At this year’s National Ploughing Championships, the Irish Angus Producer Group along with processor partners ABP and Kepak, will have an informative stand.

The group is encouraging all its members to come to stand 39, block 4, and get an update on the opportunities that are available through the Certified Angus Beef Scheme. It will detail several schemes, including the Winter Off-Season Bonus Scheme, which runs from 27 October to 2 January.

The group will also launch its summer 2015 bonus scheme, which runs from 13 April to 19 June next year. One of the tag lines it will use at the Ploughing to get farmers’ attention is that the AAA Scheme can offer an additional €187/head of a bonus on a 360kg carcase. With the current difficulties in the beef sector, the group is are expecting renewed farmer interest in the scheme.

Over the course of the event, both the staff and directors of the Irish Angus Producer Group will be available to discuss and advise farmers on these schemes.

It is understood that booking forms will also be available at the stand.

School competition

The stand will also see five lucky secondary school students win five Angus cross calves which they will follow through to slaughter at 18-20 months of age. This will make up a significant part of their Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science project.

Some of Ireland’s finest pedigree Irish Angus male and females will be on show at the Irish Angus Cattle Society stand. Champions from the society’s all-Ireland finals in Strokestown and the Aldi Irish Angus Bull Calf Champion Mercury Kiefer will be on view over the course of the event.

Also a selection of prizewinning pedigree bulls and heifers will be offered for sale. There is a competition to win a pedigree Irish Angus heifer for an entry fee of just €2.

The Elite Sale of Pedigree Irish Angus Males and Females will take place on 13 December.