As 2026 is the United Nations (UN) International Year of the Woman Farmer, the show is taking the opportunity to highlight the contribution of women to the dairy sector.

The FBD National Dairy Show returns to the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co. Cork, on Friday and Saturday (October 9-10). Women account for 13.2% of registered farm holders in Ireland, but actually make up 34% of all farm workers.

Interest in the sector among women is increasing with 28% of agricultural course completions in 2024 being female students, compared to 17% in 2020.

Dairy show

Women will play a central role in judging at this year's FBD National Dairy Show.

Scotland's Jane Steel will judge the finals of the Young Members' Association (YMA) Showmanship League and will also judge cattle.

Jane has judged across the UK, Ireland, Germany and Australia, along with being a livestock photographer for 30 years.

Izzy Jones, a well-known face in the showring in Millstreet who exhibited of the Junior Holstein Champion in 2025, will judge the young handlers.

The National Dairy Show Innovation Awards will be judged by Aoife Bergin and Gráinne Hurley on Friday afternoon with the winners announced at 7:30p.m.

At last year's show, women were central to the biggest result of the weekend.

The Supreme Champion, Hallow Octain Twizzle was bred by Philip and Linda Jones and handled in the ring by Andrea Rafferty.

In 2023 and 2024, Eedy Doorman Fame, bred by Robert, Sylvia, Jason and Laura Helen, became the first back to back Supreme Champion at the show in over a decade.

Next generation

A recent survey from Agriland and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) found that one in three Irish farmers intend to leave the sector within the next five years, and half of those have no successor identified.

The findings demonstrate the importance of encouraging young people into dairy farming.

The YMA Showmanship League, run by the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA), gives young breeders a platform to build their skills and confidence.

Competitors travel the country all summer to earn the 24 qualification points needed for a place in the final in Millstreet.

At last year's finals, young women and girls took 8 of the 9 top three places.

Women in farming

FBD, the title sponsor of the show, has supported a number of initiatives around women in farming this year.

FBD is sponsoring the 2026 Dairy Women Ireland Annual Conference, taking place on Friday, November 20 at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, with the theme "Our Time Is Now".

The company also supported Agriland's "Groundbreakers" series, which showcased the role of women in farming during the International Year of the Woman Farmer.