Meat Joint Calf Show 2010

73 Blues at Meat Joint Calf Show

A record 73 calves, up from 43 last year, were entered for the British Blue calf show sponsored by the Meat Joint and hosted by Moira Arena.

Cheshire farmer Wilf Lomas judged the calf show and his agricultural journalist daughter Katie Lomas judged the Young Handlers Competition, also sponsored by the Meat Joint of Antrim and Lisburn.
“A tremendous event with some truly excellent calves on display and so very well organised by Robert Johnston, Harold McKee, Johnny Young and colleagues in the NI Blue Cattle Club,” commented Wilf Lomas.
“The Meat Joint Supreme Champion calf, shown by Corrina and Ivan Gordon, was a heifer calf, Springbank Ebbe, born last September out of Lukeroyal Tutu and sired by Springbank Blackstar. This really is a true Blue female with terrific hindquarters yet retaining her femininity.
“There was not a poor or mediocre calf out of 73 on show, including an amazing class of 22 bulls aged seven to nine months. This is my first visit to Northern Ireland and I leave certain the Blues here and those who breed them could hold their own at any event elsewhere in the UK. I also had the opportunity to attend the breed open night hosted by Zara Chestnutt and was equally impressed by the livestock, the people and their willingness to support a charity auction for Marie Curie Cancer Care,” Wilf added.

The Lomas family have bred British Blues since 1987 when Wilf’s late Uncle Denis was a pioneering enthusiast for the breed in the UK.
“My grandfather started breeding pedigree British Friesians during the war and today we run the 160 strong Leesemanor pedigree Holstein dairy herd from which both pedigree bulls and heifers are sold,” Wilf explained.
“ As well as a British Blue herd we breed Limousins of which my Uncle was also a pioneer so pedigree breeding is a major enterprise for us. With my son James some winter barley is grown for our own use, but producing milk, pedigree Holstein, British Blues and Limousins are our main enterprises along with a home catering business build up by my wife Pam.
“One of those simple, successful businesses that takes off way beyond expectations it is based on offering a private catering venue in our farmhouse for organisations varying from WIs and the Mother Union to church history societies. All getting good wholesome food served in a farmhouse venue where they are the only dinners.”

NI Blue Cattle Club chairman Robert Johnston and secretary Harold McKee were clearly delighted at the response across the nine classes, including a new pairs class. “To see families travel considerable distances to be here on time for a prompt start at 11am was most heartening,” commented Robert, who went on to judge the Tullow Show in Co Carlow the following morning. Harold noting that not only were numbers up, but the quality of stock and the way they were exhibited by young people with a passion for livestock was most encouraging.
Supreme and Female Champion; Corrina and Ivan Gordon, Kilkeel

Reserve Supreme and Male Champion; Ballybollen Frosty, born January 2010 out of Woodview Uno, sired by Norbreck Blackbeauty and shown by Ernest Gregg & daughters, Ahoghill.

Corrina and Ivan also taking the reserve male champion with Springbank Electro, shown in the same class, and sired by Springbank Blackstar out of Reidgedean Wondering Glen.

Results:

Bull calves nder three months
1. Springhill Flo-Jo, Martin Brothers, Newtownards.

Bull calves four to six months
1. Woodview Fabian, Andrew Craig, Coleraine
2. Woodview Finlay, Andrew Craig
3. Magheradroll Freddie, Johnny Young, Ballynahinch.

Bull calves seven to nine months
described enthusiastically by judge Wilf Lomas as ‘a tremendous class of 22 great Blues’
1. Ballybollen Frosty, Ernest Gregg & daughters, Ahoghill
2. Springbank Electro, Corrina and Ivan Gordon, Kilkeel
3.Faughanvale Empire, Oliver McGuinness, Eglinton, Co L’Derry.

Bull calves 10 to 12 months
1.Knockagh Edgar, Jim Ervine, Newtownabbey
2. Belmore Emperor, Barbara Van Rie, Magherafelt
3. Woodview Ennis, A Craig

Heifer calves under three months
1. Drumboy First Girl, Oliver McCann, Newry
2. Luke Royal Fifi, Mel Lucas, Antrim
3. Snowyridge Florida, James Annett, Kilkeel.

Heifers four to six months
1. Belmore Fabiola, Barbara Van Rie, Magherafelt
2. Ballyhossett Faith, Jennifer & Jason Edgar, Downpatrick
3. Drumlone Fancypants K C Veitch, Lisbellaw

Heifers seven to 10 months
1.Faughanvale Ellen, Oliver McGuinness, Eglinton
2. Woodview Ebony, Andrew Craig, Coleraine
3. Ballybollen Francesca, E Gregg & daughters, Ahoghill

Heifers 10 – 12 months
1. Springbank Ebbe, Corrina & Ivan Gordon
2. Knockagh Emily, W J Ervine, Newtownabbey
3. Lukeroyal Elsie, Mel Lucas

Pairs class any age
1. W J Ervine
2. Robert McCormick Fintona
3. A Craig

Journalist Katie Lomas from the Farmers’ Guardian was clearly delighted with the enthusiasm of the 22 Young Handlers and opted to award all present with a memento. The three top places going to; junior Matthew Edgar, Downpatrick, intermediate Emma Rodgers, Dromara, senior Claire Young, Ballynahinch.

Kerrie Simpson winner of the senior young handler and Julie Simpson who was third with Katie Lomas judge

Emma Rodgers winner of the imtermediate young handler with judge Katie Lomas and sponsor Mandy Charlie and Chloe Herbinson from the Meat Joint Antrim and Lisburn

Matthew Edgar junior young handler with Katie Lomas judge and Mandy Herbinson from the Meat Joint in Lisburn and Antrim sponsor

Ernie and Rebecca Gregg overall reserve show champion and male champion with Wilfred Lomas judge

Ivan and Corrina Gordon with Jenny Sophie and James who were supreme champions with judge Wilfred Lomas

Barbra Van Rie with Matthew and Jacqueline McKinney first in the heifer class with judge Wilfred Lomas and Harold McKee secretary

Matthew and Jacqueline McKinney

Laura Ervine first in the senior bull class with Wilfred Lomas judge and Many Herbinson sponsor from the Meat Joint Antrim and Lisburn

Jim and Laura Ervine best pair with sponsor Many Herbinson from the Meat Joint Antrim and Lisburn and judge Wilfred Lomas

Leah McCormick reserve in the young handler intermediate section

Ivan and Corrina Gordon and family with Judge Wilfred Lomas reserve male champion

Pictures by Kevin McAuley Photography