Lurgan Present: Texel shearling ewe takes inter-breed prize

The north Antrim man who judged the sheep inter-breed championship class at this 12 months’s Lurgan Present believes the Irish sheep sector can stay up for a brilliant future.

Alistair Christie mentioned he was very impressed with the general high quality of the inventory coming into the present rings all through the day.

“The sheep sector in Eire has an amazing story to inform. It’s synonymous with meat of the very best high quality, all of which is produced from grazed grass,” he advised Agriland.  

The inter-breed championship at Lurgan was gained by Rathfriland Texel breeder, Martin McConville, with an elite shearling ewe.

His Glenhome flock contains six pedigree ewes. The numbers concerned may be small, however they’re all great examples of the Texel breed.

A full sister of this 12 months’s Lurgan champion had a really profitable present season final 12 months as a ewe lamb.

She was subsequently offered. Martin thinks very extremely of his 2023 Lurgan champion. The plan is to retain her as a breeding ewe inside the Glenhome flock.

Cattle at Lurgan Present

Occasions culminated in Lurgan’s cattle ring with the ‘champion of champions’ accolade being secured by the Fleming household, from Seaforde in Co. Down.

They carried the day with their elite Jersey cow, Potterswalls Bontino Daybreak. Earlier within the day, the fourth calver had secured Lurgan’s dairy inter-breed championship.

In response to Cyril Millar, who judged the ultimate cattle class of the day, the cow is an nearly excellent instance of the dairy breed. She has a wonderful mammary system and great dairy character.

Making this victory all of the extra spectacular is the truth that Bonito Daybreak calved simply wanting 300 days in the past and is shortly to be ‘dried off’ in preparation for her fifth calving.

Final 12 months, she gained each the Jersey and dairy inter-breed championships at Balmoral Present. 

Usually it is extremely tough for a mature cow to win a beef inter-breed championship at any present. Nevertheless, the Murdock household – from Newry – proved that real high quality is an ageless trait.

Their majestic Hereford cow, Cornrigg Self-importance II, regarded an absolute image within the present ring. Including to the impression made was the presence of her six-week-old calf at foot, Lisnaree I A La Carte.

Beef inter-breed decide, Leo McEnroe – from Virginia in Co. Cavan – described his champion as an amazing cow.

“She has all of the attributes of her breed. Her calf additionally regarded an absolute image within the ring,” he mentioned.

“The truth that each animals are naturally polled added to their attraction for me. Wanting forward, the Irish beef trade wants to supply cattle with great development potential.

“Working with animals which can be straightforward to handle is one other precedence for livestock farmers as they search to make greatest use of their time.”