Seven herds honoured for exceptional performance

SEVEN herds were honoured with Gold and Diamond Awards in recognition of the exceptional production performance of individual cows within their herds, each having a lifetime yield of at least 3,000kgs of protein, when the results were announced at the IHFA All Ireland Awards on Friday night last.

Leading the listing is the Monamore Herd at Philipstown Farm, Drogheda with four awards for Tom Kelly and his son, James for one of the most successful and best-known Holstein herds in the North East region.

A lifelong Holstein Friesian breeder, Tom has achieved national and international recognition as an owner, breeder and judge of dairy stock of the highest quality.

Tom started milking in his own right with 40 cows in 1979 as a liquid milk supplier. Today, the herd is in the region of 300 cows on a grazing platform of 96 ha with a big focus on breeding the best, with emphasis placed on type and on milk solids yield and farm management using the most up-to-date techniques.

The ‘Kilgarriffe’ herd of the Helen Family, near Clonakilty, Co Cork, where three generations of the family are actively involved in the sizeable dairy enterprise, received three awards.

Richard Helen has been the driving force on the farm for the past three-anda-half decades, after taking over from his parents, who continued to be involved, and today, Richard’s family are very actively involved with the Holstein breed both on the farm and in the region.

Animals bred in the herd have won numerous awards over the years including the Best Breeders Herd and Best Cow Family in the Cork Club region.

The other recipients of the awards were Paul Hannan, Crecora, Co Limerick, and Norman Lockhart, Ramelton, Co Donegal, (two awards for each herd), John Greene, Callan, Co Kilkenny, Michael Spillane, Fethard, Co Tipperary and Philip Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford.