The Belgian Blue breed will be out in force at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, with a change in format in the pedigree section.

The pedigree display will be represented by the all-Ireland champions that won at the breeding heifer final at Ossory Show, the calf championships at Tinahely Show, the junior and young bull finals at Cappamore Show and the young heifer championship at Dualla Show.

All eight winners (four male and four female) will come together to compete for the title of male champion, female champion and overall all-Ireland breed champion for 2015. This competition takes place on the Wednesday at 1pm and will be judged by Seamus Neary, Troyswood, Co Kilkenny.

Commercial display

The commercial section will be represented by a suckler cow and calf and a stock bull.

There will also be a pen of BB cross heifers ready for slaughter – their profiles will be displayed on the pen. These heifers will be subsequently slaughtered at Ashbourne Meats, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and the kill-out details will be made available on the society website and on the Belgian Blue Facebook page, as well as in the Irish Farmers Journal.

At each display, Belgian Blue breeders will be available to answer any queries regarding Belgian Blue cattle and sires. The new Belgian Blue sire directory will also be made available at the Ploughing. This will focus on bulls suitable for both beef and dairy farmers.

This will feature some of the well-proven bulls, along with some interesting prospects for the upcoming breeding season.

The next society show and sale is on 24 October at Roscrea Mart. The society has a finance scheme available for the purchase of bulls. This latest scheme is open to farmers across the 26 counties.

Details will be available on the stand or by contacting the society on 0504-43870.

The cream of Belgian Blue cattle compete for coveted title at Ploughing

A brief insight into the Belgian Blue stand at the 2015 National Ploughing Championships.