Cork
Cork Committee 2022
| Chairman | Ivor Bryan | 086 3871422 | |
| Secretary | Richard Geary | 087 9099589 | richgeary@yahoo.com |
| Treasurer | Matthew Walsh | 087 1390342 | |
| PRO | Alan Buttimer | 086 4012687 | pro.chfc@gmail.com alanbuttimer@hotmail.com |
| President | Pat Ahern |
Club Notes – Winter 2021
The Cork Holstein Friesian Club is back in business…..well mostly!! Since the last edition of the IHFA Journal, we are delighted to announce that our in-person meetings have resumed. We have also held various outdoor club events and saw the welcome return of our annual herds competition awards night (all within Covid guidelines pertaining at the time). It is evident from the resumption of these occasions, the importance of the social aspect of club life with long conversations and catch ups with friends and fellow breeders at these outings. Looking forward, ideas and suggestions are already floating around for next year’s programme of events as the club resumes more normal activity. But, before then, the clubs AGM will be held in December. As always, all the latest club news and information can be found on social media by searching ‘Cork Holstein Friesian Club’.
Alan Buttimer PRO.
Annual Pedigree Breeding Bull Sale
The Cork Holstein Friesian Club held its annual pedigree breeding bull sale on Thursday, 8th of April. The sale took place online via marteye.ie, from Bandon mart. Usually in the past the event would have also included a show to choose a champion bull but due to covid restrictions at the time, this section was dropped for this year. On the day, a total of 16 bulls were offered for sale. These included bulls with EBI’s to €282, dams with yields to 10,060 kgs, fat to 5.88%, protein to 3.99%, and milk solids to 842kg. Also bulls from dams that have classified up to EX91.
Of the 16 bulls presented, 11 sold. This represented a clearance rate of 69%. The average price paid on the day was €2,313, with a top price of €3,100 paid for Lot 18, Radney Hasselbaink. This was a January 2020 born bull with an EX90 dam with yields of 10,060kg, 3.90% bf, 3.77% pr, 771kg ms.
The club would like to thank Bandon mart and all those involved for their work on the sale and we wish all the buyers the very best with their purchases. Hopefully, next year’s bull sale will also include a return of the show section.
Farm walk
A club farm walk took place at the Bolomore herd of Seamus and James Bourke, Mallow on the 14th of October. The Bourkes recently installed DeLaval milking robots. Those that attended on the day, got a detailed over view on how the robots were working on the farm and also viewed the Bolomore milking herd. Also in attendance on the day was guest speaker, Paddy
McCarthy, nutritionist. The event was well attended and people got a great overview of a very well organised farming enterprise. We would like to thank all those who attended, the Bourke family for hosting the event and also to Paddy McCarthy for his very informative presentation.
Cow Management and Information Videos
As mentioned in the last edition of the IHFA Journal, we ran a new online ‘Cow Management and Information’ video series. This was ran due to a lack of club meetings and field evenings in early summer. It involved guest speakers being invited to present a short video on a specific topic related to the day-to-day management of a modern dairy herd. The video series included the topics; quality silage, hoof maintenance and butterfat at grass. The club would like to thank Rachel McCarthy and Pat Coakley (quality silage), Adam Zsinko (hoof care) and John Molloy (butterfat at grass) for their time and expertise in presenting the video series. The full series is still available to view on the clubs Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Club Profile Videos
We have continued our club profile videos with a new series this year. During the summer we were delighted to visit the Kennedy family and their Glenrea herd. Club committee member, Martin farms in partnership with his wife Joan and son Michael in Bridestown, Glenville. They farm a total of 250 acres and have 145 milking cows. Last year, the cows averaged 8,500 litres at 626 kgs milk solids. 90% of the cows are calved in the spring with the remaining 10% calving in the autumn. There is also a selection of bulls kept for breeding each year. In their latest classification, they had 44 EX’s and 62 VG’s. One cow that stood out was Glenrea Dave Candy, in her 12th lactation, she is classified EX91 6E. She has 3 EX daughters, 2 EX granddaughters and 3 great granddaughters in the herd. The full video profile is available to view on the club’s social media pages.
We also had the pleasure of visiting the Landmark herd of Ivan and Steven Nagle near Mitchelstown. A superb herd of cows, on a very well managed farm was viewed on the day. The video is currently being edited and will be released soon. So, keep a look out in the near future!!
The club would like to thank both the Kennedy and Nagle families for making the video profiles possible. Thanks also to the sub-committee of James Crowley, Jason Helen and Alan Buttimer for putting the videos together along with SeanOg O’Flynn.
Stock Judging Afternoon
On Saturday the 18th of September the Cork Holstein Friesian Club teamed up with the Cork YMA to host a stock judging afternoon at the Mohoncross herd of Jerry and Mary Hegarty, Skibbereen. The day consisted of a stock judging competition, where competitors judged different classes of cows. This was followed by placings by the master judge and a brief description of each animal in the different classes by Jerry. A great day was had by all who attended. We even had a special appearance by Jerry and Mary’s daughter, Emily, to show us all her Olympic medal. Thanks to everyone who attended, to Rickey Barrett, our master judge for the day and especially to our hosts, Jerry and Mary Hegarty.
CHFC Olympic Connection
There was a Cork Holstein Friesian Club connection to the recent Olympic games held in Tokyo. The Irish rowing team that took bronze included Emily Hegarty. Emily is daughter of well-known club members, Jerry and Mary Hegarty who farm the Mohoncross herd of pedigree Holstein Friesians near Skibbereen. The club would like to congratulate Emily and the rest of the team on their fantastic achievement
Herds Competition
This summer there was the welcome return of the club’s herds competition after last year’s absence. In the same format as previous years, entrants were split into 5 different sections with prizes such as; best herd, protein %, best cow, best cow family, highest EBI, among others, for each section. Judging took place during June with results announced at the club’s awards night. A total of 58 herds competed this year over the five sections. The awards night took place on the 26th of October in the Cork International Hotel. A great social night was had by all. The club would like to thank all those who entered the competition this year and congratulate the winners. Also, a special thank you to our judges this year; Peter Ging, Michael McNamara, Noel Crowley, Henry O’Keeffe and Willie Sheehan for giving their time to travel and judge each herd. Thanks also to our sponsors, DairyGold, for their continued support of the competition and to the organising committee of Michael O’Sullivan, Martin Kennedy, Mark Kelleher, James Bourke and Pat Coveney for organising a very well run and enjoyable night. The list of winners for each section included;
Autumn/Spring A:
Overall Herd
1st Laurelelm – Ricky Barrett
2nd Ryefarm – Eddie O’Flynn & Family
3rd Eedy – Robert, Sylvia & Jason Helen
Best Cow
1st Ryefarm Paula 118 – Eddie O’Flynn & Family
2nd Seaview Missy 44 – Denis & Claire White
Best Heifer:
1st Eedy Sidekick Cinderella – Robert, Sylvia & Jason Helen
2nd Seaview Missy 131 – Denis & Claire White
Cow family:
1st Acclaim Family – Robert, Sylvia & Jason Helen
2nd Brilliant Family – Ricky Barrett
3 Cows 5 + Lactations:
1st Laurelelm – Ricky Barrett
2nd Ryefarm – Eddie O’Flynn & Family
Conformation Herd: Eedy – Robert, Sylvia & Jason Helen
Production Herd:
Laurelelm – Ricky Barrett
Protein % Herd: Ballydehob – Robert Shannon (3.66%)
EBI Herd: Ballydehob – Robert Shannon (EBI 188)
EBI Cow: Ballydehob Oman Mary (EBI 267) – Robert Shannon
Lifetime Production: Ballydehob OJI Trixie (9487kgs)
Lowest SCC Herd: Ringleader – Noel O Donovan (SCC 67)
Judges Prize: Noel O’Donovan.
Autumn/Spring B
Overall Herd:
1st Roovesmore – Donal Murphy
2nd Ibane – Michael Coleman
3rd Glenrea – Martin & Michael Kennedy
Best Cow:
1st Glenrea Rox Candy 2 – Martin & Michael Kennedy
2nd Annalicka DFW Ever – Donal Sweeney
Best Heifer:
1st Thehilltop Dora 71 – Ivor Bryan
2nd Moneygurran Dandelion 107 – James Crowley
Cow family:
1st Pasty – Michael Coleman
2nd Candy – Martin & Michael Kennedy
3 Cows 5 + Lactations:
1st Fountainstown – Nigel Bryan
2nd Roovesmore – Donal Murphy
Conformation Herd: Roovesmore – Donal Murphy, Ibane – Michael Coleman
Production Herd: Castleroberts – John Bourke
Protein % Herd: Mylawn – Michael Healy (3.68%)
Bolomore – Seamus Bourke (EBI 132)
Castlebiagh LWR Ruth – Michael Healy (EBI 248)
Lifetime Production Cow:
Castlerobert Lcx Emblem (8564kgs) – John Bourke
Whelfarm – Kieran Whelton (SCC 50)
Michael Kennedy.
Spring A
Overall Herd:
1st Milstreet – Denis Kiely
2nd Glenny – Daniel O’Leary
3rd Teapot – Robert Beamish
Best Cow:
1st Coppenrua WDZ Angleen – Noel Crowley
2nd Windyhill HZB Martina – Denis O’Donoughue
Best Heifer:
1st Ballyanihan Maura 1619 – Noel Shinnick
2nd Meadhill Franko Penny – Sean Keating
Cow family:
1st Dewberry – Denis Kiely
2nd Missy – Michael Murphy
3 Cows 5 + Lactations:
1st Coppeenrua – Noel Crowley
2nd Millstreet – Denis Kiely
Millstreet – Denis Kiely
Glenny – Daniel O’Leary
Coolmahon – Patrick Flynn (3.87%)
Windyhill – Denis O’Donoughue ( EBI 176)
Skehanagh Avril 200 – (EBI 273) Michael Murphy
Lifetime Production Cow:
Coolmahon Lilly Garbo – Patrick Flynn (7677 Kgs)
Meadhill – Sean Keating (SCC 66)
Noel Shinnick.
Autumn/Spring C
Overall Herd:
1st Landmark – Nagle Family
2nd Lakemarsh – Diarmuid & Dan Collins
3rd Massrock – Gerard Lehane
3rd Knockbrown – David O’Sullivan
Best Cow:
1st Landmark Emerald Pearl – Nagle Family
2nd Rearour Deman Flora – Niall Kelleher
Best Heifer:
1st Ballintotis Morgan DEO – John Shanahan
2nd Massrock Mohoncross Sunflower – Gerard Lehane
Cow family:
1st Fame – David O’Sullivan
2nd Posy – Nagle Family
3 Cows 5 Lactations +:
1st Landmark – Nagle Family
2nd Knockbrown – David O’Sullivan
Conformation Herd: Landmark – Nagle Family
Production Herd: Ballinespaig – Patrick Covney
Protein % Herd: Massrock – Gerard Lehane (3.56%)
EBI Herd: Lakemarsh – Diarmuid & Dan Collins (EBI 144)
EBI Cow: Massrock LWR Bess – Gerard Lehane (EBI 251)
Lifetime Production Cow: Lehenagh Onagh 57 – Richard Geary (6781 Kgs)
Lowest SCC Herd: Patrick Covney, Richard & Michael White (SCC 61)
Best New Entrant: Lehenagh – Richard Geary
Judges Prize: Diarmuid & Dan Collins.
Spring B
Overall Herd:
1st Keajack – Declan Keating
2nd Kilbrennan – Tom O’Driscoll
3rd Hanrahans – Eddie & Mathew Hanrahan
Best Cow:
1st Hanrahans DGC Sunray – Eddie & Mathew Hanrahan
2nd Curranure LHZ Ashling – Brian Falvey
Best Heifer:
1st Kilbrennan KKK MFX Alice – Tom O’Driscoll
2nd Geraghtown Hagley Louise 1646 – Jerry & Daniel O’Leary
Cow Family:
1st Ashling – Declan Keating
2nd Tessa – Austin Lynch
3 Cows 5 Lactations +:
1st Kilbrennan – Tom O’Driscoll
2nd Springpark – Mark Kelleher
Production Herd: Cloughroe – Denis O’Leary
Conformation Herd: Kilbrennan – Tom O’Driscoll
Protein % Herd: Clover – James O’Keeffe (3.77%)
EBI Herd: Browney – Thomas, John & Catherine Kearney (EBI 162)
EBI Cow: Curranure FR2235 Ashling 1070 (EBI 296) Brian Falvey
Lifetime Production Cow: Kilbreennan Sensation 20 (6781 KGS) Tom O’Driscoll
Lowest SCC Herd: Keajack Declan Keating (SCC 57)
Best New Entrant: Hanrahans Eddie & Mathew Hanrahan
Judges Prize: Becky Hynes.
