New class will showcase the very best of Irish beef heifers
ALL Irish agricultural shows that have cattle on their summer programmes will now have a ‘Breeder’s Choice’ class, aimed at promoting quality Irish beef.
Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, this week announced an allocation of €250,000 to fund the new competition for top quality beef breeding heifers over the next five years.
To be administered by the Irish Shows Association (ISA), the ‘Breeder’s Choice’ category will be broken up into two separate classes – traditional and continental breeds.
Pedigree as well as commercial heifers will be eligible for entry into more than 60 agricultural shows that take place around the country during the Summer.
According to Minister McConalogue, the requirement for four and five star in-calf or maiden heifers aligns to the aims of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the incoming Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCBP) in the next CAP to increase the number of these heifers in the suckler herd. “Four and five-star animals in the suckler herd can bring greater milk as well as overall efficiency to beef animals. The show network is the backbone of so many agri and rural communities,” said the Minister.
He added that there was great excitement with the return of the shows following the break due to Covid-19 and he looked forward to seeing quality heifers from Irish farmers being recognised and rewarded at these events.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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