‘She is a true model of a dairy cow, balanced, with strength’

A 3-year old-Holstein Friesian cow property of father & son team, Sam & John McCormick from just outside Bangor in Co. Down, has been crowned the 2022 Diageo Baileys® Irish Champion Dairy Cow.

Hilltara Undenied Apple was declared champion in this prestigious dairy cow competition at the Virginia Show on August 24^th, 2022.

Holstein Friesian breeders travelled from across the country to compete for the €10,000 prize fund, with  21 cows standing in the finale.

Sponsored by Diageo Ireland and its cream supplier, Glanbia Ireland, the competition strives to reward “dairy breeding excellence”.

The McCormick’s cow also won the ‘Junior Cow’ category. This is not the first time Sam McCormick has taken the trophy back to Co. Down, having clinched the top title in 2017.

He now becomes the first-ever Northern Irish entrant to win the top title more than once in the competition’s 39-year history, organisers say.

The judge, David Booth, who is from Yorkshire, said, “Hilltara Undenied Apple absolutely blew me away. She is a true model of a dairy cow, balanced, with strength.”

Sam and John received their trophy and a cheque for €2,500 from the guest of honour, the EU Commissioner Mairead McGuiness; John Murphy, the chairman of Glanbia Ireland and Robert Murphy, head of Baileys operations.

The event is regarded as “the most prestigious competition” of its kind on the island of Ireland.

It rewards “strength and good body conformation as well as proven excellence in quality milk production”.

Baileys Cow 2022: Winners:

• 2022 Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow: Hilltara Undenied Apple VG89, Co. Down, Sam & John McCormick

• Reserve Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow: Hallow Atwood Twizzle 1181 EX90, Co. Wexford, Philip & Linda Jones
• Honourable Mention: Baldonnell Brady Hailey EX92, Co. Meath, John Dowling
• Heifer in Milk: Tubbertoby Unix Minutemaid, Co. Louth, Paul & Matthew Flanagan
• Best Junior Cow: Hilltara Undenied Apple VG89, Co. Down, Sam & John McCormick
• Best Protein Award: Nohl-Hilaz-Vray IMP EX92, Co. Wicklow, Victor Jackson
• Best EBI Award: Monamore Armours Darlene EX 92, Co. Louth, Tom & James Kelly
• Best Exhibitor Bred Award: Hallow Atwood Twizzle 1181 EX 90, Co. Wexford, Philip & Linda Jones