Ireland’s Emerald Expo 2012 Results!
Emerald Expo 2012
All Ireland dairy event!
By Charles Gallagher
The Emerald Expo is now one of the great landmark shows on the annual agricultural calendar organized by the Irish Holstein Friesian Association in association with Alltech Ireland.
The Emerald Expo renews the historical connection between the show ring and the educational role for farmers . This two day national event featured a wide range of activities of interest to all milk producers and the wider farming family!
The addition of a careers pavillon, dairy to beef village, dairy conference -capturing the potential for dairy expansion and farm visits encompassed all aspects of efficient dairy farming practices in breeding, management and future markets for those wishing to expand their dairy enterprise.
Emerald Expo 2012, now in its second year, took place on Fri/Sat July 6th/7th at the Cillin Hill Mart complex in Kilkenny. This leading dairy event and Livestock show includes an all-breeds dairy show that has over 20 cattle classes, six championships and a significant prize fund of €25,000.
This All Breeds Dairy show was a resounding success with the very best cows in the country competing for the top honours. The Irish Pure Friesian club, Jersey and Shorthorn socieites all participated in respective classes.
The highly respected International judge Donald Dubois who hails from Quebec, Canada who has judged numerous shows across Canada, USA and Europe notably the Royal Winter Fair Canada 2010 and Holstein show UK 2012 was the judge for this prestigious show and his final selection and comments in each class were such that no one could quibble. He never changed his initial placings. Once his mind was made up he pulled the cows in order.
The serious business of the Saturday got under way with Dry Cow championship for a cow having had two or more calves. This award went to the Hurley family with Clonpaddin GWY Fanta EX90 sired by Braedale Goldwyn. Kevin Behan claimed Reserve with Ballyboy Gibson Carmen 6.EX94. This was followed by the heifer in milk class with the Intermediate champion going again to the Hurley family from Clonpaddin Co Wicklow with Clonpaddin GKS Fame VG88.This heifer by the North American bull Gen-Mark Stmatic Sanchez is out of the Linjet Fame and is classified VG 89.
Reserve Champion was won by Dermot McCarthy, Co Limerick with Ballincurra Stormatic Lette and Honourable Mention by Paul Flanagan, Termonfeckin, Co Louth with Tubbertoby Alexander Ashley.
This was followed by the IHFA Irish Pure Friesian Championship. It was great to see the Pure Friesian Club show their cows again at the Emerald Expo and the audience were rewarded with a teriffic display of suberb Friesians. The Champion was won by the O Keeffe family,Churchclara, Kilkenny with Blackisle Laura 68 a six year old cow in milk by Blackisle Glenalbyn.
Reserve went to Michael Spillane’s Mountain Glenalbyn Rosie and Honourable Mention to O’Keeffe’s Churchclara Blackie Circus. All three class winners were by the Pure Friesian Sire Blackisle Glenalbyn.
A clean sweep at Emerald Expo by the Croagh Herd.
All Classes were hotly contested and in the ring for the final line out for the Holstein Friesian Championship were the first and second placed winners in the three, four, five year old, senior, cow in milk classes and the Production class. Baldonnel Goldwyn Sharon and Lisselan Cashmere Ruby, Croagh Susie Mist 46 and Croagh Susie Mist 47, Ridgefield Dundee Portea and Evergrange SJ Bliss 7, Galwaybay Dundee Lavish and Croagh G. Susie Mist 3, Croagh Integrity Lady and Lumville Danoise 2.
The judge commenting on his final line out for supreme champion said “This is the finest line up I have seen in any show over my many years judging and these cows would compete anywhere in the world.” He commented further on their quality udders, correct legs and feet and dairy strength, the type of cows that are desirable in any production system.
To tremendous applause he tapped out Ridgefield Dundee Portea EX93 for champion followed by Croagh Susie Mist 46 EX 90 in reserve place both cows from the Croagh stable of Patrick & Derek Frawley, Ratkeale Co Limerick. Honourable mention went to Baldonnel Goldwyn Sharon VG88 owned & exhibited by Cyril Dowling, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. The best udder of the show also went to the champion cow Ridgefield Dundee Portea EX93.
RIDGEFIELD DUNDEE PORTEA (EX-93)
The IHFA Exhibitor bred champion was won by P.& D. Frawley’s Croagh Susie Mist 46 EX90 along with Premier Breeder and Premier exhibitor of the show.
The general comment around the ring was that this was by far the best show of cattle seen in Ireland in recent times!
Proceedings in the ring kicked off on Friday afternoon with the calf classes. Champion and Reserve calves from each individual calf class competed for The Rispoval IBR Junior Championship. Beechrow Atwood Twain was tapped out as Champion for the Booth family who also claimed Reserve with Beechrow Allstar. Mervyn and Philip Jones took Honorable Mention with Hallow Boss Twain. This was a tremendous achievement for the Booth family who also had the Exhibitor Champion with Beechrow Atwood Twain.
Young handler classes competing in the International showmanship challenge added further excitement to the show on Friday evening. YMA had two handling classes H1 and H2, sponsored by Volac. Judge Dubois in his reasons, praised the large number of entries and commented on the calibre of handlers in both classes. Paul Murphy, Banteer, Cork was Champion Handler in class HI -YMA members aged 16 years and under. Rachel McNamara, Newtownshandrum, Co Cork took Reserve and Doireann Mulhall, Danville, Co Kilkenny was Honorable Mention. Champion Handler in H2 (17 years and older) was Padraic Murphy, Kilmanagh, Kilkenny, Marie Doran from Donadea, Naas took Reserve and Edwin Gaynor, Mullagh, Cavan was Honorable Mention. The Emerald Expo International Showmanship Champion was won by Paul Murphy, Banteer with Andrea Uhrig from Germany in Reserve. Honorable Mention went to Padraic Murphy, Kilmanagh, Kilkenny.
Congratulations to Michael Manley of Monasterosis, Edenderry, Co. Offaly who had both the Shorthorn Champion with Monasterosis Jennie Deans 8th and Honouralbe Mention with Monasterosis Waterloo Rose 4th. Reserve Champion Shorthorn was Glenn Carter’s Ransboro Cressida 23rd from Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
In the Jersey Championship Michael Booth from Portlaoise came to the fore with Rapid Bay-UK Jades Rumour as Champion and Potterswalls Jamaican Pansy as Reserve Champion. Cal Hennessy, Ballydonagh Dungourney, Co Cork had Honourable Mention with Potterswalls June Fanfare.
Dairy to beef village
The Dairy to beef village featured live cattle demonstrations suitable for various market outlets and rearing systems required to attain efficiencies and potential of the animals. This was an interactive forum chaired by Justin McCarthy IFJ featuring representatives from Teagasc and the Meat industry. We are thankful to Dunbia and Slaney Foods who were the sponsors of this event.
This was very informative in pinpointing the key market outlet requirements and suitable breed crosses. It is back to the traditional breeds with calving ease, medium carcass weights of 260 to 380 Kgs and steer and heifer beef. There are good bonuses to be picked up with Hereford prime and Angus. Bull Beef operations will remain an enterprise for the specialist operator. Dairy farmers need to get involved in the Quality Assurance scheme to maximize sale value of the male offspring and cull cows.
International dairy conference -Capturing the Potential for Dairy Expansion
There was a lot of interest in the international dairy conference which was attended by c.150 delegates -40 of them from Eastern Europe. (Estonia, Hungary etc). There was an excellent panel of speakers with good feedback from participants and audience.
The general message from the market place is that expansion in Ireland as envisaged by Food Harvest 20/20will not have a major impact on global markets. The world population is predicted to expand to 8.9bn by the year 2050. European growth in the 27member states post 2015 is predicted to net out at approx. 3bn Kilos. Growth in demand is strong at around 2% p.a. despite the present dip. There will be volatility in the markets generally and dairy farmers would be wise to have a portion of their milk supply in a guaranteed price scheme to cover volatility.
Ireland is the eight lowest in terms of total cost of production world wide and we need to maintain that cost advantage along with our green image and sustainable production systems.
Farm Tours
The farm tours were well attended despite the inclement weather.
I wish to thank the O’Keeffe family,Churchclara, Kilkenny and the Barry family ,Mullinahone Co Tipperary for hosting the tours.
Elite Pedigree sale
The Event also featured a sale of pedigree young stock bred from International cow families. Highest Seller on Friday evening was 5,000 Euros paid for Richard Whelan’s May 2012 Lumville Ashley. Sired by Glenn-Ann Palermo & out of Northlake Farms Addishottle 87 (EX92). The dam is projected at 14,444kg 5.17%BF 3.62%PR 3rd lactation and is bred from Canyon-Breeze Allen’s cow family. Overall 5 head sold to average 3,144 Euro. Auctioneers; TAAFFE AUCTIONS 041-9881288.
