Holstein Friesian breeders across Ireland are invited to prepare for the return of the Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition at this year’s Virginia Show on 24 August, 2022.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, launched the long-standing competition at Diageo Baileys in the northwest of Dublin in July.
Entrants will be competing for a share of a €10,000 prize pot. The top place of Overall Champion attracts a €2,500 prize; followed by €1,000 and €500 for Reserve Champion and Honourable Mention respectively. Other awards will be presented on the day across several categories including Junior Cows in their second lactation. The Best Junior Cow category has prizes worth €750 in total. The popular Best-Heifer-in-Milk category carries a fund of €1,700 with 1st place worth €500.
Now recognised as a measure that helps breed a more profitable dairy cow and lower GHG emissions an award for Best Economic Breeding Index recognises efficiency and sustainability. An award for Best Protein emphasises the most profitable factors for both breeding dairy herd replacements and milk production.
Robert Murphy, Head of Baileys Global Operations said, “The Diageo Baileys Cow underpins the quality of the raw ingredient in the world’s top selling liqueur brand, Baileys, which is sold in 160 countries. Our supply chain partnership with Glanbia goes back to the 1970s and the Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow has been a great success in highlighting the superior genetics that goes into the national dairy herd. This is just one of our collaborations with Glanbia Ireland to support farming now and for future generations.”