Three-judge Angus system needs to revert back to one

The three-judge system of judging returned to the Angus ring again this year for Tullamore Show. This is the second year the system has been in place and concerns which arose last year about the success of the system were repeated this year.

The majority of exhibitors and spectators around the ring were all of the same thought and that is that the system simply doesn’t work.

The reasoning behind the three-judge system is to try to make the judging system as fair as possible, rather than one individual possibly driving a solo agenda. In previous years, breeders have felt hard done by with some decisions.

However, with this new system, it makes it easier for a judge to drive a solo agenda if they wanted. The reasoning for this being that all scoresheets are kept anonymous, working off a tally of the three to select the winner.

With one judge, if incorrect animals are placed, it’s there for all spectators to see and make up their own mind on.

Breeders’ confidence in the system is down and proof of this was the drop in Angus numbers attending the show.

Organisers will need to listen to Angus exhibitors’ thoughts on the system before moving forward with the same for 2019.

While I’ve said it before, it’s worth repeating; the easiest way around foul play in the judging ring is to follow the same line as the dairy exhibitors and give reasoning after classes.

Once a judge can justify their decision, then it’s right. Whether others think the same or not, that doesn’t matter, as it’s only their opinion that counts on the day.

The all-Ireland national calf championships, sponsored by Angus Beef Ireland, is one of the most lucrative in the whole show and deserves support.

But only when breeders are assured the classes are going to be undertaken in the correct manner will it get the attendance it deserves.

Winners

This year’s three judges were Michael Horan, Northern Ireland breeder Robin Lamb and Canadian breeder Dawn Wilson.

Dawn owns the highly successful DMM herd and is no stranger to Tullamore Show, as her husband Lee was the international judge for the championships last year.

As previously mentioned, the national calf finals stand as a big draw, with €500 for the winner of each of the six classes. Due to this sponsorship deal, the Angus classes now see a junior and senior champion collect medals at the parade of champions.

Leading the senior section were Pat and Finbarr Cahill with their senior stock bull Drumhill Lord Harry.

This bull, originally purchased for 8,500gns from Jonathan and Lisa Doyle at Stirling in February 2017, had previously been awarded reserve overall champion at the Aberdeen Angus all-Irelands last year.

Sired by Nightingale Proud Jake, Lord Harry is out of Blelack Lady Heather J169, a full sister to the 2010 Stirling champion.

Standing reserve senior champion and senior female champion was last year’s overall junior champion Millbawn Nancy.

Born January 2016, this first-calved heifer was bred and exhibited by Conor Craig, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford.

This stylish female is sired by Cudlobe Millennium and has been shown and won at a number of top events since she was a calf.

Claiming pole position in the junior heifer class, Liss Kim S641 went on to be awarded the junior female title before being tapped out as overall junior champion.

Bred and exhibited by John McEnroe, Oldcastle, Co Meath, this rising two-year-old heifer is sired by New Zealand bull Te Mania Berkley and goes back to one of the most famous cows in the breed Kim of Fordafourie.

Following up behind Kim to claim reserve overall junior champion was the junior male champion Knockmountagh Ronaldo.

This February 2018-born bull calf is out of Netherton Americano and homebred dam Knockmountagh Gertie. This stylish young bull was brought out by Eamonn and John McKiernan, Drogheda, Co Louth.