Bailey's Champion Cow Competition returns

Pictured at the launch of the 2024 Diageo Bailey's Champion Cow Competition in Dublin recently were: Mary Gaynor, president of the Virginia Show; Shane Kelly, corporate relations director, Diageo Ireland; John O’Sullivan, president of the IHFA; Laurence Feeney, chief executive of the IHFA; Aoife Murphy, chief ingredients officer, Tirlán; and Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, with pedigree Holstein Friesian Ardnasalen Red Rose. Picture: Gareth Chaney 

The Bailey's Champion Cow Competition returns to this year’s Virginia Show on August 21.

The all-island competition is held annually as part of the show in Co Cavan. It rewards excellence in quality milk production and all aspects of functional cow conformation.

The competition has been sponsored by drinks company Diageo Ireland in partnership with its cream supplier Tirlán, previously Glanbia, since 1983.

Entry to the competition is open to members of both the Irish Holstein Friesian Association and Holstein Northern Ireland. 

The competition’s top accolade comes with a €3,000 cash prize.

The breeders of reserve champion and honourable mention will receive €1,500 and €800 respectively.

Additionally, the event will feature numerous other categories, including junior cows in their second lactation, with a total prize fund of €1,550. 

The popular best-heifer-in-milk category will also offer €1,550, with €750 awarded to the first-place winner.

'Hero' ingredient

Attending the event's launch in Dublin recently, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue congratulated those involved in the long-standing supply chain relationship centred on Bailey's "hero" raw ingredient, Irish dairy cream.

"This annual event is a standout moment in the year to celebrate Ireland’s grass-fed dairy breeding practices," the minister said.

Our dairy industry is key to the national and local economy and helps to produce some of Ireland’s most iconic food and drink products that are celebrated and enjoyed all over the world. 

"It is an industry we are extremely proud of, and this competition marks the skill, care, and attention that our dairy farmers display."

Diageo Ireland corporate relations director Shane Kelly added: "Every day consumers reap the rewards of the incredible network of farmers engaged in the dairy ingredient supply chain for Baileys. 

"The Bailey's Champion Cow Competition is an annual spotlight on Irish dairy farmers and the hard work and dedication they put into the breeding excellence of their herds. The competition offers an opportunity for this work to be acknowledged on a national scale."