Congratulations to Neal Pepper and his four year old Holstein Friesian cow, Sahara Goldwyn Ambrosia, who was crowned the he Diageo Baileys® Irish Champion! Awarded by the company Diageo, which owns the world’s top selling liqueur brand, Baileys, the competition was held in Ireland.
The competition took place at the Virginia Agricultural Show, in Co. Cavan – which is home to Diageo’s cream supplier, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Virginia, co-sponsor of the event. The competition celebrated its 30th Anniversary this year and rewards good body conformation with proven excellence in milk production. It is only the second time that a Northern Ireland breeder has won the top title, the first time being its inaugural year in 1983. Co Down breeders, Ivan and Louise Robinson from outside Newtownards also won Best Protein Award.
Last year’s winner, Ridgefield Dundee Portea owned by Pat and Derek Frawley from Rathkeale Co. Limerick was declared Reserve Champion and other prizes were awarded in specialist categories for breeders that travelled to Virginia from as far afield as Co Cork and Co Wexford to compete.
Widely acknowledged as Ireland’s most prestigious dairy livestock event attracting the super-elite of the Holstein Friesian breed, the top awards in the €10,000 prize fund were presented by the the Irish Minister for Agriculture Food & the Marine, Simon Coveney T.D. who said: “‘The annual Diageo Baileys Champion Cow Competition held in conjunction with Glanbia Ingredients Ireland represents a highlight of the Agriculture show calendar. The production of Baileys from milk supplied from 1,500 carefully selected family farms is a phenomenal success story. Irish dairy farmers are the cornerstone of the success of Baileys and I commend the unique partnership of all involved”
International judge of this year’s competition was Lynden Bustard from Devon who had the tough task of selecting the winner. Commenting on the calibre of Irish dairy breeding, he said the winner was ‘the epitome of perfection for Holstein youthfulness’.
Source: Diageo