While the Simmental national calf show returned to Strokestown Show this year, there was a change in sponsors, with Dovea Genetics now the title sponsor.
The Irish Simmental Cattle Society’s main nationals took place at Tullamore Show, but the four younger classes are held off until Strokestown, allowing the calves to develop more.
For that reason, Strokestown stands as the pinnacle show for these young calves and so drew a large crowd across all the sections.
Given the task of judging the event was Harold Stubbs from the famous Derycallaghan herd in Co Fermanagh.
The first class paraded in front of him was the senior heifer calf class for females born after 1 December 2017 and before the end of January 2017.
Claiming this national title were first-time winners Ryan and Sean Callan from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, with Thornford Jamina.
National Simmental senior heifer calf champion Thornford Jemina, bred by Ryan and Sean Callan, with John Lynch of sponsors Dovea Genetics. \ Alfie Shaw
This December-born Anatrim Bodybuilder-sired heifer qualified from Virginia Show and is out of Raceview King dam Thornford DeeDee.
Following her to take the reserve senior heifer calf championship was Bighill Jacqueline Via ET from Fergal Doherty, Carrigart, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
Via is out of three-time Balmoral champion Dermotstown Delboy, while the dam is Curaheen Via.
The calf finals took place later in the day, with downpours of rain continuing right the way through the finals.
Despite this, a total of 45 cattle were paraded in the Simmental ring, with credit having to go to exhibitors who turned out the calves to perfection considering the difficult weather conditions.
On to the junior heifer section for calves born from 1 February onwards and it was Pat McNamee, Portlaoise, who took prime spot with Lochview Kandy.
National Simmental junior heifer calf champion Lochview Kandy, bred by Pat McNamee, with John Lynch of sponsors Dovea Genetics. \ Alfie Shaw
Sire behind this heifer is Kilbride Farm Bantry, while the dam Fearna Elegance Vienna was sired by Glebefarm Tyson.
Carlow native Nigel Hogan was in line to secure the reserve position, with Rathnashan Kiwi Empress. This young heifer is sired by Dovea Genetics bull Curaheen Gunshot, who was purchased for €15,500, while the dam is sired by Auroch bullet.
Some of the toughest weather conditions of the day came during the senior bull calf class. However, the show went on, and Gerry Neenan was glad it did, emerging victorious with Fearna Jackpot ET. This December 2017-born bull is again sired by the aforementioned Dermotstown Delboy, while the dam goes back to Hillcrest champion.
National Simmental senior bull calf champion Fearna Jackpot ET, exhibited by Gerry Neenan, with John Lynch of sponsors Dovea Genetics. \ Alfie Shaw
New pedigree council of Ireland chair Declan Oates went on to secure the reserve championship in this class with Tawley Jaguer. Sired by Monaduff Snorter, Jaguer is out of Auchorachan Wizzard dam Annadale Dainty.
The final national class of the day was the junior bull class and winning here was John Joe Carroll from Fairymount, Castlerea, Co Roscommon. His February-born Fairymount Kicking King is sired by Anatrim Bodybuilder and is out of Fairymount Everest, a Curaheen Vio-sired dam.
National Simmental junior bull calf champion Fairymount Kicking King, bred by John Joe Carroll. \ Alfie Shaw
Reserve junior bull calf went to Limehill Kracker Jack P, exhibited by Mark Neenan, Loughrea, Co Galway. This Auroch Deuter PP-sired calf is out of a Herkules dam Fearna Devine Vienna.
While the Simmental national calf show returned to Strokestown Show this year, there was a change in sponsors, with Dovea Genetics now the title sponsor.
The Irish Simmental Cattle Society’s main nationals took place at Tullamore Show, but the four younger classes are held off until Strokestown, allowing the calves to develop more.
For that reason, Strokestown stands as the pinnacle show for these young calves and so drew a large crowd across all the sections.
Given the task of judging the event was Harold Stubbs from the famous Derycallaghan herd in Co Fermanagh.
The first class paraded in front of him was the senior heifer calf class for females born after 1 December 2017 and before the end of January 2017.
Claiming this national title were first-time winners Ryan and Sean Callan from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, with Thornford Jamina.
National Simmental senior heifer calf champion Thornford Jemina, bred by Ryan and Sean Callan, with John Lynch of sponsors Dovea Genetics. \ Alfie Shaw
This December-born Anatrim Bodybuilder-sired heifer qualified from Virginia Show and is out of Raceview King dam Thornford DeeDee.
Following her to take the reserve senior heifer calf championship was Bighill Jacqueline Via ET from Fergal Doherty, Carrigart, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
Via is out of three-time Balmoral champion Dermotstown Delboy, while the dam is Curaheen Via.
The calf finals took place later in the day, with downpours of rain continuing right the way through the finals.
Despite this, a total of 45 cattle were paraded in the Simmental ring, with credit having to go to exhibitors who turned out the calves to perfection considering the difficult weather conditions.
On to the junior heifer section for calves born from 1 February onwards and it was Pat McNamee, Portlaoise, who took prime spot with Lochview Kandy.
National Simmental junior heifer calf champion Lochview Kandy, bred by Pat McNamee, with John Lynch of sponsors Dovea Genetics. \ Alfie Shaw
Sire behind this heifer is Kilbride Farm Bantry, while the dam Fearna Elegance Vienna was sired by Glebefarm Tyson.
Carlow native Nigel Hogan was in line to secure the reserve position, with Rathnashan Kiwi Empress. This young heifer is sired by Dovea Genetics bull Curaheen Gunshot, who was purchased for €15,500, while the dam is sired by Auroch bullet.
Some of the toughest weather conditions of the day came during the senior bull calf class. However, the show went on, and Gerry Neenan was glad it did, emerging victorious with Fearna Jackpot ET. This December 2017-born bull is again sired by the aforementioned Dermotstown Delboy, while the dam goes back to Hillcrest champion.
National Simmental senior bull calf champion Fearna Jackpot ET, exhibited by Gerry Neenan, with John Lynch of sponsors Dovea Genetics. \ Alfie Shaw
New pedigree council of Ireland chair Declan Oates went on to secure the reserve championship in this class with Tawley Jaguer. Sired by Monaduff Snorter, Jaguer is out of Auchorachan Wizzard dam Annadale Dainty.
The final national class of the day was the junior bull class and winning here was John Joe Carroll from Fairymount, Castlerea, Co Roscommon. His February-born Fairymount Kicking King is sired by Anatrim Bodybuilder and is out of Fairymount Everest, a Curaheen Vio-sired dam.
National Simmental junior bull calf champion Fairymount Kicking King, bred by John Joe Carroll. \ Alfie Shaw
Reserve junior bull calf went to Limehill Kracker Jack P, exhibited by Mark Neenan, Loughrea, Co Galway. This Auroch Deuter PP-sired calf is out of a Herkules dam Fearna Devine Vienna.
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