Elite Holstein third calver wins ‘Champion of Champions’ accolade at Ballymoney Show 2026
A tremendous Holstein Cow, exhibited by the King family from Ballymena, carried the day at Ballymoney Show 2026, winning the much coveted Champion of Champions’ class at the North Antrim event.
The third calver, Grange Farm Primrose, looked an absolute picture on the day.
Judge, Andrew Kennedy, described the cow as an elite example of the Holstein breed. He explained: “She has tremendous dairy character, walks well and has a very impressive mammary system.
“The fact that she has had three calves up to this point and is still only a four-year-old cow reflects the fact that she is inherently fertile and calves down with ease.
“And, again, this adds to her tremendous dairying potential.”
Jack King exhibited the winning cow in the ring.
He commented: “She calved down in January and is currently giving 60L of milk per day. This was her first competitive outing. The plan now is to bring her back for the Dairy Cow of the Year final, which will be held at Antrim Show in July.”
He continued: “There are 50 cows in the herd at home, mostly autumn calving.”
The Champion of Champions’ reserve was an outstanding Limousin Blue heifer from the Jalex herd of William Alexander, who farms near Toome in Co Antrim.
The animal also won the Beef Inter-Breed and the Commercial Beef Championships at Ballymoney 2026.
Overall there was a tremendous turnout of cattle at this year’s event.
Judge, Leanne Workman, from Larne, described her champion as a magnificent beef animal.
“I couldn’t fault the heifer,” she commented. “It had excellent beef quality and caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring.”
Meanwhile, Ballymoney Show 2026 enjoyed a record turnout of sheep. The young handlers’ competitions exemplified this fact perfectly with space in the show rings at a premium as these classes were judged.
The Sheep Inter breed Championship was won by a young Suffolk ewe, which had lambed for the first time earlier in the spring. The winning breeder was Dennis Taylor, from Coleraine.
Clark Lamont, from Dumfries in Scotland, judged the sheep classes at Ballymoney Show 20206. This was the third occasion on which he had participated in a judging capacity at the North Antrim event.
Lamont described his champion as a young ewe with tremendous presence and breed character, adding: “She also has excellent balance and power. The ewe can look forward to a tremendous breeding future.
“I was very impressed with the quality of the sheep competing at Ballymoney this year. It was also great to see so many young people coming into the show ring.”
But it was very much a case of sheep enthusiasts coming to this year’s Ballymoney Show enjoying a double bonus as the event also hosted the 2026 Northern Ireland Valais Blacknose Sheep Club’s national show. A total of 80 sheep took part.
Anne-Marie O’ Loughlin, from Maghera, manages a flock of 20 Valais Blacknose breeding females with her husband Michael.
She explained: “Valais Blacknose sheep were first imported into Northern Ireland from Switzerland back in 2016. We now have 50 pedigree flocks.
“The Valais Blacknose is, very much, seen as a novelty breed. However, there is currently a strong demand for breeding stock from the Republic of Ireland and Spain.”