Ballygrange takes NI Belgian Blue herd competition

The judging is finally over of the Northern Ireland Belgian Blue herd competition, which has been won this year by Jim Sloan’s Ballygrange herd, Kilkeel, Co Down.

Praised by judge Jim Barber of the Astbury herd, Chehsire as being a very good cow herd in every way with not a bad animal to be seen, he even said he’d be proud to own some of the stock himself.

Mel Lucas of Sevenmile Straight, Antrim took reserve overall champion with his Lukeroyal herd, noted by Jim as comprising incredibly consistent cattle.

The best brood cow was Zara Chestnutt’s (daughter of Farmers Weekly’s Farmer Focus writer Victor Chestnutt) Reinbeck Optica, with Greenfield Bloom belonging to Basil Dougherty awarded the best heifer title.

Springback Blackstar on the Kilkeel farm of Corrina and Ivan Gordon was judged best bull in the 350 mile round trip of Northern Ireland. RESULTS:

Large herd 1 Andrew Craig, Woodview, Coleraine; 2 Martin Brothers, Springhill, Newtownards; 3 J and Morrison, Chatham, Armoy.

Medium herd 1 Jim Sloan, Ballygrange, Kilkeel; 2 Mel and Diane Lucas, Lukeroyal, Antrim

Small herd 1 Zara Chestnutt Clougher, Bushmills; 2 Basil Dougherty, Greenfield, Kircubbin; 3 John Young, Magheradroll, Ballynahinch; 4 James Annett, Snowy Ridge, Kilkeel.