Shows to feature finalists for top Simmental heifer

FIVE agricultural shows have been selected to nominate the finalists for a new competition to find the National Simmental Cross Heifer champion in September.

Finalists will vie for the title of Simmental Cross Bred Heifer of the Year at Strokestown Agricultural Show on Saturday, September 9, with a prize fund of €1,000.

The nominating shows, each of which will hold a special class to select two finalists for the championship, are Ossory, where the first of the qualifiers was chosen last Sunday week, Grange (Saturday, August 4), Clonmany (Tuesday, August 7), Cappamore (Saturday, August 18) and Virginia (Wednesday, August 22).

Entrants must be born on or after September 1, 2016, and weigh between 400kg and 650kg on the day of the final. The championship is open to maiden or in-calf heifers.

All entries must show SI or SIX on NID card and must have Simmental sire recorded on the DAFF database.

All qualifiers will be DNA typed at qualifying shows and DNA must match sire to enter final at Strokestown Show.

Simmental X heifers can only compete in one national class in a calendar year.

The champion will receive €250, with prizes for second, third and fourth. All heifers that qualify and attend the final will also receive €50.