National Show of excellence points way
Excellence was what the show was all about, said Michael Dowling, head of agri-strategy with AIB, the show's title sponsor.
"As a showcase for product, it has a greater role to play than ever in finding the way forward for Irish livestock farming", he said.
The country's top breeders put on an impressive display of beef cattle, but farmers' representatives at the show warned that beef farming is under threat. IFA president John Dillon said the new reality of decoupling is that farmers will cut back their herds unless beef processors pay a viable price. He urged farmers to be very strong in cattle price dealings with factories. Demand full value, be very clear on the price agreed, and always insist on payment on the day, he advised.
Sean MacConnell, Irish Times agriculture correspondent, officially opened the show, which attracted more than 8,000 entries for 900 classes, and cost over e400,000 to stage. A total of 1,500 cattle and over 1,000 horses entries were received.
An estimated 35,000 people supported the event. For the organisers, headed by Michael Fox, chairman, the wet weather was a disappointment, but they welcomed a clearance after Fr Seamus Donegan and Rev Leslie Crampton prayed during the official opening ceremony at noon for better weather.
The organisers admitted that they had tempted fate by including a wellie throwing competition for the first time.
Results: The main results were as follows:
Montbeliarde
Champion: Martin McQuaid, Emyvale, Co Monaghan; Reserve: Pat Callan, Dunleer, Co Louth
Pedigree Heifer Calf: Gerald McArdle, Smithboro, Co Monaghan.
Pedigree Heifer born 1/8/03 to 31/12/03: Pat Callan, Dunleer, Co Louth.
Pedigree Maiden Heifer born 1/1/03 to 1/4/03: Martin McQuaid, Emyvale, Co Monaghan.
Pedigree Cow or Heifer In-milk: Martin McQuaid.
Champion: J M & N Collins, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick. Reserve: Tim O'Connell, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick.
In-calf Heifer: J M & N Collins, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick.
Pedigree Heifer or Cow: J M & N Collins.
Holstein-Friesian (Confined to Laois/ Offaly/ Westmeath)
Heifer born 2004: Tom McDermott, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Heifer born 1/8/03 to 31/12/03: Peter Ging, Portlaoise.
Heifer born 1/1/03 to 1/8/03: P J Kelly, Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath.
Calved Heifer: Peter Ging.
Cow Calved Twice or more: Tom McDermott.
Holstein-Friesian (Open)
Champion; Jim and Una Sinnott, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford (Ballyboy Juror Carmen - Ked Juror; Ballyboy Linoy Carmen). Reserve: Patrick & Derrick Frawley, Rathkeale, Co Limerick (Croagh Finley - Maughlin Storm, Quality Broker T Finlay).
Best Udder: Jim & Una Sinnott.
Reserve: Trevor Lockhart.
Champion
E & S Murphy, Waterfall, Cork. Reserve: Martin O'Sullivan, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick.
Super 2,500 National Holstein In-milk Heifer: Trevor Lockhart, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Reserve: Cyril Dowling, Baldonnell, Dublin 22.
Cow In-milk, calved twice: Jim & Una Sinnott, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
National Livestock Show Senior Cow in Milk: Jim and Una Sinnott.
Reserve: Patrick and Derrick Frawley, Rathkeale, Co Limerick.
Group of Three: Jim & Una Sinnott. Reserve: Brochan Cocoman, Kill, Co Kildare.
Heifer Born 2004: Martin O'Sullivan, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick.
Heifer born 1/7/03 to 31/12/03: E & S Murphy, Waterfall, Cork.
Heifer born 1/1/03 to 30/6/03: Gerard Murray, Shercock, Co Cavan.
Heifer In-calf, born 1/1/02 to 31/12/02: Brochan Cocoman, Kill, Co Kildare.
Young Dairy Stockperson of 2004: Ann Neville, Rathkeale, Co Limerick. Reserve: Tony Connolly, Portlaoise.
Champion: John Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath
(Millbrook Pearl - Rosten Barney, Millbrook Karen). Reserve: SE & EP Hennelly, Rosses Point, Co Sligo (Hillcrest Joan - Hillcrest Champion - Ballybane Wren).
Junior Simmental Champion Heifer born 1/1/03 to 31/8/03: John Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath.
Simmental Male Champion: John Fox, Kilfinane, Co Limerick.
Reserve: Angela and Gerard Brickley, Portlaoise.
Senior Simmental Champion Heifer born 1/1/02 to 31/8/02: SE & EP Hennelly, Rosses Point, Co Sligo.
Junior Simmental Champion Cow born 1/9/00 to 31/12/01: Peter & Marion O'Connell, Mallow, Co Cork.
Senior Simmental Champion Cow born before 31/8/00: SE & EP Hennelly, Rosses Point, Co Sligo.
Heifer born after 1/1/04: Garrett Behan, Portlaoise.
Heifer born 1/9/02 to 31/12/02: David & Miriam Brickley, Portlaoise.
Yearling Simmental Champion Heifer born 1/9/03 to 31/12/03: Angela and Gerard Brickley.
Bull Born 1/9/03 to 31/12/03: John Fox, Kilfinane, Co Limerick.
Bull born after 1/1/04: John Stone, Bandon, Co Cork.
Junior Bull born 1/9/02 to 31/8/03: Michael Scott, Ballinasloe.
Exhibitor's Pair: Angela & Gerard Brickley.
Champion: Jim & Ivan Ryall, Castlemartyr, Co Cork (Knockane Shine - Tattenhall Impeccable, Knockane Lady).
Female Champion: Jim & Ivan Ryall, Castlemartyr, Co Cork.
Male Champion; Kevin Foley, Killeagh, Co Cork. Reserve: Kevin Foley.
Cow In-calf or with Calf At Foot born before 1/9/00: Dr AJF O'Reilly, Kilcullen, Co Kildare.
Female Born 01.09.2000 to 31.12.2001; Jim & Ivan Ryall, Castlemartyr, Co Cork.
Junior Heifer born 01.01.2003 to 31.08.2003: Patrick Meade, Templemore, Co Tipperary.
Best Charolais (Laois/ Offaly/ Westmeath): Aidan Farrell, Moate, Co Westmeath.
Heifer born 01.09.2003 to 30.11.2003: Paddy Farrelly, Dundalk, Co Louth.
Heifer born 01.12.2003 to 29.02.2004: P O'Hara, Ballyheigue, Co Kerry.
Heifer born on/after 01.03.2004: Tony & Bridget Grady, Julianstown, Co Meath.
Heifer of the Year born in 2002: Liam A Walsh, Rathdowney, Co Laois.
Bull Born before 01.09.2003: Kevin Foley, Killeagh, Co Cork.
Bull born 01.09.2003 to 30.11.2003: John Cullinane, Ballineen, Co Cork.
Bull born 1.12.2003 to 29.02.2004: Jim & Ivan Ryall.
Bull born on/after 01.03.2004: Peter Spollen, Geashill, Co Offaly.
Exhibitor's Pair: Dr AJF O'Reilly.
Show Champion: Tom Bailey, Batterstown, Co Meath (Marlhill Tess - Elite Popsi, Marlhill Karina). Reseve: William Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath
(Neron: Jersey; Hiron Lodge).
Male Champion: William Smith.
Greenvale Heifer Championship: William Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath.
Female Champion: Tom Bailey.
Cow or Heifer born before 01.01.2002: Dan Tynan, Mountrath, Co Laois.
Heifer born 01.07.2003 to 31.12.2003: Sean Ryan, Cappamore, Co Limerick.
Heifer born 2004: Eugene O'Neill, Cappawhite, Co Tipperary.
Heifer born 01.01.2002 to 31.09.2002: Tom Bailey, Batterstown, Co Meath.
Bull born 01.01.2002 to 31.05.2003: John O'Grady, Midleton, Co Cork.
Bull born 01.06.2003 to 31.12.2003:
Dan Tynan, Mountrath, Co Laois.
Bull born 2004: William Smith.
Senior Bull born before 01.01.2002: William Smith.
Exhibitor's Pair: Dan Tynan.
Belgian Blue
Show Champion: Colm Hanrahan, Rathdowney, Co Laois (Deployee d'Ozo: Notez - D'Ozo Vicky).
Male Champion: Michael Woods, Drogheda, Co Louth.
Female Champion: Colm Hanrahan, Rathdowney, Co Laois.
National Breeding Heifer Final; Patrick F Delaney, Clonaslee, Co Laois.
Female born before 31.05.2000: Tom Foynes, Clonaslee, Co Laois.
Female born 01.06.2000 to 31.05.2002: Colm Hanrahan, Rathdowney, Co Laois.
Female born 01.06.2003 to 31.12.2003: Joe Kirwan, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Female Born on/after 01.01.2004: Jarlath Duggan, Rathdowney, Co Laois.
Bull born 01.01.2003 to 30.06.2003: Tim O'Donovan, Dunmanway, Co Cork.
Bull Born 01.07.2003 to 31.12.2003: Tom Foynes.
Bull born after 01.01.2004: Tom Foynes.
Senior Bull born before 31.12.2002: Michael Woods, Drogheda, Co Louth.
Angus
Show Champion: Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Co Kerry (Darina Winnie: Shankill Max - Pamela). Reserve: Gerard Reynolds, Ballinalee, Co Longford
(Bunlavy Powerhouse: Dalrene Cruz - Bunlavy Purple)
Male Champion: Gerard Reynolds, Ballinalee, Co Longford.
Female Champion: Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Co Kerry.
Cow with Calf at foot Leo McEnroe, Virginia, Co Cavan.
Cow or Heifer born 01.09.2001 to 31.08.2002: John McEnroe, Oldcastle, Co Meath.
Heifer born 01.09.2002 to 31.08.2003: Matthew Goulding, Ballyduff, Co Kerry.
Heifer born 01.09.2003 to 31.12.2003: Michael & Oliver Flanagan, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Heifer born after 01.01.2004: Robert Shannon, Ballinascarthy, Co Cork.
Bull born before 01.09.2003: John McEnroe, Oldcastle, Co Meath.
Bull born 01.09.2003 to 31.12.2003: Robert Shannon.
Bull born after 01.01.2004: Gerard Reynolds, Ballinalee, Co Longford.
Exhibitor's pair: Gerard Reynolds.
