2009 Herd Competition

ZARA WINS BLUES BOTANIC HERD OF THE YEAR COMPETION

Zara Chestnutt has topped the NI Blue Cattle Club Botanic Herd of the Year competition 2009 with her much admired Clougher Herd at Bushmills, Co Antrim.

The Botanic Reserve Herd of the Year award going to Andrew Craig, Woodview Blues, Coleraine.

Zara founded the Clougher Herd in 2002 with a cow bought as a present by her father, Victor, at a dispersal sale in Kilrea mart by Richard Foster of Limavady.
Costing 3,200gns in calf this cow has been the basis of Zara’s on-going success starting with a first bull sold at 9000gns in Carlisle. Clearly the advice of family friend Sam Milliken back in 2002 to ‘buy that cow’ was sound, as no further stock has been purchased.

Over this past seven years Zara’s Blues have been frequent winners at Balmoral and Antrim, indeed taking the Castlewellan Show Championship six times. Castlewellan being one of the largest shows for British Blues in the UK.

The overall Herd of the Year results were;

Small herd 1. Jim Sloan, Ballygrange, Kilkeel, 2. James Annett, Snowy Ridge, Kilkeel, 3. Jason and Jennifer Edgar, Ballyhossett, Downpatrick.

Medium herd 1. Zara Chestnutt, Clougher, Bushmills, 2. Jack Morrison & Son, Chatham, Ballymoney, 3. Mel Lucas, Lukeroyal, Antrim.

Large herd 1. Andrew Craig, Woodview, Coleraine, 2. Jim Ervine, Knockagh, Newtownabbey.

Best cow 1. Basil Doherty, Greenfield, Kircubbin, 2. Mel Lucas, 3. Alan Cleland, Ballee, Downpatrick.

Best heifer 1. Zara Chestnutt, 2. Jim Ervine, 3. Andrew Craig.

Best bull 1. Jason and Jennifer Edgar, Ballyhossett 2. Ivan and Corrina Gordon, Springbank, Kilkeel 3. Andrew Craig, Woodview.

Judge Graham Brindley of the famous Bringlee British Blues Herd, Market Drayton, Shropshire praising not only the standard of stock, but also the high standard of stockmanship.
“To see so many young people involved in breeding excellent examples of the nation’s premier terminal sire beef breed is most encouraging with Zara Chestnutt a worthy overall winner, “ commented Graham, know to many Ulster Blue breeders for his warm hospitality.

Harold McKee of Kilkeel as NI Blue Cattle Club secretary noting that,
“Northern Ireland is an expanding centre of excellence for British Blue cattle breeding so sponsorship for our herd competition from Botanic International, manufacturers of herbal skincare products and creams for the treatment of skin conditions and injuries is appreciated.
“Likewise it is a pleasure to welcome Graham Brindley, one of our foremost British Blue cattle breeders, to the province as judge.”

Jim Sloan, Small Herd winner of the NI British Blue Herds competition, with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch, Botanica and Harold McKee, sec of the NI club, at the awards presentation evening held at Martins’ farm Newtownards.

David Chestnutt, representing his sister Zara, winner of the medium herd of the NI British Blue Herds competition with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch of Botanica and Harold McKee sec of the NI club at the awards presentation evening held at Martin Brothers’ farm, Newtownards, C Down.

Andrew Craig, Coleraine winner of the large herd is represented by his children Reanna and Robert at the NI British Blue Herds competition with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch, Botanica and Harold McKee sec of the NI club at the awards presentation evening held at Martin Brothers’ farm Newtownards.

Basil Doherty, winner of the best cow at the NI British Blue Herds competition, with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch, Botanica and Harold McKee sec of the NI club at the awards presentation evening held at James Martin's farm Newtownards.

Basil Doherty, winner of the best cow at the NI British Blue Herds competition with Judge Graham Brindley sponsor Michael Lynch, Botanica and Harold McKee sec of the NI club at the awards presentation evening held at James Martin's farm Newtownards

Jason Edgar, winner of the best bull at the NI British Blue Herds competition, with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch, Botanica and Ivan Gordon, vice chairman of the NI club, at the awards presentation evening held at James and Thomas Martin’s farm, Newtownards, Co Down

Overall winner of the herds competition was Zara Chestnutt from Bushmills, represented by her brother David, at the NI British Blue Herds competition with Judge Graham Brindley, sponsor Michael Lynch, Botanica and Harold McKee, sec of the NI club at the awards presentation evening held at James and Thomas Martin's farm forenenst Newtownards, Co Down.

Pics: Kevin McAuley Photography/Multimedia

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