A charitable breed
Three families from the region were involved in a fundraising drive which also championed the Hereford breed to raise an impressive €24,000 for a variety of local charities.
Young farmers across the country reared 11 calves on their home farms before putting them up for sale under the ‘Next Gen Herefords and Irish Hereford Prime' programme.
Organised by the Irish Hereford Breed Society and Irish Hereford Prime the initiative encourages the next generation of farmers to gain hands-on experience in rearing Hereford calves, while raising much-needed funds for several worthy charities in the process.
Irish Hereford Prime donated over €5,500 to five branches of the Irish Hereford Breed Society in the spring of 2022 These funds were used to purchase the 11 HEX bull calves for young Hereford breeders, who were appointed by the local breed society branches. Each breeder was given €500 to help cover the cost of purchasing and feeding the calf for the first six months of its life.
Locally three farms took part in the project. Padraic, Adam (12) and Charlie McKenna (5) from Lisgoagh Herefords sold their two Hereford steers, named Ant and Dec, at Ballybay Livestock Sales, raising a remarkable €3,680 for LA519, a charity supporting teens and young adults with mental health issues.
Meanwhile Kian (11) and Paul Bohan (16) sold their Hereford Cross bullock named Dozer, on Saturday, May 4 in Aurivo Livestock Mart, Mohill for €3,220, after weighting in at 760kg. The money will be going to the Leitrim branch of The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
Finally the O’Reilly family of the Bridge House Herd in Mohill sold calf Rodney on Monday, May 6 in Carrigallen Mart for €2,300 after weighing 700kgs, with full proceeds going to North West STOP suicide prevention organisation.
“We are thrilled to confirm that the Irish Hereford Charity Calf Rearing Program has not only showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of young Hereford breeders, but has also significantly contributed to various local charities,” said Niall O'Mahony, Chair of Irish Hereford Prime.