Dovea Genetics, one of Ireland’s leading dairy and beef semen supplier, is holding a charity auction in aid of Bothar at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.
Six beef heifers, sired by Dovea Genetic bulls, will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to Bothar, according to Dovea Genetics.
The organisation has a long working relationship with Bothar, where they have been providing dairy semen to numerous countries Bothar have a presence in for the past 20 years, Dovea Genetics said.
At the recent launch of the charity auction, Peter Ireton, one of the founders of Bothar outlined how the two organisations began their working relationship.
The relationship between Bothar and Dovea started around 23-years-ago when he was on a trip to Africa where he met a local farmer who asked if there was a way to get his cow, a local breed in calf to an ‘exotic’ bull.
Ireton got in contact with Dovea once he arrived home from that trip, and the two organisations came to an agreement which has continued for the past two decades, according to the Tipperary-based organisation.
With Bothar celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, Dovea has decided to do something to show their gratitude for being able to work alongside Bothar assisting and improving the standard of living of those in need.
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- Kilkenny hurler, TJ Reid.
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- Tipperary hurler, Seamus Callinan.
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- Cork dual star, Briege Corkery.
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- International showjumoer, Greg Broderick.
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- John Heslin and Enda Dooley, Product Development And Quality Manager at Dovea at the auction launch.
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- Dovea Genetic’s six beef heifers.
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- Dovea Genetic’s six beef heifers.
The six heifers, bred from dairy cows, were bought in spring 2015 and were displayed at the National Ploughing Championships in 2015 to raise awareness about the auction, the beef and dairy semen supplier said.
To help with the promotion of the auction, Dovea Genetics has enlisted the help of six well known sports personalities in different sporting areas who will lead a heifer each into the sales ring on the day of the auction.
Current GAA-GPA Hurler of the Year, Kilkenny’s TJ Reid, Cork dual player, Briege Corkery and Tipperary hurler, Seamus Callanan will lead out three of the heifers, according to Dovea.
International show jumper, Greg Broderick, Westmeath footballer, John Heslin and former Irish rugby player, John “The Bull” Hayes will also enter the auction ring, Dovea said.
The heifers will be auctioned off by a leading auctioneer, and Irish sports commentator and television presenter, Marty Morrissey will auction off one of the heifers, Dovea Genetics announced.
The charity auction is taking place at the Dovea Genetics stand (Block 2, Row 14, Stand 321) on Wednesday, September 21 at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly at 1pm.
