One delightful dairy show
THE strains of ‘Limerick You’re a Lady’ surrounded the National Dairy Show hosted in the spacious Green Glens Complex in Millstreet last Saturday when a Croagh cow caught the eye to win the Supreme Champion prize.
Last year, Storm Brian attempted to upset the staging; no such worries this year as a huge attendance convened on the North Cork location to view the country’s best Holstein and jersey cattle.
Hosted by the Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club, the event is firmly regarded as a premier event on the European circuit with trade stand and visitor enquiries from Britain, Europe and North America on site to promote innovative agricultural and farm accessories.
Show Director John Kirby said the staging has developed over the years with great support from Irish Breeders, trade stand exhibitors and sponsors. With attendance figures of over 4,500, the latest staging was certainly the most successful to date.
“It’s been one of our best shows ever, with certainly the largest number of trade exhibitors and with a varied programme of events offering something for everyone. [It] has led to record numbers attending our annual show this year”, said Mr Kirby.
“The event is organised every year by a voluntary committee under the auspices of the Cork Holstein Friesian Club, and with the significant costs involved, it would not be possible without the sponsors and trade stand exhibitors who continue to support the show and whose contribution facilitates the show committee offering a varied programme. It also allows the event to maintain its €30,000 prize fund”, he said.
Judge Edward Griffiths brought his international wealth of experience to Millstreet, having judged many major shows in the UK and Europe including National Holstein shows in the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Slovenia.
“I have seen some of the best cows here, these cows in Southern Ireland are as good as in any part of the world for balance, strength and style”, he said.
A rewarding trip from Croagh in County Limerick reaped the dividends; the show judge awarded the Supreme Champion to six-year-old Milliedale Dusk Rhapsody owned by Donal and Kathleen Neville.
This year’s show was again designed to attract a diverse audience, and apart from the cattle classes, there were demonstrations of cattle and machinery. And there was a particular emphasis this year on Farm Safety and Rural Crime Prevention.
Younger visitors were enthralled by the addition of small animal farm with both familiar and more exotic species generating interest.