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The Irish Beltex Breeders Club News ArchiveBELTEX BREEDERS BASK IN SUNSHINE AT BANBRIDGE OPEN DAY For the 3rd year in succession, Irish Beltex breeders enjoyed glorious weather on their Club’s Open Day which this year was held at the Banbridge farm of Brendan McQuaid.
Just short of two hundred club members & friends, commercial sheep breeders, and visitors from as far afield as Cork and Donegal, as well as the Stragier-Gorra Family from West Flanders, Belgium turned up throughout the day in the spring sunshine to view the sheep and watch the wool preparation and trimming demonstration by club chairman, Kevin McCarthy, assisted by Dermot Murray.
A new attraction for 2009 which drew much interest was the lamb carving demonstration, with club member and butcher Alfie Murray preparing the various cuts of meat for the table.
The Fort View and Ballydown pedigree flocks on display have in recent years enjoyed various successes at shows, sales, and in the Club’s Flock Competition. The Fort View flock has been runner-up in the Small Flock section in 2006 and 2008 with Brendan’s stock rams, including a Belgian purchase from the V/H Hoveke flock of Stragier, taking 1st place in the last 2 years. The Ballydown flock of M & P McNeill took the runner-up honours in 2007, and last year received the Bonecastle trophy for the overall best flock of ewes in the competition. There was also keen interest in the commercial flock, all suckling Beltex cross lambs, and proving that Beltex used as a terminal sire can ‘do the business’ on many breeds of sheep.
A very interesting presentation was given by Technical Director, Dr Mike Tempest, from LMC on the future of lamb production, as well as his commendations of the Beltex breed – indeed Dr Tempest, together with Tom Ashton, Wigan, were the first to import the double muscled breed from Belgium some 20 years ago and founded the Beltex breed in the UK.
Discussions also took place with Lee Murray from Thompsons Animal Feeds, and Ivan Porter from Osmonds on ‘The Year of the Sheep’ from pre-mating to weaning.
The highlight of the plentiful lunch was the roast pig and roast lamb, with an excellent spread of food and drinks for all in attendance. The day was rounded off with competitions for Guess the Weight, and Stock Judging, and the usual raffle with numerous valuable prizes. The winner of the Stock Judging competition was seven year old Tanya Mayers from Tempo, and ‘Guess the Weight’ was won by veterinary surgeon Barbara Van Rie, Tobermore. The club is indebted to Brendan McQuaid, and Martina & Patrick McNeill for hosting the event and sponsoring the prizes for the competitions. Thanks must also go to the following people: the representatives from LMC, Thompsons Animal Feeds, and Osmonds for their speeches, Glen Tender Farm Shop, Gilford; Iveagh Veterinary Services, Banbridge; Thompsons Animal Feeds; Kinley Tyres, Rathfriland; Fane Valley Agricultural Store, Banbridge; CP Motors, Banbridge; Ivan Porter who provided sponsorship/prizes, Kevin McCarthy for his show preparation demonstration, the committee members who provided the wonderful food and drink, and worked very hard to make the day such an outstanding success everyone who donated prizes for the raffle and all those who bought raffle tickets. Beltex Continue to Impress at Moira Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club Export Female Sale on Saturday 13th December 2008. [report] Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders celebrated another very successful year with their Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards in La Mon Hotel, Castlereagh. Club Chairman, Kevin McCarthy welcomed everyone to the celebration, and congratulated each and every breeder who had been successful at the local shows, club show, carcase competition, Society Premier Show & Sale, and Club Shows & Sales during the year, paying tribute to everyone who helped raise the profile of the breed in 2008. [more] 2008 Carcase Competition Getting more money from their lambs will be the aim of sheep farmers in the province, at a time when the increased costs of feedstuff, fertilizer and fuel is squeezing the pockets tighter than ever before. With this in mind, producers should take note of the success of the recent Carcase Competition held by the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club at Linden Foods, Dungannon, where maximum killing-out percentages were the order of the day for both pedigree and commercial breeders alike. Ballymena Sale The Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s 2nd Show & Sale at Ballymena Mart on Monday 29th September 2008 saw an easier trade than their Premier Sale, with a top price of 600gns for the pre-sale show champion. [report] Open Day Success For Irish Beltex In Glenarm The Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club held another very successful Open Day on Saturday 19th April 2008 at the idyllic setting on the farm of Glenarm breeders Thomas & Hester Palmer. Their Burnside flock has been winner of the Small Flock Competition for both years that the competition has been in existence, taking the overall Champion Flock title in 2006. [report] IRISH BELTEX BREEDERS CELEBRATE SUCCESSFUL
YEAR 2007 DUNGANNON SALE BALLYMENA SALE IRISH BELTEX CLUB 4th ANNUAL SHOW AT GLENARM
CASTLE SUN SHINES ON IRISH BELTEX CLUB OPEN
DAY IN RAPHOE IRISH BELTEX SHEEP BREEDERS CLUB
FEMALE SALE |
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