Calling all registered Holstein breeders in Ireland – your best show cow could be the next Baileys® Irish Champion Dairy Cow! Be sure to enter the competition for a chance to win this coveted title.
Pedigree Holstein Friesian breeders across the island of Ireland are being invited to compete for the top title of ‘Baileys Champion Cow’ which attracts a prize of €2,000 along with the Virginia Milk Products trophy. €650 will be awarded to the breeder of the ‘Reserve Champion’. In an enhanced Best Heifer in Milk prize fund of €1,700, 1st place attracts a prize of €500, 2nd place will be awarded €300, and €200 will go to 3rd place. In addition, €100 will be awarded to entrants from 4th to 10th place inclusively. Trophies will also be presented for Highest Protein Content, Best EBI and Best Exhibitor-Bred Cow. The Virginia Show, in Co. Cavan which celebrates its 70th Anniversary this year will once again play host to this prestigious event on Saturday 30 July.
To enter cows must first have produced 500kgs of butterfat and protein in a 305 day lactation (except for the heifer in milk awards). A 10% extra weighting is being given to the protein portion of the entry standard. Entrants are required to complete an entry form which this year should include a recent full body picture of their cow in electronic format. For further enquiries and to obtain an entry form contact Brendan Smyth, Competition Director on ++ 353 (0)87 2560952 or bsmyth@glanbia.ie
Baileys has been sponsoring the competition in association with its cream supplier, Glanbia Ingredients since 1983. Approximately 250 million litres of milk per year are needed to make Baileys which equates to the annual output of about 40,000 dairy cows.