Ashbourne Meats hosted a Limousin cull cow carcase competition at its processing site in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, last week from Tuesday (May 26) to Thursday (May 28).

The event had a total prize fund of €2,000 with a class for pedigree Limousin cows and a class for Limousin-cross cows.

First, second and third prize winners in each class received a prize of €500, €300 and €200 respectively.

Eligible cows entered in the competition received a base price of €6.60/kg for 'E' grade cows and €6.50/kg for 'U' grade cows.

In the Limousin-cross class, first prize went to a cow owned by Padraig Cotter from Leap, Co. Cork. The cow graded a 'U+3+' and had a carcase weight of 539kg.

Second prize in this class went to a cow owned by John Morrissey from Newport, Co. Tipperary. This cow graded a 'U=4-' with a carcase weight of 483kg.

In the pedigree Limousin cow class, first prize went to a cow owned by Michael McKeown from Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

This cow graded a 'U+3+ with a carcase weight of 522kg.

Second prize went to Paraic Fallon from Curraghroe, Co. Roscommon for his entry which graded a 'U=4- and had a carcase weight of 573kg.

Third prize also went to another entry from Paraic Fallon. This entry had a carcase weight of 460kg and graded a 'U=3+'.

Commenting on the event, Ashbourne Meats procurement manger Willie McCormack commended the quality and presentation of the cows entered in the competition.

He also said he is hopeful that Ashbourne Meats will run a similar competition later in the year.

Ashbourne Meats marked 40 years in business last year and has two sites, one in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, and one in Naas, Co. Kildare. Cattle are slaughtered at the Roscrea site and de-boning takes place at the facility in Naas.