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
1sT Ryan Lavery
2nd: David Lester
Heifer in calf class
1st: Ballinderry Dexters
2nd: Ballinderry Dexters
Maiden heifer class
1st: Ryan Lavery
2nd: David Lester
Bull class
1st: Cadian Dexters
2nd; Cadian Dexters
British Blonde classes
Champion: Geoffrey Rodgers
Reserve: Moneyscalp Blondes
Junior Champion: Geoffrey Rodgers
Reserve: Conor Jackson
Senior cow class
1st: Geoffrey Rodgers
2nd: Ivaniskey herd
Senior Heifer class
1st: Moneyscalp Blondes
2nd: Bellair herd
Senior bull class
1st: Geoffrey Rodgers
2nd: Moneyscalp Blondes
Junior bull class
1st: Geoffrey Rodgers
2nd: 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
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
1st: Elizabeth McAllister
Ram lamb class
1st: John Ferguson
2nd: John Ferguson
Two shear ram class
1st: Elizabeth McAllister
Ile de France classes
Champion: Rodney Balfour
Reserve: Rodney Balfour
Shearling ram class
1st: Rodney Balfour
2nd: Rodney Balfour
Ram lamb class
1st: Rodger Milligan
2nd: David Mulligan
Ewe: two shear class
1st: Rodney Balfour
2nd: David Mulligan
Shearling ewe class
1st: Edward Adamson
2nd: Rodney Balfour
Border Leicester classes
Champion: Callum Pattwerson
Reserve: Harold Dickey
Group class
1st: Harold Dickey
2nd: Harold Dickey
Champion male: Harold Dickey
Reserve: Harold Dickey
Champion female: Calluum Patterson
Reserve; Harold Dickey
Ram two shear class
1st: Harold Dickey
Shearling ram class
1st: Harold Dickey
2nd: 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
1st; Sammy Kerr
2nd: Sammy Kerr
Shearling ram class
1st: Michael Graham
2nd: Sammy Kerr
Ewe lamb class
1st: David James Boyd
2nd: Sammy Kerr
Zwartbles sheep classes
Champion: Catherine McCracken
Reserve: Glebe Hill Flock
Male champion: Cyril Cromie
Reserve: Graham Hancock
