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Elite Simmental Cow Takes Newry Show 2025 Beef Inter Breed Championship
Elite Simmental Cow Takes Newry Show 2025 Beef Inter Breed Championship

Agriland

time31-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Agriland

Elite Simmental Cow Takes Newry Show 2025 Beef Inter Breed Championship

The Simmental cow, Ballinalare Farm Nikita, was selected as the beef inter-breed champion at Newry Show 2025. It is turning out to be another show season of note for this truly elite cow - she has graced the show rings over recent weeks with twin calves at foot. Her Newry victory adds to the inter-breed title secured at the recent Saintfield Show. The cow is owned and bred by the Wilson family, who farm close to Newry, co. Down. Inter-breed judge, Gary Hanna described his champion as an "exceptional" animal, full of Simmental breed character. The beef inter-breed champion and connections at Newry Show 2025 Nikita enjoyed an exceptional career as a heifer, winning the Simmental National Championships on two occasions. And she is now set to continue on her winning ways as a young cow. The native inter-beef beef breed championship was awarded to an outstanding Red Aberdeen Angus heifer: Glenbrae Red Mouse Z166. She was bred and exhibited by the Dodd family from Saintfield, Co. Down, and is due to calve later in the year. The heifer has already enjoyed tremendous success so far in 2025, competing well at Balmoral, Lurgan, and Armagh shows. The inter-breed sheep championship at Newry was won by Joanne Reid from Co. Armagh, with a Dutch Spotted ewe. Judge Jim Aiken, from Dromara in Co. Down, described his champion as "extremely impressive" with excellent breed characteristics. But it was a very close run thing. The reserve inter-breed title was awarded to Mike Reynolds form Armagh, with a truly impressive Suffolk ewe. A record entry of dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and goats combined to make Newry Show 2025 a tremendous success. The sheep inter-breed champion (left) and reserve at Newry Show 2025 Judging carried on until late in the afternoon, with the many visitors in attendance getting an opportunity to view close up a selection of truly elite livestock. Newry Show chairperson Brian Lockhart, said: 'We have had a tremendous day. 'And we want to build on this for the future.' The inter-breed dairy championship was won by Potterswalls Victorious Season EX93. Bred and exhibited by the Fleming family from Seaforde in Co. Down, this eye-catching Jersey third calver looked very impressive in the ring. Her Newry success adds to the Jersey reserve championship she tied down at this year's Balmoral Show. Victorious Season produced 8.000L of milk during her last lactation: she calved for the third time back in April. Cyril Millar, from Coleraine, Co. Down, judged the dairy classes at this year's Newry Show. He described his champion as a perfect example of the Jersey breed. Millar added: 'She has a tremendous udder and excellent locomotion. All being well, she can look forward to a very successful future in the show ring.'

Funding available for cross-border twinning of agricultural shows
Funding available for cross-border twinning of agricultural shows

Agriland

time23-05-2025

  • Business
  • Agriland

Funding available for cross-border twinning of agricultural shows

The potential for agricultural shows in Northern Ireland to partner with societies south of the border has been highlighted. The driver for such development is the funding available under the aegis of the Change Maker Funding Programme, part of the cross-border PEACEPLUS initiative. Irish Shows Association (ISA) national secretary, Jim Harrison, highlighted this initiative at the launch of Newry Show 2025. The Change Maker Funding Programme will distribute €40 million over the next three years to support people-to-people projects on a cross-community and/or cross-border basis. It will make awards of up to €100,000 for specific projects. Harrison said: 'The Irish government provides €1 million of core funding to support ISA events on an annual basis. 'I find it hard to believe that the Stormont Executive cannot take a similar approach when it comes to supporting agricultural shows taking place in Northern Ireland. 'I am aware that many of the local councils in the north support the agricultural shows taking place in their area. But this happens south of the border as well.' Newry Show chairperson, Brian Lockhart, is also chair of the Northern Ireland Shows Association (NISA). He said: 'An NISA deputation recently met with representatives of the Stormont Agriculture Committee. 'The politicians were told of the important role played by the shows as a platform for the farming and food sectors and also at community level. 'These events attract many thousands of people, year-in: year-out. All of this activity is also adding to local economises in a more than meaningful way.' Lockhart went on to point out that local show societies have histories that stretch back, in some cases, over 150 years. And they continue to play a key role at the very heart of the farming and food sectors. He added: 'But none of this can be taken for granted into the future. Fermanagh Show did not take place last year because of the funding challenges facing the show society at that time.' Role of agricultural shows The NISA chairperson also referenced the key role that NISA members play in helping to communicate the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) sustainability agenda into the future. 'We want to work closely with DAERA on this and other matters,' Lockhart said. 'The local shows represent the perfect vehicle for the changes taking place across the farming and food sectors at the present time to be communicated to the general public. 'But it is imperative for DAERA core funding to be made available to all the local show societies across Northern Ireland. And that clock is ticking.'

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