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events : anniversary weekendNORTHERN IRELAND LIMOUSIN CLUBS 25th ANNIVERSARY WEEKENDFriday 16th - Sunday 18th September 2005 N.I. breeders show just why the Breed is Number 1 in the Province The 25th Anniversary of the Northern Ireland Limousin Cattle Club offered the perfect opportunity for the Society and its members to recognize and celebrate another fantastic milestone in the history and ongoing development of the Limousin breed in the United Kingdom. Breed enthusiasts from Scotland, the North East, North West, South West, South Wales, Southern Ireland and France arrived in the province to embark on what proved to be a hugely successful and enjoyable weekend of varied activity. The Northern Irish Limousin region, which has grown to 450 members, has within it a progressive and dynamic breeder’s club. They had worked tirelessly and with imagination to present a dynamic 72-hour package of commercial and pedigree Limousin genetics wrapped in the warm and friendly hospitality that the Northern Irish are renowned for. It quickly became obvious to all just why recently released Livestock & Meat Commission figures had confirmed that Limousin sired animals in the province in 2004 amounted to 35% of total animals or numerically, 130,550 head! Friday 16th September In the course of the morning delegates arrived by planes, trains and automobiles to the convivial Comfort Hotel in Antrim, the base camp for the weekend. There they were greeted by John Gordon, the N.I. Limousin President and members of the N.I. Club. Liam Campbell, the N.I. Club Chairman formally welcomed breeders who upon registering at the hotel were presented with a professional information pack that outlined the detail of the weekend, the development of the breed over 25 years and gave a background to the history, culture and geography of N.I.
Having been well lunched, courtesy of the ladies at Dunboe Presbyterian Church, the tour party descended with growing anticipation upon its first destination, the Allison Brothers, Richard and Lesley, at Scotchtown Road, Limavady. They were not to be disappointed! This was a commercial herd of the highest quality with a real wow factor! Featured in the previous Limousin magazine, delegates were able to see for themselves theory turned into reality. Some 240 suckler cows comprised the commercial herd having been progressively selected by the Allison brothers who place great emphasis on known strains with good milk characteristics. Replacements are all selected from the best cows and on the basis of production are calved down at 2 and a half years. Calving is split between spring and autumn and all calves are finished on the farm. The autumn born bull calves are kept entire and finished as bulls at 15 months. “Limousin is an all round package both as a suckler cow and an ideal carcase of high quality meat,” confirms Lesley Allison. A bracing September day suggested that winters on this coastal farm could be fairly harsh. The land was sandy with apparently good drainage and the grass management was of a very high standard. In a no-housing, all year system, this was absolutely essential. In the year, about 50% of the cows are AI’d which is labour intensive but brings the dividend of using a wider selection of bulls. On the day, Lesley and Richard provided details of 21 bulls slaughtered at Foyle Meats. Weights ranged from 337 – 475kgs. Sixteen graded E with 5 grading U. Amazing, but not surprising. The same industry pressures apply in N.I. as in the mainland but generally with a lower beef price. The Allisons clearly demonstrated that for livestock producers to survive and progress in N.I., the production of first quality stock is an absolute necessity. What a start this was to the trip. It is very rarely that you visit a farm where every beast is of first quality. Delegates thanked the Allison family for the visit and plentiful home-baked hospitality before returning to the hotel. That evening’s entertainment saw a ‘Northern Irish Barbeque & Dance’ at Ballyclare Rugby Club. Thick cut help-yourself Limousin sirloin steaks were the order of the day. Supplied by Linden Foods, partners in the LIMO project, these were of the highest eating quality and breeders cooked them to their liking. Washed down by a Guinness or two whilst watching the N.I. traditional dancers, this brought down a more than satisfactory curtain on an excellent first day. Saturday 17th September Delegates were up bright and early on Saturday in anticipation of another full day. Again, another treat lay in store! First stop was the Young Limousin Breeders of Northern Ireland’s 4th Annual Calf Spectacular and Young Handlers Championship at the Moira Sales Arena courtesy of auctioneer Willie Wilson. The advent of the N.I. Silver Jubilee celebrations had attracted a record entry of over 130 youngstock from 48 exhibitors, aged 12 – 30, and 27 demonstration cattle. All of the cattle on show were born after 1st September 2004. Again, this point alone demonstrated the progressive outlook of the N.I. breeders who recognise that showcasing young cattle is the most positive way to demonstrate the depth of quality, consistency and potential of the breed in N.I. Established breeders played their full part in the show and were quick to help, encourage and support the Young Breeders in every aspect of the show. It was refreshing and encouraging to see such spirit and enthusiasm. The Young Limousin Breeders organised and ran the event with great professionalism. A super catalogue; first class sponsorship; donations to charity; all over and above the competition itself, was a great credit to all involved. Peter Henshall, Lockerbie acted as the overall judge. His first task was to assess and judge the handling abilities of the young entrants. Keen and highly professional competition saw the overall Champion emerge from the intermediate section for 17 – 21 years of age, in the form of William McElroy, Dromara, Dromore, Co Down who was awarded the Ardigon Perpetual Salver and a juicy cash prize.
Into the Calf Spectacular itself and the substantial crowd were presented with five pedigree classes of young bulls and heifers, two commercial classes and a group of three calves progeny of the same sire. Again, the classes featured a real variety of new and proven bloodlines exhibited by a range of breeders both experienced and newer to the fold. After two hours of pretty intense competition, the Overall Championship was awarded to Togherdoo Vision from Victor Keys, 8 Aughnamoe Road, Galbally, Dromore, Co Tyrone. This young bull was born on 18th September 2004 and was sired by Homebyres Oxton and is out of Ronick Optima. The Reserve Championship went to RS Clyde, 37 Kilmakee Road, Templepatrick, Ballyclare with the 14th January born heifer Clydevalley Atolly. This young lady was sired by Ronick Sphere, a Goldies Porterhouse son, and is out of Clydevalley Polly. Rounding off the morning in style was the group of three calves which was won by William McAllister, Parkgate Road, Kells, Ballymena. Featuring the steer and heifer commercial champion, this was a cracking group of animals sired by Scotchtown Samson. A cracking event was brought to a close and by 1.30pm delegates were back on the bus and heading to the LIMO project at Greenmount College. The LIMO project was first established in 1997 as a partnership to unite breeders, commercial producers and retailers in a way that would demonstrate and maximise Limousin cattle’s economic value for each. Underpinning these aims was a primary objective to develop student experience, knowledge and skill in suckler herd management and beef production. Eight years on and delegates could see that the project has evolved into a pedigree herd and fifty cow suckler herd that examines maternal trait improvement, demonstrates best practice in breeding selection, performance recording and the use of new technologies. The three partnership links of production, education and marketing are firmly in place through BLCS, Greenmount College and Linden Foods. LIMO also encompasses the principles of the Beef Quality Initiative in N.I.; a project whose aim is to improve breeding stock across the industry and to introduce modern production management practices that secure higher producer returns. The LIMO herd has been a base around which these principles can be demonstrated. A thoroughly informative staged tour was enjoyed by the delegates and the walk-in crowd of around 200 N.I. farmers. As delegates walked around the college fields presentations at designated points were given to: demonstrate the use of performance figures and visual assessment to improve breeding decisions; explain the principles behind BQI and to outline the economic management of the herd including targets for grazing management; finishing management and profitability. Naturally the cattle were on full display and delegates were highly impressed by the emphasis and thought on breeding selection, family groups, replacement policies and overall animal quality. The pedigree cow herd, featuring a mixture of UK and French genetics, drew particular admiring comment. Back at the steading, the projects’ two stock bulls were on proud display. The latest addition is Glenrock Ulysses purchased from Stephen Illingworth, Lockerbie. This bull is a Nectar grandson by Romeo out of Glenrock Juniper. LIMO Tanat is a project bred bull by Tanat Mostyn out of Carmorn Orna. A good walk with much to ponder increased delegates appetites. Linden Foods again came to the rescue with some juicy Limousin burgers cooked by N.I. members. Leaving Greenmount, the feeling was that LIMO was an exciting, modern project that demonstrated the technical principles of good beef production and pedigree management. Again, delegates were hugely impressed by the enthusiasm and willing investment of time and commitment that was obvious right throughout all involved within this project. After returning to the hotel, delegates dressed for the N.I. 25th Anniversary Dinner Dance and Awards Presentation. A full house of over 200 people, including many young breeders, marked this very special occasion. A first class meal was served with more wonderful Limousin Beef supplied, this time, by BLCS Council Member Jim Quail, Banbridge. Beyond the dinner, eloquent speeches were made by a number of speakers including John Gordon who reminisced on 25 years of the breed’s development, and by BLCS Chairman, Aled Edwards, who highlighted many of the achievements of N.I. breeders and congratulated them on their dedication, enthusiasm and quest for further improvement. Looking round the room, from founder members, through established breeders, to enthusiastic young breeders, it was clear that this is a region that is inclusive and friendly and where the breed’s future is in good hands. Beyond the dinner and presentations, the band struck up and delegates were reminded into the wee small hours, if they needed to be, just what fantastic hosts the Northern Irish are. Sunday 18th September With the evening before still fresh in our minds, delegates arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed to the weekend’s final venue; the Carmorn pedigree herd of Messrs Charles & Francis McAuley, Ballynamullan Road, Staffordstown, Toomebridge, Co Antrim.
Once again, the crowd was supplemented by a healthy turnout of local farmers and pedigree breeders. As had been the pattern of the weekend, the Carmorn herd was yet another eye-opener featuring outstandingly good females with a terrific depth of breeding. Just to set the mood upon arrival, Francis paraded two young bulls, May and June born, by stock bull Kype Spartacus who is shared with brother Brian. Two cracking bulls with great ends and tops, both are set fair for the October sale at Carlisle. The herd is maintained on grass during the summer season with most of the stock in-wintered. Of particular interest was the housing of the young bulls on fairly hard ground with a large ‘exercise’ step up to the feeding barriers. One shed was open to an innovative stock corral which had a depth of wood chippings as a base. With Francis taking the lead, ably assisted by Mark Stewart, delegates walked the fields viewing the pedigree herd which is based on sixty cows. The quality and temperament of all the cattle on view was superb and confirmed Francis’s modest assessment that his formula was simply “good cows and first class bulls”. Family lines that underpin the herd have been built on bulls including Umar, Shire Evan, Grange Janville, Pelletstown Ken. Present stock bull Kype Spartacus has joined some excellent linear company. Again, some use of AI has been introduced as well as a flushing programme as this progressive herd looks to combine a selection of sires and a good breeding mix. Obvious to all was Francis’s commitment, knowledge and passion for his Limousin cattle. As we walked the fields every female with full pedigree, performance details and life history was rattled off without hesitation or for the need of notes. These skills combined with a progressive outlook and keen eye on the demands of the market has led to the development of a pedigree herd of outstanding quality. Rounding off another excellent morning was more homespun hospitality Northern Irish style. Rounding It All Up The Carmorn visit brought to an end what had been a fantastic Limousin weekend. A balanced programme had offered a commercial herd; young breeders calf and handling show; a technical breed improvement project and a pedigree herd. These facts don’t tell half the story. This weekend was dynamic, professional, fun filled and invigorating. Northern Ireland, by dint of its geography, is a not yet fully discovered gem of Limousin cattle pedigree and commercial. Beef producers and pedigree breeders are working in harness to produce an added value product at pedigree, commercial and retail level. Demonstrably the industry is more connected at all levels from young breeders and students, through education, to producers and ultimately wholesalers and retailers. There are indeed industry difficulties that obviously serve to focus minds on producing tip-top Limousin cattle. Their is also a natural, tangible enthusiasm and an abiding feature of this weekend is the development and place the Young Limousin breeders are given and take responsibility for. Congratulations to Northern Irish Limousin Breeders for their fantastic 25 year achievement. It is not difficult to see why they are moving confidently on from a silver jubilee period to a golden celebration! |
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