The Dairy Stockjudging heats kicked off the annual portfolio of YFCU stock judging competitions, which are sponsored by Ulster Bank and take place between March and June each year.
Over 100 YFCU members from County Londonderry travelled to Dessie Workman's farm in Aghadowey, Coleraine to take part in their heat and almost 150 members from counties Down and Armagh journeyed to David Dunlop's farm in Hillsborough to assess Dairy cattle.
At each heat members had to consider cattle in two rings and mark them on general appearance, body capacity, legs and feet, udder etc.
Once this is completed, members then had to give their reasons for scores to judges and were given a mark for these. Scores were then compiled and the competitors with the highest four scores obtain a place in the finals in Greenmount in July.
Representatives from Ulster Bank attended each heat and were impressed with the numbers and calibre of competitors. Ann Calwell from the bank commented on the heats.
"It is great to see so many young farmers taking such a keen interest in the stock judging competitions.
"Whilst there have been many changes in farming over the last few years the ability to be able to competently judge stock will always be of paramount importance on any livestock farm. YFCU provide an excellent framework of club training and competitions to hone this skill," said Ann.
YFCU President Adrian Cooper was delighted to see such a large number of members taking part in the Stockjudging heats.
"This is the third year that we have returned to the format of having County heats and it is proving very successful," said Adrian.
"With over 250 members taking part in our first two heats, I am looking forward to another successful Stock judging portfolio. I would like to extend a note of thanks to Ulster Bank for not only sponsoring the competition but for taking the time out of their busy schedules to visit each heat," he added.
The results for the County Londonderry, Armagh and Down heats are as follows:
County Londonderry
Class A 12-14 Years: 1st Ryan Adams (Coleraine YFC) 204.5; 2nd Mark Blair (Coleraine YFC) 200.5; 3rd Sam Patterson (Dungiven YFC) 186.5; 4th Molly Kane (Coleraine YFC) 184
Class B 14-16 Years: 1st Graham Gardiner (Kilrea YFC) 203; 2nd Robert Alcorn (Dungiven YFC) 202.5; 3rd Andrew Laughlin (Kilrea YFC) 201 (error 8); 4th Steven Moore (Coleraine YFC) 201 (error 14)
Class C 16-18 Years: 1st Kathryn Smyth (Coleraine YFC) 155; 2nd Ryan Love (Moneymore YFC) 151; 3rd Ian Lindsay (Moneymore YFC) 143 (error 16); 4th Neil Henry (Coleraine YFC) 143 (error 20)
Class D 18 -21 Years: 1st David McNaughter (Garvagh YFC) 160 (error 9); 2nd David Hall (Coleraine YFC) 160 (error 10); 3rd Alfred Clyde (Garvagh YFC) 159; 4th Andrew Torrens (Garvagh YFC) 157
Class E 21-25 Years: 1st William Hazlett (Garvagh YFC) 153; 2nd David Caskey (Coleraine YFC) 150; 3rd William Cochrane (Coleraine YFC) 140 (error 5); 4th James Taylor (Coleraine YFC) 140 (error 16)
County Down
Class A 12-14 Years: 1st Connor Allister (Annaclone and Magherally YFC) 198.5; 2nd Ross Cromie (Annaclone
and Magherally YFC) 190; 3rd Daniel
Orr (Ballywalter Junior YFC) 187.5;
4th Lelayna Heathcote (Newtownards YFC) 186
Class B 14-16 Years: 1st Jenny Martin (Ballywalter Junior YFC) 219.5; 2nd Stuart Allister (Annaclone and Magherally YFC) 213; 3rd Graeme Warden (Newtownards YFC) 212.5; 4th Holly Patterson (Spa YFC) 207
Class C 16-18 Years: 1st David Simpson (Hillhall YFC) 153; 2nd Jane Cowan (Annaclone and Magherally YFC) 146; 3rd Fiona Rankin (Donaghadee YFC) 140; 4th Robert Whitten (Hillhall YFC) 139
Class D 18 -21 Years: 1st (Joint) Nelson Shanks (Annaclone and Magherally YFC) 157 (error 8); Claire Johnston (Donaghadee YFC) 157 (error 8); 2nd Amy Hill (Moneyrea YFC) 155; 3rd Steven Cowan (Annaclone and Magherally YFC) 154
Class E 21-25 Years: 1st Andrew Cowan (Annaclone and Magherally YFC) 157; 2nd Paul Dunn (Donaghadee YFC) 154; 3rd Pamela Cardy (Ballymiscaw YFC) 152 (error 9); 4th Rachel Carson (Moneyrea YFC) 152 (error 19)
COUNTY ARMAGH
Class D 18-21 Years: 1st Richard Boyes, (Bleary YFC) 128; 2nd Susanne Halliday (Bleary YFC) 116; 3rd Nicola Harrison (Bleary YFC) 113; 4th Sharon Reid (Collone YFC) 89