Outstanding performances at Newry Show 2024: Jersey cow and Heifer take top honors

Bred and exhibited by the Fleming family from Seaforde, Co. Down, Potteswalls Bontino Dawn produced 9,200L of milk with 6.2% fat and 4.7% protein during her last lactation. "This is her first outing of the year," Ashley Fleming shared with Agriland. "The cow is now in full milk, and we are delighted with her progress since her last calving."

Leiza Montgomery from Comber, Co. Down, judged the dairy classes at Newry Show 2024 and praised the champion as an outstanding example of the Jersey breed. "She has tremendous dairy presence and performed excellently in the ring. Her ability to have had five calves highlights her breeding longevity, a valuable trait in any dairy cow."

The Holstein Championship and reserve were awarded to Cameron and Robert Magowan from Hilltown, Co. Down. Their first calved heifer, Bannwater Handsome Sheba, captivated the judges and is currently yielding 40L of milk per day since calving in April. Bannwater Undenied Sheba, a second calver, secured the reserve Holstein championship.

Newry Show 2024 surpassed expectations with remarkable livestock entries and enthusiastic crowds. Judging in the cattle rings continued late into the afternoon due to the high number of entries.

David Connolly from Ballynahinch, Co. Down, judged the beef inter-breed champion classes, seeking animals that could enhance the breeding merit of any herd. His chosen champion, a 28-month-old heifer named Rathkeeland Tendresse, bred and exhibited by the Crawford family from Co. Fermanagh, met these criteria perfectly. "She is breed perfect with tremendous presence, great locomotion, and excellent conformation," Connolly commented.

Tendresse has impressed judges over the past two years, continuing her success in 2024 with stellar performances at the Balmoral and Lurgan Shows.

The competition in the sheep rings at Newry 2024 was equally fierce. Stephen Fee from Tempo, Co. Fermanagh, judged the inter-breed classes and selected a striking Texel ewe lamb, bred and exhibited by Martin McConville from Rathfriland, Co. Down, as the champion.

Born on February 28 this year, the lamb had already won the sheep inter-breed championship at Saintfield Show. "The lamb has everything; tremendous breed character, excellent conformation, balance, and movement. She caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring," Fee remarked.

Photo Robert (right) and Cameron Magowan, from Hilltown in Co. Down, with the Holstein champion and reserve at Newry Show 2024 by www.agriland.ie