IHFA AGM 2024

Richard Hamilton hands over the IHFA Chain of Office to incoming President John O’Sullivan

It was a great honor and privilege to be elected as IHFA President last May at the AGM in Birr. This took me to a great number of events throughout the year starting with the Judge`s Conference in Kerry. We then had the Pure Frie­sian Open day in June hosted by Gearoid Maher & family, Killuragh herd, Cappamore, Co. Limerick followed by IHFA Open in July on fellow club member Peter and Mary Ging`s farm, Ballyclider herd, Portlaoise we were blessed with the weather and crowds on both days. The FBD National Live­stock Show in Tullamore in August was the next event. It was off then to Virgina in Co, Cavan for the Diageo Bailey`s Championship towards the end of the month, again the weather looked after us on the day. Next event was the Dairy Show in Millstreet, this brought the Show season to a close in the south of Ireland for 2023.

After getting a kind invitation during the summer from John Martin of Holstein N.I to attend their Prestation Awards night in Ballymena. I travelled North in November and had a very enjoyable night and ensured them all that they were very welcome to come down with a stock judging team for our Open Day and a team of handlers for the National Calf Show.

At the end of November, the C.E, Chairman, two office staff and myself travelled to France to attend the World Holstein Friesian Federation two day conference as the IHFA repre­sentatives. Some interesting research papers were shared with the delegates over the two days.

My last event for 2023 was to attend the R.U.A.S. Winter Fair in Lisburn just before Christmas.

The new year started off with the IHFA awards function which took place on January 26th in Portlaoise. I was de­lighted to attend the Pedigree Cattle Breeders Council All Star Awards function on Sunday February 11th which also took place in Portlaoise. The IHFA recipient was John and Bryan O`Connor, Bawnmore herd Kanturk, Co. Cork. Con­gratulations also to Mervyn Eager who was presented with the Pedigree Cattle Breeders Council Lifetime achievement award for his service to the Pedigree Cattle Breeders in the past.

The 2024 show season started off again in April with Em­erald Expo in Virgina Co.Cavan, I would like to commend all the exhibitors on the high class of stock that I witnessed at the shows throughout the year and indeed all the Y.M.A members who participated in the handling classes and YMA workshops during my time in office. I want to thank Aisling Neville (now farming in Moate with her husband Shane Ken­ny) for hosting a very well attended YMA work shop in April, there was also one held in Gurteen College last Autumn. It is these young people which are the future of our Association and we must give them all the support that we can, and in that regard, we acknowledge the guidance and skills which the older and past members of the YMA past down to these young people. I would also like to congratulate all the YMA members who represented the YMA aboard at Shows and did us proud as an Association.

 

 

 

The last event of my term as President was the May bank holiday Sunday night where I attended the All Ireland Hall of Fame Awards night in Athlone and the IHFA winner was fellow club member Tommy Finlay of Tullamore.

In 2023 we didn`t attend the Ploughing Match but instead had a group of Focus Farms which were followed on Na­tional & IHFA media. On September 15th one of the farms (Kevin & Martina Flynn`s Reary Herd, Clonaslee, Co.Laois) opened their farm to the public. All six focus farmers gave individual presentations about their farms & herd perfor­mance on the day. The weather was not in our favour on this day but thanks to ample good cow housing we were able to host it indoors on the day.

This year the IHFA Annual Bull Show and Sale was held in Kilmallock along with an inaugural elite calved Heifer sale, both sections were well supported and demand for quality stock was well rewarded with nearly a 100% clearance on the day.

As President I would like to thank all members and their fam­ilies who hosted Open Days and indeed club Field evenings for their clubs throughout the year and the great hospitality given by all and the generous sponsorship that we receive from different companies and organisations for running all our events throughout the year.

During my term as President Elect and President I attended board meetings and I got to see the amount of time and work that goes into the running of the Association and I would like to thank all the board members, along with the IHFA staff (office and field) and the C.E for their commit­ment and management of the association.

At this stage I want to thank Jon Parry (Principal) and fellow staff of Gurteen College for allowing me take time off dur­ing the year for me to be your President of 23/24.

I would also like to acknowledge my mother and brother who farm in Co.Carlow for me not being there some week­ends to help out.

I truly enjoyed the year attending functions and meeting new faces.

I would now like to wish the incoming President and Presi­dent Elect the very best of luck for the coming year.