The pinnacle of the Friesian breeders' calendar was held today at Virginia show when the Diageo Baileys cow championship took pride of place. Boasting prize fund of €10,000, including €2,500 for the overall champion, competition was tough, with cattle from all corners of Ireland present.

A total of 24 cattle were paraded in front of a packed ringside and Carlisle-based judge David Hodgson.

Champion

Hodgson found his champion in the form of Drumlina Atwood Megan, owned by the syndicate of Boyd, Greenan, O’Neill, Timlin and Moore. This five-year-old cow is no stranger to success having claimed overall Friesan champion at Balmoral show back in May. Sired by Maple Downs Atwood, this EX92 classier third calver produced 12,174kgs in her last 305-day lactation. After having calved in January, she is currently giving 45 litres per day.

Reserve

Donal and Kathleen Neville of the Emerald herd filled the reserve position with seven-year-old Milliedale Dusk Rhapsody. Currently on her fifth lactation, this EX95 classified cow was purchased for 10,500gns at the Sterndale and Peak sale July 2017. She is a 14th generation EX animal with a projected yield of 12,995kgs at 4.89% fat. The dam of this animal is three-time supreme dairy expo champion and EX97 classified cow Peak Goldwyn Rhapsody.

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