‘IMPRESSIVE’ CHAMPIONS AT SIMMENTAL CALF SHOW

The inaugural Four Breed Calf Show has been hailed as a resounding success, by organisers, exhibitors, sponsors and spectators.

Supported by HVS Animal Health, Oddball Engineering and Dunbia, the multi-breed event featuring British Blue, British Blonde, Saler and Simmental entries, was held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.

The Simmental section dominated the one-day show with entries coming under the expert eye of breed society vice-president Norman Robson, from the noted 90-cow Kilbride Farm Herd based at Doagh, Ballyclare.

“It has been a great day, with a quality entry of calves in all classes. It was encouraging to see a number of new breeders taking part, and the calves were all well behaved which highlights the docile temperament of the breed.”

Leading the senior championship line-up was the much-admired heifer Ashland Topaz Lopez bred and exhibited by Pat and Frank Kelly from Tempo. This fourteen-month-old heifer was sired by the 14,000gns Saltire Impressive, and is out of a home-bred Ashland Brandy daughter – one of ten breeding females in the County Fermanagh herd.

Her dam, Ashland Topaz 2^nd also bred the first prize heifer Ashland Topaz Janet, sold at the NI Simmental Club’s sale in October 2019 to the Barlow family’s Denizes Herd in Lancashire.

Norman Robson said: This is an excellent heifer, and a tremendous example of the Simmental breed. She oozes style, breed character, and has great conformation. The senior champion is hard to fault, and is an easy winner!”

Runner-up in the senior championship line-up was the fourteen-month-old bull Lisglass Leo, bred by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare. Sired by Islavale Frontier, he is the first calf bred from Lisglass Iona – a daughter of the herd’s stock bull Dermotstown Delboy – 2014 and 2015 breed champion at Balmoral Show.  

“This is a fleshy young bull, well-muscled and very correct on his legs and feet,” commented the judge.

Claiming the day’s junior championship title was the ten-month-old bull Ballymoney Martin, bred in Noel and Mae Kilpatrick’s 16-cow herd at Banbridge. A son of the herd’s stock bull and AI sire Saltire Impressive, he is the fourth calf bred from the Sterling Dubai daughter Sterling Wenona’s Gold – purchased as an in-calf heifer at the Sterling dispersal sale in 2017.

Norman Robson added: ”The junior champion is a well-fleshed and muscly young bull, very correct and well-grown for his age“.

The reserve junior championship was secured by the January-born polled heifer Rehall Moneypenny, bred by William and Keith Stubbs, Irvinestown. A Curaheen Gunshot daughter, she is the third calf bred from the Keeldrum Clio daughter Rehall Holly.

“This is another stylish heifer, well-balanced, very feminine, with nice breed characteristics. She walks well on good legs and feet,” concluded Norman Robson.

First prize in the class for the best pair of calves went to the Wilson family’s Ballinalare Farm Herd based at Rathfriland. Their winning duo were the April born Camus Brandy daughter Ballinalare Farm Modesty, and the May born Ballinlare Farm Medusa by Ballinalare Farm Galaxy.

The NI Simmental Cattle Breeders’ Club would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the Four-Breed Calf Show, especially its sponsors, SFS Plastics, Bimeda, Agrimin and the British Simmental Cattle Society. Thanks also to judge Norman Robson, and the Wylie family for the use of the excellent facilities at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.

Results from the judging ring

Young Handler – 1, Thomas Mcalister; 2, Jason Little; 3, Erin Nelson.

Senior bull, born between 1/9/20 and 31/12/20 – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Lisglass Leo by Islavale Frontier; 2, Nigel Glasgow, Bridgewater Farm Linton by Islavale Frontier; 3, Nigel Glasgow, Bridgewater Farm London by Islavale Donald.

Senior heifer, born between 1/9/20 and 31/12/20 – 1, Pat and Frank Kelly, Ashland Topaz Lopez by Saltire Impressive; 2, Gareth Wilson, Raceview Mina Gretta by Kilbride Farm Delboy; 3, William and George Nelson, Drumacritten Lucy by Kilbride Farm Dragoon; David and Jonny Hazelton, Ranfurly Stella by Whitemire King Kong.

Junior bull, born on or after 1/1/21 – 1, Noel and Mae Kilpatrick, Ballymoney Martin by Saltire Impressive; 2, William Dodd, Craigy Max by Longbeach Darius; 3, William and Keith Stubbs, Rehall Moneymaker by Curaheen Gunshot; 4, Matthew Cunning, Pointfarms Mattie by Woodhall Invincible.

Junior heifer, born on or after 1/1/21 – 1, William and Keith Stubbs, Rehall Moneypenny by Curaheen Gunshot; 2, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Lisglass Marigold by Omorga Jaguar; 3, Chelsea Best, Clonguish Nova by Raceview King; 4, Andrew Clarke, Breaghey Veda M404 by Woodhall Ferrari.

Junior bull, born on or after 1/4/21 – 1, Christopher Quinn, Dunrock Mighty by Curaheen Bandit; 2, Ryan Gilmour, Gillview Major by Atlow Dixon.

Junior heifer, born on or after 1/4/21 – 1, William and Keith Stubbs, Rehall Mellissa by Derrough Samual; 2, Joe and Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Medusa by Ballinalare Farm Galaxy; 3, Keith and Andrea Nelson, Scibby Farms Molly by Atlow Dixon; 4, Keith and Andrea Nelson, Scribby Farms Matilda by Dermotstown Delboy.

Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, Joe and Alan Wilson, Ballinalare Farm Medusa and Ballinalare Farm Modesty; 2, William and Keith Stubbs, Rehall Moneypenny and Rehall Mellissa; 3, Nigel Glasgow, Bridgewater Farm London and Bridgewater Farm Linton.