Cream of Ulster Angus herds revealed

Results are hot off the press for the 2010 Northern Bank Herds competition ran by the Northern Ireland Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Club, where the quality of stock was described as “simply outstanding”.

Master judge was well known breeder John Coultrip who runs the Wingfield herd in Kent. Highly qualified for the job, John is a past President of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and has judged the length and breadth of the country including the Royal Highland Show earlier this year.

The Small herds category features entries form breeders with up to nine breeding females. Topping the section here was Augher-based breeder Margaret Buchanan who runs the highly successful Sess herd. Adding his congratulations at the recent barbecue held at Dungannon Rugby Club was Leo Colgan Agri Business Manager for the Northern Bank, Magherafelt.

Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt presents an award to Margaret Buchanan, Augher owner of the Best Small Herd

Runner up in the Small Herd Section of the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herds Competition was the herd of Gary Hanna from Ballyclare who is pictured receiving his award from Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt and his wife Nikki. Looking on is Robin Lamb, Chairman, N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club.

Trevor Wallace, Dromore secured second place with his recently established Taughblane herd with well known breeder Robert Campbell featuring in third place with his Lister herd based at Seaforde, Co Down.

The herd of Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge won the award for the Best Medium Herd

There was stiff competition in the Medium herds section with a large entry from all six counties. Judge John Coultrip selected Alan and Naomi Morrison with the top honours here with their Drummeer herd at Maguiresbrisge.

The herd of Robert Suffern and son Keith from Maghera came runner up in the Medium Herd section and won the cup for the Best Stock Bull in the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd Competition. The prizes were presented at the Club's Annual Barbecue in Dungannon by John Coultrip, Kent, front left, Judge and Leo Colgan, rear left, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt, Sponsors.

Robert Sufferin featured in second place with his Tattymullan herd which was formed in 2004. Third place in the Medium section was Sidney Cromie, Banbridge with his 2009 formed Prospect herd.

Alwyn and Carol Armour gained first place in the Large herds section with their Woodvale prefix. This is a consistent prize winning herd that features regularly in the Annual Herds competition.

Neville and Ivan Forsythe's Moneymore herd came second in the Large Herd section and they won the cup for the Best Cow Family in the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd Competition. The prizes were presented at the Club's Annual Barbecue in Dungannon. Included are back from left: John Coultrip, Kent, Judge of the competition; Ivan and Neville Forsythe and Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt, Sponsors. Front: Claire Forsythe, Dianne Forsythe and Demi Clarke, Moneymore.

Ivan and Neville Forsythe were in second place with their Coltrim herd,  followed by first time entrants Alastair and Nancy Hall who chalked up third place with their Beechview herd which is situated just outside Antrim.

The coveted “Best Cow Family” was awarded to Ian and Neville Forsythe with their terrific Ivanna family which was described by John Coultrip as “outstanding”. This is one of the most hotly contested parts of the competition as it represents years of successful breeding to produce quality females and uniformity within the herd.

Robert Sufferin was delighted to win the “Best Stock Bull” prize for his highly regarded Ladeside Erin Z015. Sired by Tui Eriexis, this bull is already pleasing with progeny on the ground.

The final award of the evening was for the “Best Calf”. John Coultrip described this as the hardest part of the competition to place as there were so many exciting prospects in the herds that he visited. Claiming top prize here was the Woodvale herd of Alwyn and Carol Armour with Woodvale Kool Papa. This bull calf has a terminal index of +32 and a self replacing index of +45.

Robin Lamb, Chairman of the NI Aberdeen-Angus Club congratulated breeder’s on their success at the Annual Herds Competition, and to the Northern Bank for their generosity in their sponsorship of this important event in the Club’s calender. He went on to thank Mr Coultrip for acting as master judge and commended him on the efficiency with which he under took his task.