The 33rd Diageo Baileys cow competition took place on one of the finest days of the year with record crowds attending the Virginia Show’s 75th year. The €10,000 competition took centre stage in the main area where crowds of four and five deep surrounded the large ring.

Kevin Wilson, who runs a 400-head Holstein herd in Cumbria, England, was given the honour of judging the prestigious event.

He found his champion in Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 from Philip and Linda Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford, who goes home with the top prize of €2,500. This Khw Kite Adventred-sired cow is no stranger to the show ring having picked up the champion at the spring show in Virginia earlier this year and reserve overall at Balmoral 2016, as well as best exhibitor bred and reserve overall at Millstreet in previous years.

Now calved nearly 12 months last year, Advent Twizzle 3 gave 15,080kg of milk of which 1,659kg were solids. The five-year-old has bred a number of daughters already with one being exported to Germany and another to Italy, which this year secured a first prize at the European championships in France just last month.

Reserve honours

The reserve honours also went to Leinster, with Evergreen Duplex Ebony securing the reserve sash for breeders Liam and Sandra Murphy, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. She is a prolific show cow, having secured the reserve championship in Tullamore last year, as well as being named champion at the Balmoral winter fair. She also claimed one better than last year at this competition where she was given the honourable mention. The Mesland Duplex daughter gave over 10,000kg in her last lactation with 3.12% protein.

Other competitions

Honourable mention on the day went to Patrick Colten, Emyvale, Co Monaghan, with Ardnasalem Baltimore Robin. Sired by Regancrest Baltimor and out of Texel Beauty AHL Robin, she gave over 12,000kg comprising 3.27% protein in her last lactation.

Four other competitions took place in line with the event, which included the top EBI award, protein cow award and a first calver and dry class award. Claiming top spot in the protein class was Mike Magan, Co Longford. His Wilcoxview Jasper-sired cow Weepingash Jasper Appoint last year milked 16,386kg of milk with 3.48% protein. The highest EBI cow on show, with a value of €181, was Louth cow Monamore McC Margot from James and T Kelly, Drogheda.

Last year’s overall champion was out in front again this year for the dry cow class. Laurelmore Duplex Impala from John Barrett, Togher, Co Cork, took top spot in the class of four.

In the first calver class, it was Wicklow man Garry Hurley who was triumphant with Clonpaddin Winbrook Fame.

Read more

Big week in the pedigree world

Virginia Show: ‘Huge interest’ in EU milk supply cut scheme – Hogan