After a long week of storms, leaving many without water and electricity, dairy farmers still came out in force for the 35th National Dairy Show in the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet.

Cattle present were slightly back on that of the record entries accepted, but quality throughout remained high across all categories. Taking up the helm for the show was Canadian judge Brian Carscadden. Brian comes with a wealth of experience, having judged in over 25 different countries, including the International Holstein Show in Quebec in 2015.

Commended throughout the day by spectators for his speed and remarks on each class, Carscadden found his supreme champion in the form of Cyril and John Dowling’s Clonpaddin G Flame ET.

This six-year-old cow was originally purchased by Mervyn Eager at Gary Hurley’s sale as a six-month-old calf, but was subsequently purchased by the Dowling outfit as a three-year-old heifer.

Sired by Gen Mark Stmatic Sanchez, Flame comes from a long line of show cows, exhibited by both Gary Hurley and Peter Kingston, who imported the original cow from Canada.

Having given nearly 13,000kg (4.26% fat, 3.16% protein) in her last lactation, Flame calved for the fourth time in August and is currently giving 55 litres.

Commenting on the champion, judge Brian Carscadden said: “You don’t need to have a big cow, but when a cow has it all and is big it helps. The champion has a mammary system that would stand out anywhere in the world, she moves very comfortable – a clear champion for me.”

This marks a highly successful run for the Dowling family, having also come out on top at the national show as recently as 2015.

Claiming the reserve supreme championship was GS Alliance Attwood Okisha from A&S Foody and R Timlin. This five-year-old third-calver is classified EX91 and gave 17,200kg in her last lactation of 5.8% fat and 3.26% protein.

This Maple Downs Atwood daughter is a granddaughter of the 2012 and 2013 Holstein international and European champion Decrausaz Iron Okalibre who classified EX97. Having calved in January she is currently giving over 50 litres.

Close on the reserve’s heels to claim honourable mention was Kilwarden Windbrook Vix Et from Brochan Cocoman. This five-year-old stood second in class to the day’s supreme champion having competed in one of the strongest classes of the day.

Windbrook Vix is no stranger to winning ways having secured the Holstein championship at Balmoral in 2016. A member of the well-known Vixen family, she is a daughter of well-known show cow producer Gillette Windbrook. Having given over 12,000kg in her last lactation, the EX93 classified cow is currently giving 50 litres a day having calved in May.

In the Jersey championship, it was Ricky and John Barrett who were again to the fore when their Laurelelm Comerica Glamour went on to claim the overall championship. This five-year-old is a full sister to Laurelelm Glamour, who secured the Jersey championship at the show for the previous three years, and a record five times in her lifetime.

This marks Comerica Glamour’s first time out at a show and having calved in September, she is currently giving 36 litres. The Barrett family is well known throughout the showing world and this year also claimed the intermediate Holstein championship with Laurelelm Fever Brilliant and the premier breeder award.

The reserve overall Jersey champion also came from the cow in milk class, when Sprucegrove Redpath Sangria was tapped out. Bred and exhibited by Aidan Foody, this three-year-old is sired by Rapid Bay Redpath and out of Sprucegrove Lex Sangria. Redpath Sangria combines style with production, having produced nearly 8,000kg of 4.55% fat and 3.79% protein in her last lactation.

Results

Irish Examiner National Dairy Show 2017 Supreme Championship

  • Champion: Clonpaddin G Flame ET, exhibited by Cyril and John Dowling.
  • Reserve: GS Alliance Atwood Okisha, owned by A&S Foody and Rory Timlin.
  • Hon Mention: Kilwarden Windbrook Vix ET, owned by Brochan Cocoman.

    • Overall Jersey Champion

  • Champion: Laurelelm Comerica Glamour, exhibited by R & J Barret.
  • Reserve: Sprucegrove Redpath Sangria, exhibited by A&S Foody.
  • Hon Mention: Mooreshill Starbuck Mamie, exhibited by Patrick Ahern.

    • Junior Holstein Champion

  • Champion: Cornboro Beemer Dooly.
  • Reserve: Sprucegrove At Door Sunlight, exhibited by Keypoint & Cunningham.
  • Hon Mention: Greenlea Mandella Oran, exhibited by Padraic Greenan.

    • Junior Jersey Champion

  • Champion: Mullaghlands Pride Starlight, exhibited by Pat Gaynor.
  • Reserve: Massrock JE2019 Lilley, exhibited by Lehane family.
  • Hon Mention: Sprucegrove Yega Sangri, exhibited by A&S Foody.

    • Intermediate Holstein Champion

  • Champion: Laurelelm Fever Brilliant, exhibited by R & J Barrett.
  • Reserve: Clonpaddin McChrisi, exhibited by G & J Hurley.
  • Hon Mention: Sprucegrove Chelios M Illinda, exhibited by A&S Foody.

    • Exhibitor Bred Championship

  • Champion: Kilwarden.
  • Reserve: Clonpaddin.

    • National Dairy Show 2017 Best Udder

  • Clonpaddin G Flame ET, exhibited by Cyril and John Dowling.

    • National Dairy Show 2017 Premier Breeder

  • Rickey Barrett.

    • National Dairy Show 2017 Premier Exhibitor

  • Philip & Linda Jones.

    • National Dairy Show 2017 highest EBI Holstein

  • Hanrahan Alex Delllia M & E Hanrahan.

    • National Dairy Show 2017 highest EBI Jersey

  • Massrock JE2019 Lilley, exhibited by Lehane family.