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Northern Ireland
15/11/2023 15:48:51
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Edition 4 - 2023 - Northern Ireland

George and Jason Booth, Beechview Herd, Stewartstown, were the winners of Holstein NI’s 2023 Herds Inspection Competition. Adding their congratulations are sponsor Richard Primrose, Bank of Ireland, and English judge James Burrow. Picture: Columba O’Hare, Newry.ie

Holstein NI secretary John Martin, and president David Perry, are pictured with the 2023 Herds Inspection Competition judges, James Burrow, Lancashire; Robert Helen, Clonakilty; and Morrell McCollum, Coleraine. Picture: Columba O’Hare

The Beechview Herd owned by George and Jason Booth from Stewartstown has been crowned winner of Holstein NI’s annual Herds Inspection Competition. The County Tyrone-based herd impressed English judge James Burrow to win the overall premier herd title sponsored by Bank of Ireland.

James Burrow, owner of the noted Stardale Herd in Lancashire said: “It was a pleasure to judge such a prestigious competition. I spent five days visiting herds throughout Northern Ireland, and the standard of entries was exceptionally high. “I found the task enjoyable but challenging. The herds were consistent, and there was very little splitting the top three or four prize winners in each category. For me the senior and junior cow classes were outstanding, with both featuring phenomenal individual Holstein females that could compete anywhere in the UK.”

The 220-cow Beechview Herd is milked twice daily in a 24:24 herringbone parlour, and has a rolling herd average of 10,899kgs at 4.22% butterfat and 3.36% protein. Its proven cow families include Bridget, Dellia, Danna, Daphne, Ethel, Lalita/Lolly/Lovestruck, Ruth and Tippy.

James Burrow concluded: “There was a ‘good stamp’ across the herd. The cows were in good form, and I was really impressed with the milky udders, and sound legs and feet.” The Booth family’s Beechview prefix has excelled up through the ranks of the annual competition, having won the junior section’s best medium herd award in 2021, followed by best large herd in the senior section in 2022.

This year’s array of premier section prizes includes best medium herd, best 70T cow, second prize in the senior cow class, and third in the junior cow class.

The hotly contested herd competition is one of the highlights of Holstein NI’s annual calendar, attracting 75 entrants who presented almost 12,000 cows to the three judges – James Burrow (premier); Robert Helen, Eedy Herd, Clonakilty (senior); and Morrell McCollum, Boghill Herd, Coleraine (junior).

County Cork breeder Robert Helen said it was a great honour to be asked to judge the NI herd competition. “I’ve been privileged to see so many great herds, and I have been impressed by the high standard and consistency across all herds taking part in the senior section. “The senior cow class was very strong, and the progeny groups stood out. I also saw some outstanding individual Pepper daughters, although there were no groups put forward.”

The junior section of the competition was judged by Morrell McCollum from Coleraine. He was also impressed with the high standard of herds competing.

“It was a mammoth task, 35 herds in five days, but the standard of management, and quality of cows was unbelievable. A credit to the owners! It was great to see so many young people taking pride in their herds, and so full of enthusiasm for the Holstein breed.  There was very little splitting the entries, and I’d urge everyone to keep on doing what they’re doing and encourage others to get involved in the competition.”

The best overall new entrant in the junior section was John Mitchell’s Grovedairy Herd from Castlederg.

The judges expressed thanks to the stewards for their assistance, and the herd owners for the excellent hospitality.