At the launch of Emerald Expo 2018, held at the RDS, l-r: Fintan Deere, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, sponsors; Charles Gallagher, Chief Executive, IHFA; Richard Whelan, Emerald Expo Chairperson and Carolyn O’Hara, Head of Sales, FBD, sponsors.

Emerald Expo 2018

Emerald Expo is set to take place in the Virginia Show Centre, Co. Cavan on Saturday 28th of April. This landmark show, now in its eighth year, kick starts the showing season in the agricultural calendar. As the first dairy cattle show of the year, Emerald Expo offers 19 classes catering for all dairy breeds and six championships. Emerald Expo is sponsored by FBD Insurance and Glanbia.

It was the biggest Expo show to date, with over 130 entries and big numbers throughout every class. Mark Logan, Clandeboye herd, was Judge and he surmised This has been a fantastic show with great credit due to all exhibitors who have supported the show so strongly in such big numbers. When I saw the first of the heifer classes enter the ring and to observe the quality breeding on display I was nearly bowled over. This high standard continued right throughout the show.

Last year’s Emerald Expo saw Hallow Attic Christina owned by Philip & Linda Jones win Supreme Champion, Exhibitor Bred Champion, Best Udder and was presented with the Seamus Kelly Perpetual Trophy.

Reserve Champion was won by Jim Mulhall & family, Danville herd with Clonpaddin M CYG Fame ET, Intermediate Champion and 1st Senior 3 Year-Old. The Mulhall family have been very involved in YMA locally and nationally over the years. It is great testament to their efforts to have performed so well, especially Doireann and Cathal who took on the responsibility of show preparation.

Patrick and Karl Colton won Honourable Mention with Ardnasalem Jenny ET, 1st 5 Year-Old Cow In-Milk with Andrea Murphy on the halter. Jenny was also winner of the Expo EBI Championship.

Ben Yates, judge for Emerald Expo 2018

Ben Yates will judge this year’s show. He manages the Y-Farm partnership in Somerset and has recently established his own Wowcow pedigree Holstein herd. Ben has had success showing at the European Show in Colmar, 2016 and has judged at the Celtic Show Case, the YMA National Calf Show and the Winter Show, Drenthe, Holland.

Among the classes being judged are handling classes for Young Members’ Association (YMA). These are the keen next generation of breeders. Expo offers these young people the first opportunity to begin amassing points towards the Showmanship League 2018. The Showmanship League continues throughout the summer in the many local shows nationwide where the competition is hosted. This culminates in the Showmanship League Finals at the National Dairy Show, Milstreet in October.

Agricultural shows play a very important role in rural Ireland as an educational tool and a fun day out for farming families. This social capital is a key ingredient and serves as a link between town and country. It is an opportunity for farmers to meet up and discuss the issues of the day, taking time out from a busy schedule, while enjoying the spectacle of the show. That will surely be a welcome reprieve for farmers this spring.

Emerald Expo continues in the vein of the RDS Spring Fair of old, in that it serves as both a shop window of the breed and a preview of the quality stock to be seen in show rings throughout the country in the year ahead. Chaired by Richard Whelan, the Show Committee is made up of local breeders and supported by the Irish Holstein Friesian Association. The show is also mad possible by the continued support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the marine, Alltech, Volac and the IFA.

All are welcome to Emerald Expo in Saturday 28th of April. The show will commence at 9.30am and admission is free.
More info is available by calling 023-8833443.