'World-renowned' cross-border cow makes history at agricultural show

Annaghmore Fitz Atlee EX96 (pictured here) took one of the most prestigious titles in the pedigree dairy breeding world at the Virginia Show last week

A cross-border cow has made history at an agricultural show in County Cavan.

The cow, Annaghmore Fitz Atlee EX96, took one of the most prestigious titles in the pedigree dairy breeding world at the Virginia Show last week.

The six-year-old Holstein Friesian is jointly owned by Joel and Clive Richardson from County Armagh, and Philip and Linda Jones from County Wexford.

And it is the first time in the five-decade history of the national Diageo Baileys Irish Champion Dairy Cow Competition, that the winner has come from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Josh Ebron from Annaghmore Holsteins receiving his competitor county sash from sponsors Diageo and Tirlán

Josh Ebron, who works at Annaghmore Holsteins in Portadown and bred the prizewinner, says the win highlights the importance of genetics.

"We always aim to breed a cow that is very functional, that will suit any system, and be able to give milk of great quality and be very efficient.

"But you need a small bit of luck as well to breed a cow of that magnitude."

Improving the genetic make-up of cattle across Northern Ireland is so important, it has its own programme at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The Sustainable Ruminant Genetics programme seeks to deliver increased efficiency, along with reduced emissions and a lower carbon footprint, through better breeding.

And the interest in the pedigree dairy sector is huge.

Prizewinners like Annaghmore Fitz Atlee can attract worldwide attention.

"People are always after the genetics of these top cows so they can improve the genetic portfolio on their farm as well," said Josh.

He added that the number of inquiries about the prizewinner is already "phenomenal, on the back of the show success.

"The inquiries that you have beyond Northern Ireland and Ireland, the UK, and into Europe – the cow that's won here last week, she's world-renowned and I think it's great for our industry in Northern Ireland."

'Completely delighted'

Josh Ebron from Annaghmore Holsteins pictured alongside the cow who scooped the Best Protein winner

Annaghmore Holsteins also took Best Protein in the competition with Lumville M Danoise, a previous winner of the Bailey's title bought as a calf in 2017.

For Josh, who "came through the ranks of Greenmount" and "had no experience in dairy at all", it has been a journey of discovery.

"I was able to go over to a dairy herd in England in my placement year, then came back and fell in love with the dairy industry."

He was "lucky" to join the Richardsons at Annaghmore Holsteins just as the farm was transitioning from a suckler herd to 120 dairy cows at the time, in 2017.

The "showing scene" took hold of him and he set himself some lifetime targets, including winning the Bailey's prize and winning at Balmoral.

"I was completely delighted with being able to achieve these at this stage.

"Now I have to think about doing it again."

This year's competition in Virginia had a record number of entries from the province of Ulster, including from 4 counties in Northern Ireland.

Annaghmore Fitz Atlee EX96 triumphed over 27 other cows from all over Ireland to take the overall Championship prize, winning her breeders €3,000 and the Virginia Milk Products Cup.

She was judged on strength, body conformation, and proven milk production capability by Italian dairy farmer Giuseppe Beltramino.

The prize crowned a winning year for the cow, which also took the Interbreed Championship at this year's Balmoral Show.

There, the judge fell so in love with her that he later bought her calf.

The Baileys Irish Champion Dairy Cow Competition is sponsored by Diageo and Tirlán.