With a bumper entry of over 80 calves and an array of championships up for grabs, the competition was fierce as once again exhibitors raised the bar in terms of quantity and quality at the NI Aberdeen-Angus Annual Calf Show.

The first classes of the day were the Young Handlers categories which saw a red rosette for the 10-12 year olds going to young Sam Matchett, Portadown. The 13-17 year old were led by Jack Smyth, Strabane and Richard McKeown, Templepatrick took top honours in the hotly contended 18-25 year olds.

Winner of the first young handlers class Sam Matchett

Winner of the 13-17 year old young handlers class was Jack Smyth

Senior winner was Richard McKeown

It was clear to see that there is plenty of young talent coming on within the Club, and judge Wendy Willox, Aberdeenshire, commented on how high the standard was throughout all three Young Handlers sections.

It was down to business then as the first of the pedigree classes entered the ring. Standing at the head of the line, and later securing the Yearling Heifer Championship was Friarstown Elba H108 exhibited by Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge. This was a super September 2008-born Dalrene Cruz daughter out of a Youngdale Touchdown dam.

Club Chairman Alan Morrison won the John Thompson & Sons Ltd Yearling Heifer Championship with Friarstown Elba H108.

Securing Reserve Championship in the Yearling Heifer section were Sarah & Sam Matchett, Portadown with their September 2008 born entry Carbery Ebony (IMP).

Reserve Yearling Heifer was Carbery Ebony (IMP) brought out by brother and sister team Sam and Sarah Matchett, Portadown. This entry has a blend of Coneyisland Legend and Galcantry Preditor in her pedigree.

It was two in a row for club chairman Alan Morrison, as his Drummeer herd collected the Yearling Bull Championship with the Nakkeg son Dariada Thadeus H549.

Scooping the Yearling Bull Championship at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club Calf Show was Dariada Thadeus H549 exhibited by Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge.

Robert Steenson, Killylea was placed Reserve Champion Yearling Bull with his homebred entry Cavanbellaghy Eric H516.

Hot on his heels in this section was Irish Association President Robert Steenson with Cavanbellaghy Eric H516 sired by Liss Bonny Man F707.

The Heifer Calf Championship was awarded to Knockadrina Bell J460 from the Matchett team. This heifer earned much acclaim earlier in the show season when she was placed Supreme Breed Champion at Clogher Show, and later on the same day lifted the Interbreed title.

The Heifer Calf Championship was won by the highly regarded Knockadrina Bell J460 owned by Sarah & Sam Matchett, Portadown.

Stanley Smith travelled from Florencecourt to collect Reserve Champion Heifer Calf with his April 2009 born twin Allwood Pepsi J261.

Standing in the Reserve position in this championship was the very correct Allwood Pepsi J261 show by Stanley Smith, Fivemiletown. This is a twin daughter of the noted Fordel Eisenhower.

Sarah & Sam Matchett enjoyed more success with Carrigroe Fred (IMP) who took the bull calf championship.

Back in the ribbons, and enjoying their most successful outing to date were Sarah and Sam Matchett with Carrigroe Fred (IMP) who was placed Bull Calf Champion.

Runner Up in the Bull Calf Championship was Coolermoney Rochester J955 from the Strabane based herd of Adrian Parke.

Adrian Parke brought out Coolermoney Rochester J955 to secure a first prize on route to Reserve Bull Calf Champion.

The youngest bull calf class was led by John Robson, Augher with Glenhoy Limitless J167, sired by BJ’S No Limits (A) (IMP).

Commercial classes were introduced this year for the first time, and these were well supported with top notch Angus sired stock. Proving hard to keep down in this category was James Alexander, Toomebridge, who has enjoyed tremendous success this season.

The Commercial Championship was awarded to James Alexander, Toombridge for Jalex Black Beauty 4 sired by Lisduff Duke.

The Jalex herd continued their winning ways with a flashy daughter of Lisduff Duke who was awarded Commercial Champion. A daughter of Cheeklaw Eirwyn was pulled in Reserve Champion for Sarah and Sam Matchett.

The final competition of the day was the Pair of Calves born in 2009 from one exhibitor. There was a large entry forward in this class with the overall award going to Adrian Parke, Strabane with his well matched bull and heifer calf combination from his Coolermoney herd.

Wendy Willox, judge at the NI Aberdeen Angus Calf Show presents the trophy for the best pair of calves born in 2009 from one exhibitor to Adrian Parke, Strabane. At the halters are Gemma Snodgrass and Graeme Parke.

Alan Morrison, Club Chairman thanked Wendy Willox for performing her task as judge with such skill and expertise, and also George & Dorothy Wylie for kindly allowing the use of their premises. “We are indebted to our judge, the Wylie Family and all of our sponsors and supporters who have ensured that our Annual Calf Show was such a success.”

David Weir and some of his Aberdeen-Angus sired calves

The Weir family farm based on the outskirts of Dungannon, County Tyrone, is home to more than 100 suckler cows and followers. Recent times saw the farm purchase Aberdeen-Angus bulls, and as David Weir explained it makes perfect sense.

“Since opening our butchers shop three years ago we have seen for ourselves the overwhelming demand for Aberdeen-Angus beef across the counter. Customers often ask specifically for it as they are highly impressed with the mouth watering flavour and texture.”

The decision to run two black bulls was an easy one to make as there is a definite shortage of commercial Aberdeen Angus cattle in Northern Ireland, adds Mr Weir. “It is very difficult to source any volume of commercial Angus out of a certified bull.”

Mr Weir has also found that Aberdeen-Angus sired calves are quick to get to their feet and suckle. “They are grass fed until weaning. This is a tremendous bonus that they do not require additional feeding by way of concentrate. The cost of meal has increased dramatically in recent times, and since using the Aberdeen Angus bulls we have found that our bills have actually reduced. When the calves are weaned they receive a crimped wheat meal ratio made up from wheat grown on the farm.”

A typical Aberdeen-angus sired calves off one of the herd's suckler cows

An added plus point of the breed, which is clearly evident on the Weir farm, is the ability to finish beef earlier than many other Continental breeds.”We have found we can produce well finished steers and heifers at about 15 months of age which again has had a positive impact on our overheads”

Aberdeen-Angus sirloin steaks

The finished product is sold over the counter at the busy butchers shop that he runs in partnership with son in law Clayton Moore. M&W Meats opened the doors for business in September 2006, and have since enjoyed tremendous success building a reputation for selling consistently good produce. The shop, which is based at Scotch Street, Moy Road, Portadown now supplies over a dozen retailers right throughout the district in addition to a busy over the counter trade.

Breeder Robin Lamb with Clayton Moore and David Weir

Mr Moore explains:”M&W Meats has grown from strength to strength as the word has spread that we don’t compromise on quality. We are proud of the selection of beef, chicken and pork products that we can offer consumers, in addition to a full range of cooked and ready for the oven dishes. Beef is hung for a minimum of 21 days to ensure that the flavour is just right for our customers – and they tell us they have never tasted better!”