Annaghmore Fitz Atlee takes the plaudits on Balmoral Show Day 3

Hallow Holsteins won the Balmoral Show 2025 Inter-Breed Dairy Championship with their immense fourth calver Annaghmore Fitz Atlee.

The Co Wexford pedigree breeding operation had the cow looking an absolute picture in the ring.

And she needed to be in top form. The competition from the other breed champions, all vying to secure the ultimate Balmoral 2025 dairy accolade, was immense.

But making the victory all the sweeter for the large crowds gathered around the show rings was the fact that the cow in question was bred in Co. Armagh by Clive and Joel Richardson, the driving forces behind Annaghmore Holsteins.

Annaghmore farm manager, Joshua Ebron, was on hand to discuss the merits of Fitz Atlee.

”She gave 10,800L of milk at 4.18% butterfat and 3.3% protein during her last lactation,” he explained.

“And she is currently giving 74L per day at 5.18% fat and 3.19% protein. The cow has been classified EX95.

“We are delighted with the progress that she continues to make.”

The Inter-Breed Reserve went to Co. Tyrone Ayrshire breeder, Stewart Baxter.

His champion and second calver, Carnell Barby Doll 13, also looked amazing in the ring.

Stewart commented: “She was bought as a weanling heifer at the Carnell dispersal sale four years ago. I wanted to start up a number of new cow families in the herd. It was an investment that is now paying off.”

Barby Doll is now giving 43L of milk per day. The cow calved for the second time in January 2025 and will calve again at the beginning of next year. Barby Doll is in calf to Springhill Palmyra Robinson.

Stewart has been milking Ayrshires for thirty years. His herd currently comprises a total of 70 animals.

“The Ayrshire is a very versatile breed,” he explained.

“The cows can produce lots of high quality milk in both grass based and high input production systems.”

The Jersey Championship at Balmoral 2025 was won by the Fleming family, from Seaforde in Co Down with Potterswalls Canadian Club Dawn.

A milking heifer, this was her first show outing in milk.

The Fleming family went on to win the Jersey Championship, Reserve Championship and Honourable Mention on the day.

Ashley Fleming commented: “We were delighted with the results that we achieved. Potterswalls Victorious Season was selected as the breed reserve.

“A third calver, she gave 7,000L of milk at 6.2% fat and 4.3% protein during her last full lactation.”

Balmoral Results: Day 3

Dairy Inter-Breed Champion: Hallow Holsteins.

Reserve: Stewart & Nyree Baxter.

Dairy Pairs’ Inter-Breed Champions: Fleming family.

Reserve: Hallow Holsteins & the Jones’ Cattle Company.

Dairy Group Inter Breed Champions: Hallow Holsteins, Jones Cattle Company & Annaghmore Holsteins.

Reserve: Fleming family.

Holstein classes

Champion: Hallow Holsteins.

Reserve: Annaghmore Holsteins.

Exhibitor-bred champion: Annaghmore Holsteins.

Reserve: Jones’ Cattle Company.

Junior female champion: McLean family.

Reserve: Jason Booth.

Champion udder: Hallow Holsteins.

Junior heifer class:

• 1^st: Gaston Wallace;
• 2^nd: McLean family.

Intermediate heifer class:

• 1^st: Slatabogie Holsteins;
• 2^nd: Gaston Wallace.

Senior heifer class:

• 1^st: Slatabogie Holsteins;
• 2^nd: Noel and Daniel Willis.

Junior heifer in milk class:

• 1^st: Hallow herd;
• 2^nd: W & A Patton.

Senior heifer in milk class:

• 1^st: McLean family;
• 2^nd: Jason Booth.

Junior three-year old in milk:

• 1^st: Slatabogie Holsteins;
• 2^nd: Jason Booth.

Senior three year old in milk class:

• 1^st: Annaghmore Holsteins;
• 2^nd: Noel and Daniel Willis.

Four year old in milk class:

• 1^st: Jones Cattle Ltd;
• 2^nd: Annaghmore Holsteins.

Five year old in milk class:

• 1^st: Jason Booth;
• 2^nd: Slatabogie Holsteins.

Mature cow class:

• 1^st: Hallow herd.

Pairs class:

• 1^st: Annaghmore Holsteins;
• 2^nd: Hallow herd.

Ayrshire classes

Champion: Stewart and Nyree Baxter.

Reserve: Christian Keenan.

Pairs’ Champion: Stewart and Nyree Baxter.

Reserve: Christian Keenan.

Maiden heifer class:

• 1^st: Rebecca McBratney;
• 2^nd: Stewart and Nyree Baxter.

Heifer in calf class:

• 1^st: Stewart and Nyree Baxter;
• 2^nd: Slatabogie Holsteins.

Heifer in milk class:

• 1^st: Christian Keenan;
• 2^nd: Stewart and Nyree Baxter.

Cow in milk class (two calves):

• 1^st: Stewart and Nyree Baxter;
• 2^nd: J Warden and partners.

Cow in milk class (three calves):

• 1^st: Christian Keenan;
• 2^nd: Christian Keenan.

Cow giving at least 6,000kg of milk in one lactation:

• 1^st: Stewart and Nyree Baxter;
• 2^nd: Christian Keenan.

Jersey classes

Champion: Fleming family.

Reserve: Fleming family.

Champion heifer: Ashley Fleming.

Reserve: Ashley Fleming.

Pairs’ champion: Ashley Fleming.

Reserve: Ashley Fleming.

Junior heifer class:

• 1^st: Clandeboye estate;
• 2^nd: Clandeboye estate.

Senior heifer class:

• 1^st: Ashley Fleming;
• 2^nd: Clandebioye Estate.

Heifer in milk class:

• 1^st: Ashley Fleming;
• 2^nd: Annaghmore Holsteins.

Cow in milk class (two calves):

• 1^st: Clandeboye Estate;
• 2^nd Ashley Fleming.

Cow in milk class (three calves):

• 1^st; Ashley Fleming;
• 2^nd: Clandeboye Estate.

Cow in milk (four calves):

• 1^st: Fleming family;
• 2^nd: Fleming family.

Dairy Shorthorn classes

Champion: McLean family.

Reserve: Jason Booth.

Champion cow: McLean family.

Reserve: Jason Booth.

Heifer not in milk class:

• 1st: Ashley Fleming.

Heifer in milk class:

• 1^st: McLean family;
• 2^nd: Jason Booth.

Cow in milk class:

• 1^st: Jason Booth.