N. Ireland Beef Shorthorn Club Herd Visit Draws a Crowd
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Beef Shorthorn enthusiasts look over James Nelson's Glenbrae herd at Carnduff, Larne.
Members of the NI Beef Shorthorn Club, breed enthusiasts, neighbours and friends enjoyed a warm welcome as they visited the 2008 Champion Beef Shorthorn herd, owned by James Nelson, Carnduff, Larne. A number had journeyed from as far afield as Ayrshire and Airdrie in Scotland to attend. The event was a double celebration for James as he was also marking the twentieth anniversary of his well-known Glenbrae herd.
Armagh, on Saturday 5th September, run by the RBSTNI Support Group. Contact the RBSTNI Secretary Graham Wilson for details on Tel: 028 9263 8145. To contact the N I Beef Shorthorn Club call Chairman David Hammond on Tel: 07713585130 or Secretary Karen Carson on Tel: 07766933733.
Visitors to the herd were invited to guess the weight of James's recently purchased young bull and also to show their stock judging skills by placing in order a group of six heifers who had been pre-judged by Jack Ramsay of the Millerton herd, Scotland. They went on to view the cows and calves grazing with stock bull Uppermill Raeburn, who has made significant contributions to Glenbrae breeding. The day was rounded off by a delicious high tea and the NI Beef Shorthorn Club would like to thank James and his family for their hospitality and an enjoyable visit. The final opportunity to see Beef Shorthorns being shown and judged this year will be at the Native and Traditional Breeds Show and Sale at Gosford Park,
N. I. Club Committee
The NI Beef Shorthorn Club 2009 AGM attracted a good turnout including both long-established breeders and a significant number of recent entrants. The guest speaker at the meeting was David Graham, from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute at Hillsborough (AFBI), who gave a detailed talk and answered many questions about the AFBI Cattle Health Scheme. The content of the talk was particularly timely as the UK Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society has introduced compulsory health testing for Society sales. Test results must be displayed at the sale on a health pen card supplied under the Cattle Health Certification Standard (CHeCs) accredited health scheme. The newly appointed Committee are looking forward to a challenging year ahead where there will be an increased focus on developing premium markets for Beef Shorthorn beef as well as promoting the breed and raising its profile at events across the province. For further information on the NI Club or marketing of beef contact Club Secretary Karen Carson on 07766933733.
Pictured at the Glenbrae herd visit are (left) herd owner James Nelson, with guests Peter McAleer from Airdrie, and Jack and Grace Ramsay from Ayrshire.
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