Calf Show Impresses Scottish Angus Judge
2010-11-08

A tremendous show with a very high standard of entries in each class was how Scottish judge, Alastair Fraser, described the Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club’s 6th Annual Calf Show, held at the Pedigree Sales Arena, Moira.

Alistair Fraser of the Idvies herd judging the calf classes at the NI Aberdeen-Angus Club Calf Show

Mr Fraser, who runs the 60-cows Idvies herd based at Forfar in Angus, said:”I’d like to thank the Northern Ireland club for inviting to me judge this great show. The cattle are a credit to the young showmen and women who have prepared and presented them in the show ring today.

“It has been a great show and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. The classes were strong, and this event would rate highly with any of the Aberdeen Angus shows in the United Kingdom.

The Matchett family from Birches, near Portadown, County Armagh, Nigel, Gail, Sarah and Sam, notched up a string of successes at the one-day show. Their accolades included the yearling heifer championship, the reserve heifer calf championship, the bull calf championship, the commercial championship and the pairs championship.

Scooping the yearling heifer championship was the much admired Knockadrinan Bell J460. Born in March 2009 she is by the Gigginstown House Drew E300 son, Knockadrinan Precise G398. This super heifer was the All-Ireland Champion at Clogher Show in 2009, and was purchased privately from Irish breeder Tom Reynolds. She is no stranger to show success, having won the calf championship at last year’s calf show, and the supreme Aberdeen Angus title at this year’s inaugural Native Breeds Show, as well as several reserve championship awards.

Sarah Matchett exhibited the yearling heifer champion Knockadrinan Bell J460.

Runner-up in the yearling heifer championship was the September 2009 born Friarstown Ellen Erica J161, exhibited by club chairman, Robin Lamb, and sons, Stuart, Ben and Peter from Richhill, County Armagh. Sired by Aynho Rossiter Eric B125, and bred from a Rawburn dam, she was purchased recently at a draft sale from Jerry Henchy’s herd in Kilmallock, County Limerick.

Top honours in the yearling bull section went to the father and son team of Adrian and Graeme Parke, Strabane, County Tyrone. The March 2009 born Coolermoney Rochester J955 was sired by the home-bred Rawburn Eventer 2nd son, Coolermoney Rossiter F734. He won his class at several shows throughout the summer and was breed champion at Ballymoney and Newry.

The reserve yearling bull championship went to John and Avril Robson, Augher, who exhibited the May 2009 born BJ’s No Limits 15S son, Glenjoy Limitless J167. The husband and wife team established their 10-cow herd four years ago.

Adrian and Graeme Parke had a successful day, also claiming the heifer calf championship with the home-bred Coolermoney Rachel K051. Born in April 2010, she is by Nakkeg Nord, and is out of Coolermoney Raquel F756 – one of six cows in the herd which was founded 15 years ago.

The runner-up was Knockadrinan Bell K496 – a six-month-old calf owned by Sarah and Sam Matchett. She is a recent acquisition from Tom Reynolds’ Bornacoola-based herd, and is from the same family as the yearling heifer champion.

The April 2010 born Birches Abbot K864, secured the bull calf championship for Sarah and Sam Matchett. Sired by the popular Coneyisland Legend E112, this entry is the first home-bred calf shown by the sister and brother team.

Standing in reserve position was Home Farm Ebony Ahead K894, a March 2010 born Rawburn Rommel E423 son, exhibited by Fintan Keown, Belleek, County Fermanagh. He was bred from the Nakkeg Nord daughter, Home Farm Ebony Swinger G393 – one of six cows in the herd which was founded in 2007.

A new introduction to this year’s show was a class for commercial Angus-sired calves born in 2010. Claiming the championship ribbons was the six-month-old Jalex Black Beauty VI, shown by Sarah and Sam Matchett. This super heifer calf was bought privately from commercial suckler farmer and fatstock producer, James Alexander, Randalstown, and was sired by the Jalex herd’s stock bull, Lisduff Duke.

The reserve championship award went to Jack Smyth, Strabane, for his March 2010 born Cheeklaw Eirwyn heifer calf, Bessiebell Bell.

The Matchett family also claimed the Mossbrook Cup, presented by David Dickson, Moneyreagh, for the best pair of 2010 born calves, owned by exhibitor. The winning duo included the bull calf champion, Birches Abbot K864, and the reserve heifer calf champion, Knockadrinan Bell K496.

Claiming the reserve spot were the heifer calf champion, Coolermoney Rachel K051, and the third prize winning intermediate bull calf, Coolermoney Rocky K047, exhibited by Adrian and Graeme Parke.

NI Aberdeen Angus Club chairman, Robin Lamb, was delighted with the success of the event which attracted visitors from as far afield as Aberdeen and Cork. “It’s been a tremendous show, with a bigger and better entry than previous years. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the event, especially the sponsors, without whom the show would not be possible. Thanks also to R A Noble and Co for the use of the premises, and Dungannon Farmers’ Mart who produced the catalogue.”

Results include:

Championships

Yearling heifer championship, sponsored by Ulster Livestock Care: Sarah and Sam Matchett, Knockadrinan Bell J460. Reserve: Robin Lamb and Sons, Richhill Ellen Erica J161.

Yearling bull championship, sponsored by ABP Newry: Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rochester J955. Reserve: John Robson, Glenhoy Limitless J167.
Heifer calf championship, sponsored by Animax: Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rachel K051. Reserve: Sarah and Sam Matchett, Knockadrinan Bell K496.

Bull calf championship, sponsored by Balig Farm Cottages: Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Abbot K864. Reserve: Fintan Keown, Home Farm Ebony Ahead K894.
Commercial championship, sponsored by Funeral Services NI: Sarah and Sam Matchett, Jalex Black Beauty VI. Reserve: Jack Smyth, Bessiebell Bell.

Young Handlers

Young handler, 10 to 12-years old, sponsored by Ulster Bank – 1, Sarah Matchett, Portadown; 2, Diane Forsythe, Moneymore; 3, Sam Matchett, Portadown; 4, William McLucas.

Young handler, 13 to 17-years-old, sponsored by Ulster Bank – 1, Donal Keown, Belleek; 2, Sam Martin, Newtownards; 3, Alan Burleigh, Florencecourt; 4, Jack Smyth, Strabane.

Young handler, 18 to 25-years-old , sponsored by Ulster Bank – 1, Fintan Keown, Belleek; 2, Gemma Snodgrass, Strabane; 3, Peter Lamb, Richhill; 4, Graeme Parke, Strabane.

Calf classes

Senior yearling heifer, born between 01/03/09 and 24/06/09, sponsored by M and W Farm Meats – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Knockadrinan Bell J460 by Knockadrinan Precise G398; 2, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Lady Joan J783 by Glendara Walnut; 3, Robin Lamb and Sons, Richhill, Richhill Black Janet J202 by The Moss Etan 4541; 4, Stanley Smith, Florencecourt, Allwood Pepsi J261 by Fordel Eisenhower Y423.

Intermediate and junior yearling heifer, born between 17/07/09 and 07/10/09, sponsored by Cosi Sleep – 1, Robin Lamb and Sons, Friarstown Ellen Erica J161 by Aynho Rossiter Eric B125; 2, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Strabane, Coolermoney Rosita J003 by Coneyisland Legend E112; 3, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore, Coltrim Lady Jessie J343 by Wedderlie Net Profit.’

Senior yearling bull, born between 04/03/09 and 07/05/09, sponsored by Riverview Meats – 1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rochester J955 by Coolermoney Rossiter F734; 2, John Robson, Augher, Glenhoy Limitless J167 by BJ’s No Limits 15S; 3, Michael Lagan, Upperlands, Macknagh Mills Jacob J784 by Cudlobe Millennium 12M.

Senior heifer calf, born between 03/01/10 and 09/03/10, sponsored by Hutchinson Mills – 1, Robin Lamb and Sons, Richhill Rosanna K364 by Masterpiece of Gilkey; 2, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Carrigroe G Butterfly by Cashelane Bowie A337; 3, Andy and Sharon McKeown and Son, Ballyclare, Ashvale Erica K202 by Woodvale Exclsuive E141; 4, Leo and Caroline Burns, Crossmaglen, Cregganbane Missie K107 by Chapelton Eventer E809.

Intermediate heifer calf, born between 21/03/10 and 28/04/10, sponsored by Fane Valley – 1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rachel K051 by Nakkeg Nord 913; 2, Jonathan Doyle, Cookstown, Drumhill Duchess K165 by Hoff Limited Edition SC594; 3, Robin Lamb and Sons, Richhill Rosanna K412 by Richhill Dynasty H126; 4, Robin Lamb and Sons, Richhill Jill K467 by Richhill Dynasty H126.

Junior heifer calf, born between 01/05/10 and 07/06/10, sponsored by Semex UK – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Knockadrinan Bell K496 by Knockadrinan Precise G398; 2, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge, Drummeer Lady Tasmin K276 by Santanna Duke; 3, Robin Lamb and Sons, Richhill Blackbird K504 by Richhill Dynasty H126; 4, Kenneth Bready, Rathfriland, Kiltariff Lady Trina K304 by Kiltariff Lord Trendersetter H105.

Baby heifer calf, born between 16/06/10 and 10/08/10, sponsored by Natural Nutrition – 1, Andy and Sharon McKeown and Son, Ashvale Ellen K257 by Woodvale Exclusive E141; 2, Andy and Sharon McKeown and Son, Ashvale Pamela K294 by Woodvale Exclusive E141; 3, Andy and Sharon McKeown and Son, Ashvale Blackbelle K364 by Woodvale Exclusive E141.

Senior bull calf, born between 08/01/10 and 02/03/10, sponsored by Scotmin Nutrition Ltd – 1, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Ebony Ahead K894 by Rawburn Rommel E423; 2, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Enrico K081 by Dalrene Cruz 11F; 3, Samuel and Timothy Scott, Newtownards, Drumawhey Ranger K063 by Bunlahy Broadband F200.

Intermediate bull calf, born between 10/03/10 and 14/04/10, sponsored by Alex Scott and Son Ltd – 1, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Eddie K916 by Rawburn Rommel E423; 2, Robert Sufferin, Maghera, Tamneymullan Lord Jock K696 by Baronagh Euro A043; 3, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rocky K047 by Laheens Eugene; 4, Adrian and Graeme Parkee, Coolermoney Rambler K025 by Nakkeg Nord 913.

Junior or baby bull calf, born between 23/04/10 and 02/07/10, sponsored by Smyths Flakes – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Birches Abbot K864 by Coneyisland Legend E112; 2, Samuel and Timothy Scott, Drumawhey Postman K111 by Bunlahy Broadband F200; 3, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Executive K527 by Wedderlie Net Profit E916; 4, Stanley Smith, Allwood Prosector K294 by Fordel Eisenhower Y423.

Commercial calf, sired by a pedigree Aberdeen Angus bull, born in 2010, sponsored by NICCEC – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett, Jalex Black Beauty VI by Lisduff Duke; 2, Jack Smyth, Bessiebell Bell by Cheeklaw Eirwyn.

Pair of calves born in 2010, owned by exhibitor, sponsored by Janset Animal Health and McCauley Feed – 1, Sarah and Sam Matchett; 2, Adrian and Graeme Parke.

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