Strong entries forward for annual NI calf show

The Northern Ireland Aberdeen-Angus Club’s 7^th annual calf show, held at Dungannon Farmers Mart, was hailed a huge success, attracting upwards of 100 entries from both novice and experienced breeders, as Julie Hazelton reports

Judging was in the capable hands of the husband and wife team Owen and Angela Armstrong McFadden who run the noted 50-cow Crerogue herd based at Navan in County Meath. They are no strangers to success on the Northern Ireland show circuit, having scooped the Aberdeen-Angus championship at Balmoral Show in 2010 and 2011 with their senior herd sire, Blelack Elijah – also crowned All-Ireland champion for two years in succession.

“Thanks to the NI Aberdeen Angus Club for inviting us to judge this year’s calf show. It has been a well organised event with strongly supported classes and an excellent standard of entries,” said Mrs Armstrong McFadden.

Scooping the yearling heifer championship was the much-admired Coolermoney Rachel K051 bred and exhibited by the father and son team of Adrian and Graeme Parke, who established their 8-cow herd at Strabane in 1994. Born in April 2010, she is by Nakkeg Nord and notched up five reserve supreme championship titles this year. She was also crowned heifer calf champion at last year’s calf show.

Runner-up in the yearling heifer line-up was the May 2010-born Knockadrinan Bell K496 shown by Sam and Sarah Matchett from Portadown. Bred by Tom Reynolds, Bornacoola, County Leitrim and sired by Knockadrinan Precise G398, she was the reserve heifer calf champion at last year’s event.

The Matchett brother and sister duo claimed a host of accolades at the one-day event, including the supreme and reserve titles in the bull calf championship, and the reserve commercial championship.

Their bull calf champion was the home-bred Birches Prince L967. This six-month-old entry is sired by the herd’s stock bull, Cloghogue Evolution – junior champion at Balmoral in 2009 and Ulster champion in 2010. Evolution was calf champion at Mullingar Show in 2008 and was purchased privately by the Matchett family – Nigel, Gail, Sarah and Sam, who run a herd of 10 breeding females.

Cloghogue Evolution also sired the reserve bull calf champion Birches Littleman L923. Born in March 2011, he won numerous first prizes at the provincial summer shows and was recipient of the best bull award at Enniskillen Show in August. His dam is the Lissard Mark daughter, Drumcrow Lima G266 – founder of the Birches herd in 2007.

The yearling bull championship was awarded to the March 2010-born Home Farm Ebony Ahead K894, stock bull in Joel Richardson’s pedigree and commercial herd based at Portadown. Sired by Rawburn Rommel E423 and bred by Fintan Keown, Belleek, this bull was champion at the National Bull Testing Centre at Tully in April when he purchased for 5100 Euro. He was another graduate from last year’s NI Aberdeen-Angus Club calf show, having won the reserve bull calf championship.

The reserve yearling bull champion was Eden Vale Valentino, a March 2010-born entry consigned by Mike Frazer of the Bruces Hill Cattle Co, Templepatrick . Valentino was sired by the herd’s stock bull, Clougher Enoch G524 – reserve male champion at Dungannon in April 2009 when he was purchased for an NI record of 7600gns. His dam, Skerrybrooke Vine G497 is one of 45 breeding females in the herd which was established in 2009.

A February 2011-born Bosullow Elmark G209 daughter forward from Robin Lamb and sons Stuart, Ben and Peter, from Richhill scooped the heifer calf championship. The home-bred Richhill Elba L596 won her class at Armagh and Clogher shows. Her dam, Fullam Elba D142, was purchased at the Friarstown reduction last year and is one of 30 cows in the herd which was founded 13 years ago.

Runner-up in the heifer calf championship was Ashvale Lady Jane L456, a four-month-old entry brought out by the father and son team of Andy and Richard McKeown, Templepatrick.  Sired by the herd’s stock bull, Woodvale Exclusive E141, she is bred from the Woodvale Roscoe Y054 daughter, Woodvale Lady Jane D942.

The award for the best pair of calves went to Adrian and Graeme Parke who exhibited ET-bred sisters by Coneyisland Legend. Standing in reserve place were two bull calves from the Glenhoy herd of John and Arvil Robson at Augher.

The commercial championship was awarded to the April 2010-born Bessiebell Nancy, a Mountjoy Pagan daughter bred from a Salers cross Angus dam, shown by Jack Smyth, Newtownstewart. Runner-up was Choccy Bear, a six-month-old steer by Ballyshannon Warner and out of a Limousin x Simmental dam, shown by the Matchett family.

NI Aberdeen-Angus Club chairman, John Blackburn was delighted with the success of the event. “We’ve had a very good show. The animals were well prepared and presented and are a credit to the breeders and exhibitors.

“Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our 2011 calf show, especially our sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible. Thanks also to our judges, stewards, commentator Maggie McQuiston and the Wylie family from Dungannon Farmers’ Mart for the use of the facilities and producing the catalogue.”

Sponsors of the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s 7^th annual calf show include: Ulster Livestock Care; ABP Newry; NFU Mutual (Portadown); WD Meats; Aberdeen Angus Quality Beef Ltd; Ulster Bank; Clogher Valley Cattle Breeding Services; Connolly’s Red Mills;  Fane Valley; Semex; Scotmin Nutrition Ltd; Western Farm Enterprises; Macknagh Mills Aberdeen Angus Herd; Hutchinsons Mill; Bann Farm Supplies; Natural Stockcare Ltd; Strabane Mills; M and W Meats, Portadown; Clogher Valley Meats; Equestrian and Farm Feeds, Lisburn; Gilbert Crawford, Maghera; and G Crawford and Son Quarry.

Results from the judging ring …..

Championships

Yearling heifer championship: Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rachel K051. Reserve: Sam and Sarah Matchett, Knockadrinan Bell K496.

Yearling bull championship: Joel Richardson, Home Farm Ebony Ahead K894. Reserve: Mike Frazer, Bruces Hill Cattle Co, Eden Vale Valentino K297.

Heifer calf championship: Robin Lamb, Richhill Elba by L596. Reserve: Andy and Richard McKeown, Ashvale Lady Jane L456.

Bull calf championship: Sam and Sarah Matchett, Birches Prince L967. Reserve: Sam and Sarah Matchett, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Birches Littleman L923.

Commercial champion: Jack Smyth, Bessiebell Nancy. Reserve: Sam and Sarah Matchett, Choccy Bear.

Classes

Junior handler, aged 8 to 13-years-old – 1, Sam Matchett, Portadown; 2, Sarah Matchett, Portadown; 3, Diane Forsythe, Moneymore; 4, Katie Browne, Fivemiletown; 5, Jake Robson, Augher; 6, Colm Keown, Belleek.

Intermediate handler, aged 14 to 18-years-old – 1, Jack Smyth, Newtownstewart; 2, Donal Keown, Belleek; 3, Claire Forsythe, Moneymore; 4, Nial Wallace, Florencecourt; 5, Sam Martin, Newtownards.

Senior handler, aged 19 to 24-years-old – 1, Peter Lamb, Richhill; 2, Fintan Keown, Belleek; 3, Graeme Parke, Strabane; 4, David Frazer, Ballyclare.

Senior yearling heifer, born between 10/03/10 and 25/04/10 – 1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Strabane, Coolermoney Rachel K051 by Nakkeg Nord 913; 2, Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge, Hillview Pretty Kelso K057 by Coneyisland Legend; 3, Robin Lamb, Richhill, Richhill Rosanna K412 by Richhill Dynasty; 4, Raymond Wallace, Florencecourt, Allwood Patience K283 by Fordel Eisenhower Y423.

Intermediate/junior yearling heifer, born between 01/05/10 and 07/10/10 – 1, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Portadown, Knockadrinan Bell K496 by Knockadrinan Precise G398; 2, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore, Coltrim Lady Jane K483 by Wedderlie Net Profit E916; 3, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rhona K095 by Laheens Eugene; 4, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Evana K516 by Wedderlie Net Profit E916.

Class results…..

Senior yearling bull, born between 01/03/10 and 30/03/10 – 1, Joel Richardson, Portadown,  Home Farm Ebony Ahead by Rawburn Rommel E423; 2, Mike Frazer, Bruces Hill Cattle Co, Templepatrick, Eden Vale Valentino K297 by Clougher Enoch G524.

Intermediate yearling/junior bull, born between 03/05/10 and 09/11/10 – 1, John and Avril Robson, Augher, Glenhoy Top Tiger K285 by HF Tiger 5T.

Senior heifer calf, born between 02/01/11 and 24/02/11 – 1, Robin Lamb, Richhill Elba L596 by Bosullow Elmark G209; 2, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Birches Lady Jane L912 by Cloghogue Evolution; 3,  Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge, Drummeer Beaty L335 by Young Dale Superior 14S; 4, Robert Sufferin, Maghera, Tamneymullan Joanna L792 by Baronagh Euro A043.

Intermediate heifer calf, born between 01/04/11 and 20/04/11 – 1, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Princess L682 by Kiltariff Dynamic D711; 2, Paul and Rory Baxter, Glenarm, Claudy Emer L913 by Auldhouseburn  Femdango E274; 3, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Diana L671 by Kiltariff Dynamic D711; 4. Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Ribbon L143 by Ankonian Elixir 100.

Junior and baby heifer calf, born between 02/06/11 and 09/07/11 – 1, Andy and Richard McKeown, Templepatrick, Ashvale LDY Jane L456 by Woodvale Exclusive E141; 2, Andy and Richard McKeown, Ashvale Millie L401 by Woodvale Exclusive E141; 3, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rosaleen L176 by Coneyisland Legend E112; 4, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rhoda L165 by Coneyisland Legend E112.

Senior bull calf, born between 08/02/11 and 23/02/11 – 1, Samuel and Timothy Scott, Newtownards, Drumawhey Ricardo L177 by Old Glenort Knockmore J153; 2, Robert Sufferin, Tamneymullan Juggernaut L803 by Oakchurch Dictator F031; 3, Samuel and Timothy Scott, Drumawhey Pansonic L181 by Old Glenort Knockmore J153; 4, Mike Frazer, Bruces Hill Cattle Co, Eden Vale Regis L126 by Balsar Buccaneer G037.

Intermediate bull calf, born between 03/03/11 and 29/04/11 – 1, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Birches Littleman L923 by Cloghogue Evolution; 2, Robert Suffern, Tamneymullan Ellerman L873 by Ladeside Erin Z015; 3, Drumawhey Proverb L262 by Old Glenort Knockmore J153; 4, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Birches Lord Henry L945 by Carrigroe Fred.

Junior bull, born between 03/05/11 and 15/06/11 – 1, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Birches Prince L967 by Cloghogue Evolution; 2, John and Avril Robson, Glenjoy Black Titan L447 by DBRL 03M Titan 4T; 3, John and Avril Robson, Glenhoy Quantum L425 by Netherallan Peter Pershore; 4, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rolf L187 by Coneyisland Legend E112.

Baby bull calf, born between 02/07/11 and 08/07/11 – 1, Andy and Richard McKeown, Ashvale Primetime L434 by Woodvale Exclusive E141; 2, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Birches Absolute Star L982 by Cloghogue Evoltuion; 3, Andy and Richard McKeown, Ashvale Duplicator L423 by Woodvale Exclusive E141.

Pair of calves born in 2011, owned by exhibitor -1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rhoda L163 and Coolermoney Rosaleen L176; 2, John and Avril Robson, Glenhoy Quantum L425 and Glenhoy Black Titan L447.

Commercial calf born in 2011, sired by a registered Aberdeen-Angus bull – 1, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Choccy Bear by Ballyshannon Warner; 2, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Swagger Jagger by Dalriada Thadeus H549; 3, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Pipa Middleton by Ballathie Kaiser H097; 4, Joel Richardson, Gibsonizer by Ballyshannon Warner.

Commercial heifer or steer born in 2010, sired by a registered Aberdeen-Angus bull – 1, Jack Smyth, Newtownstewart, Bessiebell Nancy by Mountjoy Pagan; 2, Sam and Sarah Matchett, Birches Blackstar By Homeville Bold; 3, James Alexander, Randalstown, Dark Desire by Ballyshannon Warner.