April Newsletter
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URGENT REQUEST FOR ANIMALS

Can you help us by bringing haltered Pedigree and Commercial stock, in show condition, to
Beef Expo at Dungannon on 2nd March 2010.
Please contact Charles Curran on 07732 470762 ASAP.

William McElroy seeks true love on channel FIVE

FIVE dons its wellies and flat cap and heads down to the farm to follow six single lovelorn farmers looking to find a mate as brand new Farmer Wants A Wife launches on Wednesday 16th September. This new six-part series, already a hit internationally, will be presented by Louise Redknapp. William's episode is aired on 23rd September and will feature the Ivaniskey Blonde herd in Dromara, Co. Down, the NI Blonde Cattle Club's Spring show and sale at Dungannon Farmers mart and the Royal Ulster Agricultural show at Balmoral. More pictures at www.agriimages.co.uk - Willie wants a wife.

Britain's farmers live the rural dream. They work in the fresh air and have amazing scenery right on their doorstep. But with long, sometimes lonely, working hours and only crops or animals for company, this setting offers few chances to meet Mrs Right. These farmers dream of finding someone who's country-loving and ready to share long walks, help feed the animals, drive their tractors or maybe even have a roll in the hay with…

This series will follow the cream of Britain's eligible farmers as they try to meet the woman of their dreams. In their quest to find someone to share their idyllic country life, each farmer will take their pick of a healthy crop of women who have applied via a bespoke dating website. The farmers will then whittle this harvest down to two fine fillies who will then come to stay on the farm. Potential partners will then live on the farms with their suitors for five days. Only time will tell which fair maid will win their farmer’s heart. Do they have what it takes to overcome the challenges of modern farm life? Can love blossom in the barnyards and pigsties of rural Britain?
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CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND D'AQUITAINE BREEDERS SOCIETY

(Affiliated to the Blonde d'Aquitaine Breeders Society of GB Ltd) 1 Region Covered
(a) The core region of the Club shall be the area of Northern Ireland.
(b) No division of the NI Blonde d'Aquitaine Breeders Club shall be permitted, unless it has at least 100 paid up members. For a new Club to be formed within the region, at least 25 members of the new club must reside in the proposed area, and the division shall not leave the NI Blonde dAquitaine Breeders Club with less than 50 members.
2 Objectives
(a) To promote the growth and development of the Blonde breed within the region.
(b) To arrange Club meetings for the purpose of encouraging the exchange of knowledge, information and ideas between members.
(c) To foster the interest of potential new Blonde owners and breeders and to encourage them to become members of the Blonde d'Aquitaine Breeders Society of GB.*
(d) To organise participation in agricultural shows and displays.
(e) To explore all possibilities of sales within the region.*
(f) To propose ideas and suggestions to the Blonde Society to further the breed's growth.
3 Membership
(a) Any person interested in the Blonde breed of cattle may apply for membership on payment of an annual subscription, renewable on 1st November.
(b) Any increase in the membership fee must be proposed at the Annual General Meeting and will take effect from the 1st November of the following year.
(c) Members whose subscriptions; are in arrears for three months following the due date shall have their name removed from membership and shall only be re‑admitted after being proposed and seconded at any Committee Meeting with a majority vote and upon payment of the subscription and outstanding 1% levies.*
(d) Any members may at any time retire from membership on giving notice in writing to the Secretary.
(e) No Member shall be admitted to any meeting of the Club or any of the Committees nor be entitled
to any of the privileges of membership while his or her subscriptions are in arrears.
(f) The Committee may remove any member whose conduct has been, in their opinion, derogatory to the character or prejudicial to the interests of the Club.
(g) Honorary members may be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
(h) Where one members of a household is a subscriber to the Club, then other members of the same household may without further subscription attend and participate in all Club functions, except that only subscribing members may vote on resolutions at General Meetings, or be members of the Committee of Management of the Club.
(i) 1 %* is due to Northern Ireland Blonde d'Aquitaine Breeders Club on all private sales of pedigree stock for breeding purposes.
4 Management of the Club
(a) The Club shall at each (AGM) elect from the subscribing members, a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Assistant Secretary Honorary Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, PRO's and Fieldsmen. Their term of office shall commence directly following the AGM. The retiring Office Bearers may stand for re‑election.
(b) The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee consisting of the Club Office Bearers and a number of Club members to make a total Committee of 12.
(c) The Committee shall be elected at the AGM. Any paid up subscribing member is eligible for Committee.*
(d) Casual vacancies in the Committee occurring between the AGM's may be filled by the Committee by co‑option
(e) A meeting of the Committee may be called at my time on the authority of the Chairman and Secretary, or at the request in writing of two or more members of the Committee
(f) At all meetings of the Committee, the quorum eligible to vote, shall be 8 members present in person
(g) Committee decisions will normally be settled by simple majority vote. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairman may exercise the right of a casting vote.
(h) The AGM shall where possible be held in November. Seven days before the AGM, or any Extraordinary Meeting for the purpose of passing any special resolution, notice thereof and of Business to be transacted shall be sent to every member. The business of the AGM shall be to receive and to consider accounts and reports of the officers and to deal with such other matters as may be in order. No new Club rules shall be made or existing rules altered except at any AGM or EGM. The Quorum of a General Meeting or an EGM shall be 8 members.
5 Auditing of Accounts
(a) A Board of Auditors will be appointed within the Club comprising of 2 members.
6 Funds
(a) The Club may not encroach upon or pledge the credit of the Blonde d'Aquitaine Breeders Society.
(b) The income and property of the Club whensover derived shall be applied solely to the promotion of the objectives of the Club as set forth above, and no portion thereof shall he paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividends, bonus or otherwise by way of profit to Members of the Club, provided that nothing therein shall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remunerations to any officer of servant of the Club.
7 Trophies
(a) The Assistant Honorary Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining a detailed list and description of such trophies and their approximate value, the names of donors, and the winners thereof.
(b) The trophies* to be insured against theft, loss and damage
(c) The Assistant Honorary Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of the whereabouts of trophies and obtaining a receipt for them when presented and obtaining their return not less then one calendar month before they are again required for presentation.
(d) This list of trophies and their whereabouts shall be read at the AGM.
8 The winding up of to Club
(a) If the Club shall he wound up, all the Challenge Trophies which are the property of the Club shall be
first offered back to the donors, if possible or secondly shall be handed to the Blonde d’Aquitaine Breeders Society together with any surplus funds after outstanding liabilities have been provided for.
Items proposed to be amended for next years 2009 Annual General Meeting

William McElroy, Ivaniskey Blondes, pictured with his stock bull, Doncombe Aga Khan who was awarded the Supreme Blonde Championship at Ballymena Show. Also pictured is judge Andrew Stott.

DUNGANNON SHOW & SALE
Blondes prove a big attraction to bidders

Packed judging and sale rings were evidence of the keen interest in the Northern Ireland Blonde Cattle Club Show and Sale held at Dungannon last Friday evening. The keen interest manifested itself in a complete clearance of bulls presented with an average of £1,733gns for the 9 bulls presented and 8 females averaging £1,225gns

Judge for the evening was noted Blonde breeder from Kells, Co Antrim, Mr J. J. Mawhinney who after the judging said “It was a most difficult task, given the quality and presentation of the stock”.

Highest price of the day at £2700 guineas went to Mr Norman Mc Knight of the Silverwood Herd who presented an excellent son of the noted Abricot, Silverwood Caesar and was purchased by Mr William Elliot of Armagh.

Female Champion and Overall Champion was an in calf heifer presented by the Hillhead herd of M. R. Rodgers and Son. Maidenlands Bet (pictured below) is a September ’06 Daughter of Fronfedw Scott and Maidenlands Udette, presently AI’d to Hillhead Clint.

Male champion and Reserve overall Champion went to the Diamond herd of Mr Ivan Campbell from Ardboe, Co Tyrone for Diamond Cobra. Cobra, an April ’07 bull is sired by the heavily muscled French sire Drop and out of Diamond Naomi, who is a daughter of Whistley Dollar, and was purchased by Mr P. Mc Connell, Strabane for a respectable £2500 gns.

Judge J J Mawhinney & Maecus McCollum of the Northern Bank with Darren & Ivan Campbell of the diamond herd with the reserve champion.

First in her class and Reserve Female Champion was Ivaniskey Dolly, presented by I. & R. Mc Elroy & Son, Dromara, Co. Down. Dolly is a home bred March ’08 daughter of Doncombe Aga Khan, presently at stud, and her dam is Ivaniskey Abbey. She was purchased for a top female price on the night of £1500gns by Mr M. Bradley of Castledawson.

Bulls and their prices were as follows:

2300gns: Lot No 1 – Mr M. Savage: Gledney Brian by Gledney Rock out of Gledney Oisin. Sold to Mr T. Aiken, Kesh, Co Fermanagh;

1500gns: lot No 2 – Mr J Lees: Dunarnon Chuck by Budore Vernon out of Ganaway Sophie. Sold to Mr C Mc Bride, Draperstown, Co L’Derry;

2500gns Lot No 3 – Mr Ivan Campbell: Diamond Cobra by Drop out of Diamond Naomi. Sold to Mr P. Mc Connell, Strabane, Co Tyrone;

2700gns Lot No 4 – Mr N Mc Knight: Silverwood Caesar by Abricot out of Ganaway Ophelia. Sold to – Mr Wm Elliott, Whitecross, Co Armagh;

1800gns Lot No 5 – Mr N Mc knight: Silverwood Caleb by Ashtonlodge Jet out of Silverwood Suzie. Sold to Mr R Moan, Strabane, Co Tyrone;

1700gns Lot No 7 – M.R. Rodgers & Son: Hillhead Cassidy by Sauveur out of Madden Lamtara. Sold to Mr J. Kennedy, Draperstown, Co L’Derry;

1700gns Lot No 8 – M.R. Rodgers & Son: Hillhead Cain by Sauveur out of Hillhead Sasha. Sold to Mr R Edgar, Downpatrick, Co Down;

2100gns Lot No 12 – Mr R.N.Mc Bride: Cromkill Don by Drop out of Cromkill Trish. Sold to E. Gildernew, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone;

1400gns lot No 13 – Mr R.N.Mc Bride: Cromkill Dick by Drop out of Cromkill Vera. Sold to Mr. H. Carson, Dundrod, Co Antrim;

Females

1050gns Lot No 20 – Mr C. Todd: Pinehill Carys by Whistley Dollar out of Whitefield Trudie. Sold to Mr A Johnston, Clogher, Co Tyrone;

1050gns Lot No 21 – Mr Paul Gribbin: Islandhill Diva by Glenvale Tarzan out of Droit Vanessa. Sold to Mr B. Mc Gartland, Dungannon, Co Tyrone;

1400gns Lot No 22 – H & S Griffin: Drumraymond De-De by Landais out of Budore Alena. Sold to Mr R Mc Guigan, Dungannon, Co Tyrone;

1500gns Lot No 23 – I & R Mc Elroy & Son: Ivaniskey Dolly by Doncombe Aga Khan out of Ivaniskey Abbey. Sold to M. Bradley, Castledawson;

900gns Lot No 24 – H & S Griffin: Drumraymond Dora by Landais out of Penyghent Valerie. Sold to Mr B. Mc Kernan, Tassagh, Co Armagh;

1250gns Lot No 25 – Mr Paul Gribbin: Islandhill Daisy by Fronfedw Arawn out of Ballygowan Sherry. Sold to Mr B. Mc Kernan, Tassagh, Co Armagh;

1300gns Lot No 26 – Mr D. Mc Cusker: Classic Damsel by Rubio out of Classic Tara. Sold to Mr M. Savage, Ballynahinch, Co Down;

1350gns Lot No 27 – Mr Paul Gribbin: Islandhill Dolly by Budore Bud out of Islandhill Velvet. Sold to Mr S. Savage, Ballynahinch, Co Down;

 Class Winners

Class 1 Lot No 3 – Mr Ivan Campbells Diamond Cobra

Class 2 Lot No 12 – Mr Norman Mc Brides Cromkill Don

Class 3 Lot No 17 – M. R. Rodgers & Sons’ Maidenlands Bet

Class 4 Lot No 23 – I & R. Mc Elroy & Sons’ Ivaniskey Dolly

Champions

Male Champion: Diamond Cobra; Reserve: Cromkill Don

Female Champion: Maidenlands Bet; Reserve: Ivaniskey Dolly

Overall Champion: Maidenlands Bet; Overall Reserve: Diamond Cobra

Many thanks to our sponsors the Northern Bank, represented on the night by Mr Marcus Mc Collum, Mr Wylie and Dungannon Farmers Mart for their excellent hospitality, Mr Paul Megarry and Mr Alistair Martin for their professional stewardship and last but not least Mr J.J. Mawhinney for his judging a magnificent turnout.

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Race Night

As previously advertised in the Northern Ireland Blonde Club newsletter, a great social evening was held on Friday 27th February at Receview Karting Complex in Ballymena. A massive turnout of 51 members, their friends and famies had a most enjoyable nights racing, even our secretary ventured as far as the Grand Ptrix simulator. Down on the racetrack competition was fierce for the fastest laps on the night, the McGarry brothers went neck and neck at a time. Chairman, Alistair "havcen't done it in years" Martin was never far off the mark, as was William McElroy. Sadly for Paul Gribbin, a "duff engine" was part of his problem, or so he says.

In the end, young Matthew McGarry came out on tops in 1st Place. Alan McConnell came a close 2nd, with Alistair Martin in 3rd Place. During Proceedings a magnificent buffet was served by Raceview Karting in a private viewing area.

A great night was had by all and will certainly be pencilled in to next years calendar!!

Eddie Mercer aged 2, makes good use of his Blonde Umbrella during the winter spell of weather in Dromara, Co Down.

‘Islandhill and Ivaniskey Blondes come out tops in the NI. Blonde Cattle Clubs herd competition’

The NI Blonde cattle club, have recently held their Pedigree Blonde herd competition in conjunction with the British Blonde Society and Corby Rock Ltd who have kindly sponsored the event.

This year Judging was in the capable hands of Mr. David Skinner of the Allacott Blonde Herd, Devon. David, who is currently the Chairman of the South West Blonde Club, and no stranger to the show ring, winning many championships at local shows through out England. David commented on the quality of stock, that he had seen during his visit in Northern Ireland and said it had been a real pleasure to judge what he described as outstanding quality stock, that were a real credit to the breeders.

'Judge Mr David Skinner with club chairman Kenny Archer discussing the 2008 Herd Competition'

During July David travelled over 400 miles thought-out NI to pick the best large herd and the Best small herd, Best Stock Bull and Best Maiden Heifer. This year the NI club also introduced three New cups. Chairman Kenny Archer of Farlough Blondes, put forward a cup for the Best Maiden Heifer, The Gibson Family of Ballygowan Blondes put a cup up for the Best Stock bull and I & R McElroy & Son, Ivaniskey Blondes put a cup up for the best Cow with Calf at foot.

The Results of the competition are as follows;

Large Herd;

1 st Islandhill Blondes - Paul Gribbin and Family, Toomebridge.

2 nd Budore Blondes – Paul McGarry & Family, Dundrod

3 rd Hillhead Blondes – Geoffrey Rodgers, Ballynahinch.

Small Herd :

1 St Ivaniskey Blondes – I & R McElroy Dromara,

2 nd Shanvally Blondes - Savage Brothers, Ballynahinch.

3 rd Corrmullagh Blondes - L & J McCorry, Bellaghy.

Best Stock bull : Ivaniskey Blondes, I & R McElroy & Son, Dromara with Doncombe Aga Khan,

Best Cow with Calf : Budore Blondes, Paul McGarry & Family Crumlin with Budore Annie and her Calf Doris

Best MaidenHeifer: Ivaniskey Blondes, I & R McElroy & Son Dromara with Ivaniskey Bubbles

The Islandhill Blonde herd was established just three years ago and is located between the villages of Toome and Castledawson, and is owned by Paul Gribbin and Family. Paul’s first cows and calves were purchased from the Ballygowan herd belonging to Robert Gibson, Ballygowan. At present the Islandhill herd consists of twenty-two pedigree cows with calves at foot and Eight maiden heifers. Stock bull is Budore Bud, a son of Budore Utah who was purchased from Paul McGarry Dundrod, and thirty commercials. Bub is also run with thirty commercial cows. The Gribbin family have had great success during their first year of showing, winning the Supreme Blonde Championship at Dungannon mart Spring Show and Sale with Islandhill Barney going on to take two Reserve Championship at Ballymena and Antrim show with Islandhill Cowboy both home bred bulls. The Islandhill herd has been awarded the ‘NI Best Large Blonde Herd 2008’.

'Paul Gribbin receives the award for the Best Large Herd, from the Blonde Club Chairman, Kenny Archer'

The Ivaniskey Blonde herd is located near the Village of Dromara and is owned by Ivan Ruth and William McElroy. The Herd was established in 1996 and got its name from the Town land of Tullyniskey. The herd consists of 10 pedigree cows with calves at foot, heifers, stock bull Doncombe Aga Khan and commercials. Over the past ten years Ivaniskey Blondes have taken many championship, these include, The Show Herd of the year from 2002 – 2006. Perth Champion, Carlisle Champion, Dungannon Champion, the NISA Beef cow, RUAS Supreme Blonde champion, in 2003, 04, and 07, Reserve champion 06 and 08 and Male champion in 05 and 08, best small herd in the UK in 04/05, plus many Interbreed Championships at local shows.

All these championships have been won by home bred stock, except for the past year and a half when they have taken RUAS Reserve Interbreed beef Champion and other interbreed championships at local shows with their new stock bull Doncombe Aga Khan. Aga Khan was purchased at Borderway Mart, Carlisle from David Knight, of the Doncombe herd Bristol. His first crops of calves are now on the ground and are showing great potential. Doncombe Aga Khan has been awarded the ‘NI Best Blonde Stock Bull 2008’. A two year old homebred heifer, Ivaniskey Bubbles has also taken the ‘NI Best Blonde Maiden Heifer 2008 and the Ivaniskey herd has been awarded the title of ‘NI Best Small Blonde Herd 2008’. Semen from their Stock Bull Doncombe Aga Khan will be available soon.

'Ruth & Ivan McElroy with their grandchildren, Casey Miniss and Eddie Mercer, receiving the award for the Best Small herd from the NI Blonde Club Chairman, Kenny Archer'

The Best Stock bull was awarded to Ivaniskey Blondes with their Stock bull Doncombe Aga Khan, Presenting the Ballygowan Perpetual Cup is Alistair Martin, Secretary (right) to Ivan and William McElroy.

Best Maiden heifer went to Ivaniskey Bubbles, Presenting the Farlough Blonde Perpetual Challenge Cup to Ivan and William McElroy is Kenny Archer of The Farlough Blonde herd

The Budore Blonde herd of Paul McGarry and Family, Dundrod was awarded the NI Best Cow with Calf at foot. Budore Annie and her Calf Doris were awarded Reserve Blonde Champion at Armagh show this year. Annie was born in 2005 and is sired by Whistley Dollar and out of Budore Ruby. Her Calf Doris is sired by a home bred bull Budore Boris.

Best Cow with Calf at foot went to Budore Annie and her calf Doris. Presenting the Ivaniskey Perpetual Challenge Cup is Ivan McElroy to Paul and Eamon McGarry of Budore Blondes

These herds will now compete for the ‘Best Large Herd, Best Small herd, Best Stock Bull and Best Maiden Heifer in the UK’ which will take place on Monday 18 th August 2008. Judging the finals will be Mr. R Davies, Wales, winner of the best large herd and Best overall herd in the UK 2006, and Mr. D Grant from Aberdeenshire, Winner of the best small herd in the UK in 2006. The Club would like to thank Corby Rock Ltd for their generous sponsorship and wish the finalist every success in the finals of the Overall British Blonde herd competition.

Cups

The Turtles of Rathkenny Perpetual Shield for the Best Large Herd- Paul Gribbon and Family

The Turtles of Rathkenny Perpetual Shield for the Best Small Herd - Ivaniskey Blondes, I & R McElroy & Son

The Ballygowan Blonde Perpetual Cup for the Best Stock Bull - Ivaniskey Blondes, I & R McElroy & Son.

The IvaniskeyPerpetual Cup for the Best Cow with Calf at Foot - Budore Blondes, Paul McGarry & Family Crumlin with Budore Annie and her Calf Dorris

The Farlough Perpetual Cup for the Best Maiden Heifer- Ivaniskey Blondes, I & R McElroy & Son

Lurgan Show 7th June

Ivaniskey Blondes exhibited the Supreme Champion and overall Interbreed Champion at Lurgan Show with their stock Bull Doncombe Aga Khan. Pictured at the halter is William McElroy and Judge Mr Brian King, Ballymena.

‘Blondes’ the ‘Perfect End’ to the Winter Blues 

With spring on its way, many farmers across the country will be getting ready to make the important decision of selecting a terminal sire for their herd. Therefore it is essential to purchase a bull that will increase the profitability, produce progeny that suits our ever changing market and a breed that continues to stay in demand.

So whether you are a farmer with a few acres, a few cows and a full time job or whether farming is your full time occupation, Blondes have several advantages to increase profitability of your herd.

Well known butcher Fred McCauley of Main Street Rathfriland, recently purchased the champion Blonde animal at Hilltown livestock marts, Christmas Show and Sale which sold for £880. The animal was bred by local farmer Patrick Lively and was sire by a well-known blonde bull, Whitefield leader. The animal weighed in at 660 kilos and realised a kill out percentage of 63%.

Fred McCauleys butchers are known through out the area for the quality and service that they provide to their customers. Fred commented that he has been trading for a number of years now and was experiencing steady growth in the business year on year. He said we provide our customers with a top quality service therefore we require top quality beef that we know will satisfy them, that’s why we ‘Prefer Blondes’.

The Blonde animal continues to prove successful for our butchers shop, the fact that blonde beef is know for its tenderness, means that we don’t need to hang the blonde carcasses as long as those of other major beef breeds. For us this means we have a quicker turn around which saves both time and money allowing us to sell top quality blonde cuts to our customers at the best possible price, and offer the

farmer a better price for his animal. The blonde breed is also low in fat and trials conducted with crossbreed’s confirm that, in spite of a lower proportion of intra-muscular fat, the meat of Blonde progeny can be distinguished from that of any other continental crosses by its tenderness as analysed by sensors. Consumers may therefore be assured that although Blonde beef is lean, but at the same time it is very delicious and succulent. In addition to this, Blonde beef has other plus features that satisfy the current increasing interest in healthy lean meat which is also low in cholesterol.

Studies have shown that the Blondes outstanding conformation and ability to produce good quality carcasses, that contain more meat, a higher meat to bone ratio, and extra meat in higher priced cuts compared greatly to other breeds, when crossed with a variety of dams. Blondes have the advantage lower back fat levels, which are lower than those of the other major beef breeds. Testing has shown that blondes achieve better eye muscle area than other breeds, which mean much more meat and less waste. Therefore a Blonde terminal sire will consistently produced progeny which will be amongst the highest carcasses weights, the carcasses will also be fine boned, and will produce exceptionally good conformation resulting in a high kill out of around 60 -70%. The combined effects of carcass weight and the grading resulted in differences of up to £50 gain per animal slaughtered from progeny of the blonde compared to other terminal sires. ‘When today’s markets demand quality and efficiency, choosing a ‘BLONDE ‘will make a significant difference’

‘So for the perfect Christmas, with quality and choice make Fred McCauley’s your number one choice.’

The NI Blonde Cattle Club would like to wish all its members, Sponsors and anyone else who has supported the club during the year ‘A Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year’
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