Freshly crowned Overall Champion Beef Shorthorn Herd in Northern Ireland for a third time, Alfie Shaw’s Glebefarm herd at Moy, Co Tyrone, will offer six young bulls and, for the first time since the herd was founded in 2017, six select females at its First Edition online sale.
The sale runs on MartEye from Saturday 31 October to Monday 2 November, with an open viewing day on the farm on Sunday 1 November.
Weeks before the sale, the herd was awarded the Shorthorn herd title for the third time, having also won in 2021 and 2022.
This year’s judge, Jim Frame, also awarded Glebefarm with the Overall Champion Bull for Glebefarm Warrior, who is entered in the sale, as well as Overall Champion Cow Family for the Cherry family and overall brood cow with Glebefarm Cherry May.
The herd’s youngstock also featured, taking second-place bull calf and third-place heifer calf, both by a Glebefarm stock bull, and third-place group of heifers, all home-bred.
A rare chance
Shorthorns were first kept at Glebefarm in the early 1900s. Pedigree Simmentals later took centre stage but a return was always on the cards and, in 2017, Alfie brought Shorthorns home with four foundation cows bought for his son, James.
“I’d always planned to re-introduce beef Shorthorn because of the previous connection to the farm,” said Alfie.
Since then, the focus has been on building strong cow families that breed stock capable of going on and delivering for buyers. Until now, every female has stayed at home.
“This is the first time we’ve sold females since we established the herd, and they’re a selection from the very heart of it,” Alfie added.
“After what seems like years of people suggesting that we offer some cattle for sale, I’ve finally accepted I can’t keep them all.”
The herd is rarely shown but has done well on the occasions it has. At the 2019 Royal Highland Show, in the biggest breed entry of the show, Glebefarm Cherry May was reserve female and reserve Overall Beef Shorthorn Champion.
At the 2021 Balmoral Show, Glebefarm Duchess Molly was Junior Cow Champion and went on to take reserve Overall Beef Shorthorn Champion.
Best batch of bulls yet
The sale bulls are the first crop by the herd’s two newest stock bulls – Galla Sonic and Burnside Thor – both of which are breeding well. All but one of the bulls are polled, and all but one are myostatin-free.
“They really are the best batch of bulls we’ve ever put forward,” said Alfie. “They’re built very much on strong commercial traits.
"They’ve been out in the field since March, and they’re a strong, correct group with real depth of breeding from a range of families within the herd.
"A number of them are breeder-type bulls.”
The herd has sold bulls before. In 2023, Glebefarm Sexton was sold to Cogent in a five-figure deal and has gone on to breed well, while other bulls have been sold privately to pedigree breeders over the years.
Boomer and Millie Birch’s Highsky Empress Angel, a Sexton daughter, has won numerous championships and interbreed titles on the show circuit.
Joining the Glebefarm offering will be a guest consignment of three weaned heifers from Libby and Lucy Clarke’s Maralin herd.
Viewing day
The Shaws are inviting buyers to see the stock at Glebefarm, 33 Tobermesson Road, Moy, Co Tyrone, on Sunday 1 November, from 11am to 4pm. Those travelling a distance and who cannot attend on the day are welcome to view by appointment before the sale.
The sale will be conducted by Harrison and Hetherington, and the full catalogue and images will be available on MartEye. Buyers can also join the Glebefarm WhatsApp mailing list on 07876325052 for updates on stock and viewing.