Cattle Section

This class must be entered
Prize money kindly sponsored by HA Mcilwrath & Son is 1st £50, 2nd £30, 3rd £20.
The Junior Beef Shield will be awarded to the winner of this class
All beef animals born on or after 1st March 2024 who have been entered in their appropriate section may enter this class

Enter on show day
KIndly sponsored by Hamills Recycling
Prize money 1st £50, 2nd £30, 3rd £20
The animals must be the property of one exhibitor and entered in their respective breed classes
The James McWhirter Trophy will be awarded to the winner of this class

BANK OF IRELAND / NISA PEDIGREE JUNIOR BULL CHAMPIONSHIP 2025

For the best Junior Bull born on or after 1st January 2024

Bank of Ireland / NISA Pedigree Junior Bull Championship final 2025 is being held this year at Castlewellan Show on Saturday 19th July 2025. All exhibitors wishing to qualify for this Championship must enter the name of their animal(s) and exhibitor details, in their respective class at the qualifying show. Only the 1st & 2nd placed exhibits in Junior Bull Classes at Ballymena Show are eligible to go forward to the Bank of Ireland / NISA Pedigree Junior Bull qualifier that day.

To maximise attendance of qualified exhibits at the Championship final, Stewards should enquire if it is the intention of the exhibitor to be present at Castlewellan Show on Saturday 19th July 2025 for the Championship final.

In the event of qualified exhibitors not wishing to attend the championship, the Judge will be asked to identify further qualifying animals.

Qualifying exhibitors who do not appear at the Championship may be excluded from competing in NISA Championships in 2026, unless good reason is given for such non-attendance.

No exhibitor may qualify more than two exhibits for the Championship final. Animals cannot qualify at Castlewellan Show for the Championship.

NISA will present special rosettes to the exhibitors for both qualifying animals at each qualifying show. Each animal forward at the Championship final, who is not placed in the top four, will be paid attendance money of £20.00.

Prize money at the Final:

1st £300
2nd £200
3rd £100
4th £50
(The above placed prize money includes £20 attendance monies)

Prize money will be forwarded, by cheque, to the named exhibitor at the address notified to the Qualifying Show. It is important that details of the exhibitor, animal, address, contact details, are correctly lodged with the Show Secretary.

The Qualifying Shows for the Bank of Ireland/NISA Junior Bull Championship are: -
Ballymena, Ballymoney, Lurgan, Armagh, Saintfield, Newry, and Omagh.

Open to children 8 - 11 years of age as of 1st May in current year
Prize money 1st £20, 2nd £15, 3rd £10, 4th £5, 5th £5, 6th £5, 7th £5, 8th £5, 9th £5
Exhibitor must be capable of handling the animal being shown.

Open to children 12 - 15 years of age as of 1st May in current year
Prize money - 1st £20, 2nd £15, 3rd £10,4th £5, 5th £5, 6th £5, 7th £5, 8th £5,9th £5
Exhibitor must be capable of handling animal being shown

Open to teenagers 16 - 18 years of age as of 1st May in current year
Prize money - 1st £20, 2nd £15, 3rd £10,4th £5, 5th £5, 6th £5, 7th £5, 8th £5,9th £5
Exhibitor must be capable of handling the animal being shown.

DUNBIA/ NISA BEEF YOUNG HANDLERS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025


Beef Young Handler – age 12 – 15
Beef Young Handler – age 16 – 18
Age as of 1st May in current year.
Animals to be 12 months or under on 1st May, in current year.


The Dunbia / NISA Beef Young Handler Championship is being held this year at Limavady Show on Saturday 19th July 2025. All exhibitors wishing to qualify for this Championship must enter the name of their animal(s) and exhibitor details, at the qualifying show. It is important that the date of birth, contact details (phone number and/or email address). and parent/guardian details where these differ from the exhibitor details are all available.

The Qualified exhibitors will be the top three Young Handlers in each age section of the Dunbia / NISA qualifying class at each qualifying show.

Parents/Guardians are requested to ensure that exhibitors are competent and capable of handling the animal. One adult is welcome to enter the ring to ensure safety.
In these classes the appearance and skill of the exhibitor will be considered.

Rosettes will be awarded to each qualified Young Handler. Championship & Reserve Championship sashes will be awarded at the final.

Prize Money at the final:
1st £100
2nd £75
3rd £50

The Qualifying Shows for the Dunbia/NISA Beef Young Handler are:
Ballymena, Ballymoney, Lurgan, Armagh, Saintfield, Newry, Omagh, and Limavady.

Ballymena Show requires all exhibitors intending to put forward an animal for use in the Young Handler section to already have the animal entered and forward in a previous class at the Show.

Bonafide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the above classes for which they are eligible

bonefide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the above classes for which they are eligible

bonafide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the above classes for which they are eligible

The Beef Shorthorn Pair Award will be presented to the winner of this class on show day
Animals must be the property of one exhibitor

cup to be presented to winner

Bonafide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the above classes for which they are eligible

entries will be taken on the day and will not be catalogued

entries will be taken on the day and will not be catalogued

This class must be entered.
All dairy animals born on or after 1st March 2023 who have been entered in their appropriate section may enter this class
Prize money kindly sponsored by HA McIlrath & Son
1st £20, 2nd £15, 3rd £10
The Junior Dairy Shield will be awarded to the winner of this class

from the same exhibitor, in calf or in milk
This class must be entered.
All exhibits must be drawn from one breed and entered in their respective breed classes
Prize money kindly sponsored by Greenhill Systems
1st £100, 2nd £70, 3rd £30
The Robert King and The McLarnon Feeds Trophies will be awarded to the winner of this class

from the same exhibitor and entered in their respective breed classes
This class must be entered.
Prize money kindly sponsored by United Feeds
1st £70, 2nd £30, 3rd £20
The best pair of Pedigree Dairy animals will be awarded the United Feeds Trophy

in milk, must be calved before 3 years of age
This class must be entered.
Prize money kindly sponsored by Fane Valley Feeds
1st £100, 2nd £60, 3rd £40, 4th £20

THOMPSON’S / NISA DAIRY COW CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
(Pedigree or non-pedigree)
To include “Junior Champion and Reserve Junior Champion”

Thompson’s / NISA Dairy Cow Championship is being held this year at Antrim Show on Saturday 26th July 2025. All exhibitors wishing to qualify for this Championship must enter the name of their animal(s) and exhibitor details in their respective classes, at the qualifying show.

The 1st & 2nd placed exhibits in all Dairy Cow Classes at Ballymena Show are eligible to go forward to the Thompson’s Dairy Cow Qualifier, however if this does not include a “heifer in milk” (lactation 1) then the highest placed animal in this category should also go forward to the qualifier. Three animals will qualify per Show to include a maximum of 2 adult cows in milk (lactation 2+) and one heifer-in-milk cow (lactation 1).

No exhibitor may qualify more than four exhibits for the Championship final.

To maximise attendance of qualifying exhibits at the Championships, Stewards should enquire if it is the intention of the exhibitor to be present at Antrim Show on Saturday 26th July 2025 for the Championship final. In the event of qualified exhibitors not wishing to attend the Championship final, the Judge will be asked to identify further qualifying animals.

Qualifying exhibitors who do not appear at the Championship final may be excluded from competing in NISA Championships in 2026, unless good reason is given for such non-appearance.


THOMPSON’S will present special rosettes to the exhibitors of qualifying animals at each qualifying show. Each animal forward at the Championship, which does not gain 1st to 6th place, will receive a Thompson’s £50 Feed Voucher.

Animals placed 1st to 6th in the Championship will receive Prize Money as follows:

Champion £500 plus sash.
Reserve Champion £300
3rd Place £200
4th Place £150
5th Place £100
6th Place £50

Junior Champion £300
Reserve Champion £150

In addition, £100 plus Sash will be awarded to the highest placed Exhibitor-bred animal at the Championship (born on farm, not purchased embryo), and the exhibit with the Best Udder will also receive £100 plus sash. The Junior Champion will receive a sash and rosette, and the Reserve Junior Champion a rosette.

The THOMPSON’S Perpetual Shield will be presented to the Champion.

The Qualifying Shows for the Thompson’s Dairy Cow Championship are:
Ballymena, Ballymoney, Lurgan, Armagh, Saintfield, Newry, Omagh, Castlewellan, Limavady and Antrim.

open to children 7 - 14 years of age on 1st May in current year
Prize money, kindly sponsored by Lakeland Dairies - 1st £20, 2nd £15, 3rd £10,4th £5, 5th £5, 6th £5, 7th £5, 8th £5,9th £5
Exhibitor must be capable of handling animal being shown

Open to teenagers 15 - 21 years of age on 1st May in current year
Prize money, kindly sponsored by Lakeland Dairies - 1st £20, 2nd £15, 3rd £10,4th £5, 5th £5, 6th £5, 7th £5, 8th £5,9th £5
Exhibitor must be capable of handling animal being shown

LAKELAND DAIRIES / NISA YOUNG HANDLERS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025


Dairy Young Handler – age 7 – 14
Dairy Young Handler – age 15 – 21
Age as of 1st May in current year.
Animals to be 12 months or under on 1st May, in current year.


The Lakeland Dairies / NISA Young Handler Championship is being held this year at Clogher Valley Show on Wednesday 30th July 2025. All exhibitors wishing to qualify for this Championship must enter the name of their animal(s) and exhibitor details, at the qualifying show. It is important that the date of birth, contact details (phone number and/or email address). and parent/guardian details where these differ from the exhibitor details are all available.

The Qualified exhibitors will be the top three Young Handlers in each age section of the Lakeland Dairies / NISA qualifying class at each qualifying show.

Parents/Guardians are requested to ensure that exhibitors are competent and capable of handling the animal. One adult is welcome to enter the ring to ensure safety.
In these classes the appearance and skill of the exhibitor will be considered.

Rosettes will be awarded to each qualified Young Handler. Championship & Reserve Championship sashes will be awarded at the final.

Prize Money at the final:
1st £100
2nd £75
3rd £50

The Qualifying Shows for the Lakeland Dairies/NISA Dairy Young Handler Championship are:
Ballymena, Ballymoney, Lurgan, Armagh, Saintfield, Newry, Omagh, Castlewellan, Limavady, Antrim and Clogher Valley.
Ballymena Show requires all exhibitors intending to put forward an animal for use in the Young Handler section to already have the animal entered in a previous class at the Show.

Cows in this class will be judged not only on appearance but also on their last qualifying milk and butter-fat yields. Note:- Official Production Certificate of Last Lactation MUST be included with entry or emailed to secretary@ballymenashow.co.uk

Bonafide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the above classes for which they are eligible
Prize money 1st £30, 2nd £20, 3rd £10
The Robert Kerr Trophy will be awarded to the winner of this class

confined to cows which have been recorded under an Official Recording Scheme.
Cows in this class will be judged not only on appearance but also on their last qualifying milk and butter fat yields
Note:- Official Production Certificate of Last Lactation must be presented on the day
Prize money 1st £ 30, 2nd £20, 3rd £10
The cow awarded the most points in this class will be awarded the Hugh A Clarke trophy

bonafide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the above classes for which they are eligible
Prize money 1st £30, 2nd £20, 3rd £10

confined to cows which have been recorded under an Official Recording Scheme
Cows in this class will be judged not only on appearance but also on their last qualifying milk and butter- fat yields
Note:- Official Production Certificate of Last Lactation MUST be presented on the day of show
Prize money 1st £30, 2nd £20

the property of one exhibitor and entered in the above classes for which they are eligible
Prize money £30, 2nd £20, 3rd £10