The Irish Holstein Friesian Association held their National Open Day at the Frawley family farm in Bruree, Co. Limerick on Thursday 7th July. The sun shone and drew a wonderful crowd to visit the farm, and all that was on display for the day.
The IHFA holds its Open Day on a different host farm every year. This year was the turn of the Frawley family. They were originally set to hold the Open Day in 2020, but it was delayed until this year due to the pandemic.
Aidan and Sally Ann Frawley established the Ballytigue herd in 2002. Since then the herd has gone from strength to strength, including ranking in the top three of the IHFA National Herds Competition multiple times.
National Herds Competition
The big draws on the day were the award presentation of the IHFA National Herds Competition 2022, the stock judging competition, and the sale of some of the Ballytigue herd.
Some beautiful animals on show here today! 🐮 pic.twitter.com/M8xhsjQrQ6
— Agri Aware (@AgriAware) July 7, 2022
Each year the sixteen IHFA clubs enter the top herds into the National Herds competition. There were four categories: Pure Friesian herds, Spring calving herds, Herds 80 cows and less, and Herds greater than 80 cows.
The sun appeared just in time for the stock judging. A great crowd assembled to see the top-class animals.
There were also a number of agricultural trade stands on display on the farm throughout the day.
Mobile Farm
We attended the IHFA Open Day with the Agri Aware Mobile Farm service. Many of the children in attendance were delighted to see sheep, calves, pigs, geese, hens, and chicks in the pens. Some children were seeing the animals up close for the first time. They had a wonderful time interacting with the animals and learning all about them from our mobile farmer.
Registration for our mobile farm service in Connacht and Leinster is now available here: https://www.agriaware.ie/events/mobile-farm/