Despite the unsettled weather last Wednesday, hundreds of dairy breeders and enthusiasts made their way to Tommy and Orla Screene’s farm for the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) national open day in Menlough, Co Galway.

The occasion marked a monumental day for west of Ireland Friesian breeders, with the Windfield herd being the first to host a national open day.

Based in Menlough in east Galway and run by Tommy, Orla and kids Aoibhinn and Ronan, the herd sets the mark for how pedigree Holstein cattle can work in varying farm types throughout the country.

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National herd competition

Aside from the herd viewing and the elite sale afterwards, the day also consisted of various stock judging competitions run by both the IHFA and Macra na Feirme, along with the announcement of the national herd competition winners.

The national herd competition marks one of the most prestigious awards of the calendar for many breeders, with cows being judged based on both conformation and performance.

The competition was again broken up into three different categories; under 80-cow herd, over 80-cow herd and spring section, as well as the judge’s choice award, which is based solely on animal’s conformation.

Results:

Over 80-cow section

1st Rickey Barrett Laurelelm herd

2nd Brochan Cocoman Kilwarden herd

3rd James Kelly Monamore herd

EBI award Maurice Harty Ballylongane herd

Under 80-cow herd

1st Philip & Linda Jones Hallow herd

2nd John O’Callaghan Mountfarna herd

3rd Brian (& Paul B.) Walsh Fairview herd

EBI award Michael & Mgt Laffan Everground herd

Spring section

1st Denis Kiely Millstreet herd

2nd Michael Spillane Mountain herd

3rd William Horgan Aghaleemore herd

EBI award Enda Barrett Cloonigney

Judge’s choice award

1st Brochan Cocoman Kilwarden

2nd Philip & Linda Jones Hallow

3rd Rickey Barrett Laurelelm

Stock judging

27 years and older

1. Tipp/Water Noel Hennessy, Eamon McLoughney, Sean Kelly

2. Kildare Kevin Walsh, Anthony Kealy, Trevor Hanley

3. Laois Offaly Peter Ging, Tommy Finlay, Oliver Neville

18-27 years

1. W Midlands Graeme Taylor, Emer Kelly, Sean Kelly

2. Cork Leslie Draper, Diarmuid Murphy, Rachel White

3. Car/Kilk Doireann Mulhall, Aoife O’Shea, Liam O’Shea

12-18 years

1. Lim/Clare Jane Hannan, Clare Hannan, Louis McCormick

2. Tipp/Water Niamh Barry, Aisling Power, Christopher Walsh

3. Cork Emer Lehane, Conor Lehane,

Stephen Shannon

Best individuals in each age group

27 years and older: Oliver Neville – Laois Offaly

18-27 years: Doireann Mulhall - Carlow Kilkenny

12-18 years: Louis McCormick – Limerick Clare