Crème de la crop at Emerald Expo

Breeders, organisers and sponsors gathered last week at Virginia Show Centre to officially launch Emerald Expo 2024, Ireland’s Spring all-dairy breeds cattle show, which takes place on April 27.

With more than 160 entries in 2023, and a similar level of interest expected this year, organisers are imbued with a sense of positivity that’s not so apparent across other sectors of the agricultural industry at present.

Now in its 12th year, the prestigious all-dairy breeds show attracts pedigree breeders from across Ireland. It serves as an opportunity to view advances in genetics and also offers unique insight into advancements down the line.

Renowned UK judge David Booth of Feizor Holsteins will judge the 2024 expo entrants. David is a fourth-generation farmer and the family farm, Old Hall Farm, is located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in Northern England.

A member of the Holstein UK National Judges panel, he has judged numerous national shows including the Holstein UK Dairy Day, Balmoral Show, not to mention the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow in 2022.

In 2023 the Senior Champion expo title was claimed by Jones Crushtime Patricia, exhibited by Jones and Knowlesmere Holsteins, who took home the Seamus Kelly memorial perpetual trophy and also the Intermediate Champion prize.

A new introduction to the show this year is an individual Championship for Red & White Holstein Friesian animals.

The expo’s main sponsor is FBD Insurance. IHFA, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Tirlán are supporting sponsors.

Richard Whelan is the chair of the Emerald Expo organising committee, and a former Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) president. He says the “creme” of the dairy breeds go on show at the Emerald Expo.

Once again the prize schedule includes more than half a dozen individual championships, with particular focus on young breeders- with three handling classes feeding into qualifying for the annual YMA Showmanship League final.

The Emerald Expo youngstock confined classes are dedicated to breeders from the surrounding IHFA club areas: Breffni Oriel, North Eastern, West Midlands and Donegal.

An online timed auction will also take place during the weekend, a new addition to the expo event, held in conjunction with Denis Barrett Auctions.

“It has carried on from the RDS early spring show, and has kept its place on the calendar,” says Richard of the Virginia based expo. “It a very valuable in that regard.”

Though semi retired, Richard still manages 100 head of cattle at his farm in Clonard, Co Meath. He has a passion for promotion of dairy breeds.

It was a 2017-born entry, bred by Richard and now owned and exhibited by Annaghmore Holsteins of C & J Richardson in Armagh, that was crowned the 2023 Diageo Baileys Champion Cow, the 40th anniversary of the landmark competition.

By Mountfield SSI DCY Mogul and Lumville E Danoise VG87, she was acquired from Richard’s Lumville dispersal sale in 2017, and is a direct descendant of grandam Lumville Danoise 2 EX94, which won Richard the Baileys cow honour in 2008.

“There is always a lot of top calibre stock on show,” says Richard. “It’s a great opportunity to meet fellow breeders and to market animals as well. If you’ve got good bloodlines it’s certainly a good way to exhibit those and show them off.”

John Martin, works for Holstein UK and is also secretary and treasurer of the Holstein NI cattle breeders club. He’s joined by Richard Hamilton, president of IHFA, who has almost 40 years’ experience as Farm Manager & Dairy Technician with Gurteen Agricultural College in Tipperary.

Both men are of the opinion that the success of the Emerald Expo is a reflection of the commitment from stakeholders including sponsors and cattle exhibitors.

Richard is a man “very fond of the black and whites”. While he doesn’t show cattle, he states that the Expo, the first show of the year, is an important platform for breeders to showcase their stock early.

Based on the quality of last year’s entries, Richard believes the “future looks bright” for pedigree breeding in Ireland.

“It creates an interest, these shows, and that’s what we’re trying to promote.”

From Kesh in neighbouring County Fermanagh, John acknowledges the difficulties faced by farmers across the island at the present time.

He has been working with the society since 1997 but says inclement weather conditions in recent years have presented a “unique” set of challenges in terms of balancing the love of showing cattle with getting work done on the farm.

“The work’s not done, slurry’s not out, the fertiliser’s not sown. As soon as the ground dries up, there will be a lot of catching up to do. A lot of stock’s not out yet so those will have to be put to grass. So it’s a busy time of the year,” said John.

Deirdre Toal works with Progressive Genetics, one of the associate sponsors at Emerald Expo. Living in Smithboro, Co Monaghan, but from Strokestown, Roscommon, originally, she’s quick to praise the commercial opportunity the expo presents for the agri-industry.

Deirdre is one of the founding members of the Emerald Expo, which saw a group of like-minded breeders from the border, midlands and north-eastern region come together to form an organising committee. She also performs as MC for the event. Each year Deirdre keeps a keen eye out for what animals she feels might get elevated to best in show.

“You’ll have people here spotting what the competition will be like for the whole show season. It gets very competitive. When you go in... walk down through the stalls, chatting to breeders, you get a feel for the potential champion.”

For Patrick Gaynor of Mullaghland Holstein and Jerseys, a committee member, the Emerald Expo feels special: “Maybe it’s because it’s local. It’s the first of the year and everyone is excited. It’s a lovely event where everyone pulls together. It’s about the people really, and the love of showing cattle.”