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Simmental Judges Out in Force at Slievenagh Herd

by | Jun 4, 2012


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Breeders were out in force at the NI Simmental Club’s annual stockjudging competition, hosted recently by the Boyd Family’s noted Slievenagh herd based at Portglenone, County Antrim on Monday, June 4, 2012.

Club chairman Nigel Glasgow welcomed everyone and said he was delighted to see such an excellent turnout of members and their families.

Novice and experienced judges put their skills to the test by placing four classes of animals – cows, two-year-old heifers, yearling heifers and junior bulls.

Master judge for the evening was John Moore who runs the well-known Omorga herd at Beragh in County Tyrone. “There were quality animals in each class which made them difficult to place, so tonight’s exercise wasn’t a simple one. Even the most experienced judges would have found these classes challenging.”

Sean Burns, Rathfriland, and Chris Traynor, Armagh, were among the competitors at the NI Simmental Club's annual stockjudging competition, held at Portglenone.

Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare, and Christopher Boyd, Portgleone, won the 21 to 30-years section. Adding his congratulations is master judge John Moore, Beragh

Michael Robson, Doagh, and Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart, were the top placed competitors in the open section. Included are master judge, John Moore, Beragh, and Nigel Glasgow, chairman.

Club chairman Nigel Glasgow, congratulates junior section prize winners, Jamie Boyd, Portglenone, and Alan Burleigh, Florencecourt, joint first; and Andrew Clarke, Armagh, and Shane McDonald, Tempo, joint second.

Master judge John Moore, Beragh, and club treasurer Leslie Weatherup, Ballyclare.

Kenneth Stubbs, Irvinestown, and David Hazelton, Dungannon, pictured at the NI Simmental Club's annual stockjudging competition, Portglenone.

Fermanagh men Andrew Burleigh, Florencecourt; Robert Forde, Tempo, and Alan Burleigh, Florencecourt.

Pictured at the annual stockjudging competition, are from left: Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare; Andrew Hanna, Irvinestown; and David Farrell, Lisbellaw.

Charlie Cunning, Glarryford, was one of the youngest competitors.

NI Simmental club vice-chairman Richard Rodgers, Portglenone, and Matthew Cunning. Glarryford.

Hosts Robin and Darla Boyd, Slievenagh Herd, Portglenone, receive a token of the club's appreciation from Nigel Glasgow, left, chairman; and master judge, John Moore, Beragh.

NI Simmental Club's Young Members' Association co-ordinator Zara Stubbs, Irvinestown.

 John Moore announced the results of each class, before the highest placed competitors in each section were revealed.

The winners included:

Junior (under 21) – 1, Jamie Boyd, Portglenone and Alan Burleigh, Florencecourt; 2, Shane McDonald, Tempo and Andrew Clarke, Tynan.

Junior (21 to 30-years-old ) – 1, Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare; 2, Christopher Boyd, Portglenone.

Open class – 1, Michael Robson, Doagh; 2, Cecil McIlwaine, Newtownstewart; 3, Nigel Glasgow, Cookstown.

Nigel Glasgow congratulated the winners and thanked the Boyd family for their warm welcome and excellent hospitality. “Thanks also to Darla Boyd and the ladies who provided and served the beautiful supper.”

“Tonight has provided us all with an excellent opportunity to get together socially, test our judging skills, and view the renowned Slievenagh Herd.”

“On a more serious note, the event has also enabled us to select two teams of junior judges to represent Northern Ireland at the Simmental Young Members’ Association national stockjudging finals which take place at the East of England Show, near Peterborough, on July 6 to 8.

“Thanks to Merial Animal Health for its continued sponsorship of our young judging teams. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the junior judges well for the national finals next month.”