Northern Ireland British Blue Cattle Club 2018 Dinner

Gemma Wins Blue Show Herd Award

Gemma Heatherington was presented with the NI Show Herd of the Year Award 2018 at the highly successful Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club annual dinner in the Temple Golf Club, Saintfield.

Showing cattle from their much admired Meadowview Herd at Sixmilecross, Co Tyrone

Gemma and her father William have enjoyed a tremendous year with their eye catching British Blue stock including an outstanding heifer.

The NI Show Herd Cup is awarded to the exhibitor with the most points gained on the summer show circuit.

Presenting the Cup to Emma club chairman Basil Dougherty from Kircubbin praised her dedication to the ultimate beef breed and skill in the show ring.

Gemma Heatherington of Sixmilecross took the NI Blue Cattle Club 2018 show herd of the year award. Making the presentation at the club dinner were chairman Basil Dougherty and secretary Annabelle Cleland, right.

This award was established to encourage members to show their cattle not only at major events such as Balmoral, but in local shows province wide. Happily Gemma is one many younger folk now breeding and showing British Blues. Indeed it is heartening to see so many young faces at our events and many new members attending this dinner.

Looking ahead Basil as club chairman noted that there will be two British Blue Cattle Society Sales in NI during 2019. Both at Dungannon for easy access by buyers from across NI and adjacent border counties.

The first will be on Friday March 29th and the second on Friday October 25th with strong demand anticipated for bulls that up grade beef calves from suckler and dairy herds alike. Members were also advised that details of the club AGM in February will soon be released.

In his closing remarks Basil Dougherty urged members to ensure their entries for Balmoral Show 2019 were with the RUAS team on time.