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Cow photo wins international award for farming journalist

An agricultural photojournalist who works in the regional press has won an international award for his picture of a cow.

Chris McCullough received the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists People’s Choice award for his photo of a cow in the Austrian alps.

Northern Ireland-based freelance Chris has worked across the media industry for 15 years, writing and taking photographs for titles including the Belfast Telegraph, Belfast Live and the Daily Record.

Chris received his award from the IFAJ at a ceremony held in Bonn, Germany.

Riitta Mustonen from IFAJ presents Chris with the award

Riitta Mustonen from IFAJ presents Chris with the award

He said: “Being an agricultural journalist and travelling the world for stories and photos is a thrilling occupation but when my work is complemented by others it really does make it all worthwhile.”

The award-winning photo of a Fleckvieh cow, pictured below, was taken during a visit to Austria last year when Chris was reporting on dairy farms which produce what is known as ‘hay milk’.

Cow pic

Said Chris: “This means the cows graze high up in the meadows for the summer period and are only fed hay and some concentrates in the winter.

“The cows never receive silage and the result is a high quality milk attracting top premiums.

“While I was on the farm I decided to walk among the small herd of 17 cows which were grazing well above the ski lifts in their pastures.

“One of the cows presented me with a great opportunity to take its photo and this one ended up winning the award.”

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