Looking at the tables overall, it is clear that ABP, Dawn and Kepak are dominant, but when it comes to the top positions, Jennings collects five golds and one bronze out of a possible eight even though it only competes for steers and heifers.

Foyle has seven silvers and one bronze in the table and it has collected these across all categories of cattle slaughtered.

Kepak Clonee is the top medal collector overall, with 10 in total and spread across young bulls, heifers and cows.

Dawn is always strong in the category

ABP’s Bandon factory was the top performer in the group, with four top places and one third place, spread across steers, heifers and one in the young bull category.

The cow tables reflect the fact that some factories have a particular focus on cow business.

Dawn is always strong in the category and for plainer prime beef as well for its burger business. Its Charleville and Granagh factories pick up medals for cows.

Newcomer Traditional Meat Company topped the table for R=3= cows and Liffey also picked up a second and third position in the cow table.

Top-paying factories will always have the most demanding specifications and it is worth keeping in mind that factories that appear at the lower end of the table may be the better option for out-of-spec cattle.