Irish Hereford Breed Journal 2008 IRISH HEREFORD BREED JOURNAL, 2008 Shows elsewhere were where SECRETARY’S REVIEW well attended with shows in Larry Feeney the South less affected by the bad weather. Every effort Another year is past and what a year bush fires and has been made to ensure the drought in Australia, drought famine and floods in Africa inclusion of pictures and and mostly floods in Ireland over the summer and floods reports from as many shows of imported South American beef throughout the year. as possible in this For all that it was possibly the best in living memory for publication. the majority of Irish Hereford breeders. The Society sales Our colleagues in the UK we were well attended with a high standard of stock forward. must commiserate with as Demand was good with strong evidence that the market equally their shows came for Hereford bulls is steadily growing if slowly into beef under pressure with a suckler herds. The Society’s Council is confident that this number including the National Horned Show cancelled market can and will increase. The market indicators are due to weather conditions. Things were made more very promising and every effort will be made to push it difficult for UK breeders with the Foot and Mouth along. The purchase of the Champion at the Premier outbreak and nervousness as to its extent. Later in the March Sale at Roscommon by the Society’s Breed year their difficulties were further increased with the Improvement Program in partnership with Dovea outbreak of Bluetongue. Despite any minor difficulties Genetics marked a new development in co-operation with weather and Brazilian beef imports Irish breeders did between the two bodies. To date some six hundred straws not have any disease worries. of semen have been purchased by Irish breeders and In late autumn Bord Bia the Irish Food Board with commercial producers anxious to produce progeny of this responsibility for beef exports indicated that they were five star bull. now focusing on securing high priced markets in Summer Shows had a somewhat difficult time with many continental Europe. For this a product of superior quality forced to cancel due to the inclement weather. There was that differentiates itself will be required. It has been widespread disappointment on the announcement that estimated by Bord Bia that 100,000 Hereford cross the National Livestock Show at Tullamore had to be animals may be required to supply the demand. cancelled due to the incessant rain which turned into a The breed is fortunate to have in place Irish Hereford downpour on the eve of the event flooding the entire Prime with a product already in place and currently grounds. With everything in place for the grand opening it available in Belgium, Holland, France and Portugal. The was totally frustrating for the hardworking voluntary show Board of Hereford Prime must be commended on the committee at Tullamore to have to cancel. With strides made particularly during the year past (see articles catalogues printed some cattle and judges already arrived on same later). on the grounds it was essential that the announcement On the performance recording front breeders need to reach the main evening news on National Radio and TV make greater efforts to ensure weights etc. are recorded despite the announcement some exhibitors and potential particularly at weaning to increase accuracy in the data spectators missed the news and set out for the event and a and evaluations currently being carried out at IBCF. Very wasted trip. soon it will be possible to view all animals in the herdbook The Society was fortunate however in the days following to online. This will be an invaluable tool to breeders and be offered the possibility to transfer the National Hereford potential purchasers of pedigree stock. ICBF are currently Show to the Royal Meath Show three weeks later. The in the final stages of development. show offered an excellent grounds in the shadow of the A local politician now passed away had a catch phrase historic Trim Castle and a most helpful Show Committee “hats off to past and coats off to the future” which sums up with substantial sponsorship in place for their own where we currently stand. It is incumbent on everyone to Hereford event. Discussions were short and sweet with get together and put every effort into ensuring that the Trim agreeing to the abandonment of their Hereford breed continues to forge forward. Whilst the sale average classes in favour of those usually held at the National at the Premier October Sale were the highest ever for the Hereford Show. It is possibly unfair to single anyone out breed there will be many challenges in the future. but great credit is due to Royal Meath Chairwoman In conclusion I would like to thank the Society’s Council Rosemary Swan and to major sponsors Stanley Macadam and members for their assistance throughout the year and for their co-operation and assistance. to express condolences with those members of the Society A dedicated group of Hereford breeders from the North who suffered bereavements over the same period. To my Leinster area came together quickly and in close co- colleagues at the Hereford office a sincere than you. It is operation with the local cattle committee set up the heartening and most welcome to have the staff of the Irish stalling areas, rings etc. The days following were frantic to Cattle Breeding Federation and its staff describe my ensure entries, a catalogue design and print, flags, penning colleagues as the most efficient in the business and etc. The outcome a tremendous success for all involved recommend that other Societies whose staff may need exhibitors, organisers and sponsors. A sincere thank you some assistance and training should contact the Irish to all. Hereford Office. Page 2 IRISH HEREFORD BREED JOURNAL, 2008 Society President The current President of the Society is Mr. John O’Connor of Ballykennedy Hse, Ballingarry, Co. Limerick. John first became interested in Herefords at a very young age admiring the late Johnny Reidy’s Ballinarouga Herd that comprised about 10 breeding females. It was not until 1996 that he purchased his first pedigree Hereford heifer Dirreen Mistress from Patrick Dalton, Dirreen, Athea. By Corlismore Ambassador and incalf to Visa her first calf, a bull, fetched £1,925 at the Paddock’s in Limerick. A great price back then. This proved to be a great breeding cow she had 8 bulls on the trot. The second purchase was Hazelfield Peach from the late Noel O’Shaughnessy. This heifer by Clonandra General a Bishophill General son and out of a Drisheen Honest Moss cow has left some very good breeding females in the herd which now comprises 10-15 breeding females. Together with his brother and parents John also runs a 140-cow pedigree British Friesian Dairy herd in which he takes a big interest particularly in the breeding element. A member of the Society’s Council since January 2003, John is also a member of the Breed Improvement sub-committee. On his election he stated “Being elected President of the Society is a great honour and I look forward to the year ahead with bulls and heifers selling so well currently and also with Hereford Prime going from strength to strength with the announcement of new markets imminent. We must keep up the standard of our cattle with the introduction of new blood lines and an eye to breeding quality. I wish everyone good luck for the 2007-2008 show and sale year and look forward to meeting many of you at summer shows, field evenings etc.”. The current vice President of the Society is Mr. Michael Molloy, Glebe, Belmont, Co. Offaly. National Ploughing Championships .....................69 Contents GROW - Genetic Recording Of Weanlings..............72 List of Advertisers......................................116 Secretary’s Review .........................................1 A Royal Weekend in the Royal County .................74 Society President ...........................................2 Lakelodge Field Evening..................................76 Around the Sales............................................3 Net Feed Intake Research................................79 Obituaries ..................................................16 Organic Beef From West Cork ...........................83 New Australian Semen....................................19 Hall of Fame Award .......................................84 UK President Buys Irish ...................................21 Hereford Prime Fatstock Show ..........................85 Superquinn Launches Hereford Prime..................23 Hereford Beef Scheme Drives Demand.................89 Dunsinane Freeman Sells to Progressive Genetics ...25 Improved Prospects for Beef Trade in 2008 ...........91 Canadian Visit..............................................25 Dovea Open Day ...........................................93 Lithuania and Poland .....................................26 Jan Wills, Sec., World Hereford Council...............95 UK National Hereford Show 2008 .......................26 15th World Conference ...................................97 Around the Shows .........................................28 Country Reports: Trim Show Results .........................................28 UK & Northern Ireland ............................98 Trim Photos.................................................30 Australia ...........................................104 Photo Gallery at Trim.....................................35 Canada .............................................107 Nenagh Show ...............................................38