With such impeccable breeding, Dalevalley OTI J Lulu beat 24 other bovine beauties that travelled the length and breadth of the country to compete in the country’s most prestigious dairy livestock event which is sponsored by Baileys Irish Cream and its cream supplier Glanbia at the Virginia Show.
‘Lulu’ was born six years ago in Donegal!
Her current owners, Eugene Murphy and his son Sean are farmers from Ireland’s Southern-most county of Cork.
Their prudent purchase of Lulu as a heifer-in-milk has paid dividends for they return to Cork with a 2,000 Euro cash prize from Baileys and the silver VGlania Virgina Mlk Products trophy in their possession.
Competition judge, Iwan Morgan who is from Wales said: “It has been an ambition of mine to follow in my father’s footsteps and judge this competition. All of the cows on show here today were remarkable but the sheer power and capacity of the winner and, in particular, that incredible udder gave her the edge.”
Hallow Lheros Indian Ink owned by Mervyn & Philip Jones from Gorey, Co. Wexford was declared Reserve Champion. Honourable Mention went to Co Wicklow farmer, John Hurley for his cow, Clonpaddin Goldwyn Fanta.
Other prizes were awarded in specialist categories for breeders that travelled to Virginia from as far afield as Co Kerry and Co Down to compete including Richard Jones from Co Wexford and Roy Cromie of Co Donegal for a jointly owned Best Dry Cow winner, Ardnasalem Kite Lulu 2 a distant relative of the winner; the Co. Dublin farmers Mervyn Eager & Cyril Dowling took Best Heifer-in-Milk with Baldonnel Goldwyn Star; and father and daughter entrants, Ivan & Louise Robinson from Co. Down won Best Protein and Best Economic Breeding Index with Glaslough Charles Fancy.
Minister of State for Agriculture, Shane McEntee T.D., presented the prizes alongside Alan Quane of R&A Bailey & Co and Glanbia Chairman Liam Herlihy. Minister McEntee said: “This is a much anticipated event among pedigree breeders and its success can be attributed to the fact that it rewards animals with good commercial milk production, outstanding appearance and show ring characteristics.”
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