New IHFA Team Members

Stephen Shannon

Stephen is no stranger to IHFA. Growing up on a pedigree dairy farm, the Ballydehob herd, gave Stephen an excellent introduction to pedigree breeding and dairy farming. A lifelong member of the Cork YMA club Stephen has held many roles within the club and is currently Chairperson. Stephen credits this involvement in YMA from such a young age as where his passion for the Holstein breed devleoped. He has represented Cork YMA at the National Calf Show and in stock judging competitions at the National Open Day. A highlight of his IHFA/YMA career to date was representing IHFA at the European Young Breeders School (EYBS) on two separate occasions, placing 6th overall in 2019. Stephen has had many busy summers attending field evenings and preparing cattle for shows. In 2021 Stephen graduated from Animal Science in UCD. Stephen has been training and working as a classifier with IHFA since February and we are delighted to have him on the team. Stephen looks forward to traveling around the country to farms, meeting IHFA members and classifying the many herds of quality cows around the country as part of his role.

Ciara O Mahoney

Ciara is a Clonakilty/West Cork local coming from a farming background. She always had a keen interest in agriculture, and decided to follow this through to third level education where she has recently graduated with a degree in agricultural science at SETU Waterford (formerly WIT). As part of this degree Ciara undertook placement on progressive farms and with Teagasc Moorepark

Ciara took up role in the IHFA as marketing and customer services administrator in late May, where she will be involved in promoting the organisation to potential members, assisting in marketing activities for the association and representing the IHFA and promoting the organisation on-farm and at events. Ciara has a passion for all things agriculture and is delighted to be on the team.

Caragh Lynch

Caragh is from Gortatlea in Co. Kerry. She has always had a great interest in agricultural with dry stock at home and working on dairy farms which are active members of the Kerry Holstein Friesian Breeders club. Caragh recently completed an Agricultural Science degree in MTU, as part of this she undertook placement in Teagasc Moorepark. Working alongside PhD student Sarah Walsh who was researching the effect of spring grass availability on DMI and milk production in dairy cows, Caragh investigated the presence of IBR in bulk tanks and the risk factors associated with it. Animal health has always been one of Caragh’s great interests. Caragh took up her role as Registrar with the IHFA in May 2023, where she is dealing with farmers on a daily basis, registering pedigree cattle, solving members queries as well as representing IHFA at events .

Catherine O Driscoll

Catherine comes from a farming background of both beef and dairy, growing up on her family farm in Barryroe. This introduction to farming taught Catherine the importance of hard work, dedication and respect for both the land and animals. From an early age Catherine was immersed in the daily rhythms of farm life. She has a passion for all types of animals but especially loves cattle having worked most closely with dairy and beef stock thus far in her career. Being surrounded by animals all her life has given Catherine a love for the outdoors life and appreciation for the beauty of nature. Catherine looks to promote women in agriculture amongst other like minded young ladies interested in farming through her agriculture dedicated social media platforms. Catherine is looking forward to expanding her knowledge of the dairy industry and Holstein Friesians as a Registrar with the IHFA.

Changing of the Guard

We at IHFA would like to take this oppourtunity to congratulate Richard Whelan on the culmination of his term as IHFA President and wish the 2023 IHFA President Richard Hamilton all the best as he takes over at the helm. Pictured below are CE Laurence Feeney, incoming President Richard Hamilton, outgoing President Richard Whelan and President Elect John O Sullivan. Photographer - John Gill

Top Classified Cows Since last Journal Publication

ANIMAL SCORE (times) OWNER

BALLYBOY SID CARMEN 1039 EX95 (3) Philip & George Jones

LYNBROOK PREDESTINE DREAM ET EX95 (4) Ann O’Hanlon

BALLYTIGUE MOGUL PENNY EX95 (3) Aidan Frawley

MONAMORE GRAFEETI PAPOOSE EX95 (3) Tom & James Kelly

MONEYGURRAN CLOVER 62 EX95 (4) James Crowley

This classification list is a summary of those herds classified between 1st January 2023 and 31st May 2023

Remember you can access your classification report online from the IHFA log in page in the days after your classification. Also it is CRUCIAL to record calving events for all animals prior to classification or their lactation will be incorrectly classified