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Thompsons Feeding Innovation, Belfast (2025)

12/08/2025

⭐️ 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 ⭐️

🐑 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝒆𝒅 - Export Show & Sale
Saturday 23rd August
📍Ballymena Mart

🏆Show 10am
🔨Sale 1pm

Full catalogue ➡️https://harrisonandhetherington.co.uk/workspace/pdfs/ladies-in-red-v2-ballymena.pdf

Sold in conjunction with Ballymena Livestock Market

📱Online Bidding via MartEye - just search Ballymena Livestock Market

**𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟰𝗵𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲**

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For more information please contact our pedigree office -
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02/08/2025

If you missed today's Farming Life, here's your final line up from last Saturday's Antrim Show when the Champion of the Thompsons/Northern Ireland Shows Association - NISA Dairy Cow Championship was selected by judge Lynden Bustard. For the full de-brief, read below 👍👇

Exhibitor Bred 5th Calver Crowned Champion

Narrowly beaten into second place in 2024, Potterswalls Bontino Dawn was not going to be the Bridesmaid this year, as Canadian born judge, Lynden Bustard said she was the cow he would take home first.
With favourable weather for showing cows, Antrim Show 2025, in the beautiful setting of Shane’s Castle, provided the perfect stage to show off the Thompsons/NISA final line up of cows and heifers. Having secured their place at one of the seven local agricultural shows, judge Lynden highlighted how difficult it is to keep a cow in show condition. Now based in Devon, Lynden said it was an absolute pleasure to be asked to judge the Thompsons’ final.

“It is an absolute treat especially when you have a show that involves the best of the best. Exhibitors have been working hard to try to get here, a lot of hard labour, hoping and crossing fingers. Some of these cows qualified a couple of months ago, and it isn’t easy keeping these cows in show condition.”

Junior Champions

Lynden thanked the eager crowd for bearing with him as he tapped out his final placings.
Judging the Junior Championship first, Lynden picked out Slatabogie Lambda Flower ET VG88 a two-year-old heifer that qualified at Armagh Show for Alan and Leanne Paul, she was calved in November and is now producing 37kgs at 4.2% BF and 3.3% Protein. Lynden said she was, “a beautiful balanced heifer with a great udder. She has good length and great style when she moves. Good feet and legs.”

The Reserve Junior Champion spot was then filled by Priestland 7157 Legend Lila Z VG88, owned jointly by Mark Henry, Andrew Kennedy and Rory Timlin. Calved in October, she is now producing 40kgs at 4% BF and 3.02% Protein, the judge commented that she was a heifer with “Tonnes of style and power up through the front end, good spring of rib. Power right the way through from head to tail. Nice udder with a smoother fore udder attachment compared to the third placed heifer.”

Overall Champions

Following his final placings in the Junior Championship, Lynden moved onto the Overall Dairy Cow Championship and said he placed his top six in the order he would like to take them home. “Starting off with this great Jersey cow in first place. I don’t know what more you would say about a dairy cow – this one, ticks all the boxes for me. Hard top that runs up hill, beautiful rib, level rump. Great udder after five calves. I don’t think you could want any more in an udder, and that is why I am awarding her best udder of the show as well. I’m giving her the advantage for her maturity and the length of time she has been calved.” Potterswalls Bontino Dawn EX96, bred and shown by the Fleming family from Seaforde, County Down, she is a fifth generation from a long line of excellent cows, but has herself won the dairy cow championship in 2023 and was reserve in 2024. Qualifying this year at Lurgan Show, she is currently producing 31kgs of milk at 6.2% BF and 4.2% Protein.

The reserve spot was filled by the third calver Bovevagh Natalie EX91 (ASR), owned jointly by Andrew Kennedy, Mark Henry, Derek and Jennifer Glenn. Calved in March, she is currently producing 12,600 litres, giving 50kgs at 5.55% butterfat and 3.65% protein. Lynden said, “Lovely white cow in second place. A great young cow and I think we are going to be seeing a lot more of her around the shows in future. Super udder, lovely spring of rib and a little bit more size, depth and power than the cow in third place.”

The second Reserve Champion, was a fourth lactation cow, calved in January, currently giving 49kgs at 4.44% BF and 3.48% Protein, Aliann Pepper Lila Z EX94, was brought forward by Alan and Leanne Paul. Qualifying at Ballymena Show, she is from the famous Lila Z cow family and Lynden said, “Beautifully balanced cow, great top, super udder and a little bit style, openness of rib, and dairy condition compared to the cow in fourth place.”

Damm Impression Beth 2 EX92, a third lactation cow presented by George and David Simpson, was pulled in fourth in the final line up. Having received her qualification at Armagh Show, she was also presented with the ‘Best Udder’ and Hon Mention Interbreed Champion at Emerald Expo in 2025. The judge said, “She is a cow that piece by piece I admire, but she could do with just a little bit more style. She is a real correct cow and treks a little nicer than the black cow in fifth.”

Lynden said that fifth over sixth were close placings but pulled in Clive and Joel Richardson’s Annaghmore Royal I Lynne EX92 5th, saying she had a little more “dairyness, venation in the udder and probably feminity, over the lovely white cow in sixth place.”

The final sixth place spot was filled by Noel and Daniel Willis and George and Jason Booth’s, Baldonnel Silvia EX94, a fourth calver that had come forward from being the Holstein Champion at Antrim Show that day. Having calved in May, she is now giving 46kgs.

Thank you
Thompsons would like to thank all the exhibitors for the time, effort and stockmanship they have shown throughout this year’s championship, both at the final and through the qualifying rounds. Without their hard work and dedication in bringing their cows to locals shows and then the final, the competition would not enjoy the success and prestige that it does. In recognition of this hard work, all cows presented at the final will be rewarded with a voucher for Thompsons’ feed.

And a final word from Lynden Bustard, a highly respected dairy judge, who did a super job of reviewing and placing the cows in the final. “Thank You everybody for bearing with me. I hope you agree with my placings. I guess the judge is always right as they say. It has been an honour and a privilege. Two fantastic classes of cows, and something that Northern Ireland should be proud of. Thank You!”

No Lynden, Thank You!!

Photos;

• The Junior Champion Slatabogie Lambda Flower ET VG88, is held by Rachel Corley, while Thompsons’ Jonathan McCaughan congratulates the Paul family - Leanne, Alan, Arianna, Jamie, Dylan and Cody.
• The Reserve Junior Champion, Priestland 7157 Legend Lila Z VG88, owned jointly by Mark Henry, Andrew Kennedy and Rory Timlin is pictured with Andrew and Thompsons’ Richard Moore.

• Champion Dairy Cow is Potterswalls Bontino Dawn EX96, bred and shown by the Fleming family, with Lindsay on the halter.
• Thompsons’ Richard Moore congratulates the Reserve Champion the third calver Bovevagh Natalie EX91 (ASR), owned jointly and pictured with Andrew Kennedy, Mark Henry, Derek and Jennifer Glenn and their son Jacob.
• The second Reserve Champion was , Aliann Pepper Lila Z EX94 with Steve McLoughlin at the halter, Leanne and Cody Paul and Thompsons’ Richard Moore.
• Thompsons’ Richard Moore congratulates the 4th place cow owned by David and Rebekah Simpson with son Jack and new daughter Beth, and shown by Leiza Montgomery.
• Clive and Joel Richardson’s Annaghmore Royal I Lynne EX92 was placed 5th and was shown by Josh Ebron and congratulated by Thompsons’ Jonathan McCaughan.
• 6th place cow was filled by Noel and Daniel Willis and George and Jason Booth’s, Baldonnel Silvia EX94. Thompsons’ Richard Moore congratulates Jason with children Emily and Alfie-James, Daniel Willis was on the halter and Megan Matthews and Emma Moore join in the celebrations for Thompsons.

01/08/2025

If you have been following our coverage of the Thompsons/Northern Ireland Shows Association - NISA Dairy Cow Championship every week in the Farming Life, then you won't want to miss tomorrow's copy, but for now here's a few memories from last Saturday's Antrim Show 😎💪

Thanks again to Jessica Hall Photography for capturing these magic moments 😀👍

26/07/2025

Thanks to Jessica for capturing another super day at Antrim Show for the final of the Thompsons/NISA Dairy Cow Championship. Well done to everyone that competed and of course a huge congratulations to our Champions 🙌☺️ more info and all the results to follow 😉

25/07/2025

There's only one more sleep left, or if you are exhibiting at tomorrow's Antrim Show, 'sleep' is probably not going to be high on the tick list before the gate's open to Shane's Castle for their annual show!

We are looking forward to welcoming our finalists to the dairy ring for a 2.30pm (sharp) start, when our Canadian-born Judge, Mr Lynden Bustard, who now lives in Devon, England, will start viewing his final line up. No stranger to dairy breeders in Northern Ireland, Lynden regularly travels to the Province to classify cows in his role as Classification Manager with Holstein UK.

He is very much looking forward to seeing some great cows in the dairy ring at Antrim, and adding the Thompsons/NISA Dairy Cow Championship, to his long list of international judging engagements. Assisting Lynden in the ring at Antrim will be ring steward, Mark Logan, while Michael Taaffe will provide a running commentary on proceedings.

Thompsons are offering a generous sponsorship fund again for this year’s competition. The Dairy Cow Champion will be presented with the Thompsons Perpetual Shield. Prize money and rosettes will be awarded to the top six placed senior cows, the top two junior cows, the highest-placed Exhibitor-bred animal, and the Best Udder winners, as selected by the Judge. Because qualifying for the Final is a great achievement in itself, each cow exhibited at the Final will also receive an attendance prize comprising a £50 Thompsons feed voucher.

Thompsons would like to wish all exhibitors and qualifying cows every success for tomorrow's Final, and we hope it will be an enjoyable and rewarding day for all involved.

19/07/2025

Dairy Cow Championship Update;

Today we will have qualified another four cows and two junior cows at Castlewellan Show and Limavady Agricultural Show 💪 Well done!

And if you missed today's Farming Life, here's an update on all those that have already qualified and will be limbering up for the final of all finals at Antrim Show next Saturday 👇

BEST-OF-THE-BEST COMPETE FOR TOP DAIRY HONOURS

The most hotly anticipated dairy showdown of the year is almost here!

The Final of the 2025 Thompsons/Northern Ireland Shows Association Dairy Cow Championship takes place next Saturday (26th July) at Antrim Show, in the picturesque grounds of Shane's Castle, just outside the town.

These past weeks have seen breeders from across the country investing much time and effort, ensuring the cream of Northern Ireland’s dairy cows are in prime condition for the showring. These cows have battled it out at the local shows for a place in this year’s Dairy Cow Final, and with some shows boasting record entries, competition in the dairy ring has often been heated. The 2025 line-up is almost complete, with the last remaining qualifying places up for grabs today at Castlewellan Show and Limavady Show, and next week at Antrim Show, prior to the Final. All eyes will be on the Finalists as they line up to compete for the prestigious title of ‘Thompsons’/NISA Dairy Cow of the Year 2025’.

Three cows have qualified for the Final from each of the qualifying shows. The line-up this year includes many show-winning cows, with a number of world-renowned cow families and top dairy herds represented. Some of the qualifying cows have appeared in previous Finals, so the dairy ring at Antrim will be a familiar sight, while for others it will be their first appearance at this prestigious event. Building on the success of last year’s competition, the 2025 Final line-up will include some of the top milking heifers from around the Province, who will be competing for the Junior Champion prize.

Judging the Final this year is Canadian-born exhibitor Mr Lynden Bustard, who now lives in Devon, England. No stranger to dairy breeders in Northern Ireland, Lynden regularly travels to the Province to classify cows in his role as Classification Manager with Holstein UK. He is very much looking forward to seeing some great cows in the dairy ring at Antrim, and adding the Thompsons/NISA Dairy Cow Championship to his long list of international judging engagements. Assisting Lynden in the ring at Antrim will be ring steward, Mark Logan, while Michael Taaffe will provide a running commentary on proceedings.

Thompsons are offering a generous sponsorship fund again for this year’s competition. The Dairy Cow Champion will be presented with the Thompsons' Perpetual Shield. Prize money and rosettes will be awarded to the top six placed senior cows, the top two junior cows, the highest-placed Exhibitor-bred animal, and the Best Udder winners, as selected by the Judge. Because qualifying for the Final is a great achievement in itself, each cow exhibited at the Final will also receive an attendance prize comprising a £50 Thompsons feed voucher.

Thompsons would like to wish all exhibitors and qualifying cows every success for next Saturday’s Final, and we hope it will be an enjoyable and rewarding day for all involved.

Judging of the Thompsons/NISA Dairy Cow Championship class will commence in the dairy ring at 2.30pm sharp.

The 2025 qualifiers are:

BALLYMENA
A) Aliann Pepper Lila Z EX93, Alan & Leanne Paul, Maghera
B) Beechview Hurricane Primrose EX93, George and Jason Booth, Stewartstown
C) Priestland 7301 Willows Sunset VG87, McLean Family, Bushmills

LURGAN
D) Potterswalls Bontino Dawn EX96, Fleming Family, Seaforde
E) Glasson Jordy A Irene Red EX93, Philip and Simon Haffey, Portadown
F) Potterswalls Canadian Club Dawn, Fleming Family, Seaforde

BALLYMONEY
G) Slatabogie Lambda Gold VG89, Alan and Leanne Paul, Maghera
H) Mostragee Rager Pledge VG86, Henry Family, Stranocum
I) Mostragee Vinny Lauren 3 VG87, Henry Family, Stranocum

ARMAGH
J) Damm Impression Beth 2 EX92, George and David Simpson, Lisburn
K) Brookroad Satrin 185 EX94, George and Jason Booth, Stewartstown
L) Slatabogie Lambda Flower VG87, Alan and Leanne Paul, Maghera

NEWRY
M) Potterswalls Victorious Season EX93, Fleming Family, Seaforde
N) Bannwater Chip Sheba 150 VG88, Andrew Magowan, Rathfriland
O) Garaba Lambda Starlight VG86, James and Owen Martin, Newry

OMAGH
P) Granagh Pepper Carmen EX91, Conall Daly, Carrickmore
Q) Ernevale Alligator Rosina 2 VG87, Seamus Gunn, Derrylin
R) Slatabogie Jordy Verona Red VG86, Alan & Leanne Paul, Maghera

CASTLEWELLAN
The Castlewellan qualifiers will feature in Farming Life on Saturday 26th July

LIMAVADY
The Limavady qualifiers will feature in Farming Life on Saturday 26th July.

Thanks to all our photographers who have made sure all our qualified cows have been photographed, whatever the weather, namely, Jessica Hall, Cliff Donaldson and Ivor Broomfield.

BALLYMENA:
Caption: Philip Jones (judge) and Philip Whyte (Thompsons) pictured with the three Ballymena qualifiers, Matthew McLean, Bushmills, with Priestland 7301 Willows Sunset VG87, Jason Booth, Stewartstown, with Beechview Hurricane Primrose EX93, and Alan Paul, Maghera, with Aliann Pepper Lila Z EX93.

LURGAN:
Caption: Stewart Baxter (judge) and Ronald Annett (Thompsons) congratulate Ashley Fleming, Seaforde, with Potterswalls Bontino Dawn EX96, Isla Haffey, Portadown, with Glasson Jordy A Irene Red EX93, and Lynda Fleming, Seaforde, with Potterswalls Canadian Club Dawn, after securing qualification at Lurgan Show.

BALLYMONEY:
Caption: David Anderson (Thompsons) and Mark Logan (judge) congratulate Martin King, with Mostragee Rager Pledge VG86, Leanne Paul, Maghera, with Slatabogie Lambda Gold VG89, and Mark Henry, Stranocum, with Mostragee Vinny Lauren 3 VG87, who qualified for the Final of the 2025 Dairy Cow Championship at Ballymoney Show.

ARMAGH:
Caption: Qualifying at Armagh Show were Emily and Oliver Booth, Stewartstown, and Daniel Willis with Brookroad Satrin 185 EX94, David Simpson, Lisburn, with Damm Impression Beth 2 EX92, and Alan Paul, Maghera, with Slatabogie Lambda Flower VG87. Congratulating the three qualifiers is Barry Chambers (Thompsons).

NEWRY:
Caption: Qualifying for the 2025 Dairy Cow Championship Final at Newry Show were James Martin, Newry, with Garaba Lambda Starlight VG86, Cameron Magowan, Rathfriland, with Bannwater Chip Sheba 150 VG88, and Ashley Fleming, Seaforde, with Potterswalls Victorious Season EX93. Congratulating the qualifiers are James Gabbey (Thompsons) and Cyril Millar (judge).

OMAGH:
Caption: John Anderson (Thompsons) congratulates Conall Daly, Carrickmore, with Granagh Pepper Carmen EX91, Seamus Gunn, Derrylin, with Ernevale Alligator Rosina 2 VG87, and Anna Farley with Slatabogie Jordy Verona Red VG86, on securing qualification for the 2025 Dairy Cow Championship at Omagh Show. Joining in the celebrations are Andrea Rafferty with Slatabogie Lambda Gold VG89, who qualified at Ballymoney Show.

17/07/2025

July has been a busy month for Pegus Horse Feed performers 😊

Declan Cullen and his family and friends hosted the hugely successful, 'The Clare' horse trials in association with Eventing Ireland Northern Region and they are now preparing for round 'The Clare 2' 😉

Many of you have been out and about at local shows, (Northern Ireland Shows Association), gaining valuable experience in a different atmosphere, braving the elements and catching up with old friends.

For those of you into showing or working hunter with a different goal, most of the qualifiers are now decided and the next stop is the RDS for Dublin Horse Show from the 6th - 10th August, where Pegus will be ready to welcome you onto their stand and help out with any dietary queries.

Or maybe you are just using the good weather to give the horses a break in the field 🙋‍♀️ but make sure you don't underestimate the value of your grass and even a lower calorie feed at a lower rate, will make sure they are still getting the vitamins and minerals they need, ready for when you want to get back into action again.

Whatever you have been up to we hope you have been enjoying it and are getting the most out of your mounts. If you have any queries don't hesitate to send us a DM on our socials or contact allison matthews on; 07894295844

Happy Horseying 🐴❤️

11/07/2025

Omagh Qualifiers heading to Dairy Final

With no qualifiers this weekend, we have the round up from last Saturday’s results.

The Gillygooley Road outside Omagh was the place to be last Saturday, as crowds flocked to the 183rd Omagh Show. A large entry of dairy stock made for stiff competition in the show ring, where qualifying for the 2025 Thompsons/NISA Dairy Cow Championship continued.

Selecting the Omagh Qualifiers was Iain McLean from Priestland Farm, Bushmills.

The first Qualifier was the very impressive 3rd lactation, Granagh Pepper Carmen EX91 from Conall Daly’s Granagh Herd in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone. The 2022 Interbreed Champion Heifer also at Omagh is currently producing 50 litres whilst being 200 days in milk and is sure to turn heads at the final in Antrim on the 26th July.

The second Omagh qualifier was the superb 2nd calver Ernevale Alligator Rosina 2, EX 87 (as a heifer), from the Ernevale Herd of Seamus Gunn and family, Derrylin, Co.Fermanagh. Currently just 3 weeks calved, but already producing a very impressive 45 litres, this 2nd calver produced over 10,000 litres in her first lactation.

The junior qualifying spot at Omagh was picked up by Alan and Leanne Paul, Maghera, from the renowned Slatabogie Herd of Holsteins with their heifer, Slatabogie Jordy Verona Red VG86. This 2 year old heifer was calved at 55 days and already producing 42 litres per day. Coming from a strong line, including her EX93 Dam, Moree Penguin Verona Red, this heifer will again be right in the mix on the 26th in Antrim

Thompsons would like to wish all the Omagh qualifiers every success at the Antrim Show Final on Saturday 26th July. With some of the top dairy cows in Northern Ireland having already qualified, the 2025 Final is shaping up to be very hotly contested with an exciting line up throughout.

Photo captions
OMAGH 01: The Heifer Qualifier at Omagh Show was Slatabogie Jordy Verona Red VG86, shown by Andrea Rafferty on behalf of Alan and Leanne Paul, Slatabogie Holsteins, Maghera. Congratulating Andrea is John Anderson (Thompsons) and Iain McLean (Judge)

OMAGH 04: The Reserve Dairy Champion at Omagh and also qualifying for the Final in Antrim was the 3rd lactation, Granagh Pepper Carmen EX91 owned by Conall Daly, Carrickmore. Congratulating Conall on his success is John Anderson (Thompsons) and Iain Mclean (Judge).

OMAGH 05: Also Qualifying for Antrim with their 2nd Calver, Ernevale Alligator Rosina 2, was Seamus Gunn and family from Derrylin, Co Fermanagh. Offering his congratulations is John Anderson (Thompsons).

05/07/2025

Thompson staff were delighted this week to support the NSA Sheep event to showcase the Thompson range of Sheep rations containing Zinpro Availa ZS. With proven improvements in ewe colostrum quality when fed to pregnant ewes as well as reduced lameness and increased live weight gain when fed to growing lambs, Availa ZS ensures you can maximise the performance of your flock year round. Hosted by customers Alwyn and Joanne McFarlane, the scenic backdrop and weather set the perfect day for representation from various trade stands, informative seminars and sheep dog trials.

03/07/2025

Throwback Thursday to Omagh Show 2024 and our three qualified cows for Antrim Show in the July. Omagh Show is this Saturday 5th June, where we look forward to welcoming our customers for a cup of tea and also congratulating the next three handlers, owners and teams, for the final showdown at Antrim Show in three weeks 😀💪😎

Good luck to all exhibitors 🥇🥇🥇

26/06/2025

Throwback Thursday..... to last years Newry Agricultural Show as we patiently wait on two more sleeps passing until we find out who this year's two qualified cows and junior cow are?

Good luck to all exhibitors 💪😀

Thompsons Feeding Innovation

12/08/2025

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26/07/2025

25/07/2025

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