Taking Stock

Having been purchased from Peter Smith's Smiths of Bloxham herd at Carlisle in February for 11,000gns, the Uniprix son and Limousin bull Ironstone Bomber has just won the beef interbreed at the Balmoral Show this morning for his owner Tom Clyde.

Taking the Border Leicester championship at this week's Balmoral Show was James Aiken with his ewe. Standing reserve was Dr T Horner with a ewe lamb.

Check back later for more results as they come........

Belfast this morning is overcast and grey, but after queuing through roadworks myself and Taking Stock's trusty photographer Tim Scrivener have made it to the showground, so I'll update you on a few of the leading sheep results -  beef and dairy will follow a little later after we've stretched our legs.

Among the Suffolks it was another Balmoral championship win for Harry Stewart's Castlewellan flock, this time with a shearling ewe. Reserve to this was Willie Tait's shearling ram.

In the Texels it was Martin Millar's ewe lamb which took top honours, with Alistair Gault's shearling ewe reserve.

Charollais champion was Diane Christie's ram with second spot going to Jonathan Aitken's ewe under judge Charles Sercombe of Leicestershire.

And finally for now in the Hampshire Downs Jim Fletcher's ram took the silverware and Kvin McCarthy's ewe lamb was reserve.

Picking up the Balmoral Show interbreed dairy championship was the Holstein leader, Claboye Champion Willow, from Clanboye Estates. By Calbrett-1 H H Champion and out of homebred dam Clanboye Storm Willow, Champion Willow gave 11,535 litres in her second lactation and is currently in her third.

Well I've been for a wander round, caught up with a few familiar faces and taken a look throught the cattle lines, it certainly is an impressive show of both beef and dairy cattle here at Balmoral Show once again.

Full beef results are:

Interbreed A anfd T Clyde's Limousin bull Ironstone Bomber; res, S McGovern's Charolais bull Ashleigh Victor.

Aberdeen Angus J Porter's heifer Old Glenort Precious Pollot; res, J and A Henning's cow Drumlister Willow.

Hereford J E, R I and W Haire's bull Dorepoll 173 Jonathan; res, J Graham's bull Graceland 1 Colin.

Charolais S McGovern's bull Ashleigh Victor; res, G Henderson's bull Sandleford Curtis.

Simmental R Forde's cow Mullyknock Princess; res, W Abraham's heifer Dripsey Twilight.

Limousin A and T Clyde's bull Ironstone Bomber; res, D B Mairs' cow Ronick Money.

British Blonde Pinehill Blondes' heifer Pinehill Bonny; res, Ivaniskey Blondes' bull Doncombe Aga Khan.

British Blue A Craig's heifer Woodview Britney; res, Z Chestnutt's cow Clougher Wilma.

Salers J and E A Elliot's cow Unity; res, J and E A Elliot's bull Cesar.

Commercial Cattle S A Milliken's Charolais cross heifer Ruffles; res, J Killen's Charolais cross steer Crunchie.

The Texel champion, a ewe lamb from Martin Millar's 70-ewe flock, by Mellorvale Masterpiece, a 3500gns purchase from Lanark two years ago, and out of a dam by Haltcliffe Caeser has just clinched the interbreed sheep championship at Balmoral Show, Belfast.

Here are the full results listings for the sheep, pigs and dairy cattle from Balmoral Show.

SHEEP RESULTS

Interbreed M Miller's Texel ewe lamb; res, J Aiken's Charollais shearling

ewe.

Interbreed Pairs Charollais; res, Suffolk.

Border Leicester J Aiken's ewe; res, T Horner's ewe lamb.

Suffolk J H Stewart's shearling ewe; res, W T Tait's shearling ram.

Texel M Miller's ewe lamb; res, A Gault's shearling ewe.

Ile de France Porter and Hyndman's ewe; res, D M Mulligan's shearling ram.

Bluefaced Leicester W Bell's ewe; res, S Laverty and Sons' shearling ram.

Blackface R Crawford's ewe; res, H Crawford's shearling ewe.

Greyface Graham and Knox's shearling ewe; res, Graham and Knox's ewe.

Hampshire Down J Fletcher's shearling ram; res, K McCarthy's ewe lamb.

North Country Cheviot D Robinson's shearling ewe; res, N A J Robinson's ram.

Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset T Wright's shearling ewe; res, G Cubbitt's ram lamb.

Rouge de L'Ouest M and J Graham's shearling ewe; res, Graham and Knox's ewe.

Charollais D Christie's ram; res, J Aiken's ewe.

Beltex E McAllister's shearling ewe; res, E McAllister's ram.

Kerry Hill S and F McAllister's ram; res, S and F McAllister's shearling ewe.

Rare Breeds W and K Carson's shearling ewe; res, Linmow Rare Breeds' ram.

Zwartbles M Woods' ewe; res, S Girvan's ewe lamb.

PIG RESULTS

Interbreed S Smyth's saddleback sow Whinney Hill Fidra 50; res, L T J Bradley's Large White boar.

Large White L J Bradley's junior boar; res, A E Martin's junior gilt.

Landrace A and R Todd's junior gilt; res, A and R Todd's junior boar.

Traditional Breeds S Smyth's Saddleback sow Whinney Hill Fidra 50; K and J Gracey's Saddleback boar Forthill Rasah.

DAIRY RESULTS

Interbreed Clandeboye Estate's Holstein cow Clandeboye Champion Willow; res, Fleming Family's Jersey cow Potterswall Connection Lady.

Interbreed Pairs Holstein; res, Jersey.

Interbreed Group Holstein; res, Jersey.

Ayrshire J W Suffern's cow Ravenhill Tulip 53; res, J and M Hunter's cow Ardmore Janet 59.

Jersey Fleming Family's cow Potterswall Connection Lady; res, Fleming Family's Potterswall Paramount Glamour.

Holstein Clandeboye Estate's cow Clandeboye Champion Willow; res, S and J McCormick's cow Hilltara Champion Echo.