The annual National Dairy Show is set to take place this weekend on Saturday 20 October in the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co Cork.

The National Dairy Show is the largest and longest-running indoor dairy show in Ireland, catering for all farming needs. Now in its 36th year, the event provides both a national and international platform for the promotion of the dairy industry.

Attendance continues to increase year on year, with last year’s show attracting over 100 companies exhibiting to over 3,000 people.

What makes the show unique is that the show is run entirely voluntarily by people involved in the Irish dairy industry.

The best of the Holstein Friesian and Jersey breeds will be on show for all to see, with all competing to win the prestigious supreme championship on Saturday evening.

It’s run by members of the Cork Holstein Friesian Association in conjunction with the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA).

The IHFA is a member-owned organisation directed by a board, which is directly elected from its 3,700 members in 15 club areas.

The show was first held in 1982 and, since then, has grown steadily into Ireland’s premier indoor agricultural event.

Show director John Kirby said: “The word indoor was of huge significance to the show when, in 2017, storm Ophelia failed to upstage the holding of the annual event, and recent events at the National Ploughing Championships, when storm Ali caused a major disruption, certainly brought home to us the true value and comfort of the Green Glens complex, where the show has been domiciled since its inception.”

While the indoor arena is of benefit to the 130 trade stands expected on the day, it also makes for perfect showing conditions for one of the highlights in the showing calendar.

Exhibitors from right across Ireland have been busy since Monday ensuring that their animals are looking in peak condition for Saturday’s show.

The best of the Holstein Friesian and Jersey breeds will be on show for all to see, with all competing to win the prestigious supreme championship on Saturday evening.

Judge

The show this year attracts the expertise of Edward Griffiths to judge the cattle classes. Edward farms with his wife Jenny and three daughters, who are all involved on the family dairy farm.

Frances is an agricultural land agent, Sally now works full-time at home and Lydia is training to be a farm accountant.

This year’s National Dairy Show judge Edward Griffiths.

\ Paul Smith

The Griffiths family farm in South Yorkshire in the north of England, where they milk 180 pedigree Holsteins, plus a few Jerseys and Ayrshires, which all share the Coachgate prefix.

The Coachgate herd calve year-round. The family has been recognised by their milk supplier for their investment in animal health and welfare facilities on the farm. The 270-acre farm is 750ft above sea level and is predominantly grass and wheat.

Edward has enjoyed travelling to judge many major shows in the UK and Europe. These have included national Holstein shows in the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Slovenia.

Edward has also judged the all dairy breeds championships at the Royal Welsh Show, all-Ireland Baileys championships, Royal Ulster and Agriscot, the prestigious dairy show in Edinburgh, as well as many UK county shows and, most recently, the New Zealand dairy event.

Edward enjoys representing Yorkshire and the northeast of England on the Holstein UK board of trustees. He is passionate about the breed, enthusiastically involved with the next generation and has a wealth of judging experience.

Other displays

Along with top-class cattle, the show has been designed to attract an audience from throughout the farming community.

Tractor and loader exhibitors will keep the machinery enthusiasts happy, while bouncing castles, face painting and small animal farms will all be on hand to entertain younger attendees.

Innovation awards

The National Dairy Show innovation awards has gained much traction in recent years and is again set to generate particular interest on the day.

It rewards a new product or service, which has been launched in the past 12 months, that has revolutionised some aspect of dairy farming.

As well as an overall winner, there will be awards in three individual sections – science, technology and engineering.

Last year, the overall award went to startup business Dairy Geyser.

The other previous winners highlight the diversity and practicality of the awards over the scientific, technological and engineering sections, as well as a mix of startup and established companies.

Previous overall winners include Dairy Geyser (2017); True North Technologies Ltd, Grasshopper (2016); Devenish Nutrition, Mag 12 (2015); Alanya, HerdInsights (2014); SlurrySafe (2013); and Suirway Automation, GSM Fence Controller (2012).

The 2 Johnnies

New this year, the National Dairy Show will see the attendance of The 2 Johnnies. The Tipperary-based comedy duo rose to fame through their social media exploits, with hits like The Silage Song bringing their viewer and engagement numbers into the millions.

The 2 Johnnies have confirmed their attendance at this year’s National Dairy Show.

They base their comedy on GAA and rural Ireland, which has many crossovers into farming topics.

It has helped them accumulate almost 200,000 followers on Facebook, while their ‘When I Play for County’ video on Youtube now has almost one million views.

The Cahir-based double act will be at the show to meet fans and record routines throughout the day at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet.