Bushmills milk producer Ian McLean is enjoying the summer of a lifetime as his pedigree dairy cattle continue to catch the eyes of the judges at all of Northern Ireland’s premier agricultural shows.
Last Saturday saw him win both the ‘Champion of Champions’ and ‘Dairy Inter-Breed’ titles with his elite Holstein second calver Priestland 4951 Shot Bedazzle at Omagh Show. This was her third inter breed dairy title of the year. And, just for good measure, Iain also picked up the Jersey breed title at Omagh with an equally impressive young cow.
His aim now is to put Bedazzle up against all the other top milking animals on this year’s show circuit courtesy of her participation in the Northern Ireland Shows Association Dairy Cow of the Year Final. This showcase event takes place at Antrim Show in three weeks’ time.
“I am delighted with the progress that Bedazzle has made this year,” Iain told Agriland
“What makes her successes all the more satisfying is the fact that she is home bred.”
As the old saying goes, quality will always shine through. And such was most definitely the case at this year’s Omagh Show courtesy of Carrickmore flockowner Kevin McAleer’ success in the Sheep Inter-Breed class. He won it with a very special Perth Blackface ewe lamb.
“She is a very unique lamb,” Kevin explained
“She reflects all of the qualities associated with the Perth Blackface breed. And her tremendous energy is something to behold. She stood out as being that little bit special from a very early age.”
Meanwhile, out in the beef cattle competition rings, Beragh Simmental Breeder John Moore was having a tremendous day out on Saturday past with his more than impressive Simmental bull Omorga Eli. Home bred, the 17 month animal won the Beef Inter Breed Championship on his first outing of the summer.
“He was bred from our stock bull Ashland Brandy,” John commented.
“His dam is the heifer Omorga Bambi, who is a full sister to the renowned sire Omorga Volvo. Our plan is to take Eli to Stirling Bull sales later in the year.”
Tyrone Farming Society Chairman Jennifer Hawkes told the Belfast Telegraph that Omagh Sow continues to grow from strength to strength.
“We have had a tremendous turnout of visitors on both the Friday evening and throughout Saturday,” she confirmed.
“We are committed to building the show for the future. The rejuvenation of the Friday evening as a key part of the event’s itinerary has worked tremendously well, as has the introduction of poultry classes at Omagh Show.”