Nominations are open for the 2019 Holstein Young Breeders Louise Hartley Award, with the chance to win an overseas trip.

New sponsors of the award World Wide Sires will be sending the 2019 winner on a practical training course to their global training centre in Washington state.

In 2017, Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) launched the award to honour passionate Holstein breeder and dedicated Lancashire Club member, Louise Hartley, who sadly lost her battle to cancer. As a remarkable ambassador for British farming, with a passion for livestock, HYB felt this award provided some recognition of the inspirational talent shown by Louise.

The World Wide Sires (WWS) global training centre provides a world class training program that is tailored and designed to advance the knowledge and skill of each individual attending. The team at the centre includes four trainers, two practicing veterinarians and WWS consultants. The program focuses on one-on-one training with small groups for an intense eight day program. There are five main herds that WWS works with, ranging from 1000-24,000 cows.

Mike Halliwell of WWS said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Louise Hartley Award and to be supporting the Hartley family in recognising the passion and talent shown by Louise.

"The Louise Hartley Memorial Fund was set up to give a youngster with an interest in agriculture the chance to further their career. The prize we have put forward for the 2019 winner will give them an insightful tour of our Global Training Centre in Washington state and see the latest developments in artificial insemination and dairy management.”

To qualify for the Louise Hartley Award, each affiliated HYB club is given the opportunity to nominate one young breeder (aged between 18 and 22 years of age or under on January 1) to be considered. The person selected to represent the club should be someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the breed, Holstein Young Breeders and, in particular, their own club. Last year's winner was Jess Tapp from Devon.

The regional HYB club coordinators vote on behalf of their club for the person, not from their own club, who they think is the most deserving winner. The winner will be announced and the award presented at the All Breeds All Britain (ABAB) Calf Show in Peterborough on October 19 and 20.

Cerys Petrie, events and national HYB coordinator for Holstein UK, said: “HYB is privileged to have World Wide Sires as sponsors of this award that celebrates the life of Louise. The 2019 nomination process is now open and we look forward to announcing the winner at the ABAB Calf Show. The trip of a lifetime, to the World Wide Sires Global Training Centre in Washington State, will provide the winner with a great learning experience.”