The FBD National Dairy Show is delighted to welcome Mathias Penn to this year’s event, taking place on the 9th and 10th of October at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co. Cork. Recognised across Europe for his work as a cattle photographer, Penn brings a deep passion for breeding, photography and the show ring to this year’s visit.

Mathias, aged 24, comes from Upper Austria, where he grew up on his family’s organic dairy farm, milking around 30 cows alongside approximately 30 head of youngstock. Today he works as a farmer, media designer at Besamungsstation Oberösterreich, and as a cattle photographer.

Cattle breeding and photography have always been closely connected for Mathias. Through photography, he has had the opportunity to visit many leading herds, meet breeders across Europe, and see a wide variety of cows, cow families and breeding philosophies. At home, he is also heavily involved in the breeding decisions for his own herd, with a philosophy centred on producing cows that are long lasting, healthy and functional, while still having the type and quality to compete successfully in the show ring.

Mathias’s interest in dairy shows comes from that same combination of breeding, great cows and the people behind them. For him, shows are about much more than winning ribbons, with some of his best memories created around the barns, preparing cattle together, meeting friends and breeders, and sharing a common passion for dairy cattle.

Mathias said he is really looking forward to the FBD National Dairy Show, especially to seeing some outstanding cows, meeting breeders and experiencing the atmosphere around the show. He added that it is always interesting to see different breeding philosophies and cattle from another dairy country.

Asked to sum up his approach in one sentence, Mathias said: “Success begins with passion.”

Catch Mathias in action at this year’s show, capturing the FBD National Dairy Show on the 9th and 10th of October at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co. Cork. For more information, visit nationaldairyshow.ie, and follow the National Dairy Show on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.