Bumper Simmental Entry at Enniskillen

Simmental breeders were out in force at Fermanagh County Show, as the popular red and white continental beef breed dominated the cattle section with an entry in excess of 70 exhibits.

The bumper entry was judged by breed society president Iain Green from Scotland. He runs the noted 140-cow Corskie pedigree herd, alongside a 320-cow commercial enterprise, in partnership with his father Jimmy at Garmouth in Morayshire. “This is my first time judging in Northern Ireland, and I would like to compliment all of the exhibitors for putting on such a fantastic display of quality cattle. It has been a tremendous show!

“I have been astounded by the large numbers of quality animals in every class, several attracting entries in double figures. It’s definitely the best show of Simmentals I’ve ever seen, and it has been a great pleasure to judge them.”

Mr Green awarded the day’s supreme overall championship to the October 2011 born Slieveroe Caroline, brought out by the father and son team of Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, who run the 40-cow Lisglass herd based at Ballyclare, County Antrim. Bred by County Cork breeder Adrian Bateman, she was purchased at Roscommon in November last year for 2,800 Euros.

Sired by Kilbride Farm Newry, and bred from Clonagh Willow, this intermediate heifer also claimed the female championship award. “This heifer caught my eye as soon as she entered the showring. She oozes power and breed character, and has a tremendous top and excellent locomotion,” explained the judge.

Standing in reserve supreme position was the male champion Killynure Darwin, bred by Raymond Porter, and wife Joan, from Omagh, County Tyrone, who established their 8-cow herd in 1983. He led a very strong line-up of ten junior bulls. Born in January 2012, this Omorga Murray son won was bred from Killynure Twinkle, and also scooped the prestigious DANI Rosebowl for the best performance recorded Simmental bull.

Iain Green added:”I was impressed with this bull’s sheer power. He has great breed character and good width all the way through.”

Making her showring debut, and claiming the reserve female championship was Luddenmore Artic Rosebud exhibited by Kenny Vetich from Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh. Bought privately fifteen months ago from Dr Michael Sheahan, Killmallock, County Limerick, she is one of six pedigree Simmental cows in Mr Veitch’s Drumlone herd. She was shown with her Samark Superman bull calf at foot.

Reserve male champion was the October 2011 born Ballyvallough Captain bred by Andy Weatherup, who had travelled over 100 miles from Larne in County Antrim. Sired by Omorga Volvo, his dam is the home-bred Ballyvallough Sheila.

Fermanagh County Show in Enniskillen is the venue for the final of the hotly contested Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition, sponsored by Merial Animal Health. Seven pairs of animals which had qualified at selected shows throughout the summer were competing for the plaudits.

After much deliberation Iain Green tapped out Adrian Richardson’s junior bull duo, Cleenagh Dazzler and Cleenagh Darius, as the 2013 winners. This is the second year in succession that the Cleenagh herd has scooped the coveted Crystal Decanter and a 500mls pack of Ivomec Super injection presented by Philip Clarke of Merial Animal Health.

Cleenagh Dazzler and Cleenagh Darius are both sons of the herd’s jointly owned 10,000gns stock bull Drumlone Anchor – junior and supreme Perth champion in October 2010.

Runner-up was Noel Kilpatrick, Banbridge, County Down, with September 2012 born bulls Ballymoney Derek and Ballymoney David. These home-bred entries were sired by Celtic Rock and Derwentwood Nero.

The NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s Young Stockperson of the Year Award was presented to Jamie Boyd from Portglenone, County Antrim.

Club chairman Nigel Glasgow congratulated the prize winners, and thanked all exhibitors for supporting the show. “Enniskillen traditionally marks the end of the show season, and this year’s event was extra special as our club was hosting breed enthusiasts from throughout the UK and Ireland. Local breeders certainly pulled out the stops, travelling from all over the country to put on a large show of quality Simmentals.”

Results from the judging ring include:

Bull calf born in 2013 – 1, Robert Forde, Mullyknock Echo by Omorga Volvo; 2, Adrian Richardson, Cleenagh Elvis by Longbeach Bosco; 3, Andrea and Keith Nelson, Scribby Farms Elite by Drumlone Anchor.

Heifer calf born in 2013 – 1, Pat Kelly, Ashland Ella Beauty by Kilbride Farm Newry; 2, Kenneth Stubbs, Drumbulcan Estelle by Omorga Baldwin; 3, Kenneth Stubbs, Drumbulcan Errin by Omorga Baldwin.

Bull or heifer calf, born on or after 01/09/12 – 1, Harold Stubbs, Derrycallaghan Delboy by Sperrinview Brilliance; 2, Andrea and Keith Nelson, Scribby Farms Daisy by Drumlone Anchor; 3, Chris Traynor, Rosemeadow May by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Bull, born on or after 01/01/12 1, Raymond Porter, Killynure Darwin by Omorga Murray; 2, Adrian Richardson, Cleenagh Dictator by Drumlone Anchor; 3, WD Hazelton, Ranfurly Dominator by Omorga Murray.

Bull, born on or before 31/12/11 – 1, Andy Weatherup, Ballyvallough Captain by Omorga Volvo.

Heifer, born on or after 01/01/12 – 1, WD Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel 11th by Hillcrest Champion; 2, Eamon McCloskey, Drumnagarner Danielle by Barnattin Wally; 3, William and Margaret Nelson, Drumacritten Delia by Drumlone Anchor.

Heifer, born between 01/07/11 and 31/12/11 – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Slieveroe Caroline by Kilbride Farm Newry; 2, Barry Chambers, Shanehill Amber by Omorga Volvo; 3, Gavin Hayes, Raceview Champion Verona by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Heifer, born between 01/01/11 and 30/06/11 – 1, Wesley Abraham, Magheracrigan Clare 2nd by Omorga Volvo.

Cow or heifer, born in 2010 – 1, John Moore, Omorga Bambi 5th by Cleenagh Flasher; 2, David Carson, Brookwood Beauty by Milton Lord Tiffany.

Cow, born before 01/01/10 – 1, Kenneth Veitch, Luddenmore Artic Rosebud by Raceview King; 2, Robin Boyd, Slievenagh Tascha by Kilbride Farm Newry.

Group of three, property of exhibitor – 1, Adrian Richardson; 2, William and Margaret Nelson; 3, Duncan McDowell.

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