Diary of a Herds Competition Judge
The Northern Ireland Hereford Breeder’s Annual herd’s competition got under way on the 26th July with none other than the legendary English stockman Steve Edwards judging the annual award.
The monumental task which involved covering over 1000 miles in the six counties judge Steve Edwards took it in his stride.
The first visits saw Steve at relatively new breeders, starting with the Kinnego Herd of Ciaran Kerr, Nathan Hylands Moygannon Herd and Grallagh Herd belonging to Ryan McKnight. With the rain closing in he headed back to base visiting Gerry and Jonathan Smalls Drumshambo Herd back in Randalstown.
Steve managed to fit in some down time at the Clogher Valley show where he met up with fellow Hereford Breeder Alan Timbrell from the Thames Herd who had the honour of judging the Dairy Cow Championship. The afternoon was finished off visiting the Corcreevy Herd in Brookeborough belonging to Niall Hudson the back home via Co Armagh to see John Conlon’s Drumantee Herd.
Thursday saw him visit a local Herd in Broughshane belonging to John Richmond then cross country to Co Tyrone to see this years Blamoral Champion of the Beattie family at the Castlepoll and Tierlugan Herd. With the rain now firmly set in for the day it was on to County Fermanagh to judge Tom Mohan’s Newtownbutler Herd finishing with David Wilsons Lisrace herd and finally the Nancy Herd.
The penultimate day took in Co Down, starting in Holywood with Roy and Pat McClenaghan’s Brookfield Herd then onto The McMordie Family’s herd of Solpoll animals who this year took for the second time the UK herd of the year. The Lisola/Craigy herd of Jacqueline Martin followed with the day finishing at the Lusky, Ballymartin and Barnburn Herds belonging to AJ Farms, Aaron Patterson and the Watson family respectively.
Saturday saw the finish line in sight with a cross country visit to the final two herds, firstly the Graceland Herd of Robin and James Irvine and finally Stephen Baxter’s Umgola Herd.
The NIHBA would like to thank Steve Edwards for putting in such time and dedication and all the breeders who took part.
SMALL HERD WINNERS
1st Barnburn Herd B&G Watson
2nd Umgola Herd Stephen Baxter
3rd Corcreevy Herd Niall Hudson
MEDIUM HERD WINNERS
1st Lisola/Craigy Herd Jacqueline Martin
2nd Newtownbutler Herd Tom Mohan
3rd Graceland Herd R&G Irvine
LARGE HERD
1st Solpoll Herd J&W McMordie
2nd Drumantee Herd John Conlon
3rd Lisrace Herd David Wilson
OVERALL WINNERS
1st Solpoll Herd
2nd Drumantee Herd
Best Stock Bull
Pinmoor 1 Kingsley B&G Watson
Best Autumn Born Bull Calf
Solpoll 1 Nobility J&W McMordie
Best Spring Born Bull Calf
Umgola 1 Impact 5th Stephen Baxter
Best Autumn Born Heifer Calf
Lisrace Pretty Maid David Wilson
Best Spring Born Heifer Calf
Lisrace Crystal David Wilson
Photo credits Alfie Shaw
