Murphy’s cow is best in ‘Baileys’
Their six-year-old Dale Valley OT1 J Lulu was judged best of a high-class entry of 24 at the Virginia Agricultural Show in Co Cavan last Saturday.
It is the first time the Murphy family has won this prestigious competition judged on the basis of conformation and proven excellence in milk production.
Their win leaves Co Cork second only to Co Dublin for most titles in the annual €9,000 Baileys competition, which is sponsored by Baileys Irish Cream and its cream supplier, Glanbia Ingredients.
Dale Valley OT1 J Lulu has had four calves, and produced 12,007kg of milk in her last lactation (about 2,500 gallons). She was bred in Co Donegal in Roy Cromie’s herd, and was purchased by the Murphys as a heifer-in-milk.. She is the daughter of sire Astronomical and dam Dale Valley Cousteau Lulu, and adds the Baileys title to her recent success at the Cork Summer Show.
Competition judge Iwan Morgan from Wales said the winner’s power and capacity and incredible udder gave her the edge.
Hallow Lheros Indian Ink owned by Mervyn and Philip Jones from Gorey, Co Wexford was declared Reserve Champion. Honourable Mention went to Co Wicklow farmer John Hurley for Clonpaddin Goldwyn Fanta. The Jones had a further success with Mervyn’s son Richard sharing the best dry cow award with Roy Cromie, for Ardnasalem Kite Lulu 2. Co Dublin’s Mervyn Eager and Cyril Dowling’s Baldonnel Goldwyn Star was the best heifer-in-milk. Father and daughter entrants Ivan and Louise Robinson from Co Down won the best protein and best EBI prizes for Glaslough Charles Fancy.
