The Irish Limousin Cattle Society has received a strong response to its annual carcase cow competition, which is being staged in conjunction with Ashbourne Meats, Roscrea, this week. The brainchild of the late John O’Grady, the competition is open to pedigree Limousin cull cows and commercial Limousin cross cows with a premium price paid for cows that meet specific requirements.
Over 250 cows are expected to be slaughtered over the course of the week and a total prize fund of €2,000 is available for prize winners, with €400 on offer for first place in both categories.
Carcases will be judged next Monday morning, 20 January, which will be followed by a presentation of prizes and the John O’Grady memorial trophy at 2pm on the Ashbourne Meats premises.
This event is open to everyone and will also incorporate a presentation from nutritionist Colm McEvoy about the management and feeding of cattle for slaughter, while a vet will advise on animal health issues for beef animals.
Those attending will also see an exclusive display of in-spec and out-of-spec carcases of young bulls to inform breeders of market requirements.
Lanark Texels fetch 5,200gns
A top price of 5,200gns was paid at last Saturday’s Scottish club Texel sale in Lanark for a daughter of Glenside Razzle Dazzle, consigned by Ian Farquhar, who was dispersing his Insch flock.
Out of a Garngour Nobleman daughter, she sold in-lamb to the 2013 sire of the year, Strathbogie Terminator.
The next highest price achieved on the day, at 4,000gns, was another daughter of Glenside Razzle Dazzle – this time out of a Knock dam by Glenside Mylord and also in-lamb to Strathbogie Terminator.
She came across the water to Co Donegal and was bought by John Greene.
Two ET full-sisters to the sale leader sold for 4,000gns and 3,000gns, respectively.
Other prices included 2,300gns for a ewe lamb by Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold from the Perry dispersal; 2,000gns for a Garngour Nobleman daughter and 1,700gns for the champion of the show, a daughter of Procter’s Samurai out of a Ettrick Mighty Mouse dam.
Overall, 13 Insch ewes averaged £1,727; 11 gimmers £1,295 and 15 ewe lambs £438.
Five ewes from the Perry flock (owned by Perry McNickle) averaged £690 and five ewe lambs £917.
First sale at Chelford tops 2,450gns
At the first female sale of the year at Chelford, a top price of 2,450gns was realised for a Texel shearling ewe by Hen Gapel Gold out of a Baltier Panther-sired dam. She is in-lamb to the 40,000gns Milnbank ram.
The next highest price went to the show champion, a shearling by Sportsman Superstar and out of a homebred dam by Fachell Nutter. She is carrying twins to Knock Tarana and sold for 2,100gns.
The reserve champion, a daughter of Ellen Valley Nightrider and out of a Mitchellhill Paparazzi ewe, sold for 1,550gns.
Overall, 78 shearling Texel ewes averaged £558; 26 ewes averaged £396 and 15 ewe lambs averaged £404.
Top price in the Beltex ring came from the Ashfield flock with a shearling by flock sire, Crookstown Leo 7th. She sold carrying twins to Freckleton Rifleman for 1,900gns, while her half-sister made 1,550gns.
The champion Beltex title went to a daughter of The Rustler that later sold for 1,150gns, while the reserve champion made 1,000gns.
Overall, 32 Beltex ewes averaged £446; 23 shearling ewes averaged £666 and 31 ewe lambs averaged £316.
Irish Angus AGM
At the recent AGM of the Irish Angus Society, outgoing president Joe Moran stepped down to allow Michael Cronin, Scartaglen, Co Kerry, to take over the role of incoming president. During Joe’s two-year term, member numbers grew steadily.
Despite spending €28 from every registration on promotions and advertising, the society reports that it is still in a strong financial position.
The society, in conjunction with its producer group processor ABP, along with its supermarket chain Aldi, staged a major bull calf championship in Piltown.
Over 20 calves competed for the whooping €11,000 in prize money which is thought to be one of the top prize funds for a show class in the country.
The new vice president is John Farrell, Mountdillon, Co Roscommon, and Aidan Moloney, Co Clare, continues as PRO.
Belted Galloway AGM
The Belted Galloway Club of Ireland will hold its AGM on Saturday, 25 January, in the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk, Co Louth, at 1.30pm.
The meeting is open to all breeders and a guest speaker will be present to discuss beef production. For more details contact beltieclubireland@gmail.com or 086-8201739.
Charolais youth programme planned
The Irish Charolais Society is planning to increase the level of participation and activity in its youth development programme, but it wants your help.
All those between nine and 26 years of age are asked to send their name, address and age to Nevan McKiernan, Lacken Lower, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, (tel: 087-4137101; email to nevan.charolais@gmail.com) by Friday, 7 February.
It’s irrelevant whether you come from a pedigree background or even a farming background.
Programme organisers are keen to determine the level of potential interest and will plan the number of regional events for the year based on the response over the next three weeks.
The objective of the youth programme is to bring young cattle enthusiasts from all over Ireland together to learn about all aspects of pedigree Charolais breeding.
Youngsters will be invited to workshops, field trips, and to take part in various competitions and shows throughout the country.
They will learn the art of preparing, grooming and showing an animal, as well picking up tips on breeding and nutrition from experts in the field.
Above all, these arranged events are social occasions to meet existing and new friends and to have a fun experience.
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