Best of the breed on show at Charolais extravaganza

Editorial Department • Published 3 Sep 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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George Wylie, Dungannon Farmers’ Mart and John McGrath, Northern Ireland Charolais Club preparing for the National Charolais Show at Fintona. Eimear and Clodagh McGovern are pictured handling the cattle.

The best of the Charolais breed in Northern Ireland will be represented in the National Charolais Show at the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona tomorrow(Friday), September 3.

An impressive entry of 130 Charolais pedigree and commercial stock from all over the Province will come together with a young handlers competition at 4pm followed by pedigree show at 5pm and Charolais commercial immediately afterwards.

Sandra Cochrane, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Charolais Club said that generous sponsorship from across the agricultural sector has enabled the club to show case and attract the top animals and the leading breeders across the Province.

“We are indebted to our sponsors, those who have faithfully supported us over the years and also the many new sponsors who have came on board this year,” she reported.

“This is evidence of the confidence that the agriculture and commercial industry have in the Charolais breed at a time when companies are reducing costs” Sandra commented..

The two main sponsors of the event are Omagh District Council and the British Charolais Society. In addition to facilitating the event at the ideal premises at Ecclesville Equestrian Centre Fintona, the Council also contributes generous sponsorship while the British Charolais Society sponsors the championships at the event.

Martin Donaghy, newly elected Chairman of the British Charolais Society said there was a record entry of fine Charolais stock for the National Show at Fintona and as Chairman of the British Society he felt proud to have such a prestigious event close to home.

The judge for the pedigree section, Mr. Alwyn Rees from Powys in Wales said he was looking forward to the arduous task of judging such a remarkable event.

The continuing success of the event has attracted new sponsors each year and this year is no exception with Corby Rock, Dectomax, Parkview Vets, Strabane Mills, Animax, Balcas, Smith Daleside,Bothwell Farm Supplies, G P Electrics all coming on board for first time. Other year on year sponsors include: Fintona Power Washing Services, Derek Loane Motors, Fane Valley, and Gortin, Draperstown and Lisahally Livestock Marts, McClellands, Dungannon Mart Donnelly Quarries,Three Valleys Vets, A N Irwin,Linden Foods,Natural Nutrition, Teemore Engineering,

A new dimension of the Charolais Show this year is the young handlers class, where young people under 16 years and 17 to 21 years will compete to show off their handling skills on their animals at the show. This event will be co-ordinated and judged by W.A. Connolly Ballinhinch, owners of the Brigadoon herd. The Connolly Family are true professionals in their field of handling and showing cattle with many accolades to prove their many skills.

The judge of the commercial stock is Richard O’Berine from Tuam, Co. Galway and he has no doubt of the difficult task in finding his champion and reserve in the entry of over 40 commercial stock.

Further details of the event are available from Northern Ireland Charolais Club Secretary Mary McCormack on 028 807 61339 with catalogues available at the event.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 02 Sep 10

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