The best of Northern Ireland’s prime stock competed for hotly contested Championship titles at this week’s Royal Ulster Beef and Lamb Championships staged at Balmoral Park, Lisburn.

Organisers, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) were delighted with an increased entry for the year’s event run in conjunction with Bank of Ireland, with plans already in full swing for 2020.

In the prime cattle section it was the County Down based trio “JCB Commercials” who romped home with the Supreme Championship ribbons as tapped out by master judge Blair Dufton, Aberdeenshire. After a flurry of bids the hammer was knocked down by auctioneer Richard Beattie at £5300, forked out by the judge on behalf of Kitson & Son Butchers, North Yorkshire.

The same buyers also parted with £2500 to secure the Reserve Supreme Champion brought out by Lisbellaw based farmer, Alan Veitch. This son of Ashleigh Admiral is out of a Lim x British Blue cow and was bred by the exhibitor.

One of the highlights of the judging is the Ulster Housewife’s Champion which was judged by David Moore, Country Meats. Leading the way here was young Jack Smyth, Newtownstewart with a fleshy Aberdeen Angus heifer sired by Drumdow Primera N005 and made £4700 in the ring.

Country Meats, Aghagallon will serve up the Reserve Housewife’s Champion for their customers. This was a homebred Simmental heifer brought out by McKenna Bros, Clogher who tipped the scales at 530 kilos and sold for £1800.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Scottish Judge, Blair Duffton from Aberdeenshire enthused, “This year’s Royal Ulster Beef & Lamb Championships was a tremendous Show and Sale of quality stock with the Supreme Champion being one of the best animals that I have seen in years. It really was an excellent show and all stock exhibited on the night were of a top standard.”

New for this year was the introduction of show classes confined to members of the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster. It was from this well supported section that the Supreme Champion pair of lambs hailed from. These were a super pair of Beltex x lambs presented by Zara Preston, Cappagh YFC. There were several clients keen to acquire the Best Butchers lambs with the Mayfly Inn, Kesh making the winning bid of £600 per head. They also secured the reserve champion pen from William McAllister, Kells with his Texel sired pair selling for £250 each.

Alan Crowe, RUAS Chief Executive added: ‘‘The RUAS was delighted with the success of the second Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships. This event has grown in stature from last year and we were delighted to welcome both new and existing exhibitors to the Logan Hall. Throughout the day, the atmosphere was fantastic and visitors enjoyed watching the fierce competition in the ring with top class livestock on show."

The buyers of the prime beef and cattle openly welcome customers to their shops, restaurants and businesses during Christmas and the New Year, where their prize-winning stock will be available to purchase.

Judges

Calf & Beef classes – Blair Duffton

Housewives Choice - David Moore

Lambs - Brendan Kelly

Young Handlers - Cynthia Aiken (Lamb) & Kendall Glen (Cattle)

Leading prices – Prime cattle

JCB Commercials £5300(£7.46/kg) to Kitson & Sons Butchers, N Yorkshire; James Alexander £3400 (£6.07/kg) to Louise Breen, Augher; Julianne & Ewan Elliott, Blaney, £2465 (£4.25/kg) to Miskelly Farms, Ballynahinch; Katie Boles, £2350 (£3.56/kg) to The Morning Star, Belfast; Gordon Cutler £2100 (£6.56/kg) to Denzil Johnston, Enniskillen; Alan Veitch £2500 (£3.91/kg) to Kitson & Sons Butchers, N Yorkshire; Robert Simpson £1500(£3.26/kg) to JJ Brown, Hilltown; McKenna Bros, Clogher, £2000 (£2.86/kg) to Brogan Meats, Irvinestown; McKenna Bros, £1800 (£3.40/kg) Country Meats, Aghagallon; David Bothwell £1809 (£2.70/kg) Miskelly Farms, Ballynahinch; Leonard Bros £1593 (£2.70/kg) Brogan Meats, Irvinestown;Robert Simpson £1650 (£3.00/kg) to Foyle Meats; Leonard Bros £1431(£2.70/kg) to Foyle Meats

Leading prices – Pairs of Prime Lambs (per head); Zara Preston £600 to Mayfly Inn, Kesh; Andrew McCutcheon £260 to The Morning Star, Belfast; William McAllister £250 Mayfly Inn, Kesh;

Andrew McCutcheon £200 to Blair Duffton, Aberdeenshire; Andrew McCutcheon £190 to Mayfly Inn, Kesh; Jamie McCutcheon £190 to Blair Duffton, Aberdeenshire; William & Lauren Moore £165 to Millar Meats, Irvinestown; William & Lauren Moore £150 to Millar Meats, Irvinestown.