2009 Club Report

By Cecil McIlwaine

At the AGM of our club, I took up the position of Chairman. Having served as Vice-Chairperson for the previous two years, under the leadership of Robert Forde. Robert’s dedication to the club was second to none working diligently throughout his two year term. Thanks Robert and well done.

The first major event of the year was our club Show and Sale held in Dungannon on the 6th April. Judging was in the capable hands of our young committee member William Ferguson. He selected his Male and Overall Champion “Rehall William” exhibited by father and son team, William and Keith Stubbs from Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh. This fine bull was a son of “Hillcrest King” and sold for the top price of 5100 gns. Best Opposite Sex to the Champion was awarded to “Corrick Vida a Derrycallaghan Hamilton daughter exhibited by Scott & Neil McIlwaine, which sold for 3100gns. Top price in the female section went to the Stubbs family with Rehall Winnie a Kilbride Farm Newry daughter commanding 3300 gns. Top price in the commercial section were also recorded, with William’s brother Kenneth Stubbs receiving £1400 for a 450kg heifer. Indeed Kenneth sold seven unserved females weighing 441 kg to an average of £990 each. Top cattle in both the pedigree and commercial section were in demand and trade was brisk.

The summer show season commenced at Balmoral in May, Judge on the day was Brian Allan from the Glenturk herd in Newton Stewart, Scotland. Numbers forward were disappointing, but the quality was very good. Brian chose as his Male and Overall Champion a rising three year old bull, namely “Banwy TRex”. This bull exhibited by southern breeder Garret Behan. Junior Male and Overall Reserve was a fine young bull “Slievenagh Wyatt”, exhibited by Robin Boyd and family from Portglenone. This bull was a son of the renowned Kilbride Farm Newry, bred by W.H. Robson MBE. & Sons from Ballyclare, Co. Antrim. Topping the female section was an outstanding heifer “Ranfurly Weikel 3rd” bred and shown by David Hazelton Dungannon. The sire of this heifer was Hillcrest Champion with the dam carrying the South Park prefix.

Armagh show in June was the venue for the Heifer Derby which was kindly sponsored by fellow breeder Eamon McClosky owner of the Woodcroft Kitchens in Kilrea. Champion was the Hazelton Family’s heifer “Ranfurly Weikel 3rd” with John Henderson’s heifer “Clonguish Watermelon” claiming the reserve ticket. This was a keenly challenged competition and our sincere thanks go to Eamon for his generous sponsorship.

As July approached half of the summer shows had taken place and points were being accumulated for the Male and Female of the Year Award. Clogher show was no exception for competition, this was evident in the keen challenge to win the A. N. Irwin Cup and prize money, for the Best Junior Bull. This year the winner was “Sleivenagh Wyatt” the property of Robin Boyd.

The next club event was the junior stock judging competition on the farm of Kenneth and Avril Stubbs. There was a tremendous turnout of breeders and friends from around the province and everyone had an enjoyable evening, blessed with glorious sunshine after a prolonged wet and late spring. Master Judge on this occasion was Jim Hamilton from the Slatequarry herd at Pomeroy. Jim ably placed the animals in each of the four classes.
Results were as follows:
Over 21 section
1st Thomas Hamilton 2nd William Ferguson
Under 21 Section
1st Shane McDonald 2nd Alice Stubbs
These two pairs went forward to the Royal Show to compete with other young representatives from the area Clubs. Congratulations were in order for Thomas and William as they clinched second place overall in the pairs section. On behalf of the Club I would like to thank most sincerely Kenneth, Avril and daughters Alice and Zara for the excellent supper provided for the large crowd attending and congratulate them on their impressive herd of cattle.

The Club’s annual Charity Barbeque was held on Friday 7th August in Dungannon Rugby Club. This year the proceeds went to the Southern Area Hospice were special care is given to terminally ill cancer patients. This event was greatly supported by Club members and a substantial cheque was presented to representatives of the Hospice. Many thanks to all who worked so diligently providing food, prizes etc., to make this such a success.

The final in the show circuit was as usual Enniskillen. This is where the finals in the Ivomac Super Pairs took place, as does the Male and Female of the Year. Judge on the day was the President of the Society Hector Macaskill from the Woodhall herd, East Lothian, Scotland. A tremendous show of cattle was on display, with one of the best audiences seen at an agriculture show in this country. There were seven pairs forward at the final, each having won at other regional shows. After careful consideration Hector placed the pair of heifers owned by David Hazelton in first place. These were Ranfurly Weikel 3rd and Ranfurly Weikel 2nd with another pair of heifers, Raceview Veda and Camus Valentine the property of Shane and Paul McDonald in Reserve position. On behalf of the club I would like to sincerely thank Philip Clark from Merial for their generous sponsorship, to the Northern Ireland Simmental Breeders. Female of the Year Award went to the popular Ranfurly Weikel 3rd with Reserve place being awarded to Woodford Snowdrop the property of Jonathon Farrell.

The Northern Bank Male of the Year emerged with Slievenagh Wyatt from the Boyd family as the clear winner, with reserve position resulting in a tie between Woodford Warrior owned by Thelma Gorman and Bridgemount Vixen the property of Andrew Hanna. Judge Hector Macaskill praised the breeders on the quality of the cattle exhibited. On my behalf, congratulations to the breeders for taking the time and effort to present their stock as a shop window for the breed.

During the course of the committee meetings over the year it was decided that the Club should organise two commercial farm walks to further enhance the duel roll of the Simmental in the beef herd as a suckler replacement and as a terminal sire. Both these events took place in September.

The first farm walk was held on the farm owned by Steven Maguire from Maguiresbridge, Co. Fermanagh. The herd is based on 70 suckler cows, some of which are put to a Simmental bull, the rest crossed with a Charolais. Steven is very impressed with the progeny from the Simmental, the female providing super replacements for his suckler herd and greatly impressed with the quality of the bull calves which can match the progeny from the Charolais bull. Talks were given by Dr Norman Weatherup from CAFRE and a representative from the local veterinary practice regarding fertility and animal health. An excellent tea was provided to a massive turnout of 150 farmers. I would like to thank the Vice Chairman of the Club, Pat Kelly and his wife, Robert Forde and the Boyd Family in organising the event, and with the distribution of food. On a final note my sincere thanks to Steven Maguire and his mother for putting their premises and stock at our disposal. All the Club members extend our best wishes to both for the future.

Thomas Moorhead addressing farmers on his farming practice at Broughshane during the Simmental open day

The second demonstration was held in Co. Antrim near Slemish Mountain. This was also a super suckler enterprise. The owner of the farm is a Focus Farmer, Thomas Moorhead. Thomas had different batches of cows of several breeds on a trial basis. A section of his herd was Simmental x Limousin cows mated back to Simmental bull. The results were very impressive and the qualities of the calves were very pleasing with no calving problems. A very large attendance of around 150 farmers saw for themselves the success of the Simmental cattle on this farm. A talk was also given by Dr Norman Weatherup on fertility and Pfizer representative William Sherrard on animal health, with a lovely tea for all present. Sincere thanks to Robin and Darla Boyd for organising the day’s activities, and to Thelma Gorman for assisting with the food. As before, may I say on behalf of the club sincere thanks to Thomas Moorhead and his wife for having us to their farm and wish them every success in the future.

The Clubs Autumn Sale of pedigree and commercial females with the inclusion of a few bulls was held at Dungannon Mart on Oct 2nd. A packed ringside saw bulls peak at 3100gns for Slatequarry Wonderful an Omorga prince bull the property of Raymond Wallace. Pedigree females sold to a top of 3500gns for a quality heifer Derrycallaghan Wilma by Dripsey Super King owned by Harold Stubbs Lisnaskea Co. Fermanagh. A good entry of commercial heifers sold to £1160, £1100 and £1020, with a complete clearance in this section.

The new market at Stirling was the venue for the October Bull Sales; now known as the Perth Bull Sales held at Stirling. The number of bulls forward was down, but the sale recorded an average of £4920 for 92 bulls – up £834 on last October. As usual the N.I. breeders were to the fore with Intermediate and Overall Champion going to the Corrick herd for Woodhall Warren a Kentucky Kid Son selling for 6500gns. Junior Champion was from the Omorga herd the property of John Moore from Beragh, Co. Tyrone. John’s entry Omorga Watson sold for an impressive 10,000gns, other breeders from N. Ireland. Billy Robson and Sons, Doagh, Co Antrim received 10,000gns for a son of Kilbride Farm Newry, while he recorded 6500gns, 5000gns, and 3800gns for sons of Cairnview Snazzy. Cecil Charters and David Farrell sold a cracking son of Kilbride Farm Newry for 8000gns as did Club Secretary Robin Boyd selling another Newry son for 3500gns. A quality maiden heifer Woodford April 2nd a daughter of Camus Brandy owned by Thelma Gorman realised 2700gns.

At the Club meeting held at Dungannon Rugby Club on the 29th October. A cheque for £5500 was handed over to the representatives of the Southern Area Hospice, as mentioned previously. Also present at the meeting was Harold Walker. Harold the manager of the club house presented a cup in memory of his late wife to the Simmental Club. This cup will be presented for some special event, which will be decided later. On behalf of the Club, I sincerely thank our friend Harold for the very special award, which will be held in high esteem by all our members.

At the end of this report I must thank the Club members for their support throughout the year, to my committee members for their co operation. Special mention has to be made of our secretary Robin, Treasurer Leslie, P.R.O. Robert and Thelma. May I state that their unfailing assistance made my task easier this year. I will not forget the ladies for their diligent help throughout the year. Helping with food at Balmoral Show, the Barbeque and all the events thought out the year.

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