The Bord Bia stand at this year’s Ploughing Championships aimed to bring visitors back to basics through a beef carcase display.

The display generated a lot of attention from younger visitors in particular, as large groups of students could be seen gathered around the carcases. “I’ve never seen anything like that before,” was one pupil's assessment of the cuts on display .

Visitors to the stand could also get advice on Bord Bia auditing, as well as hearing from members of the Irish Farmers Journal team who, in partnership with Bord Bia, has launched an online support for farmers preparing for farm audits.

Simpler

Speaking to Joe Burke, beef and livestock sector manager in Bord Bia, explained the idea: “In previous years we felt we maybe got a bit too complicated and had too much information for visitors. This year there it’s simpler and it’s working well.”

On displaying two carcasses on the in the stand, Burke explained that: “These two carcasses might look similar but they are very different for the consumer when purchasing meat products”.

Burke was referring to the fact that one of the carcasses on display was an R grading carcase while the other was a P grading carcase. Both animals were dairy X animals

To show the difference that carcase grading can make to the final consumer product, beneath each of the carcases was a selection of beef cuts from the carcase. A dramatic difference could be seen between the cuts.

To learn more about what Joe Burke said about carcase grading and the influence of dairy beef, watch the video above.