IHFA National Open Day

from Winter Journal 2022

How to Register a Calf via Phone App Guide

IHFA nATIONAL oPEN DAY 2022

hosted by Frawley family, Ballytigue herd, Co. Limerick

Large crowds, glorious sunshine, a relaxed and sociable atmosphere with quality Holstein Friesian breeding on display made for a very successful Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) National Open Day on July 7th last hosted by the Frawley family, Ballytigue herd, Bruree, Co. Limerick. The IHFA National Open Day is an annual on-farm showcase for the Holstein Friesian breed highlighting efficiency of production. Dairy farmers from all over the country made the journey to the farm of Aidan and Sally Ann Frawley & family located near Bruree, south Limerick in eager anticipation. Upon arrival everyone was immediately impressed by the scenic location of the farm, tremendous farmyard, top quality infrastructure, excellent grassland management and overall attention to detail.

The days events included the National Interclub, Macra na Feirme and YMA stockjudging, viewing of the Ballytigue herd, results and presentations of the IHFA National Herds Competition and a Ballytigue celebratory sale offering choice youngstock lots from the herd. In addition, there was a comprehensive trade stand display of over 50 commercial agri-businesses offering the most up-to-date products and services.

The top cows from the Ballytigue herd were on display for the stockjudging classes of Heifers in milk, Junior and Senior Cows. Thanks to the local Limerick Clare Friesian Breeders club who gave tremendous help and support preparing and leading the cows for the judging classes. The official opening was performed by Pat Murphy, President & CEO of Kerry Groups Dairy business, as the days main sponsor. Pat welcomed all in attendance and highlighted Kerry Group’s delight in supporting the event and congratulated the Frawley family, lifetime Kerry suppliers, on a fantastic open day.

The Ballytigue herd

Aidan and Sally Ann Frawley registered the Ballytigue prefix as a new herd consisting of 35 heifers in 2002. At that stage the farm at Ballytigue was a greenfield site having previously functioned as a beef unit. Hosting the IHFA National Open day coincided with the Platinum anniversary of the herd. Over the years Aidan and Sally Ann with the help and support of their children Séan, Laura, Conor & Áine and the wider family including Aidan’s parents John and Ann have developed and progressed the herd winning numerous awards for animal quality and milk production. The herd has frequently placed in the top three ranking of the IHFA National Herds Competition including numerous Judges Choice award prizes.

The herd achieves excellent conformation scores annually, there are currently 150 cows (93 % of the herd) scored VG/EX (very good /excellent) which is the top two grades of IHFA conformation. The value of these conformation scores can be seen in the longevity achieved by many cows in the herd - eighteen cows are currently 6th lactation plus. In addition, there are eight cows in their eighth lactation who average a conformation score of EX (excellent) 92. The herd averaged a milk recording performance

of 9,800 kgs milk, 711 kgs milk solids per cow last year, SCC of 81. 38 cows of 4th lactation plus recorded an average milk solids production of 769 kgs combined fat & protein.

New IHFA C.E.

Recently appointed as IHFA Chief Executive Laurence Feeney addressed the large crowd at the open day. In his first public address Laurence paid tribute to outgoing C.E. Charles Gallagher who dutifully served IHFA in the role for fourteen years. Laurence told the crowd that he looks forward to serving the membership and that he is excited about the opportunities for the breed into the future. Richard Whelan, IHFA President made a presentation to Charlie in appreciation for his leadership. Fifty-four choice youngstock lots from the Ballytigue herd were offered for sale at the conclusion of the day under Taaffe Auctions. There was 100 % clearance with an average price of 3,166 guineas. Top price of the day went to Ballytigue Crown Penny RC (Lot 9) at 7,100. She is bred from 15 generations of VG/EX Dams. Her Dam Ballytigue Mogul Penny is classified EX94 with an EX95 Mammary while her Grand Dam Ballytigue Goldchip Penny classified EX95 with an EX95 Mammary this year. Six lots in the sale achieved prices in excess of 5,000 guineas.

Donations to local charities

Substantial funds were raised on the day for local charities nomi-

nated by the Frawley family. Lot 20, Ballytigue Apple Free Red Colleen RC, was auctioned in the name of St Joseph’s Foundation, which provides services and supports to children and adults with special needs in the North Cork/South Limerick area. This February born heifer calf bred from six generations of VG/EX Dams sold for 2,000 gns. Voluntary donations on the day went to Cuan Mhuire, Bruree, a treatment addiction centre, and to Milford Care Centre.

Judges

Many thanks to our judges on the day - Rickey Barrett and Derrick Frawley. Paul Hannan presided over the U18 reason giving and Emer Kelly judged the YMA aged class (12 and under).

Results of IHFA National Herds Competition 2022

The IHFA National Herds Competition is computed on the basis of a balanced formula incorporating efficiency of production, conformation points and inspection points for quality as discerned by a visiting Judge. The Judge for the herds competition this year was Hefyn Wilson from the Treggiby herd in South Wales. Hefyn is a member of the UK National Judges panel, and he has vast judging experience. Over the course of six days, he travelled the length and breadth of Ireland visiting thirty-six herds nominated as finalists by their respective clubs.

Noel Hennessy, Thevalley herd, Lismore, Co. Waterford won the Judges recognition award. Results

SPRING CALVING HERDS Breeder Name Herd Prefix Address

1st Edward Fitzgerald Toberfort Effin, Co. Limerick 2nd William Horgan Aghaleemore Killarney, Co. Kerry 3rd Tadhg Sweeney Frankford Kilcormac, Co. Offaly

HERDS 80 COWS & LESS Breeder Name Herd Prefix Address

1st Paul, Brian & Colin Walsh Drishogue Oldtown, Co. Dublin 2nd Dermot & Joan Jackson Borkil Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow 3rd Noel Hennessy Thevalley Lismore, Co. Waterford

HERDS GREATER THAN 80 COWS Breeder Name Herd Prefix Address

1st Thomas & James Kelly Monamore Drogheda, Co. Louth 2nd Rickey Barrett Laurelelm Balinhassig, Co. Cork 3rd Aidan & Sally Ann Frawley Ballytigue Bruree, Co. Limerick

JUDGES CHOICE PRIZE Breeder Name Herd Prefix Address

1st Thomas & James Kelly Monamore Drogheda, Co. Louth 2nd Noel Hennessy Thevalley Lismore, Co. Waterford 3rd Aidan & Sally Ann Frawley Ballytigue Bruree, Co. Limerick

Interclub Stockjudging Results

12 – 18 YEARS Club Team Members

1st Limerick / Clare Daniel Chaplin, Bill Hannan, Orla Frawley 2nd Kerry Kate Maunsell, Michael Savage, Muiris Harty 3rd Cork Kate Lehane, Gaby Nagle, Sarah Shannon

Highest Individual Award Sarah Williamson, Breffni Oriel club

18 – 26 YEARS Club Team Members

1st Kerry Jack Walsh, Jack Goulding, Padraig Broderick 2nd Limerick Clare Damien Burke, Emma McNamara, Rachel McNamara 3rd Carlow Kilkenny Hannah Murphy, George Murphy, Joseph Donohoe

Highest Individual Award Damien Burke, Limerick / Clare club

SENIOR

Club Team Members

1st Kerry Emer Curtin, Tommy Maunsell, Kieran Savage 2nd Donegal Alan Macbeth, Charles McCandless, Trevor Lockhart 3rd North Eastern Alan Dorian, Pat Murray, John Moore

Highest Individual Award Alan Macbeth, Donegal club Genetic Merit awards

Tankardsrock LHZ Twinkle a sixth lactation cow with an EBI of €350 bred and owned by Stephen McShane, Tankardsrock, Kilkerley, Dundalk, Co. Louth won the genetic merit award for highest EBI. She has a lifetime yield to date of 44,389 kgs milk, 3,862 kgs milk solids, 4.79 % Fat, 3.91 % Protein. Her lifetime calving interval to date is 369 days.

Moorabby KOZ Laura 1542 EX90, a ninth lactation Pedigree cow with an EBI of €333 bred and owned by Timothy Blackburn, Main Street, Galbally, Co. Tipperary, won the genetic merit award for the highest EBI cow classified EX (Excellent). She has a lifetime production to date of 64,416 kgs milk, 5,354 kgs milk solids, 4.66 % Fat, 3.65 % Protein. Her lifetime calving interval is 366 days. Her Classification conformation composite scores include VG89 Legs & Feet and EX91 Mammary.