List: Breeders’ Choice Class at over 70 ag shows in 2023

2023 will mark the second year of the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine-backed €250,000 Breeder’s’ Choice initiative, which will, again, take centre stage across select agricultural shows nationwide later this summer.

The Irish Shows Association (ISA) is charged with administering the new class, which was first introduced in 2022, as reported by That’s Farming, and aims to showcase “the best of beef breeding heifers”.

As was the case last year, the Breeder’s Choice class will be open to four and five breeding heifers in two separate classes – traditional breeds and continental breeds – and pedigree and commercial females are eligible for the classes.

Main rules and conditions:

• The competition will be run at every show that has cattle classes;
• This competition is open to all continental/traditional genotyped 4-star or 5-star heifers suitable to make a suckler cow. Aligns with the aims of the new SCEP to “increase the number of heifers in the suckler herd and bring greater milk as well as overall efficiency to beef animals”.
• Heifers may be in-calf or maiden;
• All heifers must be between 12 months and 24 months of age on the date of the show;
• Each heifer can attend up to five shows. If a heifer enters more than five shows, she will automatically be disqualified;
• All heifers must be haltered trained and led by a competent adult;
• The foregoing rules should be read in conjunction with ISA general rules;
• Entry fee to show: €15 (€10 in 2022).

Show dates 2023

The ISA has released a list of shows that will host the specialised class in 2023: