On Saturday 23 August, Iverk Show in Co Kilkenny will host the first ever ABP Beef Bull of the Future Championships. The championships are sponsored by the ABP Group in association with Certified Irish Angus, Hereford Prime and Iverk Show.

The competition is open to all beef breeds in Ireland and at present there are over 100 elite bulls cataloged to parade in front of an expected 20,000 spectators.

Demonstration farm

The objective of the competition came as a result of trials that are being carried out on the 280 acre ABP demonstration farm in Co Carlow, where they run the Advantage Beef Programme.

They finish 400 calves every year from dairy herds sired by beef bulls. Heifers are finished at 19 months and steers at 21 months.

The aim of the demo farm is to identify sires which are delivering better type beef calves from dairy herds and the amount of feed it takes to put on one kg of liveweight gain. Commenting on the event, coordinator Michael Flanagan, said, "results have shown that by using bulls with superior genetics it is possible to increase the value of a carcase by €500 on the day of slaughter.

So with that in mind, we have three classes for pedigree Angus bulls, two classes for Herefords, one class for Limousin and two classes for all other beef breeds, with the winner of each class receiving €2,000."

Supreme champion

The overall ABP Beef Bull of the Future Supreme Champion will receive an extra €2,000 with the reserve receiving €1,000.

This means one exhibitor will go home with a cheque for €4,000 and the reserve with a cheque for €3,000.

Michael added "this is a golden opportunity for AI Stations and indeed farmers to see the best beef genetics on the hoof in Iverk on Saturday August 23."