New generation of Hereford breeders make its mark at Balmoral
This was their first year exhibiting at the event in their own right. The winning animal, Tirelugan Lilly, is a home bred heifer with tremendous potential.
“She is coming up on two years old and is in calf to our stock bull Solpoll 1 Lone Ranger,” Paul confirmed.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“As a family we have been breeding Hereford cattle for almost 50 years. They are very quiet animals, easy calving and perform well at grass. The Hereford breed continues to grow in popularity, both from a pedigree and commercial perspective.
“Lone Ranger also performed very well for us today.”
Another young breeder who can look back at Balmoral Show 2016 with tremendous pride is Ciaran Kerr, from Lurgan in Co Armagh.
“His home bred heifer, Kinnego Loanin Lady, came runner up to the eventual Hereford champion in their original show class.
“We are delighted with the result,” Kerr confirmed.
“The heifer is in calf to our stock bull, Mullaghdoo 1 Elite.”
The Kinnego herd was established in 2012.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We have been building up numbers ever since. Our plan is to establish a high quality polled herd, made up 15 breeding females and followers,” Kerr explained.
“And we are getting there. The herd currently features six cows, all calving at the present time; five heifers, three of which will calve in 2016; two bulls and, of course, this year’s calf crop.
“We have a tradition within the family of keeping suckler cows. Hereford cattle have always appealed to me and when the chance presented itself of buying into some decent pedigree bloodlines four years ago, I took it.”
The Hereford reserve championship was won by Ballygowan breeder John McMordie. His noted Solpoll herd is no stranger to success in show rings throughout the UK.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It has been a great year so far for Hereford cattle breeders here in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Demand for stock continues to grow. Yes the current Hereford quality beef schemes are helping to boost commercial prices. But it is the temperament of the animals and the way they can fit into any farming system that is boosting demand for the cattle.
“Northern Ireland is now an elite centre of Hereford breeding. This reflects the tremendous investment made by pedigree herd owners over recent years.”
Results summary – Balmoral Day 1
BEEF CATTLE
British Blue Champion: J & S Martin, Newtownards
Reserve Champion: O McGuinness, Eglinton
Hereford Champion: P & W Beatty, Aughnacloy
Hereford Reserve: J & W McMordie, Ballygowan
Irish Moiled Champion: A & J Baxter, Omagh
Irish Moiled Reserve: N Edwards, Tempo
Limousin Champion Junior Heifer: J & P Rainey. Kilrea
British Blue Classes:
Cow Class:
1st: J & S Martin, Newtownards
Bull class
1st: W Ervine, Belfast
Senior heifer
1st: O McGuinness, Eglinton
Junior Heifer
1sT S O Brien, Co Donegal
Hereford classes:
Senior Cow
1st: J & W McMordie, Ballygowan
Heifer – born 1st half 2014
1st: P & W Beatty, Aughnacloy
Heifer born 2nd half of 2014
1st: J & W McMordie, Ballygowan
Heifer, born in 2015
1st: J & W McMordie
Junior Bull
1st: C & M Beatty & Son, Dungannon
Senior Bull
1st: Haire family, Crumlin
Aberdeen Angus classes:
Cow in Calf
1st: J Porter, Lisburn
SHEEP CLASSES
Texel Champion: Aiken, Corbett & Cromie, Dromore, Co Down
Texel Reserve: A Gault, Newtownabbey
Beltex Champion: M Burleigh, Enniskillen
Beltex Reserve, M Burleigh, Enniskillen
Zwartbles Champion: L Campbel, Carnlough
Zwartbles Reserve: C & D Cromie, Ballynahinch
Swaledale Champion: E Haughey, Ballymena
Swaledale Reserve: E Haughey, Ballymena
Lleyn Champion: C & A Kennedy, Ballyclare
Lleyn Reserve: C & A Kennedy, Ballyclare