Logan Hall at the Eikon Exhibition Centre is always a special place at the time of shows and sales, and the Royal Ulster Beef and Lamb championships on Tuesday 25 November was no different.

The place was alive with excitement and anticipation throughout the day as the esteemed judges crowned their champions from impressive line-ups of the finest commercial beef and lambs in the region.

For the McKenna family from Clogher in Co Tyrone the highlight came when Scottish judge Stewart Dunlop landed his hand on top of their superb Charolais heifer Sadie's back, crowing her the supreme champion of the show. A daughter of the Irish bred Charolais stock bull Doon Ultimate, Sadie's mother is a Limousin cross Belgian Blue cow. Exhibitors and worthy winners of the RJ Allam’s Cup, the McKenna Family had quite the story to tell after the celebrations.

Allam's Fatstock

Twenty-two years ago at the Allam’s Fatstock show and sale it was judge Stewart Dunlop’s father Hugh who awarded Declan McKenna the prestigious Championship title for another unforgettable Charolais heifer in the Alexander Hall, at the Balmoral Showgrounds in Belfast. This priceless moment in history is in addition to winning the bred and fed championship at this year's show, an extra special one for the family.

In the evening auction they were well rewarded for their efforts as the 590kg champion heifer brought the auction to exciting heights in the final lot of the evening, with the hammer falling for an unparalleled sum of £17,500 (€19,977), selling to Donegal breeder Martin McLaughlin.

Callaghan family

It was also a special evening for the Callaghan family from Kilkeel, recipients of the coveted Sam Milliken Perpetual Cup for the top priced animal at the event.

Sired by Ballinaloan Jaegarbomb, this super black heifer's mother is a pedigree Belgian Blue cow by Empire going back to Solwayview Dynamite. Having been awarded the champion junior beef title, the 365kg Limousin cross heifer went all the way to £19,000 (€21,689), selling to Drumroy Enterprises in Newry.

Top priced calf at £19,000 exhibited by Arthur and Elise Callaghan. \ Willie McElroy

The Scottish judges job was was undoubtedly made more difficult thanks to the quality of the line up for this year's championship. Securing the reserve supreme champion was a fleshy and bright Limousin heifer exhibited by Jalex Livestock from Randalstown.

Reserve Supreme Champion which sold for £10,000 shown by Eamon McGarry with Iris Beattie from Bank of Ireland. \ Willie McElroy

Known as Knocklayde Girl, she is sired by the legendary Trueman Idol and out of an OVO bred cow. She tipped the scales at 714kg earlier in the day and was knocked down to Tony Morning from Co Donegal for £10,000 (€11,415).

Jalex success

The success for Jalex Livestock did not stop there. Mark Gillespie from Co Armagh forked out £10,400 (€11,872) for Alexander's third prize breeding heifer Phantasy. A daughter of Chocolat from a Limousin cow, she sold in-calf due in February. In the Ulster Housewife’s Championship, Jimmy Fawcett had the unenviable task of crowning the champion and he was certainly spoilt for choice. Having closely studied the line-up, it was once again Jalex who came out on top as they walked away with not only the Championship title and cup but also the Reserve title.

After some deliberation between the top four animals, the 2025 Ulster Housewife’s Choice was crowned as their show-stopping British Blue named Minion. The ideal butcher’s heifer, this thick and meaty animal caused a storm in the evening sale as Thomas Jennings from Kesh acquired the eye-catching 584kg heifer for a fitting sum of £8,200 (€9,360). Following in her footsteps, their impressive 598kg heifer who was awarded the reserve Housewife’s championship was sold under the hammer to Glenpark Estate who landed the striking animal with a winning bid of £4,100 (€4,680).

Calf champion

The calf section was not to be outdone and the 2025 Calf Championship proved to be one of the most hotly contested in recent years. As judge Penny Dunlop studied the finalists in the ring, it was the Limousin cross heifer calf, Knockagh Star, who captured her attention.

Thanks to her preparation and excellent showing, the worthy recipient of the Duke of Bedford Perpetual Cup and Champion title this year was Laura Ervine from Newtownabbey. Edging out over the competition in the sale, auctioneer Richard Beattie grounded his gavel to Charlie Beverland from Portaferry who won the bidding frenzy with a bid of £7,600 (€8,675).

JCB commercials

Trading at £12,500 (€14,269) was JCB commercial's reserve champion Limousin which was secured by another Donegal man in Oran Gill from Buncranna in Co Donegal.

Reserve Champion Limousin which went on to sell for £12,500 for JCB Commercials, shown here by Declan McLaughlin with Daragh Healy from Natural Nutrition. \ Willie McElroy

The icing on the cake for the Callaghan family from Kilkeel came when they picked up the reserve champion Belgian Blue who later sold to Gordon Cameron from Archaracle for £10,000 (€11,415). A daughter of Daffyd d'Ochain, she is out a Craigatoke Jack bred cow.

Meanwhile, the Champion Breeding Heifer title went the way of Christopher Brown from Newry for his striking black heifer who later sold to Alan Veitch from Lisbellaw for £10,500 (€11,986).

Read all about it in next week's Irish Farmers Journal.