Pedigree calf fair and Beef Expo

Senior Champion Larkhill Julius with handler Andrew Hamill and Senior Reserve Champion with Serena Murphy

During the full day there were seminars on “Beef Strategy 2020” with experts giving expert advise about the future of this industry and 11 pedigree beef breeds present showing and competing for calf fair titles and trophies showcasing the premium quality pedigree calves in Northern Ireland, demonstrating excellence in breeding and the calibre for the future.

The Limousin entry was judged by James Hazard from the Mereside herd based at Grantham in Lincolnshire. He awarded the breed’s senior championship to Larkhill Julius, a thirteen-month-old bull bred by veterinary surgeons Brian and Cahir McAuley, Antrim.

Sired by Hightown Dalglish, he is bred from Larkhill Grace, a daughter of the herd’s flagship cow Firmount Countess – whose sons have topped at 22,000gns.

Runner-up for the senior championship was Peter Murphy’s Carrickaldreen Jervis a yearling bull by the noted Nenuphar out of dam Frewstown Frantastic.

Leading the junior Limousin line-up was Claragh Lily, an eleven-month-old heifer sired by Wildoge Vantastic out of dam Haltcliffe Avon, bred by the father and son team of John and Paul Rainey from Kilrea. Taking the reserve award was Culnagechan Lethal, a nine-month-old heifer bred by Derek Hume who runs a herd of 60 pedigree cows at Randalstown.

She was sired by the home-bred Culnaghechan Falcon – sold at Carlisle in May 2012 for 48,000gns and out of dam Culnagechan Favourite

Other class winners were Clydevalley Luke bred by Robert Clyde, Templepatrick, Millgate Leo and Millgate Lily bred by M Loughran, Dunamore Cookstown.

Class results:

Bull, born between 01/09/14 and 31/12/14 – 1, Brian and Cahir McAuley, Larkhill Julius; 2, Peter Murphy, Carrickaldreen Jervis; 3, Michael Loughran, Millgate Jukebox.

Bull, born between 01/01/15 and 31/03/15 – 1, Robert Clyde, Clydevalley Luke; 2, Francis McAuley, Carmon Lionbar; 3, Joan Gilliland, Ballyrobin Landcruiser.

Heifer, born between 01/09/14 and 31/03/15 – 1, John and Paul Rainey, Claragh Lily; 2, Kieran McCrory, Bernish Jodifortune; 3, Derek Hume, Culnagechan Lethal.

Bull, born after 01/04/15 – 1, Michael Loughran, Millgate Leo; 2, James McParland, McParlands Lazerlite.

Heifer, born after 01/04/15 – 1, Michael Loughran, Millgate Lily; 2, Joan Gilliland, Ballyrobin Lady Gaga; 3, James McParland, McParlands Lilly.