‘Outstanding’ young dairy cow comes to fore at Newry Show 2026
A Holstein third calver was crowned the Dairy Champion at Newry Show 2026 amid the highest ever entry of cattle for the competition.
Ernevale Alligator Rosina EX 92 was jointly exhibited by David Simpson from Lisburn and Andrew Patterson from Antrim.
Simpson explained: “We bought her from Co. Fermanagh breeder, Seamus Gunn, prior to her calving a few weeks ago.
“She is currently giving 48L of milk per day.”
Patterson added: “We had seen her at Omagh Show last year. She has a tremendous and an outstanding mammary system.
“She is now eligible for the Dairy Cow of the Year event at Antrim Show later in July. And we will see how she gets on there.
“Our aim is to get her back in calf as soon as possible. Hopefully, we will have her ready again to participate in all of the main shows scheduled for 2027.”
But it was the large turnout of visitors making their way to the Bessbrook venue on Saturday (June 27) that really sealed the success of Newry Show 2026.
Society chair, Brian Lockhart commented
“Our event continues to grow. It is a tremendous showcase for the farming and food sectors right across our catchment area. And we want to build on this for the future.”
This year’s Newry Show also recorded its highest ever entry of cattle, sheep, and goats with judging continuing on late into the afternoon.
The event turned out to be another landmark occasion for Crawford Brothers, from Maguiresbridge in Co. Fermanagh, with their elite Limousin cow Rathkeeland Tendresse.
Newry marked the cow's fifth inter-bred title of 2026 showing season, having already notched up victories at Saintfield, Ballymena, Lurgan, and Armagh Shows.
Matthew Goulding, from Ballyduff, Tralee, Co. Kerry judged the inter-breed beef classes at Newry.
He described his champion has an excellent example of the Limousin breed, adding:
“She has amazing scope, presence, power and mobility. And the fact that she entered the show ring with an eye-catching calf at foot further confirmed her breeding potential.”
Stephen Crawford commented: “We have a tremendous selection of bulls and breeding heifers within the herd at the present time.
"They represent a comprehensive cross-section of Limousin bloodlines.
“Show success is one thing. But adding to this is the tremendous feedback we get from farmers who are using our bulls on a commercial basis.”
He added that the business has "spent many years building up the status of the Rathkeeland herd".
"And we continue to invest in the best Limousin genetics available on an international basis.”
The Crawford family have been breeding pedigree Limousin cattle for the past 47 years.
Rathkeeland animals have won Limousin Championships at all of the Royal Shows: The Royal Welsh; The Royal Ulster Agricultural Show; The Royal Highland Show; The Great Yorkshire; The Royal Show; and The Royal Dublin Show.
The reserve beef inter-breed accolade at Newry went to the commercial champion, a truly eye-catching British Blue-Limousin cross heifer, exhibited by JCB Commercials from Newtownards in Co. Down.
The March-2025-born weanling will be competing in the rest of the shows taking place over the coming weeks.
