July 8 - Lisa's Musings (on a cow beauty contest) and Every Day Life

Now, anyone who has read my blog for any length of time knows that I am very fond of cows. All kinds of cows, doesn't matter the color or breed.

In my opinion, cows are just plain cool.

Well, I have found the ultimate in cow stories.

The headline on the news release reads: Bovine Beauties Set to Battle it Out for the Title of the Fairest Dairy Cow in Ireland.

And get this, the contest is sponsored by Baileys Irish Creme.

Cows and Baileys, come on, folks. This event is worth covering, don't you think?

So the "cowtestants" as they are being called, will come from all over the island of Ireland and they get to wear COUNTY SASHES at the beauty contest.

Cows wearing sashes ... you have to love this. And they will compete for the title of Baileys Irish Champion Cow 2010.

Does this not just get better and better?

Already, more than 20 Holstein Friesian cows have been shortlisted for the award.

The cows will be judged not just on the quality of their milk, which makes sense, and they must prove that each cowtestant produces more than 11,000 liters of milk a year.

Also taken into consideration will be their looks -- from shapely legs to elegant neck, good-shaped back and well proportioned udders. Let's not forget their beautiful black and white markings, too.

This is true bovine beauty, here, folks. A moo, moo, moo, moo, mooooo on a scale of 1-5.

And apparently, this competition is serious stuff for the livestock folks in Ireland, like winning the Kentucky Derby for horse folks.

So, now a word from our sponsors ...

About 275 million liters of milk per year from more than 35,000 Irish cows that live on 1,400 farms is used to make Baileys.

About 2,300 glasses of Baileys are drunk every minute of every day across 130 countries. (Hey, I've contributed to that number.)

So, which one shall be the most beauteous cow in all of Ireland?

I guess we'll have to wait for a press update on July 31 to find out. Unless I can convince Michelle to let me cover the competition live.

But until then, bartender, make that a Baileys.