This year’s Balmoral Show features more than 3,500 head of livestock and today (Friday, May 16) the cattle rings will host not only the dairy interbreed cattle pairs, the group championships but also the dairy champion of champions.

One of the UK’s top agricultural genetics expert and the chair of the Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies (CARAS UK), Meurig James, is enjoying what is on offer at the show.

He also shared his opinion with Agriland on one particular breed – Holstein.

James said: “Milk producers are following a range of management options at the present time: from grass based to high input production systems.

“And the Holstein cow can meet this requirement.”

He also highlighted the wide range of Holstein bulls available at the present time.

“Genomics is a now a key technology within the dairy breeding sector.

“However, it’s important for breeders to include an element of type when it comes to the sires they select.

“Type addresses the issue of longevity, which is a critically important aspect of all dairy production systems,” James added.

Balmoral Show

Meanwhile, the profile of Hereford breeding continues to strengthen. Balmoral Show 2025 saw one of the most closely fought championships in years.

The inter breed reserve was won Co Armagh-breeder, Ciaran Kerr, with the 19 month old bull, Country Crest Brooks.

Ciaran has a total of eight breeding females in his Kinnego herd at the present time.

He told Agriland about the purchase:“I bought the young bull at the recent Tullamore Herefrd breed sale, held in Tullamore for €8,600.

“It was the top price paid on the day.

“The animal was bred by Michael Howie, from Lusk in Co Dublin.”

Kerr intends using his new acquisition as the stock bull for his Kinnego herd.

He said: “I have already had enquiries about purchasing semen straws from the bul.

“So that’s an option I will be looking into during the period ahead.”

According to the Co Armagh breeder, demnd for Hereford breeding stock continues to grow.

Kerr added: “Hereford cattle are extremely docile and are very easy to manage. In addition, they flesh easily and perform well at grass.

“The current Hereford scheme is working well. The additional price available for registered cattle is encouraging both dairy and suckler herdowners to use pedigree Hereford bulls.

“There is every prospect of commercial beef prices remaining strong into the future.

“And this bodes well for the future of Hereford cattle breeding on the island of Ireland.”

Balmoral Show results:

Dexter classes

Champion: Ryan Lavery

Reserve: Cadian Dexters

Junior Champion: Ryan Lavery

Reserve: Ryan Lavery

Cow class

1^sT Ryan Lavery

2^nd: David Lester

Heifer in calf class

1^st: Ballinderry Dexters

2^nd: Ballinderry Dexters

Maiden heifer class

1^st: Ryan Lavery

2^nd: David Lester

Bull class

1^st: Cadian Dexters

2^nd; Cadian Dexters

British Blonde classes

Champion: Geoffrey Rodgers

Reserve: Moneyscalp Blondes

Junior Champion: Geoffrey Rodgers

Reserve: Conor Jackson

Senior cow class

1^st: Geoffrey Rodgers

2^nd: Ivaniskey herd

Senior Heifer class

1^st: Moneyscalp Blondes

2^nd: Bellair herd

Senior bull class

1^st: Geoffrey Rodgers

2^nd: Moneyscalp Blondes

Junior bull class

1^st: Geoffrey Rodgers

2^nd: Moneyscalp Blondes

Irish Moiled classes

Champion: N & M Moilies

Reserve: Rachel Armour

Junior Champion: N & M Moilies

Reserve: Caroline Maxwell

Champion female: N & M Moilies

Reserve: Rachel Armour

Champion male: Caroline Maxwell

Reserve: Robert Boyle

Glyn Surgenor, from Hillsborough in Co Down with his senior Irish Moiled bull: Beechmount Hastings

Suffolk sheep classes

Champion: Limestone Farm

Reserve: Martin & Eoin Butler

Champion ram lamb: Limestone Farm

Reserve: David Ford

Champion Pairs: Jason Watson

Reserve: Jason Watson

Male chasmpion: Limestone Farm

Reserve: David Ford

Female Champion: Limestone Farm

Reserve: Martin & Eoin Butler

Beltex classes

Champion: Elizabeth McAllister

Reserve: Elizabeth McAllister

Female champion: Elizabeth McAllister

Reserve: John Ferguson

Ram class

1^st: Elizabeth McAllister

Ram lamb class

1^st: John Ferguson

2^nd: John Ferguson

Two shear ram class

1^st: Elizabeth McAllister

Ile de France classes

Champion: Rodney Balfour

Reserve: Rodney Balfour

Shearling ram class

1^st: Rodney Balfour

2^nd: Rodney Balfour

Ram lamb class

1^st: Rodger Milligan

2^nd: David Mulligan

Ewe: two shear class

1^st: Rodney Balfour

2^nd: David Mulligan

Shearling ewe class

1^st: Edward Adamson

2^nd: Rodney Balfour

Border Leicester classes

Champion: Callum Pattwerson

Reserve: Harold Dickey

Group class

1^st: Harold Dickey

2^nd: Harold Dickey

Champion male: Harold Dickey

Reserve: Harold Dickey

Champion female: Calluum Patterson

Reserve; Harold Dickey

Ram two shear class

1^st: Harold Dickey

Shearling ram class

1^st: Harold Dickey

2^nd: Stephen Wallace

Rouge de L’Oeust classes

Champion: Sammy Kerr

Reserve: James Houston

Champion lamb: James Houston

Reserve: David James Boyd

Ram two shear class

1^st; Sammy Kerr

2^nd: Sammy Kerr

Shearling ram class

1^st: Michael Graham

2^nd: Sammy Kerr

Ewe lamb class

1^st: David James Boyd

2^nd: Sammy Kerr

Zwartbles sheep classes

Champion: Catherine McCracken

Reserve: Glebe Hill Flock

Male champion: Cyril Cromie

Reserve: Graham Hancock

Balmoral Show

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