Valleyview Flock takes top NI Kerry Hill prize at annual dinner

Chairman James McClintock warmly welcomed everyone, especially those who had travelled over from Wales to join the society’s members for the evening.

The chairman also thanked all the members, for their help over the year in promoting the Kerry Hill Breed. He then went on to thank Norbrook Laboratories for their generous sponsorship of the 2015 flock competition.

After an excellent dinner, enjoyed by all, the flock competition judge Mr R J McCauley, Dromore, Co Down, thanked everyone who had entered the competition, and for the warm welcome he had received from all the flock owners.

He said that he had very much enjoyed judging, but in some of the classes found it hard to decide because of the high standard of the sheep. Mr McCauley then handed out the prizes.

Once again, the top prize in the competition, The Nl Kerry Hill Champion Flock of the Year, went to Mr James Barr, Kells, who for the fifth time over the years has received The Knockavoe Champion Flock Cup. James also received The Patrick Smyth Shield for best Ewe Lambs in the large flock section.

Reserve Nl Kerry Hill Champion flock 2015, went to Kerry Angus, Greyabbey, and her Blackabbey Flock. This is the third time in a row Kerry has received The RJ McCauley Shield.

The NI Kerry Hill Society trophy for the Champion Stock Ram of the Year went to Castlewellan breeder Patrick Smyth for his Ballydrumman home bred stock ram.

The Best Ram Lamb 2015 trophy went to Mr Dale Wylie, Kells, Ballymena, for his Tannybrake Ram Lamb.

The Dale Wylie Tannybrake trophy for the Show Team of the Year 2015 went to Hillsborough breeder Wallace Clarke and his Forge Flock Show Team.

Mr McCauley then presented four special award rosettes to Adam and Matthew McConnell, Niamh Smyth and Alice Cochrane for their excellent presentation, handling and showing skills throughout the year. Mr McCauley said these special awards are to encourage the young Kerry Hill breeders and handlers as much as possible.

The chairman Mr James McClintock thanked Mr McCauley for judging the competition.

The society is lucky to have so many young people interested in breeding Kerry Hill sheep, and who are winning some breed championships at the local shows. One of the young breeders, Adam McConnell (11), was also very successful at the Clogher Valley Show in July, where he won the Cydection Young Sheep Handler of the Year competition.

2015 Flock Competition results:

Small Flocks: 1, Kerry Angus - awarded the R. J. McCauley Shield; 2, Dr and Mrs R Bailie; 3, S and F McAllister; 4, T and A Latimer.

Large Flocks: 1, James Barr - awarded the Knockavoe Cup for Champion Flock; 2, James McClintock and Dale Wylie (joint second).

Ewe Lambs Small Flocks: 1, Dr and Mrs R Bailie - awarded the J and M McConaghie Shield; 2, S and F McAllister; 3, W and J Clarke; 4, T and A Latimer.

Ewe Lambs Large Flocks: 1, James Barr - awarded the Patrick Smyth Shield; 2, James McClintock; 3, Dale Wylie.

Best Ram Lamb 2015: 1, Dale Wylie - awarded the Forge Shield; 2, S and F McAllister; 3, James Barr; 4, AandM McConnell.

NI Kerry Hill Champion Stock Ram 2015 - Mr Patrick Smyth for his home bred, Ballydrumman Ram.

With over forty entries this year the results of the popular Kerry Hill photograph competition, organized by Rodney and Krystle Boyd, was announced, with a young member from Wales Tom Evans taking the first prize.

1st, Tom Evans; 2nd, AandM McConnell; 3rd, R J McCauley; 4th, Finlay Boyd.