National Ploughing Championships 2008 The Hereford Society and Irish Hereford Prime were extremely busy at this year's National Ploughing event at Danesfort, Kilkenny. A constant stream of interested primary producers many looking at the breed for the first time and many who had shopped elsewhere in recent years attempting to find the Holy Grail. Of particular interest to producers are the success of the premium beef schemes “Hereford Prime” and “Certified Hereford” in addition to the well-tried attributes of easy calving docility and ease of fleshing. The success of the Hereford Prime product selling into the French, Belgian and Portuguese markets is highly impressive in addition to the demand experienced on the home market and in the UK . The recent success of the Hereford Prime product in winning the Irish Food Writers Guild award for the high quality dryaged product available through Superquinn outlets has provided additional impetus for “Hereford Prime” beef in accessing and achieving additional market share in top restaurants and retail outlets. Kye Paul 13th sells to UK On day one of the Ploughing event two of the bulls on display were sold. Kye Paul 13 th a Yarram Pompeii V055 son exhibited by Padraig McGrath of Kye Elphin sold at €4,000 to Staffordshire UK visitor to the event Richard Ball. Richard a relative newcomer to the breed founded his pedigree Hereford herd three years ago and now has twelve breeding Herefords. Society chairman JJ Farrell also sold his Trillick Banker by Bishophill General at €2,000 to a local dairy farmer and Hereford Prime producer. ereford Competitions at the NPC A stock judging competition provided much interest for spectators with Gerard Gallagher of Tubbercurry Co Sligo providing the winning entry of C,B,A,D,F,E. A competition run in association with partners Alltech Ireland who sponsored the event to guess the weight of Stock bull Balleen Jordan from the herd of local breeder Tom Brennan Freshford had huge entries. There were a number of correct entries so the winner was decided on a draw. Mr Michael O'Donovan of Cappamore was the winner of a €500 weekend away. Drawn in second and third place were Emily Deverell, Geashill and Fergal McCormack Cashel.
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