A first ever Bóthar weanling and heifer sale will take place on 10 September 2018 in Tullamore Mart from 6-8pm, when up to €10,000 worth of livestock will go under hammer.

The special sale is to support Bóthar’s ongoing appeal to help Rwandan genocide victim families transform their lives through gifts of Irish dairy heifers.

The proceeds from the sale will go towards rearing heifers until they are sent in-calf at 18 months old to Rwanda. Organisers have said that an Irish dairy cow for these families is like winning the lotto – it is a huge life changer.

A local Rwandan cow would give about a litre of milk a day, while an Irish cow would give 20 times that. The first female calves born from the animals sent to Rwanda will be passed on to another family in the Rwandan community to help educate them.

Support

Tullamore Mart is backing the initiative and hopes that the people will come out in force to support the event organised by Pat Mahon, Mount Bolus, Co Offaly, farmer and Bóthar volunteer. All animals will be auctioned in aid and support of the Bóthar project.

Weanlings have already been donated by farmers from, Moate and Tyrellspass Co Westmeath, Coolderry, Clonbollougue, Geashill, Kilcormack, Rahan and Mountbolus, Co Offaly, Clonaslee Co Laois, and Roscrea, Co Tipperary.

Farmers have also made cash and cheque donations, and many more donations are pledged to the donation box to be provided on the night.