The annually Macra rally takes place over the October bank holiday weekend. This year it is being hosted by Muskerry Macra in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Co Cork. On the Friday night, the final of the Irish Farmers Journal Know Your Ag Quiz takes place, followed by farm walks and Macra’s agricultural conference on the Saturday. But Sunday is where the real action takes place, when young farmers representing their counties and regions will judge sheep and cattle in Macroom mart.

Sheep stockjudging

Patrick O’Keeffe, Awbeg, Avondhu, won the sheep stockjudging competition at last year’s 2014 rally. He is farming with his father and they run a pedigree Suffolk and Texel operation alongside dairy and beef enterprises. He had entered the sheep and beef stockjudging two or three times beforehand but this was his first national title.

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“It was a bit of a shock to find out that I’d won,” said Patrick, who had driven home before the results were announced. “The judges let you talk away but I don’t think they are looking for anything specific.”

Patrick’s sister is representing Avondhu this year so he’s reluctant to give away too many tips to this year’s competitors.

“She rang me last year to let me know that I’d won, but I couldn’t get back on time so she had to accept the trophy for me,” said Patrick. “Maybe this will be her year.”

Senior beef

Alan Twomey has collected numerous stockjudging titles, claiming the U23 beef stockjudging in 2012, the senior stockjudging in 2014 and the U23 dairy stockjudging in 2013. Alan grew up on a suckler farm and is a member of Donoughmore Macra. He says he would have learnt most of his stockjudging skills from his father and going to weanling sales with him from a young age. He advises contestants to always stick with their first choice.

“Go with your instinct,” he said. “Don’t change your mind and when you’re giving your reasons be confident.”

When giving reasons to the judge, he said it’s important to focus on the parts of the animal that give a higher return.

“The loin is the most important as the most expensive cuts come from there,” he said. “You should also look at the width of the animal, the hindquarters and the shoulder. With a heifer you should focus on her calving ability at the pin bone and make sure she doesn’t have too much muscle.”

U23 beef

John hosted the county round for Carlow this year. He previously represented Carlow in the final at the Waterford rally in 2012. Working in Tullow mart, John knows a thing or two about cattle. He advises this year’s contestants to visit their local mart beforehand to get a feel for cattle weights.

“You need to have experience of cattle and how they kill out,” he said. “A trip to the mart will help you get a better understanding. Anyone can take part, it’s not an expert’s game.”