WINNERS have been decided within the new Fermanagh County Show cattle herd and sheep flock competitions. 

Following changes to the show format this year, the successful Suckler Cow Classic and Breeding Heifer Derby was instead judged on farms as a herds competition. 

This was open to all Fermanagh farmers to encourage efficiency in breeding suckler calves for today’s commercial market. A leading judge visited  farms and shortlisted the finalists, and video footage will be taken and shown at the autumn prizegiving of the finalists.

A new initiative was also introduced to decide the top commercial sheep flock in Fermanagh, with sheep also being judged on farms across a number of criteria.

Enniskillen beef farmer, Connor Donaldson, claimed The Collum John Memorial Cup for best commercial non-pedigree suckler herd. 

Speaking on the win, he said: "I was very happy to be awarded the prize for best commercial herd, it came as a surprise as the competition was very strong.

"We keep mainly Stabilser cows here on the farm outside Enniskillen, running an overall herd of around 100 cows with all progeny going to beef. 

"They are a good all-round breed and suit our grass-based system and ground conditions here in Fermanagh."

Mr. Donaldson added that he was impressed by the new format of these classes.

"The new format of the show was a different experience, but it worked well for these kinds of classes as it enabled the judges to come out onto the farm and see the cows in their natural environment," he said. 

Meanwhile, Lisbellaw beef and sheep farmer Neil Henderson took top honours in the Castle Irvine Cup and Lake Veterinary Breeding Heifer Derby for best beef breeding heifers, non-pedigree.

"It was an honour to get the prize," he said. "It was a good competition and it's something to build on in order to keep getting better.

"It was a good competition. The judges could see their mothers, see how they are performing, and see for themselves how that performance follows through to the heifers. I feel that the uniformity of the heifers also impressed them. 

"It's onwards and upwards from here. Any day you aren't trying to get better is a bad day!"

Rosslea farmer William Egerton took first place in the J A G Knox Cup for best breeding flock. 

"It went very well and it was a pleasant surprise!" he commented. "It was a nice way to finish out the year, and a very nice award to win.

"The sun was shining on the day that they came out, and I feel that the paddock system and high stocking density impressed the judges. 

"It was a very good thing to do. It brings in more commercial farmers and not pedigree farmers. It gives the commercial farmer the chance to showcase what they are doing on their end of the thing."

"It's onwards and upwards from here. This gives me a bit more confidence to apply for more competitions and to push the thing on another wee bit. This is the first time I took part in the show."

Mr. Egerton is a National Sheep Association (NSA) next-generation ambassador, which consists of 12 young farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 who are selected biennially to take part in technical and personal development.