Everything for dairy farms
The best of Ireland’s dairy genetics will be on view alongside a comprehensive trade display.
Forum speakers will update farmers with quotas and nitrate regulations and an exciting auction of purebred heifers will finish up proceedings for those who stay the hectic pace.
There will be plenty of opportunity to rest your eyes on some of the best-looking cattle in Europe, with 17 classes of Holstein Friesian and four Jersey classes being judged from 9.45am until 3.30pm.
Then the celebrations are due from the winners of the coveted Irish Examiner Farming supreme championship and other prestigious awards such as the Total Performance Cow, Premier Breeder Award and Jersey Champion.
The Irish Examiner Farming Forum will take place in the Coach Room from 1.30pm to 4pm. This is a new feature in the show, designed to update dairy farmers on vital issues in the industry.
The show remains a family- friendly event with entertainment for children and full catering facilities in the Green Glens complex.
In order not to miss anything at this busy event, visitors are advised to pay attention to the public address announcements by Teddy Cashman, chairman of the Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club, under whose auspices the National Dairy Show is held.
After 24 years of the National Dairy Show at Millstreet, the event continues to hold out hope amid the gloom of a difficult year in Irish dairying.
In the show ring, more than 30 cattle exhibitors under 16 will take part — an encouraging vote of confidence from the purebred wing of the dairy industry.
As a result, the event is a favourite with trade exhibitors.
On Saturday, feed companies, AI stations, milking equipment firms, veterinary companies, and construction and slurry storage firms will be assured of focussed attendance from committed dairy farmers, ready to spend.
But many farmers may be saving their cash for the auction of 25 heifers of the best breeding available in Ireland, which auctioneer Michael Taaffe kicks off at 4.30pm.
At least 23 people will go away from Millstreet very happy: the exhibitors of the 21 cattle classes; the winner of the National Recognition Award presented at the Show each year to a person who has contributed to the success of the Holstein Friesian breed; and, of course, the winners of the show’s best dressed lady and gent.
