The Simmental cow, Ballinalare Farm Nikita, was selected as the beef inter-breed champion at Newry Show 2025.
It is turning out to be another show season of note for this truly elite cow – she has graced the show rings over recent weeks with twin calves at foot.
Her Newry victory adds to the inter-breed title secured at the recent Saintfield Show.
The cow is owned and bred by the Wilson family, who farm close to Newry, co. Down.
Inter-breed judge, Gary Hanna described his champion as an “exceptional” animal, full of Simmental breed character.
Nikita enjoyed an exceptional career as a heifer, winning the Simmental National Championships on two occasions. And she is now set to continue on her winning ways as a young cow.
The native inter-beef beef breed championship was awarded to an outstanding Red Aberdeen Angus heifer: Glenbrae Red Mouse Z166.
She was bred and exhibited by the Dodd family from Saintfield, Co. Down, and is due to calve later in the year.
The heifer has already enjoyed tremendous success so far in 2025, competing well at Balmoral, Lurgan, and Armagh shows.
The inter-breed sheep championship at Newry was won by Joanne Reid from Co. Armagh, with a Dutch Spotted ewe.
Judge Jim Aiken, from Dromara in Co. Down, described his champion as “extremely impressive” with excellent breed characteristics.
But it was a very close run thing. The reserve inter-breed title was awarded to Mike Reynolds form Armagh, with a truly impressive Suffolk ewe.
A record entry of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and goats combined to make Newry Show 2025 a tremendous success.
Judging carried on until late in the afternoon, with the many visitors in attendance getting an opportunity to view close up a selection of truly elite livestock.
Newry Show chairperson Brian Lockhart, said: “We have had a tremendous day.
“And we want to build on this for the future.”
The inter-breed dairy championship was won by Potterswalls Victorious Season EX93.
Bred and exhibited by the Fleming family from Seaforde in Co. Down, this eye-catching Jersey third calver looked very impressive in the ring.
Her Newry success adds to the Jersey reserve championship she tied down at this year’s Balmoral Show.
Victorious Season produced 8.000L of milk during her last lactation: she calved for the third time back in April.
Cyril Millar, from Coleraine, Co. Down, judged the dairy classes at this year’s Newry Show. He described his champion as a perfect example of the Jersey breed.
Millar added: “She has a tremendous udder and excellent locomotion. All being well, she can look forward to a very successful future in the show ring.”
