All roads lead to Enniskillen for Hereford show

This flagship event for Hereford enthusiasts is hosted by the Fermanagh County Show in Enniskillen on Wednesday 3rd August. It is sure to attract a top quality entry from the growing number of breeders in the province.

The resurgence of the breed and the emergence of enthusiastic young breeders establishing new herds has raised the profile of the Hereford to the extent that they generally outnumber all other breeds at the principle shows.

Brothers Mark and Laurence Moore from Aughnacloy are typical of the new young breeders who have discovered the qualities of the Hereford and are bringing new life to the traditional breed. Their Annaghbeg Herd is already making its presence felt through show successes and the quality of bulls offered at the annual Elite Breeders sales in Dungannon.

“My brother and I both have full time jobs off the farm so when we looked to select a pedigree breed to stock our farm the priorities were ease of management and foraging ability to thrive and breed regularly with minimal supervision. The Hereford seemed to be the obvious choice and the first animals were purchased in 2011. Since then we have added females from some of the top herds in Herefordshire, blending English bloodlines with our locally sourced cattle,” said Mark.

“We have been delighted with how well the cattle have performed on our farm and are keen to establish a top quality pedigree herd. At this stage we are culling rigorously and selecting the best females to form the nucleus of our breeding programme.

“We are looking forward to the National Show– this is the big stage – the province’s best Herefords in competition and an appreciative audience with breeders from the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain in attendance.”

The event will have an international flavour this year with Miranda Lysell, well known breeder and secretary of the Swedish Hereford Breeders Association taking on the responsibility of adjudicating on the Hereford classes. Miranda has an impressive record of show successes in Scandinavia and is an experienced judge across a range of beef and dairy breeds. Miranda joins a panel of 43 ladies judges in Fermanagh this year to celebrate 180 years of the Farming Society in Fermanagh.

To download schedules and entry forms www.fermanaghcountyshow.com or call Ann Orr Secretary for further details and schedules. Tel: 02866 322509 last day to enter 19th July.