Limousin breed celebrates special 50th anniversary

THE NI Limousin Cattle Club’s event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the British Limousin Cattle Society kicked off at 11am on August 20 in Ballymena Livestock Market with a pre-sale show of 36 specially selected bulls and females from Limousin herds across Northern Ireland.

Lifting the titles Supreme Overall Champion, Overall Female Champion and Senior Female Champion was Jalex Resta. No stranger to the show ring and following on from her success at Balmoral Show in May this year, Resta is home bred by James Alexander, Randalstown. Born September 2020, she is sired by Trueman Natkingcole, who was purchased in Carlisle in February 2019 for 5000gns and out of the dam Haltcliffe Hesta, an Ampertaine Elgin daughter

who was purchased for 5500gns in June 2014.

Reserve Supreme Overall Champion and Calf Champion was Ashmara Sheba, home bred by Neil Martin, Dromara, County Down. This September 2021 born heifer calf is by Elite Foreverbrill and out of the irish dam Roundhill Kmelodie1595. Sheba is a full sister to Charlotte’s Sapphire, who won Junior Female Champion, Junior Limousin Champion and Junior Interbreed Champion at Balmoral Show in May this year.

Overall Male Champion and Junior Male Champion was Bernish Sportsman from Kieran McCrory, Sixmilecross, County Tyrone.

This April 2021 born bull is sired by Foxhillfarm Ourbest and out of the dam Bernish Jodifortune, an Ampertaine Elgin daughter and full sister to Bernish Memphis, who sold for 22,000gns in Carlisle in February 2018.

Ballyrobin Steele picked up the title Senior Male Champion. Home bred by Joan Gilliland, Antrim, this January 2021 born bull is by Gunnerfleet Lion and the home bred dam Ballyrobin Lovejoy. Lovejoy’s dam Ballyrobin Dolce bred 8000gns Ballyrobin Gaza, who sold to the Ashledge pedigree herd, and Ballyrobin Opium, who was Overall Balmoral Beef Performance Heifer Champion in 2019. Lion has been used extensively across the herd and is consistently breeding outstanding stock.

Junior Female Champion was Ronick Sop-retty, from Trevor Shields of the Glenmarshal herd, Kilkeel. Born April 2021, she is sired by Westpit Nando and was purchased as a calf at foot with her dam Ronick Maho for 7800gns at the Ronick production sale in July 2021.