The best cattle he had ever seen at any American or European dairy show, was the fulsome tribute paid by Canadian Donald Dubois after he judged last week’s Emerald Expo 2012 show in Kilkenny.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney (and his daughter Beth) were on hand to congratulate Pat and Derek Frawley, from Croagh, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, and their cow handler Stephen McLoughlin, when they won the prestigious Maverick Golden Vale Cup, presented by Kerry Agri Business at Charleville Agricultural Show last weekend.