On the eve of the Virginia Show in Co. Cavan, dairy exhibitors are busy preparing their elite cows in the hope of clinching the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow title.

The prestigious competition has been a staple fixture within the Irish agricultural show calendar for more than four decades.

With some of the most elite dairy cows across the nation taking part, the competition is pretty intense.

Preparations always start well in advance of the big day, with work being done right up until they enter the ring.

Agriland caught up with Richard Jones ahead of the competition to see what exactly is involved.

The cow Jones was preparing was Tubbertoby Lambda Mooju, from the Tubbertoby herd of Paul and Matthew Flannagan in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth.

Tubbertoby Lambda Mooju recently placed second in the pedigree registered Holstein Friesian two-year-old heifer in-milk class at the Tullamore show.

Show preparations

Preparations for shows such as Baileys begin well in advance, with cows going on specialised diets compared to typical dairy animals a month or two in advance before a show.

Jones said show cows may not be out at grass as much as the milking herd, as exhibitors can keep a closer eye on their condition, and prevent them from being overwalked.

In the days leading up to the event, the workload increases as exhibitors stay on the show site with the cow, carrying out tasks such as pre-clipping and hoof pairing, as well as keeping them well fed, bedded, and clean.

Despite all the work in the lead-up to the show, the final few polishes before the ring can still be hectic, as the cows hair is touched up one final time, with blow-dryers and hairspray even been used.

Jones said the ultimate goal is to refine the cow and enhance her dairy look, highlighting her features to the judge.

He noted that if someone want to compete amongst the elites, the work needs to be put in.

Baileys Cow

Jones said it is a big honour for anyone to succeed in the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow competition, as it is a "very hard competition to win".

He said there are some exhibitors competing in the show for a lifetime that have never managed to clinch the champion spot.

According to Jones: "You need a little bit of luck, and to put the most effort you can into it and hopefully one of these days you have a good enough one."

While Jones and many other exhibitors are busy prepping their animals, the excitement is well and truly building to see who will be crowned the 2026 Diageo Baileys Champion Cow at tomorrow's (August 19) Virginia show.