The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) awards night took place last Friday 24 February at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. This year the awards were presented by the new executive director of Agri Aware Deirdre O’Shea.

Among the awards presented were the all-Ireland awards for 2016, covering nine classes, the Young Members Association (YMA) awards which include club of the year, president’s medal and hall of fame; the IHFA gold and diamond awards and first presentation of the perpetual trophy to the IHFA champion cow.

The first ever IHFA champion cow award went to Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 ET, owned by Philip and Linda Jones of Hallow Holsteins. In 2016, she won both the Glanbia senior cow championship at Emerald Expo in Cavan and the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow, also held in Virginia, Co Cavan.

The all-Ireland awards were based on photographs of animals exhibited at local or national shows. The entries were scrutinised by a selection panel of judges who took into account the quality of the animal as photographed and their successes at various shows.

Judges were selected from the IHFA judges panel representing the broad geographical area of the country and on the basis that they had no connections to entries in any of the classes. There were many entries, all of a high quality. The finalists in each class are as follows.

Class 1: all-Ireland heifer born after 1 January 2016

  • Champion – Dalevalley Dorman Embrace 2 ET; Roy Cromie, Carnone, Castlefin, Co Donegal.
  • Reserve – Hallow Mccutchen Twizzle; Philip Jones, Holstein View, Killowen, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Honourable mention – Sprucegrove Cuttion Dellia; Keypoint Holsteins and Seamus Foody, Tuam, Co Galway.

    • Class 2: all-Ireland heifer born between 1 July and 31 Dec 2015

  • Champion – Dalevalley Dorman Tracey ET; Roy Cromie, Carnone, Castlefin, Co Donegal.
  • Reserve – Clonpaddin Mpw Fame 2; John and Garry Hurley, Ballymoyle, Arklow, Co Wicklow.
  • Honourable mention – Cornboro Goldie Alice; Brian Corley, Cornafaghey, Smithboro, Co Monaghan.

    • Class 3: all-Ireland heifer born between 1 Jan and 30 June 2015

  • Champion – Greenlea Stonewall Oceane; Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Monaghan, Co Monaghan.
  • Reserve – Ballyboy Armani Carmen 995; Jim and Una Sinnott, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
  • Honourable mention – Emerald Deman Papoose; Donal and Thomas Neville, Croagh, Co Limerick.

    • Class 4: all-Ireland heifer born between 1 Jan and 31 Dec 2014

  • Champion – Clonpaddin Windbrook Fame 2 ET; John and Garry Hurley, Ballymoyle, Arklow, Co Wicklow.
  • Reserve – Clonpaddin Lavanguard Flavour; John and Garry Hurley, Ballymoyle, Arklow, Co Wicklow.
  • Honourable mention – Greenlea Shottle Pledge; Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Monaghan, Co Monaghan.

    • Class 5: all-Ireland three-year-old cow in milk

  • Champion – Laurelmore Wyman Lavender; John Barrett and Sons, Lehenaghmore, Togher, Co Cork.
  • Reserve – Dalevalley Gwy Embrace 2 ET; Denis O’Neill and David Boyd, Glaslough, Co Monaghan.
  • Honourable mention – Mirah Laven Maggie; Michael Freeney, Derrydonnell, Oranmore, Co Galway.

    • Class 6: all-Ireland four-year-old cow in milk

  • Champion – Drumlina Atwood Megan; Boyd / Greenan / O’Neill / Timlin / Moore, Co Monaghan.
  • Reserve – Clongowes Sid Almeric 2; Bryan O’Connor, Bawnmore, Kanturk, Co Cork.
  • Honourable mention – Greenlea Lauthority Pledge; Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Monaghan, Co Monaghan.

    • Class 7: all-Ireland mature cow in milk

  • Champion – Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 ET; Philip Jones, Holstein View, Killowen, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Reserve – Desmond Dundee Embrace ET; Philip Jones and Roy Cromie, Killowen, Gorey, Co Wexford.
  • Honourable mention – Evergreen Duplex Ebony; Liam and Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.

    • Class 8: all-Ireland Irish pure Friesian heifer in milk

  • Champion – Churchclara Jason Circus; Bill O’Keeffe, Church Clara, Co Kilkenny.
  • Reserve – Castledale Merlin Yana 34; Bill O’Keeffe, Church Clara, Co Kilkenny.
  • Honourable mention – Mountain Glenalbyn Pixie ET; Micheal Spillane, Tullamaine, Fethard, Co Tipperary.

    • Class 9: all-Ireland Irish pure Friesian cow in milk

  • Champion – Mountain Bounty Dixie ET; Michael Spillane, Tullamaine, Fethard, Co Tipperary.
  • Reserve – Dundum Sneacta 86; Martin Crowe, Carrigmore Hse, Doon, Co Limerick.
  • Honourable mention – Firoda KJY Twink; Peadar Healy, Firoda, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.

    • Gold and diamond awards

    A gold award is presented for a cow who has produced 3,000kg of protein in her lifetime. A diamond award is presented for a cow who has produced 3,000kg of protein in her lifetime and is classified excellent on conformation.

    IHFA gold and diamond awards were presented by FBD chief commercial officer Jim Ryan to Brian Lyons, Michael Hickey, Tom and James Kelly, Michael McDonald, Richard Hellen, Michael Coleman and Trevor Lockhart.

    President’s medal

    This is a special merit award for a YMA member (up to 26 years of age) who has served the young members with distinction of service including performance in YMA events. Recipient: Laura Sinnott.

    Hall of fame

    Recognition award for an individual outside of YMA age who has greatly helped and contributed to young members’ success over the years.

    This contribution on behalf of young members reflects contribution at club level and clubs submit a nomination outlining the credentials of each candidate. Recipient: Maria Burke.

    Club of the year

    This award reflects participation and achievement in YMA events and competitions during the year.

    It is a club award recognising team effort and the varied skills that exist within clubs. Recipient: Breffni Oriel.