A 2017-born entry by the name of Lumville M Danoise has been crowned the 2023 Diageo Baileys Champion Cow.
Bred by Richard Whelan, Co Meath, and now owned and exhibited by Annaghmore Holsteins of C & J Richardson, Armagh, she is by Mountfield SSI DCY Mogul and Lumville E Danoise VG87.
They acquired her from the entire Lumville dispersal sale held on Saturday, November 25th, 2017, at which time, she was numbered as lot 15 in the catalogue and described as possessing “incredible potential”.
The April 1st, 2017-born female secured the €3,000 prize pot in the €13,000 contest at this year’s 80th anniversary of Virginia Agricultural Show in Co Cavan.
Figures presented on the day:
- Milk kgs – 12,452;
- Fat and protein – 958;
- Protein % – 3.65%.
She was chosen by this year’s judge, Mark, Logan, from Co Down, who manages the well-known Clandeboye Estate which is situated just outside Bangor.
Mark is no stranger to this ‘all-Ireland’ competition, having won the reserve champion prize himself in 2008.
He also worked as an agriculture student of CAFRE Greenmount on the Ballymoney farm of the very first judge of ‘The Baileys’, Bertie Kerr.
Reasons for selection
Ahead of the event, Mark, who is originally from Antrim, as reported by us in this news article, said he would be seeking “a cow that will have to have it all – balance, dairy strength, quality through the udder and great locomotion”.
“I will be looking out for the breeder who can show me the ‘complete package’ in the parade ring”.
After tapping out his champion, he commented that “she ticked all the boxes, as she has that tremendous dairyness but strength, she has a fantastic frame and moves so well”.
“It is that extra dairyness that gives her the advantage,” he added.
He also said: “We have four cows in the middle of the ring here that in any year, could easily take this championship.”
“It really is going to come down to my personal preference because there are four great individuals. Before I tap out the champion, reserve and honourable mention, I want to say a huge thank you for the invitation to be here today and judge this event.”
“It truly is the event of the summer and today has more than lived up to expectations. Thank you to the stewards for the wonderful job they have done, getting cows out and again, to all exhibitors, you have done such a tremendous job and to everyone around the ring watching, I hope you have enjoyed it.”
The competition, sponsored by Diageo and Tirlán, saw an enhanced prize cash pot, totalling €13,000, this year, to mark the 40th-anniversary of the competition.
More coverage to follow…
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