A Charolais Year to remember
Show successes locally and in GB along with many commercial successes gave the Charolais breed a year to remember in 2007,Doris Leeman, Secretary of the Northern
Ireland Charolais Club told the members in her Secretary’s report at the annual general meeting.
The report noted that the breed began the year with a Perth supreme champion and a record price for a Northern Ireland bull at the event when John McMordie sold Solitude Attaboy for 32,000gns.
Gary Henderson took the Interbreed beef performance competition at Balmoral and a consortium of Co.Tyrone breeders took the breed championship, at the Highland Show with Martin Donaghy, Gregory Donnelly and Sean McGovern carrying of this award with Ashleigh Victor. Libby Clarke and husband, Gordon flew the flag in the female section at the Highland taking the reserve female championship.
Back home the Charolais females again played their part with Andrew Clyde taking both the NISA/ Ulster Bank Beef Cow Championship and the reserve award.Northern Ireland bulls were again to the fore at Perth in October when Stuart and David Bothwell took the breed championship with Killadeas Barney.
From a financial point of view the year was again a success with generous sponsorship for shows and sales, the Dectomax competition and the NI National Charolais Show at Fintona.
The election of new committee members resulted in the following being elected – John Brown, Clogher; Sandra Cochrane, Gilford and David Bothwell, Ballinamallard..
Club Chairman, John McGrath thanked the committee for their support throughout the year and pointed out that it is the members that ensure a successful club. The Charolais members had taken the time to show their cattle at the various events and to help with the organisation of them and this had resulted in a bumper year.
The evening concluded with entertainment from Terence McKeag