Soft ground conditions didn’t dampen spirits at this year’s Clonakilty Agricultural Show, which seen an increase in both exhibitors and spectators at the West Cork show grounds over the weekend.

Competition on the day was strong ,with increased numbers seeing over 10 competitors in a number of classes.

It was a day for the Simmental and Hereford breeds, which claimed a number of the top accolades when it came to the interbreed judging. The day kicked off with a special interbreed class for younger animals of all breeds born in the 2017 year. This was secured by avid showman Peter O’Connell from Mallow for the stylish dark heifer Raceview J Beauty. This January 2017-born dark red heifer is from the renowned Beauty family line and out of successful AI bull Anatrim Bodybuilder.

Calf champion

Peter continued his run, making his first show of the year one to remember, when he claimed the overall interbreed calf champion with his other exhibit Raceview Herman. Sired by Kilbride Farm Delboy and out of a Kilbride Farm Newry-bred dam, Herman had earlier in the day secured the overall Simmental champion under judge Colm Stenson of the Rockyhill herd.

The senior interbreeds kicked off with the overall female championship. This was again secured by a Simmental and again a Raceview-bred animal in Cathy Williamina.

This six-year-old cow was exhibited by Gordan Salter having being purchased from Peter O’Connell in Roscommon five years ago for €4,000. Sired by Samark Superman, Cathy Williamina stood reserve overall in the Simmental championships to the days interbreed junior.

Breaking the trend to claim the last interbreed championship was the Hereford champion Sollpoll 1 Lawman. This three and a half-year-old bull exhibited by Clonakilty breeder John Appelbe is well used to winning, having also secured the overall male championship at the Hereford Nationals in Tullamore last year. Lawman stood top of the line in the Hereford championship before eventually being tapped out as overall male champion of the show.

This marked a highly successful day for the Appelbe outfit who also secured the reserve Angus championship and the reserve Hereford championship with son of Lawman, Appel 1 Kaboom.

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Herd Focus: Raceview Simmentals

€3,600 top at Granard Limousin sale