Livestock farmers have until Monday, July 1 to enter the Fermanagh Farming Society’s Suckler Cow Classic Competition, with prize money of £1,500 and the Breeding Heifer Derby, sponsored by Lakeland Veterinary Services, with prize money of £500.

This competition will be judged on-farm with the winners announced in autumn. Judging will take place in August.

Fermanagh Farming Society felt that with the continual focus on efficiency and sustainability in Suckler herds across Northern Ireland, it was time to recognise good practice on suckler farms in the county.

A Society spokesperson said: “We invite applications from farmers from across Fermanagh who promote good farming practices, run a herd of functional self-sustaining suckler cows, breeding calves suitable for the present commercial market and who retain functional fit for purpose replacement heifers.

“In this way it is our intention to promote efficiency and sustainability within our suckler cow/calf production sector as a benchmark for future practices.

“With all input costs rising to unfathomable levels, we believe in steering toward less wasteful practices currently taking place across the competition sphere.”

They explained that judges would be looking for functional non-pedigree suckler cows, efficient, easy to feed, milky and profitable and rearing a calf born after January 1 this year with excellent growth potential suitable for today’s market.

Application forms and rules are available on the Society’s website, at fermanaghcountyshow.com.