There was an increased entry at the 32nd National Dairy Show in Millstreet. The quality of stock was said to be up on last year, as was the entry. There was a record number of trade stands present too, backed by the strong interest in dairy farming.

Gary Jones from the Hallow Herd in Wexford was the master judge of the YMA. He has gained great experience through the Slaney Club YMA and is a handler judge on the EHRHC panel of showmanship judges.

The judge for the day was Iwan Rhys Morgan from the famous Erie herd in Carmarthen, south Wales. Iwan milks a herd of 140 registered Holsteins and 45 Jerseys on the family farm with his father Edward.

Iwan has judged young handlers and cattle shows in Ireland, Italy, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Judging on Saturday started at 9am, with the handler classes followed by the calf classes and then on to the milkers. It was a very full day, with the finals at 5.30pm.

John Barrett of the Laurelmore Herd was presented with the National Recognition Award – a testament to his contribution to the black and white breed over many years in breeding the famous Laurelmore herd.

The quality of animals competing was tremendous, especially in the junior in-milk classes, which augurs well for bringing an Irish team to compete at the European show in Coolmar, France, in 2016.

The junior champion title went to Donal and Tadhg Bourke with Ballinafinn Sid Seal May and the reserve title went to Brian Corley with Cornboro Iota Alice.

The intermediate champion title went to John Cooney with Hallow Bordermist Sid Fran, and the reserve title went to Paul Flanagan with Tubbertoby Atwood Fran.

The judge in his final lineout picked five cows worthy of the top award. The final pick were the intermediate heifer champion owned by John Cooney, the four-year-old winner owned by Cyril Dowling and Tadhg Bourke, the production class winner owned by Eugene and Sean Murphy (Baileys champion cow) and first and second placings from the mature cow class.

The judge commented on the dairy-ness, the great udders on all the cows and the quality right down the classes, with great front-end strength. He tapped out the first and second placings of the mature cow class, owned by Glaslough Holsteins, for supreme champion and reserve. Honourable mention went to Cyril Dowling and Tadhg Bourke.

The judge commented on the tremendous balance, silkiness, openness and great front-ends on his champion and reserve.

David and Kenneth Boyd have achieved tremendous success with both these cows this year at various shows throughout the country.

Now in her fourth lactation, Glaslough Miss Petra now adds national dairy show champion to many other show successes in 2014 including Irish National Holstein Show champion, Emerald Expo reserve champion and reserve champion Baileys cow competition.

Bred from the Petrelle cow family, Miss Petra is a daughter of Glaslough Lyster Petal EX 93.

Glaslough Goldwyn Bret is a much-admired production cow, currently in her sixth lactation. She has produced over 4,250kg of milk solids.

In addition to great longevity, she has tremendous conformation, classified to excellent conformation on four occasions. They are both 50t cows.

David and Kenneth Boyd also won the premier breeder and premier exhibitor award. They also won the best of the group of three cows. Glaslough Miss Petra also took the best udder of the show award.

Highest EBI award went to John G Kirby, Mounteen, Ballinascarthy.

YMA league final

Results of YMA Showmanship League Final 2014 held at the National Dairy Show.

Handler aged 16 years and under – 1st: Claire Kirby, Ballinascarthy, Co Cork. 2nd: Conor Lynch, Ballingarry, Co Limerick. 3rd: Lauren O’Toole, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.

Handler aged 17-26 years – 1st: Andrea Rafferty, Mullabrackscott, Co Monaghan. 2nd: Padraic Murphy, Kilmanagh, Co Kilkenny. 3rd: Louise Murphy, Jenkinstown, Co Kilkenny.