2012 NI Beef Expo

The British Blue Cattle Society was represented in Dungannon at the NBA Expo 2012 by the NI Blue Cattle Club. The event was supported by many of the Club Members with animals kindly on display by Andrew Craig from Coleraine, Jason Edgar from Downpatrick and Simon Loughery from Limavady.

Andrew provided a 5 year old cow Woodview Britney, Simon brought his 3 year old bull Ballygrange Dalton and Jason attended with two 8 month old calves Ballyhossett Glyn and Ballyhossett Gem.

Woodview Britney

Ballygrange Dalton

These animals are some of the best from the N.Ireland Blue stock.

Numerous people stepped into the pens to have a closer view, an indication of how the temperament of this breed is renowned.

All animals enjoyed the attention from the visitors and made their first television appearance thanks to BBC NI rural affairs correspondence Martin Cassidy.

It was a perfect location to promote the Breed as many conversions were taking place while leaning on the rails looking and admiring the animals. A popular topic was the price of Blue drop calves. This is not surprising when throughout Northern Ireland; many markets are experiencing top prices for Blue crossbred calves. Ballymena market has recorded top prices for blue cross calves on a regular basis where prices have reached £450 for heifers and £415 for bulls.

Johnny Young from Ballynahinch was quoted as saying the “Beef calves from Holstein cows served by Blue Bulls are the best calves from dairy cattle”. Peter McDonnell, a dairy farmer from Portaferry with a blue bull says he “is delighted with all the calves and has found the calving easy”. These are good testaments from local farmers.

The recently issued Herd Year Books for 2012 were much sought after by visitors at the stand. These are available from the NI Blue Club Secretary Libby Young 07740511475 or email:libbynibcc@btinternet.com.

NI Blue Cattle Club Spring Show and Export Sale are on Saturday 31^st March 2012 at The Pedigree Sales Arena in Moira. Catalogues are available from TAAFFE Auctions 00353 41 9881288