Merial Animal Health has confirmed its sponsorship of the Northern Ireland Simmental Club’s Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition.

Now in its tenth year, the competition is billed as one of the highlights of the show season for Simmental breeders across the country. The final takes place at Fermanagh County Show on Wednesday, August 5.

The competition is open to a pair of animals, owned by exhibitor, and breeders have been competing throughout the show season for a place at the final. Nominated qualifying shows include Balmoral, Ballymena, Lurgan, Armagh, Omagh, Castlewellan and Clogher.

The winner of the 2015 Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year Competition will receive the prestigious Merial Crystal Decanter and a 500ml pack of Ivomec Super injection. All finalists will be awarded a 200ml pack of Ivomec Super injection.

Philip Clarke, territory sales manager for Merial Animal Health said: “We are pleased to be associated with this long running and successful competition. The NI Simmental Club has an active membership, and the breeders have great enthusiasm for their cattle.

“Year after year the competition attracts the cream of the Province’s Simmental cattle, and the breeders are to be congratulated for continually producing a strong line-up of qualifiers for the final.” Club Chairman Richard Rodgers said:” We are indebted to Merial Animal Health for its continued sponsorship of this hotly contested competition. There are six pairs already qualified, and breeders will be competing at next week’s Clogher Show to qualify for a place in the final line-up.” The winners will be selected by Scottish judge Michael Durno from the Auchorachan Herd based at Ballindalloch, Banffshire.