Limavady Show: Magnificent three-in-a-row ewe championship record notched up by Diane Christie
This was the third year in succession that she has won the most coveted titled. This time around she brought the silverware home with a young sucked ewe that had given birth to twin ewe lambs back in the spring. The animal had previously qualified for the final at Ballymena Show.
Christie is no stranger to success in the show ring. She has won numerous inter-breed sheep titles at venues right across Northern Ireland this summer. And all of this builds on the victories notched up in previous years. By common consent her pedigree flock contains a selection of the best bloodlines in Northern Ireland. This is backed up by the fact that judges, who hail from all parts of the UK and Ireland, keep handing her team championship rosettes.
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Limavady’s own inter-breed sheep title was won by Perth Blackface breeder Joe Adams with his eye catching ewe. The animal had given birth to twin ram lambs back in the spring.
This year’s Limavady Show was held a fortnight later than would normally be the case. And, according to event committee member Ian Mark, it has been a very positive development.
“It means that we have been able to hold the show on a date that did not clash with another event,” he said.
“Hosting the ewe championship final has been a major feather in our cap. And it is an honour that that we will have bestowed upon us again in 2017.”
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The beef inter breed championship at Limavady was won by Newtownards’ Shorthorn breeder Duncan McDowell with his eye catching young bull: Castlemount Jet Liner. Home bred, the animal was born in July last year. As can sometimes happen, different judges can have a differing perspective on the same animal. McDowell’s animal won the reserve Beef Shorthorn breed title, losing out narrowly to Newry breeder Richard Henning. But when it came to the overall championship class of the show, McDowell got the nod. The reserve inter-breed accolade at Limavady went to the McCrea family, from North Tyrone, with their eye catching British Blue heifer.
Selling embryos, produced from their elite cows is helping Northern Ireland’s top dairy farmers remain financially viable at a time of record low milk prices, according to Bushmills breeder Iain Mclean. He won the dairy inter-breed championship at this year’s Limavady Show with his excellent Ayrshire cow Marleycote Sea Lilly.
“Embryos produced from cows with a top classification and bulls that are in strong demand will sell for up to £400 each,” he added.
“There is a strong home requirement for genetics of this calibre, but export opportunities can also be availed of.”
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McLean is currently selling embryos to dairy breeders throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
“A cow can produce up to 25 viable eggs when flushed,” he said.
“But then there is the actual cost of producing the embryos. The process requires the input of a specialist veterinarian or geneticist. And the cost of storing the embryos in liquid nitrogen until buyers can be found must also be factored in.”
McLean has also invested in embryos himself, in order to boost the pedigrees status of his own herd.
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“Over recent years we have purchased embryos in the United States costing up to $5,000 each,” he explained.
“The conception rate, once the embryo is implanted, can be up to 80%. But, again, this all depends on having the recipient cow prepared properly.”
Limavady Show Results
DAIRY CATTLE SECTION
Inter-breed champion: McLean family
Reserve: Mclean family
Holstein classes
Champion: McLean family
Reserve: McLean family
Cow in milk class: 1st McLean family; 2nd Henry family
Heifer in milk class: 1st McLean family; 2nd Henry family
Heifer born after January 1st 2015: 1st Henry family; 2nd D Torrens
Other dairy breeds classes
Champion: Mclean family
Reserve: McLean family
Cow clas – 2 plus lactations: 1st Mclean family
Heifer in milk class: 1st McLean classes
Heifer class – born after January 1st 2015: 1st A McNeely
BEEF CATTLE SECTION
Inter-breed champion: Castlemount Shorthorns
Reserve: D & A McCrea
Aberdeen Angus classes
Champion: A Parke
Reserve: M Lagan
Junior bull class: 1st M Lagan
Heifer class: 1st A Parke
Calf class: 1st A Parke
Other Native breed classes
Champion: J Sleeman
Reserve: J Sleeman
Cow class: 1st J Sleeman
Heifer class: 1st J Sleeman
Limousin classes
Champion: R Robinson
Reserve: R Savage
Junior bull class: 1st R Savage; 2nd D & J Bell
Heifer class: 1st R Savage; 2nd L Millen
Calf class: 1st R Robinson
Other Continental breeds
Champion: O Kerrigan
Reserve: O Kerrigan
Junior bull class: 1st Crumlin Brae Blondes
Cow class: 1st Dorman family; 2nd O Kerrigan
Heifer class: 1st D & A McCrea; 2nd A Smyth
Calf class: 1st O Kerrigan; 2nd Dorman family
Beef Shorthorn classes
Champion: R Heenan
Reserve: Castlemount Shorthorns
Senior bull class: 1st R Henning
Junior bull class: 1st Castlemount Shorthorns; 2nd D Alexander
Cow in calf class: 1st Castlemount Shorthorns
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Cow with calf at foot class: 1st Castlemount Shorthorns; 2nd K Carson
Junior cow class: 1st R Henning; 2nd D Alexander
Heifer class – born in 2014: 1st K Carson
Heifer class – born between January 2015 and August 2015: 1st Castlemount Shorthorns; 2nd J & S Martin
Calf class: 1st Castlemount Shorthorns; 2nd R Henning
Pairs class: 1st M Millen; 2nd C & M Graham
Young handlers’ class: 1st M Graham; 2nd C Dorman
Commercial cattle classes
Champion: R Miller
Reserve: J & S Smyth
Store heifer class: 1st R Miller; 2nd J & S Smith
Beef heifer class: 1st D & A McCRea; 2nd R Miller
Store bullock class: 1st J & S Smyth; 2nd D & A McCrea
Calf class: 1st R Miller
SHEEP SECTION
NISA/Danske Bank Ewe champion: D Christie
Reserve: J Adams
Limavady Inter-breed champion: J Adams
Reserve: G Loughery
Border Leicester classes
Champion: H Dickey
Reserve: H Dickey
Ram class: 1st H Dickey; 2nd H Dickey
Ewe class: 1st H Dickey
Gimmer class: 1st H Dickey; 2nd H Dickey
Ram lamb class: 1st H Dickey; 2nd H Dickey
Pairs’ class: 1st H Dickey
Texel classes
Champion: A Breen
Reserve: M Warnock
Ram class: 1st A Breen; 2nd C & M Mullan
Ewe class: 1st C & M Mullan; 2nd C & Mullan
Gimmer class: 1st J Adams; 2nd A Breen
Ram lamb class: 1st C & M Mullan: 2nd C & M Mullan
Ewe lamb class: 1st M Warnock; 2nd A Breen
Pairs’ class: 1st C & M Mullan; 2nd M Warnock
Group of three: 1st J Adams
Jacob classes
Champion: J Harkness
Reserve: P & S Colhoun
Aged ram class: 1st P & S Colhoun
Shearling ram class: 1st A Colhoun; 2nd A Colhoun
Ewe class: 1st P & S Colhoun; 2nd A Colhoun
Gimmer class: 1st P & S Colhoun; 2nd P & S Colhoun
Ram lamb class: 1st J Harkness; 2nd P & S Colhoun
Ewe lamb class: 1st J Harkness; 2nd A Colhoun
Pairs’ class: 1st J Harkness; 2nd P & S Colhoun
Group of three class: 1st P & S Colhoun; 2nd J Harkness
Beltex classes
Champion: J Harbinson
Reserve: H O’Neill
Aged ram class: 1st J Harbinson; 2nd K Preston
Shearling ram class: 1st H O’Neill; 2nd H O’Neill
Gimmer class: 1st J Harbinson; 2nd J Harbinson
Ram lamb class: 1st P Brolly; 2nd K Preston
Ewe lamb class: 1st P Brolly; 2nd: J Harbinson
Pairs’ class: 1st: P Brolly; 2nd: J Harbinson
Group of three class: 1st: P Brolly; 2nd; J Harbinson
Perth Blackface classes
Champion: J Adams
Reserve: Mayfair Blackfaces
Ram class – 2 shear up: 1st: S Adams; 2nd: M & R Smyth
Shearling ram class: 1st: Mayfair Blackfaces; 2nd: M & R Smyth
Aged ewe class: 1st: J Adams; 2nd: S Adams
Shearling ewe class: 1st: J Adams; 2nd: M & R Smyth
Gimmer class: 1st: M & R Smyth; 2nd: S Adams
Ram lamb class: 1st: J Adams; 2nd: A B Carson
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Pairs’ class -ram lambs: 1st: A B Carson; 2nd: G & I Watson
Ewe lamb class: 1st: G & I Watson; 2nd: S Adams
Pairs class – ewe lambs: 1st: G & I Watson; 2nd: S Adams
Group of three class: 1st: J Adams; 2nd: S Adams
Lanark Blackface classes
Champion: A McFarlane
Reserve: J Murphy
Shearling ram class: 1st: K O’Mullan; 2nd: A McFarlane
Aged ewe class: 1st: A Mc Farlane; 2nd: K O’Mullan
Shearling ewe clas: 1st: A Mc Farlane; 2nd: K O’Mullan
Gimmer class: 1st: A Mc Farlane; 2nd: J Murphy
Ram lamb class: 1st: R Black; 2nd: J Murphy
Pairs class – ram lambs: 1st: R Black; 2nd: J Murphy
Ewe lamb class: 1st: J Murphy; 2nd: N McClenaghan
Pairs’ class ewe lambs: 1st: J Murphy; 2nd: N McClenaghan
Group of three class: 1st: A Mc Farlane; 2nd: J Murphy
Greyface classes
Champion: J Adams
Reserve: W Semple
Ewe class: 1st: J Adams; 2nd: A Douglas
Gimmer class – dry: 1st: J Adams; 2nd: J Adams
Lamb class: 1st: W Semple; 2nd: W Adams
Pairs’ class: 1st: W Adams; 2nd; W Semple
Group of three class: 1st: A Douglas
North Country Cheviot classes
Champion: A & P McNeill
Reserve: A & P McNeill
Ram class: 1st A & P McNeill; 2nd A & P McNeill
Ewe class: 1st A & P McNeill; 2nd A & P McNeill
Gimmer class: 1st A & P McNeill; 2nd A & J Carson
Ewe lamb class: 1st A & P McNeill; 2nd A & P McNeill
Ram lamb class: 1st A & P McNeill; 2nd T McKean
Group of three class: 1st A & P McNeill; 2nd T McKean
Blue Faced Leicester classes
Champion: W Adams
Reserve: J Loughery
Ram class: 1st E Loughran; 2nd W Adams
Ewe class: 1st J Loughery; 2nd W Adams
Gimmer class: 1st W Adams; 2nd M Wright
Ram lamb class: 1st W Adams; 2nd J Loughery
Ewe lamb class: 1st J Loughery; 2nd J Loughery
Pairs’ class: 1st J Loughery; 2nd M Wright
Group of three class: 1st W Adams; 2nd J Loughery
Rouge classes
Champion: I A Montgomery
Reserve: G Knox
Ram class: 1st J Harbinson; 2nd G Knox
Ewe class: 1st J Harbinson; 2nd I A Montgomery
Gimmer class: 1st I A Montgomery; 2nd I A Montgomery
Ewe lamb class: 1st I A Montgomery; 2nd J Harbinson
Pairs’ class: 1st J Harbinson
Group of three class: 1st J Harbinson
Mule classes
Champion: J Loughery
Reserve: J Adams
Ewe class: 1st M Wright
Gimmer class: 1st J Adams; 2nd M Wright
Lamb class: 1st J Loughery; 2nd M Wright
Pairs’ class: 1st J Loughery; 2nd E Loughran
Group of three class: 1st M Wright
Suffolk/Cheviot classes
Champion: A Knox
Reserve: S Thompson
Ewe class: 1st A Knox; 2nd A Knox
Gimmer class: 1st A Knox; 2nd A Knox
Lamb class: 1st S Thompson; 2nd S Thompson
Pairs’ class: 1st S Thompson; 2nd C Mills
Vendeen classes
Champion: D Moffitt
Reserve: J & R Hayes
Ram class: 1st D Moffitt; 2nd D Moffitt
Shearling ram class: 1st J & R Hayes; 2nd J Hawthorne
Ewe class: 1st J & R Hayes; 2nd D Moffitt
Gimmer class: 1st D Moffitt; 2nd J & R Hayes
Ram lamb class: 1st D Moffitt; 2nd J & H Hawthorne
Ewe lamb class: 1st J & H Hawthorne; 2nd D Moffitt
Pairs’ class: 1st J & H Hawthorne; 2nd J & R Hayes
Group of three class: 1st J & H Hawthorne; 2nd J & R Hayes
Any other breed – Continental type
Champion: D Christie
Reserve: D Christie
Ram class: 1st D Christie; 2nd G Henderson
Ewe class: 1st D Christie; 2nd D Christie
Gimmer class: 1st D Christie; 2nd D Christie
Ram lamb class: 1st E & J Gould; 2nd A & J Carson
Ewe lamb: 1st D Christie; 2nd E & J Gould
Pairs’ class: 1st G Henderson; 2nd A & J Carson
Group of three class: 1st D Christie; 2nd A & J Carson
Any other breed – Native type
Champion: L Hamilton
Ram class: 1st L Hamilton; 2nd R & A Armour
Ewe class: 1st L Hamilton; 2nd R & A Armour
Gimmer class: 1st R & A Armour
Ram lamb class: 1st E & J Gould; 2nd T J Magee
Ewe lamb class: 1st E & J Gould; 2nd E & J Gould
Pairs class: 1st L Hamilton; 2nd E & J Gould
Group of three: 1st L Hamilton; 2nd R & A Armour
Butcher’s lamb classes
Champion: J Harbinson
Reserve: E & J Gould
Single lamb class: 1st J Harbinson; 2nd J Harbinson
Pairs’ class: 1st E & J Gould; 2nd J Harbinson
GOAT SECTION
Champion: Galbraith Bros
Reserve: Galbraith Bros
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Pedigree female goat class: Saanen, Toggenburg: 1st Galbraith Bros; 2nd M McMorris
Pedigree female goat class; Anglo Nubian: 1st Galbraith Bros
Pedigree female goatling: Saanen, Toggenburg: 1st Galbraith Bros; 2nd Galbraith Bros
Pedigree female goatling – Anglo Nubian: 1st Galbraith Bros
Female kid: Saanen, Toggenburg: 1st M McMorris; 2nd Galbraith Bros
Female kid: Anglo Nubian: 1st Galbraith Bros
Non pedigree class: 1st Galbraith Bros