Yet another big National Dairy Show win for the Barretts of Cork

Good tidings from Agriculture Minister Michael Creed at busy 2016 National Dairy Show in Millstreet.

Thu, 27 Oct, 2016 - 01:00

Stephen Cadogan

Dairy farmers at Millstreet welcomed confirmation by Agriculture Minister Michael Creed of the January 1 target start date for the €150 million farmer loan fund at a breakthrough low interest rate of 2.95%.

“It’s not an invitation to borrow your way out of trouble,” said Mr Creed. “But if you owe the co-op money at 10% or have an overdraft at 8 or 9%, see how this product can deliver better cash flow for you.”

He said a call for partners will shortly go out from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland to lenders interested in delivering the loan product.

Highly flexible loans for up to six years of amounts up to €150,000 will be available to livestock, tillage and horticulture farmers. These loans can enable farmers improve management of their cash flow, and reduce short-term borrowing costs.

It is unsecured lending, so there will be the “minimum of red tape”, said the Minister.

The fund created by the Department of Agriculture and SBCI includes €14m from the Department announced in the Budget, plus €11 million made available by the EU’s exceptional adjustment aid for milk and other livestock farmers, combined to leverage €150m of loans.

Eligibility for livestock farmers will be in line with the conditions laid down in the EU exceptional adjustment aid regulation; and loans to non-livestock farmers will be subject to de minimis State Aid requirements.

There has been a strong farmer welcome for the fund, which is likely to be taken up in full, with dairy farmers the main applicants.

Mr Creed said it was a response to the high cost of working capital, which had been noted in nearly every pre-Budget submissions, and revealed that the farmer loan fund may be a template for loans in other sectors, as part of an ambitious Government response to the Brexit challenge.

Mr Creed officially opened the National Dairy Show at Millstreet, and spent hours touring the busy, well-attended event, which had about 120 trade stands.

In his speech, he highlighted the threat posed by Brexit to dairy companies such as Lakeland, Strathroy and Lacpatrick, whose milk supply pools straddle the border.

He said he is setting up a stakeholders’ forum which can advise his Department during complex Brexit negotiations.

In the meantime, his quest for new markets to reduce Ireland’s 43% reliance on the UK for food exports will continue in a trade trip to North Africa.

In the show ring at Millstreet, John and Rickey Barrett of Cork, multiple previous winners of the Irish Examiner National Dairy Show Supreme Championship, were to the fore once more, with their home-bred Laurelelm Shottle Daffodil 2 tapped out as champion by Welshman Merurig James ahead of Drumlina Atwood Megan, shown by the Boyd/Greenan/O’Neill partnership, and Laurelmore Wyman Lavander, placed third for the Barretts.

The Barretts also showed the Jersey champ.

Rickey Barrett said the top cows at Millstreet are “everyman’s” cows, after five or six years in which the Holstein breed has vastly improved in Ireland. He praised the Irish Holstein Friesian Association and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation for their work to reduce problems of infertility and the breed getting too big and extreme, while maintaining the breed’s natural ability to produce 600kg of fat and protein.

SHOW RESULTS Handler aged 12-18, calf born July-Dec, 2016, Sponsored by Dairygold:

1. Rachel McNamara. 2. Megan Boal. 3. Sinead O’Sullivan.

Novice Handler Under 12, calf born 2016, sponsored by McDonnell Bros:

1. Amy Roche. 2. Clodagh O’Sullivan. 3. Cathal Dorian.

Handler Championship , sponsored by Osmonds:

Rachel McNamara. Reserve, Megan Boal. Hon mention, Amy Roche.

Jersey Heifer born January 2016, sponsored by Kerry Agri:

1. All-Star Prince, E & H McLoughney. 2. Excitation Film Star, E & H McLoughney. 3. Elitstreet Success Roxy, Elitestreet Genetics. Best Exhibitor Bred, Elitstreet Success Roxy. Highest EBI, Sprucegrove Val Sparkle, Aidan Foody.

Heifer born after February, 2016, led by handler, 12 yrs or under, sponsored by Carbery Group:

1. Clonpaddin Snowy Fame, G & J Hurley. 2. Lisnalty Lorraine 285, Paul Hannan. 3. Cahirmee Beau Irl, Pat Smith. Best Exhibitor Bred, Clonpaddin Snowy Fame.

Highest EBI - Everground Star 37.

Heifer born between Nov 2015 to Fweb , 2016, sponsored by Barrett Agri/Southern Farm Fuels:

1. Ballyelan Seven Robin, Tom Lynch. 2. Sprucegrove Cuttion Dellia, Keypoint & Cunningham. 3. Ballyboy Embrace Carmen, Jim & Una Sinnott. Best Exhibitor Bred, Ballyelan Seven Robin. Highest EBI, -Everground Star Texel 36, Ml & M Laffan.

Heifer born between July to Nov, 2015, sponsored by Eurogene AI:

1. Clonpaddin Mpw Fame 2, J & G Hurley.

2. Sprucegrove Armain A Peggy, Keypoint & Cunningham. 3. Knockbrown Fraiko Precesta 3, O’Sullivan Family. Best Exhibitor Bred, Clonpaddin Mpw Fame 2. Highest EBI, Knockbrown Fraiko Ruby, O’Sullivan Family.

Heifer born 2015, before July, sponsored by DeLaval:

1. Greenlea Stonewall Oceane, Padraic Greenan. 2. Lissue Doorman Faith, S & P McLoughlin. 3. Cahirmee Acme Presence, Patrick Smith. Best Exhibitor Bred, Greenlea Stonewall Oceane. Highest EBI - Emerald Deman Papoose, Donal & T Neville.

Heifer born July to Dec, 2014, sponsored by Dovea AI:

1. Knocbrown Stonewall Lady, O’Sullivan Family. 2. Coolnamara Fever Z, L & S Murphy. 3. Shanawayhill Tulip, Mary McCarthy. Best Exhibitor Bred and Highest EBI, Knocbrown Stonewall Lady.

Junior Holstein Champion, sponsored by Munster AI:

Knockbrown Stonewall Lady, O’Sullivan Family. Reserve - Clonpaddin Mpw Fame 2, J & G Hurley.

Hon Mention, Greenlea Stonewall Oceane, Padraic Greenan.

Jersey heifer born before 2016, not in milk, sponsored by FBD Insurance:

1. Mooreshill E Nicola, L & S Murphy. 2. Mooreshill PWI Nikki, Patrick Ahern. 3. Massrock PWI Brunette 3, Lehane Family. Best Exhibitor Bred Animal - Mooreshill PWI Nikki. Highest EBI, Gabriel Sparkles Laura, Robert Shannon.

Junior Jersey Champion, sponsored by Zoetis:

All-Star Prince, E & H McLoughney. Reserve, Excitation Film Star, E & H McLoughney. Hon Mention,

Mooreshill E Nicola, L & S Murphy.

Confined heifer in milk, sponsored by Merial:

1. Muckruss Mcutchen Ambrosia, Jerome O’Leary. 2. Rathrone Sally, Dermot Flynn. 3. Lisnalty Shower 713, Paul Hannan. Best Exhibitor Bred, Rathrone Sally. Highest EBI, Ballycannon Pnh Rita, Pat Shanahan. Best Udder - Muckruss Mcutchen Ambrosia.

2-year-old heifer in milk born after February, 2014, sponsored by MSD Animal Health:

1. Clonpaddin Lavanguard Flavour, J & G Hurley. 2. Ballinafinn Atwood Anna, D & T Bourke. 3. Emerald Doorman Promis, Donal & Thomas Neville. Best Exhibitor Bred, Clonpaddin Lavanguard Flavour. Highest EBI, Emerald Doorman Promis. Best Udder - Clonpaddin Lavanguard Flavour.

Junior 3-year-old heifer/cow in milk born Sept 2013 to March 2014, sponsored by Crecora Mills:

1. Yardgrove Fever Ona 2, Bryan O’Connor. 2. Rathrone Sally, Dermot Flynn. 3. Denmire Doorman Marie Anne 8, Hugh Dwyer. Best Exhibitor Bred and Best Udder, Rathrone Sally. Highest EBI,Denmire Doorman Marie Anne 8.

Intermediate Holstein Champion, sponsored by Ornua:

Clonpaddin Lavanguard Flavour, J & G Hurley. Reserve, Ballinafinn Atwood Anna, D & T Bourke.

Hon Mention, Muckruss Mcutchen Ambrosia, Jerome O’Leary.

Jersey heifer in milk, sponsored by Norbrook Laboratories:

1. Abbotsley Tequila Roxy, Elitestreet Genetics. 2. Sprucegrove Redpath Sangria, Aidan Foody, 3. Kilgarriffe Madeline, Richard Helen. Best Exhibitor Bred, Sprucegrove Redpath Sangria. Best Udder, Abbotsley Tequila Roxy.

Confined cow in milk, sponsored by IFA:

1. Foherish Shottle Rhonda, Jerome O’Leary. 2. Ballyelan Shottle Dellia ET, Noel Murphy. 3. Dock Goldwyn Marie 2, Sean Meade. Best Exhibitor Bred Animal - Foherish Shottle Rhonda, Jerome O’Leary

Highest EBI and Best Udder, Foherish Shottle Rhonda.

Confined Champion, sponsored by The Farm Store:

Foherish Shottle Rhonda, Jerome O’Leary. Reserve, Ballyelan Shottle Dellia ET, Noel Murphy. Hon Mention, Abbotsley Tequila Roxy, Elitestreet Genetics.

Jersey cow in milk, sponsored by Grassland Agro:

1. Laurelelm Glamour EX95 , R & J Barrett. 2. Ribblesdale Excitation Willow, E & H McLoughney. 3. Laurelelm Vindication Poppy, R & J Barrett. Best Exhibitor Bred, Highest EBI, and Best Udder, Laurelelm Glamour EX95, R & J Barrett.

Overall Jersey Champion and Exhibitor Bred Champion, sponsored by Irish Jersey Society:

Laurelelm Glamour EX95 , R & J Barrett. Reserve, Ribblesdale Excitation Willow, E & H McLoughney. Hon Mention, Abbotsley Tequila Roxy, Elitestreet Genetics.

Senior 3-year-old cow in milk born 2013, before September, sponsored by Allied Irish Bank:

1. Laurelmore Wyman Lavander, J & R Barrett. 2. Dalevalley Gwy Embrace 2, Boyd/O’Neill. 3. Sprucegrove Lavanguard Peggy, S & A Foley. Best Exhibitor Bred, Highest EBI, Best Udder, Laurelmore Wyman Lavander.

4-year-old cow born 2012, sponsored by Bank of Ireland:

1. Drumlina Atwood Megan, Boyd/Greenan/O’Neill. 2. Greenlea Lauthority Pledge, Padraic Greenan. 3. Clongowes Sid Almeric 2, Bryan O’Connor. Best Exhibitor Bred and Best Udder, Drumlina Atwood Megan. Highest EBI, Laurelmore Stonewall Ravena.

5-yr-old cow in milk born 2011, sponsored by Devenish Nutrition:

1. Tubbertoby Sid Jenn, Paul Flannagan. 2. Ballyelan Shottle Dellia ET, Noel Murphy. 3. Lisnacunna Dee Beauty Red ET, Pat Coffey. Best Exhibitor Bred and

Best Udder, Tubbertoby Sid Jenn. Highest EBI, Monamore Mc C Margot, T & J Kelly.

Mature cow in milk born before 1012, sponsored by IHFA:

1. Laurelelm Shottle Daffodil 2, R & J Barrett. 2. Desmond Dundee Embrace, P Jones/R Cromie. 3. Evergreen Duplex Ebony, L & S Murphy. Best Exhibitor Bred, Highest EBI, Best Udder, Laurelelm Shottle Daffodil 2.

Production Class for cows having produced over 3,000kg combined fat & protein, sponsored by Dairygold:

1. Desmond Dundee Embrace ET, P Jones/R Cromie. 2. Evergreen Duplex Ebony, L & S Murphy. 3. Glaslough Talent Harri, D & K Boyd.

Group of 3 females owned by exhibitor, sponsored by Zoetis:

1. Laurelelm. 2. Glaslough. 3. Monamore.

Best Udder, sponsored by Southern Milling:

Laurelelm Shottle Daffodil 2, R & J Barrett.

Premier Breeder, sponsored by Norbrook Laboratories:

R & J Barrett.

Premier Exhibitor, sponsored by Kelliher Agri Tralee & CID Lines:

R & J Barrett.

Highest EBI Holstein, sponsored by McDonnell Bros:

Everground Star Texel 36, Ml & M Laffan.