Virginia Show 2016 - Diageo Baileys Champion Cow

Co. Wexford breeders Philip and Linda Jones win the Diageo Baileys® Irish Dairy Champion Cow 2016 with their cow Hallow Advent Twizzle 3.

Congratulations to the organisers of the Virginia Show on their 75th successful event held on Wednesday 24 August 2016 in the Showgrounds, Virginia, Co. Cavan. The Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII) Farm Team greeted many suppliers at the event.

The highlight of the day was the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow Competition. As Diageo's cream supplier for the Bailey’s brand, and co-sponsor of this competition, GII is delighted to be associated with what is widely acknowledged as Ireland’s top dairy livestock event. Speaking at the event Henry Corbally, Glanbia Group Chairman praised all the entrants for the calibre of pedigree cows on display and he congratulated the Virginia Show on its 75th anniversary. The competition attracts the super-elite of the Holstein Friesian breed with a €10,000 prize fund on offer. According to this year’s judge, Kevin Wilson, “They were tremendous cows; the standard was very high. They would grace any show in the world.”

Irish Champion Dairy Cow 2015

Pictured above the 2016 Diageo Baileys Champion Cow is winner Philip Jones from Co. Wexford with his cow Hallow Advent Twizzle 3. Presenting him with the trophy are Henry Corbally, Glanbia Group Chairman; Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Arts Heritage, Regional & Rural Affairs , and Breffni O'Reilly, Quality Director Diageo Ireland.

Pictured above Minister Heather Humphreys presents ‘Reserve Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow’ (Evergreen Duplex Ebony) to handler Stephen McLaughlin & owners Liam & Sandra Murphy from Co. Carlow. On left, Breffni O'Reilly, Diageo Ireland and Henry Corbally, Glanbia Group Chairman.

‘Honourable Mention’ went to Patrick Colton from Co. Monaghan for his cow Ardnasalem Baltimore Robin. Other prizes were awarded in specialist categories for breeders that travelled to Virginia from as far afield as Co. Antrim and Co. Cork to compete. These included: ‘Best Heifer in Milk’ winner, Garry Hurley from Co. Wicklow, ‘Best EBI’ winner, James and Tom Kelly from Co. Louth, and ‘Best Protein’ winner, Mike Magan, from Co. Longford as well as ‘Best Dry Cow’ winner, John Barrett from Co. Cork.

We at Glanbia Ingredients Ireland now turn our attention to the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from the 20th – 22nd of September. Check out our events calendar for further information.

First published 26th August 2016