Young Westmeath farmers raise thousands for hospice

Three young farmers from Westmeath have donated thousands of euro to local hospice charities through raising and selling Hereford cattle.

As part of the Irish Hereford Charity Calf Rearing Programme, teenager Ciaran Kinahan of Tullyview Herefords raised a calf named Harry on his family farm, which he sold for €1,400 at GVM Tullamore.

The money was donated to Hooves4Hospice, which aims to fund the construction of a level 3 hospice in the midlands.

Elisa and Tara Drumm (16) of Crowenstown Herefords sold their calf Logan, a HEX bullock, weighing 715kg, for €3,700 at the Delvin Livestock Mart.

The full proceeds of the sale were donated to the Delvin branch of the North Westmeath Hospice.

In total, the charity calf rearing programme raised €24,000 for various charities across the country, all while providing the next generation of farmers with hands-on experience in the practice.

The project was facilitated by Irish Hereford Prime, which donated €5,500 for the purchase of 11 HEX bull calves for the up-and-coming farmers.

Each youngster was also provided with €500 to cover the cost of feeding the calf for the first six months of its life.

Chair of Irish Hereford Prime, Niall O’Mahony, said he was thrilled by the success of the programme. “It has not only showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of young Hereford breeders but has also significantly contributed to various local charities,” he said.

“The success of this initiative underscores the ongoing commitment of the Irish Hereford community to both agriculture and charitable causes, and we look forward to the next charitable programme in the future.”

To find more about the Irish Hereford Charity Calf Rearing Programme, visit irishhereford.com or email irishhereford@gmail.com.