Omagh Carcasse Competition 2008

CAVAN CERTIFIED HEREFORD BEEF PRODUCERS SHARE HONOURS IN CARCASS COMPETITION

The Foyle Valley Producer Club Carcass Competition has been running successfully for the past seven years. Every year it is a strong contest in all sections with all entries of a similar high standard.

Hosts to this year's competition Omagh Meats for the second year held a class for members of the Certified Hereford Beef Scheme. A total of £1,000 Sterling prize money was provided in this section. The competition operates on a points system according to weight and grade with prizes awarded to the producer whose groups of 4 animals amass the highest number of points.

Charlie Kincaid, Cootehill, Co Cavan who last year came joint second in the competition went one better this year scooping the top prize of £500 pounds sterling. Seamus Smith, Stradone, Co Cavan receives 250 pounds sterling as a reward for winning second place. Mr Smith last year shared the second placing with Mr Kincaid and Monaghan supplier Noel McKenna of Mullinahinch. Both winners were equally delighted to have excelled once again in the competition winning out over strong competition on both sides of the border.

Charlie Kincaid is presented with a cheque for £500 sterling from Omagh Meats by Eric Humphreys

Seamus Smyth is presented with a cheque for £250 sterling from Omagh Meats by Eric Humphreys

Congratulating the winners, Eric Humphreys the certified Hereford Beef scheme co-ordinator from Newbliss, Co Monaghan said he was delighted with the result and complimented Foyle Meats and Omagh Meats on the initiative. He said the competition is part of the group's pro-active approach to improving the quality of cattle coming forward and rewarding producers. Currently he requires increased supplies of quality cattle to ensure the scheme meets increasing customer demand.

While a top price of 350 cents per kg has been paid in recent weeks prices have eased a little back to 346 cents for R grades and 338 cents for O grades. The availability of premium prices for Hereford cattle has ensured the success of the scheme and rewarded producers of quality Hereford stock.

A spokesman for Omagh Meats stated it was their ambition to get more value into the product they supply to their customers.

If we are to survive and progress in the beef business all parties in the chain must constantly seek to improve efficiency and competitiveness in equal measure.