13th Octboer 2011: NI Club launch the autumn Angus Classic

The Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club this week launched  their annual calf, yearling and young handlers show in the picturesque  Clogher Valley. The launch of this Aberdeen-Angus spectacular took the  form of a meet and greet between event sponsors and club committee  members with an opportunity for club members to learn a little more  about the sponsors business and for the sponsors to gain some knowledge  about one of the most prestigious and reputable breeds of cattle in the  world.

The club chairman John Blackburn welcomed everyone to the launch, in  particular the event sponsors, highlighting that without their  generosity the club would be unable to run such an event. Mr Blackburn  expressed the importance of this event as a shop window to promote the  members livestock and in fact the Aberdeen Angus breed not only to the  farming industry in Northern Ireland, but also to the visitors that  attend from Southern Ireland and from mainland UK. This principal event  has attracted great support from sponsors, exhibitors and spectators for which John, on behalf of the club committee, is deeply grateful to all  who contribute to this annual show. The show itself has grown in size  every year with the prize winning cattle continuing to be successful at  later sales.

The annual calf show will take place on Saturday 5th November 2011 commencing at 10:00am. Mr Blackburn announced that the  venue for this year’s event will be Dungannon Farmers Mart and we are  deeply indebted to the Wylie family for their kind generosity of  allowing us use their excellent premises at Granville. He also informed the launch that the judge for this year’s event will be Angela  Armstrong McFadden from the Crerogue Herd based in Co Meath, Ireland.

Jenny Croizer, Accounts Manager with Connellys Red Mills gets an introduction to an Aberdeen-Angus from Club Chairman John Blackburn

Mr Blackburn went on to thank the Ulster Bank who are the Young  Handlers sole sponsor and also thanked sincerely the sponsors of the  Championships namely Aberdeen Angus Quality Beef, N.F.U. Mutual  (Portadown) A.B.P. (Newry), Ulster Livestock Care and W.D. Meats.

Mr Balckburn also expressed appreciation to the sponsors of the  classes: Hutchinsons Mills, Clogher Valley Meats, G Crawford & Son Quarry, Semex, Fane Valley Scotmin Nutrition Ltd, M & W Meats,  Clogher Valley Cattle Breeding Services, Connellys Redmills, Western  Farm Enterprises, Gilbert Crawford (Maghera), Bann Farm Supplies and  Macknagh Mills Aberdeen Angus.

Lawson Burnett, NFU Mutual, Portadown who are sponsoring a Championship - pictured with Club Secretary Gail Matchett

The Vice Chairman of the Club, Mr Michael Lagan, invited everyone  present to enjoy some refreshments and offered the sponsors the  opportunity to partake in a photo shoot in the beautiful landscaped  gardens of Corick House Country Hotel. Mr Lagan then reminded the  members that the closing date for entries is Wednesday 12th October 2011 and once again thanked all the sponsors for their generous support and invited them to attend the show on the 5th November to present their prizes in their sponsored class. He thanked  everyone for attending and wished them well with each of their different businesses.

For further details about the event or how to enter you can contact the Club Secretary, Gail Matchett on 07732126273.

4th October 2011: Successful YDP Finals in Midleton, Co. Cork

Both Southern and Northern Irish YDP members dominated the success stories at this year’s Grand Final which was fitting seeing as the venue this year was staged at The Paddocks Equestrian Centre, Midleton, Co Cork, in the Republic of Ireland.

The event saw participants who have been scored highly by their trainers at workshops throughout the summer, compete in stock judging, cattle dressing and ring craft competitions, with points awarded throughout each section of competition.

Describing the judging process, YDP co-ordinator Gayle Bersey said: “All the participants on the 2011 programme had carried out various tasks throughout the year including working on a farm, showing for pedigree Aberdeen-Angus breeders and attending a workshop organised by the YDP. For all those participants over 14 years of age this hard work can result in  Certificate in Animal Care which is an NVQ equivalent award.

“Workshops are run by experienced stockmen who assess the attendees and those which show the most skill and enthusiasm get selected to attend the final where they have the chance to win cash prizes and the older ones can win a study trip abroad.”

Finalists were split in to three age categories, with the senior finalists also having to undertake a panel interview in front of chief exec Ron McHattie, Council member Alastair McLaren and Society President Albert De Cogan.

Leading the way in the senior section this year under judge and noted cattle stockman Pete Bodily, was 23 year old Philip Strathdee, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, who along with his family run the Retanach herd. Commenting on his win, Philip said: “The competition this year was so high and there were some amazing intermediate participants coming through, so I’m glad I won this year.”

Coming out on top in the intermediate category was Sean McEnroe, Co Cavan, while winning the junior section was Sam Matchett, Co Armagh, with Irish Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney on hand to present prizes to individual class winners during the day.

Judge Pete Bodily added: “It was an honour to judge this year’s YDP final and I’m amazed at the talent of these young cattle handlers and the enthusiasm they have for the industry, the programme is a credit to the Society and those involved.”

Aberdeen-Angus Chief Exec Ron McHattie added: “This year’s final has been phenomenal. Those that have qualified here should be incredibly proud of themselves. The programme has grown dramatically over the last couple of years and has seen some amazing young cattle enthusiasts rise up through.

FULL CLASS RESULTS:

JUNIORS:

Stock judging:

1st – Sam Matchett, Co Armagh
2nd – James Rea, Co Antrim
3rd – Sarah Matchett, Co Armagh
4th – David Rea, Co Antrim

Cattle Dressing:

1st – James Rea, Co Antrim
2nd – Jack Goulding, Co Kerry
3rd – Neal McEnroe, Co Cavan
4th – Sam Matchett, Co Armagh

Ring craft:

1st – Ailisa McEnroe, Co Cavan
2nd – Sam Matchett, Co Armagh
3rd – Cameron Hillhouse, Worcestershire
4th – Jack Goulding, Co Kerry

Overall Junior winner: Sam Matchett

INTERMEDIATES:

Stock judging:

1st – Jack Smyth, Co Tyrone
2nd – Sean McEnroe, Co Cavan
3rd – Joe Burnett, Herefordshire
4th – Jack Yates, Worcestershire

Cattle Dressing:

1st – Sean McEnroe, Co Cavan
2nd – Hannah Slowen, East Yorkshire
3rd – Jack Yates, Worcestershire
4th – Joe Burnett, Herefordshire

Ring craft:

1st – Bryan O Halloran, Co Cork
2nd – Sean McEnroe, Co Cavan
3rd – Hannah Slowen, East Yorkshire
4th – Jack Yates, Worcestershire

Overall Intermediate winner: Sean McEnroe

SENIORS:

Stock judging:

1st – Ian Dowlman, Herefordshire
2nd – Jessica Weeks, Kent
3rd – Ruby Wright, Norfolk
4th – Thomas Slowen, East Yorkshire

Cattle Dressing:

1st – Philip Strathdee, Aberdeenshire
2nd – Thomas Slowen, East Yorkshire
3rd – Ian Dowlman, Herefordshire
4th – Hayley Dent, Kent

Ring craft:

1st – Hayley Dent, Kent
2nd – Philip Strathdee, Aberdeenshire
3rd – Thomas Slowen, East Yorkshire
4th – Ian Dowlman, Herefordshire

Panel Interview:

1st – Philip Strathdee, Aberdeenshire
2nd – Thomas Slowen, East Yorkshire
3rd – Ruby Wright, Norfolk
4th – Thomas Blackburn, Co Tyrone

Overall Senior winner Philip Strathdee

25th August 2011: Great turnout for YDP workshop in Northern Ireland

Thankfully for the participants in Northern Ireland I didn’t  have to do the training at their workshop! After the last few weeks of  trying to get last minute replacement trainers for different workshops  it has made me even more grateful for those who give up their time to  come and help out at our events.

The hosts everywhere go to incredible lengths to get us the  facilities and cattle we need and I have come to appreciate the trainers who I’m sure have busy diaries themselves. It’s not everyone’s cup of  tea working with young people (and not everyone is good at it!),  personally I find it tremendously rewarding, particularly when you get  the ones that are really nervous and don’t want to get involved but by  the end they’re leading around a yearling heifer, for me that’s what  it’s all about and the craic at the workshops is always good.

The 2011 Northern Ireland workshop was held at Cavanaleck,  Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone. Home of the Strule herd founded in the 1950’s  by Jim and May Jack. Jim Jack is such an interesting man to talk to and  has so many stories of the old herds and stockmen, he doesn’t show very  much so the heifers were all halter broken just for the day. Jim was  helped by Richard Smyton and what an amazing job he’d done to get these  cattle quiet. The trainer for the day was Gordon McWilliam helping us  out for third year in a row. I think he felt that we needed someone else this year, but sadly for him I couldn’t find any willing volunteers.  Fantastic for the YDP though as he is a fabulous trainer, always willing to tell some top tips.

Some 18 participants attended the day, a really impressive number and lucky  we had lots of cattle to work with, although patience was a virtue when  starting them off, but the youngsters seemed content to watch and chat.  We started the day with clipping, Gordon took them through clipping  heads and tails and explained where else you could clip, how far in  advance it should be done. All the participants got to have a go with  the clippers and then as each heifer went through the participants  worked in teams to wash them.

There were two great things about the first hour of the workshop, firstly a  very shy young lady didn’t feel she could clip an animal, but with some  perseverance she did some clipping by the end. The other was that  several participants had come on their own and looked scared to death  but after putting them with other people to wash they all soon mixed.

Clipping heads took some time so while Gordon carried on with that we made use  of the more experienced participants that have attended the YDP for a  few years. These older participants showed the first timers how to use  the blowers and comb them up, this made great watching and I have noted  the future trainers for a few years time! Everything was clipped, washed and dried in time for lunch, well almost, we did have to ask one or two to miss the first part of lunch to get the heifers dry for after lunch!

While watching one young man wash his heifer and pour the shampoo over the  heifers back I asked him why he hadn’t mixed it in a bucket of water as I thought you’d use less (tight Cornish Girl!) He replied when you wash  your hair do you mix it first or put it straight on your head? There  wasn’t really an answer for that!

The afternoon got underway with the dressing seminar. Gordon took them  through how to dress a summer and winter coat on a show animal. The team work returned again when the attendees set about dressing their own  beast. The whole workshop was great to watch as the olders ones kept to  the roles of showing the new ones what to do and I overheard and took  part in some really interesting discussions about dressing and clipping  and there’s nothing better than a good debate. The biggest one would  have to be about using coloured dressing products!

Tying the quick release knot was pretty entertaining with one parent  being encouraged to have a go after her son dropped her in it! I will  keep the name of the lady secret as I wouldn’t want to embarrass her but she certainly makes a better Club Secretary than knot tyer!  After  every animal was fluffed and shined it was time for the ring craft bit  of the workshop. Now I think some people tend to underestimate this  part, Gordon gave some great tips but it seemed to pass a few people by! The ones that show on a weekly basis just manage to get the best out of animal’s every time and some are embarrassed to do the noises that get  the heifers ears forward but it certainly was eye catching for the lady  that did it. I’m sure they all got fed up with me telling them if this  was me I’d stand there and not in the corner! Perhaps I do fancy myself  as a bit of a trainer after all.

Another great workshop with thanks to Jim and May Jack, Richard Smyton and  Gordon McWilliam, Oh and a little help from Brian Anderson too!

One more workshop to go and then we’ll be all set to announce the  finalists . . . . . . . . . . the competition has been phenomenal this  year and even if you don’t get through to the final you can still join  in the fun, as one young man said “line the drinks up we’re coming to  Cork!”

14th August 2011: Angus ladies lead the way in NI herd competition

In the recently judged NI Aberdeen Angus Club annual herd  competition, kindly sponsored by Northern Bank, it was definitely a case that females are best. In each of the three sections of the  competition, small, medium and large herds the eventual winners were all herds owned by ladies.

The Ladies swept the boards in the annual N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd  Competition with Margaret Buchanan, Anne Morrison and May Jack all  receiving awards for their herds. Dianne McCord, wife of Adrian McCord,  Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank and Gail Matchett, Club Secretary  are pictured with the prizewinners.

The judge for this year’s competition was Duncan McLaren who  travelled over from Yorkshire to place the entries in each section. The  week-long event had Mr McLaren travelling throughout Northern Ireland  viewing and carrying out his assessment of each herd so he could award a first, second and third place in each section.  Mr McLaren said: “I was very impressed with the herds he had viewed and what really stood out  were the long cows with easy fleshing ability, something that I think is lacking with the Angus cattle in Britain.”

He added: “The Aberdeen-Angus breed is in good hands in Northern  Ireland as there are a lot of promising cattle for the future and some  very young herds recently established which are starting to gel  together.”

In the small section Mr McLaren found his winner in the form of the  long established Sess herd belonging to Miss Margaret Buchanan from  Augher. This herd is no stranger to success as it has followed on from  last year by retaining first place in this section. Taking second place  in the small herd section were new entrants to the competition Ian and  Gillian Browne from Fivemiletown with their Clogher Valley herd prefix  which was just formed in 2009. Another herd just formed in 2009 took the third place spot, that of the Taugh Blane herd of Trevor Wallace  Dromore under the guidance of Garry Hanna.

The winner of the medium sized herd was Anne Morrison with her  Tullyglush herd based in County Armagh. Taking second spot was a herd  with the same surname belonging to Alan and Naomi Morrison this time  with their Drummeer herd from Maguiresbridge. Third place went to  another young herd of show enthusiasts Sarah and Sam Matchett with their Birches erd just outside Portadown.

The large herd section winner was Mae Jack who, along with her  husband Jim, own the long established Strule herd from Fivemiletown.  Taking second place was another experienced herd in this competition and Angus breeding was that of father and son team, Neville and Ivan  Forsythe with their Coltrim herd based outside Moneymore. Third prize in this category went to the Old Glenort herd of Mr James Porter from  Lisburn.

To coincide with the judging of the Northern Bank sponsored herd  competition, the NI Aberdeen Angus club also provide awards for the best stock bull, best cow family and for the best calf born in the  competition year.

Timothy Scott, Newtownards won the award for the Best Stock Bull in the annual  N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd Competition and he is pictured here  receiving his cup from John Blackburn, Club Chairman while looking on  are Duncan McLaren, Yorkshire, Judge and Michael Lagan, Club Vice  Chairman.

Mr McLaren said he was looking for a stock bull that had calves on  the ground and was making an impact on the herd by improving the  consistency of the progeny. With this in mind he awarded the Lislola  trophy for the best stock bull to Old Glenort Knockmore J153, who is  junior stock sire with the Drumawhey herd of Timmy Scott, Newtownards.  Mr McLaren said: “This two year old bull has an exceptional first crop  of calves on the ground and will contribute a lot to this herd.â€� Old  Glenort Knockmore J153 is sired by the prize winning, 36,000gns bull The Moss Mr Eshton D409 and is out of Katie of Fordafourie.

May Jack, Fivemiletown and her Strule Herd took the trophy for the Best  Cow Family in the annual N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd Competition.

The next award for the best cow family went to the renowned Mayflower family belonging to the Strule herd of Jim and Mae Jack, Fivemiletown.  “This family stood out in every field I went in to for being really  classy females with lots of quality and plenty of milk.â€� With some 22  Mayflower cows currently in the Strule herd they have formed the  backbone of the herd from the purchase of the first Mayflower more than  50 years ago from a sale at RUAS Balmoral.

Keith and Robert Suffern Maghera and their Tamneymullan Herd took the award  for the Best Calf in the annual N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd  Competition and they are pictured here receiving their cup from John  Blackburn, Club Chairman.

The Richhill cup for the best calf born in the year of the  competition was won by Tamneymullan Juggernaut L803 which is owned by  Robert Sufferin, Maghera. Mr McLaren said: “We will see a lot of this  calf in the future.â€� This February-born calf had a great week by also  winning a first prize at Clogher Valley Show a few days earlier. His dam is the Baronagh Euro A043 sired homebred first calving heifer  Tamneymullan Joanna H556 who is a full sister to Tamneymullan Jockey  G486. Juggernaut is sired by the Genus owned Oakchurch Dictator F031 who goes back to the renowned Northern Ireland bred Ballyheather Dolly  Z682.

In concluding the results night the club chairman John Blackburn  thanked the Sponsors for the competition, Northern Bank for their  continued support and for presenting the awards on the night. He also  thanked the judge Duncan McLaren for giving up his time to judge the  competition for the club and asked club secretary Gail Matchett to make a presentation as a token of the members’ appreciation. He congratulated  all the winners and thanked all the herds for entering.

6th May 2011: YDP finalist gains animal care certificate

As a result of his YDP participation, 2010 YDP finalist Peter Lamb  gained his Certificate in Animal Care and Presentation . He was  presented with his certificate by immediate past-president Paul Jeanes  at the recent Northern Ireland AGM.

28th March 2011: Aberdeen-Angus semen exported to Sweden

A substantial consignment of semen from the Scottish-bred Aberdeen-Angus stock bull, Wedderlie Net Profit E916, has been exported to the Yxskaftkalens pedigree herd based in Sweden.

Pedigree Aberdeen-Angus breeders, Alwyn Armour, Dromara, and Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore, pictured with Swedish Aberdeen Angus enthusiasts Graham Kent and Bettan Andersson

The export deal has been announced following a recent visit from Swedish herd owners, Bettan Andersson and Graham Kent. They founded the 80-cow Yxskaftkalens herd in 1995, and also run an EU-approved distribution centre marketing imported semen and embryos.

“We came across Wedderlie Net Profit in the 2008 Aberdeen-Angus Review, and we have been following his progress ever since,” explained Bettan Andersson. It is difficult to buy semen from stock bulls in the United Kingdom, as many of them are not eligible for export.”

“Wedderlie Net Profit’s Breedplan figures have been improving, and he has some great progeny coming through. We decided to make the two-day trip to Northern Ireland to see the bull’s progeny in the Woodvale and Coltrim herds.”

Six-year-old Net Profit is owned jointly by Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim herd, Moneymore, and Alwyn and Carol Armour, Woodvale herd, Dromara.

He is sired by the Woodlawn Stockyard 208 son, Aynho Rossiter Eric B125 –a third prize winner at Perth in February in 2004, where he was purchased by the Campbell family from Berwickshire for their Wedderlie herd, in partnership with Alastair Frazer of the Idvies herd, By Forfar, Angus, for 16,000gns – second highest price of the sale.

Originally Wedderlie Net Profit was retained for use on heifers at Wedderlie, but caught the eye of former Kerry Gold managing director, Jerry Henchy, who offered a substantial five-figure sum to acquire the bull for his Friarstown herd in County Limerick.

Alwyn Armour explained: “I came across the bull after buying an in-calf heifer at Wedderlie. She produced an impressive heifer calf by Wedderlie Net Profit E916. I thought a lot of this calf, and I decided to find out more about the sire. I eventually traced the bull to Jerry Henchy’s herd where he had bred successfully, leaving many eye-catching progeny. I was thrilled that we got first refusal on the bull when Jerry was ready to sell him.”

Wedderlie Net Profit E916 is out of Wedderlie Netfast A182, one of the top cows in the Wedderlie herd, and comes from the same family that produced Wedderlie Netmark – a bull purchased at Perth in February 2003 for 25,000gns by John Elliott of the Rawburn herd in Kelso, Roxburghshire.

Neville Forsythe added: “Net Profit is breeding well. We were delighted to see a Wedderlie Net Profit son lifting the Perth championship last spring. The event attracts the cream of livestock from throughout the UK, and it is satisfying to see that our senior stock bull can produce a Perth champion. It was the breed’s last sale in Perth and turned out to be an extra special trip for us.”

Wedderlie Net Profit E916 has a terminal sire index of +32, a self replacing index of +47, and is +15 for milk.

DENMARK AND IRELAND CONTRIBUTE TO MAJOR IMPORT OF ABERDEEN-ANGUS TO PORTUGAL

Some 121 purebred Aberdeen-Angus have arrived in Portugal after being selected from top breeders in Denmark and Ireland last September, by two members of the Aberdeen-Angus Portugal – breeders association’s Board.

This import occurred as a result of the strong demand for purebred animals in the Country to establish new herds, increase the numbers in already established herds and to cope with the increasing demand for Aberdeen-Angus bulls in suckler cows, particularly on the mainland.

The consignment includes 68 animals (54 females and 14 bulls) from Denmark (Hedebo, Askov, Bolling, Bakkens, Hogsgard, Vaedingbjerg, Ole Dal, Poppelgaard, Ahler, Riis Red, Alebaek, Deudal, Bogehoj and Frydensborg herds) and 53 animals (42 females and 11 bull) from Ireland (Lisduff, Drumcarbin, Liss, Homeville, Killanley, Pubblestown and Drumagoland herds).

25/08/2010 - A masterpiece YDP courtesy of the Munster Club

The one thing I have learnt in the last two years is you can’t plan anything specific in The Republic of Ireland. It just sort of comes together and ends up being a masterpiece.

The trainers and hosts follow the same workshop plan as everybody else, but I have stopped trying to pin them down to exactly what we are doing when as they have never let me down yet. I guess you could say it is ‘organic’, on paper you cannot tell what the cattle are like or how capable the participants are but we always have a great time and lots of great tips are passed on. Read more >>>

18th August 2010 - Cream of Ulster Angus herds revealed

Results are hot off the press for the 2010 Northern Bank Herds competition ran by the Northern Ireland Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Club, where the quality of stock was described as “simply outstanding”.

Master judge was well known breeder John Coultrip who runs the Wingfield herd in Kent. Highly qualified for the job, John is a past President of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and has judged the length and breadth of the country including the Royal Highland Show earlier this year.

The Small herds category features entries form breeders with up to nine breeding females. Topping the section here was Augher-based breeder Margaret Buchanan who runs the highly successful Sess herd. Adding his congratulations at the recent barbecue held at Dungannon Rugby Club was Leo Colgan Agri Business Manager for the Northern Bank, Magherafelt.

Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt presents an award to Margaret Buchanan, Augher owner of the Best Small Herd

Runner up in the Small Herd Section of the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herds Competition was the herd of Gary Hanna from Ballyclare who is pictured receiving his award from Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt and his wife Nikki. Looking on is Robin Lamb, Chairman, N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club.

Trevor Wallace, Dromore secured second place with his recently established Taughblane herd with well known breeder Robert Campbell featuring in third place with his Lister herd based at Seaforde, Co Down.

The herd of Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge won the award for the Best Medium Herd

There was stiff competition in the Medium herds section with a large entry from all six counties. Judge John Coultrip selected Alan and Naomi Morrison with the top honours here with their Drummeer herd at Maguiresbrisge.

The herd of Robert Suffern and son Keith from Maghera came runner up in the Medium Herd section and won the cup for the Best Stock Bull in the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd Competition. The prizes were presented at the Club's Annual Barbecue in Dungannon by John Coultrip, Kent, front left, Judge and Leo Colgan, rear left, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt, Sponsors.

Robert Sufferin featured in second place with his Tattymullan herd which was formed in 2004. Third place in the Medium section was Sidney Cromie, Banbridge with his 2009 formed Prospect herd.

Alwyn and Carol Armour gained first place in the Large herds section with their Woodvale prefix. This is a consistent prize winning herd that features regularly in the Annual Herds competition.

Neville and Ivan Forsythe's Moneymore herd came second in the Large Herd section and they won the cup for the Best Cow Family in the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd Competition. The prizes were presented at the Club's Annual Barbecue in Dungannon. Included are back from left: John Coultrip, Kent, Judge of the competition; Ivan and Neville Forsythe and Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt, Sponsors. Front: Claire Forsythe, Dianne Forsythe and Demi Clarke, Moneymore.

Ivan and Neville Forsythe were in second place with their Coltrim herd,  followed by first time entrants Alastair and Nancy Hall who chalked up third place with their Beechview herd which is situated just outside Antrim.

The coveted “Best Cow Family” was awarded to Ian and Neville Forsythe with their terrific Ivanna family which was described by John Coultrip as “outstanding”. This is one of the most hotly contested parts of the competition as it represents years of successful breeding to produce quality females and uniformity within the herd.

Robert Sufferin was delighted to win the “Best Stock Bull” prize for his highly regarded Ladeside Erin Z015. Sired by Tui Eriexis, this bull is already pleasing with progeny on the ground.

The final award of the evening was for the “Best Calf”. John Coultrip described this as the hardest part of the competition to place as there were so many exciting prospects in the herds that he visited. Claiming top prize here was the Woodvale herd of Alwyn and Carol Armour with Woodvale Kool Papa. This bull calf has a terminal index of +32 and a self replacing index of +45.

Robin Lamb, Chairman of the NI Aberdeen-Angus Club congratulated breeder’s on their success at the Annual Herds Competition, and to the Northern Bank for their generosity in their sponsorship of this important event in the Club’s calender. He went on to thank Mr Coultrip for acting as master judge and commended him on the efficiency with which he under took his task.
 

July 27th 2010 - Plans in Full Swing For Angus BBQ!

The Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club are delighted to announce details of their annual Barbeque which will take place at Dungannon Rugby Club on Friday 13th August at 8pm.

Tickets are priced at £15 each and Club Chairman Robin Lamb extends a warm welcome to everyone.

NI Aberdeen Angus Club Chairman Robin Lamb and Vice Chairman John Blackburn put in an order with Clayton Moore of M&W Meats, Portadown for the Club's Annual Barbeque to be held at Dungannon Rugby Club on Friday 13th August at 8pm.

"The Barbeque is always a really enjoyable evening, and once again we will be enjoying steaks from M&W Meats, Portadown. Results for the Annual Herds Competition will be announced on the evening and a special reminder goes to entrants to attend."

To reserve your tickets contact Club Secretary Gail Matchett 07732126273

July 24th 2010 - Enter raffle for prize winning AA heifer

Ever dreamed of starting up your own Aberdeen Angus herd? Well now dreams can turn to reality as the Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club launch their charity raffle where the star prize is a pedigree registered heifer! Also up for grabs will be a fabulous weekend for two.

The heifer will be making a guest appearance at Clogher Valley Show this week (Wednesday) and tickets will be readily available at this show and from committee members.

The draw will take place at the RUAS Winter Fair on 9th December and the winners will be notified following this date

NI Kidney Research will benefit from ticket sales and Club Chairman Robin Lamb encourages the farming public to dig deep “The Northern Ireland public are noted for their generosity, and we have been delighted with the number of ticket sales to date. The NI Kidney Research is a very worthwhile charity and we are delighted as a Club to be able to assist them in their find raising. We are also indebted to the breeder who kindly donated the heifer for the raffle.”

Tickets are now available from committee members or by contacting the secretary Gail Matchett 07732126273 niaberdeenangusclub@googlemail.com

26th March 2010 - NI Aberdeen-Angus club looks back on a successful year

There was a good attendance at last week’s NI Aberdeen-Angus Club Annual General Meeting held at Dungannon Rugby Club.

Alan Morrison, Chairman gave a comprehensive report on the activities held throughout 2009 and thanked members for their support at all events. These included sales which saw prices reach 7600gns and many new breeders purchasing Aberdeen-Angus females. The numbers of cattle forward at local shows was a credit to breeder’s right from the beginning of the season at Balmoral, through to the highly successful calf show staged in the autumn.

Club events were always well supported and included the Northern Bank Herds Competition, Annual Barbecue and the Youth Development Stock Judging held at Victor and Stephen Wallace’s Baronagh Herd in Garvagh.

Following the treasurers report presented by Sandra Blackburn, guest speaker Aled Rhys Davies was asked to conduct the election of office bearers.

The results of are as follows:

Robin Lamb – Chairman
John Blackburn – Vice Chairman
Gail Matchett – Secretary
Sandra Blackburn – Treasurer

Committee – Alywyn Armour, Frank Moore, Gary Hanna, Ivan Forsythe, Michael Hagan, Roy Johnston, Alan Morrison, Robert Suffern, and Alan Irwin.

The 2010 commitee are (L-R) Front row: Robin Lamb, Gail Matchett, Sandra Blackburn, Michael Hagan. Back Row Roy Johnston, Alan Morrison, John Blackburn, Frank Moore, Robert Suffern, Gary Hanna and Alan Irwin. Also on committee are Alywn Armour and Ivan Forsythe,
 

Following this Robin Lamb proposed a vote of thanks to Alan Morrison who had done a remarkable job acting both as Chairman and Secretary for the Club, and had worked tirelessly throughout the year to promote the breed.

The floor was then opened up to Aled Rhys Davies who is Sales Representative and Export Manager for Animax Ltd. Animax Ltd are a company based in Stanton, Suffolk who specialise in four main streams within the animal health industry. These include Trace Element Bolus for cattle and sheep, Sheep Dip, Disinfectants and Anthelmintics.

Aled was very entertaining, and gave a presentation highlighting the impact that deficiencies like Selenium, Cobalt, Iodine and Copper can have on a farm enterprise, and the best way to counteract the problems that they cause such as infertility, poor growth and food conversion and in extreme cases death. Also on hand was Sam Thompson who has recently been appointed as NI agent for Animax Ltd.

The Aberdeen Angus Club are due to have a Sale at Dungannon Farmers Mart on 20th April 2010. For further details of this and all Club events contact the Secretary – Gail Matchett 07732126273  niaberdeenangusclub@googlemail.com

12th March 2010 - Animal Health Ireland launch programme for BVD Roadshow

By Libby Clarke

Aberdeen-Angus breeder’s turned out in force to attend the World Forum meeting held last week at Dungannon Rugby Club attracted by two fantastic speakers with a considerable depth of knowledge in their respective fields.

First to address the packed room was Deanna Leven from Pfizer Animal Genetics, who was bringing local members up to date on how the world of DNA profiling had moved in leaps and bounds in recent years. For those that considered this task to be solely for identifying parentage this was a real eye opener as they were quickly brought up to date with the fascinating information that can now be extracted which has a real bearing on profitability.

Deanna Leven and Alan Morrison

It is possible to identify traits such as animals with better feed efficiency and meat tenderness in addition to an array of others. This could mean that progressive breeders could use DNA profiling as another tool with which to make their selection decisions.

This was a very interesting subject, and one that Ms Leven delivered in style ensuring that she had a captivated audience. In true Northern Ireland style there were a number of questions raised from the floor which created discussion throughout the group and demonstrated the level of interest there was in this topic.

Next to the floor was Society President, William McLaren Jnr from the world famous Netherton Herd. William had travelled to Canada in the summer as part of the World Forum Group from the UK and gave a presentation on the herds and events that he had visited. You could have heard a pin drop as the photos of matron cows, stock bulls and young calves was flicked through with many in awe of the quality of the stock. It was evident that Mr McLaren had soaked up a tremendous amount of information while on his trip in Canada, and certainly did his best to relay what direction breeders are heading on the other side of the globe with their cattle genetics.

Alan Morrison, Chairman of the NI Aberdeen Angus Club made a presentation to both speakers and thanked them both for taking time out of their busy schedules to travel to Ireland.

Local breeders are now gearing up for the Annual Dinner Dance to be held at Corrick House, 21st November. To reserve your tickets contact Alan Morrison 07811447812.

19th October 2009 - Irish Farmers Journal Heifer Competition winner

It is a common believe that a good stock person’s eye is inherited and not taught. This theory certainly applies to young Marie McFadden who is the third generation of the Armstrong/McFadden family to be active in the livestock industry.

Therefore, when the Irish Farmers Journal advertised its annual heifer competition, Marie was quick to enter, completing the necessary essay questionnaire. It was testimony to her hard work and obvious talents when she qualified for the finals of the competition. This was a huge achievement as only 18 youngsters from in excess of 1000 entrants qualified. The finals of the competition were held at the National Ploughing Competition where the 18 finalists were to undertake nine five minute interviews. And as if this was not daunting enough all interviews were completed on stage in-front of thousands of spectators. However all contestants were spurred by the same goal, winning one of the eight heifers which had been donated by their respective breed societies. These heifers included a Blonde d’Aquitaine cross, a Charolais cross, a Hereford cross, an Aberdeen-Angus cross, a Irish Angus cross, a Limousin cross, a Parthenaise cross, and a Simmental cross all of which were quality heifers who someday will make fantastic suckler cows.

On the morning of the finals unlike other contestants Marie had a day’s work completed. She had cleaned out, bedded and groomed her family’s Aberdeen-Angus cattle which were proudly exhibited on the Aberdeen-Angus Association stand. Having completed her tasks Marie left the tent for the interview process, her normal quiet self, confident in her ability to answer any question that was thrown at her. This was not missed placed confidence as having completed the interview process, it was announced that Marie was one of the successful finalists having scored extremely highly in the interview process. With only a moment to celebrate her success Marie’s next task was to complete a lucky dip to see which heifer she won. Her luck was not to abandon her even at this stage as she successfully pulled the ticket for one of the Angus cross heifers from the hat.

An over joyed Marie returned to her duties on the Aberdeen-Angus tent soon after her win however like any good stock person Marie had already cast her expert eye over her newly won heifer identifying her strengths and weaknesses and following consultation with her mother, Angie, and father, Owen, a bull was chosen to put on her heifer. This is however, a decision to this day which has remained top secret, the only details Marie is willing to disclose is that her heifer will be AI’d in December and that the subsequent calf will be ready to compete as part of the Armstrong show team in 2011.

Following four days of plenty of travelling, the results for this year’s Munster Club’s herd competition are just hot off the press.

Judged by Alan Lawson of the Hallington herd, Newcastle-on-Tyne here are the results from the four sections:

Small herds (1-9 breeding females)

1st Tony Jennings, ballyroe, Leap, Co Cork
2nd Tom and Elizabeth Dineen, ballydonaghy, Dunderrow, Kinsale, Co Cork
3rd Edward Dudley, Kilsuuny House, Dovea, Thurles, Co Tipperary

Medium herds (10-19 breeding females)

1st Michael Sheehan, Luddenmore, Grange, Co Limerick
2nd Eustace, Deidre and Eustace Burke, Ballyginnane, Carrigaline, Co Cork
3rd Henry and Yvonne Dudley, Gurteen, Templemore, Co Tipperary

Large herds (20+ breeding females)

1st Jerry Henchy, Grange, Killmallock, Co Limerick
2nd Albert and Jennifer De Cogan, Killamuckey, Castlemartyr, Co Cork
3rd Matthew and Rita Goulding, Kilmore, Ballyduff, Co Kerry

Cow Family

1st Michael Sheehan, Luddenmore, with the Rose Erica family
2nd Jerry henchy, Grange, with the Elba family
3rd Tony Jennings, Ballyroe, with the lady Eve family 

Ireland’s National Angus Calf Show organised by The Connaught Leinster Aberdeen-Angus Clubon Saturday 3rd October 2009 has changed its venue and will now be held at Mountrath Livestock Mart, Co Laois.

The show will see more than 80 entries including 32 bulls and 9 heifers for sale privately as per catalogue. Judging from will commence at 11 am with young handlers with the rest of the classes starting at 12 noon.

Mountrath is located on the N7, approx 5 miles after Portlaoise / M7

For more information contact Dermot Lynch +353 (0) 87 6204327 or Jim Mulvey +353 (0) 87 2560621.