Modern Irish Dairy Products

March 28, 2012

Perhaps the most important part of any industry is the product being produced.  In the dairy industry, milk is being used in an overwhelming number of food products in our lives because it is so nutritionally valuable.  Ireland has actually become one of the world's leading producers of infant nutritional products and accounts for 15% of the global supply of infant formula and 80% of all of their dairy production is exported (most being in the form of butter). Outside of their everyday dairy needs, Kerrygold and Bailey's are two huge dairy production facilities.  Unlike the United States, Irish milk can be traced to a much smaller number of processing locations.  Where in the U.S. we have many different brands and local companies for milk processing, Ireland has a select few that were chosen during the Co-operative consolidation.

Kerrygold is the premier brand of Irish butter boasting of being able to turn the luscious green of Ireland's landscape into the golden richness of their fine butter.  According to their website, the Irish Dairy Industry is involved in 80 markets across the world and all Irish butter carries their seal.  They have recently developed several lines of butters and cheeses--some of which can be found in markets in the United States.

Bailey's Irish Cream also plays a significant role in the Dairy Industry of Ireland.  Since 1983 they have helped sponsor the Bailey's Champion Cow Competition in celebration of their cream supply.

Approximately 250 million liters of milk per year are needed to make Baileys which equates to the annual output of about 40,000 dairy cows.  Baileys is sold in 170 markets today and is the world's No 1 selling liqueur brand.

To enter cows must first have produced 500kgs of butterfat and protein in a 305 day lactation (except for the heifer in milk awards). A 10% extra weighting is being given to the protein portion of the entry standard.  Entrants are required to complete an entry form which this year should include a recent, full body picture of their cow in electronic format.  This is the competition in search of the prestigious "finest dairy cow in Ireland"

Citations:

Kerrygold. (2012).  Retrieved March 28, 2012, from, http://www.kerrygold.com/

Baileys Irish Champion at Virginia Agricultural Show Society. (2007).  Retrieved March 23, 2012, from, http://www.ihfa.ie/page.aspx?page_id=71