Judgement day beckons for top cows vying for title

International judge of the 2011 Baileys Irish Champion Dairy Cow Competition is Welsh breeder Iwan Morgan. He will be on the look-out for "a balanced dairy cow" when he judges at the 28th Baileys Irish Champion Cow on July 30. Along with his father, Iwan milks 120 Holsteins and 50 Jerseys at their 250 acre farm in South Wales. Iwan is a member of Holstein UK and has been judging as well as showing cattle for many years. He is a seven time winner at the Royal Welsh Show. Having judged in Europe and Great Britain, he is also no stranger to these shores. Recent trips to Ireland have included to the Young Members Association National Calf Show in Kilkenny last year as well as to the Tullamore Show where extreme weather conditions twice prevented him from performing his role there. Whatever the weather, some great examples of the Holstein Frieisian breed are expected to be on show for him in Virginia. "I'll be looking for a very collect cow with that extra bit of breeding excellence," he said. To enter the competition, cows must first have produced 500kgs of butterfat and protein in a 305 day lactation (except for the heifer in milk awards). A 10% extra weighting is being given to the protein portion of the entry standard. Entrants are required to complete an entry form which this year should include a recent full body picture of their cow in electronic format. For further enquiries and to obtain an entry form contact Brendan Smyth, Competition Director on 087 2560 952 or bsmyth@glanbia.ie. Closing date for entries is July 21.