Records smashed left, right and centre at championship

With greatly reduced numbers of people allowed to attend the event, a decision was made early on to Live stream the full days judging and auctions and as a result, literally thousands watched on from right across the globe.

The lamb and cattle sales were also viewed live with many lots purchased online in both rings.

Organisers could not have predicted the overwhelming support of local exhibitors who pulled out all the stops to ensure that this was the biggest and best entry to date. This enthusiasm was echoed by the Bank of Ireland who have partnered the Championships since they were launched in 2018 and were delighted to continue this alliance in the new format.

What was never in doubt was the quality of livestock that competed in no less than 52 show classes and culminated in an array of breed and special Championships. It was a day of “firsts” right across the sections with each major Championship secured by individual exhibitors for the very first time.

In the prime cattle section, there was a loud round of applause as Derek and Alan McCrea, Bready, were tapped out as Supreme Champion with their British Blue steer “Tyson”. This family have been great supporters of the former Allams Championships, and after trying to secure the top spot for 27 years, they finally hit the jackpot at this week’s event.

Tipping the scale at a mighty 754 kilos there was spirited bidding for the 2020 overall winner, with Anthony Kitson backing his judgement and securing him at £6100. Mr Kitson carried out his judging duties with expertise and purchased several lots for his “Kitson Butchers and Five Houses Farm shop” based in Crathorne, North Yorkshire.

Records are meant for breaking, and this year’s events broke all the rules with some records just standing for a few minutes before they were surpassed. A new Championship for Breeding Heifers was added to the schedule this year and was won by “Jalex If Carlsberg Did” from James Alexander, Randalstown. It seemed like everyone wanted this heifer as bids came fast and furious to auctioneer Richard Beattie. This British Blue daughter of Paravent D’Ovier weighed in at 642 kilos and broke all previous record prices selling for £7100 to Pat Grant, Newry. (£11.08 p per kg)

Just a few minutes later however this record was smashed by the Reserve Supreme Champion which sold for a staggering £9200. Yet another British Blue this mighty heifer was exhibited by Dermot Small & Blair Duffton. “Maverick” was bred by Craig Robertson and has had a glittering show career as a youngster. There was hot competition for this lot with bids flying in from all sides of the ring as well as online. The successful purchaser was John Kingham on behalf of Tatreeta Farms, Dundalk. Weighing 774 kilos this worked out a return of £11.88 pp kg

James Alexander notched up his first Housewives Championship after knocking on the door over the years several times. His flashy black homebred Limousin “Jalex Jessie J” is sired by Brooklands Keith and weighed 590 kilos. Butchers and restaurants meant business when bidding on this lot with the hammer falling at £5000 to ringside buyer Gary Jennings, Mayfly Inn, Kesh. The same willing seller also took home £4500 for a British Blonde heifer weighing in at 642 kilos, and selling to John Kingham, Tatreeta Farms.

The JCB Team were in the money at £4400 and £4200 for two choice heifers. The first of these was a Limousin who was runner up in the Breeding Heifer Championship. She sold to the Miskelly family, Ballynahinch. Close behind at £4200 was a Simmental bred heifer who was bought by Shane Mullen, Cavan.

Arthur & Alise Callaghan accepted £4200 for their greatly admired Charolais heifer which was tapped out as Breed Champion. Registering a weight of 748 kilos, she was snapped up by TJ Duffy, Westport

16-year-old Kelly O’Kane had a day to remember as she chalked up her first Calf Championship with her homebred Limousin heifer “Hotstuff”, which later sold for £4000 to Mark Breen, Ballygreenan Farms, Augher. The calves were judged by Lee Hopwood, Cheshire who described his Champion as an “excellent heifer with a tremendous future ahead of her in the show ring”. Tipping the scales at 316 kilos, this returned £12.65 p per kg. Reserve position in this section was awarded to Pat Hackett, Augher with a stylish British Blonde sired heifer. She was snapped up online by John McCloskey, Carndonagh for £3100. The entire entry of calves was bid for keenly resulting in sharp trade, with many purchased for the highly anticipated 2021 show season.

The success story did not stop there with the increased entry of prime lambs selling to a whopping total of £1320 for the winning pen. Master butcher Jim Quail, Banbridge was in the driving seat in the sheep rings and selected as the Butchers Champion a flashy pair of black Spotted Dutch ewe lambs brought out by Tommy Jackson, Saintfield winning his first Supreme accolade. These must have been on a Santa list as they were secured for young Joseph Murray, Annaclone. The same exhibitor also realised £440 per head for another pen of smart Spotted Dutch lambs, bought by Quails Fine Foods, Banbridge.

Sheep trade was red hot with other lots also in fierce demand. James Alexander brought out a pen of Suffolk ewe lambs which were snapped up at £590 each, and were purchased by Kevin Leonard, Irvinestown. Chasing this at £560 per lamb was Adam Donald, Newtownstewart with a smart pen of 1st prize winning Suffolk ewe lambs, selling to S O Neill, Donegal.

The Reserve Champion pen were exhibited by William McAllister, Kells. Returning £300 per head this pen of Beltex x Charollais were just one pen in a number bought by George Cropper for Sandersons Butchers, Baenden, Lancashire. He also snapped up a choice Beltex duo brought out by Kenny Preston for £310 per head.

Libby Clarke, Chair of the Beef & Lamb committee was absolutely delighted with the event. “In a year that has been challenging for many sectors, the public have reconnected with their farmers as they saw first hand during lockdown that it was them that kept the shelves filled with local produce and ensured an abundant supply of food at all times.

“The Championships has been a tremendous success with exhibitors showcasing the very best beef and lamb from local farms.

“With the innovative use of live streaming, and online sales running in tandem with ringside bidding we have raised the bar in terms of running a top-class event and I sincerely want to record thanks to all that ensured this went without a hitch. We simply could not stage an event to this magnitude without the support of exhibitors, sponsors, judges, the team at RUAS, and all the stewards who assisted on the day. Together as a team we have highlighted the superior quality of NI Beef and Lamb on a global scale. A special word of gratitude goes to all those who purchased during auctions, the buyers at this event are key to the success story, and I would encourage you to support their businesses where possible”.

The team at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society have already started planning for the 2021 Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships – see you there!

Auctioneers: Richard Beattie, Beatties Livestock.

Highlights at a glance:

Reserve Supreme Champion breaks records selling at £9200

Breeding Heifer Champion fetches £7100

Supreme Champion Beef entry sells for £6100

Housewives Champion makes £5000

Champion Calf sells at £4000

Best Pair of Butchers Lambs gross £1320

RESULTS

Best Butcher Pair

Champion

£100 , 27, Jackson, Mr Tommy, Ballynahinch 

Reserve Best Butcher Pair

Reserve Champion, £50, 10, McAllister, Mr William, Ballymena 

Champion Calf

Champion, £200, 39, Miss Michelle Wright, Ballymena

Reserve Champion Calf

Reserve Champion, £100, 52, Pat Hackett, Clogher 

Supreme Champion (Allam Cup)

Champion, £500, 113, D and A McCrea, Strabane 

Reserve Champion

Reserve Champion
£250, 80, Dermott Small and Blair Duffton, Kilkeel

Ulster Housewife’s Champion 

Champion, £300, 74, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Reserve Ulster Housewife’s Champion

Reserve Champion, £150, 90, Mr Jack Smyth, Newtownstewart 

Best of Opposite Sex to Ulster Housewife’s Champion

Champion, £100, 111, Mark McKinstry Farms, Antrim 

Champion Charolais

Champion, £100, 58, Callaghan Family, Kilkeel 

Reserve Champion Charolais

Reserve Champion, £50, 102, Messr J Hyslop and W McElroy, Dromore 

Champion Hereford

Champion, £100, 105 

Mr Gerald Law, Ederney 

Champion Shorthorn

Champion, £100, 107, 

Mr Henry Sinnamon, Dungannon 

Reserve Champion Shorthorn

Reserve Champion, £50 

62, Callaghan Family, Kilkeel 

Champion Limousin

Champion, £100, 72, Mr Colin Woodside, Carrickfergus 

Reserve Champion Limousin

Reserve Champion, £50, 71, JCB Commericals 

Champion Simmental

Champion, £100, 79, JCB Commericals 

Reserve Champion Simmental

Reserve Champion, £50, 78, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Champion British Blue

Champion, £100, 113, D and A McCrea, Strabane 

Reserve Champion British Blue

Reserve Champion, £50, 80, Dermott Small and Blair Duffton, Kilkeel 

Champion Aberdeen Angus

Champion, £100, 86, Mr Richard Law, Ballinamallard 

Reserve Champion Aberdeen Angus

Reserve Champion, £50, 88, D and A McCrea, Strabane 

Champion British Blonde

Champion, £100, 114,Mr Thomas Johnston, Toome 

Reserve Champion British Blonde

Reserve Champion, £50, 95, Mr Thomas Johnston, Toome 

Champion Any Other Breed

Champion, £100, 101, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Champion Native

Champion, £100, 86, Mr Richard Law, Ballinamallard 

Reserve Champion Native

Reserve Champion, £50, 107, Mr Henry Sinnamon, Dungannon 

Beef Cattle

Charolais Cross Heifer

First, £50, 58, Callaghan Family, Kilkeel 

Second, £30, 53, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Third, £20, 57, Mr Ian McCaughern, Ballymena 

Fourth, £15, 56, Sam Matchett, Portadown 

Shorthorn Cross Heifer

First, £50, 62, Callaghan Family, Kilkeel 

Second, £30, 61, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Limousin Cross Heifer

First, £50, 72, Mr Colin Woodside, Carrickfergus 

Second, £30, 71, JCB Commericals 

Third, £20, 70, Mr Denzil Johnston, Enniskillen 

Fourth, £15, 66, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Simmental Cross Heifer

First, £50, 79, JCB Commericals 

Second, £30, 78, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Third, £20, 77, Mr Denzil Johnston, Enniskillen 

British Blue Cross Heifer

First, £50, 80, Dermott Small and Blair Duffton, Kilkeel 

Second, £30, 83, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Third, £20, 81, D and A McCrea, Strabane 

Fourth, £15, 84,Mr Colin Woodside, Carrickfergus 

Aberdeen Angus Cross Heifer

First, £50, 86, Mr Richard Law, Ballinamallard 

Second, £30, 88, D and A McCrea, Strabane 

Third, £20, 89, Mr Thomas Johnston, Toome 

Fourth, £15, 85, Mr Henry McGrath, Banbridge 

British Blonde Cross Heifer

First, £50, 95, Mr Thomas Johnston, Toome 

Second, £30, 94, D and A McCrea, Strabane 

Third, £20, 93, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Breeding Heifer Champion

Champion, £100, 100, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Reserve Champion, £50 

96, JCB Commericals 

Any Other Breed Heifer

First, £50, 101, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Charolais Cross Steer
First, £50, 102, Messr J Hyslop and W McElroy, Dromore 

Second, £30, 103, Mr Alan Veitch, Lisbellaw 

Third, £20, 104, Mr Thomas Johnston, Toome 

Hereford Cross Steer

First, £50, 105, Mr Gerald Law, Ederney 

Shorthorn Cross Steer

First, £50, 107, Mr Henry Sinnamon, Dungannon 

Limousin Cross Steer

First, £50, 109, Mr Jack Smyth, Newtownstewart 

Second, £30, 110, Mr Robert Miller, Magherafelt 

British Blue Cross Steer

First, £50, 113, D and A McCrea, Strabane 

British Blonde Cross Steer

First, £50, 114, Mr Thomas Johnston, Toome 

YFCU

First, £100, 115, Brian Weatherup, Carrickfergus 

Calf Classes

Charolais Cross Heifer

First, £50, 36, Mr Gordon, Cutler, Enniskillen 

Second, £30, 37, Mr Richard Law, Ballinamallard 

Charolais Cross Bullock

First, £50, 38, O’Kane Brothers, Ballymena 

Limousin Cross Heifer

First, £50, 39, Miss Michelle Wright, Ballymena 

Second, £30 , 40, Brian Weatherup, Carrickfergus 

Third, £20 , 41, D Campbell, Magherafelt 

Limousin Cross Bullock

First, £50, 43, Miss Michelle Wright, Ballymena 

Second, £30, 44, Mr Robert Miller, Magherfelt 

Third, £20 , 45, Mr Robert Miller, Magherfelt 

British Blue Cross Heifer

First, £50, 46, Mr William James Ervine, Belfast 

Second, £30, 49, Mr William James Ervine, Belfast 

Third, £20, 50, Mr William James Ervine, Belfast 

British Blue Cross Bullock

First, £50, 51, Mr William James Ervivne, Belfast 

British Blonde Cross Heifer

First, £50, 52, Pat Hackett, Clogher 

Lambs

Beltex 36-42.5kg

First, £30, 3, Mr Kenneth Preston, Omagh 

Second, £20, 1, Mr Michael Diamond, Garvagh 

Beltex over 42.5kg

First, £30, 5, Mr William McAllister, Ballymena 

Second, £20, 2, Mr Andrew McCutcheon, Trillick 

Third, £10, 6, Mr Andrew McCutcheon, Trillick 

Charollais over 42.5kg

First, £30, 10, Mr William McAllister, Ballymena 

Second, £20, 11, D and A McCrea, Strabane 

Third, £10, 9, Adam Donald, Newtownstewart 

Suffolk over 42.5kg

First, £30, 14, Adam Donald, Newtownstewart 

Second, £20, 13, Mr James Alexander, Randalstown 

Third, £10, 15, Mr William and Lauren Moore, Omagh 

Texel 36kg - 42.5kg

First, £30, 16, James Kerr, Moira 

Texel over 42.5kg

First, £30, 17, Mr Michael Diamond, Garvagh 

Second, £20, 18, Adam Donald, Newtownstewart 

Third, £10, 19, Mr William and Lauren Moore, Omagh 

Dorset over 42.5kg

First, £30, 21, Mrs Karen Carson, Ballymena 

Second, £20, 20, Mrs Karen Carson, Ballymena 

Third, £10, 22, Mrs Karen Carson, Ballymena 

Any other breeds over 42.5kg

First, £30, 27, Mr Tommy Jackson, Ballynahinch 

Second, £20, 24, Mr Tommy Jackson, Ballynahinch 

Third, £10, 28, Mr William and Lauren Moore, Omagh 

Commerical over 42.5kg

First, £30, 32, Mr Ian McCaughern, Ballymena 

Second, £20, 33 Mr Andrew McCutcheon, Trillick 

Third, £10, 30, James Kerr, Moira 

YFCU (over 16 ONLY)
First, £50, 35, Miss Zara Preston, Omagh

Second, £30, 34, Jamie McCutcheon, Trillick