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Pedigree cattle numbers were up for all breeds and with the All-Ireland Breeding Heifer Class to come in the afternoon a positive, jovial atmosphere made this a great day out for exhibitors and spectators alike.
Perhaps the thoughts of the Mayo’s clash with Kerry the following day added to this.
Commercial classes
Michael Martin, no stranger to the show ring himself, adjudicated in the commercial ring and tapped out Ollie and Erica Walsh’s very stylish beef bullock Christie as his Champion.
Sired by Carmen Cantona and a Belgian Blue dam, this bullock was bred by Carry Lynch Commercials and has won several beef classes and championships over the course of the summer.
In reserve were the Ronan brothers from Bekan, Co.Mayo with their Limousin Cross heifer by TVR out of a Belgian Blue dam.
Belgian Blue
The Belgian Blue champion was Spotfield Lexus ET sired by Attribut Du Fond De Bois (AFF) and exhibited once again by the Ronan brothers.
Angus
The Angus championship went to Gerry Kilgannon with his 2013-born cow, Mayo Karin sired by Westellen Dekay Grandslam J694.
This year saw a large increase in Angus exhibits and judge Jim Dockery gave his reserve to Anthony Scanlon, Ballymote, Co Sligo for his April 2016 bull Owenmore Nick sire by Owenmore Kit.
Jim also presided over the shorthorn ring and the Shorthorn championship went to Sligo man Noel Foley, with Reserve going to the Flatley brothers from Kilkelly.
Charolais
Ardabrone Molly came up trumps again for Karl Kelly from Co Sligo in the Charolais section.
Molly is by Inverlochy Ferdie while her dam is Sagesse Brillante out of Uranus. Molly went on to take Reserve Interbreed Champion.
Reserve Charolais went to the McHugh family, Kiltimagh for their November 2016 bull Rivergloir Magic ET by Oldstone Egbert.
Simmental champion and Interbreed Champion
Heifer class winner, Fearna Glamour owned by Sean and Jack Larkin from Galway took home the Simmental championship and title of Interbreed Champion.
Reserve went to Fearna Glamour’s full sister Fearna Hope for Gerry Neenan, Co.Mayo
Limousin
Clew Bay Kerry won the Limousin Championship for Padraig Golden. Clew Bay Kerry is sired by Gladiator out of a Rocky dam.
All-Ireland Breeding Heifer Championship
The highlight of the day, the All Ireland Breeding Heifer championship, sponsored by Progressive Genetics, was packed with quality heifers from all over Ireland.
Martin McLoughlin from Donegal held top spot initially but after much deliberation Sligo Judges Ciaran Burke and Marty Lenehan pushed forward James McPadden’s SimX heifer as their champion.
A delighted McPadden, who hails from Co Offaly was assisted on the day by his mum Margaret who was celebrating her birthday.
This is the third time this prize has gone to the McPadden household.
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