Holstein UK Master Breeder Awards Celebrate Northern Ireland Dairy Herds
The owners of two dairy herds in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, have been recognized with prestigious Holstein UK Master Breeder Awards. The Haffey families, who manage the Glasson and Kilvergan herds, were presented with the awards by Holstein UK president Mark Logan during the Balmoral Show.
The Glasson Herd, managed by Philip and Simon Haffey in Portadown, consists of 150 cows and 200 followers. These cows produce an average yield of 10,635 kgs of milk per year, with a butterfat content of 4.56% and protein content of 3.51%. The herd includes prominent black and white cow families such as Carlin and Twizzle, as well as red and white families like Irene and Apple. Notably, Glasson Goldwyn Glora was ranked the top cow globally for genomic type, and Glasson Moo Irene fetched a high price of 14,000 gns at a recent auction.
The Kilvergan Herd, located in Lurgan and managed by Stephen Haffey and his sons, operates on an indoor robotic system, producing an average yield of 13,045 kgs of milk per cow annually, with 4.26% butterfat and 3.45% protein. The herd comprises notable cow families including Amy and Ashlyn. The Kilvergan herd has a history of accolades, having won best large herd and best junior cow in Holstein NI’s 2025 Herds Inspection Competition.
Holstein UK annually recognizes ten herds with the Master Breeder Award, with three from Northern Ireland making it to the top 10 this year: Glasson, Kilvergan, and Redhouse at Dungannon. The remaining winners are from various parts of England, Scotland, and Wales.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart congratulated the Haffey families for their achievements, highlighting their dedication and commitment to maintaining high standards in dairy farming. The awards underscore the quality of stockmanship and pedigree Holstein cattle at these local farms.
John Martin, Holstein NI secretary, emphasized that the Master Breeder Award represents the pinnacle of success for members, recognizing herds that demonstrate outstanding production, conformation, health, and longevity.
Holstein UK president Mark Logan also noted that the Glasson and Redhouse prefixes had previously achieved Master Breeder status in 2016, further reinforcing their consistent excellence in dairy farming.
