Country’s finest dairy cows set to compete at 73rd Virginia Show
Brian Miller from Somerset, who will officiate at the competition, which carries a total prize fund of €10,000, said he was looking forward to a really good show and the anticipation of seeing some great cows.
“I am never disappointed by the calibre of cows when I visit Ireland and I know I will see some of the finest from across the island of Ireland at Virginia,” he said.
The appeal of the competition was seen again last year when an estimated 12,000 people packed around the ringside to view some of the best cows in Europe.
Sponsored by drinks company Diageo in association with its cream supplier Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GIIL), the event has been a feature of the Irish agricultural calendar for 31 years.
Breeders from all over Ireland will compete for the title, which is accompanied by a cheque for €2,500.
Last year, Northern Ireland breeder, Neal Pepper from Dromore in Co Down, won first place and the reserve champion award went to Limerick breeder, Derek Frawley.
Minister of State Tom Hayes, speaking at the launch of this year’s competition, congratulated Diageo and GIIL on their long-standing partnership and commitment to what is the most prestigious dairy livestock event in Ireland.
“With the ending of quota restrictions next year, expansion in the dairy sector in line with the targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 will result in a significant increase in employment at processing and production stages.
“The ensuing increase in exports will play a crucial role in Ireland’s economic recovery,” he said.
Competition director, Brendan Smyth, said the event’s stature was down to the enduring commitment of dairy breeders to the competition. He also welcomed the interest coming through from “the next generation of breeders who are aspiring to follow in the winners’ footsteps”.
GIIL is Ireland’s leading dairy ingredients company whose plant in Virginia supplies the cream for Baileys. GIIL processes 1.6 billion litres of milk or 30% of Ireland’s milk pool into a range of dairy ingredients for export to more than 50 countries.
The business is currently gearing up for the increase in milk production expected after 2015, with an investment totalling €180m in a new facility in Belview, Co Kilkenny and the expansion of existing facilities at Ballyragget in Co Kilkenny, and in Virginia.
