FBD National Hall of Fame Award 2023

Bobbie can recall milking cows by hand as a young boy at his home farm in the foothills of the Dublin mountains. The RDS Spring Show was a “Mecca” for the agricultural sector and as a regular visitor even as a young boy Bobbie’s fascination was always the livestock on display, especially the dairy cows. Little did he think then that one day he would be appointed by the RDS as commentator of the livestock section.

Ganly & Sons Auctioneers introduced Bobbie to commercial livestock trading, where we worked as a clerk from age 14. Compiling the catalogue for the dispersal sale of the Bracklyn Friesian herd of Captain J R McCarthy in the 1960’s was a seminal bookmark in Bobbie’s professional career. The Bracklyn herd from Westmeath was renowned as one of the foremost registered Friesian herds in Ireland at the time. It was also one of the largest herds, consisting of 300 cows. Mrs. McCarthy who had a tremendous knowledge and deep passion for the breed left an indelible impression on Bobbie. She imbued upon him a sharp knowledge and fulsome appreciation of the importance of cow families and bloodlines. This ethos continues to this very day; “The gene is always there; it may not be evidently expressed in every generation however its presence and potential to influence persists”.

Having relocated to Cavan, Bobbie joined the local Breffni Oriel Friesian breeders club. Bobbie believes the IHFA club structure is an important vehicle to foster knowledge transfer and to provide a forum for Holstein Friesian breeders on a local basis. Bobbie’s standing and regard as an authority on the Black and White breed was such that he was appointed as a local breeding consultant with the AI organisation Cattle Breeders Services Ireland (CBS). In this role Bobbie became acquainted with a large number of progressive dairy farmers throughout the Northern half of the country.

In 1994 Bobbie joined the staff of the IHFA. Working closely with Chief Executive Kevin Dillon and all the IHFA staff Bobbie was employed as a Field Development Officer. Possessing a first-rate knowledge of the breed along with a most practical approach including an inexhaustible patience, Bobbie’s warm and engaging personality helped hundreds of dairy farmers to grade up their herds to attain IHFA Pedigree status.

In an era where technology was very primitive compared to today, Bobbie’s professionalism and lifetime wisdom ensured that the paper trail of breeding records maintained by individual farmers was realised into added value for their herds in attaining Pedigree status. Travelling extensively to cover a large geographic area of numerous counties was a major undertaking, accomplished without fuss. Bobbie was the face of IHFA to many new members and their positive interaction with Bobbie set many, many members up to go on to enjoy a lifetime’s fulfilled involvement with pedigree Holstein Friesian breeding. He provided tremendous assistance to many IHFA clubs including Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, West Midlands, North Eastern and Breffni Oriel.

Following a stellar career with IHFA Bobbie retired in 2008.

Congratulations to Bobbie on his National Hall of Fame lifetime achievement award.