Northern Ireland

Herd competition: some fantastic cattle

Avery enjoyable evening was held recently at the NI Beef Shorthorn Cattle annual dinner at the Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown which featured Beef Shorthorn beef from Hannan Meats, Moira.

Club chairman, Tom McGuigan welcomed a packed room of members and their friends to the dinner. He reflected on a busy year for Beef Shorthorn breeders with several events staged by the Club, including a successful open day at Richard Henning’s Mullaglass herd, a fundraising family day hosted by Rachel Jordan, an open meeting for members and Balmoral Show.

The annual herd competition was also a tremendous success, and thanks must go to judges, Tom Staunton and Johnny Keane, who clocked up hundreds of miles during their week of judging.

Tom delivered a fantastic report on their visits to all 28 farms.

David Henderson won the champion commercial herd and Barry Fitzsimons, reserve. Both judges were hugely impressed with the quality of the commercial entries. In the pedigree section Alfie and James Shaw came out top overall with their Glebefarm herd based outside Dungannon. David and Carole Alexander were in the reserve overall spot. During the prize giving both Tom and Johnny highlighted that during their judging they had seen so many fantastic Beef Shorthorn cattle in each and every section.

Libby Clarke

CHAMPION AWARDS Overall: Glebefarm, Alfie and James Shaw Reserve: Craigfaddock, David Alexander Stock bull: Rockwood, David McCrory Reserve: Croft, Richard Henderson Brood cow: Glebefarm, Alfie and James Shaw Reserve: Aghalee, Graham Duncan Cow family: Linhill, JP McFadden Reserve: Glebefarm, Alfie and James Shaw Bull calf: Croft, Richard Henderson Reserve: Cooper, McGuigan Family Heifer calf: Mullaglass, Richard Henning Reserve: Burnside, William and Jill McAllister Heifer group: Maralin, Libby Clarke Reserve: Burnside, William and Jill McAllister Young bull: Craigfaddock, David Alexander Reserve: Mullaglass, Richard Henning COMMERCIAL HERD Champion: David Henderson Reserve: Barry Fitzsimons COMMERCIAL HERDS 1, David Henderson, Lisbellaw 2, Barry Fitzsimons, Ballynahinch

PEDIGREE HERD LARGE HERDS 1, Glebefarm, Alfie and James Shaw 2, Tullyard, Ivan Walmsley 3, Finn, Sean Cosgrove SMALL HERDS 1, Craigfaddock, David Alexander 2, Croft, Richard Henderson 3, Gortacar, Denver Reid

Commercial herd champion, David Henderson with reserve winners, the Fitzsimons family and judges, Johnny Keane and Tom Staunton

Beef Shorthorn family fun day raises over £9,000 for charity

Kingsley and Rachel Jordan welcomed visitors to their Donaghcloney based farm for the NI Beef Shorthorn Club’s family fun day and BBQ. Committee member Rachel came up with the idea as a social event for Club members and their friends, and also to raise money for the Helping Hands Charity.

The Jordan Family know first-hand just how essential the remarkable works are that are carried out by the team of doctors and nurses at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children as their daughter, Grace was in their care a number of years ago with a life threatening condition. She has now made a full and wonderful recovery, and is a beautiful and caring little girl who loves her Beef Shorthorn cattle.

Well known auctioneer, Trevor Wylie conducted the sale which saw a wide range of items go under the hammer. Representatives travelled to the Royal Hospital recently to present a cheque for £9,039.73 which is a tremendous amount for such a worthy cause. The NI Beef Shorthorn Club is truly thankful to the Bank of Ireland, Moy Park and Slurrykat who offered financial support. Also thanks to all those who donated items for the auction and catering. The Club is very appreciative of all those who attended and who assisted in any way to ensure that it was a resounding success.

• The Club presented the NI Children’s Hospice with a £4,000 cheque raised from proceeds of its 2021 calendar featuring prize winners from the 2020 virtual show and produced under the management of Alfie and Kathryn Shaw.

NI breeders excel at calf show

Asuper entry of calves was presented to judge, Bill Landers, Newtown Stewart, Wigtownshire at the NI Beef Shorthorn Breeders’ annual calf show held at Dungannon Mart on November 13. The event which this year was held in conjunction with the NI Hereford Breeders’ Club, attracted an enthusiastic turn out of breeders to the ringside.

William and Jill McAllister, Kells had a first class outing with calves from their Burnside herd, securing the overall championship with their stylish November 2020 born entry, Burnside Palo. Sired by their stock bull, Lightning of Skaillhouse, this young prospect drew many favourable comments on the day. In the reserve spot was first time exhibitor, Leanne Green with Derriaghy Lovely Priscilla. With Uppermill breeding on both sides of her pedigree, this October 2020 red heifer caught the eye of many.

The reserve male championship was awarded to George and William Gott with Shankhill Ronaldo, a Hussar of Upsall son. Claiming the reserve female position was a Creaga Logic daughter, Aghalee Rhona brought out by Aaron and Graham Duncan.

Leading the way in the best pair from one exhibitor section was George and William Gott, followed by William and Jill McAllister. One of the most popular classes is the young handler’s category, which was won by Charlotte McAllister, with Jenson Lindsay in reserve spot.

Results Champion Reserve Male champion Reserve

Burnside Polo Derriaghy Lovely Pricisilla Burnside Palo Shankhill Ronaldo Female champion Derriaghy Lovely Pricisilla Reserve Aghalee Rhona William and Jill McAllister Leanne Green William and Jill McAllister George and William Gott Leanne Green Aaron and Graham Duncan Champion, Burnside Palo