News

NISSA Shears….

Following the success of last year’s event in which £4,000 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support it will again be held in the picturesque grounds of Shane’s Castle Estates (in aid of Macmillan) on Friday 10th July.
Prize money listed & kindly sponsored as follows

Open
Sponsored by ABP 1st £400 2nd £300 3rd £200 4th £100
Senior
Sponsored by Jackson’s Butchers 1st £200 2nd £100 3rd £75 4th £60
Intermediate
Sponsored by Caltex Crystalix 1st £150 2nd £100 3rd £75 4th £60
Junior
Ritchie Farm Equipment 1st £100 2nd £80 3rd £60 4th £50
Speed Shear
Sponsored by Dervhail McPharland Accountancy 1st £400 2nd £200 3rd £100

Please register your interest to compete by Monday 6th July, entries made on day will encure a £20 late fee. Contact NISSA Secretart Gerard 07971 872 704 to enter.

 

NSA Sheep NI First Trust Young Shepherd of the year competition 2015

The 2015 ’First Trust Young Shepherd of the Year Competition’ will be held on Monday 6th July. The competition is open to entries from young shepherds aged 25 & under & will be held at Ballymena Mart, Woodside Road, Ballymena from 9.30am.

Entry is free & competitors will be expected to carry out the following tasks:
• Select lambs for slaughter
• Shear two/three sheep (must have completed a shearing course)
• Give examples of correct foot care techniques / handling, vaccinating & dosing
• Answer questions on flock management & health issues
• ATV handling

There is a vast array of prizes kindly sponsored by First Trust Bank & McCaughans: 1st £250, 2nd £150, 3rd £50
There will also be a prize of £50 for the highest placed 19 year old and under.
The highest placed 20 and 25 year old will have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland at the European Young Shepherds Competition.

Rules:
1. Maximum age of 25 years on 11th November 2015
2. Entry is free
3. The judges decision is final
4. The competition will start at 9.30am
5. The prize giving will take place at 2.00pm at The First Trust Bank stand

To register your entry, please contact Edward Adamson 07711 071290 email edward.adamsom1@gmail.com

Entries closed on 15th June

Next Meeting…

The next meeting will be in September in The Royal Hotel Cookstown from 8pm

on 3rd September 2015

 

2014 Shearing Kings at Shane’s Castle

During the summer 2014 ‘NISSA Shears’ was held at the new venue Shane’s Castle Estate. Formally branded as ‘Rickamore Shears’ NISSA not only had a new venue & name for their shearing spectacular; but a new nominated charity for the 2014 annual fundraising event: Macmillan Cancer Support.

Organisers & committee members of NISSA were delighted at the support not only from national & International competitors, but with the support from members of the public who came along to the event. A NISSA spokesperson commented “we are very thankful to everyone who supported the day and evening in any way. We send a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors without whom the event could not have taken place; and massive thank you must go to Shane’s Castle Estate for the use of their premises & facilities”.

An impressive collection of sponsors came forward to support the event: AI Services, Benmore Health & Safety (David Shaw), Bluefaced Leicesters Sheep Breeders Society, Brian Kearney , British Wool Marketing Board, Caldwell Steel, Clik Novartis Animal Health, Danske Bank, DJ Reproductions, Dunbia, Francis Connon , Fun Bikes, Heffron’s Bar, Jackson Butchers , James Gray Sheep Services, JA McClelland Auctioneers, JS Foods Ltd, Karney’s Costcutter’s, Lister Shearing, McComb Engineering Ltd, Morning Star Belfast, North Belfast Spring Works, Net-Tex Colate, NI Texel Society, Russell Brothers Agricultural Services, South Antrim NFU, Straight Haulage Low Loader & Bulk Tipper Services, Shane’s Castle Estate Company Limited, Robert Smyth & Sons Ltd Co Donegal, Seamus Black, Waste Collections Services Ballyclare, West Antrim UFU, WD Meats.

Macmillan Fundraising Manager Maria Small commented “Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern Ireland was delighted to have been the chosen as charity of the year by NISSA for 2014/2015.  We would like to thank everyone who attended the event at Shane’s Castle and to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make the event a great success. A fantastic total of £4,000 was raised on the day and we are extremely grateful for this huge amount of money. This money will be used to support local Macmillan cancer services at both Antrim Area Hospital and in the local communities. Macmillan receives NO government funding and therefore relies on the generosity and support of the people of NI to provide our vital services”.

A full day of shearing was following a hearty BBQ and the spot light was on for the speed shear event. The crowd went wild when a new speed king was crowned. Matt Smith (New Zealand) beat the previous speed demon David Fagan on quality of the job in 19.17 seconds. Fellow kiwi Fagan did shear a lamb in 19.11 seconds, but didn’t take all the wool off which was penalised by the judges out the back.

Thanks must also go to commentators Mr Huw Condron & Mr George Graham for their time & professionalism throughout the day. The organising committee would like to express their thanks to all the Judges on the day, without which the shearing could not have taken place; and to Deputy Mayor of Antrim Mr Drew Richie for officiating at the prize giving ceremony.

A vital factor of the day was the supply of shearing machines & equipment; which this year was supplied by Lister Shearing Ltd. Not only did Lister go to great lengths to loan brand new shearing machines for the competition, but went an extra mile with an attractive collection of Lister goodies for the prize giving. Last, but by no means least, thanks to all members & friends of NISSA who helped out in any way before, during & after the event.

Shearers waited with baited breath as the prize giving kicked off with results from the 2014 Net-Tex Colate Circuit. This year’s level of competition has been ecstatic with each category hosting fierce battles for the top four places throughout the circuit, which has been calculated since the first show of the season at Donard in May of this year.

NISSA Chairman William Jones commented: “We are greatly indebted to NET-TEX for their generous sponsorship of our annual sheep shearing circuit. This competition is vital each year to enhance the high standards of shearing for young & experienced shearers. Since the circuit was first established 12 years ago, many shearers have had the opportunity to further develop their skills, helping them to be at power with, & become some of the best shearers in the world”.

To bring the day to a perfect close a barn dance carried on into the ‘wee hours’ with everyone celebrating the day to music by the live band ‘Conspiracy’.

2014 Balmoral Show News

The schedule for the sheep shearing & wool handling at the 2014 Balmoral Show (Belfast) will be taking a new format:

Wednesday 14^th May

Blade Shearing (International)

YFCU (Novice & Advanced)

Thursday 15th May

National Championships

Wool Handling (International & Northern Ireland Vs Scotland Test)

 

Friday 16^th

International Championships (Junior, Intermediate, Senior & Open)

6 Nations

 

This new schedule should prove to be an excellent platform for shearers and wool handlers from world teams to gain experience and practice on Irish sheep prior to the Golden Shears World Championships which will be the following week (17th-25th May) in Gorey Co. Wexford .

Due to the difficulty in sourcing and preparing sheep so early in the year it is ESSENTIAL that entries are made before the closing date in early May. If you have not entered before the closing date, there is a strong possibility that you will NOT be able to compete.

You can enter on line on the Balmoral Show website which will be open in mid February.

 

 

 

Rickamore Shears raises a new record for Marie Curie Cancer Care

During the summer the annual ‘Rickamore Shears’ competition and BBQ was held at the farm of Walter & Norma Hoy in Templepatrick. Once again the Northern Ireland Sheep Shearing Association (NISSA) chose Marie Curie Cancer Care as it’s charity for the event. This year was one of the most successful events to date raising a staggering £24,300 for the charity. Over the last 2 years this event has raised nearly £42,000 for the work of Marie Curie nurses locally.

Walter Hoy, NISSA Vice-Chairman commented that this year was such a success down to the “many unnamed volunteers that tirelessly give their time and skills into the construction of the facilities year after year”. He also acknowledged the immense efforts of the staff and volunteers from Marie Curie Cancer Care who assisted in whatever way they could before, during & after the event.

Organisers & committee members of NISSA were delighted at the support not only from national & International competitors, but with the overwhelming support from members of the public who came along to the event. A NISSA spokesperson commented “we are very thankful to everyone who supported the day and evening in any way. Thank you to the sponsors without which the event could not have taken place. A massive thank you must again go to Walter & Norma Hoy for the use of their premises & facilities”.

Fundraising Manager Anne McRoberts said ‘On behalf of Marie Curie Cancer Care I am delighted that NISSA once again chose to support the work of the charity. £24,300 will help to support over 1200 hours of local nursing care. The hard work and generosity of both NISSA and all who attended this event will help to support many patients with a terminal illness in their own homes’.

A full day of shearing was followed by a hearty BBQ and the spot light was on for the speed shear event. The crowd went wild when last years winner David Fagan claimed a new record with an astonishing time of 18.57 seconds, 2.19 seconds quicker than last year. Seamus Kinny, General Manager of ‘ABP Food Group’ shared a few words following the final: “we are happy to sponsor the speed shear at Rickamore this year. It is soo professionally organised and we are proud to be associated with NISSA”. To ensure shearing standards in the speed shear there are three judges to assess the quality of the job.

Thanks must also go to commentators Mr Huw Condron and Mr Steve Meredith for their time and professionalism throughout the day. The organising committee would like to express their thanks to all the Judges on the day, without which the shearing could not have taken place.

To bring the day to a perfect close a barn dance carried on into the ‘wee hours’ with everyone celebrating the day to music by the live band ‘Conspiracy’.

 

Norma Hoy, Gareth Kelly (NISSA Treasurer) Anne McRoberts (Fundraising Manager Marie Curie) and Walter Hoy (NISSA Vice Chairman) at a presentation of £24,300 to Marie Curie raised from Rickamore Shears

 

 

 

NET-TEX Colate 2013 Grand Finale

This year’s level of competition has been ecstatic with each category hosting fierce battles for the top four places throughout the circuit, which has been calculated since the first show of the season at Donard in May of this year. A new record of 40 shears entered this years’ circuit, shears from all 32 counties.

A spokesperson from NISSA commented: “We are greatly indebted to NET-TEX for their generous sponsorship of our annual sheep shearing circuit. This competition is vital each year to enhance the high standards of shearing for young & experienced shearers. Since the circuit was first established 11 years ago, many shearers have had the opportunity to further develop their skills, helping them to be at power with, & become some of the best shearers in the world.

To compete in the circuit shearers had to register early so as to obtain points from eight appointed competitions: Donard, Balmoral, Connacht, Ballymena, The All Ireland (both days), Crack In The Brac and Rickamore. Points were awarded in each class, 1^st 10 points, 2^nd 8 points, 3^rd 6 points, 4^th 5 points, 5^th 4 points, 6^th 4 points and so on. There were also bonus points at each stage of the competition this year with 2 for the best pen & 2 for the best board in each class. This created a potential 14 points up for grabs at each competition.

With the shearing season successful completed for another year, members and committee of NISSA will be meeting on 19^th September (Cookstown) to discuss the factors of this year’s shows and competitions and lay the foundations for next year.

2013 Circuit Champions: Left to right Jason McNiece Junior Champion, Chris Mullan Intermediate Champion, Mr. Robin Kennedy NET-TEX, Mark McGeown Senior Champion & Ivan Scott Open Champion.

New shearing stand for Balmoral show 2013

A brand new set up has being built for Balmoral show. It will has 6 stands and on two levels with the shorn sheep going down port holes to a lower level for judging. It was built in 6 separate modules and is fully portable and can be moved to other venues if desired and was officially opened at this years Balmoral Show by HRH The Earl of Wessex on the 15th May. The new stand was appropriately named ‘The Maurice Megahey Shearing Stand’ following the sad passing last year of our valued friend & founder member of NISSA, Maurice Megahey.