Now that the AXA National Dairy Show has finished up for another year, we can take a look back at a few of the best moments from day one of the show.
Passion for breeding and dairy farming was at the helm of the event, with many young handlers taking to the ring to show off their showmanship skills.
The judge for the Young Members Association Showmanship league was Leiza Montgomery from Co. Down, who was at the centre of the ring for most of the day.
As well as being an experienced judge, Montgomery has had much success in the showmanship ring, including qualifying for the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show 11 times.
Montgomery told Agriland that she has been showing for as long as she can walk, and she looks out for “someone who is very composed on the halter”.
This success culminated in Reserve Champion All Britain Handler 2012 and two Honourable Mentions in the All Britain Handler.
The Junior Jersey classes also took place at the AXA National Dairy Show, with judge Neils Erik 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.
Conor Ahern who was on the halter told Agriland that “late nights and early mornings all paid off”.
Haahr of the Anderstrup Herd in Denmark, milks 540 cows and 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.
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.
The Champion Novice Handler was Stephen Harty from Co. Kerry.
Reserve was awarded to Abbie Duffy, with Lauren Doran selected as Honourable Mention.
National Dairy Show
A smart remote gate release system developed by a Co. Clare company won the 2024 AXA National Dairy Innovation Awards.
TrueNorth Technologies, based in Shannon, Co. Clare, was selected by the judges as the Overall Winner for its e-gate Grazing Management System.
The system integrates software with a weather station hosted on the farm and is connected via the home Wi-Fi.
The e-gate can be controlled and monitored from anywhere in the world using the e-gate smart phone app, which the company said saves time for farmers and can reduce lameness in cows.
The e-gate uses technology to interpret a range of environmental and device factors including the fence strength in kilovolts (KVs), if the gate is open or closed, the devices location, temperature and rainfall, reporting back to the farmer’s phone in real-time.
This informs the farmer of what is happening on the ground, allowing them to set parameters that will automatically open the gate or help them to make an informed decision on whether to let cow in or not.
The winner in the technology section, Moonsyst, won for its Calf Rumen eBolus, which monitors temperature and activity and will alert for metabolic health conditions in calves.
The judges choose Biocel NUVOSAN TeatGard as the winner of the scientific section. The product aids prevention of mastitis bacteria and teat skin condition in dairy cows.