Full house for Charolais AGM
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Mary McCormack the outgoing secretary gave a detailed account of a very successful year for the Charolais Club, the highlight of which was a hugely successful barbeque which raised £10,000 for the Horizon West Children’s Hospice in Enniskillen. The various shows through out the year highlighted the confidence in the Charolais breed.
The first show and sale of the season was held at Dungannon Farmers Mart in March sponsored by Northern Bank, where a bumper trade peaked at 7,800gns with a 90% clearance and a breed centre record centre record of 57 entries sold to average £2,962. This sale provided a show of top quality stock and this was reflected in the excellent prices reached on the day.
The Spring Show and Sale was held at Ballymena Livestock Mart, sponsored by Moore Concrete, a fine entry of 24 pedigree Charolais cattle realised an average price of £2513gns. The top price of 6,400gns went to the day’s senior, male, and overall champion.
May brought the first ever Lady Chairperson of the NI Charolais Club, when well known Portadown breeder Sandra Cochrane was elected to the chair. Sandra is well known in Charolais and commercial circles and brings a wealth of experience in successful breeding and animal husbandry. John McGrath outgoing Chairman stated that the election of a lady chair was a precedent and a lady with Sandra’s knowledge and experience will be a quality asset to the Charolais Club.
Dungannon breeder Martin Donaghy was elected Chairman of the British Charolais Society’ Council of Management. He succeeded Ian Millar from Stirling. Martin stated that he would continue to work for the good of the Charolais breed both here and across the water. John McGrath, Dromore was also elected to British Council to represent the Charolais Club.
Pleasant weather and the breathtaking views of Oldstone Hill in Antrim in May was the venue for the NI Charolais Clubs’s Young Peoples judging event at the farm of Harry and Jean Marquess and family sponsored by United feeds
The emerging winners to travel to Scotland were Ben Sinnamon, Stuart Wilson, topping the scores with the McGovern girls Clodagh and Eimear scoring well and joining the boys to represent Northern Ireland.
The June show and sale in Dungannon Farmers Mart was kindly sponsored by Irwin Feeds and top of the market peaked at 4,600gns
The final of the Cydectin Charolais Championships at Clogher Valley Show attracted a large entry of over 60 premium Charolais cattle from across Northern Ireland. This is a unique occasion of coming together of impressive prize-winners from various shows throughout the Province over the summer, to attain the championship grand finale. One spectator commented “this is the fine art of the Charolais breed here today-a magnificent show”
The rain showers did not dampen the enthusiasm of spectators who lined along to view the impress Charolais line-up. The judge Stephen Nesbett, from Darlington England
A capacity attendance enjoyed the largest ever turnout of both pedigree and commercial Charolais at the 2010 NI National Charolais Show at Fintona, which gave the judges an arduous task at this wonderful spectacle.
The fine autumn weather added to the warm atmosphere and magnificent view of the spectacular cream colour of almost 150 Charolais cattle against the green mature trees, blue skies and picturesque parkland of the Ecclesville Centre at Fintona. The event commenced with the first ever Young Handlers Competition, with young people proudly displaying their animals in true colours.