Diageo Ireland and its cream supplier Glanbia Ireland are inviting dairy farmers from Northern Ireland to take part in the 2019 Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow, with a total prize pool of € 10,000.

The start of the prestigious competition was officially announced by the Irish Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Gardening Andrew Doyle during his speech at the Diageo Baileys Global Supply production site in northwest Dublin.

Announcing the start of the contest, Minister Doyle said: “This event is well known for its prestige in the dairy farming community. "It constantly attracts the best breeders in the country to compete with each other in the competition for the best in terms of milk yield, appearance and characteristics of cows."

Holstein-Friesian breed

Holstein-Friesian breeders wishing to take part in the competition must be prepared to present their cows for trial at a show in Virginia in Cavana on August 21. Rewards will be presented on this day in several categories.

For the first place in the overall standings, a prize of 2,500 euros will be awarded; then prizes of 1000 euros for the title of “Reserve Champion” and 500 euros for the “Honorable Mention” will be awarded.

In addition, prizes in the Best Junior Cow category for a total of 750 euros will be awarded. The popular Best-Heifer-in-Milk category has an award fund of 1,700 euros, incl. for the first place - 500 euros.