Beefing up the RUAS judging panel with local experts
As the ninth Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships grows ever closer, Show organisers, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS), are proud to announce two final names from their 2026 judging panel.
Mark Gillespie from Armagh will act as judge in the Breeding Heifer class while Robert Graham from Fermanagh will be focusing his attention on the illustrious Ulster Housewife’s Championship.
Mark Gillespie
Maximising potential from within a beef suckler herd is a familiar skillset for this year’s Breeding Heifer judge, Mark Gillespie.
Hailing from the small village of Killylea, his passion for producing top quality beef cattle has led him to the success in the ring at the Championships before and now he hopes to find that success in another worthy exhibitor.
A beef farmer himself, Mark’s focus is regularly on adapting to industry demands and focusing on the long-term health and productivity of his cattle, both of which he believes are vital to ensuring the success of any herd.
When asked about judging at this year’s Championships Mark said: “I’ll be looking for a heifer that is correct on her feet and legs, has good width, style and conformation, is catchy on the eye, and has a sweet, feminine head. For me, breeding is at the heart of the suckler herd, and I am always looking for that quality breeding female that can go on to produce top-quality calves year after year.”
Robert Graham
An award-winning butcher and loyal buyer from the event’s fantastic stock, Robert Graham from Fermanagh is well qualified to judge at this year’s Championships.
As he knows all too well from his local business, Graham Family Butchers in Ballinamallard, selecting the most appealing stock can make all the difference from the other side of the butcher’s counter as happy customers always come back for more.
Robert’s keen interest in the agri-food industry is no doubt thanks to his upbringing on their family farm. Now he proudly offers his own lambs in the butchers’ shop when available and is no stranger to an award himself. In 2020 at the age of 22 he was crowned Young Butcher of the Year and in 2024, he went on take the title of Supreme Champion Sausage Maker at the Scobie & Junor Sausage Making Competition.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Championships, Robert revealed he was “looking for something with a good finish, a bit of style and that is well covered”. Without giving too much away he finished by affirming that he was excited to judge a good turnout in this championship, especially with its new weight restriction of 600kg.
To keep up to date with the latest news and running order for the day visit www.beefandlamb.org.uk or follow the Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.