The eagerly awaiedt result from Fermanagh County Show yesterday (Wednesday) was from the inaugural Suckler Cow Classic and Breeding Heifer Derby.

Both competitions had £2,250 prizemoney on offer and there was plenty of interest from commercial farmers across the county.

Show Chairman, Ann Orr, speaking to the crowd of farmers attending the prizegiving, welcomed visitors including Conor Burns, Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Catherine Gallagher, from the Irish Shows’ Association and Allan Rainey from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. She thanked the two main sponsors, Vaughan Trust represented by Olwen Gormley and Lakeland Veterinary Services represented by Sonia Hateboer.

Judge, David Wright from the Irish Farmers’ Journal, had previously visited farmers who had entered and reduced the initial entry to five suckler cows and calves which were presented at the Show.

His results were as follows;

Suckler cow classic sponsored by the Vaughan Trust – 1 (£500), David and Neil Henderson, Tamlaght; 2 (£350), John Egerton, Rosslea; Reserves (£150 each), Kevin Leonard, Irvinestown; Gerry and James Law, Kesh and David Wilson, Magheraveely. David and Neil Henderson also win a £500 bonus from Fermanagh Farming Society for the winner coming from a Fermanagh herd.

Breeding heifer derby with £500 prizemoney on offer from sponsors, Lakeland Veterinary Services, Derrygonnelly – 1, Kevin Leonard; 2, Robbie Wilson, Magheraveely; 3, Paul Hackett, Newtownbutler.

Innovative

David Wright praised Fermanagh Farming Society for the innovative section for livestock showing which he said should help farmers rethink how they produced animals within the beef industry in the future.

He said he was looking in selecting the right animals, longevity and efficiency from herds with a good calving index, where cows had good milking ability and consistent breeding within the herds. David also wanted easily managed herds.

In terms of breeding heifers he wanted animals which were quiet and not too big and which were going to calve easily.

He said the top two herds in the suckler class, David and Neil Henderson and John Egerton were among the best in the British Isles.