Diageo Baileys Champion Cow Competition 2015

[24th August 2015]: Diageo, the company behind the world’s top selling liqueur brand, Baileys, has ended this year’s search for Ireland’s finest Holstein Friesian dairy cows with Laurelmore Duplex Impala EX 96 crowned the Diageo Baileys® Irish Champion, owned by John Barrett from Togher Co. Cork. John also took third place in the Best-Heifer-in-Milk category with Laurelmore Shot Fayvor. The competition took place recently at the Virginia Agricultural Show in Co. Cavan, home to Diageo’s cream supplier, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Virginia, who co-sponsor the event. The competition dates back to 1983 and rewards strength and form in body conformation as well as proven excellence in quality milk production. Speaking after the event, Competition Director Brendan Smyth said, “The response from breeders was tremendous. 22 top cows and 11 heifers competed in total.”

The winning cow is in her 4th lactation and was in peak condition according to this year’s judge Edward Griffiths who said, “She’s everything a dairy farmer wants in a cow. Any dairy farmer would aspire to breed and own cows of this calibre for their sheer perfection in body strength.” He added that the competition had now become one of the most prestigious of its kind in Europe.

Baldonnel Goldwyn Sublime owned by Cyril Dowling from Baldonnel in Co. Dublin was declared Reserve Champion. Honorable Mention went to Liam and Sandra Murphy from Bagenalstown in Co. Carlow for their cow Evergreen Duplex Ebony and Conor McAufield from Co. Antrim took 4th place with his cow Clonpaddin MPW Jill VG 89. Other awards included Best Heifer in Milk winner, Patrick Colton from Co. Monaghan with Ardnasalem Fever Sarah; Best EBI winner, Tom Kelly from Co. Louth; and Best Protein Winner, Mike Magan from Co. Longford as well as Best Dry Cow Winner, Philip Jones from Co. Wexford with Hullow LHeros IndianInk EX 94.

Widely acknowledged as Ireland’s top dairy livestock event, attracting the super-elite of the Holstein Friesian breed, the top awards in the €10,000 prize fund were presented by Mairead McGuinness MEP, alongside Breffni O’Reilly, Quality Director for Diageo Ireland and Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Ltd. Chairman Henry Corbally. Speaking at the winners’ reception, Breffni O’Reilly said that the company’s production facilities in both Dublin and Mallusk “relied on a quality cream ingredient for its top selling liqueur brand Baileys and it was fitting that dairy breeding excellence should be recognised and celebrated through this competition.” Congratulating the entrants, Chairman of Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Henry Corbally said the company was delighted to be associated with yet another hugely successful ‘Baileys Cow’ competition at the Virginia Show. “I would like to congratulate the winners and all the exhibitors for a tremendous display of cows at a superbly organised show.” -ENDS-