From L to R , Dave, Barry, Michael, Mary and Rory Quin with their RDS Champion of Champions Award at last week's Award ceremony in the RDS

The Clenagh herd owned by Michael Quin and family from Newmarket - on - fergus in County Clare were the recipients of this year's RDS Champion of Champions Award. The Council of the Irish Charolais Cattle Society awarded it to the Clenagh herd for their three in a row Champions from December 2016 to December 2017 at Premier Charolais Sales.

Clenagh Lyle ET - Junior Male Champion and top priced Bull at the 2016 Christmas Crcaker Show & Sale

In December 2016, Clenagh Lyle ET won the Junior Male Champion at the Christmas Cracker Show and Sale. He went on to sell for the day's top price of €13,000 to the well known Burradon pedigree Charolais herd in the UK. A son of Domino and Clenagh Tranquil, Lyle carried a wonderful set of Indexes which included a 5 star terminal index of €144, a 5 star replacement index of €80 and a calving figure of 6.9%.

Clenagh Jasmine ET - Female Champion and top priced Female at the 2017 Premier Show and Sale

In March 2017, Michael's Heifer, Clenagh Jasmine ET won the Female Champion at the Premier Charolais Show and Sale. She would also go on to top the day's female trade at €5,200. A daughter of Dromiskin Viceroy and the outstanding performance cow, Clenagh Tranquil, Jasmine sold with a perfect set of indexes, which included a terminal index of €162, a five star replacement index of €93 and a calving figure of 6.7%.

Clenagh Maserati - Senior Male Champion who sold for €7,700 at the 2017 Christmas Cracker Show & Sale

Then in December 2017, Clenagh Maserati cliched the three in a row for the Quin family, winning the Senior Male Champion at the Christmas Cracker Show and Sale. A son of Clonoulty Andraemon, Maserati carried a five star terminal index of €152 and went on to sell for €7,700. It is an outstanding achievement to win a Champion at any official Charolais Society Show and Sale, but to win three in a row at Premier Sales, is something which even the best much acknowledge as a remarkable achievement.

The qualifiers for the Charolais International YDP in Canada was held in Elphin last week, following the Premier Show and Sale. Fifteen candidates took part in the competition, which involved stock judging, guess the weight and a questionnaire on their knowledge of the Charolais Breed. The two candidates with the highest marks won a trip to Canada in July of this year. Coming out on top with 39 marks was Mark Whelan from Borris in Ossory, Co. Laois. Mark is 20 years old and is a son of Kevin Whelan. In second place was Michael Carey on 37 marks. Michael is also 20 years old and is a son of Michael Senior and brother to Ronan. Both young men were delighted to except their prize of a week long trip to Canada, where they will meet with young Charolais breeders from all over the World.

1st Place - Mark Whelan 

2nd place - Michael Carey

In joint third place was Mark Mc Govern from Fivemilebourne in County Sligo and Kieran Killeen from Beg Mullagh in County Clare. They were tied on 34 marks each. They will each receive a voucher for 10 bags of Greenvale Animal Feed. The Society would like to thank everyone who took part and congratulate the two winners on a wonderful achievement.

The Cork/Kerry Charolais Club AGM will be held on Thursday the 12th April, in the Heights Hotel, Killarney, commencing at 8 pm sharp.

Guest speakers on the night are:

Kevin Maguire, President, & Nevan Mc Kiernan, Secretary, Charolais Society

Mary Duggan, Eurogene AI

Cara Sheridan, MSD Animal Health

There will be a raffle for paid up members. Refreshments will be served afterwards. New and current members are always welcome.

See you all there!!

Moss Keane

Club Secretary