The Irish Hereford Society stand will feature a number of pedigree animals suitable to produce Hereford cross progeny to fit the fast-growing Hereford branded beef programmes in which the society has been engaged for several years now.

The need to increase supply of suitable quality-assured stock and to ensure supply throughout 52 weeks will see a strong emphasis placed on commercial Hereford cross stock that meet the requirements. Stock on display will be used to demonstrate to producers what the requirements are and how individual farmers can achieve the desired result.

Slaney Foods International, which partners with the Society for the Certified Hereford branded beef that is available through all LIDL stores, will also form part of the promotion.

A competition will take place to test the skills of producers in forecasting the slaughter conformation and fat score of animals on display. This will be sponsored by LIDL Ireland which is very proud of its Hereford product and has once again been among the winners at the Great Taste Awards 2015. The product is now available through almost 150 outlets nationwide and through the LIDL network in Denmark.

The major increase in usage of Hereford through AI and natural service over the past two years will help ensure there are enough supplies of cattle to meet demand for Hereford beef brands next year.

A comparison of the figures available for Hereford cross calves born in 2014 shows an increase of 30,000 on those born in 2013. Additional producers and suppliers are required to meet immediate demand and those producers interested in supplying these premium markets will find all the information they may require at the Hereford stand.

A number of useful new Hereford bulls have been purchased by Irish AI to meet the increased demand. These, together with imported semen, are available to breeders and are selected with a view to improving the quality of cattle coming forward. Imported semen is, however, at a severe disadvantage given the vagaries of the new suckler scheme and the constantly changing rankings of bulls in the Irish evaluation system. It seems likely arising from this that the volume of imported semen will be much reduced in the immediate future, the society claims.

The autumn sales start in Tullamore on Saturday 17 October with bulls and females on offer and in Kilmallock on Friday 23 October. The Irish Hereford National Calf Show takes place at the GVM Show Arena, Tullamore on Saturday 21 November.

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All about Ploughing 2015