The event, one of the major highlights in the annual showing calendar, offers the ultimate stage for some of Ireland's top dairy breeders to showcase their elite cows and young stock.

It also allows the country's top young handlers to display their talents and skill in the showring.

Agriland Media is once again the official media partner for the show and the team has been on site to see what is on offer during the two-day event.

The 44th FBD National Dairy Show takes place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10, October, with gates opening at 2:00p.m on Friday.

Across the two days there will be a total of 23 classes which have attracted over 200 entries, including handlers.

Friday's action opens with the final round of the Young Handlers' Association (YMA) Showmanship League.

This will be followed by the Champion and Reserve Champion Handler classes.

The various breed classes will also begin with the Jersey junior stock on Friday evening.

Saturday sees the Holstein Championships, senior Jersey cow classes, and the mature cow classes, all building toward the Supreme Championship.

Mark Logan from Co. Antrim will have the tough task of judging the cattle classes.

Based in Islandmagee, Logan is farming Holstein heifers under the Clovervale prefix.

He previously spent 33 years as farm and estate manager at Clandeboye Estate in Co. Down and served as president of Holstein UK from 2025 to 2026.

The judge for the FBD National Dairy Show Showmanship is Jane Steel from Scotland.

She has worked as a livestock photographer for 30 years and brings a judging record spanning the UK, Ireland, Germany and Australia.

Izzy Jones will judge the YWA Showmanship League Finals.

She farms alongside her husband Gary under the Jones Holsteins prefix in Co. Wexford.

FBD National Dairy Show

Along with the excitement of the show ring, there will be plenty to entertain and inform visitors.

The event hosts Ireland's largest specialised dairy trade exhibition, including artificial insemination (AI), animal health, breeding, dairy agricultural technology, milking equipment, robotics, machinery, finance, nutrition, soil and land management, and more.

Visitors will have a chance to visit the Rispoval Calf Village, sponsored by Zoetis for the third consecutive year.

There will also be plenty on offer at the show for machinery enthusiasts.

On Friday evening, the winners of the FBD National Dairy Show Innovation Awards will be revealed.

The awards recognise new products and services that have made a real impact on dairy farming over the past year.

Alongside an overall winner and an overall sustainability winner, awards are also presented across three categories: science, technology/engineering, and best start-up.

Stay tuned to Agriland for live coverage, results and exclusive interviews at this year's AXA National Dairy Show.