This week the Irish Charolais Cattle Society and Dawn Meats held a Carcass Competition for young pedigree Charolais Bulls under 16 months of age and pedigree Charolais Cull Cows. Some outstanding Charolais Cattle competed, the results from which can be seen below. Commenting on the competition, Breed Secretary Nevan Mc Kiernan said “we designed this competition to highlight the value of Charolais Cattle at slaughter. There has been a lot of talk around Carcass weight limits in recent times. The fact is Charolais Cattle can be finished at different ages, different weights and at the desired specifications. Their phenomenal ability to put on weight faster than any other is a major advantage. The results of the competition clearly show that, with some bulls coming into over €2,000 at 14 months of age. It is very hard to compete with that kind of performance.”
Sean Nolan from Dawn Meats with the first prize winning Charolais Cull Cow Carcass owned by Francis Fitzmaurice from Carrick – on – Shannon, Co. Roscommon
Results from the pedigree Charolais Cull Cow section:
| Placings | Owner | Carcass Weight | Grade | Total Value |
| 1st | Francis Fitzmaurice, Carrick – on – Shannon, Co. Roscommon | 628 kg | U + 3 = | €2,390 |
| 2nd | Barry Duffy, Claremorris, Co. Mayo | 480 kg | U – 4 – | €1,824 |
| 3rd | Anthony Mc Dermott, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon | 499 kg | U – 3 + | €1,897 |
| 4th | Joe Clancy, Oughterard, Co. Galway | 506 kg | U- 3 = | €1,924 |
| 5th | William Flynn, Newbridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway | 560 kg | U + 4 = | €2,131 |
The first prize winning Charolais Bull under 16 months of age Carcass owned by John Waldron from Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
Results from the pedigree Charolais Bull under 16 months section:
| Placings | Owner | Age | Carcass Weight | Grade | Total Value |
| 1st | John Waldron, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo | 15 months | 427 kg | E – 2 = | €1,865 |
| 2nd | Feeney Brothers, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo | 15 months | 461 kg | U + 2 + | €2,010 |
| 3rd | Brian O’ Donnell, Tuam, Co. Galway | 14 months | 462 kg | U + 2 + | €2,018 |
| 4th | Michael Kiernan, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim | 15 months | 523 kg | U + 2 = | €2,280 |
| 5th | Feeney Brothers, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo | 14 months | 485 kg | U + 2 + | €2,115 |
The line up of some of the Charolais Carcasses in the competition
Carcasses were judged on which best met Market Requirements. The Irish Charolais Cattle Society and Dawn Meats would like to thank all those who put Cattle forward for the competition. Prize money will be paid by ICCS next week.
