Impressive classes at Salers calf show

FOLLOWING the success of the first ever Four-Breed Calf Show last year, the Northern Ireland Salers Club once again joined forces with the NI Blonde Cattle Club, NI Blue Cattle Club, and the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders Club at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Saturday November 26.

There was a mixture of experienced and young new breeders across all the breeds, and it was a pleasure to witness members helping, encouraging, and mentoring each other. The aim of the event was to provide a safe environment to bring out calves for the first time in the hope these cattle will return to the show circuit next year.

This event would not have been possible without the support of Trevor Wylie and the staff at Dungannon Farmers Mart, and the very generous sponsors HVS Animal Health, Ballygawley Vets and Centra Ballinderry.

There was fifteen young Salers, both male and female, aged between 9 September 2021 to 15 May 2022, representing the breed from six different exhibitors and in charge of the judging was Adam Crockett, Bacardi Salers, Scottish Borders.

Adam selected Drumlegagh Rogue as his senior champion, a Loyal sired September-2021 son out of Drumlegah Lexi from J & E A Elliott. Standing reserve to Rogue in the senior line-up was G. McCall’s first prize senior heifer Carrick View Rita by Orient and out of Carrick View Juliette, she was born in October-2021.

The junior champion was also from George McCall. Carrick View Shona won the first of the junior female classes and was born in March-2022, sired by Orient and out of Connemara Rhiona. Standing reserve junior champion was an ET calf, Ballykeel Sensational ET from Seamus and Christine Connell, sired by Mathieu and out of Indiana she was also born in March-2022.

The pairs competition was hotly contested by six exhibitors which made for a magnificent spectacle of Salers in the show ring and claiming the top spot was Carrick View Salers.

The finale of the day was a new young handlers’ class where the Salers were represented in the junior section by Eva McLenaghan who brought our Ballykeel Shotgun. Eva had been working with Shotgun at home for some months and really did look the part in the ring. She had a real connection with the bull and handled him like a professional.

We look forward to seeing her again at some of the summer shows, well done.