Six-in-a row for Crawford family at Omagh
The cattle rings at Omagh Show 2026 saw the Crawford family, from Maguiresbridge in Co Fermanagh, having another day-out to remember.
They won the Supreme Cattle Championship of the event with their tremendous Limousin cow Rathkeeland Tendresse.
The Omagh success represented her sixth inter-breed success of the year.
In the final class of the day, she was competing against Omagh’s Inter-Breed dairy champion: a very special third calver, Beechiview Solar Power Madeline.
Owned by George and Jason Booth, from Stewartstown in Co. Tyrone, the cow is currently giving 60L of milk per day. She looked an absolute picture in the ring.
Noted livestock photographer, Jane Steel judged the dairy classes at Omagh 2026.
“The winning cow has excellent breed character and balance with a tremendous mammary system that can produce large volumes of high quality milk.”
But it was left to Cyril Millar, from Coleraine, to select the Supreme Cattle Champion of Omagh Show 2026.
He described the Limousin cow as a very special breeding animal, adding:
“The fact that she has such a high quality calf at foot just adds to the impact that she makes in the show ring.
“However, the runner-up is a very special dairy cow: she has a tremendous show career in front of her.”
Rathkeeland herd
Stephen Crawford commented: “We have spent many years building up the status of the Rathkeeland herd.
"And we continue to invest in the best Limousin genetics available on an international basis.”
The members of the Crawford family have been breeding pedigree Limousin cattle for the past 47 years.
Rathkeeland animals have won Limousin Championships at all of the Royal Shows: The Royal Welsh; The Royal Ulster Agricultural Show; The Royal Highland Show; The Great Yorkshire; The Royal Show; and The Royal Dublin Show.
A total of 1,200 competing ewes rams and lambs graced Omagh Show’s new sheep arena.
The facility extends to 3ac and adds significantly to what is fast becoming one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent livestock events.
Tommy Harkin is the chief sheep steward at Omagh. He ecplained:
“We had the opportunity to purchase the additional land. And it is already playing a key role in providing an opportunity to better profile our sheep classes.”
The sheep Inter-Breed Championship at Omagh was won by Patrick and Veronica Fullerton, from Draperstown, with a Lanark Blackface sucked gimmer.
Home-bred, the animal caught the eye of the judge, Raymond Kennedy from Stirling, as soon as it entered the ring.
He commented:“The young ewe has tremendous breed character.
"She has tremendous show presence and a beautiful udder. I couldn’t fault her."
The sheep Inter-Breed Reserve went to Chris Johnston, from Fivemiletown with a 16-month-old Beltex gimmer that had previously been highly placed when competing at Balmoral 2026.
