The first show was a huge success and was well supported with 40 exhibitors from all corners of Ireland attending resulting in a final entry in excess of 80 Hereford calves. The spectator area was full to capacity with visitors from all over Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Denmark. Since 2014, the National Hereford Calf Show has gone from strength to strength with entries increasing year on year. Judges have been hosted from across Ireland and abroad with top quality calves presenting for show every November in Tullamore. 

The first show saw an overall Male and an overall Female champion crowned – since that the championships have developed with generous prizes being awarded to Junior and Senior Male and Female Champions as well as Supreme Male and Supreme Female Champions. Extra elements have also been included over the years such as the Commercial Class, the People’s Champion Competition and the People’s Commercial Champion. The Young Handlers classes have also evolved and are still a hugely important part of the show. With the Covid-19 Health and Safety Guidelines and Government Restrictions – the North Leinster Hereford Branch felt it was not appropriate to hold a physical event in 2020, entrants and spectators being at risk of contracting the virus or the event being cancelled due to regional lockdowns was all too prominent. This has led to the birth of the virtual Hereford Calf Show in order to mark the year appropriately. Moving the show online has led to further opportunities to improve the event including adding two new classes with a difference. Class 9: Dairy Beef Index – Pedigree Genotyped Bull born on or between 1st July 2019 & 31st December 2019. Criteria for judging will be based 60% on appearance and 40% on Dairy Beef Index (October 2020 Evaluations) AND Class 11: Hereford / Hereford X Replacement Heifer of the Future – Hereford Sired female born on or between 1st July 2019 & 30th June 2020. Criteria for judging will be based 60% on appearance and 40% on Dairy Beef Index (October 2020 Evaluations).

The North Leinster Hereford Branch would like to express sincere thanks to the generous sponsors who have supported this event down through the years and in particular this year’s sponsors without whom this different style of show wouldn’t be possible; Herdwatch, Moocall, Dectomax, Irish Hereford Prime and AllSure.