Longford Agricultural Show took place on Sunday, 2 July, in its new home, an excellent show field adjacent to the N4.

The well-designed layout, live music, large crowd and huge increase in entries all helped to create a welcoming atmosphere and a very enjoyable day.

Hereford

The largest entries on the day were in the pedigree Hereford section where 75 entries were recorded.

UK judges Ben Lewis (Haven Herefords) and Andrew Whitlow (Highhouse Herefords) tapped out Castledaly Rio (pictured above) as their champion.

The property of Michael Farrell, Co Westmeath, this stylish bull is by a Steel Gerard Son out of Castledaly Faith and was born in August 2016.

Reserve champion went to Moyclare Phoenix by Cill Cormac Kasper (pictured), shown by Michael Molloy, Co Offaly. Michael also had the female champion on the day.

Belgian Blue

John and Megan Searson judged the Belgian Blue section and the champion here was local man George Hegarty with Mack Lady, a January 2017-born Boherard Cantona daughter.

This heifer was bred by Marie McCormack, Ballymahon. Reserve went to James and Ruth McNally, Longford with Dunbeggan Knox, a December 2016-born bull by Lennie Van Het Caloenhof.

Friesian

Champion Friesian went to David Whitney from Ardagh, Co Longford, with Breamy Rhyme Lucy by Durham Rhyme.

This cow has won previous red rosettes as a calf and judge John O’Connor, Co Limerick, selected his reserve champion from the same home in young heifer Breamy Jerudo Flo shown by Edel Whitney.

Angus

Jack Smyth, no stranger to the show ring himself, had a tough job in the Angus ring with excellent quality on show. His top choice on the day was champion Clooncarne Nicky, shown by Gearoid Mulligan for Tom Muilligan, Dromod.

This very stylish heifer, a calf winner in Tullamore last year, is by Baronagh Producer. Reserve went to Amanda Bogan and Conor Craig’s very young heifer calf Millbawn Petra by Sire Bunlahy John G.

Simmental

Jack Smyth was on duty again and his champion Simmental went to Martin Mooney, Co Offaly, for his cow-and-calf team, three-year-old Fearna Faith by Bodybuilder and her first calf Tisaran Her Majesty by Curraheen Wakeman.

Reserve spot went to the McGarry family from Co Longford.

Charolais

In the Charolais section, judges John and Megan Searson tapped out Martin Clyne’s January 2017-born calf as their champion.

This bull calf, Cassina Nelson, is out of Mandela Veron and a Texan-Gie dam. Mashantucket Max by Blelack Digger was the reserve champion. This September 2016-born bull was on his first day out and shown by Adam and William Woods from Co Cavan.

Limousin

Champion Limousin went to Martin and Gerry Davis’s stock bull Brookmill Klunk.

This powerful and stylish bull is by Wilodge Tonka and was purchased at the Roscrea Limousin sale. John and Liam Smyth took reserve spot with Elite Kelda by Allside Hunk. This heifer was purchased at last year’s ILC elite show and sale.

Commercial

Martin Harold and Joshua Millar judged the Commercial rings. Commercial champion went to Michael Martin’s outstanding Limousin X heifer.

This is her third showing year and she is no stranger to Commercial championships.

Champion calf went to Chris Meehan’s Lady Jane, a TVR calf out of a pedigree Blue dam.

This calf has several wins in hand already this year in both Corrandulla and Fingal shows.

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