2010 AGM
BLUES PRAISED BY ALLAMS AUCTIONEER
Allams auctioneer Roy Gibson has highlighted that the vast majority of stock
at the mart’s 2009 Christmas Show and Sale were sired by British Blue
bulls.
As guest speaker at the NI Blue Cattle Breeders’ Club Annual
General Meeting in The Tannery, Moira, Roy noted that all breeds have their
attributes.
“However, the British Blue is having a massive impact on the whole
beef business at present, not least in adding value to calves from Holstein
herds. Indeed I would like to see more Blue bred calves going though our
sale ring.
“When a Blue calf out of a black and white cow makes £380 you
know the ultimate beef terminal sire is successful.”
Continuing the
popular, veteran auctioneer recalled the Mackey Brothers taking home £6,500
when their Blue animal won Allams Christmas Show and Sale.
Roy also thanked
the British Blue Cattle Society for their continued sponsorship and urged
more young members of the NI Club to lend a helping hand at the Christmas
Show where, “They would gain excellent experience at one
of the most exciting and enjoyable agricultural events of the year.”
Looking
ahead Roy quoted from the ‘Daily Mail’ about the fast
looming shortage of food worldwide at a time when British farming was continuing
to decline with a dearth of young blood in the industry.
He also voiced concern
about the demise of so many suckler herds and urged a return to a suckler
cow headage payment. “The return from the market
place, if beef is to be affordable in shops, simply does not leave a meaningful
margin for farmers. Though technical advances, such as sexed semen, continually
improve the efficiency of our agricultural industry.”
At a slightly slower pace than in the auctioneer’s box Roy Gibson
then conducted the Blue Cattle Club AGM election of office bearers.
The following
were elected at the well attended event;
Chairman: Robert Johnston, Belfast,
Vice Chairman: Ivan Gordon, Kilkeel,
Treasurer:
Jim Ervine, Newtownabbey,
other committee members, James Martin, Newtownards,
Jim Sloan, Kilkeel and Alan Cleland, Downpatrick.
 |
From left: Jack Morrison, Armoy; James Annett, Kilkeel;
Noel Gilchrist, Ardglass; James Martin, Newtownards and Robert Johnston,
Chairman |
 |
| Members of the Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club pictured
with their Guest Speaker at their AGM. Included are front: Robert Johnston,
Chairman, Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club and Roy Gibson, Allams, Speaker.
Back: Harold McKee, secretary; Ivan Gordon, Vice Chairman and Jim Ervine,
Treasurer. |
 |
| Roy Gibson, centre, Allams was guest speaker at the
Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club and is pictured with Club members Alan
Burleigh, Enniskillen, left and Jim Sloan, Kilkeel. |
 |
| Pictured at the Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club AGM
in Moira were from left: Jim Ervine, Treasurer; Roy Gibson, Allams, Guest
Speaker; Robert Johnston, Chairman, Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club
and Harold McKee, Secretary. |
 |
| Roy Gibson, centre, Allams was guest speaker at the
Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club and is pictured with Robert Johnston,
Chairman, Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club and Club Member Anne Morrison. |
 |
| Robert Johnston, left, Chairman, Northern Ireland Blue
Cattle Club with Guest Speaker Roy Gibson from Allams and Club members
Anne and Jack Morrison, Armoy. |
 |
| The top table at the Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club
AGM in Moira included from left: Ivan Gordon, Vice Chairman; Jim Ervine,
Treasurer; Robert Johnston, Chairman, Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club
and Harold McKee, Secretary. |
 |
| Pictured at the Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club AGM
in Moira were from left: Roy Gibson, Allams, Guest Speaker; Robert Johnston,
Chairman, Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club; Jim Ervine, Treasurer and
Harold McKee, Secretary. |
 |
| Relaxing at the Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club AGM
in Moira were from left: Ashley Graham, Broughshane; Laura Ervine, Newtownabbey;
Stephen Gordon, Kilkeel and Richard Simpson, Broughshane. |
|
