Aberdeen Angus showcase at 114th Ballymoney Show
By Julie Hazelton
North Antrim Agricultural Society is set to showcase the Aberdeen Angus breed at its 114th Ballymoney Show taking place on Saturday 3rd June.
The Showcase initiative was introduced recently, and will focus on a different breed every year. The ‘chosen’ breed will benefit from an additional prize fund.
Aberdeen Angus breeders are invited to compete for a share of the increased prize fund at the 2023 event. Show secretary Anne McLaughlin has confirmed that the prize money has been doubled thanks to generous class sponsorship from Hunter Kane and Son, and championship sponsorship from Yara UK Ltd.
The schedule features five classes for Aberdeen Angus cattle: senior bulls born before 1/1/22, junior bulls born in 2022, cows and heifers (in-calf or with calf at foot), heifers born in 2022, and pair of cattle, property of exhibitor.
The entry fee is £8, and the prize money in each class is £40 for first, £20 for second and £16 for third. The supreme champion will receive £100 and the Armoy Perpetual Cup; while the reserve champion will collect a £50 cash prize.
County Fermanagh breeder Fintan Keown, who runs the 10-cow Home Farm Herd, and a 25-cow commercial suckler herd, has been nominated to judge Ballymoney Show’s Aberdeen Angus Showcase.
The closing date for entries is 21st May. Entry forms can be completed online. Log on to the show’s website: www.ballymoneyshow.org, where you will be redirected to the www.showingscene.com website. First-time users of the website will have to create an account, complete the entry form and pay the relevant fees online.
Further details are available from secretary Anne McLaughlin, email: secretary@ballymoneyshow.org, or mobile: 07713 519928.
