Online stockjudging competition launched

Visitors to the club’s Facebook page ‘Northern Ireland HYB’, can test their judging skills on the first round of the competition which features a video showing a class of six second calvers from Wilson and Andrew Patton’s noted Ards Herd at Newtownards.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday 29th April at 9.00pm. Competitors must submit their places via private message the NI HYB Facebook page; or via WhatsApp or text to 07845 055576. Please include name and age.

The competition is open to all HYB members and breed enthusiasts. The HYB judging categories include Junior (up to 12yrs old), Intermediate (12-18yrs); Senior (18-26yrs). There is an open class for entrants over 26 years old.

A master judge has been appointed, and their placings and reasons will be published on Facebook, along with the pedigrees of the animals, when the competition closes.

Prizes will be awarded to the first placed competitor in each section. In a tie break situation, competitors will be invited to submit reasons for their selections, which will be used to determine the overall winner.

HYB co-ordinator Andrew Patton said: “The club had a series of stockjudging practice dates and an HYB training day scheduled, all of which had to be cancelled because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“We’ve come up with this virtual judging competition, which we hope will be of interest to HYB members. It’s a bit of fun and will give members an opportunity to practice their stockjudging skills.”

Andrew Patton continued: “We’ve received a positive response so far, and a number of pedigree herd owners have volunteered to take pictures of their cows and heifers which can be put into a video format for future competitions. We are hoping to run a series of virtual judging classes over the next couples of months.”

Herds taking part in future competitions include Gaston and John Wallace’s Printshop Herd at Nutt’s Corner, and Geoffrey Patton’s Carrowcroft Herd at Carrowdore, County Down.

Keep an eye on the Northern Ireland HYB Facebook page for further details.