Saintfield Show slideshow: McIlveen confirms her commitment to Farm Business Improvement Scheme

'Rolling out the new rural development programme in its entirety is a priority,' according to farm minister Michelle McIlveen.
The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.
The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.

“And this includes the Farm Business Improvement Scheme, which will provide support for capital projects on-farm,” she said.

The minister made these comments while visiting this year’s Saintfield and District Show at Balmoral Park, near Lisburn.

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She added: “The summer shows are a key part of the agricultural calendar in Northern Ireland. They bring communities, both urban and rural, together in competition and camaraderie.

The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.
The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.

“These events highlight the diversity, character and commitment of farmers across Northern Ireland. They also underline the vibrancy of the agri food sector.

“As minister, I have been eager to use this opportunity to engage with the rural community and hear at first-hand about their issues and concerns. But these events are also a celebration of local produce and husbandry: they provide a platform for the best this area has to offer.”

Meanwhile, Saintfield and District Show 2016 enjoyed a record turnout of visitors, according to the event’s organising chairman Brain Hunter.

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“Gate receipts are well up, but so are our costs,” he added.

The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.
The Saintfield Show qualifiers for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Beef Bull Championship were British Blonde bull Budore Leo bred by Paul McGarry, Dundrod; and Limousin bull McParland's Light Forever shown by James and Mark McParland, Belleeks. Included are Robert Dick, chairman, NISA; and Lisa Doran and Michael Pucci, Bank of Ireland. Picture: McAuley Multimedia.

“Everyone involved with the society is giving of their time and professional expertise on a voluntary basis.

“It requires hundreds of man hours to bring an event like Saintfield Show over the line. Each summer sees agricultural shows taking place the length and breadth of Northern Ireland. Each event plays a critical role in promoting the farming and food sector within its respective locality.”

Hunter confirmed that Saintfield Show Society has a plan to bring its annual celebration of farming and food to the next level.

“We want to engage more with young people,” he stressed.

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“This year has seen us strike up a very positive working relationship with Moneyreagh Young Farmers’ Club. We now want to build the same type of association with the other clubs in our catchment area. Young people are the future of agriculture: we need them on board.

“But we also need to generate new income streams, in order to maintain the financial sustainability of Saintfield Show. And I strongly believe that local councils and the Stormont Executive can do more to support the invaluable work carried out all the local show societies.”

Northern Ireland Shows Association chairman Robert Dick visited last Saturday’s event at Balmoral Park. He agrees that government should do more to support the activities of all the agricultural show societies.

“The shows must be officially recognised for the strategic role they play in promoting farming and food here in Northern Ireland,” he stressed.

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Out in the Saintfield show rings, the judges were dealing with a record entry of beef cattle and sheep. The beef inter-breed championship was won by the Connolly family, from Ballynahinch, with their eye catching Charolais heifer. They had won the equivalent class at Armagh Show the previous week with the same animal. No doubt, one to watch out for in the future.

The inter-breed sheep championship went to Co Down flockowner Diane Christie with a majestic Charollais shearling ram. Judge Brendan Arthurs described his champion as a tremendous example of the breed.

“He has just about everything you would want in a breeding ram: very correct in all aspects and great skin,” he said.

Saintfield Show 2016 results

CATTLE

Beef Cattle

Inter-breed champion: Connolly family

Reserve: Budore Blondes

Hereford classes:

Champion: C Kerr

Reserve: M Richmond

Cow class: 1st D Smyth

Senior heifer class: 1st C Kerr

Junior heifer class: 1st M Richmond

Bull class: 1st C Kerr

Calf class: 1st M & L Moore

Pairs class: 1st D Smyth

Charolais classes

Champion: Connolly family

Reserve: Connolly family

Senior heifer class

1st: Connolly family

Junior heifer class: 1st Connolly family

Bull class: 1st F Reel

Calf class: 1st N Quinn

Pairs class: 1st Connolly family

Simmental classes

Champion: D McDowell

Reserve: J Whitcroft

Senior heifer class: 1st D McDowell

Junior heifer class: 1st J Whitcroft

Limousin classes

Champion: J Neill

Reserve: D Green

Heifer born in 2014 – class: 1st J McParland

Heifer born in 2015 – class: 1st J Neill

Junior bull class: 1st D Green

Pairs class: 1st J & J Aiken

British Blonde classes

Champion: Budore Blondes

Reserve: Johnston Farms

Cow class: 1st Johnston Farms

Heifer class – born in 2014: 1st Budore Blondes

Heifer class – born in 2015: 1st I & R McElroy

Junior bull class: 1st Budore Blondes; 2nd Johnston Farms

Calf class: 1st Budore Blondes; 2nd H & D Dorman

Pairs class: 1st Johnston Farms; 2nd Budore Blondes

Junior Handlers class: 1st M McGuigan; 2nd Johnston Farms

British Blue classes

Champion: O McCann

Junior heifer class

Joint first: O McCann

Joint first: Dorman family

Calf class: 1st R McCormick

Saler classes

Champion: S Connell

Reserve: R Millar

Cow class: 1st S Connell

Senior heifer class: 1st R Millar

Junior heifer class: 1st S Maginn

Junior bull class: 1st S Maginn; 2nd E Gregg

Commercial classes

Champion: JCB Commercials

Reserve: JCB Commercials

Crossbred heifer class: 1st JCB Commercials

Crossbred beef bullock: 1st JCB Commercials

Crossbred beef heifer: 1st J Killen

Minority Breed classes

Champion: E Edgar

Reserve: N Tumelty

Dexter cow class: 1st N Tumelty

Dexter Junior bull or heifer class: 1st E Edgar

Shorthorn classes

Champion: McDowell family

Reserve: H D Bailie

Calf, bull or heifer class: 1st D McDowell

Maiden Heifer class: 1st H D Bailie

Cow class: 1st H D Bailie

Pairs class: 1st H D Bailie

Aberdeen Angus classes

Champion: T Wallace

Reserve: T Wallace

Senior heifer class: 1st T Wallace

Junior heifer class: 1st H Mills

Bull class: 1st H Mills

Pairs class: 1st T Wallace

Young Handlers’ Competition: 1st J Whitcroft; 2nd M McGuigan

Dairy Cattle

Champion: Clandeboye Estate

Reserve: D & D Todd

Maiden heifer class: 1st L Kelly; 2nd D & D Todd

Heifer in milk class: 1st Clandeboye Estate

Pedigree cow in milk class: 1st D & D Todd

Pairs class: 1st Clandeboye Estate

SHEEP CLASSES

Inter-breed champion: D Christie

Reserve: A Gault

Newtownstewart Blackface classes

Champion: C McAteer

Reserve: A & C McCullough

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Ram – any age: 1st F & K McCullough; 2nd F & K McCullough

Ewe – any age: 1st C McAteer; 2nd F & K McCullough

Hogget ewe class: 1st A C McCullough; 2nd C McAteer

Ram lamb class: 1st A & C McCullough; 2nd A & C McCullough

Ewe lamb class: 1st F & K McCullough; 2nd A & C McCullough

Suffolk classes

Champion: P Donnelly

Reserve: P Donnelly

Ram class: 1st P Donnelly; 2nd R Armour

Ewe class: 1st P Donnelly; 2nd R Armour

Hogget ewe class: 1st P Donnelly; 2nd P Donnelly

Ram lamb class: 1st P Donnelly; 2nd A Patton

Ewe lamb class: 1st P Donnelly; 2nd A Patton

Group of three class: 1st P Donnelly; 2nd R Armour

Hampshire Down classes

Champion: K McCarthy

Reserve: J & A Fletcher

Ram class: 1st J & A Fletcher; 2nd K McCarthy

Ewe class: 1st K McCarthy; 2nd K McCarthy

Shearling ewe class: 1st K McCarthy; 2nd K McCarthy

Ram lamb class: 1st K McCarthy; 2nd K McCarthy

Ewe lamb class: 1st K McCarthy; 2nd K McCarthy

Novice breeder class: 1st P Lawson; 2nd P Lawson

Group of three class: 1st K McCarthy; 2nd J & A Fletcher

Kerry Hill classes

Champion: I Barr

Reserve: I Barr

Ram class: 1st A & M McConnell; 2nd Mr and Mrs W Clarke

Ram lamb class: 1st J Barr; 2nd I Barr

Ewe class: 1st I Barr; 2nd J Barr

Shearling ewe class: 1st I Barr; 2nd K Angus

Ewe lamb class: 1st Mr & Mrs W Clarke; 2nd J Barr

Group of three class: 1st J Bar; 2nd Mr & Mrs W Clarke

NISA Ewe Qualifier: 1 P Colhoun; 2 L Hamilton

Rare Breeds classes

Champion: L Hamilton

Reserve: R J McCauley

Ram class: 1st L Hamilton; 2nd R J McCauley

Ram lamb class: 1st R J McCauley; 2nd R J McCauley

Ewe class: 1st R J McAuley; 2nd L Hamilton

Ewe lamb class: 1st R J McCauley

Ile de France classes

Champion: W E Adamson & Son

Reserve: W E Adamson & Son

Ram class: 1st W E Adamson & Son

Shearling ram class: 1st W E Adamson & Son

Ram lamb class: 1st W E Adamson & Son

Ewe lamb class: 1st W E Adamson & Son

Group of three class: 1st W E Adamson & Son

Texel classes

Champion: A Gault

Reserve: A Gault

Ram class: 1st B Casement; 2nd A Gault

Ewe class: 1st A Gault; 2nd A Gault

Hogget ewe class: 1st A Gault; 2nd A Gault

Ewe lamb class: 1st A Gault; 2nd S Ferris

Ram lamb class: 1st A Gault

Pairs class: 1st A Gault; 2nd J Herdman

Charollais classes

Champion: D Christie

Reserve: D Christie

Ram class: 1st D Christie; 2nd D Christie

Shearling ram class: 1st D Christie; 2nd D Christie

Ewe class: 1st D Christie; 2nd D Christie

Shearling ewe class: 1st D Christie; 2nd D Christie

Ewe lamb class: 1st D Christie

Group of three class: 1st D Christie

Any other breed classes

Champion: I Barr

Ram class: 1st I Barr

Zwartbles classes

Champion: M Dorman

Reserve: N Brannigan

Ewe class: 1st M Dorman; 2nd N Brannigan

Ram lamb class: 1st N Brannigan; 2nd C Lyons

Ewe lamb class: 1st C Lyons; 2nd C Lyons

Jacob classes

Champion: P & S Colhoun

Reserve: J Harkness

Ram class: 1st A Hamilton; 2nd A Hamilton

Ewe class: 1st P & S Colhoun; 2nd P & S Colhoun

Hogget ewe class: 1st P & S Colhoun; 2nd J McGrath

Ram lamb class: 1st J Harkness; 2nd P & S Colhoun

Ewe lamb class: 1st J Harkness; 2nd J McGrath

Pairs class: 1st: J Harknessl; 2nd: P & S Colhoun

Group of three class: 1st P & S Colhoun; 2nd J Harkness

Goat section

Champion: A Mullan

Reserve: C Madden

Female goat – Saanen: 1st C Madden; 2nd C Madden

Female goat – any other breed: 1st A Mullan

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Goatling: TBT, Alpine or BS: 1st M & C Gilmore; 2nd M & C Gilmore

Goatling – any other breed: 1st M & C Gilmore; 2nd A Mullan

Female kid: TBT, Alpine or BS: 1st M & C Gilmore

Female kid – any other breed: 1st M & C Gilmore; 2nd A & Y Hamilton

Pigmy Goat results

Champion: G Barker

Reserve: J MacAulay

Female kid – under 6 months: 1st E Moulds; 2nd:E Moulds

Female kid between 6 and 12 months: 1st D Campbell; 2nd G Barker

Make kid under 6 months: 1st E Moulds; 2nd E Moulds

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Female kid between 6 and 12 months: 1st D Campbell; 2nd G Barker

Make kid under 1-yo: 1st G Barker; 2nd P Gillan

Female between 1-yo and 2-yo: 1st G Barker; 2nd G Barker

Adult female: 1st J MacAulay; 2nd P Gillan

Adult male: 1st G Barker; 2nd S Convery

Pig Classes

Champion: E Greg

Reserve: B Kelly

Sow class: 1st E Gregg

Senior gilt - 1: 1st C & G White; 2nd C & G White

Senior gilt - 2: 1st B Kelly; 2nd S Radcliff

Junior gilt: 1st E Gregg; 2nd S Radcliff

Boar – born before 2016: 1st B Kelly

Boar – born in 2016: 1st S Radcliff; 2nd B Kelly

Junior handlers’ class: 1st L Stewart; 2nd S Radcliff

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