2009 Herd Competition
ZARA WINS BLUES BOTANIC HERD OF THE YEAR COMPETION
Zara Chestnutt has topped
the NI Blue Cattle Club Botanic Herd of the Year competition 2009 with her
much admired Clougher Herd at Bushmills, Co Antrim.
The Botanic Reserve Herd
of the Year award going to Andrew Craig, Woodview Blues, Coleraine.
Zara founded
the Clougher Herd in 2002 with a cow bought as a present by her father, Victor,
at a dispersal sale in Kilrea mart by Richard Foster of Limavady.
Costing 3,200gns in calf this cow has been the basis of Zara’s on-going
success starting with a first bull sold at 9000gns in Carlisle. Clearly the
advice of family friend Sam Milliken back in 2002 to ‘buy that cow’ was
sound, as no further stock has been purchased.
Over this past seven years
Zara’s Blues have been frequent winners at Balmoral
and Antrim, indeed taking the Castlewellan Show Championship six times. Castlewellan
being one of the largest shows for British Blues in the UK.
The overall Herd
of the Year results were;
Small herd 1. Jim Sloan, Ballygrange, Kilkeel, 2.
James Annett, Snowy Ridge, Kilkeel, 3. Jason and Jennifer Edgar, Ballyhossett,
Downpatrick.
Medium herd 1. Zara Chestnutt, Clougher, Bushmills,
2. Jack Morrison & Son,
Chatham, Ballymoney, 3. Mel Lucas, Lukeroyal, Antrim.
Large herd 1. Andrew
Craig, Woodview, Coleraine, 2. Jim Ervine, Knockagh, Newtownabbey.
Best cow 1. Basil Doherty, Greenfield, Kircubbin, 2. Mel
Lucas, 3. Alan Cleland, Ballee, Downpatrick.
Best heifer 1. Zara Chestnutt,
2. Jim Ervine, 3. Andrew Craig.
Best bull 1. Jason and Jennifer Edgar, Ballyhossett
2. Ivan and Corrina Gordon, Springbank, Kilkeel 3. Andrew Craig, Woodview.
Judge
Graham Brindley of the famous Bringlee British Blues Herd, Market Drayton,
Shropshire praising not only the standard of stock, but also the high standard
of stockmanship.
“To see so many young people involved in breeding excellent examples
of the nation’s premier terminal sire beef breed is most encouraging
with Zara Chestnutt a worthy overall winner, “ commented Graham, know
to many Ulster Blue breeders for his warm hospitality.
Harold McKee of Kilkeel
as NI Blue Cattle Club secretary noting that,
“Northern Ireland is an expanding centre of excellence for British Blue
cattle breeding so sponsorship for our herd competition from Botanic International,
manufacturers of herbal skincare products and creams for the treatment of skin
conditions and injuries is appreciated.
“Likewise it is a pleasure to welcome Graham Brindley, one of our foremost
British Blue cattle breeders, to the province as judge.”
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| Jim Sloan, Small Herd winner of the NI British Blue
Herds competition, with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch,
Botanica and Harold McKee, sec of the NI club, at the awards presentation
evening held at Martins’ farm Newtownards. |
 |
| David Chestnutt, representing his sister Zara, winner
of the medium herd of the NI British Blue Herds competition with Judge
Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch of Botanica and Harold McKee sec
of the NI club at the awards presentation evening held at Martin Brothers’ farm,
Newtownards, C Down. |
 |
| Andrew Craig, Coleraine winner of the large herd is
represented by his children Reanna and Robert at the NI British Blue
Herds competition with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch,
Botanica and Harold McKee sec of the NI club at the awards presentation
evening held at Martin Brothers’ farm Newtownards. |
 |
| Basil Doherty, winner of the best cow at the NI British
Blue Herds competition, with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch,
Botanica and Harold McKee sec of the NI club at the awards presentation
evening held at James Martin's farm Newtownards. |
 |
| Basil Doherty, winner of the best cow at the NI British
Blue Herds competition with Judge Graham Brindley sponsor Michael Lynch,
Botanica and Harold McKee sec of the NI club at the awards presentation
evening held at James Martin's farm Newtownards |
 |
| Jason Edgar, winner of the best bull at the NI British
Blue Herds competition, with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch,
Botanica and Ivan Gordon, vice chairman of the NI club, at the awards
presentation evening held at James and Thomas Martin’s farm, Newtownards,
Co Down |
 |
| Overall winner of the herds competition was Zara Chestnutt
from Bushmills, represented by her brother David, at the NI British Blue
Herds competition with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch,
Botanica and Harold McKee, sec of the NI club at the awards presentation
evening held at James and Thomas Martin's farm forenenst Newtownards,
Co Down. |
Pics: Kevin McAuley Photography/Multimedia
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