All Ireland Photographic Competition 2021

To assist with breed promotion throughout the summer months in the absence of summer shows, IHFA invited entries for a new competition initiative – All Ireland Photo Competition.

Members were invited to photograph their top animals and submit their chosen photograph along with a completed application form.  There were ten classes in total, based on age, including two Pure Friesian classes, in keeping with the class schedule of the All-Ireland Awards.

An open competition, members across the country had an equal opportunity of participation. With the almost ubiquitous possession of mobile phones having a very high standard of camera the photographic competition is a further avenue of breed promotion available at everyone’s fingertips. Having a photographic gallery on file is always a useful and valuable resource for breed promotion. For breeders the marketing potential when offering stock for sale is always enhanced with photographs!

The competition conditions included that animal to be photographed unhaltered, clipping of head, tail and udder was permitted but not body clipped. Heifers and cows in-milk to be photographed in ¾ rear view only with side-view photographs only for the calf classes.

An independent judging panel then adjudicated the entries received, with the top photos placed in order of preference.

The respective class winners of the competition were invited to a function in early November where the results were announced and prizes were presented.

Unfortunately, due to Covid we were restricted as to numbers attending. Details of the top three in each class as follows;