For the first time, this year’s IDW judging panel will feature a team of all international judges.
Red and White show
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Tanner Schmaling is the owner and operator of Maple-Leigh Futures in Delavan, Wisconsin. He began his career travelling across North America as a professional cattle fitter, gaining invaluable experience and industry insight.
He returned to his roots at Schmaling Farm — a 120-cow Registered Holstein and crop farm he runs with wife, Madeline, daughters, Haisey and Hollyn, and parents, John and Jill.
In 2017, the family launched Maple-Leigh Futures, a specialised facility housing 100 head of elite cattle focusing on high genomic and high-type animals.
The Maple-Leigh Futures team has managed and exhibited numerous grand champions and earned over 65 All-American, Junior All-American and All-Canadian nominations in just eight years.
Holstein Show
Mark Nutsford is a highly respected dairy breeder and international cattle judge, based in the heart of Cheshire, England. Alongside his wife, Susan, and daughter, Jodie, Mark runs the renowned Riverdane herd, a 240-strong milking Holstein operation.
The Riverdane prefix is synonymous with elite genetics and excellence in the show ring, with over 80 All-Britain nominations and more than 60 cows achieving maximum classification scores.
Mark is also the owner and operator of Celltech Embryo Transfer, a leading business in reproductive technology.
A keen showman and passionate promoter of the breed, Mark has achieved numerous national titles and accolades, including ownership of five cows scored EX-97 — two of which were bred at Riverdane.
Mark has officiated at most major shows in the UK and internationally.
Jersey Show
Ryan Krohlow resides in Poynette, Wisconsin with his wife, Haley, and their four children, Callie, Conway, Cooper and Case. Together, they operate under the HammerTime prefix on their 40-acre farmette, managing eight to 10 show heifers annually.
Over the past 12 years, this small but elite program has produced numerous All-American nominations.
In recent years, Ryan launched HammerTime Auctions, a registered dairy cattle auction service selling multiple All-American nominees over the past three years.
In addition to his own ventures, Ryan farms in partnership with his father-in-law at Mell-View Holsteins.
Ryan has worked as a dairy cattle fitter and a professional hoof trimmer. He has prepared 17 grand champions at World Dairy Expo and 10 grand champions at the Royal Winter Fair. He served as the official judge for the 2024 International Jersey Show at World Dairy Expo.
Brown Swiss
Jordan Siemers grew up on his family’s renowned operation, Siemers Holsteins, in Newton, Wisconsin. The Siemers prefix is synonymous with elite, homebred Holstein genetics, and Jordan has played a pivotal role in that legacy.
Over the past decade, he has served as the genomic and genetic manager for the herd, earning multiple Junior All-American and All-American honours.
Siemers Holsteins was named the 2025 National Dairy Shrine Distinguished Cattle Breeder and the 2024 Holstein Association USA Elite Breeder.
The herd currently boasts a rolling herd average of nearly 15,400 litres, with 4.39 per cent butterfat and 3.13 per cent protein.
A graduate of Cornell University, Jordan now works as a Holstein Sire Analyst for Select Sires, overseeing 28 US states and the eastern half of Canada.
Illawarra Show
Rob Kite is a dedicated dairy farmer and cattle breeder from Staffordshire, England, working alongside his father, Bob, his wife, Kate, and their daughters, Lilly and Rose, on the family’s 300-acre farm near Stone.
The farm is run entirely on grass pasture and is home to the Cotonhall herd, established in 2008 when the family transitioned to a pedigree breeding program.
Rob’s breeding philosophy centres on producing high-type cattle, with outstanding success both in the show ring and through genetics sold worldwide.
Animals bred at Cotonhall have gone on to major show victories, including the Royal Welsh Show in 2025, where one of their animals was crowned overall interbreed champion.
As a respected judge, Rob has officiated at numerous national and international shows around the world.
All Breeds Youth Show
Steven Fraser farms with his wife, Jacqueline, and daughter, Scarlett, just outside Fergus, Ontario. They operate Fraeland Farms, a purebred Holstein operation milking 100 cows on two robots and cropping 500 acres.
Steven also serves on the board of directors for Semex.
Fraeland Farms is a Master Breeder herd and well recognised in the show ring, with highlights such as Premier Breeder titles at the Ontario Spring and Summer Shows, and exhibiting the 2022 All American Senior Group of Three and Produce of Dam.
Judging at International Dairy Week holds special meaning for Steve, as he spent many years in the early 2000s fitting cattle. A highlight was co-owning Fairvale Jed Bonnie 94 EX with Leslie Farms, who was Champion Holstein at IDW in both 2005 and 2007.
He is looking forward to returning to Australia and working with the next generation of dairy youth.
Ayrshire Show
David Hanson grew up immersed in the dairy industry on his family’s registered Ayrshire farm, Good-Vue, located in Goodridge, Minnesota. Alongside his parents, Mike and Linda, and brothers, Matthew and Steven, David remains actively involved in the family operation, where they milk 140 Registered Ayrshires and Holsteins and farm approximately 2700 acres of cropland.
A 2013 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in animal science, David was also a member of the university’s dairy judging team, an experience that helped shape his keen eye for quality cattle and his passion for judging.
Today, David resides in Nicollet, Minnesota, with his wife, Dr Ashley Swenson, where they work full-time on her family’s farm, Forest-Lawn Holsteins, home to 270 Registered Holsteins, Brown Swiss and Ayrshires.
In addition to impressive judging achievement, David remains an active exhibitor, continuing to breed and show cattle at state and national events, with several of his animals earning All-American nominations.
Guernsey Show
From Baltimore, Ohio, Lee Kohler grew up on Marodore Farm, which was founded by his parents, Mary and Theodore.
Lee majored in agricultural economics, taking all of his electives in dairy science. He was a member of the dairy judging team and placed among the top 10 individuals in the national contest.
Following graduation, Lee spent five years working in agribusiness. Eventually, he and his wife, Becky, purchased the Marodore Farm herd and relocated to Baltimore, Ohio, where they have proudly continued developing their Guernsey herd for more than 45 years.
Over the decades, Marodore Farm cattle have been successfully shown at the county, district, state and national levels. The herd has achieved more than 65 All-American and junior All-American nominations and placed over 20 bulls into stud, including Aaron’s Levi, Lightning and Vengeance.
Lee has devoted significant time to youth development and dairy judging.