Pedigree to fore at presentation of RDS Champion of Champion awards

EXCELLENCE in pedigree cattle production was recognised at the presentation of the RDS Champion of Champion awards in Dublin.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith presented the awards with RDS president Dr Tony Scott.

The Irish Angus Society Award nominee was Kevin Diffley, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, with Clooncolligan Daffodil, All Ireland senior female champion and Supreme All Ireland Angus Champion at Strokestown show.

Tom Reynolds, also Carrick-on-Shannon, won the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association Award for his stunning four-month-old heifer, Knochadrinan Bell J460, winner of the AA All Ireland at Clogher Valley Show, as well as at the Tullamore Show.

Irish Belgian Blue Cattle Society Award recipient was David Pearson, Ballacolla, Co Laois, for Boherard Captain, winner at Athlone, Tullamore, Tinahely and other shows.

The Irish Charolais Award winner was Annmarie Butler, of Cashel, Co Tipperary, with Cottage Devon, senior male calf champion at the 2009 National Charolais Show.

Brian and Ruth Clarke, Kells, Co Meath, were the Irish Hereford Cattle Society Award winners for Church Hill Henry.

The Irish Holstein Friesian Award winners were John and Sheila Barrett, Togher, Co Cork, for Laurelmore Ruben Sassy, who was unbeaten when shown in 2009.

Garrett and Lyndsey Behan, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, won the Irish Simmental Cattle Society award with their senior bull, Bawney T-Rex, overall champion in the breed at the national livestock show in Tullamore.

John and Stephen Lynch of Ballinalee, Co Longford, were the Irish Limousin Cattle Society Award winners with Ballinascraw Classic.

Dublin man David Wall received the Suckler Beef Value (SBV) award for his Simmental cow, Raceview Merle Beauty.

Winners of the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) award were Tom and Maureen Horan, Ballyhooley, Co Cork, with Ballybrook Beauty Manfred.

Each breed champion of champions received a cheque for €1,000, RDS silver medal and RDS Spring Show trophy. The EBI and SBV award winners each received a RDS silver medal and a cheque for €500.