Details of the ‘LIC Premier Club’ have been revealed by LIC Ireland at the first day of the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

The club aims to give Irish farmers more of a selection than ever before; providing Irish farmers with access to “elite” LIC genetics at the same time as farmers in New Zealand.

Having recently announced one of its most successful years in the Irish market, LIC Ireland launched the Premier Club to ensure it can “continue to contribute positively to the future of the Irish national breeding programme”.

Membership of the club, which is free, will provide:
  • Access to LIC’s Premier Club bulls;
  • The option to receive tailored email tips from LIC’s six-week, in-calf challenge;
  • Access to LIC training resources and tools;
  • Support and information from dairy industry experts;
  • Entry to LIC Premier Club competitions and prize draws;
  • Offspring that meet criteria set by LIC Ireland will be considered for LIC’s Irish Breeding Programme.

Members will also have a chance to win two return air tickets to New Zealand in June 2018 for New Zealand Fieldays; five nights accommodation is also included.

Commenting on the announcement, LIC’s European General Manager Mark Ryder said: “We are delighted to launch the LIC Premier Club in Ireland and, particularly, here at the National Ploughing Championships this year.

“While we have been working hard to ensure that our offering to Irish farmers is of the highest quality, membership of this club is about more than just the straws.

It’s about LIC Ireland’s desire to go the extra mile to support the herd improvement of all farmers in Ireland for the long-term. And it’s also to ensure we can continue to deliver our world-class products.

With a high proportion of LIC-bred cows represented in the top 2,000 cow EBI list, from a disproportionately low number of matings, LIC’s vision in Ireland is to improve the prosperity, productivity and efficiency of farmers through the continual supply of its “elite” bulls.

Farmers interested in signing up to the Premier Club can visit a new website developed by LIC. More information on the club can be attained from LIC’s stand (Block 2, Row 18, Stand 395) at the National Ploughing Championships.