Paula Hynes: A new arrival at the Dairy Show
Paula Hynes, Aherla, Cork, sitting among her Jersey calves, Kalani and Glamour, with her grandaughter eight-week-old Fiadh, the youngest person at the 43rd National Dairy Show at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan
Last weekend we attended the AXA National Dairy Show in Millstreet and with a big team entered, there was lots of help required so the dream team were back to work with us.
Becky and Richard clipped the entire team on Tuesday and then they departed for the show on Wednesday morning. Four trailer loads of animals and two more trailers full of feed and equipment. It is easy to set up at a show when everyone knows the role they have to play, Pauric set up all the water drinkers and head cards along with neck chains, lime was raked into the sawdust bedding to lessen the risk of cows getting mastitis, Richard set up the clipping crate and Katherine set up our home from home kitchen. Once the animals arrived it was all hands on deck to get them washed, tops and tails brushed and animals fed. Thursday was an easier day, rest time for the animals, time to ensuring they were eating well and every animal was put through the clipping crate again to ensure they looked flawless for the show ring. Great credit to the show organizers who laid on better facilities this year for exhibitors and also organised a fantastic barbecue on the Thursday evening for all exhibitors.
