Strong Simmental entry at inaugural pedigree calf fair

The inaugural Pedigree Calf Fair @ Beef NI Expo, held at the Balmoral Showgrounds in Belfast, was an unqualified success according to event organiser and Chairman David Connolly.

“We had a tremendous turnout of stock and visitors on the day,” he said.

“I had predicted beforehand that the event would represent a showcase for the pedigree beef champions of tomorrow. And given the views expressed by the judges, who were busy from 10.00am until 5.30pm on the day in question, this was undoubtedly the case.

David Connolly confirmed that the event will be repeated in 2016. “The initial feedback from exhibitors, sponsors, commercial trade and the paying public has been very positive. And, on that basis, we most certainly will look at hosting a similar event next year.

The strong entry of Simmentals was judged by Scotsman Hector MacAskill from the noted Woodhall Herd based at Dunbar, East Lothian.

Taking the senior championship award was Lisglass Fortune, a fourteen-month-old bull from Leslie and Christopher Weatherup’s 35-cow herd at Ballyclare. He was sired by stock bull Dermotstown Delboy, and is bred from Lummin Bronte.

Runner-up was the yearling bull Drumlone Fabulous, a Carnkern Titan son, bred by Kenneth Veitch who runs 5 pedigree Simmental cows at Lisbellaw.

Brothers Shane and Paul McDonald, Tempo, secured the junior championship plaudits with their ten-month-old bull Coolcran Gladiator. He was sired by former stock bull Kilbride Farm Ahoghill, and is a full brother to the February 2014 Stirling intermediate champion Coolcran Dazzler sold for 7,000gns.

Standing reserve in the junior championship line-up was Cleenagh Good Girl, a nine-month-old Ashland Brandy daughter bred by Adrian Richardson from Maguiresbridge.  She was the winner of the Dale Cup at Enniskillen Show in August.

English breeder Lizzie Harding from the Hallway Herd was assisting the Ranfurly herd at the show. She was placed second in the class for young handlers aged 12 to 14-years-old.

Results from the judging ring include:

Bull, born between 01/09/14 and 31/12/14 – 1, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Lisglass Fortune; 2, Kenneth Veitch, Drumlone Fabulous; 3, John Moore, Omorga Falcon.

Heifer, born between 01/09/14 and 31/12/14 – 1, Duncan McDowell, Castlemount Bianca 2; Cecil McIlwaine, Corrick Faith; 3, Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Lisglass Fabulous.

Bull, born between 01/01/15 and 31/03/15 – 1, Shane and Paul McDonald, Coolcran Gladiator; 2, Pat and Frank Kelly, Ashland Google; 3, Noel Kilpatrick, Ballymoney Garfield.

Heifer, born between 01/01/15 and 31/03/15 – 1, Adrian Richardson, Cleenagh Good Girl; 2, Adrian Richardson, Cleenagh Glenda; 3, WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel 16th.

Bull, born after 01/04/15 – 1, Harold Stubbs and Alan Burleigh, Derrycallaghan Gambler; 2, Joe Wilson, Ballinlare Farm Goldenballs; 3, Ryan Gilmour, Gillview General.

Heifer, born after 01/04/15 – 1, WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Lady Diana 26th; 2, Andrew Patterson, Wilandale Glenda; 3, Duncan McDowell, Castlemount Chrissie 2.

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