2016 National Hall of Fame bovine recipients

At the 2016 National Hall of Fame bovine awards (back row l-r): Michael McKeon, Irish Shorthorn Society; Basil Bothwell, Irish Charolais Society; Joe Deverell, Irish Hereford Society; Robin Talbot, Irish Belgian Blue Society; Seamus Neary, Commercial Cattle Exhibitors Society; Alfred Melvin, Irish Salers Society; Oliver Flanagan, general secretary Athlone Show; (front row l-r) Seamus Aherne, Irish Simmental Society; Fiona Gilesnan, Irish Limousin Society; Lord Mayor Tom Farrell; Bridie Foley, Irish Angus Society; Mary Rafferty, Irish Holstein Friesian Association; Mairead Lavery, guest of honour and editor of Irish Country Living; and Michael Flanagan, CEO National Hall of Fame Awards.

2016 National Hall of Fame ovine recipients

At the 2016 National Hall of Fame ovine awards (back row l-r): Raymond McCulloch, Harry Kellet, Andrew McCulloch, Suffolk Sheep Society; Oliver Flanagan, general secretary Athlone Show; Ray Sweeney, Zwartbles Sheep Society; Colm Mee, Athlone Show ovine co-ordinator; Michael Flanagan, CEO National Hall of Fame Awards; (front row l-r) Lord Mayor Tom Farrell; Mairead Lavery, guest of honour and editor of Irish Country Living; Yvonne Johnston, Irish Vendeén Sheep Society; and Michael McHugh, Irish Texel Sheep Society.

New Shorthorn bull

Semen from a new Australian polled Shorthorn bull Sprys Exclusive J13 is now available from NCBC’s shareholders Progressive Genetics and Munster AI. Sprys Exclusive J13 is a rich roan bull that hails from the world-renowned herd of Gerald and Lynden Spry, New South Wales. NCBC beef programme manager Rose Goulding claims: “This is a great bloodline for calving ease and maternal traits.” Born unassisted to a two-year-old heifer, Exclusive had an actual birth weight of 34kg and boasts easy fleshing abilities. He is expected to see high usage from both pedigree breeders and commercial suckler farmers looking to upgrade their herds. Semen is €40 per straw (one free with every 10).

Roughan Joe exported to France

The Charolais bull Roughan Joe, bred by Pat McClean, Newtowncunningham, Lifford, Co Donegal, was exported to France recently. Born December 2014, he is a son of the French-bred stock bull Roughan Echo – the 2009 junior champion at the famous show in Nevers, France, before being purchased as a stock bull by Pat McClean. Echo’s son Roughan Joe was acquired in recent weeks by French breeders Gaec Merlet.

Pat explained: “Joe was bought by the Merlet family for his ease of calving and good maternal traits to cross on their pedigree heifers.”