Champion Charolais Colin McAfee from Bushmills and Stephen Kane from Ulster Bank pictured at the Ballymena Suck calf show and sale. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Tom Smyington from Ballymena Mart and Stephen Kane from Ulster Bank pictured at the Ballymena Suck calf show and sale. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Reserve Champion Charolais Colin McAfee from Bushmills and Stephen Kane from Ulster Bank pictured at the Ballymena Suck calf show and sale. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Hilltown Mart: Left Mark Fearon Hugh Trainor Leo Fearon David George John Watson John Farnon
L to r Mark Fearon Leo Fearon exhibitor David George Ulster Bank John Watson Judge John Farnon chairman Hilltown Mart with the show champion
Leo Fearon with his Charollais Heifer the best Female and Reserve champion at Hilltown show and sale
Left Mark Fearon David George Ulster Bank John Watson Judge John Farnon Hilltown Livestock Mart Leo Fearon presenter of the best Female calf.
Fine Charolasi stock on display at Draperstown Mart. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Left Judge Richie Devine and Mark Johnston, Ulster Bank north west business development manager, with first in the bull class and reserve overall champion, owned by Stephen O'Kane, Dungiven.
Left Judge Richie Devine and Mark Johnston, Ulster Bank north west business development manager, with first in heifer class and overall champion, owned by David Millar, Claudy.
Entries in the male class at Lisahally Charolais Suckled Calf Competition
Richard Devine judging out the heifer class at Lisahally Mart
Judges look over the entries at Draperstown Mart. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Draperstown: Lawrence McLaughlin Claudy with champion weighed 300kgs and sold for £900 and Martin Convery from Ulster Bank. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Draperstown Mart proved to be another excellent venue with good entries presented for Will Short the judge from Woodpark Beragh. The champion and reserve champion ribbons went to Lawrence McLaughlin Claudy. The champion weighed 300kgs and sold for £900 and the reserve champion weighed 275 kgs and sold for £835 and the event was sponsored by Martin Convery from Ulster Bank.PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Martin Kelly reserve overall champion at Swatragh with judge sandra Cochrane and Martin Convery from Ulster Bank. Picture Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Brian McCullough overall champion at Swatragh with judge sandra Cochrane and Martin Convery from Ulster Bank. Picture Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Brian McCullough overall champion at Swatragh with judge sandra Cochrane and Martin Convery from Ulster Bank. Picture Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Tom Parke (second left) from Springfield with his champion suckled calf at the NI Charolais Club Show and Sale at Enniskillen Mart. Included are (from left) Tom Keelagher, Fivemiletown, judge; Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank, sponsors and Ann Orr, Secretary Charolais Club.
Harry Keary presents the Seamus Kearney cup to Brian McCullough overall champion at Swatragh with judge sandra Cochrane . Picture Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Tom Parke (second left) from Springfield, with his class winning male calf at the NI Charolais Club show and sale of suckled calves at Enniskillen Mart. Included are (from left) Stuart Johnston, Ulster Farmers Mart, Enniskillen; Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank, sponsors and Alexander and Sam Parke.
The bullock champion at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Suckled Calf Show and Sale in Newtownhamilton Mart was owned by Kevin McCabe, Crossmaglen who is pictured being congratulated by Anne Morgan, Ulster Bank, Newtownhamilton, sponsors. Looking on is Judge of the event Mark Ritchie, Richhill.
The reserve champion at the NI Charolais Club show and sale of suckled calves at Enniskillen Mart, belonging to Tom Parke (left) from Springfield. Included are his children Sam and Alexander, Tom Keelagher, Fivemiletown, judge and Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank, sponsors.
Prizewinners at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Suckled Calf Show and Sale in Newtownhamilton Mart pictured with Anne Morgan, Ulster Bank, Newtownhamilton, sponsors and her daughter Dara and Mark Ritchie, Richhill, right, Judge of the event. Included are from left: Kevin McCabe, Crossmaglen, 1st in bullocks; George McCall, Redrock 2nd in heifers; Francis Lennon, Middletown, 1st in heifers and Seamus Bellew, Cullyhanna 3rd in heifers.
The Heifer Champion at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Suckled Calf Show and Sale in Newtownhamilton was owned by Francis Lennon, Middletown who is pictured receiving his rosette from Anne Morgan, Ulster Bank, Newtownhamilton, sponsors. Also included is Mark Ritchie, Richhill, Judge of the event.
Philip Meaklim and Paddy Lavelle, Newtownhamilton at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Suckled Calf Show and Sale in Newtownhamilton Mart.
The NI Charolais Club is delighted to acknowledge the generous financial support again this year from Ulster Bank Ltd. The Autumn Suckled Calf Competitions have been a great success with a flying trade recorded at many of the shows and sales. The price of beef at the minute has helped to push up the prices of quality Charolais calves, buyers are looking for good confirmation and growth potential in their investments and are prepared to pay a decent price in the knowledge that they are buying animals that will bring them a good return by killing out well.
Seven out of the eight shows and sales have been completed and we look forward to the last show on the circuit at Newtownhamilton Mart on Saturday 22nd October at 10am.
A record high was recorded at our first Show and Sale in Ballymena Mart, where Victor Chestnutt well-known Charolais breeder from the Bushmills herd was the judge. The McAfee Bros dominated the showing taking both the Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons; their winning calves going into the sale ring and topping the bill at £1,500 for a really terrific heifer calf the female class winner followed by the male class winner reaching an exciting £1340
The judge at Hilltown was John Watson of the Cornascriebe Herd near Portadown, John was pleased with the quality of the calves presented at the competition and Leo Fearon made a clean sweep by taking the Champion and Reserve sections. The overall champion male 514kgs sold for £1120 and the reserve champion heifer 350kgs sold for £950 Average price for the three prize winners was each class was £1043 for males and £860 for females.
Champion Charolais Colin McAfee from Bushmills and Stephen Kane from Ulster Bank pictured at the Ballymena Suck calf show and sale. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Tom Smyington from Ballymena Mart and Stephen Kane from Ulster Bank pictured at the Ballymena Suck calf show and sale. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Reserve Champion Charolais Colin McAfee from Bushmills and Stephen Kane from Ulster Bank pictured at the Ballymena Suck calf show and sale. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Hilltown Mart: Left Mark Fearon Hugh Trainor Leo Fearon David George John Watson John Farnon
L to r Mark Fearon Leo Fearon exhibitor David George Ulster Bank John Watson Judge John Farnon chairman Hilltown Mart with the show champion
Leo Fearon with his Charollais Heifer the best Female and Reserve champion at Hilltown show and sale
Left Mark Fearon David George Ulster Bank John Watson Judge John Farnon Hilltown Livestock Mart Leo Fearon presenter of the best Female calf.
Fine Charolasi stock on display at Draperstown Mart. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Left Judge Richie Devine and Mark Johnston, Ulster Bank north west business development manager, with first in the bull class and reserve overall champion, owned by Stephen O'Kane, Dungiven.
Left Judge Richie Devine and Mark Johnston, Ulster Bank north west business development manager, with first in heifer class and overall champion, owned by David Millar, Claudy.
Entries in the male class at Lisahally Charolais Suckled Calf Competition
Richard Devine judging out the heifer class at Lisahally Mart
Judges look over the entries at Draperstown Mart. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Draperstown: Lawrence McLaughlin Claudy with champion weighed 300kgs and sold for £900 and Martin Convery from Ulster Bank. PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Draperstown Mart proved to be another excellent venue with good entries presented for Will Short the judge from Woodpark Beragh. The champion and reserve champion ribbons went to Lawrence McLaughlin Claudy. The champion weighed 300kgs and sold for £900 and the reserve champion weighed 275 kgs and sold for £835 and the event was sponsored by Martin Convery from Ulster Bank.PICTURE KEVIN MCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY MULTIMEDIA
Martin Kelly reserve overall champion at Swatragh with judge sandra Cochrane and Martin Convery from Ulster Bank. Picture Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Brian McCullough overall champion at Swatragh with judge sandra Cochrane and Martin Convery from Ulster Bank. Picture Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Brian McCullough overall champion at Swatragh with judge sandra Cochrane and Martin Convery from Ulster Bank. Picture Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Tom Parke (second left) from Springfield with his champion suckled calf at the NI Charolais Club Show and Sale at Enniskillen Mart. Included are (from left) Tom Keelagher, Fivemiletown, judge; Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank, sponsors and Ann Orr, Secretary Charolais Club.
Harry Keary presents the Seamus Kearney cup to Brian McCullough overall champion at Swatragh with judge sandra Cochrane . Picture Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Tom Parke (second left) from Springfield, with his class winning male calf at the NI Charolais Club show and sale of suckled calves at Enniskillen Mart. Included are (from left) Stuart Johnston, Ulster Farmers Mart, Enniskillen; Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank, sponsors and Alexander and Sam Parke.
The bullock champion at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Suckled Calf Show and Sale in Newtownhamilton Mart was owned by Kevin McCabe, Crossmaglen who is pictured being congratulated by Anne Morgan, Ulster Bank, Newtownhamilton, sponsors. Looking on is Judge of the event Mark Ritchie, Richhill.
The reserve champion at the NI Charolais Club show and sale of suckled calves at Enniskillen Mart, belonging to Tom Parke (left) from Springfield. Included are his children Sam and Alexander, Tom Keelagher, Fivemiletown, judge and Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank, sponsors.
Prizewinners at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Suckled Calf Show and Sale in Newtownhamilton Mart pictured with Anne Morgan, Ulster Bank, Newtownhamilton, sponsors and her daughter Dara and Mark Ritchie, Richhill, right, Judge of the event. Included are from left: Kevin McCabe, Crossmaglen, 1st in bullocks; George McCall, Redrock 2nd in heifers; Francis Lennon, Middletown, 1st in heifers and Seamus Bellew, Cullyhanna 3rd in heifers.
The Heifer Champion at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Suckled Calf Show and Sale in Newtownhamilton was owned by Francis Lennon, Middletown who is pictured receiving his rosette from Anne Morgan, Ulster Bank, Newtownhamilton, sponsors. Also included is Mark Ritchie, Richhill, Judge of the event.
Philip Meaklim and Paddy Lavelle, Newtownhamilton at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Suckled Calf Show and Sale in Newtownhamilton Mart.
Lisnahally Mart one of the new venues added to the list this year was judged by Richard Devine another young judge on our panel. The show champion was owned by David Miller a lovely heifer calf which realised £900 followed by the reserve champion owned by Martin O’Kane realising £800 There was a good spread of prizes this year and the prize winning males averaged £797 and prize winning females averaged £775
Draperstown Mart proved to be another excellent venue with good entries presented for Will Short the judge from Woodpark Beragh. The champion and reserve champion ribbons went to Lawrence McLaughlin Claudy. The champion weighed 300kgs and sold for £900 and the reserve champion weighed 275 kgs and sold for £835
Swatragh show was judged by the Club’s Chairperson Sandra Cochrane a well-known breeder and judge from Portadown. New exhibitors were present and there was a brisk trade for the top quality calves presented. The champion was a female calf belonging to B McCullough Greencastle 360kgs which sold at £1080 and the reserve champion another female calf 328kgs owned by M Kelly Limavady topping the bill at an exciting price of £1520
Armoy a new venue for the Charolais Suckled Calf Show was judged by Cyril Millar from Coleraine, with the McErlain family taking the overall champion and reserve champion ribbons. The champion male calf weighed 380kgs and sold for £965 the reserve champion weighed 410kgs and sold for £960 Charolais calves averaged at £948 for males and £908 for females.
Ulster Farmers Mart Ltd Enniskillen was judged by Tom Keelagher of Fivemiletown a new judge on our panel who had had much success in showing his own commercial stock recently. When it came to prizes Tom Parke of Springfield Enniskillen dominated and won first prize in the male and female classes going on to win the champion and reserve champion ribbons presented by Cormac McKervey Ulster Bank. Prize winning females averaged £923 and prize winning males averaged £840 The overall champion sold for £990 and the Reserve Champion sold for £900
Overall heifer calves commanded higher prices across the shows with Swatragh highest price for a female £1520 and Ballymena highest price £1500
Results from Charolais Suckled Calf Competitions across seven venues:
Ballymena Charolais Show & Sale
Judge Victor Chestnutt
Overall Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: McAfee Bros Bushmills Antrim
Reserve Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: McAfee Bros Bushmills Antrim
Male Calf Born in 2011
1st McAfee Bros 340kgs £1340
2nd McAfee Bros 430kgs £1410
3rd O’Kane Bros 410kgs £1040
Female Calf born in 2011
1st McAfee Bros 300kgs £1500
2nd McAfee Bros 340kgs £ 920
3rd O’Kane Bros 310kgs £ 900
Hilltown Charolais Show & Sale
Judge John Watson
Overall Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Leo Fearon 35 Newtown Rd Rostrevor
Reserve Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Leo Fearon 35 Newtown Rd Rostrevor
Male Calf Born in 2011
1st Leo Fearon 514kgs £1120
2nd Leo Fearon 480 kgs £1050
3rd Hugh Trainor 454kgs £ 960
Female Calf born in 2011
1st Leo Fearon 350kgs £950
2nd Martin McShane 370kgs £820
3rd Hugh Trainor 360kgs £810
Lisahally Charolais Show & Sale
Judge Richard Devine
Overall Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: David Miller Glenshane Rd Claudy
Reserve Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Martin O’Kane Feeny Rd Dungiven
Male Calf Born in 2011
1st Martin O’Kane 340kgs £800
2nd A Douglas 320kgs £715
3rd James Donaldson 320kgs £875
Female Calf born in 2011
1st David Miller 330kgs £900
2nd W Lyons 320kgs £725
3rd Charles Martin 350kgs £700
Swatragh Charolais Show & Sale
Judge Sandra Cochrane
Overall Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: B McCullough Greencastle
Reserve Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: M Kelly Limavady
Male Calf Born in 2011
1st D McCullough 266kgs £1180
2nd M Kearney 310kgs £960
3rd D O’Kane 252kgs £800
Female Calf born in 2011
1st B McCullough 360kgs £1080
2nd M Kelly 328kgs £1520
3rd D O’Kane 278kgs £790
Armoy Charolais Show & Sale
Judge Cyril Millar
Overall Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Vincent McErlain Glenshesk Armoy
Reserve Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Colm McErlain Glenshesk Armoy
Male Calf Born in 2011
1st Vincent McErlain 380kgs £965
2nd Gerard McCambridge 440kgs £890
3rd John Delargy 370kgs £990
Female Calf born in 2011
1st Gerard McCambridge 310kgs £890
2nd Colm McErlain 410kgs £960
3rd Gerard McCambridge 440kgs £875
Ulster Farmers Mart Enniskillen Charolais Show & Sale
Judge Tom Keelagher
Overall Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Tom Parke Springfield Enniskillen
Reserve Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Tom Parke Springfield Enniskillen
Male Calf Born in 2011
1st Tom Parke 416kgs £990
2nd Neville Hicks 308kgs £740
3rd V & R Graham 362kgs £790
Female Calf born in 2011
1st Tom Parke 340kgs £900
2nd Tom Parke 265kgs £870
3rd Colin McGovern 436kgs £1,000
Newtownhamilton Mart
Judge Mark Ritchie
Overall Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Kevin McCabe, Blaney Road, Crossmaglen
Reserve Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Francis Lennon, Middletown
Male Calf Born in 2011
1st Kevin McCabe 340kg £850
2nd Kevin McCabe 430kg £890
3rd Francis Lennon 340 kg £770
Female Calf born in 2011
1st Francis Lennon 420kg (not sold)
2nd George McCall 280kg £615
3rd Seamus Bellew 340kg £750
Draperstown Charolais Show & Sale
Judge Will Short
Overall Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Lawrence McLaughlin Claudy 300kgs £900
Reserve Champion Charolais Suckled Calf: Lawrence McLaughlin Claudy 275kgs £835
Male Calf Born in 2011
1st Lawrence McLoughlin Claudy
2nd Barry McClean Tullyneil Sixmilecross
3rd Barry McClean Tullyneil Sixmilecross
Female Calf born in 2011
1st Lawrence McLoughlin Claudy
2nd Martin Brogan Glenhull Mountfield
3rd Martin Brogan Glenhull Mountfield
The Northern Ireland Charolais Club are indebted to the staff of the Livestock Marts for their assistance with the shows and sales; to the eight judges for giving of their time and expertise at each competition. Thanks to the representatives from Ulster Banks Ltd for attending and presenting the championship rosettes at each venue and to Ulster Bank Ltd for the financial assistance to enable us to hold the Charolais Suckled Calf Competitions. We also acknowledge the press for the coverage of these events.
