Sidney the Salers bull takes the inter-breed honours at Balmoral

The four-day show, held at the Eikon Exhibition Centre on the outskirts of Lisburn, is Northern Ireland’s biggest agri-food shop window.

RUAS president John Henning OBE was delighted with the success of the flagship event.

Berrichon champion went to the ewe from Golanview Flock “With more than 3500 competitive entries, a host of attractions, including JCB Dancing Diggers, the show provides something for all ages. I would like to congratulate and personally thank the society’s staff and numerous volunteers who play such a vital role in the success of the annual show.

“Balmoral Show is all about connections and helping to link farmers and consumers; breeders and customers; processors and supermarket; while providing a place to network and do business with great entertainment value for everyone.”

Old Glenort Victorious from James Porter was Aberdeen Angus champion Following weeks of dry weather, farmers enjoyed a hard-earned break and an opportunity to socialise with family and friends. Farmgate prices for milk, beef and other commodities remain strong, but farmers are anxious about what the long-term future holds.

The agriculture sector is facing a number of challenges, largely brought about by government policy. Inheritance tax, bovine TB and DAERA’s recently announced Nutrient Action Plan were top of the agenda for farmers and industry stakeholders.

Supreme Simmental was Ballinalare Farm Nikita Former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters was the guest speaker at a food and agri-business breakfast, hosted by KPMG. She has been appointed to lead a six-month government review into UK farm profitability.

The Baroness told delegates that she would ‘leave no stone unturned’ in her quest to find solutions to boost farm profitability.

Stranagone Uncanny was champion Charolais Exhibitors pulled out all the stops to compete for a share of the bumper prize fund and put on a show of top-class farm livestock.

Olympic gold medallist Hannah Scott MBE had the unenviable task of selecting the overall supreme champion of champions during the grand finale parade in the main arena. After careful deliberation, the award-winning rower, presented the prestigious title and £1000 cash prize to the inter-breed beef champion, a Salers bull owned by the Maginn family from Downpatrick.

Suffolk champion was reserve inter-breed sheep from Mark Priestley It was a fantastic feat for PJ, Seamus, Stephen and Hannah, especially as the breed society is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Imported from France in 2022, the five-year-old bull named Sidney is herd sire at the 80-cow Lisnamaul herd, founded by in 1993. He was sired by Intouchable and is bred from Galante.

The inter-breed beef classes were judged by Matthew Goulding from Co Kerry. Catching his eye to win the reserve inter-breed was the much-admired Limousin cow Deerpark Shakira bred by brothers Connor and Ryan Mulholland, Lurgan. This December 2021-born cow by Wilodge Vantastic needs no introduction, having won eight Limousin championships and five inter-breed awards as a maiden heifer in 2023. She was accompanied by her October-born Glenrock Redemption-sired bull calf at foot.

Texel champion was also from Mark Priestley Second reserve inter-breed beef champion was Ballinalare Farm Nikita which has won three successive Balmoral Simmental championships for Joe and Alan Wilson from Rathfriland.The three-year-old Saltire Impressive daughter was shown with her twin Omorga Murray calves at foot.

Junior inter-breed beef champion was Rolex, a yearling commercial heifer exhibited by Conor McVeigh from MCV Competitions in Armagh. Sired by the 180,000gns Graiggoch Rambo, her dam was a black cross-bred Limousin heifer.

Commercial cattle champion went to Rolex from Conor McVeigh Runner-up was the Charolais bull Stranagone Verynice bred by Robert McWillams from Swatragh. This 12-month-old is by Stranagone Saphir.

Limousin breeder Kieran McCrory, Sixmilecross, scooped the second reserve junior championship with the home-bred heifer Bernish Valentine. A 13-month-old by Maraiscote Lothario, she was the reserve breed champion at Balmoral, and winner of the NI Young Limousin Breeders’ Club Rising Stars Calf Show, held recently in Ballymena.

Deerpark Shakira took supreme Limousin honours from Connor and Ryan Mulholland (Image: Alfie Shaw)

Fourth calver scoops top dairy

The much admired Holstein cow Annaghmore Fitz Atlee Ex95 secured the inter-breed dairy honour. A Toc-Farm Fitz daughter, she was bred by Clive and Joel Richardson, Dungannon, who sold a half share in a private deal earlier this year to Philip Jones, Hallow Holsteins, Gorey, Co Wexford.

Fitz Atlee calved her fourth in December and is currently yielding 74 litres at 5.19%BF and 3.18%P. Breed judge James Bailie, Dalserf, Lanark, said the quality on parade was as good as he’d seen in a long time with the champion being “an incredible, well-balanced cow with an unbelievable mammary system and great locomotion.”

These words were echoed by inter-breed judge Lyndon Bustard, Devon, who added: “This cow could easily be an international show winner. She is a tremendous, capacious and stylish dairy cow with an udder to dream of.”

Inter-breed sheep went to the Charollais gimmer from Graham Foster Catching Lyndon’s eye to win the reserve inter-breed was the Ayrshire champion, Carnell Barby Doll 13, exhibited by Stuart and Nyree Baxter, Cookstown. Bred in Scotland, she was purchased as a calf at George and Robin Templeton’s dispersal sale. Calved in January and projected at 9500 litres, she is classified VG87 with a VG89 mammary score at just four days into her second lactation. She is due in January to Springhill Palmyra Robinson.

Ashley Fleming, Seaforde, claimed the second reserve and exhibitor-bred awards with the Jersey heifer in milk, Potterswalls Canadian Club Dawn. Two months calved, she is producing 27 litres of milk daily.

Charollais gimmer tops sheep

Co Tyrone flockmaster Graham Foster clinched the inter-breed ribbons and the short wool championship with an outstanding Charollais gimmer. Sired by the 24,000gns Boyo Bravemansgame, she is a full ET sister to Springhill Casino Royale sold last year at Carlisle for 10,000gns.

Reserve short wool champion and runner-up in the interbreed line-up was a flashy Suffolk gimmer from Mark Priestley, Downpatrick, who also won the Dutch Spotted and Texel breed championships. This was the flock’s third successive Suffolk championship at Balmoral Park. Sired by the 20,000gns Rhaeadr Rockshore, the home-bred Suffolk supremo is an ET sister to the 10,000gns Limestone Rizzler. She is from the second crop of lambs bred from Limestone Queenbee which stood reserve champion at Balmoral as a gimmer, and produced the 16,000gns Limestone Springbok.

Long wool champion was a North Country Cheviot gimmer from Norman Robinson’s Benrafton flock, Downpatrick, with a home-bred Border Leicester ewe from Callum Patterson, Ballymena, landing the reserve.

Scoring a hat-trick, Mark Priestley also won the Dutch Spotted section

Castletown Carla wins Clydesdale

Supreme champion in the Clydesdale horse section was Castletown Carla, a yearling filly bred by John Cross from Ballyclare. A Doura Aird Ambition daughter, she is out of the home-bred mare Castletown Crystal.

This promising filly was placed second in her class at the Co Londonderry HorseBreeders’ Society Clydesdale Foal Show,at Ballymena in December.

Ayrshire champion and reserve dairy was Carnell Barby Doll 13 from Stuart and Nyree Baxter

Judge Alistair Christie from Balfron, Glasgow, awarded the reserve ribbons to Cloghan Maisie, a yearling filly from Geoffrey and Lesley Tanner, Coleraine. Bred by George and Elizabeth Smyth, Maisie is also sired by Doura Aird Ambition and is out of Cloghan Jodie.

Best of opposite sex to the champion was Hallmark Harvey, a yearling colt by Dillars TopMaverick, shown by William Hall, Ballymoney.

Holstein champion and inter-breed dairy was Clive and Joel Richardson and Philip Jones’ Annaghmore Fitz Atlee

Leading Awards

Beef cattle

Aberdeen Angus (Judge: Gayle Bersey, Cornwall). Champion – Bill and James Porter’s senior bull, Old Glenort Victorious Y514. Reserve – Dodd family’s heifer Glenbrae Redmouse Z166.

Hereford (Judge: William Smith, Oldcastle). Champion – Dorepoll Herefords’ senior bull, Tynedale 1 660 Perfection. Reserve – Ciaran Kerr’s intermediate bull, Country Crest Brooks.

Charolais (Judge: David Barker, Hertfordshire). Champion – Robert McWilliam’s in-calf heifer, Stranagone Uncanny. Reserve – Harry Herron’s bull Falleninch Sancerre.

Simmental (Judge: Michael Durno, Ballindalloch). Champion – Joe and Alan Wilson’s cow, Ballinalare Farm Nikita. Reserve – David and Jonny Hazelton’s heifer, Ranfurly Weikel 56.

Limousin (Judge: Rob Kirton, Bewdley). Champion – Connor and Ryan Mulholland’s cow, Deerpark Shakira. Reserve – Kieran McCrory’s junior heifer, Bernish Valentine.

British Blonde (Judge: Conor O’Halleron, Thurles). Champion – Geoffrey Rodgers’ junior bull, Hilleadhead Victor. Reserve – Moneyscalp Blondes heifer, Hillhead Unicorn.

British Blue (Judge: Richard Mowbray, Newtownstewart). Champion – Croob Blues’ heifer, Sapphire. Reserve – Joshua Arrell’s heifer Artlone Tequila.

Salers (Judge: Malcolm Pye, Stirling). Champion – Stephen McGinn’s senior bull Sidney. Reserve – J and EA Elliot’s heifer Drumlegagh Tami.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: Tom Bradley, Dumfries). Champion – Cherryvalley Farm’s senior bull, Cherryvalley Wild Track. Reserve – Cherryvalley Farm’s heifer, Cherryvalley Augusta Wonder.

Dexter (Judge: Adrian Park, Malmesbury). Champion – Ryan Lavery’s cow, Derryola Clover. Reserve – Cadian Dexters’ bull, Planetree Cerbrus.

Irish Moiled (Judge: Mark Logan, Islandmagee). Champion – N and M Moilies’ cow, Burren Royal Pandora. Reserve – Rachel Armour’s cow Tully Tululah.

Commercial cattle (Judge: Andrew Ireland, Ayrshire). Champion – MCV Competitions’ heifer, Rolex. Reserve – RMC Commercial Cattle’s heifer, Baby Spice.

Dairy cattle

Dairy Shorthorn (Judge: Robert Cornish, Somerset). Champion – McLean family’s heifer in milk, Bushmills Jedi H Princess Jill. Reserve – Jason Booth’s cow in milk, Beechview Jazz Janelle.

Ayrshire (Judge: Robert Cornish). Champion – Stuart and Nyree Baxter’s second calver Carnell Barby Doll. Reserve – Christian Keenan’s in-milk heifer, Threemile Prime Magic.

Jersey (Judge: Robert Cornish). Champion – Ashley Fleming’s heifer in milk, Potterswalls Canadian Club Dawn. Reserve – Fleming Family’s third calver, PotterswallsVictorious Season.

Holstein (Judge: James Bailie, Lanark). Champion – Hallow Holsteins and Annaghmore Herd’s mature cow Annaghmore Fitz Atlee. Reserve – Annaghmore Herd’s senior heifer in milkAnnaghmore Luxors Jodie Red.

Sheep

Badger Face Texel (Judge: Richard Bett, Louth). Champion – Stephen Swales and Jack King’s ewe. Reserve – Knockmult Farm’s ram lamb.

Beltex (Judge: Sue Wilkinson, Richmond). Champion – Elizabeth McAllister’s ram. Reserve – Elizabeth McAllister’s gimmer.

Berrichon (Judge: Ifan Beynon-Thomas, Swansea). Champion – Golanview Flock’s ewe. Reserve – Golanview Flock’s ram lamb.

Bleu du Maine (Judge: Stephen Etherson, Ballymoney). Champion – Glenn Baird’s ewe. Reserve – Glenn Baird’s ewe lamb.

Blue Texel (Judge: Aled Groucott, Gwent). Champion – Knockmult Farm’s ewe lamb. Reserve – Samantha Allen and Allen Shortt’s ewe lamb.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: William Barrowman, Wigtownshire). Champion – JulieLoughrey’s shearling ram. Reserve – Ian Montgomery’s shearling ewe.

Border Leicester (Judge: Richard Evans, Wrexham). Champion – Callum Patterson’s ewe. Reserve – Harold Dickey’s ram.

Charollais (Judge: Jonathan Wales, Carlisle). Champion – Graham Foster’s gimmer. Reserve – Diane Christie’s ram.

Dorset Horn and Poll (Judge: Tim Pratt, Woodbridge). Champion – Alistair McClure’s ewe lamb. Reserve – Christian Hill’s ewe lamb.

Dutch Spotted (Judge: Rhys Francis, Carmarthen). Champion – Limestone Farm’s ewe. Reserve – James Johnston’s ram lamb.

Greyface (Judge: Richard Evans, Wrexham). Champion – Stephen Wallace’s ewe. Reserve – Cameron Agnew’s gimmer.

Hampshire Down (Judge: J Barnard, Devon). Champion – Loughbrae Livestock’s gimmer. Reserve – Loughbrae Livestock’s gimmer.

Ile de France (Judge: M McConville, Newry). Champion – Rodney Barlfour’s ram. Reserve – Rodney Balfour’s ewe.

Jacob (Judge: Margie Rushbrooke, Bewdley). Champion – James Maybin’s gimmer. Reserve – David Poston’s shearling ram.

Kerryhill (Judge: Andrew Fisher, North Yorkshire). Champion – Ross Jamieson’s gimmer. Reserve – Jack Colhoun’s ewe.

Lleyn (Judge: Richard Twose, Carmarthenshire). Champion – Jayne and Catherine Kennedy’s shearling ram. Reserve – George Calwell’s shearling ram.

Mules (Judge: William Barrowman, Wigtownshire). Champion – Archie Henry’s gimmer. Reserve – Archie Henry’s ewe.

North Country Cheviot (Judge: Alan Simpson, Caithness). Champion – Norman Robinson’sgimmer. Reserve – Murnion Livestock’s ram.

Minority breeds (Judge: Dr Freda Magill, Rathfriland). Champion – Lisa Dorman’s gimmer. Reserve – Lisa Dorman’s ram.

Rouge de l’Ouest (Judge: Sue Wilkinson, Richmond). Champion – Sammy Kerr’s ram. Reserve – James Houston’s gimmer.

Suffolk (Judge: Michael Goldie, Kilmarnock). Champion – Limestone Farm’s gimmer. Reserve – Martin and Eoin Butler’s gimmer.

Texel (Judge: Charlie Boden, Cheshire). Champion – Limestone Farm’s gimmer. Reserve – James Cleland’s shearling ram.

Valais Blacknose (Judge: Phil Garrod, Hertfordshire). Champion – Ryan and Emma Conway’s ram. Reserve – Irene Gray’s shearling ram.

Zwartbles (Judge: David Miskelly, Aberdeenshire). Champion – Catherine McCracken’s shearling ewe. Reserve – Glebe Hill’s ewe.

Pigs

Large White (Judge: Andrew Wylie). Champion – Trevor Sheilds’ senior gilt. Reserve – Trevor Shields’ senior gilt.

Landrace (Judge: Andrew Wylie). Champion – Amanda Stewart’s junior gilt.

Traditional breeds (Judge: Kenny Gracey, Tandragee). Champion – Claire and Gary Wright’s sow. Reserve – Neill Robert’s junior gilt.

Photographs by Alfie Shaw, MacGregor Photography and Isla Campbell