With packed rings, a new layout, prime stock and edge-of-your-seat bidding, yesterday’s Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships was one to remember for the McKenna Family from Clogher who won the Supreme Championship and Christopher McCrea from Strabane who took home the Best Butcher Pair title.
The atmosphere in the Logan Hall at the Eikon Exhibition Centre was alive with excitement and anticipation throughout the day as the esteemed judges crowned their champions from impressive line-ups of the finest commercial beef and lambs.
The undoubtable highlight came in the afternoon when all eyes were drawn to Scottish judge Stewart Dunlop as he studied the outstanding cattle that filled the ring for the Supreme Championship. As his hand fell on the superb Charolais heifer, Sadie, the crowd roared in celebration. Exhibitors and worthy winners of the RJ Allam’s Cup, the McKenna Family had quite the story to tell after their crowning moment.
Twenty-two years ago at the Allam’s Fatstock Show and Sale it was judge Stewart Dunlop’s father Hugh who awarded Declan McKenna the prestigious Championship title for another unforgettable Charolais heifer in the Alexander Hall, at the Balmoral Showgrounds in Belfast. This priceless moment in history, in addition to also winning the Bred & Fed Championship this year, made yesterday’s show an extra special one for the family.
In the evening auction they were well rewarded for their efforts as the 590KG heifer brought the auction to exciting heights in the final lot of the evening. After whispered spectators watched on with anticipation, the hammer was dramatically brought down to the unparalleled sum of £17,500 and the impeccable heifer was sold to Martin McLaughlin from Donegal.
The judge’s decision was undoubtedly made more difficult thanks to the quality of this year’s Reserve Champion; a fleshy and bright Limousin heifer exhibited by Jalex Livestock (A. Alexander & Co) from Randalstown who caught the judge’s eye straight away. Knocklayde Girl topped the scales at a mighty 714KG earlier in the day and was knocked down to Tony Morning from Letterkenny for £10,000.
And the success for Jalex Livestock didn’t stop there. In the Ulster Housewife’s Championship, Jimmy Fawcett had the unenviable task of crowning the champion and he was certainly spoilt for choice. Having closely studied the line-up, it was once again Randalstown’s Jalex Livestock who came out on top as they walked away with not only the Championship title and cup but also the Reserve title. After some deliberation between the top four animals, the 2025 Ulster Housewife’s Choice was crowned as their show-stopping British Blue named Minion. The ideal butcher’s heifer, this thick and meaty animal caused a storm in the evening sale as Thomas Jennings from Kesh acquired the eye catching 584KG heifer for a fitting sum of £8,200. Following in her prizewinning footsteps, their impressive 598KG heifer who was awarded Reserve Housewife’s Champion was sold under the hammer to Glenpark Estate who landed the striking animal with a winning bid of £4,100.
The calf section was not to be outdone and the 2025 Calf Championship proved to be one of the most hotly contested in recent years. As judge Penny Dunlop studied the finalists in the ring, it was a Limousin cross heifer calf, Knockagh Star, who captured her attention. Thanks to her preparation and excellent showing, the worthy recipient of the Duke of Bedford Perpetual Cup and Champion title this year was none other than Laura Ervine from Newtownabbey. Edging out over the competition in the sale, auctioneer Richard Beattie grounded his gavel to Charlie Beverland from Portaferry who won the bidding frenzy with £7,600.
When it came to the lambs it was excellent finishing that sealed the deal for judge Christian Wilson. He confirmed that ‘good carcass conformation and strong muscling throughout’ were exactly what he hoped to see at this year’s Championships and he got what he wanted in spades. Christopher McCrea’s mirrored pair of Commercial lambs set themselves apart from the outset and landed him the distinguished 2025 Best Butcher Pair title. In the evening auction though, it was the class judge Christian Wilson from Donegal who pipped other bidders to the post and claimed the excellent pair for £800 (£34.04/KG).
The Reserve Best Butcher Pair weren’t too far behind thanks to Stewart Ferris from Dromore’s sharp eye for detail and conditioning. His fleshy pair of Texel lambs saw frenzied bids coming from the hall and online as Jonathan Neill from Crossgar proved victorious thanks to the the leading lamb price for the day of £820 for the pair (£26.62/KG).
Another exceptional highlight from the evening auction came for the recipients of the coveted Sam Milliken Perpetual Cup for the Top Priced Animal which this year was awarded to the 2024 victors the Callaghan Family from Kilkeel. Drumroy Enterprises from Newry set tongues wagging when the 356KG Limousin heifer went up for sale to the unrivalled price of £19,000.
Reflecting at the end of the event, RUAS Group Operations Director Rhonda Geary commented, “This year’s Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships have truly been a testament to our beef and lamb sectors.
“From the shop window of the packed showing classes to the riveting evening auction, the future of Northern Ireland’s commercial sector looks exceptionally bright. We’ve always aimed to lift the profiles of our exhibitors and provide them with a stage from which to not only highlight and recognise the quality of their stock but to ensure they get a fair price for their produce.
“For our buyers, today has been a one-stop-shop to see the finest commercial stock in one place and to secure themselves local award-winning animals.
“On behalf of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, I would like to once again thank our generous sponsors and local breed societies for their support and contributions towards this year’s event. To our judges, first-class exhibitors, tireless contractors, stewards, officials and staff, the event simply wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
Full results from the 2025 Championships can be viewed online here.
