The first day of the AXA National Dairy Show took place today (Friday, October 11) at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co. Cork.

This year marks the 42nd time the show has been held, with a large crowd present for the initial day of the popular event.

National Dairy Show

The showing got underway with the national finals of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) Young Members Association (YMA) showmanship league.

The handlers qualified at shows during the year to compete at Millstreet; these classes were judged by Leiza Montgomery from Co. Down, who was at the centre of the ring for the showmanship league finals.

As well as being an experienced judge, Leiza has had much success in the showmanship ring, including qualifying for the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show 11 times.

This success culminated in Reserve Champion All Britain Handler 2012 and two Honourble Mentions in the All Britain Handler.

The top three from each class are named below:

Class A: Handler aged 12 years and under on the January 1, 2024, exhibiting a Holstein or Jersey calf:

  1. Zoe Greenan;
  2. Eva Hickey;
  3. Georgie Hynes.
AXA National Dairy Show 2024, YMA Showmanship League Finals, Class A Handler aged 12 yrs and under on 1st Jan ‘24 exhibiting a Holstein or Jersey Calf – L-r: Judge, Leiza Montgomery, Georgie Hynes 3rd, Eva Hickey 2nd, Zoe Greenan 1st, with John O’ Sullivan, IHFA President on behalf of Sponsor FBD. Image: Maria Kelly

Class B: Handler aged 13 to 16 years on the January 1, 2024, exhibiting a Holstein or Jersey calf:

  1. Will Jones;
  2. Becky Hynes;
  3. Jennifer Harty.
AXA National Dairy Show 2024, YMA B Handler aged 13 – 16 years on 1st Jan ‘24 exhibiting a Holstein or Jersey Calf – L-r: Judge, Leiza Montgomery, Jennifer Harty 3rd, Becky Hynes 2nd, Will Jones 1st with John O’ Sullivan, President IHFA. Image: Maria Kelly

Class C: Handler aged 17 to 26 years inclusive on the January 1, 2024, exhibiting a Holstein or a Jersey calf:

  1. Rachel Corley;
  2. Hannah Greenan;
  3. Manus Murphy.
AXA National Dairy Show 2024, YMA C Handler aged 17 – 26 years on 1st Jan ‘24 exhibiting a Holstein or Jersey Calf, L-r: Judge, Leiza Montgomery, Manus Murphy 3rd, Hannah Greenan 2nd, Sarah Williamson 1st, Rachel Corley, John O’ Sullivan IHFA President on behalf of Sponsor FBD. Image: Maria Kelly

Handler Championship

There were also two handler classes, which were judged by Niels Erik Haahr of the Anderstrup Herd in Denmark.

Anderstrup Holsteins is recognised as the source of numerous top artificial insemination (AI) bulls used throughout Europe.

The Anderstrup Herd, comprising 540 cows, boasts an impressive average production of 17,052kg of milk with 3.82% fat and 3.5% protein, earning the distinction of being Europe’s top production herd in 2022.

The champion novice handler selected by Haahr was Stephen Harty from Kerry.

Reserve was awarded to Abbie Duffy, with Lauren Doran selected as honourable mention.

AXA National Dairy Show 2024, Novice Handling Championship – Pictured are: Judge, Niels Erik Haahr, Thomas O’ Sullivan (Alltech) sponsor, Lauren Doran, Honourable Mention, Abbie Duffy, Reserve Champion, Stephen Harty, Champion, Ursula Forrest, Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club President, with Rachel White, Alltech, Sponsor. Image: Maria Kelly.

The top three from the novice handling classes are named below:

Class 1: Novice Handler aged under 12 on the January 1, 2024, exhibiting a Holstein or Jersey calf born in 2024:

  1. Abbie Duffy;
  2. Andrea Deane;
  3. Patrick Dillon.
L-r: Judge, Niels Erik Haahr, Patrick Dillon 3rd, Andrea Deane 2nd, Abbie Duffy 1st with Ursula Forrest, Cork Club President, Jack Hogan (Devenish). Image: Maria Kelly

Class 2: Novice Handler aged 12 to 18 years inclusive on the January 1, 2024, exhibiting a Holstein or a Jersey calf:

  1. Stephen Harty;
  2. Niamh Murphy;
  3. Kate Jones.
L-r: Judge, Niels Erik Haahr, Kate Jones 3rd , Niamh Murphy  2nd, Stephen Harty 1st,Ursula Forrest, Cork Club president and Jack Donavan (Kerry Agribusiness). Image: Maria Kelly

Class 2A: Novice Handler aged 12 to 18 years inclusive on the January 1, 2024, exhibiting a Holstein or a Jersey calf:

  1. Lauren Doran;
  2. Alex Windrum;
  3. Amy Roche.
L-R: Judge, Neils Erik Haahr, Amy Roche 3rd, Alex Windrum 2nd, Lauren Doran 1st, Ursula Forrest, Cork Club, president Jack Donovan (Kerry Agribusiness). Image: Maria Kelly

Junior Jersey Champion

The junior Jersey classes also took place today at the AXA National Dairy Show with Haahr selecting Pilmorepride Chocochip Moll, exhibited by Pat Aherne as his Junior Jersey Champion.

She is sired by Avonlea Chocochip ET and her dam is Pilmorepride Jordan Moll

L-r: Judge, Niels Erik Haahr, Pilmorepride Chocochip Moll exhibited by Pat Ahern, Conor Ahern, handler, Ursula Forrest, Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club President, Mike Hannon of Smaxtec. Image: Maria Kelly

Reserve champion went to Ballyelan Chrome Louise 4127, exhibited by Tom Lynch and Liam O’Neill.

She is sired by River Valley Cece Chrome-ET and her dam is Ballyelan Joel Louise.

Honourable mention went to Ballythomas Gorgeous Girl , exhibited by Eamonn McLoughney – she is sired by Elitestreet Vindicator and her dam is Cloonboygher Gilly.

A full list of Jersey class winners are outlined below:

Class 3J: Jersey heifer born on or after January 1, 2024:

  1. Pilmorepride Chocochip Moll exhibited by Pat Ahern;
  2. Massrock Explore Daisy exhibited by Lehane family;
  3. Rathard Choco Khaleesi exhibited by Hynes family.

Best exhibitor bred animal was awarded to Ballyelan Victor Louise 4205 which was exhibited by Tom Lynch.

Highest EBI award in this class went to Rathard Choco Khaleesi which was exhibited by the Hynes family.

AXA National Dairy Show 2024, Jersey Junior Championship, Pictured are: Judge, Niels Erik Haahr, Honourable Mention, Ballythomas Gorgeous Girl exhibited by Eamonn McLoughney, Anna McLoughney, Handler, Reserve Champion Ballyelan Chrome Louise 4127 exhibited by Tom Lynch, & Liam O’ Neill, Aimee O’ Donovan, Handler, Champion Pilmorepride Chocochip Moll exhibited by Pat Ahern, Conor Ahern, Handler, Mike Hannon, (SmaXtec), Sponsor. Photo: Maria Kelly.

Class 4J: Jersey heifer born before December 31, 2023, not in milk:

  1. Ballyelan Chrome Louise 4127 exhibited by Tom Lynch and Liam O’Neill;
  2. Ballythomas Gorgeous Girl exhibited by Eamonn McLoughney;
  3. Shanawayhill Right Amberlight exhibited by Christy McCarthy.

The best exhibitor award in this class went to Ballyelan Chrome Louise 4127 which was exhibited by Tom Lynch and Liam O’Neill.

The highest EBI heifer in this class went to Ballythomas Gorgeous Girl which was exhibited by Eamonn McLoughney.

AXA NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW AXA NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW 2024 DAIRY IHFA