There was a good crowd and plenty of activity at the Balmoral Winter Fair yesterday, Thursday 11 December. While recent milk price cuts are very much high on the agenda for dairy farmers, the mood was still relatively positive among the crowds that thronged through the trade stands.

While the majority of farmers were from Northern counties there were a few bus loads of farmers from South of the border and the UK visiting the show. There were over 200 Trade stands at the show and the prize for the BEST Large TRADE STAND went to Fane Valley Co-Op Society Ltd while Moore Concrete from Ballymena took the small trade stand honours.

Show results

Cows from all breeds North and South of the border competed in the show ring for honours.

The Supreme Inter Breed Champion (£500 & Crystal Bowl) went to Hallow Holsteins from Gorey in Wexford with Desmond Dundee Embrace while the Reserve Interbreed Supreme Champion went to Michael Manley from Edenderry in Offaly with MONASTERORIS JENNIE DEANS 8TH.

In the Inter breed Heifer Championship the winners were Mr John & Jack Cooney from Bailieboro with HALLOW BORDERMIST SID FRAN while the reserve champion was the Henry Family from Ballymoney with GLAMOUR IOTA AMBROSIA.

The champion Holstein Friesian went to Hallow Holsteins with DESMOND DUNDEE EMBRACE while the reserve went to the Cooney’s from Bailieboro with HALLOW BORDERMIST SID FRAN.

The Jersey Champion and Reserve Champion went to the Fleming family from Seaforde with POTTERSWALLS ACTION DAISYBELLE and POTTERSWALLS HABIT BELLE respectively.