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Northern Ireland
02/03/2023 10:26:00
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Winter 2022 - Northern Ireland

Holstein NI members reflect on another successful year.

Holstein Northern Ireland hosted its 23rd annual dinner and presentation of awards in Ballymena.

Club chairman Alex Walker welcomed everyone and said he was delighted to see a good turnout of guests, club members and friends.

Invited guests included Holstein UK chairman Michael Smale, and his wife Caroline; IHFA president Richard Whelan, and his wife Kate; recently appointed IHFA chief executive Laurence Feeney, and his wife Karen.

Alex Walker gave a resume of the club’s activities throughout the year, and said the gleaming array of silverware reflected the enthusiasm and dedication of Holstein breeders in Northern Ireland.

A special mention was given to the herds inspection competition which continues to grow from strength-to-strength on an annual basis. The McCormick family from Bangor were also congratulated on winning their second Bailey’s Dairy Cow Championship at Virginia Show in August.

During his address Alex Walker also congratulated committee member Wallace Gregg on his recent election as chairman-elect of Holstein UK. There was a special mention for the numerous sponsors, office bearers, committee members, judges and stewards, who had supported Holstein NI throughout the year.

Sadly, the club lost several esteemed members this year, with chairman Alex Walker leading a toast to absent friends.

The Holstein Young Breeders’ Club continues to put Northern Ireland on the map, with members excelling at events such as Holstein UK’s National Competitions Day and Weekend Rally.

The annual calf show in Dungannon was another resounding success, boasting more than 200 entries. Congratulations were conveyed to the McLean Family from the Priestland Herd who exhibited the supreme champion; and the Paul family from the Slatabogie Herd who won the reserve championship. There was a strong turnout in the showmanship section, with Ava Montgomery taking the top spot, closely followed by Lauren Henry in reserve.

Alex Walker also congratulated Tom McKnight on being selected to represent the UK at the European Holstein Young Breeders’ School in Belgium.

Alex concluded by thanking club members and parents for the ongoing support of the HYB. His words were echoed by HYB co-ordinator Jessica Hall.

Holstein UK chairman Michael Smale thanked the club for its invitation to attend the dinner.

He congratulated local members on the outstanding achievement of securing four Master Breeders Awards this year. The prestigious accolade is awarded to ten herds on an annual basis, and there are more than 3,500 herds competing for recognition.

Mr Smale also confirmed that the parent society had recently appointed Melanie Harmitt as the chief executive officer of the Holstein UK Group.

Concluding Michael Smale said the Northern Ireland HYB was one of the strongest club’s in the UK. Nationally the HYB is one of the jewels in Holstein UK’s crown, and he urged young members to apply for the Sue Cope Bursary – a grant initiative launched recently to encourage young members to improve and further advance their knowledge of the dairy industry.

Speaking on behalf of the Irish Holstein Friesian Society, Laurence Feeney said that he, and president Richard Whelan, were honoured to attend the annual dinner. Mr Feeney praised the strong connection between IHFA and Holstein NI, and said he looked forward to continuing to strengthen the relationship during his tenure.

The awards were presented by HUK chairman Michael Smale.

Holstein UK