The South West Limousin club held a very successful field evening in Castleisland Mart on Saturday 31st of July. The main attraction of the field evening was the club calf championship, with in excess of forty calves on display.

Pat Sheahan (Drombanny herd) our club Chairman got proceedings started and then introduced the MC for the evening – Doreen Corridan of the Roundhill herd. Judge for the evening was Kevin Bohan of the Ardlea/Elite herd. We all like to try our hand at judging at sales/shows but Kevin added a different element by telling us why he came to his conclusions. He went from class to class explaining and with the help of a very clear microphone no one was in doubt as to his placing of the calves. Doreen asked all the relevant questions and kept the large crowd entertained by her line of questioning. Kevin pointed out all the features to look for when looking for replacement heifers – good width, good width of hips, good top-lion, 4 good legs and a nice head. In a male he emphasised the importance of width and legs. He also likes a good top lion, length and roundness.

A stock judging competition was also held on the night. Sean O’Sullivan of the Castleisland herd provided us with five heifers. Prizes were given to the top three from two categories under and over 18.

Sean O’Sullivan also gave us the vet’s perspective on Limousin cows. Most importantly they are easy calving and are good mothers. He stressed the importance of nutrition before calving.

Another interesting feature of the night was a commercial section, comprising of calves from Limousin dams – displayed by Jason Fitzgerald and Sarah McElligott. Owen O’Neill of the Bova herd displayed a lovely Tarot bull calf out of a Shorthorn cow. These calves showed the potential to be had by using limousin cows. Jason explained why he uses Limousin – they are great mothers, easy calving and when crossed he has very good calves that are very docile. He calves his cows in April/May and finds the cows are easy to get in calf off grass.

John Carroll from Teagasc was also on hand and gave an insight into what the market is looking for. He explained that an animal with shape from shoulder to rump was the ideal and that Limousin cross are giving what is required. He reiterated the point that the most important thing in a weanling was Shape – shape – shape.

As well as performing the MC role Doreen informed us of the importance of the information we give to ICBF on the Suckler Welfare Form. For example if a cow has a difficult calving it is important that this information is fed into the system, as it is used to keep the records of all animals up to date.

Darragh O’Meara and Sean Ryan generously shared their grooming expertise with their combined grooming display. While Darragh groomed – Sean explained what he was doing and the reasons why. Even seasoned show campaigners learned from the demonstration. Darragh took a risk by selecting a calf at random (an October born bull) and it was very interesting to see the difference a professional grooming makes. Bobby and Pauline O’Connell of the Ballybrown Charalois herd generously brought their clipping crate all the way from Limerick for the evening.

Sean and Darragh then turned their attention to the YMA. Each of the participants was given a calf to show and was given instructions on the best practice when showing. The young members who took part were Cathal DeMordha, Patrick Mahon, Jack Cuneen, Eoin McEligott, Orla Curtin and Clare O’Leary. They all enjoyed their time in the lime-light and each went home with a plaque and a rosette.

As the evening drew to a close and we all got hungry the barbeque was very welcome. John O’Connor cooked delicious food and had plenty of liquid refreshments to suit all taste buds.

Next up for the South West is Cappamore show on the 18th August. This year the all-Ireland Heifer and Bull derby is taking place in Cappamore.

Thanks to Kevin, Jason Fitzgerald, Sarah McElligott, Owen O’Neill, Darragh O’Meara, Sean Ryan, Bobby and Pauline O’Connell, John Carroll, John O’Connor and his team, all at Castleisland Mart, John McInerney, Paul Sykes and all in the Limousin office.

Ann Curtin, PRO South West Limousin club

Results

Results of the South West Club Calf championship held in Castleisland Mart on 31st July 2010

Class 1: Heifer Calf Born Between 1st July and 30th September 2009 Placing Animal Name Sire Dam Owner 1st Castleview Eclipse Neuf Castleview Caramel John J. O’Sullivan 2nd Corcamore Erin Neuf Castleview Bramble Brendan Curtin 3rd Drombanny Eve Nelson Roundhill Adissette 899 Pat Sheehan Class 2: Bull Calf Born Between 1st July and 30th September 2009 Placing Animal Name Sire Dam Owner 1st Castleview Easy Fieldson Alfy Castleview Rosaleen John J. O’Sullivan 2nd Sliabh Felim Eddie Mas Du Clo Sliabh Felim Susie Sean Ryan 3rd Drombanny Edgar Castleview Virulent Drombanny Candy Pat Sheehan Class 3: Heifer Calf Born Between 1st October and 31st December 2009 Placing Animal Name Sire Dam Owner 1st Roundhill Eleny 1186 Tistou Roundhill Timotei Timothy Corridan 2nd Roundhill Eleny 1188 Tistou Roundhill Timotei Timothy Corridan 3rd Shannon Emily Wilodge Vantastic Stone Sarah McElligott Class 4: Bull Calf Born Between 1st October and 31st December 2009 Placing Animal Name Sire Dam Owner 1st Shannon Eubank Cloughhead Lord Shannon Verona Sarah McElligott 2nd Carrig Enda Celestin Carrig Audrey Jerry Costello 3rd Roundhill Epic Ramses Roundhill Bdisette 957 Timothy Corridan Class 5: Heifer Calf born after 1st January 2010 Placing Animal Name Sire Dam Owner 1st Roundhill Fnatte 1215 Panda Natte Timothy Corridan 2nd Roundhill Fnatte 1217 Panda Natte Timothy Corridan 3rd Shannon Fizz Ronick Hawk Shannon Violet Sarah McElligott Class 6: Bull Calf born after 1st January 2010 Placing Animal Name Sire Dam Owner 1st Roundhill Falcon Ibis Melodie Timothy Corridan 2nd Roundhill Fescape Rocky Roundhill Profane Timothy Corridan 3rd Bova Friar Bova Pontium Bova Violet Owen S. O’Neill Class 7: Any Calf born after 1st July 2009 open to Club Members who have not competed in Club Calf Finals in the last three years Placing Animal Name Sire Dam Owner 1st Garrahadoo Elma Milbrook Tanko Garrahadoo April Noel O’Sullivan 2nd Windyhill Ester Nenuphar Sessile Gerard Sexton 3rd Garrahadoo Edwina Milbrook Tanko Garrahadoo Nellie Noel O’Sullivan