Travel Bursary
Young Breeders USA
The Irish Hereford Breed Society will be bringing a team of eight young Hereford breeders aged between 18 and 26 years of age to the World Hereford Conference in Kansas, USA in October 2025. Irish Hereford Prime has created a travel bursary for the event with each of the eight successful candidates receiving a substantial contribution towards the cost of their trip.
As part of the World Hereford Conference there is a dedicated young breeder competition that will take place from 19th to 25th of October 2025. The Irish Hereford Breed Society and Irish Hereford Prime intend to run a competition throughout 2024 to choose a team of eight young Hereford breeders to travel to Kansas and compete against young Hereford breeders from around the world.
Travel Bursary
Competition Details
At the World Hereford Conference, young breeders will participate in variety of skills-based events centred around the United States agriculture industry. To conclude the event, the young breeders will participate in a fitting and showmanship competition at the American Royal on October 25th 2025 with the winners being crowned at the closing reception. Further details for the event in Kansas will be posted by the American Hereford Association as they become available. Each of the eight members of Team Ireland will be entitled to a substantial travel bursary from Irish Hereford Prime to be able to make the journey and compete in the international competition. There are also tours organised either side of the World Hereford Conference that young breeders would be eligible to attend if they wished to do so.
Workshop
Grooming / show prep / clipping / haltering & leading cattle.
Presentation & dressing of oneself for showing.
Ability to discuss / describe how they prepared and presented their animal.
Show – attend one of four designated shows.
Must show a Hereford animal in one of the main Hereford classes during the show – (not just in the YH class). An independent judge or judges will score.
Factory tour and Stock judging of HEX animals ahead of slaughter – scored on accuracy of estimated carcase weights, grades and fat scores.
Final stage – Private interview including a 3-minute presentation – 28th September 2024 at The Tullamore Court Hotel.
Travel Bursary
2024 Winners
We're thrilled to announce the winners of the
Irish Hereford Prime Travel Bursary 2024
Huge congratulations to: in alphabetical order; Catherine Smyth, Colin Burke, John O’Dwyer, Lesley Lewis, Mark Hyland, Patrick Farrell, Sarah Armstrong and Sarah Murray. Travelling with the Irish Hereford Breed in October 2025, these outstanding individuals will represent Ireland at the World Hereford Conference 2025 in Kansas, USA. Not only will they get to explore the world of Hereford cattle on an international stage, they’ll also have a opportunity to compete against young breeders from across the world and take part in exclusive tours and events. Wishing them all the best as they embark on this amazing journey!
Catherine Smyth
Ardmulchan Herefords
Meath
Colin Burke
Coralstown Herefords
Westmeath
John O'Dwyer
Scarragh Herefords
Tipperary
Lesley Lewis
Glossterbeg Herefords
Offaly
Mark Hyland
Hillockpoll Herefords
Leitrim
Patrick Farrell
Cavehill Herefords
Westmeath
Sarah Armstrong
Gartinardress Herd
Cavan
Sarah Murray
Shiloh-Farm
Westmeath
Jack Larkin and Mark Hyland
2023/2024 Winners
Jack and Mark experienced a fantastic trip to Fort Worth, Texas, where they attended the Champions of the World 2023 presentation. This followed their remarkable victory in the “Hereford Miss Europe” competition with the outstanding heifer, “Hillockpoll 1 Ivy”. Irish Hereford Prime was thrilled to stand behind and support these two individuals as they embarked on their adventure, representing Ireland on American soil.
