The Patterson family, from Crumlin in Co Antrim took the spoils at this year’s Winter Fair with their excellent home bred Holstein cow Ballyginniff Jordan Cindy EX 91.
A daughter of the renowned sire Braedale Goldwyn, the third calver looked an absolute picture in the show ring throughout the day. Judge Cord Hormann, from Germany, described Cindy as his type pf cow.
“She has a tremendous mammary system and excellent length of neck,” the judge told AgriLand.
Patterson confirmed that the cow calved just eight weeks ago and is currently giving 50 litres of milk a day. “Her dam is from the Jordan family,” he added.
“Cindy won the Dairy Inter breed Heifer in Milk Championship at Balmoral Show back in 2011. She is looking tremendously well at the present time. And we were pretty confident that she would give a good showing of herself here today. This is our first Winter Fair Inter Breed title and we are truly delighted with the result.”
The Inter Breed Reserve at this year’s Winter Fair was the Shorthorn Champion, Marleycote Princes Jill, exhibited by the McLean family from Bushmills in Co Antrim. She, too, looked an absolute picture in the ring with many visitors to the event commenting positively on her tremendous dairying characteristics.
“She calved four weeks ago and is currently giving 46 litres of milk per day,” Iain McLean explained.
“I firmly believe that the cow has a tremendous show future ahead of her.”
The Inter Breed Honourable Mention, and Holstein Reserve Champion, was the eye catching second calver Bordermist Sanchez Fran, shown by the Co Wexford consortium of Jones, Boyd, O’Neill and McGinley
This year’s event was also marked by tremendous crowds and an additional 40 trade exhibitors.
“Yet again, we have seen a tremendous turnout of dairy farmers from all over Ireland for this year’s event,” RUAS chief executive Colin McDonald explained.
“I can confirm that next year’s Winter Fair will be held at the King’s Hall complex in Belfast. However, our long-term plan remains that of moving the event to Balmoral Park on the outskirts of Lisburn.”
McDonald also confirmed that next year’s Balmoral Show will take place at Balmoral Park on 14-16 May.
The RUAS is to survey all the exhibitors taking part in this year’s Winter Fair, seeking their views on how the event can be improved. As part of this process the society will also be keen to gauge trade support for a possible two day Winter Fair.
Full results to follow
Pictured the main ring at the RUAS Winter Fair at Balmoral/Photo by Aaron McCracken