The national final of Macra’s Irish Dairy Board Dairy Stockjudging competition took place at the Irish Holstein Friesian Association Open Day in Cork on 16 June.
First prize in the senior competition went to Victor O’Sullivan, Whitechurch Macra, Seandun, Cork, while the Under-23 competition was won by Alan Twomey, Donoughmore Macra, Muskerry. Runners-up were Michael Murphy, Kiltealy/Ballindaggin Macra, Wexford (Senior event) and William Neville, Tullamore Macra, Offaly (Under-23 event).
The dairy stockjudging competition takes the form of an academic test followed by the score-marking in order of merit of a pen of heifers and a pen of cows. Competitors are also interviewed on their overall grading of the animals and must answer questions on the technical aspects of dairy farming.
Speaking at the event, Macra na Feirme Munster vice-president, James Healy said: “I’d like to thank the Irish Dairy Board for their continued support of the competition. This competition is a great opportunity for young farmers to become skilled at assessing livestock and it prepares them for the actual job of buying and selling farm animals. Stockjudging also broadens the young farmers’ knowledge of new developments in stock breeding, husbandry and disease control. This year’s competition was outstanding with the standard of entrants being very high.”
The two overall winners have won a place on the annual Macra prizewinners trip in Autumn.
Pictured:
Above: John O’Brien, of sponsors, the Irish Dairy Board, with overall winner, Alan Twomey, Donoughmore Macra, Muskerry, Cork, runner up, William Neville, Tullamore Macra, Offaly and James Healy, Munster Macra Vice President.
Below: Victor O’Sullivan, Whitechurch Macra, Seandun, Cork, runner up, Michael Murphy, Kiltealy/Ballindaggin Macra, Wexford and James Healy, Munster Macra Vice President.
Images courtesy Macra.