Special Awards 2026
21 APRIL 2026 – ASHBURTON
Distinguished Members Award – Barry Montgomery
The JerseyNZ Board is awarding a distinguished member award to Barry Montgomery.
Barry’s deep connection to Jersey cattle stems from more than three generations of dedicated breeders in his family. He carries on the Rivermere Stud prefix established by his grandfather with commitment and pride. The first animals were registered in 1936.
The Rivermere herd has a very strong Big Hollow base – bulls such as Big Hollow Bohemian and Big Hollow Jesters Barry being influential sires in their time – leading to daughters of strong type and production capability. Barry has also travelled to Australia, utilising diverse genetics from there as well as New Zealand bred sires in recent years.
Barry along with Mary take great pride in the conformation of their cattle, breeding cows that will last the distance, maintaining a long productive life. The philosophy of breeding good uddered cows has paid dividends when the decision was made to go to a once-a-day milking regime all year.
In the past Barry and Mary were regular winners of the JerseyNZ production per hectare award for the Northland area. This was done with relatively low inputs and an emphasis on quality and quantity of pasture eaten.
Barry has been involved in organising JerseyNZ conferences, hosted by the Northland region, ensuring a fun and educational visit for members of JerseyNZ.
An interest in type and traits needed for longevity in cows meant that Barry was soon doing traits other than production and classification in herds all around New Zealand.
Barry has been a TOP inspector for well over 35 years, not only recording the important traits for the industry but also ensuring that each farmer he visits gains some understanding of the use of measuring traits, and the value it has.
This dedication does not come without sacrifice, as many times Mary and the farm staff have had to attend to breakages or problems while Barry is away.
Barry was a valued member of the JerseyNZ board for two terms, being particularly valuable in his knowledge of breeding, classification and TOP. Barry continues to be involved in the Classification and Show committee, representing JerseyNZ on the TOP advisory panel, the show ethics committee and helping with Judging.
It is the lifetime commitment to the Jersey cow and the contribution to the industry in traits other than production that the JerseyNZ board wishes to acknowledge in presenting Barry with the Distinguished member award.
Special Awards 2025
Distinguished Members Award – Rodney & Jocelyn Dobson
Mr & Mrs J W Singers Efficiency Scroll – Josh & Aleshia Macdonald
Cyril Dermer Cup – Trent Paterson
Special Awards 2024
Mr & Mrs J W Singers Efficiency Scroll – Steve Ireland
Cyril Dermer Cup – Alison Gibb
Special Awards 2023
Distinguished Members Award – Rob & Alison Thwaites
Mr & Mrs J W Singers Efficiency Scroll – Roger Ellison
Cyril Dermer Cup – Ross Riddell
George Henry Dawick Memorial Cup – Mark & Diane Townshend
Honorary Life Membership – David Ireland
Nominations for the next George Henry Darwick Memorial Cup winner can be be submitted below:
George Henry Dawick Memorial Cup Nomination