Expert judges cast their eyes over livestock at Co Down finals

This is one of the highlights of the YFCU Calendar and the 2022 Finals did not disappoint. The county heats were hosted across Northern Ireland from April to June welcoming an impressive 2,520 entries, resulting in 416 members being invited to take part in the Northern Ireland Finals.

A team of 18 expert judges, six in each of the categories beef, sheep and dairy, arrived late Tuesday afternoon to select, mark and assess the nine animals in each of the three competitions. YFCU finalists then commenced their own assessment of the animals, before going forward to judges in their respective age categories, to discuss their answers and reasoning.

Peter Alexander, President of YFCU said:“This competition is an important educational opportunity for YFCU members to develop their level of competency in stock judging, with pressure to match animals to the market demands, a good eye, and sound observational skills key to success in livestock farming.

“As a significant part of the YFCU competition year, our Stock Judging Competitions depend on support from a wide range of stakeholders. I would first like to extend our sincere thanks to Fane Valley for their continued sponsorship and support of this important competition. I also wish to thank the Judges who attended both the heats and finals, many of whom served multiple competitions and travelled great distances to offer their expertise and valuable time. Finally but not least I would like to thank AFBI, Hillsborough for their support and work in planning this event with YFCU staff and facilitating the Finals evening, as well as each of Farms and Livestock Marts which hosted the county heats.”

Niall McCool (Fane Valley Group Communications & Marketing Manager) commented: “Fane Valley is delighted to continue as the lead sponsor to Young Farmers’ Club of Ulster ‘Stock Judging’ Competitions, which have taken place across the County Heats this year and the popular Final’s Day. We are proud to be associated with and to engage with the many young farmers across Northern Ireland as the future generation of the agricultural industry. We can relate to the effort, commitment, and importance of the Stock Judging competitions and we are happy that we can partner with YFCU to showcase this competition.”

The evening was drawn to a close with the announcement of the much-anticipated results, by Adam Alexander, YFCU Vice President, presented by Peters Alexander, YFCU President, Thomas Barnet, Fane Valley Stores, Retail Manager, and Matthew Armstrong, Fane Valley Feeds, Technical Support Manager.

Sheep Stock Judging

12-14 years – 1st Oliver Patton, Ballywalter YFC, 2nd Isabella Taylor – Coleraine YFC, 3rd Grace Ross – Collone YFC.

14-16 years – 1st Anna Taylor, Coleraine YFC, 2nd Oliver Watson, Coleraine YFC, 3rd Rebecca George, Collone YFC.

16-18 years – 1st Felicity McConnell, Straid YFC, 2nd Mark Gibson, Newtownhamilton YFC, 2nd Joint Octavia Wilson, Annaclone & Magherally YFC.

18-21 years -1st Adam Cairns, Annaclone & Magherally YFC, 2nd Cara Millar, Coleraine YFC, 3rd Rachel Belshaw, Newtownhamilton YFC.

21-25 years – 1st Ruth Adams, Coleraine YFC, 2nd Claire Rosborough, Curragh YFC, 3rd Thomas Millar, Coleraine YFC.

25-30 years – 1st Cathy Holmes, Curragh, 2nd Ryan Adams, Coleraine YFC, 3rd Philip Donaldson, Donaghadee YFC.

Beef Stock Judging

12-14 years – 1st Ruby Doherty, Garvagh YFC, 2nd Jed Moore, Kesh YFC, 3rd Grace Ross, Collone YFC.

14-16 years – 1st Kerry Hayes, Spa YFC, 2nd Lucy Hunter, Spa YFC, 3rdPhilip Crawford, Seskinore YFC.

16-18 years – 1st James Morrison, Lisbellaw YFC, 2nd Lucy Rodgers, Spa YFC, 3rd Mark Gibson, Newtownhamilton YFC

18-21 years – 1st Kimberly Johnston, Crumlin YFC, 2nd Ashleigh McIlroy, Gleno Valley YFC, 3rd Sarah Smyth, Coleraine YFC.

21-25 years – 1st Gail McCullough, Lisnamurrican YFC, 2nd Emma Rodgers, Spa YFC, 3rd Joanne Moore, Gleno Valley YFC.

25-30 years –.1st Jane Patton, Newtownards YFC, 2nd Robert Chesney, Ballywalter YFC, 3rd Robert Brown, Moneymore YFC.

Dairy Stock Judging

12-14 years – 1st Charlie Miller, Coleraine YFC, 2nd Jamie McKinstry, Straid YFC, 3rd Jed Moore, Kesh YFC.

14-16 years – 1st Steven Mitchell, Annaclone & Magherally YFC, 2nd James Patton, Ballywalter YFC, 3rd Lauren Taylor, Ballywalter YFC.

16-18 years – 1st Felicity McConnell, Straid YFC, 2nd Ben King, Glarryford YFC, 3rd Ryan Rodgers, Annaclone & Magherally YFC.

18-21 years – 1st James Vance, Trillick & District YFC, 2nd Amy Breeze, Spa YFC, 3rd Nicola Mitchell, Annaclone and Magherally YFC.

21-25 years – 1st Thomas Millar, Coleraine YFC, 2nd Thomas McNeill, Kilraughts YFC, 3rd Trent Brown, Seskinore YFC

25-30 years – 1st Lynne Montgomery, City of Derry YFC, 2nd Jane Patton, Newtownards YFC, 3rd Andrew Patton, Newtownards YFC.