The North Eastern Limousin Club kickstarts its annual herds competition this coming Monday. The judge will then have five days to go through all participating herds, which this year amount to over 40, before making his final decision. Similar to other years, the week will finish with a prize-giving social for all category winners on Friday 30 June.

Last year, one of the highlights of the evening was the auction, which saw a top of €1,350 for an embryo from Ampertaine Elgin and the three-time Balmoral interbreed champion Millbrook Ginger Spice.

This year, the club hopes to see similar demand, with a number of top lots up for grabs on the night, including semen from bulls such as Shire Milton, Cloughead Lord, Nenuphar and Kaprico Eravelle, as well as a selection of high-quality embryos.

However, it is likely people will be keeping their hands in their pockets until the night’s main attraction goes under the hammer, the outstanding heifer calf Ernevalley Lioness.

Sired by Lodge Hamlet, Lioness’s dam is the mating of Wilodge Cerberus and the prolific Drummin Cliona who has bred progeny up to €16,500.

This heifer is said to be a true show prospect for this summer and offers a massive opportunity to buy the type of heifer that is usually not offered for sale.

On the night, the club will also be making a presentation to mark the retirement of founding member of the club Ray Carolan.

A former club chair and president of the society, Ray has played no small part in the growth of the Limousin breed in Ireland for the past 30 years.

Sheep take centre stage

While there may be no cattle entries at Athlone Show this year, it’s all go in the sheep section, with not one but two all-Ireland championships taking place on 25 June. The Irish Charollais Sheep Society will hold its 2017 all-Ireland championships with Greenvale Feeds again heading sponsorship for the event.

One of the biggest days in the society’s calendar, it’s expected to draw entries from the four corners of the country.

Judge on the day will be well-known Charollais sheep breeder and chair of the Northern Ireland British Charollais sheep society region William McAllister of the Artnagullion Flock.

Similarly, the Beltex breeders will be out in force, with the Westmeath showgrounds again playing host to the society’s annual all-Irelands.

Judging of sheep will start at noon and it promises to be a day not to be missed.

Vendéen at Clonmel show

The Irish Vendéen Sheep Society will host its national championships at Clonmel Show, Powerstown Park, Clonmel, CoTipperary, on Sunday 2 July.

The championships will consist of six classes, along with the title of overall Vendéen national champion 2017 up for grabs.

The nationals usually stand as a good shop window in the leadup to the society’s premier sale, which takes place in Roscommon Mart on Wednesday 12 July.

Clonmel will also be the host show for the 2017 Zwartables all-Ireland championships, along with the Rouge all-Ireland ram lamb class.