THE IMPORTANCE of the livestock sector to the economy was highlighted by deputy president of the Irish Farmers Association Derek Deane.
He said the Tullamore Show, where more than 1,000 animals had been entered in the various classes, was a wonderful showcase for the industry which was worth €2 billion to the Irish economy.
“With over 90,000 farmers, 200 meat-processing companies and livestock marts and support services, the livestock sector makes an enormous economic contribution in every town and parish across rural Ireland.”
Mr Deane said it would be a massive own-goal by the Government to inflict the McCarthy report cuts on such a productive and export-orientated sector. He said the average family farm income in 2008 was just under €17,000 and was projected to fall by a further 20 per cent again this year.
On cattle prices and the beef trade he said there were some signals emerging prices may have bottomed out and with a more responsible approach by the factories, further price cuts are avoidable.
Some breeders confirmed that prices had fallen even for pedigrees by over 20 per cent this year.
The top shorthorn beef animal was shown by Noel Dowd, Loughglass, Creggs, Co Galway, and the dairy shorthorn prize was taken by Kenny Smyth, St Margaret’s, Co Dublin. The pedigree Jersey champion was shown by Séamus and Aiden Foody, Crossmolina, Co Mayo. The Montbeliarde champion prize went to Liam Fitzgerald, Clones, Co Monaghan.
The best national Holstein in milk heifer was shown by Paul Flanagan, Clogherhead, Co Louth; and the National Livestock Show senior cow in milk prize went to Patrick and Derrick Frawley, Croagh, Rathkeale, Co Limerick.
The National Livestock Show pedigree Holstein-Friesian champion was also shown by the Frawleys and they also showed the reserve champion of the class.
The Simmental female champion was shown by Peter and Marian O’Connell, Mallow, Co Cork. The male champion was shown by Garrett Behan, Ballyfin, Co Laois, who also showed the Simmental champion. Dr Michael Sheehan, Killmallock, Co Limerick, showed the Charolais champion, and William Smith, Oldcastle Co Meath, showed the Limousin.