Membership Fees

There are still a number of outstanding fees for 2013. Any member who still owes a subscriptions for 2012 & 2013 will be deemed a lapsed member on the 1st January 2014. In the case of lapsed membership the Society can not guarantee the allocation of the herd prefix. All members will receive a statement of their account in the coming days, all outstanding balances must be cleared by year end. An additional sheet has been attached with the fees and rules regarding registrations for 2014. As of January 1st 2014 on instruction from Council the office can not issue any Pedigree certificates until membership and registration fees have been received and cleared. These new rules will be strictly implemented in 2014 with no exceptions. We are currently setting up a Direct Debit mandate system of payment for 2014. This system allows the Society to collect variable amounts during the year as they come due.

Ploughing 2013

The Society had its usual stand at the three day event. With record crowds and exceptional interest in the breed it was a very successful event. The Annual Draw was a great success. We thank everyone who supported the draw by selling tickets before and during the event. The Heifer was won by Pat Sheedy, Clashagad, Roscrea, we congratulate Pat on his win. We must also thank all the cattle exhibitors, Council members and members who helped prepare the stand on the Saturday, worked on the teas each day and the team who dismantled the stand on the Thursday, there is a huge body of work to be done throughout the three days, we owe a debt of gratitude to all.

Sire Directories 2013

Our new Sire Directories were launched at the Ploughing Championships in September. A lot of our members have received a copy at this point either at Shows & Sales but if for some reason you still do not have a copy please contact the Office and we will get one out to you by post.

Website:

We are currently in the process of revamping the website, the new website will be operational in January 2014. We will have separate sections for Beef & Dairy so the relevant breeders can access information more easily. The New Sire Directories as published recently will be available. More information on new additional features in January. If breeders have any photos of Shorthorn animals at pasture or similar location (without any people in the photo) both Dairy & Beef they would be very much appreciated for our new Slide Show.

Breed Journal

We are currently nearing the completion of the next Breed Journal for release in January 2014. If breeders still wish to place an advert they can do so, advert rates are: Full page 150.00, Half page 90.00, Quarter page 60.00 and also new this year will be two pages of box adverts 20.00 per ad. Also if you have Show photos & results from your region, please get them in a.s.a.p. Contact Society President Michael McKeon who is acting also as Journal Co-Ordinator with any items of interest immediately.

Summer Shows 2013

It has been a very exciting summer with a few new faces on the block. Tommie Staunton cleared the boards in Tullamore when he took home the Beef Shorthorn Champion and Reserve Champion. Glenn Carter a well established breeder did something similar in the Dairy Classes in Tullamore taking Champion and Reserve Champion. The All Ireland 2 year old Beef Shorthorn Heifer Class in Mullingar Show was won by Noel Dowd with Creaga Gipsy. Gipsy also achieved a fantastic result in Claremorris Show where she took the Interbreed All Ireland Pedigree SucklerType Heifer Class. Gipsy qualified at Longford show which was one of 13 qualifying shows for this final. Limerick Show hosted a fantastic display of cattle too with a number of new exhibitors in the ring. The All Ireland Yearling Heifer Class was won by Noel Dowd with Creaga Heidi. Heidi also took the Show Champion and the Flatley Family with Capponellan Nancy took Reserve Champion.

Autumn Sales 2013

The Sales started in Carlow on September 28th, prices were a slight improvement on 2012, the Commercial Cross competition was won by Joe Dowling. The next Sale in Ennis on October 5th was a flying trade, a marked improvement on 2012. The Top priced Weanling heifer sold for 1770.00. Castlerea Sale on October 12th was alot slower with prices back on 2012. The final sale of the season was the Premier Sale in Roscommon on November 16th. This was the best Premier Sale to date with an increased number of entries and some excellent quality animals on offer. The two top priced animals were Creaga Georgia Rose, Georgia Rose was sold to an Northern Ireland breeder for 3000.00 euro, also a maiden Heifer Clounmaccon Olivia 5th exhibited by Anthony Dockery sold for 3000.00 euro to a Mayo breeder. With regard to the bulls, the Show Champion Rockville Clohessy 12th remained unsold at 2450.00, the 2nd prize winner Rowanberry Frazer was sold for 2450.00 to a Clare breeder. A report can be seen with photos on our website.

Gene Ireland Maternal Beef Breeding Program:

Our Gene Ireland committee met recently with Stephen Conroy/ICBF regarding the Maternal Beef Breeding Program. A number of breeders have signed up to the program. ICBF representatives have visited the participating farms. The aim is to select a suitable for the program in January, with his semen available to participating breeders in April.

Finally, We would like to thank all our members for their dedication and hardwork during 2013, and wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2014.