Baileys Champion Dairy Cow 2012 Report
Munster cows take top two prizes at 2012 Baileys Irish Champion Cow Competition at the Virginia Show
Two Munster cows, one from Co. Limerick and the other from Co. Cork took the top two prizes at the prestigious 2012 Baileys® Irish Champion Competition which was held on 22 August at the Virginia Agricultural Show in Co Cavan. Pat and Derek Frawley from Rathkeale in Co. Limerick won the top title with Ridgefield Dundee Portea, whilst last year’s Champion Cow, Dalevalley OT1 J Lulu, owned by Eugene and Sean Murphy from Waterfall in Co. Cork was declared this year’s Reserve Champion. This makes it four consecutive years of Baileys Champion Cow awards for Munster farmers at the competition. Their win marks four consecutive years of Champion Cow success for Munster cows at ‘the Baileys’.
Other prizes were awarded in specialist categories for breeders who included Richard Whelan from Clonard, Co. Meath. Richard was awarded Honourable Mention, Best Protein and Reserve EBI with his cow, Addishottle EX92. His other cow, Ardboy Snowdrop won best EBI prize. 1st prize in the Best Heifer in Milk category went to John and Gary Hurley from Arklow, Co. Wicklow for their cow, Clonpaddin Gus Fame.
Widely acknowledged as Ireland’s most prestigious dairy livestock event, the €9,000 prize contest is sponsored by Baileys® Irish Cream and its cream supplier Glanbia Ingredients. Irish Minister of State for Agriculture, Shane McEntee T.D., presented the prizes alongside Alan Quane of R&A Bailey & Co and Glanbia Chairman Liam Herlihy. Minister McEntee said, “This event grows in stature every year. With 2015 opening up challenges and opportunities for Irish agriculture, it is vital that we have strong export brands and companies such as Diageo and Glanbia to lead the way in new international markets for Irish agri food & drink.”
Glanbia Chairman Liam Herlihy added: “These top Irish cows are producing milk for Baileys which ends up all over the world so this competition is an excellent showcase for our dairy produce.”
Champion: Ridgefield Dundee Portea – Pat & Derek Frawley, Croagh, Co. Limerick
Reserve: Dalevalley OTI J Lulu – Eugene & Sean Murphy, Waterfall, Co. Cork
Hon Mention: Northlake Farms Addishottle – Richard Whelan, Clonard, Co. Meath
EBI Award: Ardboy Shottle Snowdrop – Richard Whelan, Clonard, Co. Meath
Protein Award: Northlake Farms Addishottle – Richard Whelan, Clonard, Co. Meath
Dry Cow Champion: Greenlea Shottle Roxy – Padraigh Greenan, Co. Monaghan
Reserve Dry Cow: Clonpaddin GWY Fanta – John & Garry Hurley, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
Champion Heifer: Clonpaddin Gus Fame – John & Garry Hurley, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
Reserve Heifer: Baldonnel Spirite Sylvia – Cyril Dowling & Neil Garrigan, Dublin
YMA Showmanship League:
Under 16: 1. Andrea Rafferty 2. Brian Corley 3. Adrian Allen
Over 16: 1. Edwin Gaynor 2. Cormac Watterson 3. Ann Maree Manley
