BALMORAL SIMMENTAL WINNERS

A small but select show of pedigree Simmentals was paraded at Balmoral this year in front of the judge Mr Keith Vickery, Carbery Farm, Roscarbery, Co. Cork, who commented that he had thoroughly enjoyed his judging experience and congratulated all exhibitors on bringing cattle forward to promote the breed.

Relatively new young breeders were to the fore in the senior and junior cow classes, with Jonathan Farrell from Markethill claiming first in the senior class with Woodford Tulip and the McDonald brothers from Tempo winning the junior class with the Siegfried daughter Camus Valentine along with her strong bull calf. Jonathan was also placed second in this class with Woodford Snowdrop, a Camus Brandy daughter.

David Hazelton from Dungannon won the senior heifer class with the renowned Ranfurly Weikel 3rd, following on from her string of successes last year as a yearling. This in calf two year old is sired by Hillcrest Champion and out of South Park King Kong Weikel 2nd, and she went on to be Female Champion. 2nd and 3rd in this class were picked up by the team from Jonathan Farrell.

It was recently established breeders to the fore in the intermediate heifer class, with Ann and Alan Kennedy from Lisburn picking up 1st place with Lurgill Willow, a Raceview King daughter. The only Southern Simmental exhibitor Derek Costello from Drogheda was 2nd in this class with Barnattin Whitney and David Hazelton added a 3rd prize to his strong show team.

A very strong junior heifer class was won by the McDonald brothers with the Glebefarm Tyson daughter Celtic Aisling who went on to collect the Reserve Junior and Reserve Female Championships, followed closely by Thelma Gormans' Woodford Annie by Kilbride Farm Newry. David Hazeltons' similarly bred Raceview Aisling Matilda was 3rd in this class.

The Male and Junior Champion came from the Lisnaskea herd of Harold Stubbs and Andrew Burleigh. Derrycallaghan Alan sired by Omorga Regan and born in February 09 was also placed 3rd in the line up for Overall Junior Interbreed Champion later in the day.

Reserve Male Champion was the March 09 born Wilandale Admiral, a Raceview King son exhibited by Andrew Patterson from Cookstown. Both of these bulls look set for a good future and more will probably be heard of them at the autumn sales.

The judge, Keith Vickery had no hesitation in awarding the Supreme Championship to Ranfurly Weikel 3rd from the Hazelton family, closey followed by Derrycallaghan Alan in Reserve Supreme position. Thelma Gorman picked up 1st place in the pairs class, with 2nd going to Lesley and Christopher Weatherup, and 3rd to the McDonald brothers.

The Sire Group of the Year award went to the Kilbride Farm Newry trio from Thelma Gorman and Jonathan Farrell.

Results

Supreme and Female Champion, Ranfurly Weikel 3rd W2

Reserve Supreme and Male Champion, Derrycallaghan Alan 09

Reserve Female Champion, Celtic Aisling

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