Forget The X Factor it's all about The Farm Factor

A bake sale, guess-the-calve's weight game and a calf auction will also take place at the event, organised by transition year students at The Royal and Prior school, which is across the road from the mart.

Their teacher and co-organiser, Seamus Maguire, said: “This is a fundraiser like no udder, with all the money raised going to a very worthy cause.

“Many of the students of the Royal would come from agricultural backgrounds, which makes this fundraiser very suitable.

“People will pay €1 or €2 for a judging card and judge which animal they would give first, second and third prize to in their breed – but there will be actual judges, who are cattle and sheep experts, who will have the final say.

“The winning sheep and cattle get rosettes and a nice applause from people there.

“A parent also kindly donated a calf called Charlie, who will be auctioned for the fundraiser, and there will also be a prize for whoever guesses the correct weight of another calf.

“There is also a bake sale and there will be a raffle with the prizes kindly donated by local businesses and members of the community”.

Prizes include six bags of super beef nuts, which is a top of range high protein food for cattle, cinema vouchers and vouchers for local butchers, salons and hotels.

The fundraiser is part of the school’s participation in this year’s Concern Fast campaign, which raises vital funds for children dying from hunger around the world.

Traditionally, Concern Fast focused on giving up food, but it can now include any activity or habit, such as drinking coffee, smoking, driving online activity or using smart phones.

This year’s Fast Day for the campaign – when participants give something up - is tomorrow, Thursday, November 24.

The 48-year-old campaign began the same year the Irish aid agency was founded in 1968 and the funds raised will help children suffering in countries like Ethiopia, Syria and South Sudan.

Concern’s Community Fundraising Manager, and coordinator of the Fast campaign, Jonathan Power, said: “Concern Fast is a rewarding opportunity to challenge yourself for a very deserving cause.

“We cannot thank the Irish public enough for their support and all of our dedicated volunteers who do street collections and other fundraising activities throughout the year”.

Concern, which is a member of Charities Institute Ireland, said a donation of €24 will provide enough to feed one child for a month.

The aid agency helped 22.6 million people in 28 countries in 2015 and responded to 42 emergencies thanks to funds received, including donations from Fast.

People can sign up for Concern Fast and find more information at www.concern.net/fast or by calling 1850 50 50 55.