Scottish judge, Ewen Campbell was most impressed by the line-up of winners at the Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club's annual Calf Show at Dungannon.
Mr Campbell, who runs the 20-cow Kilmallie herd and is farm manager at SRUC’s estate near Crianlarich, found his top two winners in calves from the Doyle family's enterprise from Cookstown.
“There was a strong turnout of more than 70 entries in the young handler and calf classes. The quality and presentation of calves was superb, with every class featuring youngstock that would rival entries at any UK show.”
Claiming the supreme championship was the bull calf, Drumhill Express Root A883 from Jonathan, Lisa, Jack and Jessica Doyle’s 60-cow herd. This six-month-old is by the herd’s 15,000gns stock bull Galcantray Jedi Eric V287, and bred from Drumhill Evora V116.
Reserve was the Doyle’s heifer calf, Drumhill Princess Chartreuse A023. This five-month-old is sired by Drumhill Lord Hatfield R532, while her dam is Weeton Princess Chartreuse W125.
The Dodd family from Saintfield, William, Jane, Jamie and Lewis, secured the yearling championship, with the July 2023-born bull Glenbrae Red Mario Z177. A son of Mosshall Red Forrest V018, he is out of the home-bred Glenbrae Red Mouse U173.
James Porter’s 60-cow herd from Gill Hall Estate, Dromore, claimed the reserve yearling championship with the February 2023-born heifer, Old Glenort Ermiss Z044. Sired by the 7000gns stock bull Blelack Dakota U898, she is bred from Schivas Ermiss T520.
The reserve bull calf title went to the six-month-old Bluebell Bank Black Bently A612 from Hugh Dickson and family, Moneyreagh. Sired by Whinney Knowe Jumbo V005, her dam is Bluebell Bank Black Bianca X527 – one of two cows in the herd, founded in 1973.
John Blackburn from Clogher, won the reserve heifer calf, with Killaney Lady Elizabeth A072. This three-month-old is sired by Windy Gowl Red Laddie W292, and is out of Killaney Lady Elizabeth U635.
Moses Irwin jnr from Fintona won the pairs title with Denamona Primer A416 by the 7500gns Drumhill Prime Cut X155, and Denamona Black Benson A674, a son of the 8000gns Shadwell Bravado X283.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here