CE FOREWORD

from Summer Journal 2023

THE FUTURE IS IN THE EAR

A new chapter for IHFA

This issue of the journal is full of new beginnings. With the launch of the national genotyping program we are beginning the journey to a fully genotyped Herdbook. This will be a world first and a huge step forward for the IHFA. You can read more about his inside and I encourage everyone to sign up to this program straight away.

Universal genotyping brings the opportunity to increase the value of our stock for sale for both dairy and beef markets. IHFA herds are a premier source of dairy beef and male dairy calves as buyers have confidence in the breed make up of the calves. Genotyping adds Commercial Beef Value to this and increases confidence.

This spring saw, for the first time, a demand for Irish pedigree dairy cattle from outside the UK and Ireland. North African and Eastern European countries are now looking to Ireland to source dairy females. This gives us great scope to sell our surplus females and accelerate genetic gain.

The summer program is kicking off in some style in clubs around the country. There are already more than thirty events listed on our website. The Pure Friesian and National Open days at Gearoid Maher and Peter Ging farms promise to be the pinnacle of these events but it’s the number of events around the country that shows how much IHFA clubs do to promote the breed in the local areas and have great social interaction as part of that.

I look forward to a great summer and a year of great progress for IHFA

Sincerely

Laurence Feeney Chief Executive

Would you like to represent Ireland at the Young Breeders School in Belgium or at the Holstein Young Breeders Weekend Rally in England?

EYBS in Belgium runs from 30/08/2023 - 03/09/2023. During the week you will learn every aspect of show preparation from washing, bedding, clipping and feeding to putting your hard work to the test in your individual competition categories at the end of the week. EYBS is open to all ages.

HYB Weekend Rally runs from 11/08/23 - 13/08/23. Throughout the weekend you will be part of the Irish Team Competing in a National Reasoned Stock Judging and Linear Assessment and on the Sunday you take part in a Field-to-Foto Competition, with your teams Clipping, Washing and Showing skills being showcased. You must be Over 16 to apply for HYB Weekend Rally.