The inaugural Pedigree Calf Fair and Beef Expo was considered a wonderful success by many of the cattle exhibitors and those with trade exhibits. The event is to be repeated in 2016, says Event Chairman, David Connolly.

"We had a tremendous turnout of stock and visitors on the day," he said.
The event at the RUAS showgrounds at Balmoral, took place on a wet, miserable Saturday at a time when beef incomes are challenging but the quality breeding on show lifted the spirits of those involved.
SHOWMANSHIP
The showmanship classes at the Pedigree Calf Fair were judged by Alison Connolly from Saintfield. 
Handler aged 17 to 20-years-old – 1, Adam Armour; 2, Andrew Johnston; 3, Adam Johnston; 4, Jack Wilson.
Handler aged 12 to 14-years-old – 1, Victoria Johnston; 2, Lizzie Harding; 3, Robbie Wilson; 4, Ruth Hamill.
ABERDEEN ANGUS
A strong entry of Aberdeen Angus calves were judged by John Coultrip from Faversham in Kent. He awarded the senior championship to the fourteen-month-old bull Drummeer Popper P584 bred by Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge. Sired by the 19,000gns Blelack Evermore J231, he was bred from Drummeer Poppy G311 – one of 15 cows in the herd. Runner-up in the senior championship was the yearling bull Drumlone Evermore P527 bred by Kenneth Veitch, Lisbellaw. This one is by Rawburn Black Hawk, and out of a home-bred dam.
HEREFORD
David Wilson, and sons Robbie and Jack, Magheraveely, County Fermanagh, claimed the senior Hereford championship with their bull Lisrace Lumberjack 15th. Born in December 2014, he is by stock bull Ballyaville Lifeliner, and is bred from Lisrace Pretty Maid, the best breeding cow line in the 30-cow herd. 
CHAROLAIS
Archie MacGregor from Kilsyth, Glasgow, was officiating in the Charolais showring. His choice for senior champion was the 13-month-old Coolnaslee Jillie brought out by Gilbert Crawford, and stockman Stuart Wilson from Fermanagh, who run 65 cows at Maghera. Sired by the 70,000gns Barnsford Ferny, she is bred from the Allanfauld Superscot daughter Coolnaslee Danielle. 
Standing in reserve position was the thirteen-month-old bull Ratoary Justrite ET bred by Sean McGovern, Clogher. He is one of three prize winning ET brothers by Loughend Apache, and is bred from Clooncullane Chloe. Runner-up in the junior line-up was Fury Leader, a ten-month-old bull shown by Pat Hackett from Clogher.
Bull, born between 01/09/14 and 31/12/14 – 1, Sean McGovern, Ratoary Justrite ET; 2, Sean McGovern, Ratoary Jackwillis ET.
Heifer, born between 01/09/14 and 31/12/14 – 1, Gilbert Crawford, Coolnaslee Jillie; 2, Kenneth Veitch, Drumlone Jodie ET; 3, Stuart and David Bothwell, Killadeas Jade.
Bull, born between 01/01/15 and 31/03/15 – 1, Pat Hackett, Fury Leader; 2, Jack Smyth, Bessiebell Luigi; 3, Gilbert Crawford, Coolnaslee Harry.
Heifer, born between 01/01/15 and 31/03/15 – 1, Stuart and David Bothwell, Killadeas Lily; 2, WD and JA Connolly, Brigadoon Lady; 3, Stuart and David Bothwell, Killadeas Lady.
Bull, born after 01/04/15 – 1, Niall Quinn, Hillview Limited Edition; 2, Stuart and David Bothwell, Killadeas Louis; 3, Sean McGovern, Ratoary Logan.
SIMMENTAL
The strong entry of Simmentals was judged by Scotsman Hector MacAskill. 
Runner-up in the senior championship was the yearling bull Drumlone Fabulous, a Carnkern Titan son, bred by Kenneth Veitch who runs five pedigree Simmental cows at Lisbellaw. 
Brothers Shane and Paul McDonald, Tempo, secured the junior championship plaudits with their 10-month-old bull Coolcran Gladiator. He was sired by former stock bull Kilbride Farm Ahoghill, and is a full brother to the February 2014 Stirling intermediate champion Coolcran Dazzler sold for 7,000gns.
Standing reserve in the junior championship line-up was Cleenagh Good Girl, a nine-month-old Ashland Brandy daughter bred by Adrian Richardson from Maguiresbridge.  
She was the winner of the Dale Cup at Enniskillen Show in August. 
Bull, born after 01/04/15 – 1, Harold Stubbs and Alan Burleigh, Derrycallaghan Gambler.