A Fermanagh dairy herd has been awarded the prestigious Holstein UK's Master Breeder Award at the Balmoral Show.

John and Gareth Armstrong who run the Coolnagrane Herd, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh along with family members and part-time staff look after 100 milkers plus followers, and is currently averaging 10,557 litres at 4.11% butterfat and 3.34% protein. The herd is kept mainly indoors with occasional grazing when the weather allows and fed on a TMR diet.

Over the years the herd has been enhanced by various imports, including females from the Shoremar and Quality herds in Canada. These were some of the first animals to be imported from Canada into Northern Ireland. The resulting progeny from the imported animals are still present in the herd, with prominent families such as Lilly, Fran, Nan and Tammy. Successful home-bred families include Graceful.

The herd’s main breeding focus is on overall type and components, with bulls such as Legend Maker Victor, Westcoast Alamater and Dotti Raffaello being the most influential at the moment. An Aberdeen Angus bull is used to sweep up after service.

John Martin, secretary Holstein Northern Ireland said: “The highly coveted Master Breeder Award is the pinnacle of success for all Holstein UK members. It recognises herds that breed and produce outstanding cattle with a high standard of production, conformation, health and longevity.

“Holstein UK names 10 recipients annually, and this year three of the newly crowned Master Breeders are from Northern Ireland. This is testimony to the high calibre of pedigree Holstein cattle, and the superior stockmanship, on local farms.

The Master Breeder Awards were presented by Holstein UK President John Jamieson.

The other two NI winners were David Campbell and family, from the Ballylagan Herd, Coleraine and the Priestland herd of Iain McLean and family, Bushmills.