The announcement was made at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois today by the European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan.

Shane Fitzgerald is currently milking 215 dairy cows and rearing approximately 80 yearling and 80 weanling heifers.

“Getting heifers off to the best possible start in life can pay dividends in terms of your herd’s future potential, with growth rates in the first three months of a heifer’s life impacting heavily on age at first calving and subsequent milk yields,” said Pat Cahill of Volac.

According to competition judge George Ramsbottom, Teagasc, the percentage of heifers calving at two years of age increased by 10% to 58% over the past four years.

The 2015 Heifer Rearer of the Year Competition was sponsored by Volac and supported by Teagasc, the

Michael and Mary Ita McCarthy, Feenagh, Co Limerick

James O’Callaghan, Leamlarra, Co Cork

Aidan and Mary Reardon, Ballinhassig, Co Cork

Dermot Sherry, Drumhillock, Co Monaghan

Beattie Lilburn, Hillcrest Farm, Dromore, Co Down

William Henderson, 36 Clooney Road, Tobermore, Magherafelt, Co Derry

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Aidan Brennan’s series of articles from the farms competing in the heifer rearing competition