Northern Ireland Holstein Club’s AGM saw Stuart Smith from the Prehen herd elected as chairman, while vice chairman is John Berry from the Skybrook herd.
The election of office bearers was conducted by Gary Watson from Dairy Herd Management, sponsor of the AGM. He congratulated Holstein NI on another successful year and highlighted the ongoing success of the NI Holstein Young Breeders’ Club.
Members elected to serve on the committee for a three-year term include: Jason Booth, Beechview Herd; Malcolm McLean, Relough Herd; Adam Watson, Derrydorragh Herd; Geoffrey Patton, Carrowcroft Herd and Sam Wadsworth, Glenwood Herd.
John Martin was re-elected as secretary/treasurer and Andrew Kennedy was re-elected as Holstein Young Breeders’ Club co-ordinator.
Club secretary and treasurer John Martin delivered a healthy financial report, while outgoing chairman Gaston Wallace gave a resume of the club’s activities throughout the past year.
Crystal awards were presented to members who had exhibited breed champions at provincial shows in 2014. They include: Balmoral Show, David and Kenny Boyd, Glaslough; Ballymena, Ballymoney, Omagh and Enniskillen Shows, Iain and Joyce McLean, Bushmills; Lurgan Show, Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown; Armagh and Clogher Shows, George and Jason Booth, Stewartstown; Newry Show, Steven Robinson, Crossgar; Castlewellan Show, the late Aubrey Patterson, Bangor; Saintfield Show, Tom McKnight, Lisburn; and Limavady/Londonderry Show, Cyril and Martin Millar, Coleraine.
Public relations officer and events co-ordinator Julie Wallace received the Club Award.
Guest speaker for the evening was Richard Pilkington from the 250-cow Aintree Herd based at Shordley Hall, Wrexham, North Wales.
Richard and his wife ,Ruth, farm a total of 850 acres and other enterprises on the farm include a flock of 650 ewes, 15 Red Devon suckler cows and a 15-stable horse livery business.
Innovation on the farm includes the use of solar panels, fans to circulate fresh air in the sheds, rumination collars on youngstock and the milking herd, ADF automatic cluster flush, automatic calf feeder and the use of a state-of-the-art calving sensor. Zero grazing has recently been introduced.
