The Northern Ireland Shorthorn club hosted an online virtual show recently, with the Glebefarm herd claiming the top two spots.
Although relatively new to the Shorthorn breeding game, Alfie and son James have carefully selected foundation females over the past number of years.
These selections have helped them claim championships in previous herd competitions, along with top placings at the Royal Highland Show.
Uploads
This year’s herd competition was hosted totally online, with breeders asked to upload pictures for each of the different categories.
Securing the overall championship for the Glebefarm herd was Uppermill Jackie, a 2011-born cow. Classified EX94, she is a daughter of Uppermill Jinks.
Tasked with judging the virtual show were well-known southern Ireland breeders Tommy Staunton of the Caramba herd and John Keane of the Bushypark herd.
When describing their champion, they said: “We think this cow is a beautiful specimen of the modern beef Shorthorn and a great advertisement to attract commercial and new pedigree beef Shorthorn breeders.”
Reserve overall
The Glebefarm success didn’t stop there, with the herd also claiming the reserve overall champion with Glebefarm Duchess Molly M606.
The 2018-born heifer is a former Highland Show class winner and is a daughter of Fearn Jumpstart.
When describing the reserve champion, Staunton said: “A very stylish heifer exhibiting a real balance of power and femininity; our clear choice to follow our overall champion.”
In the calf section, top spot was secured by the young bull Lisnamanny Piers from Sean Kerr. This smart red calf showed tremendous style and shape.
Taking the yearling championship was the February 2019-born Maralin Princess Myrtle. Bred by Libby and Lucy Clarke, the judges said this stylish heifer showed depth of body, a good shoulder and a nice lower thigh.
Pole position
The Shaw duo were back in the limelight again when it came to the champion bull section.
Taking pole position here was the Glebefarm stock bull Millerston Jamboree. This 2015-born bull is sired by the well-known Meonhill Charlie Chaplin.
The virtual show also included a commercial class for Shorthorn-sired calves born in 2020.
This class was won by Barry Fitzsimmons for his April-born bull calf sired by Croobview Kaiser Chief.
He was described by the judges as a beautiful example of the Shorthorn breed, with the correct balance of muscle and length.