An impressive show with a high standard of cattle was how judge Shane McKiernan described the Northern Ireland Aberdeen-Angus club’s 11th annual calf show, held at Dungannon.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the show. There were a few strong classes and the top calves in each class displayed great conformation and tremendous breed character,” said Mr McKiernan who runs the 25-cow Drumcarbin Herd based at Drumcrow, County Cavan.
Catching Mr McKiernan’s eye to secure the J B Lamb Memorial Cup for the supreme overall champion was the champion bull calf Knockoneill Explosion R766, bred by ten-year-old Joe Mallon, and his dad James, from Swatragh. The Mallons founded their herd in 2009 and currently run five pedigree females alongside a 35-cow commercial suckler enterprise.
The ten-month-old Knockoneill Explosion R766 is sired by Nightingale Proud Jake G405 and is out of the Young Dale Touch Down 36M daughter Friarstown Eston Anne J132 – purchased at Tullamore in 2010.
“The overall champion was a clear winner. He is well grown, has super conformation and oozes style and breed character,” said the judge.
Runner-up was the nine-month-old heifer calf champion Coolermoney Rhiannon R504 shown by the Parke family – Adrian, Graeme, Aaron and Gemma from Strabane. Sired by Luddenmore Fionn G441, she is bred from Coolermoney Raquel F756 – a dam which has produced numerous prize winning progeny, including Coolermoney Rolf L187 who sold privately to a pedigree herd.
Mr McKiernan added: “This heifer led a strong class with 11 entries. She is stylish and correct, and is a fine example of the Aberdeen-Angus breed.”
NI Aberdeen-Angus Club secretary Freddie Davidson, Banbridge, claimed the reserve heifer calf championship with the April 2015 Ember Delia R074. She is sired by stock bull Birches Lord John M052 – reserve male and reserve junior champion at Balmoral Show in 2013 and is out of a homebred dam by Hallington Endeavour G136.
The Matchett family, Portadown – Nigel, Gail, Sarah and Sam – who run 19 pedigree females, had another successful day, claiming the reserve bull calf championship, the yearling heifer championship, the award for the best pair of calves and the reserve commercial championship.
Their reserve bull calf winner was the four-month-old Birches Lord Jose R833. Sired by stock bull Carrigroe Fred – bull calf champion in 2009, he was bred from the Loughlynn Ace daughter Carrigroe E Lady Jane 824.
Birches Lord Jose R833 joined forces with Birches Lord Heath R693 to claim the David Dickson Trophy for the best pair of calves. A second prize winner, Birches Lord Heath R693 was sired by Beryl Jamey, and is bred from the Carrigroe Fred daughter Birches Lady Heather M026.
Securing the yearling heifer championship was the March 2014 Birches Lipstick P435 – a heifer with a string of accolades, including seven first prizes in the yearling heifer class at provincial shows and Ulster Champion in 2015. She was reserve heifer calf champion at last year’s calf show.
Sired by former stock bull Bunlahy Philip K248, Lipstick is bred from the Lissard Mark daughter Drumcrow Lima G266 – a foundation female purchased as Sam’s eighth birthday present in 2008; and dam of Birches Littleman L923 sold to Dovea Genetics.
Herd sire Carrigroe Fred was behind the breeding of the Matchett family’s reserve commercial champion She’s The One. Robert Henry Sinnamon and Sons, Pomeroy, won the commercial championship with Ted, a bullock by Oakchurch Dictator.
Alwyn and Carol Armour, and son Adam, Dromara, won the reserve yearling heifer championship with Woodvale Nelmerica P714. Born in May 2014 she is by the 4700gns Woodvale Lord Jaguar M445 and is out of a homebred dam by Woodvale Kool Papa K062. This heifer was breed champion at Ballymena Show and reserve interbreed champion at the Traditional Breeds Show in Gosford. Her paternal half-brother Woodvale Kool Jaguar P633 sold recently to AI Services (NI) Ltd.
Alan Cheney, Trillick, won the yearling bull championship with Lana Lord Harley P907. Born in May 2014, he is sired by stock bull Nightingale Playfair K527 and is bred from the Blackhaugh Easy Papa G726 daughter Lana Lady Happy K647, a former Ulster Champion, and dam of the 2013 calf champion and 2014 yearling heifer champion.
Runner-up for the yearling bull award was Drummeer Popeye P525 bred by Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge. Also born in May 2014, he is by Netherallan Peter Pershore E052 and is out of Drummeer Poppy L346 – reserve yearling champion at the calf show in 2009.
The NI Aberdeen-Angus Club is indebted to its sponsors for their generous support: Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association; Norbrook Laboratories; First Trust Bank; Thompsons; Aberdeen-Angus Quality Beef; ABP; Barclays Bank; Fane Valley; Dovea Genetics; MacRoberts Bros Hoof Trimming; S and M Engineering; Taylors (Fyfin) Ltd.
Championships
J B Lamb Memorial Cup for the supreme champion: James Mallon.
David Dickson Trophy for the best pair of calves: Sarah and Sam Matchett. Reserve: Adrian and Graeme Parke.
Yearling heifer champion: Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lipstick P435. Reserve: Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons, Woodvale Nelmerica P714.
Yearling bull champion: Alan Cheney, Lana Lord Harley P907. Reserve: Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Popeye P525.
Heifer calf champion: Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rhiannon R504. Reserve: Freddie Davidson, Ember Delia R074.
Bull calf champion: James Mallon, Knockoneill Expolision R766. Reserve: Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lord Jose R833.
Commercial champion: R H Sinnamon and Sons, Ted. Reserve: Sarah and Sam Matchett, She’s The One.
Young Handlers
Junior handler, aged 8 to 13-years-old – 1, James Morrison; 2, Joe Mallon; 3, Mathew Scott.
Intermediate handler, aged 14 to 18-years-old – 1, Corchennia Dorman; 2, Sam Matchett; 3, Kathryn Clinghan.
Senior handler, aged 19 to 24-years-old – 1, Adam Armour; 2, Adam White.
Calf Classes
Futurity heifer, born in 2013 with first calf at foot – 1, Alan Cheney, Lana Elass N465 by Nightingale Proud Jake G405.
Senior yearling heifer, born between March and June 2014 – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lipstick P435 by Bunlahy Philip K248; 2, Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons, Woodvale Nelmerica P714 BY Woodvale Lord Jaguar M445; 3, Colin White, Derryogue Doris P795 by Netherton Mr Brazilian E377.
Junior yearling heifer, born between July and October 2014 – 1, Jim and Valerie Peters, Corriewood Lady P741 by Tollymore Eager M391; 2, Mr and Mrs E McClelland, Brookhall Victoria P055 by Lockerley Legolas G850; 3, Andrew Cromie, Aughnahugh Polly Princess P175 by Moneybroom Reel G056.
Yearling bull, born between May and December 2014 – 1, Alan Cheney, Lana Lord Harley P907 by Nightingale Playfair K527; 2, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Popeye P525 by Netherallan Peter Pershore E052; 3, Mr and Mrs R Strain, Creevy Earl Mattias P492 by Loravar Mighty Prince D113.
Senior heifer calf, born in January or February 2015 – 1, Samantha Allen, Crew Lady Jazz R004 by Bunlahy John G; 2, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lady Harmony R645 by Carrigroe Fred; 3, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rosanna R482 by Netherton Americano M703.
Intermediate heifer calf, born in March or April 2015 – 1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rhiannon R504 by Luddenmore Fionn G441; 2, Freddie Davidson, Ember Delia R074 by Birches Lord John M052; 3, Alwyn Armour and Carol Armour and Sons, Woodvale Polly Pride R832 by Wedderlie Net Profit E916.
Baby heifer calf, born May 2015 onwards – 1, Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons, Woodvale Tidy Bee R865 by Woodvale Potential N607; 2, James Mallon, Knockoneill Eston Anne R954 by Blelack Duke J262; 3, James Mallon, Knockoneill Lady Delia R965 by Blelack Duke J262.
Senior bull calf, born in January or February 2015 – 1, James Mallon, Knockoneill Explosion R766 by Nightingale Proud Jake G405; 2, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Pridenjoy R656 by Aynho Rossiter Eric B126; 3, Alan Cheney, Lana Diomedes R944 by Nightingale Playfair K527.
Intermediate bull calf, born in March or April 2015 – 1, Freddie Davidson, Ember Pablo R052 by Birches Lord John M052; 2, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lord Heath R693 by Beryl Jamey; 3, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Bellringer R715 by Carrigroe Fred.
Baby bull calf, born May 2015 onwards – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lord Jose F833 by Carrigroe Fred; 2, Samantha Allen, Crew Dynamite R052 ET by Netherton Mr Brazilian E377; 3, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rufus R537 by Rosemead Karona J957.
Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lord Jose R833 and Birches Lord Heath R693; 2, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rufus R537 and Coolermoney Rhiannon R504; 3, Mr and Mrs E McClelland, Brookhall Emperor Leo R081 and Brookhall Judith Erica R077.
Commercial calf born in 2015 – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, She’s the One by Carrigroe Fred; 2, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Black & Blue by Carrigroe Fred.
Commercial heifer or bullock, born in 2014 – 1, R H Sinnamon and Sons, Ted by Oakchurch Dictator.