The NIHBA United Feeds Calf Show saw a tremendous show of calves at Dungannon Farmers Mart held in conjunction with NI Shorthorn Club with classes alternating between the two breeds.

Judge for the event was Catherine Smyth Ardmulcan Herefords, Navan, County Meath. Speaking after the event, Catherine said it was an honour to be asked to judge the calf show adding the display of cattle was a credit to all exhibitors in attendance and thanked the NIHBA committee members for their hard work in organising the event.

Lisrace Loneranger 6th from David Wilson

Junior and male champion was Lisrace Loneranger 6th from David Wilson, Magheraveely, Co Fermanagh out of the home-bred dam Lisrace Blossom, a Ballyaville Lifeliner daughter. Born in January 2021, it is by Knockmountagh Master, imported from Ireland from E McKiernan.

Graceland 1 Verity from Robin Irvine

The female champion, Graceland 1 Verity from Robin Irvine, Whitecross, Co Armagh also came from the junior section. Born in March 2021, this heifer calf is a daughter of Brookfield 1 Romeo which stands in AI Services and out of Blakesley 1 Minnie which made its way over the water from Towcester, Northamptonshire.

Country Crest Jack from Ciaran Kerr

Reserve male champion was found from the winner of the September to October 2020-born bull class and was Country Crest Jack from Ciaran Kerr, Craigavon, Co Armagh. Sired by Moyclare Phoenix and out of Ballyville Isa, it was purchased as a stock bull from Irish breeders M Hoey to join the Kinnego herd. Jack was part of a strong team forward from the Kerr’s who also took a win in the first class of the day, the exhibitor owned pairs, which had eight quality entries.

Lisrace Loneranger 6th from David Wilson

David Wilson saw more success in taking the reserve female champion title with Lisrace Bridge Girl 24th which led the January and February 2021 born heifer class. Again, with a home-bred dam, it is another by Knockmountagh Master.

Solpoll 1 Starlet V16 from J and W McMordie

The senior female champion, Solpoll 1 Starlet V16 from J and W McMordie, Ballygowan, Co Down, was found in the November to December 2020 born class. A Solpoll 1 Promoter daughter, it was previously shown on its dam Starlet M19 when winning the Balmoral championship this September.

Benburn 1 Alice 5th from Alan Shaw

The reserve senior female champion also came from the same class with the Normanton 1 Laertes daughter, Benburn 1 Alice 5th from Alan Shaw, Dungannon, Co Tyrone. It is out of a Shraden 1 Alice daughter which was purchased at the 2019 society show and sale for 5,000gns from Shropshire-based breeders MJ and HM Timmis.

Umgola 1 Lawman from Stephen Baxter

The reserve senior male champion was the first prize winner from the November to December 2020 born bull class, Umgola 1 Lawman from Stephen Baxter, Armagh. A Solpoll 1 Lawman son, it is out of Umgola 1 Sissy which is sired by the Irish-bred Dernaroy 1 Impact.

Sessiagh 1 Vindesil from Nathaniel Shaw

The reserve junior male champion spot went to Sessiagh 1 Vindesil from Nathaniel Shaw, Dungannon, Co Tyrone. Born March 2021, it is another son of Normanton 1 Laertes and out of Sessaigh 1 Olga, which is by the Australian-bred AI sire Wirruna Daffy D1.

Solpoll 1 Starlet V11 from J and W McMordie

The September to October 2020 born heifer class provided another win for John and William McMordie with Solpoll 1 Starlet V11, a daughter of Herberry 1 Herbert and out of Solpoll 1 Starlet P2.

Tullymore 1 Shrek from Raymond Pogue

The most junior bull class saw Tullymore 1 Shrek take victory for Raymond Pogue, Benburb, Co Tyrone. The youngest calf forward, being born on 31 May 2021, it was by Tullymore 1 Nixen, a son of Moyclare Lieutenant and out of Glenside Naomi.

Young handlers

The young handlers saw the entries split by age into two classes, with the senior section and overall award won by Jonny Mitchell and the junior section led by Keziah Shaw who then took the overall reserve title.

The NIHBA would like to thank United Feeds for its continued support of this event, all the exhibitors for bringing out their cattle and Dungannon Mart for the use of the yard for the event.