Presidential post for Patrick

Thomas Lyons

 

Last week was a big one for Patrick Gaynor. He was on hand as the Annual General Meeting (AFM) of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) took place in the Hotel Kilmore. This was the first time the AGM came to Cavan.

The choice of the Hotel Kilmore was down to the fact that Patrick was about to take the most senior position in the organisation. Wednesday, May 1, marked the inauguration of the man who farms on the side of Mullagh Hill as President of the Association. He assumed the chain of office that symbolises his selection as the head of the association tasked with overseeing the pedigree Holstein Friesian dairy breed.
The IHFA has an illustrious history. First formed in 1927 under the auspices of the British Friesian Cattle Society, the current organisation came into being in 1965 as part of the British Friesian Cattle Society.
Up to 60 delegates from across Ireland were in attendance as Patrick was formally appointed President of the Association: “My priority is to promote the IHFA as well as I can. They are a brilliant organisation. I want to promote that and go to as many functions as possible to do so. There are a lot of field evenings and discussion groups, so I will be kept busy.”
The IHFA is a member-owned organisation with a directly elected board from the 3,700 members in 15 club areas. The association is licensed by the Department Of Agriculture to issue ancestry and pedigree registration certificates.
The IHFA is responsible for the validity and upkeep of the herdbook of Holstein Friesian cattle and for giving direction to the development and promotion of the breed in Ireland through its many events and services.
At last week’s gathering, the association set out the stall for the coming 12 months. “The AGM focused on the running of the organisation for the coming year. We also had a very good presentation from Michael Hanley, the chairman, Lakelands Dairies Co-operative. He was the guest speaker,” Patrick told the Celt.
“The concerns from the floor focused on the price of milk. It’s not encouraging people to go into dairy. Though there are a good few changing over from beef to dairying it is just not keeping in line with other areas of employment,” he said.
The new IHFA President said Mr Hanley eased minds on one contentious issue: “Brexit does not seem to be as big a concern for them [Lakelands] because they have been making their preparations for quite some time.”
Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Madeleine Argue, also addressed the gathering: “She expressed the council’s delight that the AGM came to Cavan. She welcome everyone to the meeting and spoke of the importance of agriculture in general to the county.”
Patrick is very involved in the Virginia Show and this link is what stoked his interest in the Holstein Friesian breed: “It was the Baileys [competition] that got me into pedigree breeding in the beginning. Years ago when the Baileys started we used to house a lot of the cows from people down the country. This is before the current movement of stock regulations were in place,” he recalls.
As the new IHFA chairman’s passion is clear when he speaks about his interest: “I got a love for them that way and I just started pedigree breeding. I always like the breed. They produce a nice tight cow. The more you get into it, the more you realise what is involved,” he says.
For the coming year Patrick will be attending many agricultural shows: “It will be a year of plenty of travel. I am into showing cattle so the chance to go to the different shows is very interesting. I will have to go to the Balmoral [The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) in Liburn] in two weeks time.
“I love talking to people and I love looking at the cows. I never get tired of looking at nice cows.”