Watch: Dreams come to fruition at the AXA National Dairy Show

The excitement has now passed, as the 42nd AXA National Dairy Show which took place at Green Glens Arena in Millstreet Co. Cork, has come to and end.

The two-day event drew to a close with crowds coming from all parts of the country to witness trade stands, showmanship and elite breeding.

The show concluded with the naming of the highly anticipated Supreme Champion award.

The naming of the winners of the Innovation Awards; Junior Jersey; Jersey Champion; Junior Holstein; Intermediate Holstein; the finals of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) showmanship league and the Handler Championship, also took place.

The Supreme Champion

Judge Neils Erik Haahr from the Anderstrup Herd in Denmark seemed excited to be in the ring, as he mentioned the cows were “energising him”.

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.

Haahr had the difficult task of selecting class winners and then a Supreme Champion from the excellent quality of animals on show.

Haahr chose Eedy Doorman Fame, exhibited by Helen family, as his Supreme Champion of the AXA National Dairy Show. She also claimed Best Udder and Exhibitor-Bred Champion.

The fourth calver, which is out of the first calf Jason Helen bought, is sired by Val-Bisson Doorman and her dam is Clonpaddin Bk Fame Et.

Speaking to Agriland shortly after Eedy Doorman Fame was chosen as Supreme Champion, Jason said that he never would have dreamt about having a cow as the Supreme Champion, “never mind having the same cow do it twice”.

Laura Helen was overjoyed when speaking to Agriland about how much work went into the breeding on farm over the last few years, and how much work each and every family member has put in to make this dream of winning Supreme Champion come to fruition not once, but twice.

L-R: Ursula Forrest, Cork club president, Rachel Martin, Irish Examiner, Philip Whitley NDS, Denis Kiely National Dairy Show director, judge Niels Erik Haahr, National Dairy Show Supreme Champion 2024 Eedy Doorman Fame exhibited by R&S and J&L Helen, Jason Helen, Laura Helen, Sylvia Helen, Robert Helen, Tom McCarthy, AXA, Reg Cornthwaite. Source: Maria Kelly

The judge chose Hallow Solomon Arengatange as his Reserve Champion – she was exhibited by Philip Jones.

Her dam is Kingsway Sanchez Arengatange Et and her sire is Walnutlawn Solomon.

Honourable Mention went to Hallow Atwood Twizzle 1181, the cow who was Supreme Champion at the show in 2022 who was exhibited by the Jones family as well.

L-R: Laurence Feeney, IHFA C.E.O. Denis Kiely National Dairy Show director, Tom McCarthy AXA, Ursula Forrest, Cork Club president, Rachel Martin, Cork Examiner, Honourable Mention Hallow Atwood Twizzle 1181 exhibited by Philip Jones, Philip Jones (handler), Reserve Champion Hallow Solomon Arengatang exhibited by Philip Jones, Will Jones (handler), Champion Eedy Doorman Fame exhibited by R&S and J&L Helen, Jason Helen, Laura Helen, Robert Helen, Sylvia Helen, judge Niels Erik Haahr. Source: Maria Kelly

Kildarby Adorable Mary exhibited by Owen Cleary won the highest economic breeding index (EBI) Holstein award.

The highest EBI Jersey award went to Cloonboygher Gilly exhibited by Eamonn McLoughney.

The Helen family were also presented with the 2024 Premier Breeder title, while the award for Premier Exhibitor was shared between the Paul Hannan and Brian and Rachel Corley.

The Intermediate Holstein Champion title went to Eedy King Doc Fame, exhibited by Robert, Sylvia, Jason and Laura Helen.

Her dam is Clonpaddin BK Fame Et and she is sired by Woodcrest Kingdoc.

L-R: Richard Gleeson, Roches Feeds (sponsor), King Doc Fame exhibited by R& S and J&L Helen, Jason Helen (handler), Laura Helen. Source: Maria Kelly

Reserve Champion went to Desmond Denver Ruby, exhibited by Desmond Holsteins. Her dam is Warnelview Chief Ruby 2 Imp and her sire is Brenland Denver.

Honourable Mention went to Cradenhill O’Leila ET IMP, exhibited by Richard Kingston.

The Junior Holstein Champion title went to Hallow Sidekick Twizzle, exhibited by Philip Jones with his son Will Jones on the halter. She is out of Hallow Solomon Twizzle Et and is sired by Walnut Lawn Sidekick.

L-R: Judge Niels Erik Haahr, Honourable Mention Evergreen Chief Lustre exhibited by Liam & Sandra Murphy, Steve McLoughlin (handler), Reserve Champion Tubbertoby Doc Joyful exhibited by Paul & Margeurite Flanagan, Matthew Flanagan (handler), Champion Hallow Sidekick Twizzle exhibited by Philip Jones, Will Jones (handler), Tom Cummins, GEA, (sponsor) Ursula Forrest, Cork Holstein Friesian Club president. Source: Maria Kelly

Reserve champion went to Tubertoby Doc Joyful, exhibited by Paul Flanagan. Her dam is Tubertoby Unix Joyus and she is sired by Woodcrest King Doc. Honourable mention went to Evergreen Chief Lustre, exhibited by Liam and Sandra Murphy.

Jersey results

Haahr selected his Champion Jersey at the AXA National Dairy Show as Jones Ferdinand Cupid, exhibited by Jones Holsteins.

The heifer in milk is sired by Lightning Ridge Ferdinand and her dam is Logan Chrome Caribbean.

L-R: Judge Niels Erik Haahr, Honourable Mention Euro Joel Prance exhibited by Daniel & Emer Curtin, Daniel Curtin (handler), Reserve Champion Moorshill Buttercup TT exhibited by Pat Ahern, Conor Ahern (handler), Champion Jones Ferdinand Cupid exhibited by Jones Holsteins, Izzy Jones (handler), Ted & Rory Jones, Ursula Forrect, Cork Club president, Stephen Healy, PV Gen (sponsor). Source: Maria Kelly

Reserve Champion went to Moorshill Buttercup TT, exhibited by Pat Ahern. She is out of Moorshill Buttercup and is sired by Tower Vue Prime Tequila-ET.

Honourable Mention went to Euro Joel Prance, exhibited by Daniel and Emer Curtin. She is sired by Avonlea Chocochip ET and her dam is Pilmorepride Jordan Moll.

TrueNorth Technologies, based in Shannon, Co. Clare, was selected by the judges as the Overall Winner of the Innovation Awards for its e-gate Grazing Management System.

Diarmuid McSweeney of TrueNorth Technologies spoke to Agriland about how the e-gate make the farmers life easier and relieves the work load while getting optimum performance from your herd of cows.

This e-gate 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 the cows in or not.