It truly was a stunning Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) national open day at Greenlea Holsteins in Co Monaghan on Thursday 10 July 2025.

Crowds thronged through the Greenan family farm at Crosshugh, Co Monaghan, all day until the event concluded that evening with an on-farm sale of young females.

The organisation, hospitality, standard of cattle and infrastructure was simply exemplary.

As well as a farm walk and an array of trade exhibitions, the event combined a mix of national stock judging classes and announcements of competition results and presentations.

Open day sale

The event culminated with the sale of 50 females from the heart of the Greenlea herd, which was conducted by Taffee Auctions.

A packed ringside watched on as all lots sold to an average of €4,000.

It was fitting that it was a daughter of the 2024 Baileys champion cow Greenlea MG Rhapsody EX965E that topped the sale at €12,000.

Sired by Farnear Delta-Lambda, Greenlea Lambda Rhapsody 2064 provided a pedigree worthy of something special. After a heated round of in-house and online bids, she was knocked down to John Coakley from Co Kildare.

Greenlea Lambda Rhapsody 2064 selling for the highest price of €12,000. \ Mathias Penn

The same sire produced the next-highest priced lot in Greenlea Lambda Apple 1980, which sold for €6,900.

Born in November 2023, this one is a daughter of Greenlea Chief Apple 1688 ET.

Selling at €6,800 was Greenlea Holysmoke Rhapsody, a Cookiecutter Holysmokes daughter. Matching her at the same money was Greenlea Fuel Pledge, a November 2024-born daughter of Melarry Fuel.

Stock judging competition

Taking place as part of the open day was the national stock judging classes sponsored by Lakeland Dairies and FBD, which were divided into three main categories.

Inter-club over-27-year-old category

  • 1. Kerry club – Daniel Curtin, John Dillona and Emer Curtin.
  • 2. Laois/Offaly club – Sean Kelly, Peter Ging and Oliver Neville.
  • 3. Kildare club – Trevor Hanley, Chris Malally and Anthony Kealy.

    • The open stock judging winner in this section was Jennifer Harty from the Kerry club, while the highest individual award in this category went to Sean Kelly of the Laois/Offaly club.

    Inter-club 18- to 26-year-old category

  • 1. Kerry club – Muiris Harty, Jack Goulding and Jack Walsh.
  • 2. Cork club – Fiona O’Leary, Sarah Shannon and Stephen Shannon.
  • 3. Limerick/Clare club – Damien Burke, Emma McNamara and Jack O’Connor.

    • Muiris Harty won the highest individual award in this category, with the best set of reasons coming from Sarah Shannon.

    Inter-club 12- to 18-year-old category

  • 1. Kerry club – Kate Maunsell, Clodagh Kennelly, and Cormac Walsh.
  • 2. Cork club – Rachel Geary, Jack Shanahan, and Kate Lehane.
  • 3. Slaney club – Will Jones, Kate Jones, and Josh Sinnott.

    • Elaine Malone of FBD, IHFA president Mary Rafferty, winner of the 12-18 year old highest individual Fr Collins Trophy and best set of reasons, Cathal McLoughney, with Carol McBride, FBD Monaghan. \ Tony Keane

    Cathal McLoughney from the Laois/Offaly club won the highest individual award and gave the best set of reasons in this category.

    National herds competition

    The national herds competition results were revealed by IHFA CEO Laurence Feeney.

    Spring section

  • 1. Ronan Siochru - Dingle.
  • 2. Brian Kennelly - Bessborough.
  • 3. Edward Fitzgerald - Toberfort.

    • Over-80-cow section

  • 1. Brochan and Joe Cocoman - Kilawarden.
  • 2. Padraic Greenan - Greenlea.
  • 3. Joe and Kevin Doran - Dondale.

    • Under-80-cow section

  • 1. Darragh Curtin - Greenlawn.
  • 2. Noel O’Donovan - Ringleader.
  • 3. Tadgh Sweeney - Frankford herd.

    • Judges choice award

  • 1. Brochan and Joe Cocoman - Kilawarden.
  • 2. Padraic Greenan - Greenlea.
  • 3. Tom and James Kelly - Monamore.

    • IHFA president Mary Rafferty with the judges choice award winners Tom Kelly, Padraic Greenan and Joe Cocoman, with Max Davis and Cormac Dolan of sponsors Greenvale. \ Tony Keane

    Tadgh Sweeney clinched the judge's recognition award with Frankford PNH Holly EX92, with the highest economic breeding index (EBI) cow award going to Brockryherd Grace 676, owned by Martin Keane.

    Meanwhile, the highest EBI cow classified excellent went to Sparta Lilas Hawthorn 4 EX 90, owned by Rory Phelan of the Sparta herd.

    Read all about it in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.