| 2014-06-10 |    |
IHFA National Open Day at Newtowngore
The Chief Executive of Lakeland Dairies, Michael Hanley paid a warm tribute to Newtowngore, Co. Leitrim farmers John and Graeme Taylor and their families after their farm had been chosen to host the National Open Day of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association on Wednesday 9th July, 2014.
The launch on a fine summer day of the open day was very well attended by representatives from animal health companies, dairy equipment and feed suppliers, farm organizations, FBD group, IHFA officers and local clubs, Holstein Northern Ireland, Teagasc, Ulster Bank, etc.
Pictured left to right are Padraig Young, Cavan, Chairman of Lakeland Dairies, Graeme Taylor, host farmer, Michael Hanley, CEO with John Taylor host farmer and Charles Gallagher, CEO of IHFA, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
All visitors were treated to a light lunch by the Taylor family
and a large turnout is expected for the open day.
Lakeland Dairies are sponsoring the interclub stock judging and Holstein
clubs will be participating from all over Ireland. The FBD group
are again sponsoring the Gold and Diamond Awards.
The Gold Awards are for cows having yielded 3,000kgs of protein in
their lifetime. The Diamond Awards are for cows having yielded 3,000kgs
of protein in their lifetime and classified Excellent.
Greenvale Feeds are again sponsoring the popular National Herds competition
and Judge Mike Miller from the Shanakiel Holstein herd near Evesham,
Worcestershire in England is inspecting herds at present.
The Miller family who scooped the NMR/RABDF Gold Cup at Livestock
2012 keep 320 cows on their 336 hectare tenanted unit.
Host farmers John and Graeme Taylor are in a milk production partnership
since January 2011. Five generations of the family are associated
with farming at Cloonboygher.
Shorthorns were once the cattle of choice, however that all changed
when Friesians were introduced in the 1970’s by John’s parents Harold
and Betty with the purchase of 12 heifers from Co. Meath.
Today the herd of 100+ high yielding cows supplies all milk to Lakeland
Dairies of which John is a board member. The farm of 250 acres includes
60 acres of rented land and is an example of dairying at its best
under difficult conditions.
In the calendar year of 2013 an average of 98 cows supplied 718,831
litres with a total milk solids of 559kg and litres 7335 (over 1,600
gals) per cow.
Pictured left to right with host farmers Graeme & John Taylor are Kilkenny man Tom Murphy, IHFA President with Monaghan lady Mary Rafferty, Secretary of Breffni Oriel Holstein Club, Dessie Dunlevy, ABS Ireland, Castletownroche and Clare man Donal Carey, IHFA.
Michael Hanley CEO of Lakeland Dairies:
“It is a source of great pride for the entire community that these
excellent dairy farmers have been selected to host this prestigious
national event for the first time ever in County Leitrim. The IHFA promotes
best practice breeding, the most up to date animal husbandry techniques
and high quality farm management. The Taylors are among the highest
quality milk suppliers of Lakeland Dairies and the IHFA National Open
Day will provide an opportunity for farmers from all over Ireland to
visit a truly exemplary dairy farm,” said Michael Hanley.
“Lakeland milk producers are preparing for the opportunity of expansion
and growth after quotas are abolished in April next year. As a farmer
owned co-operative, Lakeland Dairies is 100% committed to the future
success and wellbeing of milk producers. We have the required business
strategies in place and we have made the necessary investments in highly
modern processing plants to convert all future milk into high quality
dairy products for export to our blue chip customers around the world.”
“Dairying will outperform other agricultural sectors for the foreseeable
future and it will continue to contribute strongly to rural economic
development. There is continuing growth in the world demand for food.
Our major customers worldwide are looking forward to the availability
of further milk supplies and more Lakeland value-added dairy products
in the future. Knowing that we have dairy farmers like the Taylors as
suppliers of our high quality milk, we can all look forward with optimism
for the future.”
