Joy and jubilation greeted the news that the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation has selected the Hereford cow Ballyaville Plus 1 as the 2010 Beef Cow Champion

Ballyaville Plus 1 – Overall ICBF Beef Cow Champion 2010

Well known Hereford breeders Joe & Ivor Deverell, Ballyaville, Geashill, Co Offaly were delighted that one of their cows was nominated by ICBF for the prestigious RDS Champion of Champions Silver Medal Award which also includes a cheque for €500.While various cows of other breeds have been selected in the past none have been more deserving of this prestigious award than the prolific Ballyaville Plus 1.

A Five Star stay at home mum with an overall Suckler Beef Value of €127, Plus 1 has never been exhibited outside the farmgate being too busy and dedicated to rearing her family and taking them to maturity to have time or energy for such mundane matters. By herd sire Aughmaree Rookie she is a Five Star dam across Suckler Beef Value, Weanling Export, Beef Carcass, Daughter Milk, Gestation Length and Docility. Born on the 24th of February 2001, she has produced nine calves in eight years, four bulls and five heifer calves with an average calving interval of 346 days.

All progeny are weight recorded and sons have sold to an average of €2,000. This performance is no flash in the pan as her dam Ballyaville Nellie produced an astonishing 12 calves in nine years, four bulls and eight heifers which included three sets of twins with an average calving interval of 367 days.

L-R: RDS Chairman, Ivor Deverell, Joe Deverell

The Deverell’s said at the awards presentation that this is the type of performance necessary within the beef cow herd if farmers are to survive and prosper in the difficult times ahead and this is one of the many reasons they continue to rely on the Hereford breed and its crosses. The Hereford cross suckler dam has consistently been an extremely reliable performer as a suckler dam with the added advantages associated with ease of calving, milk, fertility and docility.

The Deverell’s Ballyaville herd is on the ICBF Herdplus system and also weight recording which gives them the necessary background information to fine-tune management decisions.