New president of Irish Shorthorn Society announced
The Irish Shorthorn Society has announced that James Muldowney has been appointed as the new president of the cattle breed society.
The Cullahill, Co. Laois man takes the reins from outgoing president, Amelda Middleton Leonard who, along with her family, own the Ballinlig Shorthorn Herd located near Moate in Co. Westmeath.
Amelda was the first-ever female president of the society since it was established in 2004.
Muldowney is a pedigree and commercial suckler farmer. He produces both pedigree and crossbred Shorthorn cattle.
Speaking to Agriland, the new Irish Shorthorn Society president said that he hopes to continue the work of the society to promote the benefits of the Shorthorn cattle breed.
He said: "I think there's a growing place in the market for Shorthorn cattle.
"We're currently down at 0.7 or 0.8% of the market share.
"I hope to get that to over 1% in my term as president of the society."
The new president said that he hopes to help the society achieve this by further promoting the use of easy-calving Shorthorn bulls on dairy cows and also work to further increase the presence of the breed in the suckler sector.
Muldowney also emphasised that he hopes to further promote the 15c/kg Shorthorn Marketing Company breed bonus that is available.
He said that many farmers are unaware that a breed bonus is available for qualifying farmers on eligible Shorthorn cattle.
The Irish Shorthorn Society has congratulated James Muldowney on his appointment as the new president of the society.
The Executive Committee of the society is:
- President: James Muldowney;
- Vice president: Padraig Flanagan;
- Treasurer: Dan McKeon;
- PRO: Áine O’Donovan Nicholson.
The remaining council members are:
- Amelda Middleton Leonard;
- Anthony McNamara;
- Michael Conway;
- Mary Hallahan;
- Adrian Flatley;
- Kevin Murphy;
- John McDermott;
- Pat Hehir.
The cattle breed society also expressed a heartfelt thank you to the outgoing president, Amelda Middleton Leonard, for her "tremendous work, dedication, and commitment during her tenure".
"Her contribution to the society has been truly invaluable," the society said.
