The judge of the 2015 Diageo Baileys Irish Champion Dairy Cow competition is Edward Griffiths from South Yorkshire.
Title sponsor Diageo, who make Baileys Irish Cream, has been running the competition in conjunction with its cream supplier Glanbia Ingredients Ireland for the past 32 years. The event has become fondly known as the ‘All-Ireland for Dairy Cows’ because it consistently attracts the top Holstein Friesian breeders from across the country. Unlike other local shows, all classes are exhibited together for a final line-up selection by the judge and for one to be crowned Baileys Champion.
“To win at this standard the cow will have to have something special,” said Edward, who will be judging in the Republic of Ireland for the first time. Edward added he would be looking for a well-balanced cow with strength in the front end as well as width and depth, and a fabulous udder.
He is already an experienced judge at major shows including The National Holstein Shows in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Sweden and Slovenia, as well as Agriscot, Dairy Event, Royal Highland, Royal Welsh, Northern Expo, Welsh Dairy Show, Royal Bath and West and twice at the McLarens N.I.S.A championship. He considers it a great honour to be asked to judge ‘the Baileys’.
Edward farms with his wife Jenny and three daughters milking around 180 pedigree Holsteins plus a small number of Jerseys and Ayrshires which all share the Coachgate prefix. He recently won the champion herd in the Yorkshire Herd Competition. He is also a member of the Holstein Board with responsibility for the Young Members Association.
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