The Irish Hereford Breed Society and in particular the North Leinster Hereford Branch and Irish Hereford Prime are delighted with how successful the National Hereford Calf Show 2020 has turned out to be. With over 110 entries received for 11 classes and a strong show of top quality Pedigree Hereford & Hereford cross calves entered across the board.

This virtual event is the first of its kind for the Society and has been very well received and supported.

Judges

The Society were delighted to have three very capable and talented judges on board;

• Robin Irvine – Graceland Herefords, NI
• Adam Woods – Technical Beef Journalist & Suckler farmer
• Nigel Owens – International Rugby Referee & Hereford Breeder, Wales

Commenting on the quality of the stock; Nigel Owens said “The animals were a credit to the breeders and some of the classes proved very hard to select a winner from”. He also commented that he hoped “all breeders got something out of it in this very difficult year”.

All three judges executed the tough task flawlessly which was no easy feat with large entries in many of the classes and are owed great thanks and appreciation.

Sponsors

The Society would also like to thank their generous sponsors, who kindly donated prizes despite this turbulent year and appreciate that without their kind support an event like this wouldn’t be possible;

• Moocall
• Allsure
• Herdwatch
• Dectomax
• Irish Hereford Prime

Class Winners

• Class 1: Heifer born on or between 1st July 2019 & 30th September 2019 –Grianan Orange U 877
• Class 2: Heifer born on or between 1st Oct 2019 & 31st December 2019 – Grianan Orange U894
• Class 3: Heifer born on or between 1st January 2020 & 31st March 2020 – Keenaghpoll 1 Rocket Roxie
• Class 4: Heifer calf of the future born from April 1st 2020 onwards – Clonroe Imogen
• Class 5: Bull born on or between 1st July 2019 & 30th September 2019 – Moyclare Sam
• Class 6: Bull born on or between 1st Oct 2019 & 31st December 2019 – Rathregan Bonanza
• Class 7: Bull born on or between 1st January 2020 & 31st March 2020 – Hillock Basil
• Class 8: Bull calf of the future born from April 1st 2020 onwards – Clondrina Poll 1 1327
• Class 9: Dairy Beef Index – Pedigree Genotyped Bull born on or between July 1st & December 31st 2019. Criteria for judging based 60% on appearance and 40% on Dairy Beef index – Moyclare Sam
• Class 10: Commercial Hereford sired calf, male or female, born in 2020 – Roxy
• Class 11: Hereford / Hereford X Replacement Heifer of the Future – Hereford sired female born on or between July 1st 2019 & June 30th 2020. Criteria for judging based 60% on appearance and 40% on Replacement index – Petra

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Public Vote

The class winners from class one to eight were then put forward for a public vote on the website; nationalherefordcalfshow.ie to crown the four champions.

The voting poll was closed on Friday 11^th December after receiving great support & a large number of votes. From there, the three judges; Robin Irvine, Adam Woods & Nigel Owens were drafted back to judge the four champions and choose the overall Supreme Male Champion and the Overall Supreme Female Champion.

Huge congratulations to the champions;

• Moocall Senior Female Champion – Grianan Orange U 877- Born July 2019 – Sired by Grianan Parkers whose bloodlines go back to Churchill Storm – Bred by T&A Fitzgerald, Westmeath & exhibited by Padraic McKenna of Lisgoagh Herefords, Monaghan. 

• Allsure Junior Female Champion – Keenaghpoll 1 Rocket Roxy- Born Feb 2020 – Sired by Solpoll 1 Kentucky Kid – Bred by Edwin & Robert Jones, Longford

• Herdwatch Senior Male Champion – Rathregan Bonanza- Born Dec 2019 – Sired by Rathregan Suarez whose bloodlines go back to Kilsunny Goliath – Bred by Val Ledwith, Meath

• Dectomax Junior Male Champion – Clondrinapoll 1 1327-  Born Sept 2020 – Sired by Panmure 1 Henry – bred by Gerard & Declan Donnelly, Clare

Supreme Male & Female Championship;

Supreme Male Champion 2020 – Rathregan Bonanza

Supreme Female Champion 2020 – Keenaghpoll 1 Rocket Roxy

Huge thanks are extended to everyone who supported this virtual event. As a very different type of Show from what we are all used to, it is inspiring to see so many people getting involved and making the most of the situation at hand. This year has proven to be a difficult year for everyone and although technology has played a large part in keeping communities connected – The Irish Hereford Breed Society & Irish Hereford Prime are looking forward to meeting the public at Agricultural shows very soon again!