Judges Clive Hoey, Brian Dwyer, Aidan Kinahan, Erwin, James and Sinead Stanley had some tough decisions to make in Tullamore on Sunday, as they were tasked with placing the commercial cattle of FBD National Livestock Show 2025.
A monster audience watched on, as each of them sorted through their various sections. Show champions from around the country battled it out for a coveted national title.
The tension could be felt in the air as the Stanley family examined the lineup of senior class winners one last time, before tapping out Kevin Devine's outstanding heifer Ruby as overall senior champion.
Ably shown by Shane Giltinane, Ruby danced around the ring with class, style and power, leaving the Laois judges in no doubt.
The January 2024-born daughter of Ballinloan Jaegerbomb has left many in her wake this summer, claiming multiple commercial and interbreed championships for the Mayo man.
Pushing her to the ultimate goal and taking home the reserve senior commercial champion was Black Beauty, a September 2023-born heifer with no permanent teeth exhibited by the McKinney family from Co Donegal.
This black machine of a heifer is out Dovea Genetics' Limousin heavy hitter Claddagh McCabe.
Calf championships
If the tension was high for the senior championship, it was palpable in the calf finale, as judge Clive Hoey pondered through a fantastic lineup of first-prizewinners.
A pin drop could be heard as he slapped Baby Magic on the back to the delight of breeder Conor Craig from Co Longford.
This stunning young black heifer calf is just five months old and won the best female calf weighing 271kg to 330kg class.
The Larkhill Ludo daughter has also enjoyed a splendid run this summer, picking up numerous championships across the midlands region.
Overall junior commercial champion shown by Cailìn Keaveney, with judge Clive Hoey, Claire Bailey Archibald of sponsors Germinal, plus Conor Craig. \ A Moore Media
She pipped another black Limousin-cross heifer calf to the post in the form of Drumstick, shown by Leitrim breeders Oliver and Donal McGowan.
Hot off an interbreed triumph in Cloone Show last week, this flashy daughter of Graiggoch Rambo also stood top of the line in the Kepak beef factory animal of the future class.
Dawn Meats championship
Taking home the first prize of €600 in the Dawn Meats €2,500 factory heifer championship was the Moorhead family from Co Longford with their Limousin heifer Amber.
Born in December 2023, this Kilcor Iceman daughter has been a regular prizewinner at local shows this summer.
Another class which always attracts a lot of attention is the Moyvalley Meats €2,000 factory bullock championship, which was headed up by the Flanagan family from Co Roscommon.
Pick up this week's Irish Farmers Journal to read all about it.
Judges Clive Hoey, Brian Dwyer, Aidan Kinahan, Erwin, James and Sinead Stanley had some tough decisions to make in Tullamore on Sunday, as they were tasked with placing the commercial cattle of FBD National Livestock Show 2025.
A monster audience watched on, as each of them sorted through their various sections. Show champions from around the country battled it out for a coveted national title.
The tension could be felt in the air as the Stanley family examined the lineup of senior class winners one last time, before tapping out Kevin Devine's outstanding heifer Ruby as overall senior champion.
Ably shown by Shane Giltinane, Ruby danced around the ring with class, style and power, leaving the Laois judges in no doubt.
The January 2024-born daughter of Ballinloan Jaegerbomb has left many in her wake this summer, claiming multiple commercial and interbreed championships for the Mayo man.
Pushing her to the ultimate goal and taking home the reserve senior commercial champion was Black Beauty, a September 2023-born heifer with no permanent teeth exhibited by the McKinney family from Co Donegal.
This black machine of a heifer is out Dovea Genetics' Limousin heavy hitter Claddagh McCabe.
Calf championships
If the tension was high for the senior championship, it was palpable in the calf finale, as judge Clive Hoey pondered through a fantastic lineup of first-prizewinners.
A pin drop could be heard as he slapped Baby Magic on the back to the delight of breeder Conor Craig from Co Longford.
This stunning young black heifer calf is just five months old and won the best female calf weighing 271kg to 330kg class.
The Larkhill Ludo daughter has also enjoyed a splendid run this summer, picking up numerous championships across the midlands region.
Overall junior commercial champion shown by Cailìn Keaveney, with judge Clive Hoey, Claire Bailey Archibald of sponsors Germinal, plus Conor Craig. \ A Moore Media
She pipped another black Limousin-cross heifer calf to the post in the form of Drumstick, shown by Leitrim breeders Oliver and Donal McGowan.
Hot off an interbreed triumph in Cloone Show last week, this flashy daughter of Graiggoch Rambo also stood top of the line in the Kepak beef factory animal of the future class.
Dawn Meats championship
Taking home the first prize of €600 in the Dawn Meats €2,500 factory heifer championship was the Moorhead family from Co Longford with their Limousin heifer Amber.
Born in December 2023, this Kilcor Iceman daughter has been a regular prizewinner at local shows this summer.
Another class which always attracts a lot of attention is the Moyvalley Meats €2,000 factory bullock championship, which was headed up by the Flanagan family from Co Roscommon.
Pick up this week's Irish Farmers Journal to read all about it.
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