Omagh Show

by Iain | Jul 10, 2015 | Uncategorised

Large turnout at Simmental stock judging competition

by Iain | Jul 8, 2015 | Uncategorised

The 35-cow Lisglass Herd owned by the Weatherup family from Ballyclare, County Antrim, was the venue for the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s annual stockjudging competition.

Almost 100 members and breed enthusiasts travelled from throughout the province to compete at the evening event.

Club chairman Richard Rodgers said he was delighted to see such a fantastic turnout, and thanked the Weatherup family – Leslie, Iris, Christopher and Laura, for their excellent hospitality.

Master judge for the evening was William Ferguson from the Sperrin View herd based at Stewartstown, County Tyrone. He was overall winner of the British Simmental Cattle Society’s national stockjudging final held at Turriff Show last year.

Following a delicious BBQ supper, club chairman Richard Rodgers announced the results of the stockjudging competition.

Junior competitor, under 21-years-old – 1, Kyle Hayes, Upper Ballinderry; and Cara Moore, Beragh.

Senior competitor, aged 21 to 30-years-old – 1, Zara Stubbs, Irvinestown; 2, Shane McDonald, Tempo.

Open Class – 1, Pat Kelly, Tempo; 2, David Hazelton, Dungannon; 3, Julie Wallace, Antrim.

The junior and senior team winners will represent Northern Ireland at the society’s national Young Members Association stockjudging finals taking place at Pembrokeshire County Show from 18th to 20th August.

Team members were congratulated by sponsor William Thompson from Bank of Ireland.

Forthcoming events in the club’s annual calendar include:

Wednesday 5th August – Final of Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year Competition, and presentation of Danske Bank Male and Female of the Year Awards, at Fermanagh County Show.

Friday 7th August – Charity BBQ and auction, in aid of Southern Area Hospice Services, Newry, at Dungannon Rugby Club – 8pm.

Saturday 5th September – 45th Anniversary Elite Female Show and Sale, Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

SYMA – Young Members Trip 15-19 August 2015

by Iain | Jul 3, 2015 | Uncategorised

Sat 15th

Arrive at Cardiff Airport
Picked up by Coach
Travel to Brian and Kitty Raymond, Bennant Herd late afternoon for herd visit and welcome BBQ.
Then travel to Premier Inn Haverfordwest.

Sun 16th

Herd Visit to Anthony and Lesley Davies, Welston herd to include
Stockjudging 
Lunch provided.

Mon 17th

Herd visit to Mark and Emma Evans, Dewisland Herd in the morning .
Lunch followed by a Herd visit to Eirian and Delyth Lloyd, Gerawil herd in the afternoon.

Tues 18th

Pembrokeshire County show
Possible leaving BBQ in evening
(Premier Inn is within walking distance of showground and only a few miles from the local town.)

Wed 19th

Depart Hom

Office bearers re-elected at NI Simmental Club’s AGM

by Iain | May 28, 2015 | Uncategorised

On April 24, 2015 ·

Members travelled from throughout the Province to attend the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club’s AGM, held at Dungannon.

Chairman Richard Rodgers welcomed everyone and introduced the guest speaker, Raymond Irvine, senior account manager with Zoetis Animal Health.

Zoetis is the world’s largest independent animal health company, and 66% of its business is attributed to livestock health.

“Flies and parasites can have a detrimental effect on animal productivity and daily liveweight gain. It is crucial to use effective parasiticides and insecticides during the grazing season. “

Mr Irvine outlined the various products manufactured by Zoetis, including Cydectin 10% LA injection which offers season-long treatment and protection against mixed infestations of gastrointestinal and respiratory nematodes and certain arthropod parasites.

Cydectin 0.5% pour on is also used to treat and control gastrointestinal roundworms and lung worm, as well as warbles and mange mites.

Spot On is a widely recognised insecticide for use on cattle and sheep; while Flectron ear tags for cattle provide effective control against numerous species of nuisance flies.

Treasurer Leslie Weatherup delivered a comprehensive breakdown of the club’s healthy financial situation.

Reflecting on the clubs activities over the last twelve months Richard Rodgers said it was an honour to have served as chairman. “Members in Northern Ireland remain at the forefront of Simmental breeding in the UK. We are also immensely proud of our young members, who once again, excelled at the national stockjudging finals. William Ferguson from Stewartstown emerged as the overall winner, and joined forces with Andrew Clarke, Tynan, to claim the under 30 team award. Alice Stubbs from Irvinestown won second place in the under 21 individual competition. “

He continued:”Another highlight of 2014 was the club’s annual charity BBQ which raised a tremendous £11,000 for Friends of the Cancer Centre in Belfast. A special word of thanks to the Kelly family from Tempo who organised the raffle, and to everyone who supported our fund raising campaign.

“Finally, a big thank you to our sponsors for their generosity. Thanks also to the committee for its support, and I wish all club members success for the forthcoming show season and the year ahead.”

The election of office bearers was conducted by recently elected British Simmental Cattle Society representative Norman Robson from Doagh.

Richard Rodgers from the Hiltonstown Herd, Portglenone, was re-elected as chairman; while Matthew Cunning from the Point Farms Herd, Glarryford, was re-elected as vice chairman.

Leslie Weatherup, Lisglass Herd, Ballyclare, remains in the role of club treasurer; while Robin Boyd, Slievenagh Herd, Portglenone, retains his position as secretary.

The following members were elected to the committee: Keith Nelson, Scribby Farms Herd, Rosslea; Andrew Clarke, Breaghey Herd, Tynan; Joe Wilson, Ballinlare Farm Herd, Newry; Mrs Thelma Gorman, Woodford Herd, Armagh; David Hazelton, Ranfurly Herd, Dungannon; Chris Traynor, Kilmore Herd, Armagh; Nigel Glasgow, Bridgewater Farm Herd, Cookstown; and Conrad Fegan, Knockreagh Herd, Rostrevor.

The committee also includes regional society council representatives Norman Robson, Kilbride Farm Herd, Doagh; Robert Rodgers, Hiltonstown Herd, Portglenone; and Robin Boyd.

Forthcoming club events include:

Wednesday 27th May – Evening show and sale of pedigree and commercial Simmental cattle, Ballymena Mart – show 5.00pn, sale at 7.00pm.

Saturday 6th June – Woodcraft Kitchens (Kilrea) Junior Heifer Derby, open to heifers born in 2014, Lurgan Show.

Monday 6th July – Junior stockjudging competition at Weatherup family’s Lisglass Herd, 48 Lisglass Road, Irish Hill, Ballyclare, Co Antrim – 7.30pm.

Wednesday 5th August – Final of the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year Competition, and presentation of the Danske Bank Male and Female of the Year Awards, Enniskillen Show.

Friday 7th August – Annual charity BBQ in aid of Southern Area Hospice in Newry, at Dungannon Rugby Club – 7.30pm.

Saturday 5th September – 45th Anniversary Elite Female Show and Sale, Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Anyone interested in joining the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club should contact secretary Robin Boyd on mobile: 07799 346784.

Dirnanean Simmental Dispersal Announcement

by Iain | May 28, 2015 | Uncategorised

On February 23, 2015 ·

One of the longest established and most successful Simmental herds in the UK is to be dispersed on Saturday, September 12th at United Auctions’ Stirling Agricultural Centre.

Finlay McGowan’s Dirnanean herd based by Blairgowrie is famous for consistently producing bulls, which have appealed to both commercial and pedigree breeders.

Bulls have always been produced naturally with performance and fertility the top priority.  Sires, which have been influential in the herd, include Stuartslaw Joseph, Arkmill Franklyn and the imported Canadian bull AWL Polar.

Dirnanean has produced three record-priced bulls – Nugget, Typhoon and Bradley.

Included in the sale will be 66 cows with calves at foot/in calf along with in calf heifers and maiden heifers, two stock bulls and some semen.

Mr McGowan said: “Over 43 years Judy and I have built up a herd we are proud of. We have had a fair bit of success along the way, a lot of fun and made some very good Simmental friends all around the world.

“It is now time for Neil to put his mark on the Simmental breed and he has recently established his own Incheoch herd based on the five oldest cows and the youngest half of the 2014 born heifers from the Dirnanean herd. All other females will be offered at the sale. We hope that the next generation of McGowans have as much pleasure and success as we have had.”

David Leggat, Executive Chairman of United Auctions said: “We’re delighted to conduct this prestigious sale. For more than four decades Finlay and Judy McGowan have been pioneers within the breed.  Their focus has always been on genetics to suit the current market and high performing Dirnanean bred cattle have also enjoyed success in the show ring.

Lurgan Show venue for Simmental heifer derby

by Iain | May 11, 2015 | Uncategorised

Members of the Northern Ireland Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club are reminded that the 2015 Junior Heifer Derby, sponsored by Woodcraft Kitchens (Kilrea), takes place at Lurgan Show on Saturday, 6th June.

Open to heifers born in 2014, the Junior Heifer Derby carries at total prize fund of £350, and will be judged by RUAS president and breed stalwart Billy Robson OBE, from the noted Kilbride Farm Herd based at Doagh, County Antrim.

The schedule for Lurgan’s 103rd show includes a variety of classes for Simmental cows, heifers, bulls, and is also a qualifier for the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year competition. The event is a points show for the Danske Bank Male and Female of the Year Awards.

The County Armagh venue is also staging a class for Simmental young handlers, and is inviting entries for calves under one-year-old, and an exhibitor-bred calf under six-months-of-age.

Entries close on Saturday, 23rd May.

For further information download a schedule and entry form from the show’s website: www.lurganshow.co.uk, or contact cattle section secretary Sandra Byrne on tel: 028 9153 2417.