A ‘buzz of excitement’ as Ballymoney and Lurgan shows return

Lurgan Park was packed with plenty on offer for competitors and spectators alike – cattle, horses, sheep, goats and a crowd favourite, the pet classes!

There was an impressive display of vintage vehicles, as well as steam, spinning and floral art demonstrations.

Another beautiful sight was the fantastic array of horse-drawn carriages.

Lurgan was also the first show to offer poultry classes, with the remaining avian influenza restrictions lifted just in time.

The section was well supported and visitors to the show were thrilled to see an impressive variety of birds and waterfowl in attendance.

With entries in both poultry and sheep classes, it was a very successful day for County Tyrone exhibitor Ryan McLaren.

His Golanview Berrichons cleaned up in the sheep rings, with a number of first places including Berrichon Pairs and Group of Three.

They took second in the Interbreed Group of Three before clinching the Breed Champion with an aged ewe and Reserve Breed Champion with a ram lamb.

Ryan also saw a couple of his exhibits moved up to Champions Row in the poultry tent.

Meanwhile, at Ballymoney Show, large crowds and lots of smiling faces were the order of the day.

After a three-year break, the event returned to showcase all that is good about farming and food in the North Antrim area.

A tremendous turnout of cattle meant that judging continued until late in the afternoon.

But the wait was well worth it for the McLean family, from Bushmills.

Their Holstein sixth calving cow, Priestland 5446 Shot J Rose, won the Supreme Championship class of the show.

Earlier in the day she was selected as the Dairy Interbreed Champion.

Judge Robert Hunter, from Shotts in Lanarkshire, described Rose as one of the best dairy cows in the UK at the present time.

“She has everything: tremendous scope and amazing mammary system,” he said.

“But her age has also to be factored in. At 10 years old and to be looking so fresh is an absolute testament to the quality of the cow.”

Rose had her sixth calf back in January. She is currently giving 60L of milk per day.

“At peak, she was giving 75L from two daily milkings,” confirmed Iain McLean.

“Rose has already produced 115t of milk during her life time. And, hopefully, there is more to come.”

He continued: “The plan is to produce embryos from the cow over the coming months.

“She is a genuine star. Her pedigree takes her back to one of the most famous and renowned cow families in North America.”

Meanwhile, Beef Interbreed judge, William McIlroy, was confident that he had unearthed a true star of the future.

His animal of choice was a very eye-catching Limousin heifer, exhibited by William Alexander, from Randalstown in Co Antrim.

Jalex Resta is a weaning heifer with tremendous length, great legs and exceptional hindquarters.

The Sheep Interbreed Championship at Ballymoney was won by Alistair Moore, from Ballymena, with an outstanding two-shear Charollais ewe.

Sheep Interbreed judge, Sam McClymont – from Selkirk in Scotland – described the quality of the sheep presented to him throughout the day as being of exceptional quality.

Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots, visited both events on Saturday and announced an extension to the closing date for his £200,000 bounce back support scheme for local agricultural shows.

The deadline for applications will be extended by four weeks until 30 June, he revealed.

“It has been fantastic getting out and about to visit two of our very popular agricultural shows and meeting with farmers, food producers and visitors,” said Minister Poots.

“Such shows are vital in supporting our rural communities as well as boosting tourism and the local economy.

“Like many similar key agricultural shows, they were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic which meant they lost the opportunity to raise funds, so I am delighted that we have been able to extend the closing date for the £200,000 bounce back scheme and I would encourage organisers to submit their applications and relevant paperwork as soon as possible.

“It was great to see the shows today which were buzzing with excitement, as well as showcasing our excellent local produce and livestock and I look forward to visiting many more over the coming weeks and months – all key events in the year,” he ended.

Ballymoney Show Results – 2022

Champion of Champions: McLean Family

Reserve: J Alexander

Beef Inter-Breed Champion: J Alexander

Dairy Inter Breed Champion: McLean Family

Reserve: M & C Millar

Sheep Inter Breed Champion: A Moore

Reserve: E McAllister

Dairy Young Handlers’ class

1st: Miss B Millar/2nd: Mr T Torrens

Best Group of Three Dairy Class

1st: M & C Millar/2nd: Mark Henry

Best Dairy Heifer Pairs

1st: M Henry/2nd: D Torrens

NISA Dairy Cow Qualifiers

1: McLean Family/2: M & C Millar

Best Dairy Cow in the Show

1: McLean Family/2: M & C Millar

Best Dairy Exhibit in the Show

1: McLean Family/2: M & C Millar

Interbreed Pedigree Ram Lamb

Champion: W Semple

Reserve: S McNeilly

Interbreed Pedigree Ewe Lamb

Champion: A Moore

Reserve: M Butler

DAIRY CLASSES

Holstein Cattle

Champion: McLean Family

Reserve: M & C Millar

Best Holstein Female

1: McLean Family/2: M & C Millar

Holstein Heifer championship

Champion: McLean Family

Reserve: M & C Millar

Best Holstein Pair

Champion: M & C Millar

Reserve: I McLean

Champion Award Rosette

McLean family

Champion Exhibitor-bred rosette

M & C Millar

Best Udder Award Rosette

M & C Millar

Calf class – under 8 months of age

1st: McLean Family/2nd: M Henry

Calf class: 8 to 12 months

1st: A Paul/2nd: M Henry

Heifer class– in milk

1st: M Henry/2nd: A Paul

Cow in Milk class – two lactations and above

1st: McLean Family/2nd: M & C Millar

Coloured Classes

Champion: J King

Reserve: McLean family

Calf class

1st: M Henry/2nd: J King

Heifer class

1st: J King

Heifer in Milk class

1st: McLean family

Cow in milk class

1st: J King

BEEF CATTLE CLASSES

Aberdeen Angus Classes

Champion: D Chestnutt

Reserve: Mr & Mrs Callum and J McAleese

Bull class

1st: Mr & Mrs Callum and J McAleese

Cow/Heifer in milk

1st: Mr & Mrs Callum and J McAleese

British Blue Cattle

Champion: P Elwood

Best Pair of Animals

Miss L Ervine

Bull class

1st: P Elwood/2nd: E Gregg

Cow/Heifer born on or before 30/09/2020

1st: A Arrell/2nd: L Ervine

Heifer class

1st: L Millen/2nd: L Ervine

NIBCC Heifer Derby qualifiers

L Ervine – 2 cattle

Belted Galloway classes

Cow class

1st: H Irvine

Junior heifer class

1st: D Henry/2nd: D Henry

Junior bull class

1st: H Irvine/2nd: C Gordon

Senior bull class

1st: R Creith/2nd: D Henry

British Blonde Classes

Champion: H Dorman

Heifer class

1st: H Dorman

Charolais Cattle

Champion: H Heron

Reserve: B O’Kane

Bull class

1st: B O’Kane/2nd: D Chestnutt

Cow class

1st: H Heron

Heifer – born in 2020

1st: H Heron/2nd: B O’Kane

Heifer – born in 2021

1st: H Heron/2nd: H Heron

Hereford Cattle

Champion: Miss E McCrea

Heifer class

1st: E McCrea

Limousin Cattle

Champion: J Alexander

Reserve: P Campbell

Cow class

1st: P Campbell/2nd: S Crawford

Junior heifer class

1st: J Alexander/2nd: P Campbell

Senior Heifer class

1st: J Alexander

Simmental Cattle

Champion: M McFarlane

Reserve: M McFarlane

Heifer class

1st: M McFarlane/2nd: M McFarlane

Beef Shorthorn Cattle

Champion: M Millen

Reserve: D Alexander

Bull class

1st: D Alexander/2nd: M Millen

Pair of Animals

1st: M MIllen/2nd: D Alexander

Any other pedigree breed

Champion: T & K Madden

Reserve: T & K Madden

Cow class

1st: T & K Madden

Heifer class

1st: T & K Madden/2nd: R Armour

Bull class

1st: T & K Madden

Weanling class

1st: T & K Madden

Commercial Cattle

Champion: J Alexander

Reserve: J Alexander

Store heifer class

1st: J Alexander

Beef heifer class

1st: J Alexander/2nd: Miss L Ervine

Store bullock class

1st: R Workman

Beef Bullock

1st: J Alexander

Suckler heifer championship

Champion: Miss L Ervine

SHEEP CLASSES

Young Handlers’ class

1st: E McAllister/2nd: S Wilson

ISA Qualifiers: NI Continental Sheep Final

E McAllister/P Swindale

Beltex Sheep

Champion: E McAllister

Reserve: E McAllister

Ram – any age

1st: E McAllister

Ewe – two shear

1st: E McAllister/2nd: E McAllister

Shearling Ewe

1st: E McAllister/2nd: E McAllister

Ram Lamb

1st: E Mc Allister/2nd: E McAllister

Ewe Lamb

1st: E McAllister/2nd: E McAllister

Pair of Lambs

1st: E McAllister/2nd: E McAllister

Blackface – Lanark – Sheep

Champion: G Crawford

Reserve: D & J O’Mullan

Shearling Ram

1st: D & J O’Mullan/2nd: D & J O’Mullan

Ewe – any age

1st: M Lennox/2nd: G Crawford

Shearling Ewe

1st: G Crawford

Ram Lamb

1st: G Crawford/2nd: A McFarlane

Ewe Lamb

1st: G Crawford/2nd: M Lennox

Pair of Lambs

1st: M Lennox/2nd: G Crawford

Blackface – Perth – Sheep

Champion: M & R Smyth

Reserve: J Carson

Ram – two shear

1st: M & R Smyth/2nd: J Hunter

Shearling Ram

1st: J Carson/2nd: J Hunter

Ewe – any age

1st: J Carson/2nd: J Hunter

Shearling Ewe

1st: J Carson/2nd: M & R Smyth

Ram Lamb

1st: J Carson/2nd: M & R Smyth

Ewe Lamb

1st: J Hunter/2nd: J Carson

Pair of Lambs

1st: M & R Smyth/2nd: J Carson

Blue Faced Leicester Sheep

Champion: I Montgomery

Reserve: C Butler

Ram – two shear

1st: E Loughran

Ewe – two year old

1st: C Butler/2nd: E Loughran

Ewe – 1 year old

1st: E Loughran/2nd: H Henry

Ram Lamb

1st: I Montgomery/2nd: C Butletr

Ewe Lamb

1st: I Montgomery/2nd: C Butler

Pair of Lambs

1st: I Montgomery/2nd: E Loughran

Group of three lambs

1st: A McNeilly

Blue Texel classes

Champion: G Kennedy

Reserve: S J Vance

Ram – any age

1st: G Kennedy/2nd: G Kennedy

Ewe – any age

1st: C Calvert/2nd: G Kennedy

Shearling Ewe

1st: G Kennedy/2nd: G Kennedy

Ram Lamb

1st: G Kennedy/2nd: G Kennedy

Ewe Lamb

1st: S J Vance/2nd: G Kennedy

Pair of Lambs

1st: S J Vance/2nd: G Kennedy

Border Leicester classes

Champion: H Dickey

Reserve: W Semple

Ram – any age

1st: H Dickey/2nd: H Dickey

Ewe – any age

1st: S Wallace/2nd: H Dickey

Gimmer

1st: W Semple/2nd: H Dickey

Ram Lamb

1st: W Semple/2nd: S Wallace

Ewe Lamb

1st: W Semple/2nd: S Wallace

Pair of Lambs

1st: W Semple/2nd: S Wallace

Charollais Sheep

Champion: A Moore

Reserve: A Moore

Ram – two shear

1st: A Moore

Ewe – any age

1st: A Moore

Shearling Ewe

1st: A Moore/2nd: R McBratney

Ram Lamb

1st: R McBratney

Ewe Lamb

1st: A Moore/2nd: A Moore

Pair of Lambs

1st: A Moore/2nd: A Moore

Group of three lambs

1st: A Moore

Dorset Sheep

Champion: E McClure

Reserve: T Wright

Ram – any age

1st: T Wright/2nd: T Wright

Ewe – any age

1st: T Wright/2nd: T Wright

Shearling Ewe

1st: E McClure/2nd: A Moore

Ram Lamb

1st: A Moore/2nd: T Wright

Ewe Lamb

1st: E McClure/2nd: A Moore

Pair of Lambs

1st: T Wright/2nd: A Moore

Group of Three

1st: T Wright/2nd: A Moore

Dutch Spotted

Champion: S McAllister

Reserve: A Park

Ram – any age

1st: J Reilly

Ewe – any age

1st: A Park

Shearling Ewe

1st: J Reilly

Ram Lamb

1st: A Park/2nd: A Park

Ewe Lamb

1st: S McAllister/2nd: J King

Pair of Lambs

1st: A Park

Hampshire Down Sheep

Champion: C Gregg

Reserve: R Laird

Ewe – any age

1st: R Laird

Ram Lamb

1st: R Laird

Ewe Lamb

1st: R Laird/2nd: C Gregg

Pair of Lambs

1st: S Manson/2nd: C Gregg

Kerryhill classes

Champion: S & F McAllister

Reserve: A McConnell

Ram – any age

1st: D Wylie/2nd: A McConnell

Ewe – any age

1st: S & F McAllister/2nd: D Wylie

Ram Lamb

1st: A McConnell/2nd: D Wylie

Ewe Lamb

1st: S & F McAllister/2nd: Miss M Squires

Pair of Lambs

1st: S & F McAllister/2nd: D Wylie

Lleyn classes

Champion: C & A Kennedy

Reserve: C & A Kennedy

Ram – any age

1st: C & A Kennedy/2nd: C & A Kennedy

Ewe – any age

1st: C & A Kennedy/2nd: C & A Kennedy

Ram Lamb

1st: C & A Kennedy/2nd: G Calwell

Ewe Lamb

1st: G Calwell/2nd: C & A Kennedy

Pair of Lambs

1st: C & A Kennedy/2nd: G Calwell

Mule Sheep

Ewe – two shear

1st: A McFarlane/2nd: S Wilson

Shearling Ewe

1st: S Wilson/2nd: S Wilson

Ewe Lamb

1st: E Loughran/2nd: E Loughran

Pair of Lambs

1st: E Loughran/2nd: McCormick Bros

Rouge de L’Ouest Sheep

Champion: R Calvin

Reserve: R Calvin

Ram – any age

1st: R Calvin

Ewe – two shear

1st: R Calvin

Shearling Ewe

1st: R Calvin/2nd: J Tannahill

Ram Lamb

1st: R Calvin/2nd: J Houston

Ewe Lamb

1st: R Calvin/2nd: R Calvin

Pair of Lambs

1st: Pollock & Tannahill/2nd: Pollock & Tannahill

Suffolk Sheep

Champion: R C & J C Watson

Reserve: M Butler

Shearling Ram

1st: R C & J C Watson/2nd: R C & J C Watson

Ewe – any age

1st: R C & J C Watson/2nd: M Butler

Shearling Ewe

1st: R C & J C Watson/2nd: R C & J C Watson

Ram Lamb

1st: R C & J C Watson/2nd: R C & J C Watson

Ewe Lamb

1st: M Butler/2nd: R C & J C Watson

Pair of Lambs

1st: R C & J C Watson/2nd: M Butler

Zwartbles Sheep

Champion: E Anderson

Ewe any age

1st: E Anderson

Shearling ewe

1st: E Anderson

Ewe lamb

1st: E Anderson

Texel Sheep

Champion: A Gault

Reserve: S McNeilly

Ram – any age

1st: A Gault

Ewe – any age

1st: S McNeilly/2nd: P Swindell

Shearling Ewe

1st: A Gault/2nd: S McNeilly

Ram Lamb

1st: S McNeilly/2nd: C & M McMullan

Ewe Lamb

1st: A Gault/2nd: I Strawbridge

Pair of Lambs

1st: A Gault/2nd: J S McNeilly

Pair of Hogget ewes

1st: A Gault/2nd: S McNeilly

Butcher’s lamb classes

Champion: D Evans

Reserve: D Huey

Single lamb

1st: D Evans/2nd: D Huey

Twin lamb

1st: D Huey

Any other pedigree breed

Champion: J Tannahill

Reserve: T Wright

Ram – any age

1st: T Wright

Ewe – any age

1st: J Tannahill/2nd: T Wright

Ram lamb

1st: T Wright/2nd: J Tannahill

Ewe lamb

1st: T Wright/2nd: J Tannahill

GOATS

Champion: M Murphy

Reserve: R Colvin