The Northern Ireland commercial cattle exhibitors club held its annual show over the weekend at Dungannon Mart. The September spectacular attracted large entries across all sections which were divided by both weight and breed. Tasked with judging the classes on the day were Blair Duffton, Derek Maxwell and Mark Maxwell. The Aberdeen-based show man Blair Duffton was at the helm for the weight classes, while the Maxwell brothers took charge for breed and special classes.

It went down as a day to remember for Gareth Small who secured the supreme championship of the show with his heifer Taboo.

The stylish, jet-black Limousin heifer was sired by well-known commercial show calf producer Swarland Eddie and out of Belgian Blue cow Strathearn Candice. This line is no stranger to the show ring for Gareth and his team as Taboo’s full sister Pocahontas was awarded the reserve overall championship at the Scottish winter fair in 2015.

Having been awarded the Limousin championship and butchers championship by the Maxwell brothers earlier in the day, Small went into the heifer championship full of confidence. After much deliberation, Duffton tapped out Taboo as his heifer and eventually supreme champion.

Bexy Boo

Reserve supreme honours were awarded to Leanne Workman’s Bexy-Boo. This heifer was also awarded the reserve overall heifer title behind the day’s supreme champion. Sired by Limousin breeder favourite Wilodge Vantastic, Bexy-Boo also comes with past show ring experience, having been awarded last year’s Allam’s calf championship.

The day’s calf championship was awarded to the under-300kg class winner from Shane Doyle. This Limousin cross heifer is out of a former Northern Ireland commercial cattle exhibitor club champion.

Limousin was again the breed of choice for the reserve calf championship, with Declan McKenna’s heifer calf Princess claiming the rosette. Wilodge breeding was again behind this reserve champion, this time a Vantastic son in the form of Wilodge Joskin. This ends a very good show season for Princess, having also claimed calf champion at this year’s Clogher Valley Show.

S and J Smyth secured top spot in the steer section with Millar’s Man. This Charolais-sired steer was also shown at Clogher Valley this year where he was awarded the title of male champion.

Gareth Small was again back in the limelight to secure the reserve steer championship with Canelo. This Limousin steer is sired by Bailea Bullion.