To help overcome the disappointment of not having cattle at the 2025 Royal Ulster Winter Fair, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank is to hold an On Farm Challenge in January 2026.
The Challenge, open to the original 2025 pool of exhibitors and their cattle from across the province, will see Alan Timbrell from Gloucestershire reside as judge.
Alan has previously judged at the 152nd Balmoral Show as well as at AgriScot and other renowned shows across America, New Zealand and Finland. His expertise in the dairy industry has helped him excel at Alta Genetics over the last 25 years and he owns Ayrshire and Holstein cattle of his own.
Explaining how the competition will be judged, Alan said, ‘We’ll travel from farm to farm to assess the dairy cattle throughout the Challenge. It will differ from the traditional showing scene in that the animals are usually more settled in their natural environment. From my experience though, the competition is as tough as ever.’
The Challenge will see a revised class list with the titles for the four Breed Champions and Supreme Interbreed Champion up for grabs once again alongside the prize money.
Rhonda Geary, RUAS Group Operations Director, confirmed, ‘For many of our exhibitors, the Royal Ulster Winter Fair proves fundamental in not only lifting their profiles locally but also in contributing towards further accolades, such as at the illustrious All Britain Awards.
‘We’re thrilled to be able to work alongside Danske Bank to offer this alternative competition for this year’s original entrants which still celebrates the top-quality cattle that the event has become renowned for’.
Results from the Royal Ulster Winter Fair On Farm Challenge will be announced following the competition in the new year.
