Greenacres heifer is ‘Top Lass’ at Northern Ireland Aberdeen-Angus Calf Show
By Julie Hazelton
An impressive show with some phenomenal and well turned out animals was how Scottish judge Nicola Howie described the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart. Nicola Howie from the 20-cow Cairnton Herd based in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, was the overall winner of the breed society’s recent Youth Development Programme national final.
The Dungannon event attracted more than 70 calf and young handler entries.
There was strong competition in the young handler classes, with top place in the junior section going to Jasmine Parke from the Coolermoney Herd, Strabane. The winner of the intermediate class was Joe Mallon from the Swatragh-based Knockoneil Herd; while Sam Matchett, Birches Herd, Portadown, was the winner of the senior handling class.
“The competitors were all very polite, and did a good job in the showring. Their calves were well groomed and presented, and I was very impressed with the high standard of stockmanship,” explained Nichola.
Star of the show, and winner of the heifer calf championship and supreme overall title, was the seven-month-old Greenacres Top Lass Y201 ET, bred by new breeders Noel Willis, and son Daniel from Portadown.
The father and son team established the Greenacres Herd in 2020 with advice from good friend and fellow pedigree breeder Brian Anderson (Drumgar Lodge). Foundation females and embryos were purchased from the HW and Netherton herds own by William McLaren in Perthshire, and the Mosshall Herd in West Lothian. The Greenacres prefix currently comprises of eight black and red Angus females.
The 2022 calf show winner was the result of an embryo from Netherton Top Lass T879 ET, and the AI sire Netherton Americano M703.
Nicola Howie said: ”Today’s overall champion is a very smart heifer with so much style and flash. She has a really sweet head, and is very thick through the body. This is the type of Aberdeen Angus female that I like, and she will grow on and mature into an exceptional cow.”
Taking the reserve heifer calf and reserve supreme championship awards was Glenbrae Red Miss Kayo Y477 ET, bred by William and Jane Dodd, and sons Jamie and Lewis, from Saintfield. This eight-month-old heifer was sired by Mosshall Red Evolution 353 ET, and is out of Gannon Red Miss Kayo S697 – one of 25 females in the herd.
The reserve champion as a full brother, Glenbrae Red Mr Kayo W825, at the AI Services (NI) Ltd bull stud.
“This is another very flashy heifer with a brilliant body. She was just pipped at the post by the champion. This red heifer is another excellent cow maker,” added the judge.
The Parke family’s Coolermoney Herd dominated the yearling championship line-up.
Coolermoney Ruth X086 was the yearling champion; while her herd mate Coolermoney Eric X145 collected the runner-up plaudits.
Born in March 2021, and sired by Rawburn Jagger Eric R094, Coolermoney Ruth X086 is no stranger to the limelight, having won the reserve overall award at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s Summer Championship at Clogher in July. She was bred from Coolermoney Rachel V913 – one of seven cows in the herd.
“I really loved the senior heifer. She has a phenomenal head, super conformation and great breed character. I’d quite happily have a herd of heifers like this,” added Nicola Howie.
The July 2021 Coolermoney Eric X145 was sired by Rawburn Black Bush S420, and is bred from Cloghogmill Emma R244. He was described by the judge as a flashy young bull, full of character.
The bull calf championship was scooped up by Tullybryan Lord Jono Y455, a ten-month-old Stouphill Bomber T182 son, bred by Fiona Troughton, Ballygawley. His dam, Tullybryan Lady Jonelle S884 is one of 10 breeding females in the herd.
Nicola Howie commented: “This bull calf is really thick and has very good conformation. He has so much bone, and will grow and develop into a sale topper.”
Winning the reserve bull calf championship was the five-month-old Home Farm Erne Y802 bred by Fintan Keown, who runs a herd of 10 pedigree and 30 commercial cows at Belleek. A son of Haymount War Smith R578, he is out of Home Farm Ebony Stunner S087.
“This baby bull shows great prospects for the future. He is thick, has a nice head and great breed character. I’ve no doubt he will mature into a great stock bull,” added the judge.
The award for the champion pair of calves was won by Dartrey Delleric Y162 and Dartrey Diane Erica Y151, bred by NI club chairperson Hylda Mills, Scarva. These March-born heifers are by Mosshall Red Junior Eric U911.
The Matchett family claimed the reserve award with Birches Bell Y911 and Birches Lord Jacob Y767.
The NI Aberdeen Angus Club is indebted to its sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible. Thanks also to the judge Nicola Howie, and the Wylie Family for the use of the excellent facilities at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
Gemma Parke exhibited the yearling heifer class winner Coolermoney Ruth X086. Also pictured are Scottish judge Nicola Howie, and Alan Morrison representing Boyds Feeds, sponsor. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Judge Nicola Howie, Aberdeen, and Alan Shaw, WD Meats, sponsor, congratulate the young handler class winners, Jasmine Parke, Joe Mallon and Sam Matchett. Picture: Columba O’Hare/Newry.ie
William, Jane, Jamie and Lewis Dodd, Saintfield, with their reserve heifer calf champion, and reserve supreme champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s calf show, Dungannon. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Peter Lamb presents the JB Lamb Memorial Cup for the supreme champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s Calf Show to Matthew Cochrane, who exhibited Greenacres Top Lass Y201 on behalf of Noel and Daniel Willis, Portadown. Included is Scottish judge Nicola Howie. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Fintan Keown, Belleek, exhibited the reserve bull calf champion Home Farm Erne Y802. Included is judge Nicola Howie, Aberdeenshire. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Reserve yearling champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show, Dungannon, was Coolermoney Eric X145 shown by Aaron Parke, Strabane. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
The heifer calf champion and supreme overall champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show, Dungannon, was Greenacres Top Lass Y201 ET bred by Noel and Daniel Willis, Portadown, and exhibited by Matthew Cochrane. Adding their congratulations are sponsor AJ Mills from Alexander Mills, Benburb; and Scottish judge Nicola Howie. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
George McWhirter, ABP Newry, congratulates Gemma Parke, Stabane, on winning the yearling championship at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show, Dungannon, with Coolermoney Ruth X086. Picture: Colmba O’Hare Newry.ie
Nicola Howie presented the David Dickson Cup for the reserve champion pair of calves to Birches Bell Y911 and Birches Lord Jacob Y767 exhibited by Gail and Sam Matchett, Portadown. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Reserve heifer calf champion and reserve supreme champion was the senior heifer calf class winner Glenbrae Red Miss Kayo Y477 ET bred by William, Jamie and Lewis Dodd, Saintfield. They were congratulated by class sponsor Matthew Hepburn, Boyd Haulage, Swatragh; and judge Nicola Howie. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Matthew Cochrane exhibited Greenacres Top Lass Y201 ET, owned by Daniel and Noel Willis, Portadown, winner of the March-born intermediate heifer class. Adding their congratulations are judge Nicola Howie, and George McWhirter, Certified Irish Beef, sponsor. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
The April born intermediate heifer class was won by Knockoneill Evening Tinge Y752 exhibited by Joe Mallon, Swatragh. He was congratulated by Cathy O’Hara, representing sponsor NCCE, Swatragh; and Scottish judge Nicola Howie. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
The junior and baby heifer calf class was won by Birches Bell Y911 exhibited by Gail Matchett, Portadown. Included are Aaron Parke, Fane Valley Store, sponsor; and judge Nicola Howie, Aberdeen. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Bull calf champion and winner of the senior bull calf class was Tullybryan Lord Jono Y455 bred by Fiona Troughton, Ballygawley. Adding their congratulations are Scottish judge Nicola Howie, and Cathy O’Hara reresenting sponsors Energia Renewables and John McElderry. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Sam Matchett, Portadown, exhibited the first placed intermediate bull calf Birches Lord Jacob Y767. Included are Iain and Isaac MacRoberts, Hoof Shop, Banbridge, sponsor; and Scottish judge Nicola Howie. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Kenneth Bready, Rathfriland, won the April born intermediate bull calf class with Kiltariff Lord Tucker Y435. He was congratulated by Mena McCloskey, Trisant Design, sponsor. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Fintan Keown, Belleek, won the baby bull calf class with Home Farm Erne Y802. He was congratulated by judge Nicola Howie, Aberdeenshire; and Gary Irvine from Irvine Family Butchers, Maguiresbridge. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
Judge Nicola Howie presents the David Dickson Cup for the champion pair of calves to Andrew Hamill and Graeme Donaghy who exhibited Dartrey Diane Erica Y151 and Dartrey Delleric Y162 on behalf of Hylda Mills, Scarva. Picture: Columba O’Hare Newry.ie
The winner of the yearling bull class was Coolermoney Eric X145 exhibited by Graeme Parke, Strabane. Included are judge Nicola Howie, and Freddie Davidson representing sponsor FS Heron. Picture: Columba O’Hare/Newry.ie
