On Tuesday 13th January results from the highly anticipated Royal Ulster Winter Fair On Farm Challenge, in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank, were announced to exhibitors.
The challenge was devised to help overcome the disappointment of not having cattle at the 2025 Royal Ulster Winter Fair due to the ongoing risk of blue tongue in the local vicinity.
The competition took place from Monday 5th to Thursday 8th January 2026 as judge Alan Timbrell from Gloucestershire travelled over 1,200 miles across the length and breadth of the province in search of the finest dairy cattle from this year’s original pool of entrants.
Alan was equipped with a comprehensive itinerary and an updated class list, ensuring the Society could continue to recognise excellence among the province’s finest Ayrshire, Dairy Shorthorn, Holstein and Jersey cattle.
As the results were announced over Zoom it was Sam and John McCormick of Hilltara Holsteins in Bangor who were crowned the On Farm Challenge Overall Interbreed Champions with Hilltara Lambda Doreen. The Reserve Interbreed Champion title went to the Fleming Family from Downpatrick for Potterwalls Casino Lady, and the Honourable Mention was awarded to the McLean Family from Bushmills with Priestland Reagan Tiger Lilly.
Commenting on the high calibre of entries in the Challenge, Rodney Brown, Head of Agribusiness at Danske Bank, said, “Danske Bank is proud to have partnered with the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society to support the On Farm Challenge, which has been a fantastic way to showcase the exceptional talent and dedication of dairy farmers across the island. The resilience and passion demonstrated by this year’s original entrants, even in the face of unforeseen challenges, is truly inspiring. Congratulations to all the winners who have excelled in their respective classes, and thank you to everyone who participated for continuing to uphold the standard of excellence that the Royal Ulster Winter Fair is renowned for."
Rhonda Geary, RUAS Group Operations Director, added, “On behalf of the Society I would just like to thank several of our Winter Fair stewards who went above and beyond their usual roles to enable this Challenge to take place. Ashley Fleming, Mark Logan and John Henning OBE volunteered to transport our judge hundreds of miles across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Thank you again for your time and support.
“To our exhibitors, I would like to congratulate you all on what has been described as an immensely high standard of entries. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Eikon Exhibition Centre this December as together with Danske Bank as we celebrate 40 years of the Royal Ulster Winter Fair.”
Results from the Royal Ulster Winter Fair On Farm Challenge are now available here.
