Innovative Suckler Cow and Calf Competition at Beef Expo
09/02/05

A show of commercial beef suckler cows and calves, sponsored by animal health company, Virbac Ltd, with prize money totalling £4360, will be a major attraction of Beef Expo 2005 to be held at Builth Wells, Powys, Wales, on Wednesday, June 8.

The UK's annual national beef event, organised by the National Beef Association, is this year being held at the Royal Welsh Showground and is set to attract a huge turn-out of cattle in the competitive classes and breed society demonstrations.

Beef producers are being invited to enter suckler cows and calves to be judged as a pair in this innovative competition being held at Beef Expo for the first time. Seven classes will be offered for pedigree or cross-bred cows with steer or heifer calves at foot, born between October 1, 2004, and April 25, 2005, by Charolais, Limousin, Belgian Blue, any other Continental, Welsh Black, Hereford or any other native breed bulls.

Championship awards will be made for the champion cow with a calf by a Continental sire and champion cow with a calf by a native breed sire. An overall champion will also be chosen.

Virbac product manager, Mike Squire, said his company was delighted to demonstrate its support for the UK commercial beef industry by sponsoring this new competition.

“Virbac Ltd is a progressive animal health company with an expanding product range,” said Mr Squire. “We look forward to presenting the prizes for the first time in this exciting new competition.”

The competition will be judged by leading Scottish beef producer, John McIntosh, whose family run a leading commercial herd of 2000 suckler cows in Wigtownshire, SW Scotland.

“This exciting new competition is bound to create considerable interest among commercial beef producers throughout Wales and further afield,” said Robin Gibson Watt, chairman of the organising committee for Beef Expo 2005. “We are delighted that Virbac Ltd is supporting this competition.”