mansfield Park from 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟓 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟖.Brent and his wife, Anne Crothers, relocated to the UK 10 years ago for an employment opportunity where he continues to maintain close ties with the registered dairy industry. Brent is the UK Sales Manager for MilkTechNZ, and he and Anne also run an elite group of Brown Swiss, Holstein, and Jersey animals under their Toi Toi Genetics prefix in Shropshire in the UK’s West Midlands. They have enjoyed significant success since buying their first Swiss calf in 2018, Kedar Aurora. She remains one of their highest profile animals. Aurora went on to be a two-time Junior Champion at the UK Dairy Expo, she was Intermediate Champion at the UK Dairy Day when she was two years old, and she won 27 Championships across the UK during her career. She was also the top producing UK Brown Swiss of all ages, twice. Brent is also extremely active in the Holstein breed and has (among others) co-owned and marketed direct daughters from Garay Awesome Beauty *RC VG88-USA 2yr who was 1st Junior 2yr. Old at the 2018 Royal Winter Fair and 2nd Jr. 2-Yr Old at the World Dairy Expo. Brent is chairman of the Shropshire Holstein Club, and he is on the UK Holstein and UK Brown Swiss judging panels, in addition to owning Red & White Holsteins and Ayrshires. Toi Toi has quickly become a force in All-Britain nominations in the Holsteins and Brown Swiss breeds. In the 2024 All-Britain Brown Swiss photographic competition, Toi Toi animals won four of the five classes. He has judged the 2021 Swedish Holstein On-Farm competition, the Interbreed at the 2022 Cheshire Royal County Show, and the (upcoming) 2025 All-Britain Brown Swiss Calf Show at Stafford Show in September. Brent looks forward to visiting with everyone.

Ayrshire Breed 2026: 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫

Boldview Ayrshires needs no introduction within the Ayrshire fraternity.

Scott Braendler (together with his sister, Cheryl Liebech) are the co-owners and managers of South Australian family operation, which includes Cher-Bar Ayrshires. In a unique twist, 20% of the herd includes animals from 28 other studs – who rely on Boldview to keep their interest in the breed alive by housing their show animals. Boldview is also Australia’s biggest Ayrshire herd – milking up to 420 Ayrshires, 25 Jerseys, seven Holsteins, and two Illawarras – through a 60-unit rotary. It is also one of the most successful Ayrshire breeders and exhibitors in Australia, winning significant numbers of championships at its hometown Royal – Adelaide – along with International Dairy Week, and at local country shows. Its Adelaide Show teams are renowned for being exceptionally big – and for representing the many exhibitors Boldview helps sustain an interest in the breed by showing on their behalf. Boldview has also won many All-Australian and All-World Photo Competition winners.

In December 2018, the home farm relocated to a 270ha property at Mount McIntyre, in the south-east region of South Australia, which as a 27-inch rainfall (and underground aquifers via three centre pivots and 40ha of fixed sprinklers). It recently bought an additional 160ha of dryland for silage production and heifer growing.Scott held Federal positions on Australian Ayrshire Committees between 2004 and 2020 – including four years as Treasurer of AABA Inc, and four years as President of AABA Inc. His involvement co-incided with the 2015 amalgamation of the two Australian Ayrshire Breed organisations, and was followed by his three-year term as Federal President of Australian Ayrshires Ltd. During his presidency, Australia hosted the 2020 World Ayrshire Federation Conference Tour. In 2017, Scott was awarded Life Membership of Australian Ayrshires Ltd.

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 (𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬) 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:Toowoomba Royal – Ayrshire – 2008Brisbane Royal – Ayrshire – 2010 South Australian Jersey Heifer On-Farm Challenge – 2010 South Australian Illawarra Calf Day – 2011 New South Wales Ayrshire Calf Day – 2011Stratford Royal Event (NZ) – Ayrshire – 2012 Melbourne Royal – Ayrshire & Illawarra Breeds – 2013South Australian Illawarra On Farm Challenge – 2013Western Districts of Victoria Ayrshire On-Farm Herd Competition – 2014Holstein Australia – SEMEX On-Farm Challenge, South East of South Australia section – 2014Sydney Royal – Ayrshire & Guernsey – 2016Burnie Show (Tasmania) – Ayrshire – 2016All-World Ayrshire Photographic Competition – 2017Tasmania Ayrshire Calf Day – 2018All-New Zealand Photographic Competition – 2020On-Line Dairy Show of Wales – Ayrshire – 2020Scott is pictured at the Adelaide Royal.

Photo by Michael Hentschke

Holstein Friesian Breed 2026: 𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆

Tanner Schmaling is a name routinely in the mix at the top end of the North American show circuit which also offers premium boarding for registered cows under Maple-Leigh Futures at Delavan, Wisconsin. Tanner was the associate judge for the Red & White Holstein show at the 2023 World Dairy Expo (WDE) and his show strings are always a must-visit. After graduating from UW-River Falls, Tanner spent five years as a professional fitter travelling throughout North America. He then returned home to Schmaling Farm Inc., his family’s 120-cow registered Holstein and crop farm he now farms with his wife, Madeline and parents John and Jill. In 2017, the family expanded the operation to include Maple-Leigh Futures. This facility houses 100-head of cattle and is known for its premier individualised care for both high genomic and high-type cattle. Its services include IVF, conventional flushing, and advanced donor management. Maple-Leigh Futures also specialises in show cattle housing, and it has cared for and exhibited a number of Grand Champions. In its first eight years of the business it has amassed more than 65 All-American, Jr. All-American, and All-Canadian nominations. Tanner and Madeline have two daughters, Haisey and Hollyn.

𝐓𝐨𝐩-𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬:

• 2023 International Red & White Holstein Show – Associate Judge
• 2024 Minnesota Holstein State Junior Show
• 2024 Fond Du Lac Holstein Futurity
• 2024 Houston Livestock & Rodeo Dairy Show
• 2025 Fort Worth Junior Dairy Show

Youth Show: Graham Stewart 2025

New Zealand’s Holstein Friesian Association (NZHFA) president Graham Stewart will judge the youth show at the New Zealand Dairy Event (NZDE) at Feilding from January 20-22, 2025.Graham is a well-known name throughout all breeds in the industry as the owner of Cresslands Farms alongside his wife, Nicky, at Rangiora in Canterbury. They milk 450 cows on 130 hectares through a 32-a-side herringbone supported by a barn – averaging 630kg Milk Solids. Graham recently won a RAS Centenary Medal for his work with his local branch, Canterbury/Westland. He remains an active member (and former president) – supporting herd walks, conferences, awards, sales, and competitions. Graham has twice judged at New Zealand Royal Shows – in the Waikato (2012) and Hawkes Bay (2015). He has also judged the national Semen On-Farm Challenge twice (2015 and 2022). He has been an over-judge for HFNZA for a number of years. In the showring, Cresslands won the mature class of the Semex On-Farm Challenge in 2019 and 2021 with Cresslands Windbrook Dana EX2. Dana also won the All-New Zealand photographic competition in 2021. Their prolific “D” family was represented at the NZDE Centennial show in 2010 when Cresslands Forbidden Dori won the four-year-old class and Reserve Champion Holstein. The Forbidden’s daughter, Cresslands L’Authority Dori EX2 won the Semex On-Farm three-year-old class in 2017. Also in 2017, Cresslands Seaver Dai-ET EX EX won the five-year-old class in the Semex on-Farm. Today, Cresslands also includes one of Graham and Nicky’s sons, Andrew, 35. Their second son, Nathan, 33, runs Cresslands Contracting, and they have a daughter, Rebecca, 29 – along with several grandchildren. Graham has always had a passion for encouraging the next generation into the industry, and he says he is privileged to be preparing to oversee the youth show at New Zealand’s premier show.𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑍𝐻𝐹𝐴

Youth Team Challenge Judges: TBC

2025 Associate Breed Judges

Holstein Friesian: Sarah Leech

During the day Sarah can be found at Vetora in Putaruru as a receptionist, now being in her 14th year in the veterinary industry.
Sarah along with her partner Tristan have recently purchased her family farm in Tirau, where with help from her Dad, Graeme, are milking a small herd of pedigree Ayrshires to rear calves.
Sarah has been predominately involved with the Ayrshire breed from a young age with the family attending many A&P Show. In 2014 Sarah started her Holstein Friesian journey by adding a black and white calf into the family red herd. Now there are 5 black & whites with her ‘Atlantic’ prefix with 4 of those descending from the original calf.

Sarah has been the Associate Holstein Friesian judge at the Christchurch A&P show in 2016, Stratford A&P show in 2017 & 2022 and in 2024, and more recently the Senior judge for Holstein Friesian NZ at Te Aroha A&P show in November 2024
She is looking forward to judging at NZ’s premier cattle show in 2025.

Ayrshire Breed: Karen Feek

Karen Feek has been passionate about farming since she left school. Once she discovered what pedigree cows were and what showing cattle alongside the Steiner family meant to her. The passion for cows and farming ignited further. Her foundation cow "Brookview Feek Surprise" for her stud "Harvest Ayrshires" was gifted to her after helping at a show many years ago. Her stud name inherited from her parents, and under her ownership has been built up to 63 head of cattle.

Karen and her cows are on a 150ha challenging block of land on the Awhitu Peninsula where she is Sole Manager. Milking 210 cows with 50 rising 1 year olds on the back of the property can make calving a bit busy for her. Currently in her 5th season managing this farm, the time will come for her to climb the career ladder where she will be going 50/50 sharemilking.

In 2023 Karen finally built up enough confidence to sit her judging ticket, she now holds a senior pass. She was very honored to be the delegate representing New Zealand for the 2024 Ayrshire World Photo Competition.

Outside of farming and showing Karen likes to travel and explore she is planning on attend the 2028 Ayrshire World Conference in Sweden.

She is looking forward to NZDE and wishes everyone a safe journey to the show.