N. I. LIMOUSIN CLUB ANNUAL DINNER 2008
Armagh City Conference Centre was the venue on Saturday 29th November 2008 for a massive turn-out of Limousin Breeders, their families, friends and sponsors at the N I Limousin Club’s Annual Dinner and presentation of awards.
Club Chairman, Mr Bryan McElroy, when welcoming all those attending spoke of the dedication of Club Members and especially the President, the Secretary and the Executive Committee, together with wives and families, to working to keep the N I Club at the forefront of the beef sector in the Province. He had a special word of welcome for the various sponsor’s representatives who were there and thanked them for their continued support and he extended a warm welcome on the Club’s behalf to Mr William Smyth, President of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society, and Mrs Smyth, who were in attendance.
Mr McElroy then paid tribute to the Breeders who had achieved successes and honour during the year, mentioning the quality of stock brought out at show/sales both at home and “across the water” where the rewards were in the tangible form of higher than average prices achieved. These culminated in the Loughran Family of Cookstown realising 30,000gns. for their bull – a breed and centre record – at Perth in October and the Chairman said that we were much indebted to the Editors from the Farming Press for their regular coverage of our activities.
As far as honours were concerned, he said, one had only to look at the array of silverware and plaques to have some idea of the competitive strength of the Limousin breed, not only against one another but also in opposition to other Breeds where we had many notable wins, and he thanked those breeders who were prepared to keep the breed in the public eye by supporting the various Shows and other events.
He thanked the Young Breeders for their continued work and interest and congratulated the Stockjudging Team on winning the Anglo-Irish event.
The presentation of the various awards and trophies took place and this ended with what has become a feature of the Annual event – the remarks of the Judge of the Club’s Pedigree Herds competition and the handing over of the associated prizes.
Judge of this prestigious competition in 2008 was Mr David Thomlinson, who is associated with the Livestock Auctioneering business of Harrison & Hetherington of Carlisle.
Mr Thomlinson, after thanking the Club for inviting him to judge, told of his journeying through Northern Ireland to inspect some 31 herds of varying sizes and he repeatedly paid tribute to the quality and style of the cattle he saw, especially the cows and heifers which, he said, were on a par with anything he had seen either in Britain or on the continent. He praised the breeders on their obvious care in selecting suitable sires and for their knowledge of breeding lines.
The Herds Competition results are as follows:
Small Herd:
First: Jim Scott – Ardigon Herd First:
Second: Joan Gilliland – Ballyrobin Herd
Third: James & Alison Callion – Melbreak Herd.
Medium Herd:
Raymond Crawford – Rathkeeland Herd
Second: Richard Henderson- Ballynahone Herd
Third: H & D McFarland – Rahoney Herd
Large Herd:
First: James McKay – Ampertaine Herd
Second: Francis McAuley – Carmorn Herd
Third: John Adams – Fedneyhouse Herd
Herd Competition Specials:
Best Group of calves in year of Competition:
First: James McKay – Ampertaine Herd
Second: Derek Hume – Culnagechan Herd
Third: H & D McFarland – Rahoney Herd
Best Group of calves in 2008 by Stock Bull
First: Derek Hume – Glenrock Vagrant
Second: John Adams – Ulm
Third: McKinney Bros. – Bailea Andre
Best Stock Bull:
First John Adams – Ulm
Second: McKinney Bros. – Bailea Andre
Third: Rodgers Family – Soldat
Best Cow Family:
First: Richard Henderson – Ashmore Odine
Second: Francis McAuley – Carmorn Rose
Third: James McKay – Skye
Best Young Bull Born in 2007
First: Francis McAuley – Carmorn Cantona
Second: Henry Savage – Trueman Chopin
Third: John Adams – Fedneyhouse Callum
Other “Special” Prizes
Show Team of the Year Award: (for most points gained at local Shows):
Crawford Bros
The “Gordon” Bull (for the most Championships won during the Year):
Tom and Alan Clyde
The President’s Salver (for the best Stock Bull in the herds Competition):
John Adams
The “Irish Bull” (for the Breeder gaining highest price for an animal at Pedigree Sales)
Loughran Family
Chairman’s Award (for commitment):
Mrs Margery Adams
Members and their friends finished this memorable evening listening to the music, and dancing well into the night to the beat of the band “Hop Scotch”.
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| Prizewinners in the Large Herd section of the Herds Competition (left) John Adams. Sponsor Joe Sloane, James McKay, Judge David Thomlinson and Francis McAuley |
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| Mr Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank, presents the Heifer Derby Cup to Club Chairman, Bryan McElroy. |
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| Prizewinners in the Small Herds Section of the Limousin Herds Competition (left) Jim Scott, Sponsor Joe Sloan, McQuillan Enviro Care, Joan Gilliland, Judge David Thomlinson and James & Alison Callion. |
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| Prizewinners in the Medium Herd section of the Herds Competition (left) Raymond Crawford, sponsor Joe Sloan, Richard Henderson, Judge David Thomlinson and Stephen Crawford. |
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| Mr Mervyn Owens, representing IAWS, presents the Bull Derby Cup to John Adams. |
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| Club Chairman, Bryan McElroy presents the Irish Bull to Christina and Michael Loughran. |
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| Stop me and buy one!!!!! This youthful team of Ticket sellers at the Dinner are Emma, Martin and Lucy Rodgers. |
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| Club President John Gordon (left), BLCS Representative Jim Quail, Club Secretary Elizabeth Rodgers and Club Chairman Bryan McElroy, take time to pose during a break in proceedings at the Limousin Club Annual Dinner. |
