Ashbourne meats – Carcass competition 2018

 

Ashbourne Meats held a Carcass Competition during the second week of January. In-take of cattle was from 8^th to 10^th of January, with a prize giving ceremony taking place in the newly extended plant. This competition was very well supported, with more than 300 cattle, an increase on the previous competition which was held in 2015.

The competition is open to both commercial and pedigree cattle. It is run in honour of the late John O’Grady. John was a tremendous advocate of Limousin cattle and tirelessly promoted the benefits of the breed as the Carcass breed. The overall winner of the competition is rewarded with the John O’Grady Memorial Trophy and very generous prize money.

A premium price was awarded – provided the carcasses met with the required spec

• Cows over 350kgs with min R+ grade with min fat 2+ score.
• Heifers 280-400kgs eligible for LMX, must be R+/U grade with min fat 2+ score and under 30 months.
• Heifers 270-350kgs with dairy dam, must be R- or better with min fat 2+ score and under 30 months.

Five hundred euro was awarded to owners of the winning cow carcasses in both categories, with €250 awarded to the owners of the winning heifers.

Prices

Cows
Grade	Cent/kg
E	400c
U+	395c
U=/U-	390c
R+	380c
R=/R-	375c
Heifers	415c/kg + Limousin bonus

 

Henri Hoffman was tasked with judging the competition. Henri is a purchaser of cows for the French market.

Before the prize giving ceremony, the winning carcasses were on display – a magnificent advertisement of the tremendous quality of Limousin beef. Irrespective of age the ability of Limousin to weigh and grade was confirmed.

• The winner of the pedigree cow category was a 5-year old Wilodge Vantastic daughter from the herd of Tim and Doreen Corridan, Fedamore, Co. Limerick.
• A commercial cow from Michael Stephens, Tuam, Co. Galway took the top spot in the LMX cow class.
• The winning heifer was owned by John Kelly
• Dairy X class was  won by a heifer from the herd of Kenneth B. Connors.

 

The John O’Grady Memorial Trophy was awarded to Tim and Doreen Corridan. John’s sons Micheal and Thomas O’Grady were on hand to make the presentation.

The carcass display was open to the public, after which attendees at the prize giving were treated to a delicious buffet by Ashbourne meats. Prior to the prize giving – several guest speakers addressed the audience including IFA president Joe Healy and his colleagues Angus Woods (Chairman of the IFA National Livestock Committee) and Kevin Kinsella (IFA director of livestock).

Carcass on display showed the reason Limousin is the Carcass breed – the conformation, kill out weights and grades from all the cattle from the aged cows to the Dairy X heifers w exceptional.

An insight into Ashbourne meats was delivered by Jerry Meehan – General Manager, Danny Houlihan – CEO and Peter McMahon – Sales director.

 

 

Irish Limousin Cattle Society Secretary Paul Sykes congratulated the winners in all categories, Paul also expressed the societies gratitude to a number of people:

•  Ashbourne Meats – Management and Staff
• Willie and Justin
• Henri Hoffman
• Joe, Angus and Kevin from the IFA
• Suppliers of Limousin Cattle
• The O’Grady family

 

Ashbourne Meats is one of Irelands leading beef processors. Since its foundation in 1985 the company exports Irish beef all over Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.