Big increase in entries recorded at pig show and sale at Balmoral (1951)
There were almost 300 entries in the pig section of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s Spring show and sale which was held at Balmoral, Belfast, in 1951, as compared with 222 the previous year.
Special prizes included:
Frazer Cup for the best Large White boar bred in Ireland was won by Hugh McMullan, Portaferry with Ivy grove Prince 4th; the reserve was Walter Johnston and Sons, Beragh with Beechgrove Victory 20th. This animal also won the medal for the best Large White pig bred by a member of the National Pig Breeders' Association.
Macrae Cup for best Large White gilt bred in Ireland was won by Crossgar Poultry Service with Crossgar Queen Mary 49th; the reserve was Henry Wilson, Randalstown with Artlone Lady Mollington 7th.
Cup for the best two sides of bacon comprising an entry in the first bacon class was won by James Adrain, Carrickfergus, the reserve was The Irish Peat Development Company.
Cup for best two sides of bacon comprising an entry in the second bacon class was won by Robert Holmes Ltd, Ballymoney, the reserve was the Agricultural Research Institute, Hillsborough.
Large White
Boars farrowed in May or June, 1950 - 1, Hugh McMullan, Portaferry, Wygrove Prince 4th; 2, The Irish Peat Development Company, Ltd, Dungannon, Derryane Royal David 2nd; 3, Hugh McMullan, Ivygrove Prince 6th.
Boars farrowed in July, 1950 - 1, Walter Johnston and Sons, Beragh, Beechgrove Victory 20th; 2, Jack Troughton, Richhill, Mullalelish Victory 16th; 3. Crossgar Poultry Service —Crossgar Field Marshall 10th.
Boars farrowed in August, 1950 – 1, W J Robb, Fintona, Fintona, Prince David 14th; 2, W T Courtney, Dungannon, Lisnahoy Fortress 2nd; 3, Crossgar Poultry, Service, Crossgar, Field Marshall 13th.
Gilts farrowed in December, 1949 or February, 1950 – 1, Henry Wilson, Randalstown, Artlone Lady Mollington 7th; 2, Henry Wilson, Artlone Lady Mollington 10th; 3, James Adrain, Carrickfergus, Thornpark Gem 195th.
Gilts farrowed in March or April, 1950 - 1, Crossgar Poultry Service, Crossgar, Queen Mary 49th; 2, Henry Wilson, Artlone Maple Leaf 34th; 3, Maurice N Hazelton, Dungannon, Bernagh Nell 9th.
Gilts farrowed in May or June, 1950 – 1, Raymond McAllister, Carrickfergus, Carrickfergus Blossom 17th; 2. Castledillon Hospital, Armagh, Castledillon Virginia 3rd; 3, Gilbert K Porter, Crumlin, Farmhill Meg 10th.
Bacon carcase, 167-180lbs from hog or gilt born on or after May 27, 1, James Adrain, Eden, Carrickfergus; 2, Irish Peat Development Company Ltd; 3, R Holmes, Ltd, Ballvmoney.
140-167lbs from hog or gilt born on or after June 19 – 1, R Holmes Ltd; 2, NI Agricultural Research Institute; and 3, Irish Peat Development Company Ltd.