Baileys crowns moo-velous Champion Cow

Diageo-owned Irish cream liqueur brand Baileys has named its 2016 Champion Cow following a contest in Ireland which showcased its supply chain.

The competition aims to reward strength and form in body confirmation and excellence in milk production

Now in its 33^rd year, the Diageo Baileys Irish Dairy Champion Cow competition aims to reward strength and form in body confirmation, in addition to excellence in milk production.

The competition takes place at the Virginia Agricultural Show, in County Cavan, home to Diageo’s cream supplier, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, which co-sponsors the event.

From a strong field, the 2016 top prize went to County Wexford breeders Philip and Linda Jones with their cow, Hallow Advent Twizzle 3.

“They were tremendous cows, the standard was very high,” said judge Wilson. “They would grace any show in the world.”

Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 takes home a €10,000 purse, which was presented by Heather Humphreys TD, minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Breffni O’Reilly, quality director for Diageo Ireland and Henry Corbally, chairman, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland.

Speaking afterwards at the winners’ reception, Hazel Chu, Diageo Ireland’s head of corporate and trade relations, said that Diageo’s production bases for Baileys in Dublin and Mallusk “relied on a top quality cream supply and that the competition was an opportunity to reinforce the provenance of Baileys and the quality of its primary raw ingredient.”

Also speaking at the event, Corbally praised all the entrants for the calibre of pedigree cows on display and he congratulated the Virginia Show on its 75th anniversary.

At the 2016 edition’s launch event in July, where the new €10,000 top prize was announced, Chu said that Diageo was delighted to recognise excellence in dairy breeding in partnership with GIanbia Ingredients.

“Both companies are major contributors to the agri-food sector and our successful collaboration as competition sponsors reflects our long-standing supply chain partnership.”

At the same event, Brendan Smyth, competition director, added: “The Diageo Baileys Champion Cow is not a pedigree cow contest based on looks alone. It rewards breeders who can combine good conformation in their animals with milk production capability.

“To be eligible for entry, the cow must first have produced 500kgs of butterfat and protein in a 305-day lactation. Winning or even doing well in ‘the Baileys’ therefore brings great prestige.”

Baileys stepped away from the diary earlier this year with the launch of its Almande gluten- and dairy-free variant. Just don’t tell Twizzle.