The attendance at the 2015 National Dairy Show in Millstreet, Co. Cork was well up on the previous year and all indoor trade space was sold out while most leading animal health, compound feed and other agribusiness firms were well represented. This year the organisers were celebrating 33 years of the National Dairy Show. Charles Gallagher CEO of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association officially opened the show to honour the IHFA who are celebrating their 50th anniversary. Show sponsors included the following:
Zoetis, Post Calver Gold which incorporates Dairygold Co-op and Macroom Mills, Norbrook Laboratories, IHFA, Bank of Ireland, Merck Sharp & Dohme, World Wide Sires, Southern Milling, NCBC, FBD Insurance, World Wide Sires, Irish Dairy Board, now renamed “Ornua”, AgriLlyod, Irish Jersey Society, Viking International, Southern Farm and Fuel and Barrett Agri, Carbery Group, IFA, De Laval, Kerry Agri Business, Allied Irish Bank, Eurogene A.I. Services, Keenan’s, GEA Farm Tech LTD, ABS Ireland, Osmond’s, Alltech, BMJ Consultants , Farm Store Bandon, Boveq Scanning Services, Semex, A.B.S. Genetics, Dovea Genetics, Michael Taaffe Auctioneers, Colin Johnson Auctioneers and the Irish Examiner were the Media Sponsors.
This year’s judge was Mr Harold Sweetman from Manitoba, Canada. He farms in partnership with his wife Miriam and they own the “Sweetridge” herd of 300 Holstein and Jersey cows. Harold and Miriam emigrated from Ireland some years ago. He has judged extensively in USA and Canada and is a member of the Master judging panel.
The YMA finals of the Young Handler’s classes were sponsored by ESB Networks and attracted a record number of entries (31) from 11 counties (Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Galway, Kerry. Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Monaghan, Wexford)The following 20 local shows host the Showmanship League as qualifiers;
Bandon, Belgooly, Co. Cork, Barryroe, Co. Cork, Castleblaney, Cork, Charleville, Clonakilty, Clonmel, Dungarvan, Dualla, Co. Tipperary, Dundalk, Emerald Expo, Naas, Limerick, Cappamore, Co. Limerick, Kingdom County Fair (Kerry), Ossory (Rathdowney),Co. Laois, Iverk (Piltown), Co. Kilkenny, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, Tullamore, Tydavnet, Co. Monaghan, Virginia, Co. Cavan.
Details of the YMA winners are as follows:
Class A – YMA Showmanship League – Final (Junior) sponsored by ESB Networks. The winner was J.J. O’Connor – The Elms, Adamstown, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork representing the Cork YMA Club
Class B – YMA Showmanship League – Final (Intermediate) Sponsored by ESB Networks. The winner was Rachel Corley – Cornafaghey, Smithboro, Co. Monaghan representing the Breffni Oriel Club from Cavan & Monaghan.
Class C – YMA Showmanship League – Final (Senior) sponsored by ESB Networks. The winner was Andrea Rafferty – Mullabrack Scott, Monaghan also representing the Breffni Oriel Club
The National Dairy Show itself attracted 231 livestock entries (Holstein & Jersey breeds) from 25 counties and the quality of stock was world class according to the international Judge Mr Harold Sweetman who has a dairy farm in Canada and has been judging dairy stock for over 20 years.
Speaking at the presentation of the YMA awards Arthur Byrne, Public Safety Manager with ESB Networks said “that ESB Networks were delighted to sponsor the YMA Showmanship League Finals and to present the winners with their well-deserved national awards. The level of skill demonstrated by all the participants has been magnificent, proof of your commitment to excellence. Equally we all need to be excellent when it comes to safety.”
He went on to say that “ESB Networks is involved here, as part of our commitment to raising the awareness of the public in relation to electrical safety. Safety is a core value for us meaning that safe working is more important than anything else. As part of that commitment to the communities we serve, we implement a wide range of public safety campaigns using radio, press and social media. For example we are currently sponsoring the weather forecast on RTE radio 1 where you can hear important electrical safety messages.
ESB Networks have also launched a new primary schools electrical safety education campaign with the theme – “Stay Safe, Stay Clear of electricity wires”. Over the coming months they plan to have more new campaigns to highlight the importance of electrical safety.
Farm safety is a huge issue and there are many hazards on farms. Electricity is one of these hazards and over the last 10 years (2005 – 2014) 19 members of the public have died in the Republic of Ireland after coming into contact with electricity. Some of these tragic accidents have occurred on farms.
Working near overhead power lines and having an unsafe electrical installation are the main causes of fatal electrical accidents on farms. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if a few simple precautions were taken. For example when working around the farm-yard, visually check the quality of your electrical equipment and replace any damaged cables and use the correct type of outdoor sockets to protect against water. It is important to remember that water and electricity is a bad combination. If you were to do one thing to be more electrically safe then you should check that you have an RCD (Residual Current Device) installed in your house and farm, and test it regularly by simply pushing the “test” button. When using portable electrical tools, always make sure to use a plug-in RCD, which costs as little as €10. ESB Networks recommends that you test the RCD, at least twice, for example when the clocks change.
Tall machinery can easily reach an overhead power line so always make sure to keep well clear of overhead wires. As winter approaches, there is a chance that electricity wires could fall to the ground because of storms. Fallen wires are extremely dangerous so you should never approach or handle fallen wires; ring the ESB Networks emergency number immediately and their repair crews will make the situation safe. Emergency number: 1850 372 999; (24hours/7 days)
Electrical faults can also cause fires leading to loss of farm building and livestock. So it always makes sense to check that everything is safe. In conclusion Arthur Byrne said that ESB Networks encouraged everyone involved in farming to read their new booklet called:
Farm Safely With Electricity and take on-board the 4 Key Farm Safety Messages:
- Watch out for overhead electricity wires
- Have your electrical installation checked regularly by a registered electrical contractor
- Have an RCD fitted and test that it works
- Complete the electrical self-rating checklist
