The IHFA national open day took place on the Doran family farm in Donadea, Co. Kildare, where their Dondale Herd stole the show.

Following the National Interclub stock judging, Macra na Feirme National stock judging, and the viewing of the Dondale herd, was the results of the National Herds Competition.

The day concluded with the celebration sale of 37 pedigree holstein friesian heifers from the Dondale Herd, which saw great demand on the day.

The IHFA National Herds Competition is computed on the basis of a balanced formula incorporating efficiency of production, conformation points and inspection points for quality as recognised by a visiting judge.

IHFA herds competition

The judge for the herds competition this year was Edward Griffiths from the Coachgate herd in Yorkshire.

Over the course of six days, he travelled the length and breadth of Ireland visiting thirty-seven herds nominated as finalists by their respective clubs.

Results are as follows:

Category: Spring Calving Herds
	Breeder Name	Herd Prefix	Address
1^st	Michael McNamara	Barna	Newtownshandrum, Co. Limerick
2^nd	Ronan Siochru	Dingle	Dingle, Co. Kerry
3^rd	Michael Spillane	Mountain	Fethard, Co. Tipperary

Michael Spillane, Michael McNamara, Ronan Siochra receiving their awards
Source: IHFA

Category: Herds 80 cows & less
	Breeder Name	Herd Prefix	Address
1^st	Noel O’Donovan	Ringleader	Clonakilty, Co. Cork
2^nd	Colin Walsh	Fairview	Drishogue, Co. Dublin
3^rd	Brendan Mennis	Boynevale	Navan, Co. Meath

Brendan Mennis, Noel O’Donovan, Colin Walsh receiving their awards
Source: IHFA

Category: Herds greater than 80 cows
	Breeder Name	Herd Prefix	Address
1^st	Padriac Greenan	Greenlea	Monaghan, Co. Monaghan
2^nd	Paul Hannan	Lisnalty	Crecora, Co. Limerick
3^rd	Philip Jones	Hallow	Gorey, Co. Wexford

Claire Hannan, Padraic Greenan, Philip Jones receiving their awards
Source: IHFA

Category: Judges Choice Prize
	Breeder Name	Herd Prefix	Address
1^st	Padriac Greenan	Greenlea	Monaghan, Co. Monaghan
2^nd	Noel O’Donovan	Ringleader	Clonakilty, Co. Cork
3^rd Joint	Paul Hannan	Lisnalty	Crecora, Co. Limerick
3^rd Joint	Philip Jones	Hallow	Gorey, Co. Wexford

Jack O’Connor, Ballykennedy herd, Ballingarry, Co. Limerick won the Judge’s Recognition award. Judge Edward Griffiths spoke of O’Connor’s extensive knowledge of the herd and the bright future he has ahead of him.

IHFA President John O’Sullivan, Jack O’Connor, Judge Edward Griffiths with Judges recognition award
Source: IHFA

Geataban CWJ Carina 774 bred and owned by Richard Hinchion, Crookstown, Co.Cork, won the Highest EBI Cow Classified VG/EX award, with an EBI of €416.

Finnow KOZ Heather 1560, bred and owned by Ivor Dulohery, Mallow, Co. Cork won the Highest EBI Cow Not Classified Award, with an EBI of €413.

Interclub stock judging results

The best of Dondale’s breeding was on display for the stockjudging classes of Heifers in Milk, Junior Cows and Senior Cows.

In addition, there was a separate class of cows for Young Members aged under twelve years to judge, which gave them a great opportunity to get involved.

As well as the Interclub Stockjudging competition, an Open Stockjudging competition was available to all outside of the judging rings.

The results of the interclub stock judging were as follows:

Section: 12 – 18 Years
Placing	Club Team	Team Members
1^st	Kerry	Cormac Walsh, Gearoid Harty, Jennifer Harty
2^nd	West Midlands	Eva Hickey, Olivia Gunn, Kayla McGrath
3^rd	Cork	James Coleman, Louise Coleman, Jack Shanahan

The highest individual award in the 12-18-years-of-age category went to Jenifer Harty of the Kerry club.

Section: 18 – 26 Years
Placing	Club Team	Team Members
1^st	Kerry	Muiris Harty, Jack Goulding, Aisling Harty
2^nd	Cork	Claire Kirby, Sarah Shannon, James Kingston
3^rd	Limerick Clare	Damien Burke, Rachel McNamara, Emma McNamara

The highest individual award in the 18-26 years of age category went to Muiris Harty of the Kerry club.

Section: Over 26 Years
Placing	Club Team	Team Members
1^st	Carlow/Kilkenny	Aileen Murphy, Eamon Coleman, Padraic Murphy
2^nd	West Midlands	Emer Kelly, Austin Scott, Sean Kelly
3^rd	Breffni Oriel	Roy Cromie, Trevor Williamson, Padraic Greenan

The highest individual award in the over 26 years of age category went to Roy Cromie of the Breffni Oriel club.

Open Stock Judging Competition
Placing	Name	Club
1^st	John Curtin	Limerick Clare
2^nd	Steven Nagle	Cork
3^rd	Alison Beattie	North Eastern

Dondale Open Day Celebration Sale

To coincide with the hosting of the IHFA National Open Day the Doran family offered 37 choice young stock lots from the Dondale herd in a special sale on the farm at the conclusion of the day.

The sale was conducted by Taaffe Auctions with the top price going to Lot 13, Dondale Hansen Apple P, selling for €5,600.

Dondale Hansen Apple P was sired by Hansen PP, the February 2023 born polled heifer traced back to the great KHW Regiment Apple Red.

The Dondale celebration sale
Source: IHFA

It was a great chance for breeders around the country to adapt the Dondale genetics into their herd, as there was a great buzz and feeling for each and every lot.

The sale averaged a price of 3,166 guineas with a full 100% clearance, with the sale being kindly sponsored by O’Donovan Engineering and Specialist Nutrition.

IHFA herds competition

Interclub stock judging results

Dondale Open Day Celebration Sale

Related Stories:

Watch: Dondale Herd impresses at the IHFA national open day

IHFA celebration sale

IHFA National Herds Competition winners announced prior to sale