Aldi Ireland, in partnership with ABP and the Irish Angus Cattle Society, has launched the 2024 Irish Angus Qualifiers, with the finals set to take place in Kilkenny on 24 August.
Since the launch of the single Bull Calf Championship in 2013, the event has grown significantly, and there are now three qualifiers held at 14 locations throughout the summer.
The qualifiers will see up to 84 bulls across three age-determined categories selected to compete in the three championship finals.
There is a combined prize of €31,500 available to registered members of the Irish Angus Cattle Society, making it the most rewarding prize money on offer to Angus breeders throughout the showing season.
This year, the finals will take place at the Iverk Show, in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
The Piltown show has been running successfully since 1826, making it Ireland’s oldest agricultural show.
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The three Angus Bull Calf Championships are supported by seven lucrative classes on the day.
There are four female classes, with a combined value of €4,000, and the winner of each class this year will advance to contest the An Banríonn Dubh class.
Introduced in 2023, it boasts an additional prize fund of €1,000 in a winner-takes-all female championship.
The Aldi-sponsored Junior Stockperson of the Year and the Young Handler Competition have established themselves as important features of the Iverk Show.
Boasting an eye-catching prize of €1,000, the Aldi YDP Junior Stockperson of the Year will see nine boys and girls aged between 13 and 17 congregate at the Iverk Show to fight it out for the lucrative first prize.
‘Expand Our Support’
Speaking about the event, Irish Angus Cattle Society event coordinator Michael Flanagan said, “The annual success of the championship is thanks to our sponsors and partners.
“Aldi Ireland and ABP’s sponsorship have been crucial in helping to make this the highlight of the Irish Angus Cattle Society calendar.
“We also owe a great deal to the Iverk Show Cattle Committee, who have worked tirelessly to make this event possible, allowing the Irish Angus breeders to showcase their stock at the qualifiers and present them for judging in the championship finals.”
The communications director at Aldi Ireland, Padraig Barry, said, “Young farming talent is the essence of the future of Irish farming.
“Aldi Ireland is proud to continue our sponsorship of the 2024 Young Stockperson of the Year competition.
“We look forward to meeting new young farming talent and budding stockpersons from across Ireland as we participate in another exciting competition this year, and we are excited to continue our support for the Angus Cattle Competition at the Iverk Show 2024.
“We aim to expand our support for Irish farmers as we continue to work closely with Irish farmers and food producers, including our long-standing partners at ABP and many others.”
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