IHFA Awards Night – Gold & Diamond and YMA Awards 2016

The IHFA Awards Night took place at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois on Friday 24th of February. This year the awards were presented by the Executive Director of Agri-Aware, Deirdre O’Shea. Among the awards presented were the All Ireland Awards for 2016, covering nine classes; the YMA Awards, which include Club of the Year, President’s Medal, Hall of Fame and Photographic Competition; the IHFA Gold and Diamond Awards and introduced the first recipient of the all new IHFA Champion Cow Award. For more on this click here.

IHFA Gold and Diamond Awards were presented by Jim Ryan, Chief Commercial Officer, FBD, to Brian Lyons, Michael Hickey, Tom & James Kelly, Michael McDonald, Richard Hellen, Michael Coleman and Trevor Lockhart on the night. FBD are sponsors of the Gold and Diamond Awards. A Gold Award is presented for a cow who has produced 3,000kg of protein in her lifetime. A Diamond Award is presented for a cow who has produced 3,000kg of protein in her lifetime and is Classified Excellent on Conformation. A full list of Gold and Diamond Awards recipients will be published in the IHFA Spring Journal due to be distributed in April 2017.

YMA Awards announced & presented at IHFA All Ireland Awards

Presidents Medal – Laura Sinnott
Special merit award for YMA age member (up to 26 years of age) who has served the Young Members with distinction of service including performance in YMA events.
Clubs are invited to nominate a candidate with a shortlist selected for interview by IHFA President & C.E.

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On Top Of the World by Kayla Tarpey, Winner of the 2017 YMA Photographic Competition

Hall Of Fame – Maria Burke
Recognition award for an individual outside of YMA age that has greatly helped and contributed to Young Members success over the years.
This contribution on behalf of Young Members reflects contribution at club level and clubs submit a nomination outlining the credentials of each candidate.

Photographic Competition – Kayla Tarpey
Photography is an important skill to develop and plays a part in the promotion of cattle breeding.
The photography competition aims to develop and improve the necessary skills.
Throughout the year there are countless opportunities to capture unique photo opportunities on the farm.
Young Members while involved and active on the farm have the opportunity to seize and capture the moment.

Club of the Year – Breffni Oriel
This award reflects participation and achievement in YMA events and competitions during the year.
It is a club award recognising team effort and the varied skills that exists within clubs.
Team performance, skills and achievements learnt by Young Members will stand them in good stead for the future.