Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association

Northern Ireland breeders keep active

Northern Irish Hereford Breeders’ Association (NIHBA) managed to get to Balmoral Show as well as run some of its normal activities.

With 2021 starting off with Covid restrictions in place, the Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association (NIHBA) was unsure how things would unfold for the Hereford calendar. As the year progressed, although no regular show season was enjoyed, NIHBA members were able to get together at various Hereford events

Northern Ireland’s premier sale in February set a new record average of £3,477 returned for nine bulls with a total clearance rate and a new individual record price of 5,500gns for Graceland 1 Silas from R and J Irvine, Whitecross, Co Armagh. April saw another 100 per cent clearance rate for Hereford bulls at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart which averaged £2,853. Leading the trade was Thornbank 1 Romeo from Hunter Stewart, Co Tyrone L-R Mark Moore, NI Hereford Breeders' Association; Garth McConville from Flynn and Co; James Graham, president of the NI Hereford Breeders' Association; Liz McCarragher, Air Ambulance NI; Harry Burke, Burkes Tractors; Neill Acheson, Animax and Keith Freeburn, Freeburn Farm Feeds

which was sired by the home-bred Thornbank 1 Mighty Man and sold for 3,100gns. In August 23 herds entered the annual herds competition under the astute eye of Gary McKiernan of the Corlismore herd, based in Cavan. The top spot went to John and William McMordie of the Solpoll herd while taking three of the four calf awards was John Conlon and his Drumatee Herd as well as placing runner-up in the large and overall herd. John and Karen Taggart of Carneyhill Herefords took best medium herd while the Kinnego herd of Ciaran and Peter Kerr took best small herd.

Gary said the quality of cattle was high, having seen some great animals and thanked the committee for the opportunity to judge the competition. The annual barbecue and results evening was hosted by James Graham and family of Richmount poll Herefords. WD Meats kindly provided steaks for the barbecue. The chosen charity, Air Ambulance, received over £3,000 raised on the night. September brought a new time of year for RUAS Balmoral Show. The weather was favourable and it was great to see exhibitors and their stock back in the show ring after such a long time. The NIHBA is grateful for all its members who took the time and made an effort to be part of the show. It was unprecedented for the same family to take the top four titles and

congratulations go to John and William McMordie of the Solpoll herd on this fantastic achievement at Balmoral.

The father and son team won the male and female championships and took both reserve titles before going on to take the native and reserve overall interbreed beef performance championship at the event. Finally, to round off a good week for the breed, on the show’s final day, a group of breeders pulled together and took the native-bred group of five title ahead of a strong field. November brought the return of United Feeds Calf Show in Dungannon Farmers Mart. For the first time, the show was run in conjunction with the NI Shorthorn Club, and was judged by Catherine Smyth of Ardmulcan Herefords, Navan. She said it was such a pleasure to be given the role and congratulated the exhibitors for bringing out such a great display of cattle. On the day, the junior and male championship titles went to the Lisrace herd of David Wilson and junior and female champion titles went to the home of Robin and James Irvine and the Graceland herd. Jonny Mitchell took the senior and overall young handler award.

In December a centre price record was set at Dungannon of 5,200gns to Robin Irvine’s Graceland herd for a maiden heifer. With a small entry of bulls, John and William McMordie topped the section at 3,000gns. Numbers were down at the Royal Ulster Winter Fair both in terms of exhibitors and visitors but with an improved milk price, there was an optimism of how a Hereford sire could add value to the dairy herd with many of those using continental breeds showing appetite to switch to the Hereford breed in the new year. NIHBA president James Graham says: “Going forward into 2022 and beyond, beef systems will focus on fertility, feed efficiency, early maturity and eating quality. The cattle which will produce the qualities required will breed younger, perform well on grass and forage, be ready for slaughter at an early age and L-R David Smyth receives the president's plaque from James Graham

consistently deliver an end product with the succulence and flavour which cannot be reproduced by any meat substitutes. That’s why as breeders we must seize the unique opportunity to advance the breed.”

GRACELAND HEREFORDS

Graceland 1 Verity

Female Champion at N Ireland Calf Show

Graceland 1 Silas

Sets new NI record selling to AI Services

Thanks to Edward Thompson and the late Mrs Ann Riley - our purchases from Blakesley Herefords have been very infl uential at Graceland. Blakesley 1 Nobility is leaving excellent calves and was judged best Stock Bull in the NI herds competition.