Rubens, a living legend.

Everybody knows the Canadian proven bull STBVQ Rubens RC for his wonderful red & white daughters and their show successes that have been ongoing for years. Derrwyn Miss Special and Lavender Ruby Redrose are great examples: both became “Global Red Holstein Cow of the Year”, in 2008 and 2007 respectively. Maybe not everybody knows that the vital Rubens is still alive and that he is now 15 years old! In addition, the veteran has sexed semen available - undoubtedly to the great delight of type and Red Holstein breeders!

YMA National 2008

RESULTS YMA FINALS ’08:

Junior Handler (aged 12 or under on 1st Jan)
1. TJ Maunsell – Kerry
2. Kevin Behan – Kildare
3. Chere Duffy – Breffni / Oriel

Intermediate Handler (aged between 13 & 16 on 1st Jan)
1. Emma Behan – Kildare
2. Louise Sinnott – Slaney
3. Thomas Neville – Limerick / Clare

Senior Handler (aged between 17 & 20 on 1st Jan)
1. Laura Sinnott – Slaney
2. Nicola Boyd – Breffni / Oriel
3. Diarmuid Murphy – Cork

Mature Handler (aged between 21 & 26 on 1st Jan)
1. Tadhg Bourke – Limerick / Clare
2. Dermot McCarthy – Limerick / Clare
3. John Kelly – West Midlands

Champion Handler: Emma Behan – Kildare Club
Reserve Champion: Tadhg Bourke – Limerick / Clare
Honourable Mention: Dermot McCarthy – Limerick / Clare
Junior Calf (born after 1st Jan)
1. Glaslough Fab Francy owned by D&K Boyd
2. Rowantree Elegant Molde owned by Damian Wynne
3. Greenlawn PS Storm Begonia owned by Michael Lynch

Intermediate Calf (born between 1st Sept & 31st Dec ’07)
1. Chapelhill Damion Delight owned by D&T Bourke
2. Emerald Talent Karry owned by Donal Neville
3. Glaslough Damion Rox owned by D&K Boyd

Senior Calf (born between 1st March & 31st Aug ’07)
1. Hallow Lheros Indianink owned by M&P Jones
2. Swiftsheath Susie Mist 923 owned by Liam Murphy
3. Ballinafinn Shottle Beatrix owned by D&T Bourke

Mature Calf (Born between 1st Jan & 28th Feb ’07)
1. Coolroehouse Indianink owned by John Forrest
2. Borahard Electricity Hera owned by Patrick Loughlin
3. Beechrow Gibson Twain owned by Michael Booth

Champion Calf: Hallow Lheros Indianink - M&P Jones (Slaney Club)
Reserve: Coolroehouse Indianink - John Forrest (Cork Club)
Hon Mention: Borahard Electricity Hera - Patrick Loughlin (Kildare Club)

Winning Club: Limerick / Clare

Baileys Cow to go all-Ireland

The 25th Baileys Champion Cow Competition at Virginia Show, on August 20 will be an all-island competition, it has been announced.

Competition director Brendan Smyth confirmed last week that, for the first time in 12 years, the competition will see entries from the North. The milestone is significant as the competition celebrates its silver anniversary; the inaugural winners of the Baileys were the Crawford brothers from Co. Fermanagh.

Holstein breeders from the North entered the Baileys until 1996, when BSE restrictions prevented entries. With those issues now resolved, this year’s competition will be an all-island initiative once again, subject to compliance with Department of Agriculture regulations.

John Martin, secretary of the Holstein NI welcomed the new departure: “It is well recognized that the Baileys is one competition that exhibitors really want to win. I would encourage breeders to enter so that Northern Ireland can again make its mark in this prestigious event.”

Carrying a prize fund of €8,000, the Baileys Champion Cow Competition will bestow €2,000 to the owner of the winning cow and a reserve prize of €650. Other awards will be given for Highest Protein Content, Best EBI, Best Exhibitor-Bred Cow and Best Heifer in Milk. Details are available from the Virginia Show secretary on 049 8547197.