Teenage siblings Adam and Lauren Doran are busy preparing their six show animals for an upcoming dairy show in Co. Cavan.

Hailing from Co. Roscommon, the Doran family, who are relatively new entrants to dairy, had no experience in showing dairy cattle.

The teenagers' father Enda had been running a suckler and sheep enterprise as well as a bit of tillage before going into dairy.

He then joined the Irish Holstein Friesian Association and quickly secured a pedigree status, which is when Adam and Lauren decided to then join the Young Members Association.

The family quickly integrated and picked up the knack for showing dairy animals, which led them to multiple wins at last October's National Dairy Show in Millstreet, Co. Cork.

Now that the sibling duo has a taste of victory, they will have their eyes on the prize at the upcoming Emerald Expo dairy show, which takes place tomorrow (Saturday, April 25).

Show preparation

Adam and Lauren, alongside their father Enda all share the duties of preparing the heifers for the show season.

Preparation starts long before the show season ever kicks off, with Enda feeding diets on a trial and error basis.

He said no two animals thrive to the full extent on the exact same diet, which means they must formulate diets to suit show animals on an individual basis.

In the lead-up to a show, more tasks begin to take place such as pre-clipping and hoof pairing.

The pre-clipping allows the heifers to grow out fresh hair ahead of the show, which will let the Dorans get a nicer cut for the day of the competition, displaying a nice top line in hopes of impressing the judge.

As the day of the show approaches, Enda takes up the role of 'taxi', dropping the heifers and equipment to the venue.

The brother and sister will stay with the heifers overnight to ensure they are in top condition, keeping them well fed, bedded, and clean.

When the day of the show rolls around, the heifers are all washed and clipped from head to toe once again.

The final few touch-ups before the ring can be hectic, with hairspray even been used as they thrive to have the heifers looking immaculate.

However, it is not just the animals that get attention, as the handlers must also be in top condition, turned out in pristine white uniforms.

Size matching also takes a role, which is why 17-year-old Lauren, who is in secondary school, takes the smaller heifers.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Adam, who is enrolled in Mountbellew Agricultural College, takes the larger heifers.

Adam will also be on the halter for the milker they are bringing this year, which is a first for the Doran family.

This has led to the two sibling being in separate classes, but we may see them go head-to-head in the near future - which would make for quite an exciting show.