Once again, the all-Ireland junior Friesian cow class took place at Charleville Agricultural Show over the weekend.

The class, confined to second-calvers, has a prize fund of nearly €2,000, with an impressive €1,000 awarded to the winner of the class.

Top honours

Taking the overall championship for 2019 was the Ballyboy herd of Jim and Una Sinnott, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

Their September 2015-born cow Ballyboy Sid Carmen 1039 is calved since March and is currently giving 40l a day.

Classified VG88 as a first-calver, Sid Carmen also won the best heifer in the Slaney herds competition last year.

Backed by generations of highly classified cows, the second-calver is coming off a lactation of 8,500kg.

Reserve

Standing reserve to Sid Carmen was nearby breeder Bryan O’Connor with Bowberhill Mogol Melody.

This three-year-old cow is from the well-known Melody family and classified VG85 as a first-calver.

Calved six weeks ago, the second-calver is currently giving 45l a day.

Mr O’Connor also took third position with his homebred Bawnmor Moeul Redrose.

Currently classified VG88, the Mogul daughter is giving over 40 l per day, having calved in March.