IHFA Hall of Fame Award

Carlisle Smith, Meadow Bank, Liskilla, Waterfall, Co. Cork

Established in 1923, the Liskilla herd of the Smith family is one of the longest established registered Holstein Friesian herds in the country, and is a very worthy recipient of this year’s National Hall of Fame award. With nearly a century of registered breeding and over 100 years of milk recording, the Smith family heritage extends many generations with the torch proudly carried today by Carlisle and his brother Leslie.

Carlisle’s grandfather William Smith established the Liskilla registered herd in 1923 with the purchase of his first Friesian animals. A visionary man he began milk recording in 1910. Keen to develop the herd further he purchased carefully selected breeding stock from renowned registered herds in Cork, such the Dinan’s Imokilly and Tracton herds, who were among the first to register Friesian cattle in Ireland.

A successful early result of herd breeding & selection policy was being awarded the champion bull at Cork Show in 1932; Liskilla Jupiter. Achievements, awards and country wide recognition for the performance of the Liskilla herd soon followed. William’s son, Richard Ambrose, took over the running of the farm during the 1940’s. More breeding and show success followed with Liskilla exhibiting at many prominent shows including Cork, Bandon, Clonakilty, Macroom and Limerick. Carlisle recalls these days with great nostalgia, “Our cattle frequently travelled by train to Clonakilty show. We were just a few fields away from the Waterfall train station, it is unheard of nowadays but we walked the cattle from the field to the train station for their journey to the showgrounds. Showing was an important day out and a very pleasant social occasion”.

Through the 1960’s Liskilla bulls were in high demand, with the likes of Liskilla Air Pilot selling for 320 guineas in 1963. He was out of the high-producing Liskilla Lyric who was impressively named Champion cow at Cork Show, the R.D.S and Balmoral in 1964. The Smith family’s storied association with showing was enriched further with a bequest of the ‘Liskilla Cup’ to the Munster Agricultural Show (M.A.S.) in 1960. Richard donated this commemorative cup in recognition of the success of Liskilla Ocean, a four time M.A.S Champion cow. Many Liskilla bred bulls were purchased for A.I. and Carlisle recalls that all were consistently successful. The list includes; Liskilla Quaver, Liskilla Image, Liskilla Bounty, Liskilla Pomp Enhancer, Liskilla Griff, Liskilla Minotaur, Liskilla Lyselle Sunshine.

Carlisle and Leslie’s partnership began in the early 1970’s following Richard’s passing, and has seen much evolution and modern technology introduced. Carlisle was just twenty-two and fresh out of Gurteen Agricultural college at this time, but had already accumulated a wealth of cattle-breeding knowledge over years of showing. Time commitments eventually led to the end of exhibiting at shows, however Carlisle became deeply involved as an active member and officer of the Cork Holstein Friesian Breeders Club. He has served as a member of the club’s organising committee for over twentyfive years. He dutifully fulfilled many roles including Club Secretary. Carlisle was elected by his fellow Cork club members to serve on the National Dairy Show organising committee, including four years as Trade Stand Co-Ordinator. The pinnacle of Carlisle’s commitment saw him elected as Club President in 2017 and he had the honour of serving as President during the National Dairy Show’s 35th anniversary year.

Carlisle comments “I always liked milking cows and working with good stock. As the herd now approaches a feat of one hundred years of Herdbook Registrations it is a very proud achievement. Established in 1923 the Liskilla herd actually supersedes the Government of Ireland’s ‘Livestock Breeding Act’ which was introduced in 1925. To think that milk recording in its various guises has been practised on the farm since 1910, and that herdbook registrations have been maintained since 1923 it really is a very strong endorsement of breeding commitment”.

All told, the history, heritage and influence of the Liskilla herd is truly remarkable. We are delighted to pay tribute to Carlisle, his wife Olwen and their family as the 2022 National Hall of Fame awardee. Congratulations to all of the Smiths on maintaining and growing such a successful herd over the years.