The RDS Spring Show in Dublin was once one of the biggest events in the country, with thousands of farmers attending the week-long show. Although it hasn’t been run for over 30 years, the RDS annually gives out awards to the agricultural sector. Of particular interest are the livestock awards.

Following the tradition of the show, the awards were given to animals which were identified as the top of their breed. In recent times, these were selected by the breed societies, be it through nomination or, alternatively, the breed champions from nominated shows.

At its peak, this accounted for nine cattle awards and four sheep awards awarded nationally-recognised titles and in excess of €10,000 in prize money.

However, word broke earlier this month that this was no longer the case and the livestock part of the prize fund would be dropped to €5,000 for five awards, all selected by the ICBF or Sheep Ireland.

Securing an RDS livestock award is one of the highlights of any pedigree breeder’s career and this news will come as a big blow to those wishing to be acknowledged as having bred the best of the best.

The following is a statement released from the RDS, along with some of the many replies the Irish Farmers Journal received from the breed societies.

Irish Angus Cattle Society

“The Irish Angus Cattle Society finds it regrettable that the RDS has decided to go down this route because the RDS awards were always very prestigious and much sought after by our breeders. The society was delighted to work with the RDS for many years and would hope to do so again. However, we consider that an award of such magnitude and prestige should be won in the show ring.”

Irish Simmental Cattle Society

“The first I heard of it was when the Simmental society were not included in the 2018 awards was on seeing the after-awards publicity. I did write to the RDS but got no reply. We had, as always, notified breeders that our National Simmental Show Champion would be the winner, but alas there was no award.

“It is very disappointing to read that these awards could be taken away from committed stock people and awarded on indexes. It would be a backward step in terms of promoting quality livestock and also the recognition that breeders who invested heavily in genetics needed.”

Irish Charolais Cattle Society

“This is the first time the society has been made aware of this. From our breed society point of view, it is disappointing to say the least. I would also have serious concerns with the proposal that [the] ICBF would be recommending the winners in the different categories, especially with the way the €uro-Star indices are moving up and down. I would like to know how [the] ICBF plan[s] on selecting the winners and what their criteria will be.”

Irish Holstein Friesian Association

“IHFA welcomes that the RDS are continuing with some awards. However, the association is most disappointed that an award to mark improvement and genetic gain by breed societies through shows, demonstrating valued cattle traits, to a rural audience is dropped.

“The ethos of the RDS to demonstrate improvement in breeds through the various shows culminating in the coveted RDS award was of huge significance to breed societies, especially IHFA. Improvements in cattle breeds through this means has stood the test of time.

“While IHFA recognise the importance of science and EBI, it is important to point out that actual conformation traits are not used in the EBI calculations.

“IHFA held discussions with an RDS representative of the committee. IHFA proposed an interim solution for the champion of champions, a balance of index and conformation. Regrettably, there was no further consultation.

“The RDS are now recognising science only, disregarding conformation, which is a complete reversal of their ethos.”

Irish Belgian Blue Cattle Society

“The Belgian Blue society are very disappointed with regard to the RDS champion of champions award, having participated actively for many years.

“In 2018, while we had participated at the summer shows in the usual way with the points system that would qualify our nominee from our society, we did not receive any invitation from the RDS, which was the norm. It was when I was contacted by another breed society that we realised that we were not included for 2018.

“It’s regrettable that we were not contacted by the RDS ahead of our running the competition at the summer shows and has led to us now rewarding such breeders out of society resources.

“We feel this was and is a very important promotion of the excellence within each breed.”

Irish Texel Sheep Society

“Our last award was presented last April (2018) for the winner of the 2017 Texel National Championships. All money for the sheep awards was redirected into the NSBA Sheep Championships in Kilkenny.

“The RDS came on board to promote the event and, by their own admission, to increase their public profile in agri circles. No extra money was available for this sponsorship, only the prize money that would have been received by the nominees. They agreed to this also for the benefit of the show and to get it established.

“We received absolutely no contact from the RDS about the dropping of the award. This only became apparent when I contacted Paul Farrelly from the RDS on 7 March 2019 in relation to them attending the launch of our NSBA Championships event in Cillin Hill on 8 April with the cups and the medals for the recipients, as happened last year.

“I was told that this would be a problem, as the RDS committee had made a decision, that was their prerogative to do, and changed the method and policy of selecting the winners.

“I was told that the RDS had made no commitment to a retrospective award and were under no obligation to comply with the arrangement that has been happening with the Texel society since the abolition of the RDS Spring Show.

“Because of the late stage in the year, we as a society had already made the commitment to the 2018 recipient that they were the winner and would be receiving their RDS medal and having their photo taken with the Texel RDS cup. We now have to honour that commitment that the RDS are reneging on.

The Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society

“The Shorthorn society participated in the awards in 2017 for the first time after approaching the organisation in 2016. We were disappointed then in 2018 when a number of the smaller breeds like ourselves were dropped.

“Our recipient received a silver medal, but no monetary prize. With regard to 2018 recipients, as we have had no communications from the RDS since March 2017, nothing has been done.

“It is always nice to acknowledge members’ achievements. We did contact the RDS after being dropped last spring, but we got no response, only a piece in the Irish Farmers Journal on the issue shortly after.

“It would be nice to see someone from every breed get an award, even if the monetary aspect was less, the recognition and acknowledgement of the work done is also very important.”

Irish Limousin Cattle Society

“It was with sadness I learnt of the RDS decision to cease the annual sponsorship of our RDS Champion of Champions Limousin award. This award was presented to the animal which attained the most points at a number of designated shows throughout the show season.

“I sent an email to Paul Farrelly on 4 March enquiring as to when the awards ceremony would be held for 2019 and I received a reply on 11 March informing me of the RDS decision.

“In 2018, our recipient received a medal and €1,000, which contributed to the costs of travelling to the shows. Disappointment would hardly be the correct terminology to summarise the reaction of our 2019 recipient, who, after spending many long hours on the road, are now left empty-handed.

“My own opinion is that the RDS should have continued the competition this year and given prior warning of their intentions to change the direction of their sponsorship.”

RDS statement

“The RDS has changed its awards to better reflect the principles of climate-smart agriculture, a direction we have been incrementally moving towards over a number of years.

“We first began work on climate-smart agriculture in 2015, jointly published a paper with the IIEA in 2016 and just last month held a summit on how to apply the principles of climate-smart agriculture to the Irish situation.

“The RDS commissioned an independent strategic review of the work in this area and it identified a number of new measures that the RDS should incorporate into its agriculture programme.

“As part of this, last year we made changes to the RDS spring agriculture and forestry awards to reflect this new emphasis.

“No sheep awards were presented, we reduced the number of pedigree cattle breed awards to five awards and doubled our genetic index awards to four.

“This emphasis on matching best practice to the best science is continuing this year, with further changes to highlight Irish farmers who are pioneering the way in adapting and applying new practices informed by the best scientific advice available.

“These incremental changes were communicated to the breed societies as far back as 2016, when the RDS asked that their nominee be a five-star ICBF-rated animal for that year’s awards and throughout 2018 the RDS committee for agriculture and rural affairs flagged that further moves were probable.

“With a prize fund of €23,000, the RDS spring agriculture and forestry awards celebrate and promote the principles of climate-smart agriculture.

“Building on a name from the past, but firmly focused on the future of the sector, the awards will recognise the very best farmers, foresters and agri-innovators.

“In addition to the current livestock and forestry categories, the RDS is introducing a new category for 2019 focused on sustainable farming and sustainable living.

“This new category will celebrate the work of individuals, farm families, farm businesses and community organisations who are enhancing the economic, environmental and social development of Irish agriculture and rural communities.

“There will also be a special Ceres sustainability champion award presented on the day to an individual or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to climate-smart agriculture in Ireland

“The RDS is an organisation that is deeply rooted in rural Ireland. Agriculture remains a vital way in which we fulfil our mission to see Ireland thrive.

“Our RDS spring agriculture and forestry awards are one way in which we set out to achieve a sustainable and vibrant rural Ireland.”