Castlewellan Show

As is traditional at the Co. Down venue, Castlewellan was marked by a tremendous turnout of top-quality livestock.

The supreme beef inter-breed championship was won by the Rodgers family, from Dromara, with an elite five-year-old Blonde d’Aquitaine cow with a seven-month-old calf at foot.

Former Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president and pedigree livestock breeder, Victor Chestnutt, judged the beef inter-breed classes at Castlewellan.

The north Antrim man confirmed that he had selected his champion as soon as she entered the ring.

“She is an excellent animal example of the breed – fantastic conformation and great locomotion. But the presence of the calf also confirmed that she is a working cow. And this is what cattle breeding is all about,” he said.

The Rodgers family has been breeding Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle for the past 30 years.

Full Results:

Cow and Calf

1st Rodgers Livestock, HILLHEAD OLIVIA (s. Allacott Herbert / d. Hillhead Gillian) with HILLHEAD TNT (s. Gledney Rab)

Senior Heifer

1st Mr G McClelland, MONEYSCALP SHAUNA (s. Shanvalley Oralia / d. Terelton Linda)

Junior Heifer

1st Mr G McClelland, MONEYSCALP TINKERBELL (s. Shanvalley Oralia / d. Moneyscalp Paris)

Senior Bull

1st Mr G McClelland, BRIDGE OBAMA (s. Aaron Isilmo / d. Bridge Ladybird)

2nd Messrs Mark & Conor Savage, GLEDNEY SAXTON (s. Shanvalley Notorious / d. Gledney Lacy)

Junior Bull