Breed judges from throughout the UK and Ireland were unanimous in their praise for the Pedigree Calf Fair and Beef NI Expo, held at the Balmoral Showgrounds in Belfast.
Speaking after the one-day show, which featured three show rings and ten native and continental beef breeds, event organiser and chairman David Connolly said: ”It’s been another fantastic event, and we certainly exceeded our strap-line ‘Bigger and Better’.
French judge Laurent Antignac was impressed with the professionalism of the young showmanship competitors. 
“They are a credit to Northern Ireland,” he commented.
ABERDEEN ANGUS
A strong entry of Aberdeen Angus calves were judged by William McLaren from the noted Netherton Herd based at Blackford in Perthshire. 
Stealing the limelight in the junior section was the 10-month-old heifer, Home Farm Ebony Stunner bred by Fintan Keown, Belleek. She is a daughter of the three-times All Ireland champion Rosemead Karona, and was reserve heifer calf champion at the breed club’s calf show a few weeks ago.
HEREFORD
Taking the reserve junior award was David Wilson, Magheraveely, with the April 2016 heifer Lisrace Crystal by Knockmountage Master. 
Heifer born between 01/09/15 and 31/12/15 - 1, David Wilson, Lisrace Prettymaid 24th by Ballyaville Lifeliner; 
Bull born after 01/04/16 - 1, John and William McMordie, Solpoll 1 National by Solpoll 1 Dynamite; 2, David Wilson, Lisrace Lumberjack 18th by Knockmountage Master; 3, Mervyn Richmond, Corraback Kadar by Mara Flook.
Heifer born after 01/04/16 - 1, David Wilson, Lisrace Crystal by Knockmountage Master; 2, Mervyn Richmond, Corraback Guenevere 15th by Mara Flook.
 IRISH MOILED
The Irish Moiled classes were judged by Trevor Chadwick from County Offaly. Taking the reserve senior award was the October 2015 Burren Lady, a Knowehead Reuben daughter bred by Nigel Edwards and Michelle McCauley.,The Edwards and McCauley partnership also secured the junior championship at the one-day show with the seven-month-old bull Curraghnakeely Super Duper.  
CHAROLAIS
Welshman Arwel Owen placed the strong line-up of Charolais at the Pedigree Calf Fair. Stuart and David Bothwell, Ballinamallard, secured the reserve senior championship with the October 2015 Killadeas Lara, a Goldies Usher daughter out of the home-bred Killadeas Dainty.
Heifer born between 01/09/15 and 31/12/15 – 1 Gilbert Crawford, Coolnaslee Lucybella by Goldstar Hugo; 2, Stuart and David Bothwell, Killadeas Lara by Goldies Usher.
Heifer born between 01/01/16 and 31/03/16 – 1, Harold Stubbs and Alan Burleigh, Derryharney Missy by Vexour Freddy;
Bull calf born after 01/04/16 – 1, WD & JA Connolly, Brigadoon Marverick by Goldies Icon; 2, Harold Stubbs and Alan Burleigh, Derryharney Myboy by Hillviewfarm Perfect; 3,Will Short, Woodpark Marcus by Deeside Gulliver ET.
Heifer calf born after 01/04/16 – 1, WD and JA Connolly, Brigadoon Milan by Goldies Icon; 2, Harold Stubbs and Alan Burleigh, Derryharney Mygirl by Blelack Blackberet; 3, Jack Smyth, Bessiebell Molly ET by Newhouse Bigal.
LIMOUSIN
Bull born between 01/01/16 and 31/03/16 – 1, D and R McFarland, Rayderjem Maverick by Haltcliffe Doctor; 
SIMMENTAL
Scottish breeder Iain Green from the noted Corskie Herd in Morayshire praised the quality of Simmentals at the one-day show. Catching his eye to take the senior championship plaudits was the 13-month-old Scribby Farms George, an Omorga Volvo son, bred by Keith and Andrea Nelson from Rosslea. 
Pat Kelly, and son Frank, Tempo, secured the junior championship award with the ten-month-old bull Ashland Humdinger. Also by Dermotstown Delboy, he is bred from Ashland Lady Diamond 7th – one of 10 cows in the herd. Claiming the reserve junior title was the January 2016 Curaheen Apostle son Drumlone Hotrod exhibited by Kenny Veitch, Lisbellaw.
Bull born between 01/09/15 and 31/12/15  - 1, Keith Nelson, Scribby Farms George by Omorga Volvo;
Heifer born between 01/09/15 and 31/12/15  - 1, Duncan McDowell, Castlemount Wiekel by Longbeach Darius; 2, Shane and Paul McDonald, Coolcran Lady Grainne by Ashland Brandy; 
Bull born between 01/01/16 and 31/03/16  - 1, Pat and Frank Kelly, Ashland Humdinger by Dermotstown Delboy; 2, Kenneth Veitch, Drumlone Hotrod by Curaheen Apostle;
Heifer born between 01/01/16 and 31/03/16  -1, Stephen Millar, Glenock Highway by Kilbride Farm Newry; 2, E O’Neill, Drumcoote Daisybell by Scottish Neff.
Bull calf born after 01/04/16  -1, Andrew Clarke, Beaghey Harrison by Wroxall Cocker-Leeky-Soup; 2, Keith Nelson, Scribby Farms Hero by Omorga Volvo.
Heifer calf born after 01/04/16   - 1, William Nelson, Drumacritten Heidi by Dermotstown Delboy; 
BRITISH BLONDE
Heifer born between 01/09/15 and 31/03/16  - 1, Conor Savage, Gledney Kathryn by Fronfedw Arawn; 2, Johnston Family, Ballymacan Mabel by Lockhead Tyson; 3, Brian McGartland Drumnafern Lola by Budore Emo.
Bull born after 01/04/16  - 1, Norman McKnight, Silverwood Mark by Ardmore Gargoyle; 2, Norman McKnight, Silverwood Murry by Ardmore Gargoyle; 3, Johnston Family, Ballymacan Mark by Lockhead Tyson.
Heifer born after 01/04/16 – 1, Conor Savage, Gledney Keva by Drumraymond Grafter; 2, Norman McKnight, Silverwood Molly by Ardmore Gargoyle; 3, Johnston Family, Ballymacan Misty by Clondown Eddie.200
BRITISH BLUE
The junior championship went to the January 2016 Drumlone Lindsey, a Twyning Ash Vaughan daughter bred by Kenny Veitch from Lisbellaw.