Natural Stockcare British Blue Herd Competition

The Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club held their annual herd competition recently and was delighted to have Natural Stockcare Ltd as their sponsors.

Jenny and Emily Martin British Blue Overall herd winners at the British Blue Awards evening at Ballynahinch Rugby club

Entrants from all over the province were visited over a three day period to have their animals inspected by the judge, Jonathan (Jonty) Bellas of Croftends Herd, Appleby, Cumbria. Jonty, a noted British Blue breeder, thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and the chance to visit club members at their own farms to view in his own words ‘some spectacular animals’.

Sam Martin overall Large Herd Winner with David Beattie Natural Stockcare and Jonty Bellas judge

The competition was open to club members and herds were judged in three categories: large, medium and small along with individual awards for Best Brood Cow, Best Bull and Best Heifer.

The results were announced by Jonty at the club’s annual barbeque.

Best Brood Cow was Springhill Cynthia sired by Twyning Ash Vaughan with dam Springhill Trinity, owned by Martin Bros from Newtownards.

Best Bull was Drumboy Gizmo ET sired by Bluegrass Cyclone with dam Glencloy Blacknose, owned by Oliver McCann from Castlewellan.

Best Heifer was Ballygrange Effie ET sired by Springbank Blackstar with dam Ballygrange Roxy, owned by Ivan and Corrina Gordon from Kilkeel.

Large Herd Results: First place was the Springhill Herd owned by Martin Bros from Newtownards and second place was the Chatham Herd owned by Jack and Anne Morrison from Armoy.

Medium Herd Results: First place was the Drumboy Herd owned by Oliver McCann from Castlewellan, second place was the Ballyhosset Herd owned by Jason and Jennifer Edgar from Downpatrick and third place was the Ballybollen Herd owned by Ernie Gregg from Ballymena.

Small Herd Results: First place was the Springbank Herd owned by Ivan and Corrina Gordon from Kilkeel, second place was the Greenfield Herd owned by Basil Dougherty from Newtownards and third place was the Magheradroll Herd owned by Johnny Young from Ballynahinch.

Best Herd Overall was awarded to the Springhill Herd owned by Martin Bros from Newtownards with the Springbank Herd owned by Ivan and Corrina Gordon from Kilkeel taking the Reserve Best Herd.

The Martin Family James Sam Jenny and Emily overall all herd winner and Large herd winner with David Beattie Natural Stockcare and Jonty Bellas judge pictured during the presentation in Ballynhinch rugby club

David Beattie from Armagh, a representative for Natural Stockcare Ltd, kindly presented vouchers to all the prize winners.

Ernie and Naomi Gregg third place in the Medium herd with David Beattie Natural Stockcare and Jonty Bellas judge

Jonty said it was a pleasure to judge the competition and all the breeders should be extremely proud of their animals. He also suggested the competition should include a section for young bulls and heifers as he was greatly impressed with the young animals he seen during his farm visits.

John and Libby Young third place in the small herd with David Beattie Natural Stockcare

Ivan Gordon, the club chairman thanks the sponsors Natural Stockcare Ltd for their great support, Jonty for judging this prestigious competition and all the entrants for making this another successful event with congratulations to all the prize winners.

Medium Herd Winner Oliver McCann with Family and David Beattie Natural Stockcare

Basil Dougherty Small Herd second place winner with David and Johnathan with David Beattie Natural Stockcare

Ivan and Corina Gordon small herd winner and overall reserve with David Beattie Natural Stockcare

Michael Edgar and Suzanne Maxwell accept the medium herd second place for Jason Edgar with David Beattie Natural Stockcare