More honours for cream of the dairy herd

THE CREAM of the national dairy herd that performed with distinction in show rings during 2019 were recognised at the IHFA awards night in Portlaoise.

Breeders and owners of National Dairy Show, Balmoral Winter Fair, and Balmoral Show winners were among the award winners at a gathering that was a who’s who of dairy breeding.

Lisnalty Megasire Rituel — which starred on the RTÉ ‘Big Week on the Farm’ show, before being judged Supreme Champion at the National Dairy Show and the Overall Champion at the RUAS Winter Fair at Balmoral — was named IHFA All Ireland Three-YearOld Cow In Milk for Paul Hannan, of Crecora, Co Limerick.

The All Ireland Junior Cow In Milk title went to Woodmarsh Cancun Lyme 2 — the National Dairy Show

Reserve Supreme Champion —from the herd of Michael and Elizabeth McNamara, of Newtownshandrum, Co Cork.

Wexford breeder Philip Jones, scored a double in the All Ireland Mature Cow category with the Champion title for TheValley Amazing Frost and Reserve Champion honour for Hallow Attic Christina.

Guest of honour Martin Keane, (chairman of Glanbia), acknowledged the role of the IHFA in adding value to dairy production in the company’s catchment area where production has increased by 1.1bn litres per year since 2014.

“In my own county of Laois, €80m was paid to farmers for milk in 2019 and the impact of that on the rural towns and communities should not be understated,” he said.