Emerald expo is back

Emerald Expo, Ireland’s spring all breeds, dairy cattle show is returning to The Virginia Show Centre in County Cavan on Saturday 29th April and this year it is being held in conjunction with the European Holstein and Red Holstein Conference. The programme of events includes six championships, classes for YMA handlers, other dairy breeds, youngstock classes and in milk classes. The total prize fund on offer exceeds €28,000. We are so looking forward to getting back to Virginia and into the thick of the showing season for 2023.

Meet the Judge

A word from Show Director: Richard Whelan

It is a fabulous honour for IHFA members to have been chosen as hosts of the prestigious European Holstein & Red Holstein Confederation (EHRC) conference 2023. The Emerald Expo organising committee is delighted that the show forms part of the EHRC event itinerary, closing a varied programme of events overall to help promote our breed to a European audience. Following on from the renowned Spring Show which was a tremendous shop window for the breed in previous decades, the Emerald Expo continues that important link providing exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase top quality stock. I express thanks and give recognition to all those involved in the Spring Fair which was the previous iteration prior to Emerald Expo which was first held in 2011. FBD Insurance are title sponsors of Emerald Expo this year and the organising committee is deeply grateful to the FBD team for the tremendous sponsorship support year after year. Thanks to all our sponsors for their commitment to the show. The Virginia show centre is a tremendous venue. I congratulate the Virginia organising committee for the foresight and ambition in building such a fine premises which is made available to the local community and the wider catchment. Thanks to Patrick & Mary Gaynor and family for their hard work and support. I also thank the committee members of the Breffni Oriel club for the help and support. A warm Emerald Expo welcome to our Judge Hefyn Wilson who is travelling from his home in Wales to judge the show. Hefyn is renowned Internationally for his Judging capability, he has a most impressive judging CV and we look forward to his stellar command of the ring and the microphone in adding to the spectacle of the show. Best of luck to all exhibitors taking part including the Young Members (YMA). I hope you all have an enjoyable and positive day. Finally I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible on the day and I extend a céad míle fáilte to the European delegates in attendance.

Where is our 2022 Champion?

Hefyn Wilson farms the Tregibby herd of 75 holsteins and 15 jerseys in Wales and is a previous Holstein UK Premier Pedigree Herd Competition winner. Hefyn’s judging highlights include the All Britain All Breeds Calf Show, Great Yorkshire Show and the Premier Pedigree Herd Competition in the UK. Hefyn is no stranger to Irish soil as he has also judged our National Holstein Show in Tullamore and our national herds competition. We look forward to welcoming Hefyn back across the water and we will be sure to put on an impressive display of animals for him.

We had a chat with John Dowling, exhibitor of 2022 Champion Clonpaddin G Fame ET. He said that Fame is back in calf and is due in September. She is coming with her 9th calf now and is having a well deserved break from the show ring but he hopes to get her back out to RUAS Winter Fair in December all going well. John intends to bring two third calvers to Emerald Expo in April, one being Baldonnel Sol Ebony who he had great success with up at the RUAS Winter Fair in 2022, another being Baldonnel Solomon Lustre going back to 2015 National Dairy Show Champion Baldonnel Goldie Larissa EX94 who John owned with Tadgh Bourke. Emerald Expo has brought much success for John in his showing career and with winning Supreme in 2019 with Baldonnel FM Sunshine and again in 2022 with Clonpaddin G Fame after a break during Covid, he said he is going for the Hat-Trick this year!