Page 82 - Yearbook 2019

Branch reports

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

By Orla Butler, Secretary
› Award winners at the branch dinner dance and presentation of awards
T he Northern Ireland Branch members again led the way in with Alastair Kerr, Ballymena taking second and third respectively. Judging was also highly successful with Eoin Butler taking the

2018 with many successes at home and across the UK.
Lakeview flock owner Gary Beacom took the Supreme Champion
David Duncan Perpetual Shield and Lee Beacom taking the William
Evidence of this were the fantastic achievements at Stirling. title at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show with his impressive
NI members dominated virtually every aspect of this show and sale. Rookery Rodeo sired shearling ewe. The dam of this exceptional Montgomery Perpetual Shield.
Alastair Gault took top honours at the Premier Show and Export
Limestone flock owner Mark Priestley took Male Champion and ewe took the RUAS Supreme Champion title at Balmoral over three Sale when his Rhaeadr Rio sired lamb clinched the Supreme
overall champion with his Strathbogie AK Magic sired ram lamb consecutive years back in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Champion title going on to sell for 1,700gns to judge Jonathan
going on to sell for the top price of the sale 40,000gns, also the Jim Gahan of the Barrowlands flock judged the annual Flock Lucas, Finn Vale Flock, Co. Donegal. Dennis Taylor took Reserve
record highest price for a ram from Northern Ireland sold to Andrew Competition and the results were announced at the Branch’s Champion with his Lakeview Innuendo sired ram selling to
Wilson and Ronan McLaughlin, Donegal. Stephen Sufferin captured annual BBQ where Mark Priestley claimed the Champion flock and 1,900gns. Other top prices included a Solwaybank Super Duper
the Elite commercial class while Shaun Turkington dominated the Patrick Donnelly took the Reserve Champion title. Congratulations bred ram lamb from the Carrowmoney flock of Anthony Patton
novice class. Patrick Donnelly also took the Female Champion title. must also go to Mark Priestley, Patrick Donnelly and Martin Butler selling to 2,000gns and Islandmoyle flock owner Brian Dickson’s
At this sale four and five figure sums were realised by Alastair Gault, who all picked up silverware in the National Flock Competition. Lakeview Armani bred ram lamb selling to 1,500gns and Alastair
William Tait, Dennis Taylor and Shaun Turkington. The NI Branch Championships were held in July at Omagh Show Gault’s shearling ram changing hands for 1,400gns.
The young breeders of the future also led the way at Stirling where David Reid of the Conchar flock chose an exceptional aged Our September ram sale was a flyer this year with an 80% › Alastair Gault first prize ram lamb and supreme champion selling to 1,900gns to
with Young Eoin Butler clinching first and Deon Fleming standing ewe belonging to Gary Beacom as the Champion on the day. clearance with a packed ringside of commercial purchasers. Judge Jonathan Lucas, Finn Vale Flock at the NI Branch Premier Export Show and Sale
third in the Young Handlers Competition. William and Stephanie Tait’s first prizewinning ram lamb scooped Causeway flock owner Brian McVicker took the champion title
First up in the Suffolk calendar earlier in the year was the Spring the reserve champion prize. with his ram lamb which realised 1,000gns whilst also taking the
Lamb competition. Graham Thompson presented the winning Eoin Butler and Neale Fleming both took first prize in the red rosette for his shearling. New breeders Jack and Emma Smyth
rosette in the Suffolk cross class with an excellent pair of lambs Young Handler competition in their relevant age sections. Stock topped the sale selling to 1,200gns with Campbell and Jason
Watson taking reserve champion selling to 680gns.
Our annual dinner dance and presentation of trophies was
held in Killymoon Golf Club in Cookstown. An added feature
was the draw for our Ifor Williams Trailer. The lucky winner was
Nathan Gilmore. Congratulations to him and thank you to all
who supported the raffle. The Branch made a donation to the Air
Ambulance NI of £3,250 from the proceeds of the raffle at our
AGM in December.
The year ended with the annual ewe sale. This sale was a
huge success with females being in strong demand resulting in
a clearance of 100% of all stock forward. Alastair Gault, Forkins › 2019 Branch committee members
claimed champion with his Forkins Fandago sired ewe which went › First prize aged ewe, female champion and supreme champion
on to sell for 1,900gns. Blackbrae flock owner Alastair Barkley from G Beacom at the Northern Ireland Branch Championships
took Reserve Champion with his Deveronside Pure Diamond sired
ewe selling to 850gns.
A special mention must go to Campbell Watson in his role as
President of the Suffolk Sheep Society. It was an honour for the NI
Branch as a whole to have him fulfill this deserving role with such
dedication and professionalism.
In summary, throughout 2018 the Branch experienced increased
interest in and demand for the Suffolk breed both males and
females from breeders and commercial buyers alike making 2018
one of the best years in a considerable while. We look forward to
2019 with increased confidence.
› Age 10-14 Young Handler winners at the Northern Ireland Branch Championships

82 Suffolk Sheep Society Yearbook 2019 Suffolk Sheep Society Yearbook 2019 83