Diageo Baileys Champion Cow 2024

Diageo Baileys All Ireland Champion Cow 2024

Report by Donal Carey

The crème de la crème of top-class cows and heifers was on show at the 39^th Diageo Baileys All Ireland Champion cow competition. Greenlea MG Rhapsody exhibited by brothers Padraig & Brendan Greenan, Crosshugh, Co. Monaghan was crowned Diageo Baileys Champion cow 2024, a local success for the Breffni Oriel club and a first Baileys title success for the Greenlea herd. The success of Greenlea MG Rhapsody is testament to her star quality and longevity as a mature nine-year-old cow, she was the oldest cow in the show ring on the day. She also won the Diageo Baileys Protein Award and exhibitor bred Champion.

The Diageo Baileys Champion cow is a truly prestigious competition open to the top cows and heifers in-milk from breeders in Northern Ireland and the Republic. Showcasing the top quality in-milk animals from throughout the country north and south, the competition is jointly sponsored by Diageo and Tirlán as a collaborative co-operation. Baileys is a worldwide success story for owner and manufacturer Diageo as one of the most recognizable choice beverages internationally. Tirlán is exclusive supplier of cream, the key ingredient in Baileys. Virginia, Co. Cavan is the sacred homestead of the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow and the competition was a central part of the 81^st Virginia Show held on Wednesday August 21^st last.

Results of Diageo Baileys All Ireland Champion Cow 2024

Markus Mock, judge, described his Champion cow as “The cow that I would love to take home, she is a monumental senior cow. She looks fresh considering her age, yet she moves so comfortably”. Classified EX96 5E on conformation she has recorded 91,687 kgs milk, 6,993 kgs milk solids lifetime yield to date in six lactations. She is an IHFA Diamond award recipient having surpassed 3,000 kgs Protein production. Sired by MR Movistar Mardi Gras (S2032) she is bred from thirteen generations of VG/EX Dams. She has bred four VG/EX daughters to date.

Knowlesmere Jones Unix Victoir exhibited by Jones & Knowlesmere Holsteins was crowned Reserve Champion. She also won best udder. In his comments the Judge stated “I really admire the udder quality of this cow, she has an outstanding mammary system. She carries so much breed character”. Calved over three months in her second lactation on the day of the show, she is projected to record over 12,000 kgs milk, 775 kgs milk solids.

“A super modern type cow” stated Markus Mock when describing his Honourable Mention cow Hallow Octain Twizzle ET exhibited by Philip & Linda Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Five months calved in her second lactation she is classified VG89 on conformation. As a VG87 2-Year-old heifer she recorded 9,691 kgs milk, 722 kgs milk solids, 3.93% Fat, 3.52% Protein.

From southern Germany, Markus Mock is known throughout Europe for his high level showing and judging credentials.  His herd Mox Holsteins has won the German National Dairy show three times. Currently the herd of 135 cows includes 100 cows classified Excellent on conformation.

The Championship top ten included;

Senior Cows

• Evergreen Susie Mist 26 RC exhibited by Liam & Sandra Murphy, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
• Bawnmore Pepper Almeric exhibited by John & Bryan O’ Connor, Kanturk, Co. Cork
• Hallow Atwood Twizzle 1181 exhibited by Philip & Linda Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Junior Cows

• Cradenhill Altitude Tequila ET exhibited by Richard Kingston, Belgooly, Co. Cork
• Hallow Denver Twizzle exhibited by Philip & Linda Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Heifers

• Slatabogie Lambda Gold exhibited by Slatabogie Holstein, Maghera, Co. Derry

Diageo Baileys Champion Cow 2024 Best Junior Cow in milk

Diageo Baileys Champion Cow 2024 Best Heifer in milk