This year, the Irish Hereford Breed Society, in collaboration with Slaney Foods International and Lidl Ireland, awarded four travel bursaries of €2,000 each to four successful candidates.

Following a series of events organised by the society, four young Irish Hereford breeders were selected to participate in the World Hereford Conference in New Zealand, to act as ambassadors for the Irish Hereford breed.

The World Hereford Conference young breeders’ competition is a team event, with four per team aged 18 to 30 on 1 March 2020.

ADVERTISEMENT

The competition will include cattle-handling (both led and unled), cattle judging, industry-related modules, public speaking and quiz night.

This is a prestigious event, which gives Hereford breeders around the world the opportunity to get together to discuss common topics, learn about Herefords in the host country and listen to various keynote lectures.

The final stage of the Irish selection competition took place at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, where Macra na Feirme president Thomas Duffy interviewed the 10 finalists.

The Hereford breed society said: “The standard of competitors was very strong and it was no easy task to choose just four winners. Each candidate should be very proud of themselves. Their effort in completing all the stages of this competition is commendable.”

The Irish Hereford travel bursary winners are as follows:

Eoin Lynch, Co Cork; Michael Barrett, Co Cork; Sinead Conry, Co Roscommon; and Katie Brady, Co Cavan.

Reserve winners: Clodagh Lynch, Co Cork; and Catherine Smyth, Co Meath.

The society added: “We are delighted to have such competent young breeders coming on stream who are more than capable to sustain the future of the Hereford breed.

“The society would like to take this opportunity to thank all who helped out with the competition, including Grianan Herefords and Bandon Mart who facilitated the workshops; Gurteragh Herefords who provided cattle and Peter O’Connell.

“Finally, we would like to thank our sponsors Slaney Foods and Lidl, without whom this competition would not be possible.”