IHFA Open Day 2011

Charles Gallagher CE reports on Clonpaddin Open Day 2011

Large Crowds, Sunshine & Showers at the IHFA Open Day 0n the Summer Soltice

The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) Open Day was held   on June 21st, mid Summers day, at the Hurley family farm near  Arklow, Co Wicklow.

Accents from North and South  and as far away as New Zealand could be heard among the large crowd of over 3,000 in attendance.  Charles Gallagher ,chief executive and Tony Jackson president of IHFA welcomed everyone to the Open day.

The official opening was performed by Shane Mc Entee TD.minister of State at the DAFF. Prior to this Andrew Doyle TD ,Wicklow did the honours at the official launch.

Despite the early morning rain the day cleared and there was a jovial atmosphere among the spectators and competitors in the National Stock Judging and Macra competitions. There were workshops on farm safety sponsored by FBD Insurance plus demos on hoof paring by FRS Network and grass measurement and reseeding techniques and benefits by Teagasc.  After the National stock judging competition Garry Hurley presented cows from the Top families at Clonpaddin to include the Jills, Fantas, Chrisi and Susie Mist. Spectators were awe stuck by the quality of the stock. This was reflected in the prices paid for young stock bred from these cow families later in the evening.

It was a family day out with Volunteer members of the Slaney Friesian Breeders Club distributing over 3,000 cups of coffee & tea and a range of tasty sandwiches to visitors.  Ice cream was sponsored by Downe Syndrome Ireland and water by Arklow special Olympic club with donations going to these worthy charities.

The open day was well attended by milk producers, pedigree breeders, trade, Macra na Feirme , Teagasc personnel and the Agri –media.  55 commercial firms and organisations had stands. These included ABS Ireland, Alltech, Bolgers, Dairymaster, DeLaval, Dovea, Duggan Steel, Eurogene, FBD, Greenvale, Keenan, Lely Robotics, National Dairy Council, Osmonds, Packo Fullwood, Progressive Genetics, Volac etc.

Presentations:

IHFA competitions included National Herds competition (winter & spring calving -under and over 70 categories), and National Stock judging (under 18 plus 18-30 age group), all attracted huge interest as did the EBI and the Gold and Diamond awards.

Clonpaddin Sale:

As part of the IHFA Open Day events on farm, a special sale of 30 deep pedigreed Heifers took place representing the best cow families on the Hurley family’s Clonpaddin farm.

The standard of dairy cattle on display was excellent and the sale attracted huge interest from Northern & Southern breeders interested in quality stock and embryos from this award winning Holstein Herd.

A very large crowd witnessed a fast trade for heifers with 26 heifers selling to average 2763 Euro. The sale’s top price was 5,500gns for Clonpaddin G Famme ET a January 2010 Gen-Mark Stmatic Sanchez daughter of Cradenhill Linjet Fame (EX93-2E).This heifer was claimed by a Co. Clare breeder.

Her dam, Cradenhill Linjet Fame was All-Ireland Junior Cow Champion at Charleville Show and was also Reserve Champion at Baileys & Millstreet. Five other full sisters to the high priced heifer sold all born March & April 2011 and they sold between 2,550gns & 3,700gns and averaged 3,100gns.

Two similar aged full brothers sold at 800gns each and 4 frozen embryos from Linjet Fame sold to average 510gns each.

In total Linjet Fame’s progeny grossed 24,690 Euro in the sale making a very sound return on an initial investment of 5,200gns !

Pedigree Herd  established at Clonpaddin

This is the third generation of the Hurley Family to farm Clonpaddin.  The first generation started farming there in 1945.  Initially tillage was the main farming enterprise but after several bad years it was decided to try Dairy.

The herd was first established  as a pedigree Friesian herd in 1954 by John Hurley when he registered the “Clonpaddin” prefix. John is still actively involved with farming cows with his sons Garry and Patrick.  John  is a founder member of the Slaney Club, which was formed in September 1976.  He is currently President of the Club and has been since 1997.

He established the herd with the purchase of two pedigree cows, one being ”Craigiehock Jackie Beata” from which the “Jill” family was developed. More than a third of the cows today in the herd of 100 cows are “Jills”

The herd was further developed by John and his sons Garry and Patrick, with purchases from Canada. In 1991 they purchased the “Chrissie” family from the “Quality” herd and the “Monas” from “Newlands”.  These purchases proved successful and later bloodlines of the “Heavenly Joys”, ”Susie Mist”, “Fantas” from the “Brilea herd”, tracing back to “Quietcove”, and “Robin” from “Stanhope” were added.

Other purchases from Irish herds were the “Carmen’s” from “Ballyboy”, “Fame” from “Cradenhill”, “Mimi” from “Grangecon”, “Damsel” from “Cunniamstown”.

The breeding philosophy at Clonpaddin is to breed “Longlasting” cows through building cow families that are a correct balance  of  Production and Type. The breeding goal is medium size cows with the dairy strength,udders that last and feet and legs with the the correct locomotion as cows have to walk  over long distances.  Top AI bulls with positive Linear Conformation from proven cow families, EBI and excellent fertility is used in the herd.  Best practice in breeding of Pedigree Registration, Classification and Milk recording has been the hallmark since the foundation of the herd.

The Hurleys are great supporters of local and national shows and  indeed have taken the top accolades on many occassions.

Clonpaddin SYG Jill & Cradenhill Linjet Fame – Junior & Senior Heifer in Milk, Millstreet 2005 (which is a record)

Cradenhill Linjet Fame, winner of the All Ireland Junior Cow, Charleville, Reserve in Baileys & Millstreet in 2007.

Winner of Maide of Avonmore 2008 with Croagh Susie Mist

Winner of Maide of Avonmore 2010 with Clonpaddin Jet Jolly

The  Clonpaddin herd is noted for quality cattle  developed through “cow families” and sales of stock  is an important feature of the family farm business.  Grassland Management is a key factor in profitability on the farm and the aim is to have quality grass available from turnout to mid November. The farm location on heavy (Macamore) soils poses particular problems in wet year, requiring the herd to have good feet & legs as they walk long distances to the paddocks. The Hurleys strategy is to use modern scientific measurement to maximize grass utilization and are assisted by their Teagasc Advisor  Michael Aylemore.

The farm runs to approx 150 acres with 100 cows supplying Liquid Milk to Glanbia.  In the Winter the herd is  fed  a TMR of grass silage, maize, brewers grains, molasses and mineral balance.

The herd average:  9473kgs    3.72%F    3.21%Pr    381 days with 95% of the herd classified VG or EX.  Garry and Pat are members of the “Redcross” Discussion group and Slaney Holstein Friesian Club.

Editors Note

Holstein cows owned by the Hurley family include Clonpaddin SYG Jill & Cradenhill Linjet Fame – won the Junior & Senior Heifer in Milk, National Dairy show, Millstreet in 2005 (which is a record).

Cradenhill Linjet Fame was the winner of the All Ireland Junior Cow at Charleville Show, Reserve in the Bailey’s cow at Virginia Show & at the National Dairy show, Millstreet in 2007.

At the Emerald Expo in Kilkenny last April their cow Clonpaddin GWY Fanta ET was the winner of the KW Forage 4 year old cow in Milk, Best Exhibitor Bred Animal & Reserve Champion of the Show.

They also won the Maid of Avonmore in 2008 with Croagh Susie Mist and Maid of Avonmore in 2010 with Clonpaddin Jet Jolly.  The herd average is an impressive   9473kgs  (9200 litres or over 2000 gallons – twice the national average) at  3.72% butterfat ,   3.21% protein and lactation length is  381 days with 95% of the herd classified as VG (Very Good) or EX.  (Excellent)

They supply almost one Million litres of liquid milk to Glanbia and  their cows  featured in the Hollywood film Leap Year  a romantic comedy directed by Anand Tucker which  stars Amy Adams and Matthew Goode.  Indeed many of these Clonpaddin ladies are film stars as they have also featured on TV adverts made at Ardmore Studios for Kerrymaid and for Budweiser in Germany.

Testimonials from stands at the Hurley Family Farm Open Day 2011

“I just want to compliment the IHFA and the Hurley Family for putting on a great show in Clonpaddin on mid summers day. The day was filled with people in good humour, enjoying all the various features of the day and all contributing to a great atmosphere.
Very impressive day out!”  Darragh Killoran, Area Representitive.     FBD Insurance plc

“The IHFA open day was a great opportunity for our company. It brought together a captive audience interested in what we have to offer – cutting edge nutrition, on farm consultancy and quality feed. The day was a great success. Dairy farmers had plenty of time to visit our stand at their leisure, ask questions and see first-hand how we formulate diets to individual requirements”.
Peter Bolger,  Bolger Feeds

“The IHFA Open Day at Hurleys had a large number of progressive milk producers. Gary Hurley’s herd looked very impressive. The trade stand areas gave farmers the opportunity to get answers to many issues they have on farm. These included SCC management strategies and dairy hygiene programmes that keep TBC’s & TCM’ (Trichloromethanes) low. Also, we found farmers to be very interested in our animal handling equipment that simplifies dosing, tagging, bolussing and general animal handling.”
Michael O Grady, Marketing  Manager,  Osmonds.

The IHFA Open Day at Hurleys Family farm was a good day, there was a great atmosphere on the farm and a lot of quality queries gathered on the day-  Brian O Rourke,  Duggan Steel

The IHFA open day at Clonpaddin was a great success and a credit to the Hurley family and all involved. It was great to meet so many farmers looking to get the most out of their cows. There was big interest in our molassed beet pulp and our specialised calf rations as farmers discussed the importance of longevity in cows and developing the young calf well. Greenvale Animal Feeds

This is the third generation of the Hurley Family to farm Clonpaddin.  The first generation started farming there in 1945.  Initially tillage was the main farming enterprise but after several bad years it was decided to try Dairy.

The herd was first established  as a pedigree Friesian herd in 1954 by John Hurley when he registered the “Clonpaddin” prefix. John is still actively involved with farming cows with his sons Garry and Patrick.

John  is a founder member of the Slaney Club, which was formed in September 1976.  He is currently President of the Club and has been since 1997.

He established the herd with the purchase of two pedigree cows, one being ”Craigiehock Jackie Beata” from which the “Jill” family was developed. More than a third of the cows today in the herd of 100 cows are “Jills”

The herd was further developed by John and his sons Garry and Patrick, with purchases from Canada. In 1991 they purchased the “Chrissie” family from the “Quality” herd and the “Monas” from “Newlands”.  These purchases proved successful and later bloodlines of the “Heavenly Joys”, ”Susie Mist”, “Fantas” from the “Brilea herd”, tracing back to “Quietcove”, and “Robin” from “Stanhope” were added.
Other purchases from Irish herds were the “Carmen’s” from “Ballyboy”, “Fame” from “Cradenhill”, “Mimi” from “Grangecon”, “Damsel” from “Cunniamstown”.

The breeding philosophy at Clonpaddin is to breed “Longlasting” cows through building cow families that are a correct balance  of  Production and Type. The breeding goal is medium size cows with the dairy strength,udders that last and feet and legs with the the correct locomotion as cows have to walk  over long distances.  Top AI bulls with positive Linear Conformation from proven cow families, EBI and excellent fertility is used in the herd.  Best practice in breeding of Pedigree Registration, Classification and Milk recording has been the hallmark since the foundation of the herd.

The Hurleys are great supporters of local and national shows and  indeed have taken the top accolades on many occassions.

Clonpaddin SYG Jill & Cradenhill Linjet Fame – Junior & Senior Heifer in Milk, Millstreet 2005 (which is a record)

Cradenhill Linjet Fame, winner of the All Ireland Junior Cow, Charleville, Reserve in Baileys & Millstreet in 2007.

Winner of Maide of Avonmore 2008 with Croagh Susie Mist

Winner of Maide of Avonmore 2010 with Clonpaddin Jet Jolly

The  Clonpaddin herd is noted for quality cattle  developed through “cow families” and sales of stock  is an important feature of the family farm business.

Grassland Management is a key factor in profitability on the farm and the aim is to have quality grass available from turnout to mid November. The farm location on heavy (Macamore) soils poses particular problems in wet year, requiring the herd to have good feet & legs as they walk long distances to the paddocks. The Hurleys strategy is to use modern scientific measurement to maximize grass utilization and are assisted by their Teagasc Advisor  Michael Aylemore.

The farm runs to approx 150 acres with 100 cows supplying Liquid Milk to Glanbia.

In the Winter the herd is  fed  a TMR of grass silage, maize, brewers grains, molasses and mineral balance.

The herd average:  9473kgs    3.72%F    3.21%Pr    381 days

with 95% of the herd classified VG or EX.

Garry and Pat are members of the “Redcross” Discussion group and Slaney Holstein Friesian Club.

The farm is located adjacent to the N11, situated between Arklow Town, 4 miles out from the roundabout North bound and Jack White’s Pub.

Tel.: Garry 086 1655772, Patrick 086 1603364, Farm Phone 0402 32366

Everyone is Welcome on 21st June!