The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) held its All-Ireland Awards, which recognise quality breeding and achievements in performance during 2022, this week.

The All-Ireland Awards were held at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois on Wednesday (January 25), with entries judged on the quality of an animal which has been exhibited within a show ring at recognised shows or events during the year.

The entries were judged on show wins during the year along with quality of the photograph.  

At the ceremony, awards were given to the Champion, Reserve and Honourable Mention in 10 National Holstein Friesian and Pure Friesian classes.

Class 1 - heifer born after January 1, 2022:

Class 2 - heifer born between July 1 and December 31, 2021:

Class 3 - heifer born between January 1 and June 30, 2021:

Class 4 - All-Ireland heifer in milk born between January 1 and December 21:

Class 5 - All-Ireland three-year-old cow in milk born between January 1 and December 21, 2019:

Class 6 - All-Ireland four-year-old cow in milk born between January 1 and December 31, 2018:

Class 7 - All-Ireland five-year-old cow in milk born between January 1 and December 31, 2017:

Class 8 - All-Ireland mature cow in milk born on or before December 31, 2016:

Class 9 - Irish pure Friesian - heifer in milk:

Class 10 - Irish pure Friesian - cow in milk:

The All-Ireland awards open stocking judging was won by Michael Laffan, Co. Limerick.

Ireland is also set to host this year's European Holstein and Red Holstein Conference.

This year's conference is themed 'Farming with Nature - Future Proof the Cow' and will take place from the April 26-29, 2023 at Castleknock Hotel, Dublin.

As the premier Holstein herd­book event in Europe, the con­ference will include the EHRC annual general meeting and conference sessions focussed on holstein genetics for all systems, new trends and traits, digitalisation on farm, and cows of the future.

The conference ac­tivities include farm visits to the Monamore Herd of Tom Kelly and the University College Dublin (UCD) Lyons research herd, a gala ball, and the Emerald Expo show.