Cream of Ulster livestock compete for honours

Editorial Department • Published 30 Jul 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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The Fermanagh County Show, the last of the agricultural shows of the season, will be celebrating the best of Ulster's livestock by hosting three major finals during the two-day event next Tuesday and Wednesday, August 4 and 5.

Next Wednesday, August 5, the Lackaboy judging rings will be buzzing with excitement as the cream of the Province's cattle are paraded before the visiting judges.

The finals include the Semex Dairy Cow of the Year Championship, the Ulster Bank/NISA Pedigree Beef Cow Final and the Ivomec Super Simmental Pair of the Year Championship.

The competitors in the three finals have all qualified at shows across the Province and the organisers of next week's Show expect a a tremendous line up in each of the relevant judging rings.

Exhibitors to the finals will all receive prizemoney. Each exhibit in the Beef Cow Championship will receive £20 attendance money while the winner of the crystal trophy will receive £300 prizemoney, with £200 for runner-up; £100 for third and £50 for fourth.

In other livestock classes, there are new sponsors this year, Norbrook Laboratories in the Hereford classes, ASDA sponsoring the Pair of the Dairy Cows class, R. A. McClung in the Intermediate Interbreed class and Fane Valley and Scott's Feeds as new sponsors in the All Ireland Dairy Championship. There is also a new class for Fermanagh exhibitors supported by the Vaughan Trust.

In addition to the pedigree breed classes, halter led commercial classes are a major attraction at the County Show with first and second prizewinners in each of the six qualifying classes competing for the Supreme Commercial Championship.

The Fermanagh Pedigree Livestock Breeders have added a further new class for their members.

The sheep classes culminate in a Champion Sheep of the Show award while the sheep young handler classes are sponsored by R. W. Loane Tyres.

The new sponsor of the poultry classes are R.T.D. Crawford Ltd, while the Fermanagh Poultry Championship award is sponsored by the Vaughan Trust for the highest placed bird in each class exhibited by a Fermanagh entrant

The County Show also hosts qualifying classes for large fowl and bantams for Irish Shows Association championships.

As rare breeds make a revival, there will be plenty of breeds on display at this year's Show. Pig judging will take place on the Tuesday evening beside the main mart building and this will include a young pig handler class.

The rare breed cattle classes will be judged on the Wednesday in the Showgrounds.

The years will be rolled back with the vintage display again a feature at this year's show. Exhibits will arrive early on Wednesday for a static display followed by a parade in the afternoon. There is free entry and light refreshments for all vintage exhibitors and each of them will be entered into a free draw for £100.

Spectators to the show can try their skills in the "Guess the Original Registration Date" competition.

Away from the livestock judging rings, there will plenty of activity in the main mart buildings in the home industries section which includes the popular Schoolchildren's Section sponsored again this year by The Impartial Reporter.

Following a record entry level in 2008, the Show organisers are expecting the trend to continue this year with more space devoted to the craft entries. The home industries section will have over 170 classes and £1,700 prizemoney. A new addition this year is the "Farm Animal Using Fruit and Vegetables" class for 14-18 year olds as well as a a class entitled, "Afternoon Tea for Two."

The art and photography section continues to increase in popularity with plenty of scope for entries in scenery, agriculture, sport and portraits.

The fruit, vegetables and flower sections are all expected to be well supported this year with growing interest in "Growing Your Own."

The County Show is a qualifier for ISA competitions in cooking and vegetable and potato growing.

The new sponsor of the Food Hall this year is Fivemiletown and Brookeborough Co-op and this year, the Show will be hosting the Local Food Festival supported by the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme in the marquee to promote local suppliers and small businesses who will show a range of innovative products.

Cookery demonstrations are being given by the Belle Isle School of Cookery.

Other attractions include Church Hill Silver Band on the Tuesday evening as well as other sideshows.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 30 Jul 09

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