Bygone Days: British Friesians to the fore at cattle sale at Balmoral held by the RUAS (1950)

The Dairy Shorthorn entries were too small considering the place that the Shorthorn held in Northern Ireland, noted the correspondent.

“To be frank,” wrote the correspondent, “one must admit that the Shorthorn, unfortunately, is losing ground here.

“The Ayrshire has made considerable headway in Ulster, but I am afraid its popularity is now on the wane.

“The British Friesian has, I believe, replaced the Shorthorn to a large extent. As a breed they have improved immensely.”

The champion Shorthorn was Mr James Mulligan’s Brague Lord Kirklevlngton, which was described as “ very compact white showing good quality”. The dam’s milk yield was over 11,000lb, 4.3 per cent, butterfat.

The reserve champion was Mr George Martin’s Ulster Hero, a roan that was “exceedingly well grown and that should grow into a massive bull”. It was sold at 100 guineas.

Of Ayrshires the correspondent wrote: “The Ayrshires, generally speaking, were good quality.”

The champion female, shown by Mr James McWilliams, was “an animal of very good quality, with plenty of character”. Meanwhile, Mr H Suffern exhibited the male champion in Ballyclan Justice The same owner’s Ballyclan Megaphone was reserve.

Turning their attention to the British Friesian cattle at the sale at Balmoral, the correspondent wrote: “The British Friesians had some outstanding animals in their respective classes. Mr G Bryson's first prize winner, Imokilly Noel, a grand cow with massive substance, realised 100 guineas. Dr Dundee had three cows in this class that failed to get into the prize list but made 148, 130 and 125 guineas respectively.”

Average prices at the sale were reported as follows: One dairy Shorthorn cow realised £73 10s (in 1949 four had realised £184 16s, average £46 4s. Four dairy Shorthorn heifers £183 15s, average £45 18s 9d (in 1949 five realised £225 15s. average £45 3s). Ten dairy Shorthorn bulls £794 17s, average £79 9s 8d (in 1949 realised £1,194 18s, average £79 13s 2d).

Two Ayrshire cows £112 7s. average £56 3s 6d (in 1949 four £325 10s, average £81 7s 6). Twenty-eight Ayrshire heifers £1,441 13s, average £51 9s 9d ( in 1949 32, £2,361 9s, average £73 15s 11d). Twenty-four Ayrshire bulls £1,012 4s, average £42 3s 6d ( in 1949 39, £1,687 7s, average £43 5s 4d).

Four Friesian cows £448 7s, average £112 1s 9d (in 1949 two, £189, average £94 10s 1. Fourteen Friesian heifers £1,383 7s 6d, average £98 16s 3d (in 1949 £1,229 11s, average £136 12s 4d). Twenty-seven Friesian bulls £1.405 19s, average £52 5d (in 1949, 24, £1,816 10s, average £75 13s 9d).

Special prizes presented were as follows: Champion dairy shorthorn, James Mulligan, Corbet, Banbridge, Brague Lord Kirklevington; reserve, G Martin, Katesbridge, Banbridge, Ulster Hero. Ayrshire, supreme championship, Dickie Cup, James McWilliams, Glarryford, Co Antrim, Tullycrawley Honeysuckle; reserve, Willowbank Attested Herd, Belfast, Willowbank Patricia 2nd.

BDBPA Cup for the champion Irish-bred bull of the show of any age, Hugh Suffern, Crumlin, Ballyclan Justice; reserve, Hugh Suffern, Ballyclan Megaphone.

BLS Cup for the best cow or heifer, Willowbank Patricia 2nd; reserve, Andrew Gregg, Glarryford, Househill Princess Royal.

BWMDA Cup for the best group three Irish-bred heifers born in Ireland, Alexander Stevenson, Ballyclare, Clareview Mildred, Clareview Mina, and Clareview Minnie; reserve, Willowbank Attested Herd, Willowbank Carnation 4th, Willowbank Clover.

IACS Cup for the champion Irish bred heifer, James McWilliams, Glarryford, Tullygrawley Honeysuckle; reserve, Clareview Mina.

Prize for the best Irish-bred cow or heifer, calved on or before August, 1947, Willowbank Patricia 2nd.

Prize for the best bull calved on or after September, 1948 - June 30, 1949; or July, 1949- December, 1949, Ballyclan Justice; reserve, Ballyclan Megaphone.

Prize for the best heifer calved September, 1947 – August, 1948, or September, 1948 – February, 1949, Tullygrawley Honeysuckle; reserve, Alexander Stevenson, Ballyclare, Clareview Mildred. Prize for the best pair Irish bred heifers, bred by exhibitor, Clareview Mildred and Clareview Mina; reserve, Willowbank Attested Herd, Willowbank Hilda and Willowbank Princess.