The 180- cow Simlahill herd owned by Nicholas McCann, and father Jim, from Bangor, was crowned ‘cream of crop’ in Holstein NI’s annual herds inspection competition sponsored by Ulster Bank.

 

This is the second time in three years that the County Down-based herd has risen to the top of the Holstein premiership in Northern Ireland.

Founded in 1990 the Simlahill prefix has been developed with strong emphasis on type and longevity, and prolific cow families include Danoise, Georgina, Oralie and Willow. AI is used exclusively across the herd, with sires such as Windbrook, Doorman, Dempsey and Picston Shottle featuring in the breeding policy.

Milked twice daily, the herd boosts a 305-day average of 10,600kgs per cow at 3.92% butterfat and 3.24% protein. The Simlahill herd is one of the top classified herds in the British Isles, and recently received a Master Breeder accolade from Holstein UK. Current classifications include 68 EX and 80 VG animals, with the reminder of the herd ranked as Good Plus.

Speaking at the presentation of awards, Welsh judge Michael George described the Simlahill herd as incredible. ”This herd oozes quality and consistency throughout. The cows are all of a similar type, with large frames, dairy character and super udders.”

Mr George who runs the noted 1,200-cow Brynhyfryd herd in Harverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, was on his second visit to Northern Ireland in six weeks. “I judged Balmoral Show in May, and it is an honour to be back judging the herds inspection competition.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself and the hospitality has been excellent. Every herd I visited had a lot to offer, and I’ve seen some great individual cows and heifers. The competition was very close in all of the categories.”

The Ulster Bank-sponsored herds inspection competition continues to attract an unprecedented number of entrants annually. This year separate judges were appointed for each category of the competition – junior, senior and premier herds.

The junior section was judged by Jim Morrison from the Inch herd in Downpatrick. He was well qualified for the role, as the Inch prefix won the premier section six times during the 1990s and early 2000s. The Inch prefix is the only herd to have won the UK award twice in succession (2002 and 2003).

“During my four-day judging stint I saw over 4,000 cows, and visited some excellent family farms. I was very impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the younger breeders, and this bodes well for the future of the Holstein breed in Northern Ireland.”

Jim Morrison continued: ”I was looking for a balanced herd, and dairy cows with sound locomotion, good udders and the ability to produce milk.”

Officiating in the senior section was Brian Mawhinney from the noted Laurelhill herd at Doagh, Ballyclare. He thanked the entrants for their hospitality, and praised the quality of the herds he had visited during his whistle-stop tour of the province.

“I was particularly impressed with the Dillon herd, winner of the large herd category. This is a massive herd, consistent throughout, and a credit to brothers Noel and Trevor Muldrew. “

Ulster Bank’s Cormac McKervey said he was delighted to be associated with the competition. He congratulated the winners and said:” Dairy farmers are a credit to the industry, and are the powerhouse of the economy in Northern Ireland.”

Concluding, club chairman Gaston Wallace thanked the judges and presented them with a token of the club’s appreciation. He also thanked Ulster Bank for its continued financial support; and the Perry family – Austin, David and Beatrice, who hosted the farm walk and awards presentation evening at their Killane herd, Ahoghill.

Around 200 people attended the event, and the refreshments were generously sponsored by Devenish Nutrition.

 

Junior Herds Competition Results:

Best small herd

 1^st  Ivor Bloomfield, Moneyquin, Armagh

2^nd  Richard Charles, Beltonanean, Cookstown

3^rd John Berry, Skybrook, Armagh.

Best medium herd

1^st Mervyn McGimpsey, Towerview, Newtownards

2^nd David McNaugher, Mullagher, Aghadowey

3^rd T and P Dunn, Dunbanard, Bangor.

Best large herd

1^st Martin Millar, Millars, Coleraine

2^nd Bolton Bros, Carrickfarm, Maghera

3^rd W Gordon, Annalong, Annalong.

Best heifer

1^st Martin Millar, Millars Alexander Maeve

2^nd S and J Lyons, Skerryview Rev Lamona

3^rd Bolton Bros, Carrickfarm Glen Belle.

Best exhibitor-bred heifer

1^st Martin Millar, Millars Alexander Maeve

2^nd S and J Lyons, Skerryview Rev Lamona

3^rd Bolton Bros, Carrickfarm Glen Belle.

Best junior cow

1^st Bolton Bros, Carrickfarm Lewis Amey

2^nd Martin Millar, Willsbro Allen Maeve

3^rd T and P Dunn, Dunbanard D Damion Julie 2.

Best senior cow

1^st Richard Charles, Beltonanean Duplex Rosanne

2^nd Conor Casey, Carnhill Shottle J Erma

3^rd Mervyn McGimpsey, Towerview Lucente Flower 27.

Best exhibitor-bred cow

1^st Richard Charles, Beltonanean Duplex Rosanne

2^nd Conor Casey, Carnhill Shottle J Erma

3^rd Bolton Bros, Carrickfarm Lewis Amey

Best cow family

1^st Richard Charles, Roxanne

2^nd Conor Casey, Erma

3^rd S and J Lyons, Solace.

Best bull progeny group

1^st Bolton Bros, Regancrest Mr Drham Sam

2^nd G and M O’Hagan, Bavan Klumper

3^rd Denis Foreman, Joylan Gladiator 3.

Senior Herds Competition Results:

Best small herd

1^st Kenneth Totten, Glenbank, Glenavy

2^nd William Hunter, Lisnacloon, Castlederg

3^rd Andrew Magowan, Bannwater, Rathfriland.

Best medium herd

1^st Denis and Mark Belock, Ivy, Crumlin

2^nd Dermot Johnston, Deona, Magherafelt

3^rd John Patterson and Sons, Ballyginniff, Crumlin.

Best large herd

1^st Noel and Trevor Muldrew, Dillon, Armagh

2^nd Gaston and John Wallace, Printshop, Nutt’s Corner

3^rd W Morrow, Harmonyhill, Newtownards.

Best heifer

1^st Gaston and John Wallace, Printshop Ross Gillian

2^nd John Patterson and Sons, Ballyginniff Windbrook Cindy 2;

3^rd WT Morrow, Harmonyhill Stanleycup Lavender.

Best exhibitor-bred heifer

1^st Gaston and John Wallace, Printshop Ross Gillian

2^nd John Patterson and Sons, Ballyginniff Windbrook Cindy 2

3^rd W Morrow, Harmonyhill Stanleycup Lavender.

Best junior cow

1^st Gaston and John Wallace, Printshop Ferrari Belle

2^nd John Patterson and Sons, Ballyginniff Goldwyn Cindy 2

3^rd Kenneth Totten, Glenbank Shottle Diane.

 Best senior cow

1^st Noel and Trevor Muldrew, Dillon Leader Dreamgirl

2^nd Denis and Mark Belock, Ivy Kian Ruby

3^rd Dermot Johnston, Deona Jurmel Roxy.

Best exhibitor-bred cow

1^st Noel and Trevor Muldrew, Dillon Leader Dreamgirl

2^nd Denis and Mark Blelack, Ivy Kian Ruby

3^rd Gaston and John Wallace, Printshop Ferrari Belle.

Best cow family

1^st William Hunter, Amy

2^nd Andrew Magowan, Sheba

3^rd Kenneth Totten, Joanna.

Best bull progeny group

1^st Kenneth Totten, Picston Shottle

2^nd Dermot Johnston, Picston Shottle

3^rd John Patterson and Sons, Braedale Goldwyn.

Premier Herds Competition Results:

Best small herd

1^st David and Austin Perry, Killane, Ahoghill

2^nd Ian and Kenny Watson, Majestic, Coleraine

3^rd Iain and Joyce McLean, Priestland, Bushmills.

Best medium herd

1^st Jim and Nicholas McCann, Simlahill, Bangor

2^nd Lewis McMurray and Sons, Matfield, Banbridge

3^rd Wallace Gregg, Frocess, Cloughmills.

Best large herd

1^st Harry Patton and Sons, Ards, Newtownards

2^nd Desi and Gary Reid, Drumbo, Lisburn

3^rd David and Alan Wallace, Abercorn, Antrim.

Best heifer

1^st H Patton and Sons, Ards Atwood Lou Ella

2^nd Jim and Nicholas McCann, Simlahill Fever Dora

3^rd Lewis McMurray and Sons, Matfield Charmer

Best exhibitor-bred heifer

1^st H Patton and Sons, Ards Atwood Lou Ella

2^nd Jim and Nicholas McCann, Simlahill Fever Dora

3^rd Lewis McMurray and Sons, Matfield Charmer

Best junior cow

1^st Lewis McMurray and Sons, Willsbro Sanchez Hazel

2^nd Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Ellrod R Ruth

3^rd Norman McCollum, Bellemont Matson Kath

Best senior cow

1^st Jim and Nicholas McCann, Simlahill Outside Dallas

2^nd S Haffey and Sons, Kilvergan Shottle Bessie

3^rd Norman McCollum, Bellemont Baxter Phyl

Best exhibitor-bred cow

1^st Jim and Nicholas McCann, Simlahill Outside Dallas

2^nd Harry Patton and Sons, Ards Ellrod R Ruth

3^rd Norman McCollum, Bellemont Matson Kath

Best cow family

1^st Harry Patton and Sons, Rosita

2^nd Alan Patterson, Zwartina

3^rd Lewis McMurray and Sons, Melanie

Best bull progeny group

1^st S Haffey and Sons, Picston Shottle

2^nd Jim and Nicholas McCann, Picston Shottle

3^rd Norman McCollum, Regancrest Altaiota