Spring Journal 2026
Lely Discovery Collector
Thanks to intelligent, flexible routing, the Discovery Collector 120 knows exactly where you want it to clean and when. High-traffic areas get extra attention, so build-up is prevented before it starts.
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“It
Ashleigh Fennell, Carlow Dairy Farmer
CONTENTS
5 CE Foreword / AGM Notice / Dates for your Diary
12 Registration Errors & How to Avoid them
13 IHFA Services Pricing / Show Calendar
40-41 Member Focus: Ryan McElhinney 42-45
Editor: Georgia Greenan
Contributors:
Ciara O’Mahony
Dr. Patrick Kelly
Donal Carey
Cover Image:
Landmark Tannenbaum Henrietta EX95 from the Landmark Herd, Stephen Nagle, Mitchelstown, Co.Cork
IRISH HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.
Tel.: 023 8833443 Fax: 023 8834740
Email: enquiries@ihfa.ie www.ihfa.ie.
IHFA acknowledges ICBF for providing data. Latest data as supplied at date of compilation.
DISCLAIMER: The Holstein Friesian Journal is the official publication of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA). Content is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the Editor. Opinions and views expressed or implied are not necessarily those of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the material published no responsibility will be assumed for the validity or accuracy of any statement, errors or omissions or the content of any advertisement. Printed
CE FOREWORD
Currently the 2026 calving season is well underway, and the results of last years breeding decisions have become reality. How successful these decisions will be remains to be seen but we will know soon enough. The great strength of IHFA is the diversity of breeding policies within the herdbook. No matter what selection criteria are employed on a farm there is a relentless drive for improvement.
The need to deliver a cow fit for the future is always present, even if the requirements change over time. We have seen huge improvement in the breed for fertility and solids, this is paying off hugely in the economics of our herds. As fertility becomes less of a limiting factor we move to other concerns such as health, mastitis, disease, functionality. All these influence the productive life of our cows.
Long lived cows, with good fertility and excellent milk solids production, that can thrive in the Irish production system are key. As we strive to improve other traits we must keep a focus on the main drivers of profit.
EGM/AGM NOTICE
The IHFA EGM/AGM will be held in the Conyngham Arms, Slane, Co.Meath at 7pm on Thursday 14th May The AGM will be preceded by an EGM.
I’m delighted to see a strong uptake of Herd Strategy. This service allows a breeder to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their herds and breed for their own goals. It does this by using past genetic performance in your own herd to plan the future.
A great thing about cattle breeding is that you tend to get out what you put in. High production genetics will milk more, high longevity genetics will last longer on average. Today, more than ever, genetic gain is vital to our future and the health of our industry. As breeders, you are at the forefront of this and have a role to play for the whole industry.
This issue features many thought provoking articles that can inform all our thinking before the 2026 breeding season. We hope you enjoy reading.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Spring/Summer 2026
IHFA Premier Bull Sale - 2nd April Emerald Expo - 25th April
IHFA National Open Day - 8th July
FBD National YMA Finals - 21st & 22nd July Focus Farm Open Days - TBC
Blumenfeld Sheepst Bumblebee-ET
Pedigree
National ID:
Breed: HO (97%)
Pedigree Status: PED
AOT HUDSON-ET
NAPAVALLEY X RANDY LEVI X ACRES EIGHT
Full sister to Lisdu Nathan
Hudson Daughter
Hudson Daughter
Dam - LISDUFF MARY 180 VG 88
Drafting System
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Thank you to all IHFA Pedigree breeders who contributed to our fourth export to North Africa which sailed in January 2026. Cows.ie are thrilled to continue the collaboration with the IHFA to secure Pedigree heifers for further exports in 2026 and the future.
REGISTRATION ERRORS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
WHAT IS SRM?
SRM means that a bull is on the supplementary register. He is not pedigree. Please note, some bulls, although having an FR code may in fact be crossbred.
Be Aware - Protect Your Herd’s Pedigree Status
When choosing a sire from AI, do not assume that all bulls are pedigree registered. Always check with your provider before purchasing straws.
Why?
In the past, all AI bulls were required to be registered as pedigree. This is no longer the case. SRM bulls may be up to 100% Holstein Friesian but are not backed by pedigree lines.
How does this affect the status of offspring?
If you use an SRM sire on a pedigree cow, the progeny do not qualify for pedigree status. How this affects future generations in the herd depends on the sex of the offspring. Female progeny will be graded ASR and generations of pedigree bred lines will be disrupted. The same does not apply for males. An SRM sire will result in male offspring being graded SRM. The consequences of this will impact future generations as EU Breeding Rules do not allow grading up through the male line.
Male progeny from an SRM sire will always have SRM status!
Males cannot grade up.
Remember, SRM does not equal Pedigree!
Pedigree breeders make huge investments in building on the pedigree of generations of animals in their herds. This can be lost by an uniformed choice of sire. Tell your AI provider that your herd is a pedigree herd and you are maintaining pedigree status for your animals. If a sire is not pedigree, he does not suit your herd or your investment.
FRX BLUE CARD
There have been a number of incidences recently where pedigree registered animals are issued blue cards with FRX as the breed instead of FR.
The Department of Agriculture have indicated that it is possible to update a full Pedigree animals blue card if it has FRX as the breed in error
To do so:
• Contact your local DVO
• Produce the pedigree cert showing full animal pedigree (zootechical cert on back of pedigree cert)
• Complete form ER94(b)
IHFA advises all farmers to check blue cards as they arrive and resolve any issues as soon as possible
WHAT IS FPT?
“The pedigree certificate states that IHFA are relying on statements made by or on behalf of the breeder as to parentage at the time of registration.”
If you, as a breeder/herd owner or agent, carry out genomics on female animals in your herd and failed parentage is identified (FPT) then the IHFA registration status is invalidated and you must –
• Inform IHFA in writing of the animal’s identity (tag no.).
• Return the existing pedigree cert to the office.
(extract from D.A.F.M. publication re Valuation process) Pedigree Certificates (purebred registered and officially upgraded animals).
Reactor animals declared as pedigree must be registered in the herd book of the relevant breed society prior to the date of breakdown excluding animals under twenty-eight days. Original Pedigree certificates for pedigree animals or on-screen proof of pedigree on ICBF website must also be available and provided to the Valuer at valuation or non-pedigree rates will apply.
• Follow up and correct the parentage at your own cost.
IHFA will then issue a new cert for that animal reflecting the updated information.
IHFA does not accept any responsibility for failed parentage.
Males MUST be SIRE & DAM VERIFIED – for breeders participating in the National Genotyping programme (NGP) and have sent back all 2024 samples, the 2024 male animal will be genotyped and the cost of registration will be €40 once sire and dam are verified.
For breeders not participating in NGP the cost of registration will be €40 plus €24 to genotype the calf plus €24 to genotype the dam (if she is not already genotyped) .
IHFA Se r vices Pr icing 2026
Item
Female Automatic Registration
Female Manual Registration
Male Registration
Genotyping for Registered male in 2024
Parentage Verification/Genotyping
Genotyping Batch Price
Imported Female, Pedigree Population
Imported Male
Classification Visit Fee
Classification Animal Fee
Classification Cancellation Fee
AI Bull
ET Donor/Calf Genotype
ET Calf Registration
Prefix (discounted on Grade-Up)
Membership
Printing Certs
Postage of Certs
€13.00
€18.00
€40.00
€24.00
€35.00
€24.00
€35.00
€50.00
€20.00
€8.00
€30.00
€100.00
€24.00
€20.00
€100.00
€40.00
€2.00
An Post Costs
SHOW CALENDAR 2026
Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare 3rd May
Kingdom County Fair, Co. Kerry 9th-10th May
Balmoral, Co. Down 13th-16th May
Bandon Show, Co. Cork 17th May
Midleton Show, Co. Cork 24th May
Belgooly Show, Co. Cork 30th May
Ballymoney Show, Co. Antrim 6th-7th June
Clonakilty Show, Co. Cork 7th June
Dundalk Show, Co. Louth 7th June
Armagh Show, Co. Armagh 13th June
Cork Summer Show, Co. Cork 13th-14th June
Athlone Show, Co. Westmeath 14th June
Gorey Agricultural Show 20th June
Corrandulla Show, Co. Galway 21st June
Newcastlewest Show, Co. Limerick 21st June
Charleville Show, Co. Cork 27th-28th June
Flavours of Fingal Show, Co. Dublin 4th-5th July
Clonmel Show, Co. Tipperary 5th July
Longford Show, Co. Longford 5th July
Dunmanway Show, Co. Cork 5th July
Bannow & Rathangan Show 11th July
Barryroe Show, Co. Cork 13th July
Carbery Show, Co.Cork 16th July
Inishowen Show, Co. Donegal 18th July
Dingle Show, Co. Kerry 19th July
Ballyvourney/Coolea Show, Co. Cork 19th July
Arva Agricultural Show, Co. Cavan 26th July
The Ossory Show, Co. Laois 26th July
Castleblayney Show, Co. Monaghan 3rd Aug
Tinahely Show, Co. Wicklow 3rd Aug
Tullamore Show, Co. Offaly 9th Aug
Ballinamore Show, Co Leitrim 11th Aug
Cappamore Show, Co. Limerick 15th Aug
Tydavnet Show, Co. Monaghan 15th Aug
Bantry Show, Co. Cork 16th Aug
Mohill Show, Co Leitrim 16th Aug
Tullow Show, Co Carlow 16th Aug
Bansha Show, Co. Tipperary 19th Aug
Virginia Show, Co. Cavan 19th Aug
Ballygarvan Show, Co. Cork 22nd Aug
Iverk Show (Pilltown), Co. Kilkenny 22nd Aug
Limerick Show 23rd Aug
Clonaslee Show, Co Laois 13th Sept
Glenamaddy Show, Co. Galway 2th Sept
National Dairy Show, Co. Cork 9th-10th Oct
Bawnmore Mogul Redrose
Willsbro Lambda Galys Vray VG87 1yr
Bawnmore Mogul Redrose Woodmarsh Impression Melody Woodmarsh Impression Melody 1 lact 8099kgs 4.62F & 3.86PR
Willsbro Lambda Galys Vray VG87 1yr Her Grandaughter Colonia Lambda Arabella Vg 86 2yr is a rising star at Cedarmore
Her Dam is a Unix EX93-MAX Grand Dam Galys Vray EX94 (Swiss Expo Champion)
lact 9112kgs 4.77F & 3.75P
powerPRODUCTIONPROTEIN
MATTHEW MARK
LUKE JOHN
B arrowvale P ure F riesians
PRESENTS... PRESENTS... PRESENTS...
Barrowvale JINGLE 9 FR8887 (Dovea) EBI €149
Barrowvale GOOGLE 8 FR8896 (Dovea) EBI €141
Barrowvale GOOGLE 3 FR7695 (Eurogene) EBI €164
Barrowvale EXCALIBUR FR9940 (PG) EBI €164
Barrowvale DEADLY FR9947 (PG) EBI €160
Barrowvale GOOGIE 2 FR8211 (Dunmasc) EBI €184
Barrowvale DALINO (Dunmasc) EBI €148
Barrowvale Dobee 48 EX92 7E Dam of B.Jingle 9 & B.Google 8
Debbie 28 VG85 Dam of B.Googie 2
Barrowvale Sabrina 73 VG88 Dam of B.Excalibur & B.Dalino
Barrowvale Dheaty 76 VG86 Dam of B.Google 3
Barrowvale
Barrowvale Dheaty 92 VG89 Dam of B.Deadly
IHFA MASTER BREEDER AWARDS 2025
The IHFA celebrated their annual awards night on Friday 9th January 2026 in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise with a large crowd in attendance. The Master Breeder Awards were kindly sponsored again by Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics. Progressive Genetic’s Niall Duffy addressed the room on the evening, commenting that “it was a great priviledge to sponsor such a prestigious event in the calendar year”.
The Master Breeder initiative recognises herds performing outstandingly on a number of key metrics related to production, sustainability and longevity. Some herds perform better in different aspects, but the top herds all have outstanding performance in a number of areas with few weaknesses.
Our Master Breeders for 2025 listed by County:
BALLYDEHOB ROBERT SHANNON CORK
RINGLEADER PATRICK NOEL O'DONOVAN CORK
RYEFARM EDDIE O'FLYNN CORK
MOUNTFARNA JOHN O'CALLAGHAN CORK
GLENNY DANIEL M O'LEARY CORK
LAURELELM RICKEY BARRETT CORK
BALLYMARTIN ANDREW CRONIN CORK
RADNEY HENRY O'KEEFFE CORK
INISHOWEN IAN ROBERT MC KEAGUE DONEGAL
FAIRVIEW COLIN WALSH DUBLIN
BALLYLONGANE MAURICE HARTY KERRY
AGHALEEMORE WILLIAM HORGAN KERRY
DOONMANAGH JOHN M GALVIN KERRY
DINGLE RONAN SIOCHRU JNR KERRY
DONDALE KEVIN DORAN KILDARE
BALLYMADDOCK TIMOTHY FITZGERALD LAOIS
TOBERFORT EDWARD FITZGERALD LIMERICK
LISNALTY PAUL HANNAN LIMERICK
BALLYELAN TOM LYNCH LIMERICK
GREENLEA PADRAIC GREENAN MONAGHAN
Points are awarded per cow for:
Production (38)
• Solids: 12
• Percentages: 12
• Milk Value: 12
• Milk Sub Index: 2
Longevity (32)
• Conformation: 15
• Lactation (Parity): 14
• Health Sub Index: 3
Sustainability (30)
• Calving Interval: 14
• SCC: 10
• EBI: 2
• Fertility Sub Index: 2
• Beef Sub Index: 2
DELIVERING FOR IRISH FARMERS
Higher
Milk Solids | Better Fertility 100% Irish Farmer Owned
FR2533 (IG) BUNACLOY FANTASY PED
FR2536 (IG) BOWERSWOOD CASHBACK PED
Dam BUNACLOY R-BANE LEO FETJE
• 5 generations VG/EX from great Dutch cow family • VG88 9,500 litre Dam & 12,000 litre EX 94 6E G’dam • In the Top 10 on the ICBF All Sires bull list for Fertility Sub Index • Plus 1.9 for Overall Conformation and Feet & Legs score
FR9289 (IG) JOHNSWELL RORY PED
• High EBI with good balance between milk and fertility • Easy calving for Heifers • Nice Linear profile from an EX 90 Dam • Progeny display Strength & Width
FR2780 SANDY-VALLEY PENCHANT-ET PED
Dam: BOWERSWOOD NERD GOLD VG86
• Production; components & fertility • Pure Protein pedigree - ‘Eastland Golden’ cow family • Great udders +2.30 and Ex. Locomotion
• VG86 Dam & VG89 GDAM; farmer friendly cows
FR9881 (IG) LISDUFF NAPOLEON ET PED
DAM: JOHNSWELL FR2314 BEAUTY 1027 EX 90 Dam: LISDUFF LETALE 55 VG 85
• High EBI with nice balance between milk and fertility • +2.5 for Overall Type Score; +2.4 Udder and +1.2 Feet & Legs Score • Dam and MGDam are both VG 85 Cows • 10 Gens VG/EX Cows from the Letale Cow Family
FR2790 HUL-STEIN NACHO PED
BULL: 29HO20401-Hul-Stein NACHO-13mths SANDY-VALLEY PENCHANT-ET
• New Pursuit son with incredible daughter proof
• Exceptional Fertility Index (+33) & high DPR
• Moderate Stature & powerful frames • Adds Teat Length - Robot ready
• Exceptional conformation, +2.9 for Overall Type Score, +2.9 Udder and +2.1 Feet & Legs Score • Huge Milk SubIndex, €115
MOST REGISTERED SIRES 2025
As well as looking at the top Irish bulls available currently we have compiled a list of the bulls with the highest number of daughters pedigree registered in Ireland in 2025. This list gives some useful insights into the genetics that are dominant in the national pedigree registered herd.
TOP SIRES BY PERCENTAGE VG DAUGHTERS 2025
The sires with the highest percentage of VG daughters, classified in their first lactation in 2025. To qualify sires must have 25 daughters classified within 2025. Also shown is the dams average 1st lactation score.
Maximum Classified Cows
Classifed between Winter Journal 2025 publication and 31st Jan 2026
ANIMAL NAME
TUBBERTOBY BAROLO JOY
COOLROEHOUSE ABBOT ANN
LISNALTY INKA IDEAL 609
MOHONCROSS PET 45
WOODMARSH IMPRESSION MELODY 17
OVERALL SCORE
EX90 (2nd Lact)
EX93 (3rd Lact)
EX93 (3rd Lact)
EX95
EX96 OWNER
PAUL FLANAGAN
PAUL MURPHY & EMMA BEHAN
PAUL HANNAN
EDDIE O’FLYNN
JOHN & BRYAN O’CONNOR
Please note that all cows listed above will be featured in the Classification Spotlight in this coming Winter Journal. We encourage all breeders to get those cows photographed for the feature.
Quality silage – a must for all livestock enterprises
Quality silage starts with quality grass cut at the correct growth stage, optimising digestibility and yield. The aim of preservation is to retain silage quality as close as possible to the grass being harvested, thus avoiding unnecessary ensiling losses. With a proven track record on Irish farms for almost 50 years, GrasZyme Sugarboost Forage Additive for grass silage has been developed for effective grass preservation, with a specific focus on animal performance.
GrasZyme Sugarboost Forage Additive features multi strain homofermentative bacteria (L. plantarum, L. paracasei, P. acidilactici), working at different pH ranges, leading to a pH reduction through the production of lactic acid. This triggers rapid fermentation with reduced energy loss and protein breakdown.
The application of GrasZyme Sugarboost Forage Additive speeds up the fermentation process, reducing the pH of the grass to pH 4.4 within 24 hours of being ensiled. Typically, untreated grass would take at least seven days to reach this pH level.
This difference plays a key role in ensuring that more of the feed value is retained in the clamp and that grass silage of the highest nutritive value possible is fed out your livestock.
In summary the benefits of incorporating GrasZyme Sugarboost Forage Additive into your silage making strategy are:
• Increased animal performance
• Better intakes
• Higher feed conversion rate
• Higher true digestibility
• Less silage losses – 6.1% more tonnes retained
• Less effluent losses
• Reliability - even in low sugar conditions
• Excellent return on investment whether used in wet or dry conditions
The efficacy of GrasZyme Sugarboost Forage Additive is backed by findings from research trials undertaken at renowned research institutes, namely Agricultural Research Institute NI, Hillsborough, Teagasc Moorepark, Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), University College Dublin (UCD), and the Belgian National Institute for Animal Nutrition.
For more information, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor or visit www.agritech.ie
EMERALD EXPO 2026 Preview
By Donal Carey
Emerald Expo returns on Saturday April 25th
Now in its 14th year, Emerald Expo returns to the Virginia Show Centre in Co. Cavan on Saturday April 25th. This all-dairy breeds cattle show is the very first show of the year in Ireland with a substantial prize fund on offer. The Emerald Expo main sponsor is FBD Insurance with supporting sponsorship from IHFA, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Tirlan.
The prize schedule includes seven Championships. The Emerald Expo youngstock confined class is a dedicated class open to breeders from the surrounding IHFA club areas, Breffni Oriel, North Eastern, West Midlands and Donegal. Once again, all eyes will be on the top calibre stock in contention for the Emerald Expo Senior Champion and the prize of taking home the Seamus Kelly Memorial Perpetual Trophy.
The Virginia Show Centre is an impressive facility and all visitors to the show can be assured of an hospitable welcome from the show centre personnel. Young Members (YMA) handling classes will kick-start the show proceedings on the day.
David Wright – Judge at the 2026 Emerald Expo Show. David Wright of the renowned Berryholme Herd. Farming on the edge of the Lake District near Kendal, Cumbria, England. Here David lives with his wife Naomi and their children Heath and Skylar. Along with his father Francis they run the 150 milking cow Holstein Herd. The Wright family have been farming at Berry Holme Farm since 1919.
In 2019 the herd won the Holstein UK Premier Herd Competition, and in the summer of 2021 held an Open Day and Sale which topped at 27,000gns. The herd has been home to many achievements and All Britain Awards, having champion at the UK National Holstein Show on three occasions, 2003, 2010 and 2015. Along with other show ring triumphs at Agriscot, The Great Yorkshire Show and many local events in the UK. David’s wealth of experience and deeprooted knowledge of pedigree breeding make him a highly regarded figure in the dairy cattle industry. David’s keen eye for quality and dedication to the breed make him an outstanding choice to judge the 2026 Emerald Expo Show.
Richard Whelan, Emerald Expo Show Director states the continued success of the Emerald Expo, now in its 14th year, is a reflection of the commitment from all involved including sponsors and cattle exhibitors. Richard “On behalf of the organising committee, I especially thank FBD as title sponsor and thanks also to the IHFA, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and to all class sponsors. As Emerald Expo is the first show of the year, it is an exciting spectacle to mark the beginning of the 2026 show season and open the door for breeders wishing to market their cattle. The venue is again the Virginia Show Centre in Co. Cavan and we are very grateful to the local Virginia committee for making the venue and its top facilities available to the Show. Thanks to the support of our sponsors the prize money is a generous offering. The Emerald Expo Supreme Champion will take home the Seamus Kelly Perpetual Trophy. Preparations are well underway, it’s all systems go and it is an exciting time as we gear up. The show day is an opportunity to meet up with fellow breeders and to enjoy a social and educational day out. It is also a commercial opportunity for the agri industry to showcase new products and services”. Admission is free on show day, Saturday April 25th, and all are welcome.
2025 Champion Coolroehouse Abbott Ann exhibited by Paul Murphy & Emma Behan
UNDERSTANDING THE RECENT EBI CHANGES
by Dr.Patrick Kelly
Recent updates to the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) have resulted in noticeable changes to herd EBIs and bull proofs. While headline figures may appear lower, these changes reflect an important re-scaling of the index rather than a reduction in genetic merit. This guide outlines what has changed and what it means for breed society members.
To remain relevant, the base cow & economic values must be updated regularly to account for:
• Ongoing genetic improvement
• Changes in milk price and production costs related to economic values, not base
• Improvements in data recording and trait evaluation
The change introduced in 2025 includes the update to the genetic base cow, alongside revisions to economic weights and health trait evaluations.
Change to the Genetic Base Cow
The genetic base cow used as the reference population for Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) has moved:
• From: Cows born in 2005
• To: Cows born in 2015, calved and milk recorded between 2017 and 2019
This update ensures the EBI reflects the level of performance currently being achieved and prevents long-term inflation of EBI values. What does this mean for the farmer; all animals are adjusted to the new base. The rank of the animals in the herd won’t change due to a base change. There is no loss of genetic potential of the animal she is just being compared to a new base cow; the cow did not change. The base change results in an average reduction of €97 in EBI, with approximately: €45 from the Milk Sub-Index and €52 from the Fertility Sub-Index.
The updated base cow has changed over the last decade:
• Average 305-day milk yield: 6,287 kg
• Milk solids: 490 kg (264 kg fat, 226 kg protein)
• Milk quality remains strong at 4.20% fat and 3.60% protein
This level of performance now represents the “zero point” against which all animals are compared.
305-day
At herd level, EBI figures and individual trait values will appear lower. For example:
Example of how a herd has changed
Importantly, the relative strengths and weaknesses of cows and bloodlines remain unchanged, allowing breeders to continue selecting animals with confidence.
There has been some Updates to the Economic Weights, which are to reflecting today’s Farm conditions. These updates are using the Moorepark Dairy Systems Model to reflect rising costs and future market expectations.
Some of the Key assumptions include:
• Feed cost: €370/t
• Fertiliser cost: €550/t
• Labour cost: €17/hour
• Milk price: 40 c/litre (incl. VAT)
• Protein-to-fat price ratio: 1.7 : 1
Sub-Index Trait
Some of the changes are; Beef traits including carcass weight and cull cow value, have increased in importance.
Heifer rearing costs have moved from the Beef Sub-Index to the Maintenance Sub-Index. The Maintenance Sub-Index has been strengthened to reflect the lifetime cost of heavier cows in the Teagasc model. As a result: Greater penalties now apply to increased live weight, Moderate-sized cows are more strongly favoured.
(up to May ‘ 25)
(from Sept ’25)
Health traits have been enhanced to better identify cows with repeated issues. Lameness and mastitis now use records from multiple lactations. Linear locomotion scoring has been introduced to improve mobility assessment. These improvements reward robust cows that remain healthy and productive over multiple lactations.
What to Watch With the Changes
With the recent changes, there are several key points that need close attention.
Look Beyond the Headline EBI
The first thing to remember is that you must look beyond the single EBI figure. There is a common belief that EBI is made up of roughly one-third fertility, one-third production, and one-third other traits. While this can be true when looking across all bulls, it is not always true for an individual bull.
For example, the top 20 bulls on the active bull list are made up of:
• 28% Production
• 42% Fertility
• 30% Other trait s
EBI is simply the sum of the sub-indexes. Because of this, it is vital to examine the individual traits of each bull rather than relying solely on the overall EBI figure. Doing so will help maximise herd performance and avoid creating an unbalanced herd.
Similar EBI, Very Different Bulls
Two bulls can have very similar EBI figures but be completely different genetically: Despite being only one EBI point apart, these bulls will leave very different cows.
Wide Ranges in Key Traits
Within the top 20 bulls, the range in traits that have a major impact on cow performance is substantial:
Targetsarebasedonrecommendedclassificationstandards.
Maintenance and Cow Size Matter More Than Ever
With the change in the maintenance figure, the difference in cow size now has a much greater impact on EBI. Previously, the difference between a 525 kg cow and a 675 kg cow was worth €38; this has now increased to €87.
This will significantly influence EBI values, even though it does not change the type of cow you may want on your farm.
If you are satisfied with your current cow size, it is essential to select bulls that complement and maintain that size. This may mean using a bull with a slightly lower overall EBI if his maintenance figure better matches your herd type.
Cow size is a trait that requires balance. There is no advantage in breeding very large cows if efficiency is reduced, but equally, there may be a size of cow that best suits your system, facilities, and management style. The goal should be an efficient cow that performs within your system—not simply the smallest or largest cow available.
Linear Traits Deserve Serious Attention
Linear traits vary widely between bulls and should not be ignored.
• Locomotion: There is no upper limit—better is simply better. Using bulls with negative locomotion on heifers or cows that already have walking issues makes little sense, especially when cows must walk long distances to and from the parlour.
• Chest Width: Large negative values will lead to narrow cows unless that is a deliberate breeding goal.
• Teat Length: Teat scoring is based on the front teat. Using high-negative teat length bulls on cows with short teats can result in major problems when heifers calve down for the first time.
The base cow for linear traits sits just below the optimal level, meaning these traits need careful monitoring before they become a problem rather than trying to fix them later.
Understanding PTAs Before Selecting Bulls
First thing we need when selecting bulls in to know how PTAs (Predicted Transmitting Ability) work. if a cow has a PTA for milk of 120 and you use a bull with a 50 PTA for milk then the result is as heifer with 170 breeding value (compared to the base cow) and a PTA of 85 (1/2 her breeding value).
If a cow has a PTA for protein % of 0.2 and you use a bull with a 0.1 PTA for protein % then the result is as heifer with 0.15 breeding value (compared to the base cow) and a PTA of 0.075 (1/2 her breeding value (BV)).
How the cow performs with depend on management but she has the potential of the breeding value.
Take two cows (add bull)
a) Cow with 500 pta for milk ; Bull 200 pta; this animal has a breeding value of 6287+700=6987 BV is 700 so expected performance in average condition is base+BV
b) Cow with -100 pta for milk; Bull 200 pta; this animal has a breeding value of 6287+100=6387
Take two cows
a) Cow with 0.2 pta for protein %; Bull 0.1 pta; this animal has a breeding value of 3.60+0.3=3.9
b) Cow with -0.1 pta for protein %; Bull 0.1 pta; this animal has a breeding value of 3.60+0.0=3.60
Cow Selection
It is important to see the wood from the trees when selecting cows. While herd averages are useful, they do not show the full picture. A better approach is to first decide the number of replacements you need, taking into account both replacements and animal sales, and work from there. This allows you to identify the top percentage of cows in your herd and then examine their averages. As these averages are higher, they enable more accurate and effective bull selection. Without this approach, you risk using a bull on a cow in a way that actually reduces her performance. If the goal is a uniform herd, careful selection is essential, as the top 20% of cows differ significantly from the herd average, as shown below across three herds.
You need to use both the actual performance of the cow and the PTA of the cow when making breeding decisions. Just like bulls, cows can have very different trait profiles even when their EBI is similar. The cow’s EBI is made up of the same sub-indexes as the bull’s, and under standing how those sub-indexes are weighted is essential. Ignoring this can result in mating decisions that fail to improve—or even reduce— performance in the next generation.
Key Message for Breeders
While EBI figures may appear lower following these updates, the changes represent a recalibration, not a setback.
Great care is needed when selecting the bulls for your farm. It is vital to look at the whole bull not just the head.
Know the PTA for your best cows so you can select bulls that will im prove the herd.
News from
YMA Chairperson: Sinead O’Sullivan
The YMA AGM on the 23rd of January marked the conclusion of Sinead O’Sullivan’s three-year term as YMA Chairperson. During her tenure, Sinead demonstrated outstanding leadership, unwavering dedication, and a deep commitment to the organisation and its members. We would like to sincerely thank Sinead for the time, energy, and expertise she gave so generously to the role. We wish her every success in her future endeavours and thank her for her exceptional service to YMA.
Ballydehob Dams
Congratulations to Robert Shannon on Ireland’s Highest Classified bull dam, Ballydehob Yamaska Trixie EX92 3E. This is a potential line of 9 generation VG/EX tracing back to OJI Trixie. Also pictured (RHS) is Ballydehob OJ Trixie EX94 5E which is Ireland’s highest ever production cow at 11,884kgs of milk solids. The Trixie family is averaging an outstanding 90.75 points over 8 generations. th
Landmark Tannenbaum Henrietta: EX95
Landmark Tabbenbaum Henrietta, featured in the classification spotlight from our Winter Journal pictured here having achieved an outstanding score of EX95 in her 6 lactation. (Photo credit: Jane Steel) th
Across the Association
Becky Hynes: Success Down Under
More congratulations are in order for Becky Hynes of the Cork Club, for recently obtaining her third consecutive Intermediate Showmanship Week at International Dairy Week in Australia!
Becky is no stranger to success in the showring both at home and abroad and it is great to see her representing the Irish down under.
On-Farm Winter Fair Challenge
Due to Bluetongue restrictions, the Royal Danske Ulster Winter Fair on December 11 2025, adapted its traditional format this year by running an On Farm Competition in place of in-person showing classes. th
Especially to:
Flanagan family on claiming Reserve Champion in Holstein Breed Championship with Tubbertoby Barolo Joy. Hynes family on claiming Honourable Mention with Rathard Sidekick Jagerbomb in the Overall Junior Interbreed Champion
Roy Cromie on winning Champion Overall Heifer in Milk with Dalevalley Gold Lambda Apple.
Richard
Hamilton:
A Life Time of Service
Laois Offaly club stalwart Richard Hamilton will later this year call time on his post at Gurteen College as Assistant Farm Manager and Dairy Technician.
The IHFA were delighted to present Richard with a True Type Cow at our recent awards night as a token of appreciation for everything Richard has done for the IHFA, our Young Members Association and Tullamore Show to name but a few.
Marie Lyons: Laois Offaly Club
Last November, Marie Lyons of the Laois Offaly club was presented with a token of appreciation following nearly 40 years on the club’s organising committee.
Marie was one of the founding members of the club and has remained a loyal, helpful and supportive member throughout her time.
Club Notes
BREFFNI ORIEL
National Dairy Show 2025:
Our club enjoyed great success in Millstreet this year, making the long journey worth while, congratulations to all members who competed.
U12 Showmanship League
2nd Abbie Duffy
13-26 Showmanship League
1st Zoe Greenan
3rd Alex Windrum
17-26 Showmanship League
1st Sarah Williamson
2nd Aoife Prunty
4th Hannah Greenan
February 25 Calf
2nd Padraic Greenan
December 24 Calf
1st Brian Corley
November 24 Heifer
1st Brian Corley
Junior Champion
Brian Corley
Reserve & Honourable Mention Junior Champion
Bred by R&H Cromie
Christmas Outing
Our annual Christmas outing for our hardworking committee seen us travel to Curlough Farm & Shop outside Aughnacloy. Here we enjoyed a farm tour and an insight into the Burns family’s milk vending machines. It was a most educational day, and we wish Alwyn & Gemma every success as they embark on a new chapter of robotic milking!
AGM & Club Officers Notification
Our club held our End Of Year Party in Threemilehouse on Saturday November 15th to celebrate all club member achievements throughout the year.
We presented a €1400 donation to Embrace Farm, an accumulation of our fundraising efforts throughout the year. The Greenan family were presented with a token of appreciation for the top class open day they hosted in July & we handed out our overall stock judging prizes for 2025, generously sponsored by Univet. It was an enjoyable night for all and a great chance to catch up following a busy summer for Breffni Oriel.
All Ireland Awards
Huge congratulations to Padraic Greenan for securing the first Master Breeder title for Greenlea Holsteins, on the night Greenlea also scooped the Champion All Ireland Heifer In Milk award with Greenlea Hurricane Isa.
Brian Corley Cornboro herd was awarded Champion in the September 2024 class with Cornboro Goldchip Carla and was awarded Reserve in the December 2024 class with Cornboro Denver Halo.
Our club recently held our AGM in Tullyvin Community Centre. Our committee for the coming year is;
President: Seamus Shannon
President Elect: Trevor Williamson
Chairperson: Dee Toal
Vice Chair: Sean Prunty
Secretary: Clayton Coulter
CORK
Club Tour
Treasurer: Mary Rafferty
PRO: Andrea Rafferty
Organising Secretary: Stuart Heatrick
Cork Holstein Friesian Club had a very successful club tour to the Netherlands last September. A group of 41 people arrived to Schipol Airport on the 2nd of September. From there they visited Drouner Holsteins and Winters Holsteins on the first day before going to the hotel based in Zwolle. The following day the group visited Batenberg Holsteins, Bijsterbosch Holsteins and Big Holsteins. Lunch was kindly provided courtesy of Veecom AI. There was also an option to remain in Zwolle for a day of sightseeing if anyone wished. On the third and final day, the group visited Double W Holsteins and VDR Holsteins before heading to the airport. A very well done James Crowley, Victor O’Sullivan and Richard Forde who organised the trip. Thank you to the herd owners for
their hospitality and agreeing to show off their exceptional herds of cows and also thank you to Bó sires, Bullwise and Robert Helen for sourcing the herds.
National Dairy Show
The National Dairy Show took place on October 10th and 11th 2025. The show saw a record turnout with 187 animals entered and 150 trade stands on show reaffirming its place as one of the premier dairy events in Ireland. Thank you to all who came to prepare the venue prior to the show taking place, those who stewarded on the day and those who helped to clean up after the show. Well done to all of the prize winners. Well done to Richard Kingston for achieving honourable mention with three year old cow in milk Cradenhill Okaliber Shakira ET EX90. In the Holstein Intermediate Championship, well done to Cedarmore Tory which was shown by Paul Murphy and was reserve in that class while honourable mention went to Robinview Parfect Pledge 363 VG85 owned by Michael McGrath. Well done to the Hynes family for winning the Jersey championship with Rathard Kasey while her daughter Rathard Choco Kalani won the junior Jersey championship. Well done to Pat Ahern for receiving honourable mention with Moorshill Buttercup in the Jersey championship. In the confined championships, well done to the O’ Sullivan family for winning reserve champion and honourable mention with Mohoncross Meg 22 and Knockbrown Davinci Ivory.
Club AGM
Our club AGM was held on Tuesday November 25th at the Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire. A very enjoyable evening was had. Ian and Lisa McKeague of the Inishowen herd in Co.Donegal attended the event. Ian gave a detailed presentation outlining his farming system and cow families that are present in the herd. He also spoke about a number of AI bulls that he has used over the years that have worked out well for him.
We would like to thank our outgoing Chair Martin Kennedy, treasurer Willie Sheehan and Secretary James Bourke for their incredible dedication to their roles throughout their terms. A huge Congratulations to those who received prizes on the night. Conor Ahern won the under 18 stockjudging prize, Conor Lehane won the Under 26 stockjudging prize and Peter Kingston won the senior stockjudging prize. A massive congratulations to James Crowley for winning club person of the year. James showed immense dedication to the club throughout the year and he was a very worthy winner.
Finally, we would like to thank Tom Harte Farm services for their generous sponsorship of the event and it is very much appreciated.
IHFA Awards Night
Congratulations to the Hynes family who received champion and honourable mention in the heifer born on or after the 1st of September 2024 with Rathard Sidekick Jagerbomb and Sizzler Rompen Rouge Red. The Hynes family also placed reserve champion with Eedy Rubicon Acclaim in the All Ireland 4 year old cow in milk born between January 1st and December 31st 2021.
Congratulations to Paul Murphy and Emma Behan for receiving honourable mention in the All Ireland heifer in milk born between the 1st of January and the 31st of December 2023 with Cedarmore Tory and they also placed Champion with Coolroehouse Abbott Ann in the All Ireland 4 year old cow in milk born Between the 1st of January and the 31st of December 2021.
Congratulations to John and Bryan O Connor who placed reserve champion in the All Ireland 3 year old cow in milk born between January the 1st and December the 31st 2022 with Willsbro Lambda Galys Vray 46.
Congratulations to Robert and Sylvia, Jason and Laura Helen who received honourable mention for the All Ireland mature cow in milk born on or before the 31st of December 2019 category with Eedy Damion Acclaim.
Congratulations to Richard Kingston who received Champion and Honourable mention in the All Ireland 3 year old Cow in milk born between the 1st of January and the 31st of December 2022 with Cradenhill O’Leila ET Imp and Cradenhill O’Kaliber Shakira ET.
A huge congratulations to all 8 farmers from the Cork Club who received master breeder awards this year. It is a huge achievement for them. This years winners from Cork are:
Ballydehob Herd - Robert Shannon
Ringleader Herd - Patrick Noel O Donovan
Ryefarm Herd - Eddie O Flynn
Mountfarna Herd - John O Callaghan
Glenny Herd - Daniel M. O Leary
Laurelelm Herd - Rickey Barrett
Ballymartin Herd - Andrew Cronin
Radney Herd- Henry O Keeffe
Club AI Night
We kicked off our 2026 club events with our annual AI night which we held on the 20th of January at the Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire. There was a very strong attendance on the night. The event started at 7.30pm and the AI companies had stands available for people to call to prior to the presentations. A change was made to the running of the event this year. We asked club member Nigel Bryan to give a presentation on his farm and the AI companies then had a chance to outline what bulls they had available to them that they would recommend for him to use. Nigel is farming 120 pedigree holstein friesian cows at his farm in Fountainstown, Co.Cork. His grazing platform includes 80 acres of owned land and 15 acres of rented land. He feeds roughly 1.5 tonnes of concentrates per year and his herd are producing approximately 530 kilos of milk solids. He is using a mixture of Irish and international bulls and he milks his cows through the winter but he is fully spring calving. He calves from early January till April with a 6 week calving
Upcoming Events:
rate of 76% and he is satisfied with his herds fertility performance. He also grows barley, fodder beet and maize for his own use on farm. He sells friesian bull calves and holds on to some Angus calves to rear. Nigel talked through some highlight cow families that he has in the herd. His targets that he put to the AI companies were he wanted suggested bulls to be positive for kilos of milk. He wanted suggested bulls to be over 22kgs/ ms combined and positive for fat% and protein % with the EBI for fertility being over 45 euro and 10 euro for health. He also wanted suggested bulls to be positive for type traits.
Following on from Nigels presentation,the 7 AI companies had a few minutes to speak and suggest bulls they had that they felt would suit his herd.
After the presentations had concluded, people attending were given the opportunity to once again call to the AI companies stands to talk to the reps present.
New Club Officers Notification:
We held an election of club officers in January. There are many new faces on the top table. They are as follows:
Chairperson - James Crowley
Secretary- Elmarie Kelleher
Treasurer- Richard Forde
PRO- Clive Osborne
World renowned Holstein judge Brian Carscadden who is also Executive Senior Manager of Blondin Sires Inc will speak to club members at the Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire on Wednesday March the 11th. All welcome to attend. Eurogene are the sole distributors of Blondin Sires in Ireland and have kindly arranged the event for club members.
Cork Holstein Friesian Club will run a dairy stock sale over the final weekend in March. It has been decided to hold the auction as a timed auction which will run over the weekend online. Anyone interested in entering stock for the auction can contact a committee member or email chfcclub@gmail.com
KERRY
Club Tour to Canada
On November 11th to 16th 2025, 21 club members including 2 from the Limerick/Clare Club travelled to Canada on our Annual Club Tour. We visited four day farms, including Loa De Mede Farms, Quality Holsteins, Bosdale Farm and Larenwood Holsteins during our trip. It was great to see how different farming systems work and of course, top class animals were seen. Members also visited Niagara Falls and had some time to sightsee around Toronto. A full day was spent at the Royal Winter Fair to see the Black and White Show, topping off a great trip. It was a great opportunity so see how one of the few countries who retained milk quotas has progressed over the years.
Thanks to Browne’s of Castleisland for sponsoring gilets for all those who travelled.
Club AGM
The club’s AGM was held in the Rose Hotel, Tralee on Tuesday 9th December 2025. Results of our Annual Silage Competition, kindly sponsored by Nicky Leen of Agriking, were announced on the night.
Following on from his involvement in IHFA’s Farm Focus, Maurice Harty of Ballylongane Herd, Ballyheigue also gave a very informative talk on his farming system.
Committee for 2026:
President: Tim McEllistrim
Vice President: Tim Fitzmaurice
Chairman: Johnny O’ Hanlon
Vice Chairman: Mark Corridan
Secretary: Geraldine Harty
PRO: Emer Curtin
Treasurer: Paul O’ Dowd
National Council Rep: John Dillon
YMA Co-Ordinator: Muiris Harty
The Clubs 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner Dance was held in the Rose Hotel, Tralee on Saturday 22nd November 2025. It was a great night of memories, laughter and dancing.
Thank you to all the members who joined in celebrating this milestone with us, to those who participated in the videos, to those who spoke on the night and to those who shared photographs and memorabilia for the slideshow and the commemorative booklet.
A special presentation was made in honour of the 6 founding members at our 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner Dance. The club are indebted to these founding members and to those who have supported the club for the past 50 years.
Mike Kennelly in honour of his father Michael Kennelly. Oisin Kennelly in honour of his grandfather Maurice Kennelly. Tim McEllistrim.
Mary Collins in honour of her husband John B. Collins. Jack Goulding in honour of his grandfather Jackie Goulding. Des O’ Connor.
Maxie Fleming is a stalwart member of the club, dedicating over 20 years as secretary, so it was only fitting that she had the honour of cutting our 50th anniversary cake at the weekend. Thank you Maxie for your years of hard work and dedication to the club. Your commitment over the years has helped mould the club to what it is today. Presentations were made on the night to thank club officers for the last 10 years for their service and dedication to the club, following on from presentations made at the 40th Anniversary Celebrations to club officers for their work in the club. Our club would not be where it is today without the commitment of officers, so thank you.
Maurice Harty, Michael Maunsell, Tim McEllistrim, John Walsh
John Dillon, Leo O’Connor, Johnny O Hanlon, Ronan Siochru, Michael Griffin, Paul Dowd, Emer Curtin, Aisling Harty, Muiris Harty
Peter Kennelly, Geraldine Harty, William Horgan, Richard Langford, Tim Fitzmaurice, Anne Maria Cotter
Seamus Curran, Donal Leahy, John Barrett, James Egan
Christopher Heffernan, Jack Walsh, Padraig Broderick
Cows and Coffee Trade Night
The club had another successful event at our annual Cows and Coffee Trade Trade Night held at Ballyroe Lodge, Tralee on Wednesday 14th January which saw large crowds visiting throughout the night.
We had over 40 trade exhibitors showcasing the latest farming technologies, breeding, nutrition, machinery, solar and much more.
We appreciate all the exhibitors for attending and helping create such a successful and engaging event.
IHFA Awards Night
There were great results for Kerry members at the IHFA Awards Night, which was held on Friday 9th January 2026 in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise.
Master Breeder Awards
John P Galvin Doonmanagh Herd. Mossie Harty Ballylongane Herd. William Horgan Aghaleemore Herd. Ronan Siochru Dingle Herd.
All Ireland Awards
Daniel and Emer Curtin, Euro Holsteins Hon Mention in Class 1 with Euro Denver Charity.
IHFA Young Members Association Presidents Medal Christopher Heffernan.
Well done to all the winners on the night.
Silage Competition Results
Pit Silage Results:
1st Joseph Gleeson
2nd Johnny O Hanlon
3rd Leo O’ Connor
Bale Silage Results:
1st Ross O’ Neill
2nd J.P O’ Carroll
3rd Paul O’ Dowd
New Entrant Results:
1st Kieran Savage 2nd Tom P. Keane
Most Improved Silage: Pat Hanrahan
Maxie Fleming cutting the 50th Anniversary Celebratory Cake.
Members receiving their presentation at 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance. L to R: Mike Kennelly in honour of his father Michael Kennelly. Oisin Kennelly in honour of his grandfather Maurice Kennelly. Tim McEllistrim. Mary Collins in honour of her husband John B. Collins. Jack Goulding in honour of his grandfather Jackie Goulding. Des O’ Connor.
Kerry Members at IHFA Awards Night.
The
KILDARE
News since Winter Journal:
The Kildare Club was very busy in 2025; we hosted two field evenings in June and August 2025. The first evening was held on Anthony Kealy’s family farm. While the weather was not favourable, the welcome to all who attended the evening was welcoming, and there was great chat and discussion over the herd and Anthony’s new parlour. The Herds Competition Judge was Tom Screene of Windfield Holsteins, who was also the judge for Anthony’s Field evening. It was a great success with over 50 people in attendance. The second field evening was held at the family of Norman and Trina Stanley. This was a beautiful sunny evening where all could enjoy the fine weather and hospitality that the Stanley’s laid on. The judge for the evening was Alison Beattie of the Delasheen Herd in Delvin. It was great to see Norman’s Jerseys getting the spotlight as well on the night. The herds’ competition results were also announced on the Night by Tom Screene, where he gave a detailed rundown on all the herds and the standout cows and families in each herd.
Junior Winner Chris Handbridge
Intermediate Winner Gerry & Sean Dunleavy
Senior Winner Stephen Byrne
Premier Winner B&J Cocoman
Also at the AGM this year, we announced the winners of the Stock Judging Competition held over the 2 field evenings, and it was great to see such a great turnout of Junior members of the club. Without these young people who have a passion for the industry, there will be nobody coming behind us. Let’s keep the YMA strong in all our clubs and promote our young people.
U18 Stock Judging Competition
1st Emilia Power
2nd Maxwell Power
3rd Freddie McMahon
Senior Stock Judging
1st Chris Mullaly
2nd Stephen Byrne
3rd Laura Eager
This autumn we also had our Silage competition which was kindly sponsored by Red Mills, this has over 65 entries for the competition and was a very tight competition with the samples being of very good quality.
1st Kevin Doran
2nd Niall O’Loughlin
3rd Chris Handbridge
4th Bernard Harris
5th Anthony Kealy
6th James Gray
We would like to thank, without the continued support from our sponsors, it would be hard to keep clubs running.
FBD, Progressive Genetics, Red Mills, Dairy Master, World Wide Sires
Upcoming Events:
We will hope to have 2 field evenings in 2026. Along with a club trip
New Club Officers Notification: The Kildare Club Officers for 2026 are as follows: Chairman: George Beattie, Vice-Chairman: Kevin Doran Secretary: Jenny Casey, Treasurer: Mervyn Egar A.O.B.
Congrats to George Beattie on his success at the Baileys competition in 2025.
SLANEY
It certainly is a long way from Spring – The Slaney River which is fed from all members farms in our Club area, Wexford and Wicklow is not our friend, at the moment - we have seen one of the wettest 3 weeks on record lately– and we expect another challenging year ahead for 2026.
National Dairy Show, Millstreet on 10th & 11th October
The Jones family had a great day with Hallow Octain Twizzle EX90 2nd Lactation being named Supreme Champion and claiming Best udder of the show and exhibitor bred champion.
Reserve Jersey Champion went to Garry& Izzy’s Jones Ferdinand Cupid. Kate Jones was 2nd in the YMA Showmanship League Finals Class B.
Club Dinner and Presentation of Herds Competition Prizes
Our Club dinner was held on 17th October in Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey. We welcomed the return of our Herds Competition judge Nicholas McCann, Simlahill and his wife, Jill and competition sponsor for Tirlan , Joe Kehoe. We really appreciate Nicholas’s time and judging skills and Tirlan for their sponsorship.
Herds Competition Results 2025
Best Herds on Inspection/ Conformation
Junior
1st Ballinclay Herd Kevin Goff
2nd Rathkyle Herd Mervyn Rath
3rd Ballinameesda Herd Ray Murphy
Intermediate
1st Shelin Herd Eamonn, Ann, Rory Browne
2nd Ballymurn Herd
Denis & Emett Kehoe
3rd Kilgorey Herd Pat Fleming
Senior
1st Gurteen Herd John, Liz & John W Atkinson
2nd Cathu Herd Noel, Maebh & Joe Kehoe
3rd Huntington Herd Ned, Valerie & Nevil Copeland
Elite
1st Hallow Herd
Philip & Linda Jones
2nd Coolnagree Herd
Seamus & Bridget O Leary
3rd Knoxtown Herd
Sean & Breda Murphy
Junior Section
1st Ballinclay Herd Kevin Goff
2nd Ballinameesda Herd Ray Murphy
3rd Rathkyle Herd Mervyn Rath
Best Heifer on Inspection
Barrowross Yamaska Eve Vg85
Kevin Goff
Best Senior Cow on Inspection
Ballinameesda Axel Edie Ray Murphy
Best Red Cow/Heifer
Ballinameesda XDO Bernie VG85 Ray Murphy
Best Cow Family
California Family - Mervyn Rath
Best Junior Cow on Inspection
Ballinclay 4187 Ariel 1121 VG 85 Kevin Goff
Best Group of 3 Cows5 lactations+
Rathkyle Herd - Mervyn Rath
Intermediate Section
1st Shelin Herd
Eamonn, Ann, Rory Browne
2nd Ballymurn Herd
Denis & Emett Kehoe
3rd Condora Herd
Sean & John Condren
Best Red & White Cow/Heifer
Condora Red Hot Fascine EX90
Sean & John Condren
Best Heifer on Inspection Shelin Batman Florence Eamonn, Ann, Rory Browne
Best Junior Cow on Inspection
Shelin Nerd Candy2 VG87 Eamonn, Ann, Rory Browne
Best Senior Cow on Inspection
Shelin Admire Violet VG88 Eamonn, Ann, Rory Browne
Best Cow Family
Violet Family
Eamonn, Ann, Rory Browne
Best Group of 3 Cows - 5 lactations+
Shelin Herd
Eamonn, Ann, Rory Browne
Senior Section
1st Gurteen Herd
John, Liz & John W Atkinson
2nd Cathu Herd
Noel, Maebh & Joe Kehoe
3rd Huntington Herd Ned, Valerie & Nevil Copeland
Best Heifer & Overall Red Heifer on Inspection
Cathu Rager Treasure Red 1757 VG85 Noel, Maebh & Joe Kehoe
Best Red Cow
Cathu Arizona Red VG87 Noel, Maebh & Joe Kehoe
Best Junior Cow on Inspection
Gurteen Cathu Rager Red John, Liz & John W Atkinson
Best Cow Family
Treasure Family
Noel, Maebh & Joe Kehoe
Best Senior Cow & Overall on Inspection
Beechlands Mogul Maple VG87
Walter & Edmund Crean
Best Group of 3 Cows
5 lactations+
Gurteen Herd
John, Liz & John W Atkinson
Elite section
1st Hallow Herd
Philip & Linda Jones
2nd Coolnagree Herd Seamus & Bridget O Leary
3rd Knoxtown Herd
Sean & Breda Murphy
Best Heifer & Overall on Inspection
Jones Chief Espresso Imp VG 87
Gary & Izzy Jones (Manorpowis Cup)
Best Junior Cow & Overall on Inspection
Hallow Octain Twizzle Ex93
P & L Jones (FBD Trophy)
Best Homebred Cow & Overall
Hallow Octain Twizzle Ex93
P & L Jones
(Ml Shortle Perpetual Cup)
Best Cow Family & Overall family
Twizzle family P & L Jones
(The Robert Burrows Trophy)
Best Senior & Overall on Inspection
Annaghmore Fitz Atlee Ex 96
P & L Jones (Butterfield Trophy)
Best Group of 3 Cows5 lactations +
Hallow Herd P & L Jones
Best Red & White Cow Overall
Coolnagree Jotan Banker EX90
Seamus & Bridget O Leary
Highest Lifetime Yielding Cow
Coolnagree RDZ Banker Red Ex94
7385Kgs Solids in 11 Lacts Seamus & Bridget O Leary
Highest Yielding Cow
Ballywalter Polzane
1291 Kgs Solids Ivan Allen
Highest Yielding Heifer Ballywalter Okaliber Pammy 959Kgs Solids Ivan Allen
Highest EBI Cow
Ballydaw LHZ Wendy 707
EBI 370 Stephen Nolan
Highest EBI Herd
Kilgorey Herd - EBI 227 Pat Fleming
Protein % Herd
Rathkyle Herd – 3.73%
Mervyn Rath
Winter Meeting and Silage Competition Results
The meeting was held in The Farm Centre, Enniscorthy on 23rd November, and those who attended were very impressed by the wealth of knowledge from our two speakers - Alice Doyle, Vice Chairperson of IFA who spoke about pensions and the incoming - Auto-Enrol Retirement Scheme which comes into effect on 1st January.
Tom Doyle, County Chairman of IFA who spoke about the environment and the Nitrates Directive and hopefully Ireland will be granted an exemption with some strings attached.
To finish off the evening Stephen Hughes, representing Agriking, sponsors, announced the results of the silage competition, before we adjourned for the welcome refreshments. Congratulations to all who took part and to the winners and thanks to Stephen for collecting the samples.
Bales:
1st - John, Liz & John William Atkinson, 2nd - Noel, Joe & Maebh Kehoe
Bowling
Pit:
1st - John, Amanda, Tom & Jane Mooney 2nd - Ned, Valerie & Neville Copeland
We wound up the year’s activities on Tuesday 30th December, with Bowling for our younger members at Leasuremax, Wexford. Everyone had great fun bowling and enjoyed the mound of food (pizza, chips, chicken gougons, sauceages, onion rings and more) supplied by the staff. Many thanks to Noel Kehoe for organising the event.
Upcoming Events:
We hope to have a Spring meeting and AGM in late February or March .
CLUB 50TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Being held at Riverbank House Hotel, Wexford on Friday 7th November. The year 2026/27 straddles the 50th Anniversary of the Slaney Club, which was initially launched at a meeting of founder members on the 17th September 1976.
We hope that as many members and past/lapsed members especially, as possible will be able to attend to celebrate the club’s achievements over the years and reminisce over meetings, events, trips and the many great characters within the club (some who are, sadly, no longer with us) and who contributed to the craic and the club’s successes over the years.
We would love to get photos together to hopefully print a photo book to remember the 50 years of Slaney.
We look forward to more positive months ahead for farming.
WEST MIDLANDS
News:
The club held its annual AGM on the 20th January 2025 in Feericks Hotel. A good discussion was held on the night on the future direction of the club and a plan was put in place for the year ahead.
Club Officers:
The committee for the following year are as follows:
Chairperson: Emer Kelly
Vice Chairperson: Shane McHugh
Secretary: Rebecca O Halleran
Vice Secretary: Avril Helen
Club President: Kevin Gunn
Treasurer: Michael Gunn
A.O.B
The committee discussed at the AGM that a letter is going to be sent to club members in the coming weeks to get an update on current club membership in the area. This will entail if members on the IHFA mailing list still wish to continue to receive the letters to allow us to update the current active members list. A short survey is going to be sent into the WhatsApp group also to generate peoples opinions on how they would like to see the club move forward. If people wish to contact us, we would be delighted to hear from. Emer (087-2563297) Rebecca (086-4457665).
The club would like to thank Graham and Avril Taylor for their work over the last number of years as they stepped down as Chair and Secretary respectively.
We would also like to remember Kevin McGloin (Sligo) who passed away earlier this year. Kevin in past years was a member of the club and showed great interest in previous club events. RIP.
NORTH EASTERN
Herds Competition 2025
Thanks to the subcommittee members (Paul Flanagan, Dominic O’Halloran, Joe Connell & Norris Beattie) for organising the Competition. Patrick Kelly used the IHFA National formula to assemble the overall score using a scaling of Inspection results. We had 30 herds in our 2024 Herds Competition: Premium (8 herds); Senior (7 herds); Junior (7 herds); Spring (8 herds)
Robert Helen (Eedy Herd) & Margaret Murphy were on hand at our Presentation Evening to give feedback.
Breeders were given a certificate to highlight their achievements in each category. These were very well received. In each section the leader in the judge’s score and the leader in the production / judging aggregate score received an annual cup. It was so fitting that the Overall award went to Tom & James Kelly, for their family’s Monamore Herd; this is their final year in the competition as they are dispersing their herd.
The ‘Judges’ awards’ went to Mark Hatton (Doolystown) who showed tremendous interest in & knowledge of matching bulls to cows; and Paul Daly for his dedication and enthusism in progressing his herd.
The Maurice Kellett Petpetual Cup was awarded to a stalwart of Holstein Friesian breeding, who has bred a herd of cows with a good combination of type, production and dedicated attention to Index figures. His farm near Stamullen, County Meath has sucessfully sold bulls into AI. He is never afraid to share his insights and learnings. Robbie Moore (Fowlerstown), is a very
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worthy recipient of this privileged award. He is so fortunate to have David & John carrying on the attention to breeding well balanced cows.
We are most grateful to all our sponsors, especially Cookstown Dairy Services, McAuley Feeds & FBD for their financial support.
We are very appreciative of, and wish to thank, all Club members and associative members for their commitment to activities. We thank our committee members for their committment, attendance, enthusiasm and energy. Our best wishes to Aisling Floyd who has left our committee to pursue studies in Cork. We are very pleased to welcome Thea Flanagan, John Coakley and Don Halton to our committee
We congratulate Pat Murray (Cluainailbhe) on his cow Knowthfarm Shottle Ike (bred by Jim McGrane) achieving the highest lifetime production od all Irish holsteins – 176,893 Kgs milk, 11856 Kgs fat & protein.
On a sadder note, we have been notified of the deaths of: former secretary & very committed member - Fiona Gleeson, Lispopple, Swords; and also – Noel Meade father of Kevin & Brendan. We keep their families in our thoughts.
We are looking forward to celebrating the NE Club’s 50th Anniversary in 2026. We are exploring various events and functons and publications for 2026 and a few leadup events in 2025. We are looking out for any other events on which we could build a trip or a function.
Upcoming Events:
We have our AGM on 24th February at 8pm in The SnailBox, A84 YK35.
Our Guest Speaker is Bryan White from Phar Vet dealing with Fertility & Calf Rearing.
We will attend the IHFA Club Conference & AGM in Slane, this May, in good numbers to support and show our support for Leo Nulty.
We hope to organise a trip to the IHFA Open Day in Kanturk, Cork to support our club member Leo Nulty in his role as IHFA President 2026 – 2027.
Herds Competition Results 2025
Premier Section (1st to 3rd)
Tom & James Kelly (Monamore)
Paul & Marguerite Flanagan (Tubbertoby)
Brendan Mennis (Boynevale)
Production points (group range) 743 – 929; Judge points (group range) 380 – 760.
Heifer - Tom & James Kelly (Monamore);
Junior Cow - Paul & Marguerite Flanagan (Tubbertoby);
Senior Cow – Colin Walsh (Fairview);
3 Heifers – Joe & Michael Connell (Knockmoules);
Family - Paul & Marguerite Flanagan (Tubbertoby);
Bull Progeny – Leo Collins (Oldrose);
EBI – Thomas Daly (Mooretown); CI & SCC - Joe & Michael Connell (Knockmoules);
Solids – Pat Murray (Cluainailbhe).
Senior Section (1st to 3rd)
Tom Dempsey (Brownsvilla)Paul
Club Officers Notification:
President: Gerry Brennan
Chairperson: Paul Flanagan 086 8153992
Secretary: Sean Dooley 087 092 4445 / nehfc2014@gmail.com
Treasurer: Norris Beattie 087 238 6722
Feeney (Ballivor) Paul Daly (Curtles)
Production points (group range) 754 – 870; Judge points (group range) 395 – 712.
Junior & Senior Cow – Tom Dempsey (Brownsvilla);
Heifer – Paul Feeney (Ballivor);
3 heifers – Paul Daly (Curtles); Family – Aaron Byrne(Glenowan); Bull Progeny – Paul Daly (Curtles); EBI & CI – John Moore (Fowlerstown); SCC & Solids – Ray Reynolds.
Junior Section (1st to 3rd)
Mark Brennan (Pepperstown) John Hatton (Doolystown) Kenneth Conroy (Maplesprings)
Production points (group range) 628 – 775; Judge points (group range) 317 – 634.
Heifer & 3 heifers – John Hatton (Doolystown);
Junior Cow - Kenneth Conroy (Maplesprings)
Senior Cow – Patrick / Thomas Hayden;
Family – Mark Brennan (Pepperstown);
Bull Progeny – John Hatton (Doolystown);
EBI – Patrick / Thomas Hayden; CI & SCC – John Hatton (Doolystown); Solids - Kenneth Conroy (Maplesprings)
Spring Section (1st to 3rd)
Joe Healy (Copperbeech) Seamus & Ciaran McDonnell (Springlough)
John Keely (Randlestown)
Production points (group range) 658 - 850; Judge points (group range) 386 – 695.
Heifer - Joe Healy (Copperbeech); Junior Cow – Seamus Conroy (Knockbridge);
LIMERICK CLARE
News since Winter Journal:
Limerick and Clare held our herds Competition Awards Night in November at the Woodland’s Hotel Adare. It was a very enjoyable evening had by all. We also had a guest speaker on the night Paddy McCarthy from Roches Feeds who gave us top tips on the cow’s diet for the dry period and after calving. Many thanks to Paddy for his time and expertise on the night. Sincere thanks to our Herd Competition judge Denis O Donoghue for doing a great job and commending all our participating herds. Many thanks to the Woodland’s Hotel for there hospitality on the night. Sincere thanks to our sponsors Roches Feed’s for sponsoring this competition and for their continuous support.
Herds Competition Results 2025
Elite Winter section
1st John Moroney
2nd Paul Hannan
3rd Des Frawley
Elite Spring section
1st Edward Fitzgerald
2nd Margaret Laffan
3rd Mike McNamara
Premier Winter Section
1st Eoin Horgan
2nd Donie Neville
3rd Donal Mullane
Premier Spring Section
1st John O’Connor
2nd JMN Collins
3rd John McNamara
A.O.B.
Intermediate Section
1st Kieran Irwin
2nd Sean Barry
3rd Richard O’Regan
Elite Winter Section
Best Heifer. Paul Hannon
Best Junior Cow Paul Hannan
Best Senior Cow. John Moroney
Elite Spring Section
Best Heifer. Edward Fitzgerald
Best Junior Cow. Michael McNamara
Best Senior Cow. Margaret Laffan
Premier Winter Section
Best Heifer. Donie Neville
Best Junior Cow Donal Mullane
Best Senior Cow. Eoin Horgan
Premier Spring Section
Best Heifer. JMN Collins
Best Junior Cow Peter Thompson
Best Senior Cow. John O’Connor
Intermediate Section
Best Heifer. Sean Barry
Best junior Cow David Burke
Best Senior Cow. Kieran Irwin
Overall
Herd EBI – Peter Thompson
Cow EBI – Peter Thompson
Protein % - Peter Thompson
SCC - Edward Fitzgerald
Judges Prize – Jack O’Connor
Overall Production – Paul Hannan
Overall Type – John Moroney Cow family - Paul Hannan
Our club enjoyed a trip in November to Paul and Vincent Mill, Kilmallock. Sincere thanks to Paul and Vincent for an informative presentation and an excellent tour of the mill. We would also like to thank all the staff at Paul and Vincent for giving so generously of their time and for the very warm welcome we received. The visit was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
We then continued our trip to JJ’s Craft Brewing Company in Kilmallock, where we were given an insightful tour and had the opportunity to sample some of their craft beers. This visit was very much enjoyed by all on the trip, and we would like to thank JJ’s Craft Brewing Company for hosting us.
In January, our club held a meeting with guest speaker Bernard Stack, Commercial Ruminant Nutritionist with Kerry Agri Business. This was a very well-attended and informative event, with everyone taking something valuable from the evening. Many thanks to Bernard for giving us his time and for sharing excellent tips and advice in preparation for the spring ahead.
Congratulations to all our members who received awards at the IFHA awards night held in January. Best wishes to all for the spring ahead.
PURE FRIESIAN CLUB NEWS
News:
Friesian Forward breeding programme with Eurogene - The club is making progress with the breeding programme announced last October at our conference. With the support of Eurogene AI and the IHFA, we have identified great cows in the club that are of real interest as we identify and aim for more great British Friesian cows for our club breeders, members and any dairy farmers looking to benefit from some of the breed traits in their herds.
New Club Officers Notification:
At our AGM in December we welcomed Ms Rachael Delahunty, Tipperary, to our club committee. Rachael spoke at our October conference and impressed the audience with her and her focus on cows and breeding. Rachael replaces Mr Martin Crowe on the committee after he stepped down from the committee, but not from the club, after over 20 years of dedicated work on the committee. Martin is a stalwart of the club and a steadying voice and presence.
Another High Quality sale planned for autumn
Following the buzz and success of the October high quality sale in Kilkenny, the club will hold another high quality sale this autumn. We’re delighted with the new buyers, the young farmers that are interested in our stock and the number of high quality stock the sale committee was able to gather from seven breeders.
A.O.B.
New members are always welcome, so be sure to contact Francis Fitzgerald on 086 366 2712 or email irishpurefriesiancommittee@gmail.com
Upcoming Events:
The club will have a summer event this year, again, with a twist, and more details will be shared closer to the time. Central to the event will be British Friesian cows and the people that breed them.
Eamonn Coleman (L) & Dr. Debbie McConnell, Eurogene AI with Paddy Quealy, Club Chairman.
The North Eastern YMA is delighted to welcome back all our members, and to extend a very warm welcome to all new members for 2026. We are looking forward to another positive and enjoyable year ahead. Reflecting on the past year, 2025 was a very successful one for our club, and we are extremely grateful for the continued support we received from members, parents, sponsors and the wider farming community. Your encouragement and involvement are what make our events possible and worthwhile. Many thanks also to our previous YMA co-ordinator Aisling Floyd for her hard work on the committee over the last couple of years.
YMA Stock Judging and Reason Giving Workshop Success
One of the highlights of the year was the YMA stock judging and reason giving workshop
AGM
Our Cork YMA AGM was held on Friday the 6th of February in the Munster Agricultural Society Office. It was great to see a big turnout with many new faces. As our chairperson Stephen Shannon, secretary Sinead O’Sullivan and Treasurer Darragh Sheehy have all finished out their terms it was time for some new faces to take on the roles. As we introduced new assistant roles last year, it was fitting some of these assistants were stepping up and voted into these new roles. These new faces should bring a new lease of life and enthusiasm to the Cork YMA.
North Eastern
held on John Halton’s farm in Co. Meath on 8th November 2025, which saw a fantastic turnout. The workshop proved hugely beneficial in teaching and enhancing the stock judging knowledge of our YMA members, particularly in developing their reason-giving skills and overall confidence. We would like to sincerely thank John Halton and his family for kindly allowing us to host the event on their farm, and also congratulate them on putting forward such a high standard of cows in the classes being judged on the day. A big thank you also goes to Sinéad O’Sullivan and the rest of the YMA committee for their hard work in organising the workshop, and to our judges, Joe Healy and Paul Flanagan, for sharing their expertise and time with our members.
This year’s Cork YMA committee is: Chairperson- Sarah Shannon
Treasurer- Becky Hynes
Secretary- Kate Lehane
Assistant Chairperson- Dermot Hegarty
Assistant Secretary- Emer Lehane
Assistant Treasurer- Josephine Kelleher
PRO – Georgia Hynes, Kayla Mulcahy, Gearoid Long and Emer Collins
Our new club president this year is Stephen Shannon, Senior Club Rep is Darragh Sheehy
Club person of the year 2025 went to Emer Lehane for all her work behind the scenes ensuring all events run smoothly and everyone is fed and looked after at every event.
CORK
AGM
Our Kerry YMA AGM was held on the 7th of December, and our committee saw a lot of change with some members stepping down and new members joining the committee. Two of our long serving YMA members and part of the previous committee, Christopher Heffernan and Jack Walsh were moving over the age of YMA, so two places on the committee became vacant. As a club we would like to thank both Chris and Jack for their hard work and dedication to the club over the years. The new committee is as follows:
Chairperson: Muiris Harty
Vice Chairperson: Aoibhín Corridon
Secretary: Jennifer Harty
Show Secretary: Gearóid Harty
Treasurer: Clodagh Kennelly
Show Officer: Cormac Walsh
PRO: Kate Maunsell
National Reps: Muiris & Aisling Harty
Presidents Medal
A huge congratulations must go out to Christopher Heffernan from all at Kerry YMA, for his recent fantastic achievement of winning the Presidents Medal. This was very fitting as it was Chris’s final year in YMA and was a testament to all his hard work and dedication to the club over the last fifteen years.
Club Trip
On the 3rd of January the committee organised a day trip to Killarney where we went ice skating with Killarney on Ice. A great day of fun and enjoyment was had by all with some terrific skating skills on display. A massive thanks to everyone who turned up and the committee for making the whole day possible.
The Annual General Meeting of the IHFA Young Members Association (YMA) was held on Friday, 23rd January at the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise, and was well attended by members from across the country. The strong turnout reflected the continued engagement and commitment of young members within the Irish Holstein Friesian Association.
The Association was pleased to welcome Miss Emma Swan, Regional Business Manager and Nutritionist with Alltech, as guest speaker for the evening, Emma delivered an informative talk, offering insights into career development following thirdlevel education and outlining her own professional journey within the agricultural sector. She also highlighted the breadth of career opportunities available within the industry, which was particularly relevant to the young membership in attendance.
The meeting also marked the conclusion of Sinéad O’Sullivan’s term as Chairperson of the IHFA Young Members Association. Sinead was acknowledged for her significant contribution to the Association, having served as Chairperson for the past three years. Her leadership, dedication, and commitment were recognised as instrumental in the continued growth and development of the Young Members Association.
Annual
General Meeting
Looking ahead, the committee outlined plans for the coming year, which will include a programme of events, workshops, and initiatives aimed at supporting the professional development and engagement of young members.
The IHFA Young Members Association extends its thanks to all members who attended the AGM and continue to support the work of the Association.
DIAMOND AWARDS 2025
GOLD AWARDS 2025
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We are passing the halfway point in the Monamore Dispersal Sale
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