The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) proudly hosted the highly anticipated Beef, Sheep, and Dairy Stock Judging competition finals on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, at the College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus. Sponsored by Fane Valley, the event marked a significant highlight in the YFCU Calendar and delivered an exceptional experience for all participants.
The journey towards the 2023 finals began in April, with county heats held across Northern Ireland. These heats witnessed the participation of over 1000 entries, showcasing the enthusiasm and dedication of the Young Farmers. Following the rigorous selection process, a total of 373 members were invited to take part in the Northern Ireland finals.
On the day of the finals, a panel of 18 expert judges, consisting of six judges for each category of beef, sheep, and dairy, arrived at the venue. Their responsibility was to meticulously select, mark, and assess nine animals in each competition. The YFCU finalists then proceeded to assess the animals independently before engaging with judges in their respective age categories to discuss their answers and reasoning.
YFCU President, Stuart Mills, commended the participants for their exceptional performance and unwavering commitment throughout the competition. He expressed his admiration, stating, "The YFCU Stock Judging finals have once again showcased the outstanding abilities of our Young Farmers. Their dedication, knowledge, and practical skills demonstrated during this event are truly commendable. It is inspiring to witness the level of passion and expertise they bring to the agricultural sector."
Fane Valley, based in Northern Ireland, has established itself as a leading agricultural and food processing enterprise in Ireland. With a focus on innovation and progress. They have diversified their operations to encompass various sectors within the industry. It is involved in animal feed manufacturing, providing essential agricultural supplies, livestock identification services, and offering agronomy and forage solutions.
Niall McCool, Fane Valley Group Communications & Marketing Manager, commented “Fane Valley is delighted to continue sponsorship as Lead Sponsor to Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster ‘Stock Judging’ Competition, which has taken place across the County Heats this year and then unto the popular Final’s Day. We are excited to be associated and engage with the many Young Farmers across Northern Ireland. Fane Valley can relate to the effort, commitment, and the importance of the Stock Judging competition and we are happy that we can partner with YFCU to showcase this wonderful competition as it goes from strength to strength.”
As a significant part of the YFCU competition year, the Stock Judging Competitions depend on support from a wide range of stakeholders. YFCU would first like to extend our sincere thanks to Fane Valley for their continued sponsorship and support of this important competition. The Organisation would also like to thank the judges who attended both the heats and finals, many of whom served multiple competitions and travelled great distances to offer their expertise and valuable time. Finally, thanks must be extended to CAFRE, Greenmount Campus for their support and work in planning this event with YFCU staff and facilitating the finals evening, as well as each of the farms and Livestock Marts which hosted the county heats.
Beef
12-14
1st- Zara Morton, Mountnorris YFC
2nd- Katie Coulter, Ballywalter YFC
3rd- Sophie McCabe, Spa YFC
14-16
1st- Jack Wilson, Collone YFC
2nd- Clarke Balfour, Lisbellaw YFC
3rd- Robbie Douglas, Spa YFC
16-18
1st- Charlie Henderson, Trillick & District YFC
2nd- James Morrison, Lisbellaw YFC
3rd- Molly Acheson, Coleraine YFC
18-21
1st- Ryan Erskine, Gleno Valley YFC
2nd- Craig Robson, Holestone YFC
3rd- Jamie McCutcheon, Trillick & District YFC
21-25
1st- Jack Wilson, Lisbellaw YFC
2nd- Callum Nelson, Ballywalter YFC
3rd- James Scroggie, Collone YFC
25-30
1st- Cathy Holmes, Curragh YFC
2nd- Iain Wilson, Gleno Valley YFC
3rd- Lynsay Hawkes, Seskinore YFC
Sheep
12-14
1st- Oliver Patton, Ballywalter YFC
2nd- Angus McCullough, Lisnamurrican YFC
3rd- Jasmine Foot, Rathfriland YFC
14-16
1st- James Coulter, Ballywalter YFC
2nd- Justin Ross, Gleno Valley YFC
3rd- Ollie Boyd, Garvagh YFC
16-18
1st- Lucy Morton, Bleary YFC
2nd- Jamie Holmes, Garvagh YFC
3rd- Anna Taylor, Coleraine YFC
18-21
1st- Zara Preston, Cappagh YFC
2nd- Victoria Currie, Kilraughts YFC
3rd- Karen Gilmore, Killinchy YFC
21-25
1st- James Fullerton, Kells & Connor YFC
2nd- Claire Adams, Lisanmurrican YFC
2nd-James Millsopp, Garvagh
3rd- Hannah Shaw, Spa YFC
25-30
1st- Cathy Holmes, Curragh YFC
2nd- Rachel McCracken Ballywalter YFC
3rd- Iain Wilson, Gleno Valley YFC
Dairy
12-14
1st- David Hamilton, Donaghadee YFC
2nd-Oliver Patton, Ballywalter YFC
3rd- Katie-Rose Wallace, Crumlin YFC
14-16
1st- Laura Neill, Collone YFC
2nd- James Gregg, Glarryford YFC
3rd- Lexie Hayes, Glarryford YFC
16-18
1st- Deon Fleming, Glarryford YFC
2nd- Eimear Kelly, Randalstown YFC
3rd- John Hamilton, Donaghadee YFC
18-21
1st- Ailsa Fleming, Spa YFC
2nd- Jack Shanks, Lylehill YFC
3rd- Jamie McKelvey, Clanabogan YFC
21-25
1st- James Scroggie, Collone YFC
2nd- Callum Nelson, Ballywalter YFC
3rd- Philip Beattie, Finvoy YFC
25-30
1st- Robert Stewart, Ballywalter YFC
2nd- Richard Beattie, Finvoy YFC
3rd- Shannen Vance, Trillick & District YFC