Champion Charolais breeder is appointed to top cattle council
Dunderry Charolais breeder Shane Maguire has been elected to the Irish Charolais Cattle Society Council, one of the youngest breeders to be elected to the council at the age of just 31.
A son of well-known Charolais breeder Kevin Maguire, Shane has grown up around Charolais cattle and learned plenty from his father over the years.
About five years ago, Shane decided to set up his own herd choosing the name 'Dun Doire' as prefix for his herd and he has already enjoyed huge successes at shows.
Indeed, in his first year showing, he won at the prestigious Tullamore Show with 'Dun Doire Tommy', something some breeders spend a lifetime trying to achieve.
"Since I started been fairly successful and I won a lot of big shows, so it has been going well," said Shane. "Then I was asked to go for the Charolais Council which is fairly hard to get on and I was elected so that is a big honour."
Last year Shane attended three shows- Trim, Virginia and Mohill and won champion at all three.
"My first year I won the Tullamore Show, which is probably the biggest show. And last year I went to three shows and won at all three. I have a few that will be ready for this summer so I am busy getting them ready, and getting them trained which is a lot of work as well," said Shane.
He has a busy weekend coming up and will show at the North Eastern Breeders Club Show at Ballyjamesduff Mart on Saturday and at Nobber Show on Sunday.
Shane works full time as a senior surveyor at Timeless Sash Windows. He has 15 purebred cows at the moment as well as other Charolais crosses. At calving time, his father is a great help when Shane is at work and Shane explained that purebred cattle like any purebred animal are a lot "softer" than a cross breed.
"They are absolute babies. For days after calving they are real slow to get going and are a lot of work. My father comes over when I'm working to give a hand."
Shane's father Kevin is a former president of the Irish Charolais Cattle Society and a former president of Charolais International, which represents Charolais breeders worldwide, so Shane was delighted to keep the family tradition going by being elected to the Irish Charolais Cattle Society Council.
"I was brought up with Charolais'. I knew what to be looking out for, my father taught me well. People breed all their lives trying to get a champion at any show, it's hard done. I have got lucky too and hopefully we can keep going this summer."
Shane attends meetings every six to eight weeks with the council where they discuss any issues raised by the estimated 7,000 to 8,000 Charolais breeders nationwide.