Our team of Irish Young Handlers were out and about in January in preparation for the Young Handlers Competition at the World Hereford Conference in New Zealand in March 2020. The team began the day by practicing stock judging at Balleen Herefords in Kilkenny with great help from herd owner Tom Brennan. Tom gave an in-depth overview of judging Hereford cattle and facilitated the Young Handlers judging pens of bulls & heifers. Tom also shared his experience and knowledge of various bloodlines he has used and is using on the farm, tips on choosing bulls, using AI & the benefits and difficulties associated with embryo transfer.

The day continued for Eoin, Sinead & Michael with a visit to Tynan Meats where proprietor; Neil Tynan, gave a tour of the factory to learn about; the processes involved in production – from slaughter through boning and finally onto packing, carcase quality, differences between grades of carcases & breeds of cattle hanging up i.e. fat levels etc. cuts of meat and where they are supplying to, the type of cattle that they are buying and and what the customer wants.

The day was a success with everyone learning something new & taking on alot of information and hands on experience that will stand to the team of Young Handlers in competition next Month in New Zealand!

The Society would like to thank Tom and Rosemary Brennan & Neil Tynan for being more than generous with their time & very welcoming to the group.