Bygones Days: Aberdeen Angus classes held for first time at Limavady Show (1958)

Mr Robert Edwards from Saintfield with his 1921 Porter traction engine and helpers Michael and Christopher Andrews at the Comber traction engine rally in August 1981. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

placeholder image — Mr Robert Edwards from Saintfield with his 1921 Porter traction engine and helpers Michael and Christopher Andrews at the Comber traction engine rally in August 1981. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

The Limavady Agricultural Society, in conjunctional with the local Young Farmers’ Club, had held their annual show at the showgrounds, Limavady, before a very large attendance, reported the News Letter during this week in 1958.

The three main agricultural sections – horses, cattle and sheep – showed an increase in entries, but the total entry – 897 – was down on the 1957 year due to the cancelling of the pig section caused by the prevalence of swine fever.

For the first time, classes for Aberdeen Angus cattle were introduced. A new silver cup was presented by Mr D Hall Christie, DL, for the champion of the class.

Cups and special prizes

Horses Best exhibit in horse classes, got by a registered Clydesdale sire – J C Drennan, DL, Carse Hall, Limavady.

Best gelding of yeld mare (three-years-old and upwards) – John Smith, Glenhall, Coleraine.

Cattle best exhibit in Aberdeen Angus section – Major N F Chance, Drumbarnett, Manorcunningham.

Cup for best Shorthorn cow, or cow of Shorthorn type (in calf or in milk) – Mrs F E Young, Aghanloo House, Bellarena.

Jim White and Irene Manown from Comber and Newtownards with a Douglas engine at the Comber traction engine rally in August 1981. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

Best dairy cow in show, any breed (in calf or in milk) – Harold Adams, Loguestown, Portrush.

Best group of three animals (cow, two-year-old and yearling), the property of the same exhibitor – Harold Adams.

Prize for best Shorthorn cow, or cow of Shorthorn type (in calf or in milk) – Mrs Young.

Irish Ayrshire Cattle Society’s prize for best Irish-bred Ayrshire cow (any age), which is not confined – Messrs H Lusby and Sons, Kilfennan, Londonderry.

Mrs Heather Lennon from Newtownards on her husband’s 1938 Case tractor at the Comber traction engine rally in August 1981. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

Silver spoon, presented by the British Friesian Cattle Society for the champion animal in the British Friesian classes – Harold Adams.

BOCM tankard for best Friesian animal of opposite sex to the champion – W A Cochrane. Ballinteer, Coleraine.

Attested Herds’ Association special prizes (for which only members of the association are eligible): Best mature female in British Friesian section – Harold Adams.

Best mature female in Ayrshire section – H Lusby and Sons.

Mr Wilber Byrce from Comber gives a steam threshing demonstration at the Comber traction engine rally in August 1981. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

Best mature female in Shorthorn section – Mrs Young.

Northern Ireland British Friesian Breeders’ Club silver medals: Best Friesian cow or heifer – Harold Adams.

Best Friesian bull – W A Cochrane.

Calves, best pail-fed calf (calved 1958) – Alex Keers, Dartries House, Coleraine.

Sheep, best group of three Blackfaced sheep, the property of the same exhibitor – Alexander Gibson, Rathsherry, Broughshane.

Best sheep in Cross-bred classes – James Armstrong, Knockbay, Broughshane.

A Co Down meadow was filled with the clanking and chugging of venerable machinery in August 1981 as a group of dedicated enthusiasts gathered for the Comber traction engine rally. Mr John Crossle and his son John from Holywood give their Ruston and Hornby 4HP engine a last minute oiling. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

Best exhibit in Border Leicester section – the Reverend R J McIlmoyle, Dervock.

Best exhibit in Suffolk section – John C McClure, Hillview, Ahoghill.

Cup and prize for best exhibit in Blackfaced section – Alexander Gihson.

Best Cross-bred ewe (Border Leicester cross Blackface) having reared lambs in 1956 (the property of a member of a Young Farmers’ Club) – James Armstrong.

In the bacon carcase competition first, second and third prizes and a cup were awarded to W J Gillespie, Macleary, Coleraine, Messrs Robert Holmes, Ltd, Ballymoney, and Joseph Lyons, Prospect House, Ballyhague, Dervock, tied for fourth place.

Cattle classes

Aberdeen Angus: Cow – 1 and 2, Major N F Chance, Drumbarnett, Manorcunningham, 3, John Townley, Termacoy, Carrichu.

Heifer, any age, uncalved – 1, J H McC Jamieson, Ballyheather, Burndennett, 2, J D Moses, Tullymaim, Carrichu, 3, Major N F Chance.

Calves: Pail-fed, calved 1958 – 1, Alex. Keers; 2, J. Boyd Love; 3, Thomas C. M'Cracken, Drumahorgan, Bellarena.

Shorthorns and Shorthorn type: Cow in calf or in milk – 1 and 2, Mrs F E Young, Aghanloo House, Bellarena, 3, W J Jamison, Greysteel, Londonderry.

Heifer, any age – 1 and 2, John W. Brown, Culcrum, Ballymena, 3, Mrs F E Young.

Ayrshires and Ayrshire type: Cow, in calf but not in milk – 1 and 3, H Lusby and Sons, Kilfennan Dairy, Londonderry, 2, Connolly George, Terrydremond, Limavady.

In milk – 1 and 2, H Lusby and Sons, 3, R J Hamilton, Galliagh, Londonderry.

Heifer, in calf or milk, showing not more than four permanent teeth – 1, H Lusby and Sons, 2, R J Hamilton, 3, S Moody, Blakes, Articlave.

Heifer showing not more than two permanent teeth – 1, R J Hamilton, 2 and 3, H Lusby and Sons.

Heifer one year old – 1, H Lusby and Sons, 2 and 3, S Moody.