5 days ago
Watch Results and Action From the Ihfa Open Day
The Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) open day took place on the Greenan's family dairy farm in Crosshugh, Co. Monaghan.
The Greenlea Holstein herd now sits at 100 cows, following a split calving pattern in autumn and spring, with a strong focus on production alongside functionality and structural strength.
A third-generation farmer, Padraic took over the reins from his father Jim and mother Mairead in 2004, continuing their legacy of dedication to dairy farming.
The Greenlea herd's pedigree journey began in 1995, when it was graded up under Padraic's encouragement with the help of Bobby Franks. Just two years later, the herd was depopulated due to BSE.
Undeterred, the Greenans rebuilt their herd with cattle bought from two local herds but disaster struck again in 2000, requiring yet another complete depopulation.
Through resilience alone, the family rebuilt their herd again and imported stock from France - 38 cows sourced by David Clarke of that laid the foundation of today's successful herd.
Milking is done through a 20-unit Dairymaster swingover parlour with sequential bailing, with the herd monitored round-the-clock using CowManager technology.
Padraic Greenan and his family were the winners of the 2024 National Herds Competition (Over 80 Cows Section) on their first attempt.
They are also proud owners of Greenlea MG Rhapsody EX96, who won the Diageo Baileys Champion Cow in 2024
Some of the prominent cow families in the herd include: Rhapsody; Apple; Katrina; Pledge; Roxy; and Aiko.
Padraic Greenan talking attendees through the different cow families and production of individual cows
New genetics from the following internationally renowned cows include: Jeffrey-Way Spunky Red P; Floydholm MC Emoji; Lovhill Goldwyn Katrysha; Duckett G Chip Tokyo; Richardo Dundee Dawnette; and Fraeland Goldwyn Bonnie.
The breeding programme is focused on imported US and Canadian genetics, with 90% of inseminations using sexed semen, and the remainder from beef artificial insemination (AI) sires (primarily Angus and Belgian Blue), with the season running from late October through to May.
Milk yield sits at 10,091kg of milk/cow with 4.15% fat, and 3.29% protein, accumulating to 738kg of milk solids/cow. The conformation average of the herd is 86.2.
Crowds gathered on the open day to engage with the trade stands and national stock judging classes, view the Greenlea herd, and participate in the Greenlea open day celebration sale.
Results from the interclub stock judging in the 12-18 years-of-age category sponsored by FBD are as follows:
Kerry club - Kate Maunsell, Clodagh Kennelly, and Cormac Walsh;
Cork club - Rachel Geary, Jack Shanahan, and Kate Lehane;
Slaney club - Will Jones, Kate Jones, and Josh Sinnott.
Kerry club were crowned winners. Kate Maunsell, Clodagh Kennelly, and Cormac Walsh
The highest individual in this category and the best set of reasons went to Cathal McLoughney of the Laois/Offaly club.
Results from the interclub stock judging in the 18-26 years-of-age category sponsored by Lakeland Dairies are as follows:
Kerry club - Muiris Harty, Jack Goulding, and Jack Walsh;
Cork club - Fiona O'Leary, Sarah Shannon, and Stephen Shannon;
Limerick/Clare club - Damien Burke, Emma McNamara, and Jack O'Connor.
The highest individual award in this category went to Muiris Harty and the best set of reasons went to Sarah Shannon.
Kerry club were awarded winners - Muiris Harty, Jack Goulding, and Jack Walsh
Results from the interclub stock judging in the over-27 years-of-age category sponsored by Lakeland Dairies are as follows:
Kerry club - Daniel Curtin, John Dillon, and Emer Curtin;
Laois/Offaly club - Sean Kelly, Peter Ging, and Oliver Neville;
Kildare club - Trevor Hanley, Chris Malally, and Anthony Kealy.
The highest individual in this category went to Sean Kelly of the Laois/Offaly club and the open stock judging winner was Jennifer Harty from the Kerry club.
Kerry club were awarded winners - Daniel Curtin, John Dillon, and Emer Curtin
In the national herds competition for 2025, the winners were also announced in each of the sections.
The spring section results are as follows:
Ronan Siochru of the Dingle herd;
Brian Kennelly of the Bessborough herd;
Edward Fitzgerald of the Toberfort herd.
Winners of the spring section at the IHFA Open Day
In the under-80 section, the results are as follows:
Darragh Curtin of the Greenlawn herd;
Noel O'Donovan of the Ringleader herd;
Tadgh Sweeney of the Frankford herd.
Winners of the under-80 section at the IHFA Open Day
In the over-80 section, the results are as follows:
Brochan and Joe Cocoman of the Kilawarden Herd;
Padraic Greenan of the Greenlea herd;
Joe and Kevin Doran of the Dondale herd.
Winners of the over-80 section at the IHFA Open Day
In the Judges Choice awards, the following herds picked up first, second, and third:
Brochan and Joe Cocoman of the Kilawarden Herd;
Padraic Greenan of the Greenlea herd;
Tom and James Kelly of the Monamore herd.
The Judge's Choice award winners at the IHFA Open Day
The Judges Recognition award went to Frankford PNH Holly EX92, owned by Tadgh Sweeney and the Frankford herd.
The highest Economic Breeding Index (EBI) cow award went to Brockryherd Grace 676, owned by Martin Keane and the Brockryherd, with an EBI of €480.
The highest EBI cow classified excellent went to Sparta Lilas Hawthorn 4 EX 90, owned by Rory Phelan and the Sparta herd, with an EBI of €448.
