Irish Hereford Travel Bursary to New Zealand Winners 2019.

The finale of our Travel Bursary competition was held last Wednesday 18th September with each of the 10 finalists sitting an earnest interview with Thomas Duffy, President of Macra na Feirme. Thomas questioned the Young Breeders on their knowledge of the Hereford breed, the challenges facing the breed and how would they promote the breed in New Zealand as well as to dairy farmers at home. The interviews carried out over a microphone on front of a large public audience which was no easy task for our 10 candidates but that did not phase any of them. Each candidate spoke clearly and competently and gave very thoughful and knowledgeable answers. Across all stages of the competition; each of the 10 finalists showcased their talent, competency & enthusiasm which drove the standard very high and left a very fine line between all 10 competitors, leaving it no easy task to choose just 4 winners. Each candidate should be very proud of themselves. Their effort in completing all the stages of this competition is commendable.

Katie Brady, Mark Stewart, Sinead Conry, Michael Barrett, Clodagh Lynch, Eoin Lynch, Louise Callan (IHBS Breed Development Officer), Henry Dudley (IHBS President), Marika Mahon (Slaney Foods), James Thompson, Ross Bateman, Hannah Quinn-Mulligan, Catherine Smyth, Thomas Duffy (Macra na Feirme President), Willie Branagan (IHBS Chairman).

The Irish Hereford Travel Bursary winners, who will represent Ireland at World Hereford Conference Young Breeders Competition in New Zealand in March 2020 are;

Eoin Lynch, Co. Cork.

Michael Barrett, Co. Cork

Sinead Conry, Co. Roscommon.

Katie Brady, Co. Cavan.

Reserve Winners: Clodagh Lynch, Co. Cork & Catherine Smyth, Co. Meath.

The Society is delighted to have such competent young breeders coming on stream which are more than capable to sustain the future of the Hereford Breed. The Society would like to take this opportunity to thank all who helped out with the competition including Grianan Herefords & Bandon Mart who facilitated the workshops; Grianan Herefords & Gurteragh Herefords who provided cattle and Anselm Fitzgerald & Peter O’Connell who demonstrated cattle dressing and showing skills. A huge thanks also to Thomas Duffy, President of Macra na Feirme, for carrying out & interviews. Finally we would like to thank our sponsors Slaney Foods International and Lidl Ireland without whom this competition would not be possible. We wish all our Young Breeders the greatest of success going forward and look forward to working with them in the future.