The 76th Virginia Agricultural Show took place in Virginia, Co. Cavan, earlier today (Wednesday, August 23).

The event was launched by President of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Joe Healy, and played host to a busy atmosphere. AgriLand was there, to provide a snapshot of the proceedings.

Speaking at the event, Healy highlighted that real solutions and compromise will be required in the upcoming Brexit negotiations, to safeguard the vital cross-border agriculture trade on the island of Ireland.

On milk prices, Healy stressed the need for the continuing market recovery to be fully passed back to farmers in further milk price increases – to be able to catch up with the three years of cash-flow difficulties which preceded the uplifts of the last 12 months.

The show committee of over 200, chaired by Patrick Gaynor, secured prize money of €50,000 for almost 500 classes in this year’s event.

Categories included: cattle; horses; sheep; poultry; dogs; home industries; children’s classes; and arts and crafts.

The programme featured: 300 trade stands; live entertainment; artisan food producers; a cookery demonstration; fashion shows; sheep shearing demonstrations; and children’s entertainment.

Virginia Show

One of the highlights of the show was the Diageo Baileys Irish Champion Dairy Cow competition, in association with Glanbia Ireland, which was won by Sam McCormick’s Hilltara Lanthority Echo 2.

The All-Ireland Male/Female Weanling Championships, sponsored by Gunne Carnaross Mart, also took place, while the Liffey Meats €2,000 Champion Super Beef Bullock was another competitive class that featured on the day.

Other popular attractions included: the Univet Ireland Ltd and Virginia Show Commercial Heifer Champion; the Glanbia Freisian In-Calf Heifer; and the Lakeland Dairy Champion of the Show.

Virginia Show

Other big competitions included: the Clerkins Virginia Veterinary Practice Charolais Classes; the North Eastern Club Charolais Junior Champion Final; the North Eastern Club Simmental Junior Champion Final; the AW Ennis Interbreed Champion; and the Francie Brady Charolais Champion of the Show.

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

Virginia Show

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