Dairy show set to draw crowd of 5,000
Champions from the Verona Show in Italy, the Baileys in Virginia, the RDS, the Powers Gold Label final in Tullamore and from Limerick, Piltown and Charleville shows will be among those contending for top honours.
John Buckley of Salem Holsteins, Ontario, Canada, who will judge the entries in the Irish Examiner Farming sponsored championships, has officiated at the World Expo in Madison as well as at the Winter Fair in Canada and at shows in many other countries.
There will be 16 classes for all ages of cattle with 10 prestigious awards. Overall prize money has been increased by 30% on two years ago there was no show last year due to the foot-and-mouth precautions and every animal entering the ring will receive a monetary reward.
John Moroney, from the Drumcliff Herd, Ennis, Co Clare, will judge the handler class, confined to boys and girls under 16 leading calves born in 2002.
Macra na Feirme's national dairy stock judging competition will be held in conjunction with the show, which will also feature a sale of young stock 17 elite calves from top herds countrywide.
A national recognition award will also be presented at the show to someone who has contributed time and energy to the improvement of the breed. Created in the millennium year, the inaugural honour was bestowed on Michael Buckley, of the Ballinahina Herd in Cork.
One hundred trade stands, garden clinics with Charlie Wilkins in conjunction with Cope Kanturk, and entertainment for children will also feature at the event, which is organised by Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club.
Kevin Dillon, chief executive of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association, said the show is now recognised internationally as one of the most prestigious for black and white cattle.
