The fourth annual National Hereford Calf Show was launched by Minister for Heritage and Culture, Heather Humphreys, at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.
First established in 2014, the event has attracted visitors from Northern Ireland, the UK and Finland in the past. A leading UK breeder has been invited to officiate as judge at this year’s event.
With some of Ireland’s top Hereford breeders competing, the progeny of successful bloodlines from the country’s top herds will be on exhibition, the Irish Hereford Breed Society assures.
Organisers are expecting 90 or more entries and large crowds on the day, going by previous years, and claim it to be “an excellent opportunity to see some top-quality Herefords with the potential to expand the Hereford gene pool”. A large selection of bulls and heifers is promised for the event.
Classes
There will be two young handlers’ classes on the day for ‘Under 14’ and ‘Under 21’ categories. Both are free to enter with a number of trophies and medals being offered as prizes, according to the society.
Four classes have been created for heifers with both a junior and senior champion title up for grabs. After this, there will be a commercial class with the chance for exhibitors to win up to €200 in prize money.
Last year’s winner: Supreme and Senior Male Champion Riverrock Goldstar with owner Tony Hartnett and assistant Gerry O’Riordan. Image source: Tricia Kennedy
This will be followed by the showing of four classes of bulls; followed by a junior and senior champion being chosen at the end.
All animals entered will be weighed on the morning of the show; pedigree heifers which have gained in excess of 1.5kg/day + 40kg birth weight and bulls in excess of 1.7kg/day + 45kg birth weight are not eligible for showing on the day, the organisers say.
Commercial calves over 450kg, on the day, are not eligible for showing; all stock must have HE or HEX on their passport.