Baileys launches hunt for Ireland's finest dairy cow

The competition, which is open to entrants from across the island of Ireland, will take place at the Virginia Show, Co. Cavan on July 31.

The breeder of the winning cow will receive a cheque for €2,000 along with the perpetual trophy whilst €650 will go to the breeder of the Reserve Champion. Other awards will be presented for Highest Protein Content, Best EBI, Best Exhibitor-Bred Cow and Best Heifer in Milk.

Speaking at the launch reception, Stephen O’Kelly of R&A Bailey & Co, who sponsor the competition in association with their cream supplier, Glanbia Ingredients, said: “The Baileys® Irish Champion Cow Competition demonstrates Ireland’s world class standards in milk production and  helps to underpin the quality of the cream in Baileys® which is sourced exclusively on the island of Ireland.”

To enter the competition, cows must first have produced 500kgs of butterfat and protein in a 305 day lactation (except for the heifer in milk awards).

A 10 per cent extra weighting is being given to the protein portion of the entry standard. 

On the day, final judgment will be made by independent judge, Michael Gould who owns the Woodmarsh Holstein Herd of Shrewsbury, in the English county of Shropshire.

Mr Gould said: “I will be looking for a cow with dairy strength and capacity that has great mobility as well as a top class udder.”

The competition was launched to celebrate Baileys’ commitment to the dairy industry, with  275 million litres of milk per year from over 35,000 Irish cows across 1,400 farms needed to make the liqueur.

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