2022 Diageo Baileys Champion Cow is Crowned

A three year old Holstein Friesian cow has been crowned the 2022 Diageo Baileys® Irish Dairy Champion Cow today at the Virginia Show in Co. Cavan.

Hilltara Undenied Apple was bred by Co. Down farmers Sam and John McCormick. They were presented with the Virginia Milk Products Cup and a cheque for Euro 2,500 from the Guest of Honour, EU Commissioner Mairead McGuiness. Dairy breeders from across the country entered the competition which is sponsored by Diageo Ireland and its cream supplier Glanbia Ireland.

The event is regarded as the most prestigious competition of its kind on the island of Ireland. It rewards strength and good body conformation as well as proven excellence in quality milk production.

Commenting on this year’s winning cow, who also won the Best Junior Cow, the judge, David Booth who is from Yorkshire said, "Hilltara Undenied Apple absolutely blew me away. She is a true model of a dairy cow, balanced, with strength.”

Hallow Atwood Twizzle owned by Philip and Linda Jones from Co. Wexford was declared Reserve Champion. Honourable Mention went to Baldonnell Brady Hailey, owned by John Dowling from Co. Meath.

Other prizes were awarded in specialist categories to breeders that travelled to Virginia. These included Best Heifer in Milk which was won by Paul and Matthew Flanagan from Co. Louth. Best EBI Award went to Tom Kelly from Co. Louth and Best Protein Award Winner was Victor Jackson from Co. Wicklow.

Congratulating the winners, Robert Murphy, Head of Baileys Operations said, “From being the world’s first cream liqueur to becoming the world’s most loved spirit, Baileys is now a global giant of a brand. We are proud of the brand’s heritage and its connection back to family-owned farms on the island of Ireland. This event highlights that link between superior genetics that go into the national dairy herd and the dairy farmer-suppliers of its primary raw ingredient."

Also speaking at the event Glanbia Ireland Chairman, John Murphy said, “Glanbia Ireland is delighted to be back at the Virginia Show. It was fantastic to see so many of the country’s foremost dairy breeders return after a two year hiatus. They put on a first class display for the crowds here today. Congratulations to all our winners.”

First Published 26 August 2022