Limerick duo tops at show
Their splendid exhibitor bred second calver, Croagh Finley 3, triumphed in a quality class to take the red rosette and first prize in the Kerry Agribusiness sponsored All Ireland junior pedigree Holstein Friesian cow class.
The judge, David Hudson, Cumbria, England, said the winner was the type of cow everyone should be trying to breed.
“She is a cow that is going to be around for many lactations. She is tall and youthful and has a fantastic udder. She is absolute class really,” he said.
Mr Hudson said the entries in all the dairy classes were top quality from top to bottom.
The winners in each class were good enough to compete anywhere in the world.
There were even cows down the line in the second calver class that anyone would be proud to own, he said.
The Friesian championship was won by Martin O’Sullivan, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, with a late entry, Oakview Storm Claudia, bred by John Crean, Tralee, Co Kerry.
Kevin Dillon, chief executive, Irish Holstein Friesian Association, said it was fantastic show of cattle. The standard in every class was brilliant.
“Our Holstein breed has taken a bit of a battering in the media over the last 12 months or two years, but the quality of the cattle exhibited at the show are as good as cattle as can be seen anywhere in the world.
“We have a tremendous breed. Our breeders are doing a wonderful job and the show was an excellent example of that commitment,” he said.
In the other breeds, Albert de Cogan, Killamuckey, Castlemartyr, had a double, winning both the Aberdeen Angus and Hereford championships.
Peter and Marion O’Connell, Knopogue, Mallow, won the Simmental championship and supreme female beef championships.
Jim Ryall and Ivan Ryall, Knockane House, Castlemartyr, (Charolais), Michael Sexton, Ahea Bridge, Mullagh, Co Clare (Limousin and supreme male beef), Martin Ryan, Cabragh, Thurles, Co Tipperary, (Belgian Blue), and Billy Gubbins, Cush House, Kilfinane, Co Limerick (Commercial) were other championship winners.
The show, which also attracted a large horse entry, is the largest two-day event of its kind in the country.
It was held on a 45-acre site, cost €140,000 to stage and was organised by a 22 member committee headed by Gerard Cott, chairman, with Kerry Agribussiness as the main sponsor.
