Tackling the effects of the heatwave on farms nationwide will be central to discussions at tomorrow’s farming conference at the Virginia Agricultural Show in Co. Cavan.
Guest speakers on the topic will include: Brendan Horan, grassland research officer at Teagasc; Derek Pepper from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE); David Brady who will speak on optimising stocking rates; and Joe Leonard, Nuffield scholar and dairy farmer who will focus on stress management and mindfulness.
With the event set to mark its 77th anniversary, large crowds are also expected at the show’s dairy conference.
Along with the prestigious 35th Diageo Baileys Irish Champion Dairy Cow competition, there will be lots of other top cattle highlights taking place on site during the one-day event.
- Glanbia Virginia will sponsor the €700 Friesian In-calf-Heifer;
- The Lakeland Dairies Champion of the Show;
- The A.W. Ennis Interbreed Champion of the Show;
- The Lisgrey House Restaurant Commercial Champion;
- The North Eastern Simmental Club and Charolais Club junior championship finals; and
- The Univet Ireland Limited and Virginia Show Commercial Heifer Championship.
Meanwhile, top-quality commercial cattle are expected to turn out for the Liffey Meats €2,000 Champion Beef Bullock competition.
Entries are confined to beef bullocks of any age, with organisers adding that the competition provides an incentive for farmers “to produce quality beef cattle necessary for the lucrative European market”.
Clerkins Virginia Veterinary Practice will sponsor a prize fund of €1,200 towards the open Charolais classes.
Also up for grabs is the Francie Brady Memorial Perpetual Cup and rosette presented to the champion.
Novice And Young Awards
Meanwhile, the young stock person finals in beef, sheep and dairy – open to those aged 12 to 16 years – will be judged on their ability to prepare animals for judging; plus their general knowledge of the breed.
They will also be examined on the animals’ nutritional requirements and their ability to handle and present the animal in the show ring.
Virginia has also a unique Novice Competition – entrants can be any age, so long as they have not shown before.
Horses And Ponies
Among the horse and pony classes there will be titles up for grabs for brood mare, light and coloured horses, ridden hunter and cob, and heavy horses. As well, there are classes for palomino horses and ponies, Welsh and Connemara, and miniature horses and donkeys.
There are cups and trophies for many classes with a new cup in memory of Wilkie Lyttle – former master steward of the Horse Section.
Cattle
There will be dairy and beef classes for all cattle at tomorrow’s show.
These include: Holstein Friesians; crossbred classes; commercial classes; continental; Shorthorns; Herefords; Angus; Charalois; Limousin; Salers; Simmentals; Belgian Blues; Aubrac; and Blonde D’Aquitaine.
Other Classes
There will be strong competition for sheep, including the Paddy Keoghan Perpetual Memorial Cup for pedigrees and the Hugh Faulkner Cup for crossbreds – as well as classes for Suffolks, Texels, Charallois, and Vendeen.
There are also classes for goats, poultry, farm and garden produce, oats, barley, turf, hay, grazing and maize.
The Fleetwood All-Ireland Final Art Competition will also take place on the showgrounds; while McEvoys SuperValu are once again sponsoring the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) Guild Skills of the Year.
The show’s 200-strong committee stated that “credit must be given” to all sponsors for their continued support and visitors are also invited to shop local for the day in a bid to “keep money in our local economy and in turn support local jobs and help the environment”.
Arrive On Time To The Virginia Show
The Virginia showgrounds are set to open at 7:00am tomorrow morning and there is free car parking provided for patrons. The final event of the day will take place at 5:00pm.
Children go free, while further concessions will also be available.