Meat Joint Calf Show 2011

Tyrone Breeder Takes Meat Joint Championship

KNOCKARAVEN Gina ET, a January 2011 born heifer, took both the Supreme and Female Championships at The Meat Joint British Blue Calf Show in Moira Arena.

This Empire D’Ochain sired daughter of Black N Blue UK.Com shown by Andrew Armstrong, Knockaraven British Blues, Dromore, Co Tyrone topped a calf show described by the judge, Jonathan Bellas from Cumbria, as ‘the best show of calves I have seen anywhere in Britain.’ A full sister of this excellent calf, Knockaraven Gaga ET taking second place in the heifer class for the Armstrong family.

The Reserve Supreme Championship and Male Championship went to Ballybollen Grant Duke ET shown by Ernest Gregg and daughters of Ahoghill, Co Antrim. Also sired by Empire D’Ochain, this Lukeroyal Winnifred daughter was bought as an embryo at the NI British Blue Club annual charity auction last summer having been donated by Mel and Diane Lucas of Antrim.

Reserve male champion, Woodview Frankie ET, Andrew Craig, Coleraine,

Reserve female champion, Ballee Gem ET, Alan Cleland, Downpatrick.

Class results were as follows;

Bulls born 2010; 1. Woodview Frankie ET, Andrew Craig, Coleraine, 2. Bavan Future Star ET, T Dodds, Mayobridge, 3. Lukeroyal Farmer ET, Diane and Mel Lucas, Antrim.

Bulls class 2, First and male champion, Ballybollen Grant Duke ET shown by Ernest Gregg and daughters of Ahoghill, 2. Knockaraven Giga ET, A Armstrong, 3. Ballybollen Gregg ET, E Gregg and daughters.

Bulls class 3, 1. Corcreevy Great, W Adams, Fivemiletown, 2. Drumboy Goodfella ET, O McCann, Castlewellan, 3. Corcreevy Graham, W Adams.

Bull class 4 1. Lukeroyal Ghost ET, M & D Lucas, 2. Bridlenas Cash Gerry ET, Brendan Mulholland, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone.

Heifers class 5. 1. Lukeroyal Fumble ET, M & D Lucas, 2. Lukeroyal Faberge ET, M & D Lucas, 3. Woodview Faye ET, A Craig.

Heifers class 6, First, female and supreme champion, Knockaraven Gina ET, Andrew Armstrong, 2. Knockaraven Gaga ET, A Armstrong, 3. Lukeroyal Gucci ET, M & D Lucas.

Heifers Class 7 First and reserve female champion Ballee Gem, ET, Alan Cleland, 2. Greenfield Goddess, Basil Dougherty, Kircubbin, Co Down. 3. Baronagh Blues Gipsy ET, Robt McCormick, Fintona.

Heifers class 8. 1. Bridlenas Cash Georgia ET, Brendan Mulholland, 2. Baronagh Blues Gretta ET, Robt McCormick, Fintona.

The pairs class in the British Blue Cattle Society NI Club Calf Show was won by Gloria and James Annett, Kilkeel with Mel and Diane Lucas, Antrim second. Third place in the pairs competition going to Jim Ervine, and family, Newtownabbey.

Drawing proceeding to a close Ivan Gordon from Kilkeel, NI British Blue Club Chairman, thanked The Meat Joint of Antrim for continued and valued sponsorship. “That such an excellent farm butcher continues to support this event and prefers British Blue sired carcasses is most encouraging.”

Ivan also congratulated Club secretary Harold McKee on running such a well organised event enjoyed by all three generations of farm families taking part.

The British Blue Cattle Society export status sale will also be held in Moira Arena on Guy Fawkes Day, Sat, Nov 5.

click on thumbnails to enlarge

Pictures Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia

FIRST TIME JUDGING SUCCESS FOR SARAH!

SARAH Bellas judged The Meat Joint of Antrim sponsored British Blue NI Young Handlers event at Moira Arena before revealing it was her first time as a judge.
However, having trained her own three children to compete in Young Handlers at home in Cumbria, Sarah proved an ideal judge.

“The standard was extremely high and the majority of Young Handlers were excellent so the competition very close with Martin Rodgers and Nicola Gordon in the nine to 13 year old class especially impressive,” commented Sarah, whose husband Jonathan judged the British Blues NI Calf Show earlier in the day.

Asked if she had any advice for Young Handlers the Appleby farmwife and Mum noted that competitors at this Northern Ireland Club event could certainly compete successfully at national level. “So the only advice I gave a few of the novice competitors was to smile and watch the judge when taking part.”

The Meat Joint of Antrim Young Handlers event results were;

Eight years old and younger; 1. Dara Mulholland, 2.Sophie Gordon, 3. Victoria Workman.

9-13 years old; 1. Martin Rodgers, 2. Nicola Gordon, 3. Leah McCormick.

14-16 years old; 1. Emma Rodgers, 2. Richard Fleming, 3. Rebecca Gregg.