€36,000 prize up for grabs for Beef Bull of the Future Championships
ABP Ireland will continue its 13-year history of supporting the Iverk Show, which was first held in 1826, making it Ireland's oldest agricultural event, drawing over 25,000 visitors annually. The show will return to Piltown, Kilkenny, on August 23.
This year marks a significant evolution in the show's cattle programme with the expansion to all beef breeds, under the Beef Bull of the Future Championships, a new initiative from ABP that aims to recognise and reward excellence in pedigree beef breeding across all breeds.
Under a new format, the show will continue to offer an extended range of Bull Calf Championships and will incorporate five new championships to the three existing Angus Bull Calf Championships.
The new championships are two new Hereford Bull Calf Championships, a Limousine Bull Calf Championship, and two new Bull Calf Championships to accommodate all other beef breeds.
Diversity in sector
The final category, Supreme Bull Calf Championship, will be contested by the champion and reserve champion of each of the eight championships.
With the €36,000 prize pot up for grabs, the decision to open the competition to all breeds reflects the diversity of the Irish beef sector and the essential role each breed plays in a profitable and sustainable production system.
ABP agri-sustainability manager Stephen Connolly said: "We are proud to support the Iverk Show again this year. By including all breeds in this year's Beef Bull of the Future Championships, it signals our recognition of each breed's strengths in Irish beef production.
Breeding is central to improving carcass quality, and this show is a fantastic platform to highlight that
All bulls entered in this year's show must meet the minimum genetic merit criteria for carcass weight and conformation within the Terminal Index or Dairy Beef Index. All bulls will be judged on their visual characteristics and breed traits to ensure the best bulls are crowned winners on the day.
The championships are supported by Certified Irish Angus and Irish Hereford Prime, who will be represented at the show.
ABP suppliers will also benefit from a €500 voucher towards the purchase of the top prize winners in selected angus and hereford classes, offering a real opportunity to invest in superior genetics.
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