The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) held its annual awards night in the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise last Friday night. These awards recognise stand-out animals in a number of classes for 2019. Presenting the awards this year was Glanbia chair Martin Keane. Ahead of the presentations, he gave a brief overlook of the industry and his outlook for the future.

“There has been €2bn invested by farmers and the dairy industry over the past five years. The county we currently stand in was paid €80m in 2019 on milk price. We cannot overlook the importance of agriculture in rural Ireland,” he said.

We cannot overlook the importance of agriculture in rural Ireland

“One of our biggest challenges is our preservation of our image. It’s incumbent we tell the story of farmers. It’s about family farms that strive for excellent animal welfare, up at night looking after calves.

“We must never lose that image of what we’re about and have been about for generations. The Irish image, what we have is very special and it cannot be replicated anywhere in the world. We need to preserve and promote the image we have.

“Environmental challenges are what we’ll have to face and we have to be sure the story is told in a balanced way. Emotive language has a negative effect on farmers, so we have to be sure the right information is getting out.”

All the information is saying there isn’t going to be a surge in supply

Speaking about milk price for the coming year, he added: “World production in 2019 has been moderate, with about a 1% increase. All the information is saying there isn’t going to be a surge in supply. This means they’re looking at a healthy balance of supply and demand. It’s a big world, but it’s a small place when it comes to economic activity.

“I can’t give cast-iron guarantees, but it’s looking a lot more positive than the years we have just gone through.”

Class 1 all-Ireland heifer born after 1 January 2019

  • Champion: Cahirmee Goldenway Marieka, owned by Patrick Smith, Doneraile, Co Cork.
  • Reserve: Sprucegrove Chief Harmonica, owned by Thomas Cahill, Corrandulla, Co Galway.
  • Hon mention: Leagh Kingdoc Pledge, owned by Timothy Fitzmaurice, Ballyduff, Co Kerry.

    • Class 2 all-Ireland heifer born between 1 July & 31 December 2018

  • Champion: Dalevalley GWY Aiko, owned by Roy Cromie, Castlefin, Co Donegal.
  • Reserve: Hallow Sol Twizzle, owned by Philip Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Hon mention: Cornboro Dempsey Rolls, owned by Brian Corley, Smithboro, Co Monaghan.

    • Class 3 all-Ireland heifer born between 1 January & 30 June 2018

  • Champion: Hallow Solomon Twizzle 3 ET, owned by Philip Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Reserve: Sprucegrove Awesome Bar, owned by Keypoint Holsteins, Tuam, Co Galway.
  • Hon mention: Emerald Solomon Twizzle ET, owned by Donal & Kathleen Neville, Croagh, Co Limerick.

    • Class 4 all-Ireland heifer in milk

  • Champion: Hallow Doorman Abrakazoo 2 ET, owned by P Flanagan, A Dorian & L Collins, Termonfeckin, Co Louth.
  • Reserve: Dellview Amethy St Angel, owned by Gordon Kingston, Ballinascarty, Co Cork.
  • Hon mention: Sprucegrove Diamond Peggy, owned by Aidan & Seamus Foody, Ballina, Co Mayo.

    • Class 5 all-Ireland three-year-old cow in milk

  • Champion: Lisnalty Megasire Rituel, owned by Paul Hannan, Crecora, Co Limerick.
  • Reserve: Hallow Attwood Carmen, owned by Philip Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Hon mention: Tubbertoby Doorman Joy, owned by Paul Flanagan, Drogheda, Co Louth.

    • Class 6 all-Ireland junior cow in milk

    Champion: Woodmarsh Cancun Lyme 2, owned by Michael & Elizabeth McNamara, Newtownshandrum, Co Cork.

    Reserve: Baldonnel F M Sunshine, owned by Cyril & John Dowling, Clondalkin, Co Dublin.

    Hon mention: Hallow Attwood Grace, owned by Philip Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford.

    Class 7 all-Ireland mature cow in milk

  • Champion: Thevalley Amazing Frost, owned by Philip Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Reserve: Hallow Attic Christina, owned by Philip Jones, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Hon mention: Ballytigue Gold Chip Shower, owned by Aidan Frawley, Bruree, Co Limerick.

    • Class 8 all-Ireland Irish pure Friesian heifer in milk

  • Champion: Firoda 2030 Twink 2, owned by Peadar Healy, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.
  • Reserve: Carrickshock Aine 2107, owned by Pat Cleary, Hugginstown, Co Kilkenny.
  • Hon mention: Carrickbrack Tournament Babs, owned by John Allen, Convoy, Co Donegal.

    • Class 9 all-Ireland Irish pure Friesian cow in milk

  • Champion: Carrickshock Cissy 1978, owned by Pat Cleary, Hugginstown, Co Kilkenny.
  • Reserve: Firoda TMI Twink, owned by Peadar Healy, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.
  • Hon mention: Carrickbrack Rio Honeybee, owned by John Allen, Convoy, Co Donegal.