National Ploughing Championships | Irish Hereford Breed Society Ltd

The Irish Hereford Breed Society, in collaboration with Slaney Foods International and Lidl Ireland are awarding 5 bursaries of €1,000 each to 5 successful applicants at the 86th National Ploughing Championships which will take place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from Sept 19th – 21st 2017.

“Given the outstanding success last year, which was the first year of the programme, all the supporters are keen to further build on that this year and into the future” stated Willie Branagan, Irish Hereford Chairman at the launch of the 2017 competition. The five winners from last year have been enjoying their time at college while furthering their agricultural education. It is expected that this year’s competition will once again create wide interest from prospective and aspiring agricultural students wishing to go to Agricultural College or study Agriculture at 3rd level in the Republic of Ireland this coming autumn.

Such students may have completed the Leaving Certificate, could currently be actively farming or may be actively involved in their local Macra club or other agricultural activity. A growing population across the world will require into the future sustenance provided by the agricultural community, creating increasing demands on land and water resources. A highly educated new generation of producers and agricultural graduates will be required to ensure such demands are met in a sustainable way.

To be in with a chance of winning one of these bursaries, candidates should submit an assignment entitled: Ireland’s Green Grass – Our Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow. Discuss (maximum 2,000 words) with their name, address and contact number clearly displayed on their assignment, by e-mail no later than Friday 25th August 2017 to: herefordbursary@gmail.com

Ten qualifiers will be contacted by phone on Monday 11th September and will be required to attend the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore on Wednesday 20th September and be available to be interviewed by a well-known figure in Irish agriculture who will select the final 5 winners.

Speaking about the initiative Rory Fanning from Slaney Foods International says: “Given the recent demand for the Hereford breed and the success of the multi award winning Certified Irish Hereford Beef, we are delighted to come on board and support the Society who have initiated the project.”

Commercial Director for Lidl Liam Casey says: “Hereford has quite quickly become a huge point of differentiation for Lidl and customers have responded exceptionally well to this premium product. We are delighted to support the Irish Hereford Breed Society and our supplier Slaney Foods International in offering financial assistance to 5 aspiring agricultural students.”

Photo left to right: Larry Feeney – IHBS Secretary, Rory Fanning – Slaney Foods Managing Director, Liam Casey – Lidl Commercial Director, Enda Rabbitte – IHBS & William Branagan – IHBS Chairman

For further details of the programme please see Terms and Conditions at https://irishhereford.com/bursary-tc/ or download one of our leaflets Irish Hereford Bursary Competition 2017

You can also find these at www.slaneyfarmers.com

In case of queries, students may contact the Irish Hereford Breed Society Ltd. on 044/9348855

Left to Right Larry Feeney – Irish Hereford Breed Society - Secretary Eddie McCabe – Lidl Enniscorthy - Manager Andy Mulhare – Ballybrittas, Portlaoise - Winner Noel Quinlan – Gowran, Co. Kilkenny - Winner Nick Redmond – Gorey, Co. Wexford - Winner Willie Branagan – Irish Hereford Breed Society - Chairman Eamonn Moulds – Slaney Foods - Procurement Manager — Pictured Left to Right Larry Feeney – Irish Hereford Breed Society – Secretary
Eddie McCabe – Lidl Enniscorthy – Manager
Andy Mulhare – Ballybrittas, Portlaoise – Winner
Noel Quinlan – Gowran, Co. Kilkenny – Winner
Nick Redmond – Gorey, Co. Wexford – Winner
Willie Branagan – Irish Hereford Breed Society – Chairman
Eamonn Moulds – Slaney Foods – Procurement Manager

Slaney Foods International, Bunclody, Co Wexford was the venue for the presentation of prizes to the winners of its competition to forecast the Carcase Grade of a Quality Assured Hereford Steer which was on display at the National Ploughing Championships. The competition was part of a very successful promotion at the Irish Hereford Breed Society’s stand at the event.

The steer on display at the event, a 25 month old Hereford cross with a live-weight of 650kgs, fits well within the required spec for the Certified Hereford Irish Beef which is processed at Slaney Foods and is available at all Lidl stores across the country. Demand for Lidl Hereford Beef has grown week on week since its introduction, winning several Great Taste Awards on the way. Following the growth and success of the product here at home, Lidl has taken the initiative of introducing Irish Hereford Beef to European consumers via its extensive store placement on the continent. Additional supplies of quality assured stock are required each week by Slaney Foods to meet the growing demand. (Ph: Eamonn @ 087/677 9567)

Competition entrants were vying to win one of three prizes of Lidl vouchers, each to the value of €500 sponsored by Lidl Ireland, Slaney Foods International and the Irish Hereford Breed Society. The vouchers may be redeemed at any of the 140 Lidl stores across Ireland which provide a wide range of goods at excellent value for money including the quality range of ‘Inisvale Selection’ Certified Hereford Irish Beef matured for 28 days for extra tenderness and flavour.

The 3 Lucky winners were Andy Mulhare, Ballybrittas, Portlaoise, Noel Quinlan, Gowran, Co Kilkenny and Nick Redmond, Gorey, Co Wexford. The awards were made following a reception at the headquarters of Slaney Foods International with representatives of the Sponsors on hand to congratulate the winners.

A huge thank you is extended to all who participated in the competition, to the winners and to Quality Assured producer Henry Parr, Clogh, Castlecomer who provided the Hereford Cross steer for the competition to John Canty, Kildalkey who provided two excellent 24 month old 600kg heifers, a selection of high merit suckler dams with their calves and five star sire and finally to Nigel Heatrick, Glaslough, Co Monaghan who exhibited his prizewinning and 5 star stock bull a great source of interest throughout the event.