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Northern Ireland Calf Show

A fantastic event with keen and enthusiastic kids was how Scottish judge Colin Laird described the Northern Ireland Holstein Young Breeders’ Club Calf Show, held at Moira.
 
“This is my first time judging in Northern Ireland,”said Colin from the noted 600-cow Blythbridge Herd based at West Linton in Peeblesshire. “The classes have been well supported and the standard has been excellent throughout the day.”
 
He awarded the supreme overall championship to the October 2013 born Ards Atwood Ashlyn bred and exhibited by the Patton family from Newtownards, County Down. Sired by the high type Maple Downs IGW Atwood, she is bred from Lomond Damion Ashlyn EX92 –purchased at the Carlisle Black and White Sale in 2009, this cow gave almost 11,000kgs at 3.9% butterfat and 3.57% protein in her second lactation.
 
“The champion is well balanced, very dairy and has great legs and feet,” said the judge, who found his reserve champion in the same class.
 
The October 2013 born Mostragee Silver Invite was bred by the Henry Family, Tommy, Heather, Mark, Lauren and Ellie from Stranocum, County Antrim. She was sired by Sandy Valley Alta Silver, and is out of the home-bred Mostragee Gonzales Invite EX91 – one of 180 cows in the herd. This calf is no stranger to the show ring, having won her class at Ballymena, Ballymoney and Antrim.
 
Colin Laird added:”The reserve champion is a powerful heifer with great depth and spring of rib.”
 
Claiming the day’s honourable mention award was Priestland 5564 Fever Farrah. Sired by Crackholm Fever, she was bred by Iain and Joyce McLean and family from Bushmills, and purchased privately by David Buchanan for his Happy Holsteins Herd at Newry, County Down.
 
“This is another big heifer with great dairy character, and a very stylish head and neck. The top calves in each class could compete successfully anywhere in the UK,” said Colin.
 
Top honours in the showmanship section went to the junior class winner Desmond McCorry from Aghalee, County Antrim. Colin Laird added:”I couldn’t find fault with his handling skills. Desmond knew exactly what he was doing and flowed well with his calf.”
 
Runner-up was north Antrim HYB member Mark Henry, winner of the senior showmanship class.”He is another skilled and experienced handler.”
 
The HYB members who qualified to represent Northern Ireland at the forthcoming All-Britain Calf Show include: Desmond McCorry, Mark Henry, Lauren Henry, Stranocum, and Carolyn Wilson, Newtownabbey.
 
HYB co-ordinator Andrew Kennedy commented:”The calf show continues to grow from strength-to-strength. We attracted more than 130 entries, and I am delighted to see such a large turnout of members, many of whom are first-time exhibitors.”
 
The Northern Ireland HYB is indebted to its sponsors for their continued support: Genus ABS, John Thompson and Sons Ltd, Western Farm Enterprises and Farm Wardrobe. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the day.
 

Showmanship Results

Novice handler, under eight years old

1st  John Hamilton, Bangor

2nd James Patton, Carrowdore

3rd Oliver Patton, Carrowdore

Junior handler, aged 8 to 12 years old

1st Desmond McCorry, Aghalee

2nd Brian Weatherup, Carrickfergus

3rd Rachel Corley, Monaghan

Intermediate handler, aged 13 to 15 years old

1st Lauren Henry, Stranocum

2nd Matthew McLean, Bushmills

3rd Ellie McLean, Bushmills.

Senior handler, aged 16 to 20 years old 

1st Mark Henry, Stranocum

2nd Heather Martin, Newtownards

3rd David McAllister, Bushmills

Mature handler, aged 21 to 26 years old

1st Carolyn Wilson, Newtownabbey

2nd Kate McCormick, Bangor

3rd William Bolton, Maghera
 

Calf Class Results

Heifer, born on or after 01.02.14

1st  and exhibitor-bred award, Harry Patton and Sons’ Ards Diamond Barbie by Seagull Bay Diamond

2nd Sam and John McCormick’s Hilltara McCutcheon Apple 2 by De-Su BKM McCutcheon

3rd Henry Family’s Mostragee Frankie Ellie by Mostragee Frankie

Heifer, born between 01.12.13 and 31.01.14

1st and exhibitor-bred award, McLean Family’s Priestland 5615 Fever Dellia by Crackholm Fever

2nd McLean Family’s Priestland 5612 Atwood Sizzle by Maple Downs IGM Atwood

3rd Henry Family’s Mostragee Oak Ambrosia by Pinetree Alta Oak

Heifer, born between 01.10.13 and 30.11.14

1st and exhibitor-bred award, Harry Patton and Sons’s Ards Atwood Ashlyn by Maple Downs IGW Atwood

2nd Henry Family’s Mostragee Silver Invite by Sandy Valley Alta Silver

3rd Conor Mc.Aufield’s Clonpaddin Goldchip Fame by Mr Chassity Goldchip.

Heifer, born between 01.08.13 and 30.09.13

1st David Buchanan’s Priestland 5564 Fever Farrah by Crackholm Fever

2nd and exhibitor-bred award, Sam and John McCormick’s Hilltara Dempsey Meggie by Lirr-Drew Dempsey

3rd Lindsay Fleming’s Kepculloch Alexander Darlene by Golden Oaks ST Alexander.

Heifer, born between 01.06.13 and 31.07.13

1st and exhibitor-bred award, Sam and John McCormick’s Hilltara Dempsey Maude by Lirr-Drew Dempsey

2nd McLean Family’s Priestland 5555 Fever Melissa by Crackholm Fever

3rd S and J Lyons’ Skerryview Dusk Sara by Scientific SS Dusk.

Heifer, born between 01.04.13 and 31.05.13

1st  A and J McAuley’s Bushmills, Peak Ace Sexy by Sterndale Ace.