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Dendor Herefords do it again - At the biggest display of Herefords in Europe!

There was a terrific display of Herefords on show at Shewsbury Livestock Market for the Annual Christmas Calf Show which this year incorporated the National Calf Show. One hundred and ten calves were present, the largest single display of Herefords in Europe.

This years show had an International feel with several Danish Hereford Breeders attending the show in support of Judge, Anders Mortensen. Anders of Woodlands Herefords, the oldest herd in Denmark, estbalished in 1966. To add to the international flavour there were a group of breeders from the Republic of Ireland in attendance. 

Taking the Supreme Championship was Heifer Champion, Dendor 1 Greta (pictured above left) from DE, ED & AL Jones, Dendor Herefords, Caersws, Powys. This is the second successive year that the Breed stalwarts from Wales have taken the Supreme Championship at the Christmas Calf Show. DE, ED & AL Jones also collected the Reserve Male Championship with eight month old Dendor 1 Harinordoquy, sired by Hawkesbury 1 Prosper and out of former Poll Female of the Year Dendor 1 Ruby 4th.

The Reserve Supreme Championship went to Shraden 1 Henson (pictured right) from local breeders and great advocates of the show M.J & H.M Timmis, Baschurch, Shropshire. Twelve month old "Henson" by Bosa 1 Ashley and out of Shraden 1 Duchess B186 had earlier in the day taken the Male Championship. M.J. & H.M. Timmis also took first prize in the first class of the day the Commercial Heifer or Steer by a Registered Hereford Sire. Second in the Commercial class was T.D. Livesey with Normanton 1 Haslet, sired by the current Hereford Bull of the Year, Normanton 1 Eastern Promise.

The Reserve Heifer Champion was nine month old Lowesmoor 1 Curly 759 from MJ Clark, Tetbury, Gloucestershire. "Curly" is by Udel 1 BC Bluechip bred by David Carroll of Udel Herefords, Wexford, Ireland.

Other show successes included E.L. Lewis who took The Sires Group of Three with calves sired by Mawarra Vice Admiral (semen) imported from Australia. In the Best Pair of Bull Calves owned by the Exhibitor it was an all Herefordshire affair with well known breeders R.A. Bradstock & Partners, G. Blandford & Son and E.L. Lewis & Son taking first, second and third respectively. In the correspondng Heifer Class, it was Nicholas & Heath who triumphed, with G. Blandford again taking second place and D.E., E.D. & A.L. Jones taking third spot. 

Pictured left are Show Commentator Clive Davies with Annie Lawrie-Eichen from Denmark. Annie commented on the strength in depth of the Herefords on show and quipped that "there were more Herefords on display in the Groups of Three class than in an entire show in Denmark!" However she also added that Herefords were also flourishing in Denmark, where the number of registrations and prices were both on the increase.

The Dendor and Shraden herds had more to celebrate than just winning their respective championships. Family members from both herds triumphed in the two Young Handler classes. Pictured right is Miss Elaine Timmis with Young Handler Judge, Mr Ernie Colledge of Hawkesbury Herefords. Elaine took first place in the 17-26 age group, while in the 16 & Under age category Gutto Jones took the red rossette!

In the Stockmens Handlers Competition, also judged by Ernie Colledge, Gerald Cox from Free Town was awarded the Steve Edwards Stockmans Club Cup presented by D & E Colledge.

 The show organised by The Hereford Cattle Breeders Association has captured the imagination of Hereford breeders from across the UK and has grown in stature since its inception four years ago.
  
The Christmas Calf Show will be staged on Saturday 8th December 2012 - so make a note in your diary for what promises to be another tremendous display of Hereford cattle. 

Stars of the Future at Forfar Calf Show

There were 305 entries from eight Breeds entered for this Show with Herefords making their debut with an entry of twenty eight calves in six Classes. 

Coming out on top was Romany 1 Heavyduty (pictured left), a September born Baybridge 1 Atlas son from J R B Wilson & Sons who pipped Baldinnie 1 Kingsway, a son of successful Inter-Breed Show Champion Dorepoll 1 Einsteine from J A Cameron & Sons for the Senior Male Champioship. “Heavyduty” then went on to take the Overall Senior Championship, with the Senior Female Champion Baldinnie 1 Ruth 26th from J.A. Cameron & Son from Balbuthie taking Reserve. "Ruth", an October born heifer is also by Dorepoll 1 Einsteine. 

In the Junior Section a March born bull calf, Baldinnie 1 Carlton (pictured right), also by “Einsteine” from J A Cameron & Son took the Championship with the eleven month old Panmure 1 Plum H8 from J M Cant & Partners taking the Reserve spot. "Plum H8" is out of Panmure 1 Plum A2 and by Romany 1 Distiller.

Class Results :
Class 1 Bulls born  15th August  -  10th September
1st Romany 1 Heavy Duty A84 H12
2nd Romany 1 Haggis D1 H20
3rd Harvey Bros 1 Harry

Class 2 Bulls born  11th September  -  20th December
1st Baldinnie 1 Kingsway
2nd Panmure 1 Henry
3rd Panmure 1 Hercules

Class 3 Bulls born after 21st December 
1st Baldinnie 1 Carlton
2nd Panmure I Herman
3rd Harvey Bros 1 Humphrey

Class 4 Heifers born  2nd August  -  25th September
1st Baldinnie 1 Model 14th

Class 5 Heifers born  26th September  -  24th November
1st Baldinnie 1 Ruth 26th
2nd Romany 1 Dawn A51 H55

Class 6 Heifers born after 24th November
1st Panmure 1 Plum H8
2nd Baldinnie 1 Supergal 9th
3rd Gillmartin 1 Mink

Agri-Expo Female Champion sells for 6,000

Female Champion at the Hereford Autumn Calf Show at Agri-Expo at the end of October was Romany 1 Ishbel A84 H34, bred and exhibited by the Wilson family of Romany Herefords, Cowbog, Kelso. 'Ishbel' has been purchased by Boomer Birch, Staffordshire & Graham Brindley, Shropshire as the foundation of their 'SKY HIGH' Hereford Herd.  She is a daughter of Baybridge 1 Atlas, UK Sire of the Year 2010 and 2011, and out of the home bred cow Romany 1 Ishbel R22 C53 who is sired by Crickley 1 Figurehead, UK Sire of the Year 2008. 'Ishbel' has tremendous performance figures and a Terminal Index of +36 (top 1% of breed) and a Self Replacing Index of +41 (top 3% of the breed). Mr. Birch & Mr Brindley are planning to show the heifer at the Hereford National Calf Show at Shrewsbury in December and to flush her in the Spring before a full Show Season in 2012. Robert Wilson of Romany Herefords said after the sale "he was disappointed not to retain the heifer but was delighted that she was going to such well regarded families with a great history in the Simmental and British Blue breeds." “Ishbel is an outstanding heifer with tremendous style, growth and length coupled with femininity” he said. “I think she will be a really good female to start a herd with and we wish the Birch & Brindley families all the very best with her”. Mr Brindley commented ‘’We are very excited about our new purchase” and he revealed that the Wilsons have retained a small embryo interest in the heifer.

Honeysuckle blooms at MEAHBA Calf Show

The Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show proved to be an excellent venue for the
Midlands and East Anglia Hereford Breeders' Association's début calf show, where 23
exhibitors showed over 50 calves.
The aim of the event was to hold a calf show for breeders, with great emphasis on encouraging young handlers/members – the breeders of the future. With this in mind the days proceedings started with a demonstration on the finer points of leading animals in the show ring, from professional showman Mr Steve Edwards and respected and successful breeder Mr Bob Borwick. Mr Borwick then judged the Young Handler classes and made Scott Coates from Newton Harcourt, Leicestershire his Supreme Champion, having awarded him first place in a highly competitive class of 14 handlers. Charlie Jones from Shropshire, the winner of the younger class, was the
Reserve Champion.
Pictured right are Champion Young Handler Scott Coates, aged 20 and Reserve Champion Young Handler Charlie Jones, aged 13, being presented with their prizes and rosettes by Midlands and East Anglia Hereford Breeders' Association President, Mr Steve Edwards.

Mr Clive Davies, pictured in action left, from the successful Westwood herd, travelled from Worcestershire to judge the breed classes and kept the many spectators interested with his excellent commentary. The Supreme Championship was awarded to the Female Champion an
outstanding heifer, Blakesley 1 Honeysuckle owned and bred by P & AM Riley of
Towcester (pictured above left). In Reserve stood the Male Champion, I Markham's striking bull, Glenmore 1 Voyager. These awards added to both calves successes in the Midlands and East Anglia
Hereford Breeders' Herd Competition, where they had been awarded best heifer and best
bull calf.
The senior bull calf class was won by AR Owen's Church Preen Haka, with Rodbaston
Harley owned and bred by South Staffordshire College in second.
The Intermediate bull calf class was won by Glenmore 1 Voyager, pictured left with Joshua Jack, aged 10, who went on to take the Male Championship, with his stable mate Glenmore 1Judo in second place, who was later made Reserve Male Champion, a double for I Markham of Milton Keynes. The Junior bull class was won by Coventry based breeder, D & E Colledge's Hawkesbury 1 Viking with P Cobley's Kinglee 1 Hero from Leicestershire in Second.
TD & WT Livesey from Normanton le Heath Leicestershire took first and second in the
Senior Heifer Calf class with Normanton 1 Fistulina and Normanton 1 Bisporous 2nd H88,
both sired by 2011 Hereford Bull of the Year, Normanton 1 Eastern Promise. "Fistulina"
went on to be awarded Reserve Female Champion.
There was another double win in the intermediate heifer calf class where P & AM Riley's Blakesley 1 Honeysuckle and Blakesley 1 Holly were placed first and second.
Later in the day "Honeysuckle" won the Female and then the Supreme Championship.
Pictured right, Mrs Ann Riley being presented with the Benbows Breed Champion Trophy by Denise Benbow. Mara Model 19th, bred and exhibited by RN & MA Borwick of Northampton, won the Junior Female Calf class with P Cobley's Kinglee 1 Bubbles 344 in second place.
The commercial class was won by MJ & HM Timmis, who had travelled from Shropshire to
attend the event. Peter Cobley's pair of bulls fought off 13 other entries to win the Best Pairs class.
Many of the calves exhibited in the breed classes were led by Young Handlers. This was
encouraged by the Association awarding £15 to each young handler leading in these classes, 19 young handlers received the payment. Whilst many young handlers were leading their own or their family's calves, over half had kindly been lent calves by other breeders.
Results in full Class 1 Handlers aged 14 and under on the day of the Show, leading a calf exhibited in Classes 3 to 10.
1st – Charlie Jones aged 13
2nd – Alicia Legg aged 11
3rd – Joshua Jack aged 10
Class 2 Handlers aged 15 to 26 on the day of the Show, leading a calf exhibited in Classes 3 to 10
1st – Scott Coates aged 20
2nd – Caroline Morris aged 21
3rd – James Jack aged 18
Champion Scott Coates and Reserve Charlie Jones
Class 3 Commercial Heifer or Steer by a registered Hereford sire born on or after 1st September 2010
1st – MJ & HM Timmis
2nd – TD & WT Livesey
3rd – TD & WT Livesey
Class 4 Best Pair of animals born on or after 1st September 2010 owned and bred by the exhibitor
1st – P Cobley
2nd – A & SG Stevenson & Sons
3rd – TD & WT Livesey
Class 5 Bull born between 1st September 2010 and 30th November 2010
1st – Church Preen Haka, AR Owen
2nd – Rodbaston Harley, South Staffs College
3rd – Newtoncroft 1 Dalguise, Newtoncroft Farms
Class 6 Bull born between 1st December 2010 and 28th February 2011
1st – Glenmore 1 Voyager, I Markham
2nd – Glenmore 1 Judo, I Markham
3rd – Shraden 1 Henson, MJ & HM Timmis
Class 7 Bull born on or after 1st March 2011
1st – Hawkesbury 1 Viking, D & E Colledge
2nd – Kinglee 1 Hero, P Cobley
3rd – Kinglee 1 Hercules, P Cobley
Male Champion Glenmore 1 Voyager and Reserve Glenmore 1 Judo
Class 8 Heifer born between 1st September 2010 and 30th November 2010
1st – Normanton 1 Fistulina
2nd – Normanton 1 Bisporous 2nd H88
3rd – Shraden 1 Potency H420
Class 9 Heifer born between 1st December 2010 and 28th February 2011
1st - Blakesley 1 Honeysuckle, P & AM Riley
2nd – Blakesley 1 Holly, P & AM Riley
3rd – Glenmore 1 Becky 074, I Markham
Class 10 Heifer born on or after 1st March 2011
1st – Mara Model 19th, RN & MA Borwick
2nd – Kinglee 1 Bubbles 344, P Cobley
3rd – Real 1 Jenny H4, JW & R Johnson
Female Champion Blakesley 1 Honeysuckle and Reserve Blakesley 1 Holly
Supreme Champion Blakesley 1 Honeysuckle and Reserve Glenmore 1 Voyager

DUNGANNON VENUE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND BEEF EXPO 2012

FOLLOWING the success of their Northern Ireland Beef Expo 2010 event the National Beef Association NI Council are organising NI Beef Expo 2012, which again will be held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart, Dungannon, Co Tyrone from 10am-6pm on Tuesday, March 6, a date for all in the beef business to keep free.
Next year’s event will follow the winning format developed in 2010 and include an extensive trade stand area, beef breed demonstrations, educational and advisory exhibits, competitions and a comprehensive seminar programme.
“Dungannon, located in the heart of a major beef producing area, is easily reached not only by NI farmers, but also by those in adjacent counties of the Irish Republic,” commented NBA NI Chairman, Oisin Murnion (pictured above left).
“Dungannon Mart facilities are first-class, making it an excellent venue to host such a key event for all with a passion for keeping beef cattle at a profit!”
An organising committee of NI beef industry specialists has started planning an exciting programme of activities for this popular one day event.  Thus Northern Ireland Beef Expo 2012 offers an unrivalled opportunity for all links in the beef supply chain, from agricultural suppliers to suckler herd owners and finishers, processors and retailers to focus on the best practice for profitable beef production in the Province.
Trade stand packs are being mailed in mid November to potential exhibitors with a closing date for space bookings of January 16, 2012. As ever, for more choice of stand size, shape and location early booking is most strongly advised!
For further information on ‘NI Beef Expo 2012’ contact Oisin Murnion, Tel: 07739 632048. Email: oisinmurnion@yahoo.co.uk or Euan Emslie, NBA Event Organiser Tel: 01430 441870. Mobile: 07718 908523. E-mail: euan@nationalbeefassociation.com

Hereford City to mark the birthplace of the Hereford Breed

"Albert" the Hereford bull made an impromptu appearance in High Town, Hereford to mark the announcement of the sculptor who has been commissioned to produce a lifesize bronze for the city centre.
Internationally renowned sculptor Brian Alabaster (pictured on the left in the foreground in discussion with Adrian Blackshaw) will produce the work which it is hoped will be installed by next summer.
Brian fought off stiff competition from a host of acclaimed artists and is now planning to spend some serious time getting to know his subject in order to create a piece that reflects the modern Hereford bull – and the breed’s  importance to the city and county. The piece is being funded by a private benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.
It will be sited outside the Old House in High Town following an online poll on herefordtimes.com when readers selected the spot as their favourite of three suggested. The working party tasked with bringing the project to fruition is made up of local business people and other interested parties, including the Hereford Cattle Society.
A spokesman for the group said that members were delighted that Brian had accepted the commission and was very excited about the prospect of providing a quality, lasting tribute to the breed that was the very essence of Herefordshire.
“We have decided to commission a statue of a modern Hereford to embody the future success of the county.”
Ford Abbey 1 Albert is a former Hereford Poll Bull of the Year, who at the age of seven-and-a-half, has now retired from the showring. He weighs in excess of 1 tonne – somewhat more that the finished bronze!

NEW HEREFORD CLUB FORMED IN NORTH WALES

Chairperson: John Astley

Vice-chair: Mannon Lewis

Secretary: Niamh Riordan-Jones

Treasurer: George/Audrey Morgan

The club got off to a great start with twenty three members subscribing to membership of the newly formed club at the inaugural meeting on Monday 31st October, a meeting which was also attended by Breed President Mr Robert Shaw.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the club, should ring Niamh Jones on mob: 07810551061 or Home: 01407 720445.

Kingsway leads Herefords in Autumn Show at Agri-Expo

THE Hereford Autumn Show Championship went to J.A. Cameron and Son of Leven, Fife.
The winner, was a yearling bull, Baldinnie 1 Kingsway, by successful show bull Dorepoll 1 499 Einsteine and out of a home-bred cow, Baldinnie 1 Kay 16th.

A delighted Mrs Pauline Wason, (pictured above with Judge Mr Andrew Hughes) who showed "Kingsway", pictured right, stated that "I had to persaud Mrs Margaret Cameron to enter him and I'm so glad that I did!". 

 Pictured right is Reserve Supreme and Grand Heifer Champion, Romany 1 Ishbel, from J.R.B. Wilson and Son of Kelso, who also took the Reserve Grand Male Championship with Romany 1 Heavy Duty and Reserve Grand Heifer Championship with Romany 1 Dawn.



For a more detailed look at results please click the following link:
Hereford Autumn Show at Borderway Mart

The show attracted 39 entries.

Robert Parker wins the inaugural National Suckler Herd of the Year Competition

Robert Parker, a monitor farmer and board member of Quality Meat Scotland from Drumdow Farm near Stranraer, was awarded the inaugural ‘Best Suckler Herd of the Year’ at the recent Hereford Cattle Society Dinner. Judging the Competition was Mr John Giffin, Managing Director of a 3,500 acre mixed farming company from Petworth in West Sussex, who travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain to find his Overall Winner.
The competition comprised of seven regions across GB, with each region nominating their ‘local’ herd winner. Each nominated herd was then placed by the vastly experienced Mr Giffin, who has judged at the Rand Show in South Africa, Lusaka Show in Zambia and many major shows across the UK. Robert Parker, a former Nuffield Scholar, crosses Herefords with Angus to produce the ‘Black Baldie’. The resulting F1 hybrid cross females forming the basis of his impressive 180 cow suckler herd. Robert has split the cows into six groups of 30, out-wintering them on outlying granite and calving them down in a tight calving pattern in the spring. Heifers calve down at two years of age and genuinely grow on with their calves at foot. The yearling steers are sold at Ayr Market, where Robert has a great following, and heifers are sold for breeding in matching groups with many going to Northern Ireland and buyers throughout the UK. At the heart of his breeding programme are his very evenly matched Hereford sires mostly purchased from his neighbouring farmer Mr John Douglas of Ervie Herefords.
There were several strong contenders for second place but Mr John Giffin said Mr Geoff Holborow from Worcestershire edged it, “by sticking to the Hereford as a brand, producing some excellent finished beef for Dovecote Park, dedicated processors for Waitrose”.  John added “due to TB concerns Mr Holborow breeds his own replacements by using a Hereford on a Hereford, resulting in progeny that makes the best use of his permanent park type grazing”.   
Mr Giffin congratulated the Society on the strength of their entry and concluded by saying “well done Robert, a clear and worthy winner”.

Results:
Midlands & East Anglia:  Mr. Graham Gulliver, Church Farm, Preston Bissett, Bucks., MK18 4LT.
North of England: W.E. Strong & Partners, Midtown Farm, Great Stickland, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 3DF.
Scotland: Mr. R. Parker, Drumdow, Ervie, Stranraer, DG9 ORA.
South of England: Mr. I. McCubbine, Belle Cottage, Horley Row, Horley, Surrey, RH6 8BE.  
South West of England: Mr. G. Tinnis, Winnslade Farm, Bray Shot, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 8RH.
Wales: Mr. D.L. Gatehouse, Cae-Cotterall, Llangorse, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7UH.
West Midlands: Mr. G.G.E. Holborow, Rosemore Farm, Whitbourne, Worcester, WR6 5RZ

Herefords to 2,000gns twice at Dungannon

Pedigree Hereford bulls reached a ceiling of 2,000gns twice at the native breeds show and sale, hosted by Dungannon Farmers’ mart.
First into the salering at 2,000gns was the third prize winning Ashtree Frankie brought out by Desmond Martin from Saintfield, County Down. Born in March 2010 he was sired by the Churchill Storm son, Glaslough Esquire, and is bred from a Yarram Pompei daughter carrying the Coolfore prefix. Buyer was Ernest Dalton from Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh.
Also selling at 2,000gns was the April 2010 born Lisrace Lionheart X bred and exhibited by David Wilson from Magheraveely, County Fermanagh. This third prize winner was sired by the home-bred Lisrace Lionheart IV, and is out of a dam by Lisrace Lifeliner. He has a Breedplan self replacing index of +31 and is +3 for milk. Successful bidder was R Beattie from Dunloy, County Antrim.
Messrs Haire, Dundrod, County Antrim, realised 1,650gns for the fourth prize winning Dorepoll 1 499 Gold Run. Born in April 2010 he is by the herd’s noted stock bull, Dorepoll 1 73J Jonathan, and is bred from Dorepoll 1 HL Duchess. This bull boasts a milk value of +10 and an SRI of +33.
 Auctioneer Trevor Wylie said trade was selective for the small entry of Herefords.
The Male Championship at the pre-sale show went to the January 2010 born Appel 1 Mike (pictured above left) brought out by Andrew McMordie from Ballygowan, County Down. Bred by Frank Appelby from Cork, he was purchased privately as a seven-month-old calf and is by Udel 1 Webb Ellis – breed champion at Tullamore in 2010. The champion failed to meet his reserve and was withdrawn from the salering unsold.
Scooping the Reserve Male Championship award was Graceland 1 Gus, pictured right, a May 2010 born entry from Robin Irvine’s 16-cow herd in Whitecross, County Armagh. He was sired by the herd’s stock bull, Greenyards 1 Dougie – reserve bull of the year 2011, while his dam is a daughter of Udel 1 WWW Dot. This bull has a self replacing index of +32. 
Portadown-based breeder James Graham dominated the female championship line-up.
The Female Champion was Richmount 1 Florrie, pictured left, a May 2009 born heifer by the herd’s 3,800gns stock bull Graceland 1 Colin – champion at Dungannon January 2008. Her dam is the Bor Tona daughter, Graceland 1 Christina – which also bred the Balmoral reserve champion, and the national bull calf champion. Carrying in-calf to Greenyards 1 Dougie, she was snapped up for 1,600gns by Laurence Moore.
Mr Graham’s reserve female champion was the June 2008 born Richmount 1 Apples. She is by the 2011 sire of the year, Udel 1 WWW Dot, while her dam is Graceland 1 Christina – one of seven cows in the herd.
Results from the judging ring include:
Bull, born between 16/01/10 and 18/04/10 – 1, and male champion, Andrew McMordie, Ballygowan, Appel 1 Mike by Udel 1 Webb Ellis; 2, J and W McMordie, Ballygowan, Solpoll 1 Global by Dorepoll 1 Nationwide; 3, Desmond Martin, Saintfield, Ashtree Frankie by Glaslough Esquire.
Bull, born between 21/04/10 and 21/05/10 – 1, and reserve male champion, Robin Irvine, Whitecross, Graceland 1 Gus by Greenyards 1 Dougie; 2, Messrs Haire, Dundrod, Dorepoll 1 Guardsman by Dorepoll 1 Jonathan; 3, David Wilson, Magheraveely, Lisrace Lionheart X by Lisrace Lionheart IV.
Female, under three-years-old – 1, and female champion, James Graham, Portadown, Richmount 1 Florrie by Graceland 1 Colin; 2, and reserve female champion, James Graham,  Richmount 1 Apples by Udel 1 WWW Dot; 3, Sam Coleman, Glarryford, Polldona 1 Sweet by Udel 1 WWW Dot.

Hereford Calf Show debuts at Newark

Organisers of the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show and the Midlands & East Anglia Hereford Breeders Association are delighted to announce that the Association’s first regional Hereford Calf Show will be held on Sunday 13 November 2011.

Incorporated within the Vintage Tractor Show (12 & 13 November) is a Native & Rare Breeds Exhibition which has proved extremely popular with the many visitors; the Exhibition provides a perfect backdrop for the Midlands & East Anglia Hereford Breeders Association Calf Show which already has over 50 entries.

The Association sees this event as a great opportunity to encourage Young Hereford Members, the breeders of the future. Its schedule includes Young Handlers (14 years and Under, and 15 – 26 years) as well as breed classes for Commercials, Pairs, Bulls and Heifers with a Championship in both sections. Young Members are being encouraged to take part in these classes by being offered cash incentives.

All advance ticket sales carry discounted prices with adults at £8.50 (a saving of £1.50 on the gate price) and Over-60’s tickets at just £6.50 (saving £2.00 on the gate). Children under the age of 17 years are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets for both the Saturday evening and Sunday lunch-time carvery are available to pre-purchase at £10.00 each. Gates open at 9.00am on both days, closing at 5.00pm on Saturday and 3.30pm on Sunday. For more information or to purchase tickets visit: www.newarkshowground.com or call 01636 705796.

For further information contact Sally Hughes, Show & Event Manager
Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society
Tel: 01636 705796 or email: sally@newarkshowground.com

Press release issued by Kingswood Associates
Contact Wendy Peckham Tel: 01205 480190 Mob: 07973 218834

Hollywood Stars at Carlisle Sale!

The male and Supreme Champion entry at the annual autumn show and sale of Hereford cattle at Carlisle attracted the top bid of the day at 4,000gns shown by HP & LS Whittaker Farms.

Hereford Male and Overall Champion ‘Spurstow 1 Hollywood 142’ (pictured left) shown by HP & LS Whittaker Farms and sold for 4,000gns.
Their Junior Bull entry, Spurstow 1 Hollywood 142 is a son of the home bred sire Spurstow 1 Hollywood and bred out of a Seaconpoll 1 Rumpus sired daughter. "Hollywood", an 18 month old bull, sold to J Duckworth of Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock.
The youngest bull entry to the sale sold for the next leading price of 3,500gns. Shown by JM Cant & Ptrs of Arbroath, Panmure 1 Hector won Reserve Junior Male Champion at the years Royal Highland Show and Scottish National Show. He is a son of Romany 1 Distiller and bred out of Panmure 1 Plum who won the Scottish National Show as a yearling heifer. He was knocked down to J Torrance & Son of Quarter, Hamilton.

Hereford Female Champion ‘Romany 1 Dawn A51’ (pictured right) shown by JRB Wilson & Sons and sold for 2,000gns
Heading the female classes were two entries both selling for 2,000gns. The first was a cow and calf outfit from Messrs Cant & Ptrs. Panmure 1 Blessing, a second calved cow selling with her April 2011 born bull calf at foot. They go to PJ & B Miller of Lazonby, Penrith.
Also reaching the 2,000gn mark was an in-calf heifer offered by Robert & Ron Wilson of Kelso. Their 2 year old entry, Romany 1 Dawn A51 a daughter of Romany 1 Asteroid and out of a Crickley 1 Figurehead bred mother. Dawn was sold to new breeder Joshua Dowbiggin of Barnoldswick, Lancs.
Averages - 5 bulls £2,898.00, 11 females £1,369.77.
Show Results
1ST  2ND  3RD  4TH  5TH
CLASS 1 55 CAMERON 57 HAIRE 56 PROCTER 54 WHITTAKER FMS 53 HEWSON
CLASS 2 60 WHITTAKER FMS 59 KEMP 63 CANT 62 HAIRE 61 COOPER
CLASS 3 72 WILSON 73 WILSON 74 WILSON 71 COOPER -----
SENIOR MALE CHAMPION 55 CAMERON RESERVE 57 HAIRE
JUNIOR MALE CHAMPION 60 WHITTAKER FMS RESERVE 59 KEMP
OVERALL MALE CHAMPION 60 WHITTAKER FMS RESERVE 59 KEMP
FEMALE CHAMPION  72 WILSON RESERVE 73 WILSON
SUPREME CHAMPION 60 WHITTAKER FMS RESERVE 59 KEMP

Bill Morrow MSD Hereford Suckler Herd Winner in Northern Ireland

County Armagh has produced the Overall Winner of the Ulster Hereford Suckler Herd of the Year Competition sponsored by MSD Animal Health.
Portadown part time farmer Bill Morrow’s herd ‘ticked all the boxes’ for judge Sam Milliken of Coleraine, who praised the consistently high standard of  cows, calves and stock bull on a farm where good livestock husbandry, including a well thought out  animal health regime, was putting more profit on the bottom line.
The runner up in the MSD Animal Health Hereford Herd of the Year Competition was David Weir Dungannon Co Tyrone in a close fought contest between some of the best livestock farmers in Ulster. Aside from the generous £1000 prize purse provided by MSD Animal Health and shared between the top two herds each county winner received from the Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders' Association (NIHBA) a Hereford figurine.

The six County Award Winners were;
Antrim – Allen Dysart, Rasharkin
Armagh – Bill Morrow, Portadown - Overall winner
Down - Tony McCarthy – Kircubbin
Fermanagh - Tom Mohan – Newtownbutler
Londonderry - George Workman – Garvagh
Tyrone - David Weir – Dungannon- Runner up

Commenting NIHBA Chairman Raymond Pogue noted that, “This docile and easy calving native breed is ideal for full or part time farmers so the Hereford is growing in popularity with suckler herd owners.
“Indeed our aim in running this competition was to highlight how using a pedigree Hereford bull is a simple step towards increasing the value of outputs per acre, yet cutting your feed bills and your workload.”
“The Certified Hereford Beef Scheme has gained momentum nationwide in recent years with almost 200 farmers in NI alone supplying stock at up to 20p per kilo over commercial prices. Prime cattle that produce beef retailing at a premium in prestigious stores such as Waitrose and at top restaurants including those in the Everglades Hotel, Londonderry and Belfast’s Merchant City Hotel.
“No wonder, province wide, progressive suckler herd owners are ‘going native’ and switching back to Herefords, the breed bred for farming conditions in these islands.”
In closing the NIHBA Chairman paid tribute to Ian Graham and colleagues at MSD Animal Health for their support in running this popular event, which reminded herd owners that having a proactive animal health regime in place is essential for success with sucklers.
For further details of bulls available or information on marketing stock through the Certified Hereford Scheme contact David Smyth tel; 07808 078 117.

Solpoll Herefords Steal the Show at Hereford's New Market

Increased commercial interest in Saturday’s Hereford Sale, sponsored by the Farmers Guardian and Nordic Star Tags, held in the New Livestock Market saw pedigree breeders outbid for a number of the top priced bulls.
The Grand & Junior Male Champion, 19 month old Solpoll 1 Geronimo, bred by J. & W. McMordie, Co. Down, N. Ireland, sold for 6,200 gns. to commercial organic beef producers, D.P. & G. Jones, Machynlleth, Powys, who specialise in producing organic beef for Dovecote Park/Waitrose.
“Geronimo”, by the highly successful, Solpoll 1 Dynamite, weighed 830 kgs. and is a Superior Carcase Sire recording a Self Replacing Index in the top 5% of the Breed and a Terminal Sire Index in the top 10%.
The second highest price of the day was paid for the Senior Male Champion, 23 month old Fisher 1 Generator by the successful show bull, Fisher 1 Cracker, bred by W.J. Hutchings & Sons, Chichester, West Sussex, selling for 6,000 gns. to G.F. Harrison, Causeway Herefords, Lakenheath, Suffolk.
Messrs. J.R.B. Wilson & Sons, Kelso, Roxburghshire sold their Reserve Grand & Reserve Junior Champion, 18 month old Romany 1 Gem D1, for 4,700 gns. purchased by Rob Wills, UK Sire Services, for a client, Gerty Strohm-Stiftung, Frankfurt, Germany.
“Gem” weighing 885 kgs., with EBVs for 200, 400 and 600 day weight in the top 1% and top 5% for Milk, Self Replacing and Terminal Sire Indexes – he is the first son of the Danish bull, SMH Castro.
Messrs. Wilson also sold the youngest bull in the Sale, 13 month old Romany 1 Hero, again by Castro, to commercial suckler producer M. Spendlove, Kettering, Northampton for 3,400 gns.
Hero” weighing 650 kgs. also has EBVs for 200, 400 and 600 day weights in the top 1% and Milk in the top 3%. Mr. Spendlove had also purchased a second bull earlier in the Sale, the 23 month old Superior Carcase Sire, Bosa 1 Google, for 3,000 gns. bred by G. Blandford & Son, Bosbury, Herefordshire.
Messrs. Blandford sold a second bull at 3,000 gns., 19 month old Bosa 1 Gazza, weighing 835 kgs., to Messrs. T.G. & E.I. Thorne, Glenvale Herefords, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.
Messrs. S.W. Quan & Co., Wormbridge, Hereford sold their 25 month old Border Rory G37 for 4,000 gns. to fellow Herefordshire breeder, Andrew Goodwin of Honeybrook Herefords, Ivington, Leominster.
“Rory” weighing 1,050 kgs. had EBVs for 600 day weight, Terminal and Self Replacing Indexes in the top 1%.
Returning to the commercial demand for bulls, Messrs. D.E., E.D. & A.L. Jones of Newtown, Powys saw their young 16 month old Dendor 1 Gaffer sell for 4,000 gns. to commercial beef suckler producers, Portman Burtley Estate, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.
Likewise, H.A. Hatt, Basingstoke, Hampshire sold 19 month old Weybrook 1 Blender 4th for 3,000 gns. to commercial beef producers, C.M.G. Sutton Scott Tucker, Dartmouth, Devon.
26 Bulls sold for £79,590.00 to Average £3,061.15

The Show female section resulted, yet again, in an almost total clearance of the heifers offered.
Messrs. J. & W. McMordie securing a double, taking the Grand Female Championship with their 25 month old incalf heifer, Solpoll 1 Starlet G6, and topping the Sale at 4,400 gns. selling to P. Murphy, Wychnor Herefords, Wychnor, Staffordshire.
“Starlet”, the Reserve Northern Ireland Female of the Year, is by the same sire as the Grand Male Champion.
Mr. Murphy also purchased the second highest priced heifer, the youngest in the Sale, 13 month old Romany 1 Lily, who is by the 2010 & 2011 Hereford Sire of the Year, Baybridge 1 Atlas, selling for 4,300 gns.
This young heifer was the Junior Female and Overall Junior Champion at the National Poll Hereford Show in September.
The Reserve Grand Female Champion, 18 month old Lowesmoor 1 Winkle 717, bred by M.J. Clark, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, sold for 3,250 gns. to relative newcomers to the Breed, Messrs. Prettejohn & Kerslake, Nicholashayne Herefords, Wellington, Somerset.
Mr. P. Cobley, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, sold his 19 month old incalf heifer, Kinglee 1 Fashion 304 for 3,600 gns. to M. Ludgate, Rempstone Herefords, Thame, Oxfordshire.

Other leading prices included –
17 month old Barwise 1 Anni-Stazia bred by Mrs. C.S. Fletcher, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, sold for 2,750 gns. to H.M. Scarterfield Ltd., Cathedral Herefords, Fishbourne, West Sussex.
20 month old incalf heifer Hawkesbury 1 Vilma bred by D. & E. Colledge, Coventry, Warwickshire, sold for 2,400 gns. to D.P. & G. Jones, Machynlleth, Powys, the purchasers of the 6,200 gns. Male Champion.
Likewise the purchaser of the 6,000 gns. Senior Male Champion, G.F. Harrison, Causeway Herefords, Suffolk, purchased the 19 month old Fisher 1 Orange G299 for 2,250 gns. from W.J. Hutchings & Sons, West Sussex, the breeder of the Senior Male Champion.
The 19 Show Heifers sold for £41,632.50 to Average £2,191.18.
In the Female for Sale Only section it was again the McMordies who led the way, offering four incalf heifers selling to average a little shy of £2,200.00.
Three heifers by Solpoll 1 Dynamite and incalf to Fisher 1 Charlie – 25 month old Solpoll 1 Nan G5 sold for 2,200 gns. to M. Ludgate, Rempstone Herefords, Oxfordshire.
22 month old Solpoll 1 Starlet G12 also for 2,200 gns. selling to newcomers to the Breed, G.D. & M.R. Watkins, Hollybush Herefords, Ocle Pychard, Herefordshire.
24 month old Solpoll 1 Pansy G10 sold for 2,100 gns. to M. & M. Roberts, Bromley Herefords, Hoarwithy, Herefordshire.
The last heifer sired by the Australian bull, Yalgoo Boulder, 24 month old Solpoll 1 Starlet G7 sold for 1,800 gns. also to G.D. & M.R. Watkins, Hollybush Herefords.
Messrs. D.D. Rowley & Ptns. of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, sold a 3½ year old incalf cow, Hollowseal 1 Kings Curley 19th, along with her 8 month old calf, Hollowseal 1 Kings Curley 27th for 2,000 gns. to R. & S.E. Poole, Leek, Staffordshire.
D. & E. Colledge, Coventry, Warwickshire sold their 19 month old incalf heifer, Hawkesbury 1 Layla for 1,700 gns. to N. & L. Holdsworth, Pebworth Herefords, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.
R. & G. Morgan, St. Clears, Carmarthen sold a 3½ year old cow, Blackwell 1 Eve, along with her heifer calf, Llywynpoll 1 Eve, for 1,600 gns. to E.C. & M. Everall, Ashley Moor Herefords, Ludlow, Shropshire.
The 34 lots offered sold for £44,824.50 to Average £1,318.37.
The Breed Secretary, David Prothero, commenting on the Sale afterwards, said how pleased he was with the new Market facilities and the marked increase in commercial interest with a number of the top priced bulls going into beef Suckler Herds.

Two breeders scoop the Top Hereford Awards for 2011

       Bull of the Year: Normanton 1 Eastern Promise
Tim Livesey of TD & WT Livesey, Normanton Herefords, Leicestershire took the Bull and Female of the Year trophies at the recent Hereford Cattle Society Annual Dinner, a feat not achieved since 2006. Pictured left are from L to R Tim Livesey and Breed President Robert Shaw.
Hereford Bull of the Year was Normanton 1 Eastern Promise, no stranger to success having won many Inter-Breed Championships this year throughout the UK. Most notably winning the Inter-Breed Championships at the Three Counties and Staffordshire County Shows. To win at the Three Counties Show was particularly impressive given that four Beef Breeds were holding their National Shows and approximately 900 cattle were on parade. In gaining enough Hereford points to be crowned Bull of the Year, “Eastern Promise” collected Breed Championships at the following shows:- Three Counties, Great Yorkshire, Burwarton, Royal Highland and Royal Welsh.

       Female of the Year: Normanton 1 Jews Ear C21
Tim Livesey, a Council member representing the Midlands & East Anglia Hereford Breeders’ Association, was presented with the Female of the Year Trophy by Breed President Robert Shaw of Hallwood Herefords, Cheshire. The award was for Normanton 1 Jews Ear C21, a very correct show cow and mother of “Eastern Promise”. The attributes of “Jews Ear” were summed up well by Royal Highland Show Judge Mr Richard Mann of Spinney Herefords, when he commented that if "Jews Ear" had been human "she would appear on the front cover of Vogue magazine - a beautiful feminine cow".

              Sire of the Year: Baybridge 1 Atlas
“Atlas”, bred by Les Gould in Dorset, has been a great addition to the Romany Herd. His dam is the Romany herd’s well known show cow Baybridge 1 Jane R8/30 and his sire the world famous, and twice Australian Sire of the Year Doonbiddie Hustler (P). 
Pictured left are from L to R Les Gould, Robert Wilson and Breed President.
This is the second successive year that “Atlas” has been crowned Sire of the Year, indeed the Wilson family have won the Sire of Year on no fewer than five occasions with Glenlees Storm, Crickley 1 Figurehead and Baybridge 1 Atlas.

“Atlas” has outstanding performance figures with all growth traits in the top 1% for the Breed and the following carcass traits; retail beef yield, carcase weight & eye muscle area in the top 5%. His progeny have had many show successes in 2011 with the following males; Romany 1 Glenlivet A84 H34, Romany 1 Distiller and Romany 1 Heavy Duty collecting prize cards around the country.

“Atlas” has also produced outstanding daughters; Romany 1 Lily A84 H11 who sold for 4,300gns at the Hereford Autumn Show & Sale, Romany 1 Julia A84 F54 and Romany 1 Ishbel A84 G45.

             Show Herd of the Year 2011: Romany Herefords
JRB Wilson & Sons have also taken the Show Herd of the Year Trophy, an award given to the herd gaining most points at qualifying shows around the UK. It is the sixth time the Romany herd have taken the award. This year points have been collected at many top shows including; Royal Highland Show with Romany 1 Glenlivet, the Great Yorkshire Show with Romany 1 Ishbel A84 G45, the Scottish National Show with Romany 1 Gem D1 who was sold for 4,700 gns at the Hereford Autumn Show & Sale and the National Poll Show with Romany 1 Hero, who was also sold at the Autumn Show & Sale for 3,400gns.

Midlands & East Anglia Hereford Breeders's Association take the Thomas Duckham Award for the second time in three years

The Thomas Duckham Award is presented to the Hereford Breeders' Association contributing most to the further development of the Hereford Breed.
Pictured left, from L to R, are Alan Pittam, Michael Church and Breed President Robert Shaw.
Each of the eight Area Associations from across the UK submitted a report to the Hereford Breed President Robert Shaw. In choosing the MEAHBA, Mr Shaw commented that "the winning Association had another outstanding year, with two very active Council representatives in the form of Richard Mann and Tim Livesey and hard working Hon Secretary Mr Alan Pittam they had acheived much in 2010-11.
Alan Pittam had travelled many hundreds of miles with his mobile display unit promoting the Breed at many show across the region. The Association had also launched their own website Midlands & East Anglia during the year. However perhaps the highlight of their year was holding an Open Day, available to all Hereford Breeders', held on Tim Livesey's farm in Leicestershire.
The Association has also been active in developing Young Hereford Breeders' with their own young member Miss Fiona Woollatt holding an Open Day on Mrs Lesley Jackson's farm in April 2011. Fiona's enthusiasm and hard work has been rewarded with The Hereford Cattle Society offering to sponsor her attendance at next year's World Hereford Conference to be held in Calgary, Canada.

Stars Shine at NI National Calf Show

Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders turned on the style at the weekend when their National Calf Show attracted the cream of Ulster's young stock to Dungannon Farmers Mart.
Judge for the event was William Jones, who travelled from Creagh in Co Longford to place the first class entry presented by local breeders.
Leading the way in the Female Calf section was Saintfield based breeder Desmond Martin with his super home bred heifer "Lisola 1 Stella 12th" pictured left. Born in November 2010 this eye catching entry is sired by Parkhill Pompei. She collected the Heifer Calf Championship while John Conlon from Markethill had his first taste of show success. His heifer "Drumatee Trinute "  by Bowmont Storm and born in July last year won her class before going on to take the as the Yearling Female Championship. 
Honours in the Male section were shared by Co Armagh breeders, James Graham and Robin Irvine.
James’s October 2010 born "Richmount 1 Hermes ", pictured right, sired by Graceland 1 Colin secured the Male Calf Championship while Robins Graceland 1 Giovani was awarded the Yearling bull title.
“Giovani” then teamed up with his stable mate "Guisepi" to collect the coveted  Progeny Pair award for the Graceland herd Sire – Greenyards 1 Dougie.
 Irwins Feeds kindly sponsored the Hereford National Calf Show. Club Chairman Raymond Pogue and breeder Cecil Beattie are pictured congratulating Bradley Graham and Nicola Martin on winning the male and female Championships.


Colin Christie congratulates Jack Wilson on winning the Junior section of the Young Handlers at the Hereford National Calf Show. He later went on to take the Reserve Overall title.



A delighted Nicola Martin was the Overall Young Handler Champion at the NI Hereford Breeders Association National Calf Championships. Colin Christie was on hand to present the S Christie Perpetual Challenge Cup.


Report by Libby Clarke    Photos by Alfie Shaw

MIDLANDS & EAST ANGLIA HEREFORD BREEDER'S ASSOCIATION

HERD COMPETITION 2011.

Judge: Mr Peter Grenham, Boars Head Farm, Boars Head, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 3GR.

LARGE HERD
1st     T.D & W.T Livesey   ‘Normanton’
2nd    A.G. Wright & Sons   ‘Badlingham, Hermitage & Hillrow’
3rd     R.P Mann     ‘Spinney’

MEDIUM HERD
1st      P. Cobley     ‘Kinglee’
2nd      R & R Westaway   ‘Clipston’
3rd      D. J Deaville.   ‘Alderville & Aldersley’

SMALL HERD – 8 Entries.
1st      P.J & L.R Vincent   ‘Pulham’
2nd.    P & A.M Riley   ‘Blakesley’
3rd.     D & E Colledge  ‘Hawkesbury’       

J.G.Hollands Trophy for the Best Herd:       P.J & L.R Vincent  – ‘Pulham’ Herd
2nd  T.D & W.T Livesey   -   ‘Normanton’ Herd
3rd  P.C Cobley   -   ‘Kinglee’ Herd

Geoffrey Lewis Trophy for the Best Bull Calf:   I.C Markham – Glenmore 1 Voyager

Chadeshunt Trophy for the Best Heifer Calf:    P & A.M Riley –  Blakesley 1 Honeysuckle

Midlands Association Trophy for Best Cow suckling a calf: 
R & R Westaway –  Clipston Laura H4 with Calf – Clipston Laura M10  

Michael Church Trophy for Best Heifer under 2 yrs old on 1st July: 
P.C Cobley –  Kinglee 1 Fashion

Mardleybury Trophy for Best Stock Bull:  D.J Deaville –   Aldersley 1 Edgar

No tears for Gazza this time as he takes the Championship at Kington

Bosa 1 Gazza, pictured left, took the Supreme Championship at a very competitive Kington Show, with another strong line-up of cattle. It was only a few years ago that numbers of Hereford cattle had dwindled to a small entry but no longer. Kington Show is now one the key dates in the Hereford calendar, with cattle entered from far and wide. Eighteen month old “Gazza”, bred by G. Blandford & Son, is by Bosa 1 Countrywide and out of Bosa 1 Amiesety and is entered in the forthcoming Autumn Show & Sale on 8th October at the new Hereford Market. “Gazza” was a second successive success for stockman Matthew Gray who also showed the 2010 Supreme Champion for S.W. Quan & Co.
The Hereford ring had a Royal visit from the Duke of Gloucester, the first Royal visitor to the show 130 years of its existence. Pictured right are Breed President Robert Shaw with the Duke of Gloucester centre and Lady Darnley. 

The Reserve Supreme Champion was 20 month old Hawkesbury 1 Von-Jodie bred by D&E Colledge, Coventry, Warwickshire. “Von-Jodie”, pictured left, was recently judged Reserve Intermediate Champion at the National Poll Show.

The Reserve Grand & Junior Male Champion was 10 month old Greenyards 1 Homer by Greenyards 1 Euripides and out of 2008 Royal Show Reserve Senior Female Champion Greenyards 1 Truelove 2nd. Pictured right with "Homer" is Phil Allman representing P.J. &  A.C. Allman, Sutton St Nicholas, Herefordshire. Reserve Junior Male was Shraden 1 Hammond from MJ & HM Timmis, Baschurch in Shropshire.
Reserve Grand Female Champion was Buckenhill 1 Gemstone from young Hereford breeders M Gray & Miss L Crowther.
In the Junior Female section the Championship went to Breed stalwarts DE, ED & AL Jones with Dendor 1 Echo 20th, with Reserve going to FG Arrowsmith with Oaklea 1 Annie. Pictured left is Guto Jones with Breed President and Judge Ian Shaw from Cheshire.
In the Groups of Three and Best Pairs, MJ & HM Timmis took the Wetmore/Haven Challenge cup and Carl Jenkins Perpetual cup.
In the Young Handlers Inter-Breed Competition judged by Hereford breeder and Three Counties Show commentator Mr Clive Davies, Junior section winner Twm Jones was judged overall champion from Jack Yates in second place.

Highfield Herd wins Most Improved Award 2011

The Highfield Herd owned by Ian Braithwaite and his family near Bewdley, Worcestershire, has been recognised by EBLEX as the Most Improved Herd of Hereford cattle for 2011. The award is presented by the EBLEX Beef Better Returns Programme (Beef BRP) to the recorded herd that shows the greatest genetic gain for commercial traits over a 12-month period.  

Ian is the third generation of Braithwaites to farm at Bewdley, and currently manages two farms, two miles apart with 73ha (180 acres) of part owned and part rented land. The Hereford herd was established in 2004 with 14 cows after the family gave up dairying. More pedigree cows were purchased from the Belldo, Border, Westwood and Lower Hope herds, with buying decisions made in those days, mainly on look, type and the reputation of the herd.
 
Having worked with Herefords whilst on work placement in Australia, Mr Braithwaite was impressed by their utilization of grass, easy management, natural fleshing and low input finishing requirements. 
To make the most of their ability to perform off grass, Mr Braithwaite is introducing new modern grass varieties into his swards. Growing one field of cereals each year allows him to undertake regular full re-seeds, while the rest of the grassland is over-seeded every second or third year to boost production. This has produced better growth rates in the cattle and higher yields of silage.

Recording performance
Four hundred-day and 600-day weights have been recorded since 2008, helping establish the merits of particular family lines.
Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) have allowed Mr Braithwaite to be more selective when deciding which females to retain for breeding. Heifers are selected at weaning and reared naturally on grass with no supplementary feeding. Females not kept for breeding are finished to 600kg.

“We can see significant differences in the herd now, compared with the years before we started recording,” says Mr Braithwaite.  “Historically we put a lot of emphasis on the bull and very little on the female. Now, I find performance recording useful for evaluating the female side, especially for traits such as milk production". Drawing on his experience as a dairy farmer, Mr Braithwaite AI’s the cows himself, using semen from Canada and Australia. Any returns run with the stock bull. Bulls are also chosen on the basis of EBVs and matched to appropriate cows to ensure herd performance continues to improve.
One bull Dorpoll Patriat, bought as a two year old has positive EBVs on milking ability and is in the top 1% in the country for overall EBVs at +85. Customers for Highfield Herefords include dairy farmers looking for good crossing sires, as well as commercial and pedigree beef producers. They buy privately and through the Hereford sales and the calf show at Shrewsbury Livestock Market. All animals are sold ‘straight from the field’ and not pushed with feed beforehand, as
Mr Braithwaite would rather they expressed their attributes naturally off grass.
“I would like to attend more shows in future,” says Mr Braithwaite. “The children are keen to be involved, and I want to encourage them to continue with the herd now that recording has put us on the right track.”

Worthy winners
“The Braithwaites have done a great job upgrading the genetics in their herd,” says EBLEX breeding specialist Samuel Boon.  “The fact they have won this award highlights what a difference basing breeding decisions on known facts and figures can make”. “Their focus on providing top quality breeding stock that produces commercially desirable progeny - milky cows and progeny that perform well on grass, is to be commended. Recording is definitely taking this herd in the right direction, and will reap dividends for the Braithwaites now, and in the future".

Super Duty takes the plaudits at the National Poll Show 2011

Over 100 Herefords were on display at the National Poll Show, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Gloucestershire and were judged, in front of a large audience, by Mr Ian Harvie of Harvie Ranching, Alberta, Canada.   
Taking the Supreme Championship was the Senior Male Champion two and half year old Spurstow 1 Super Duty, from H.P. & L.S. Whittaker Farms based in Northumberland. It has been a splendid show season for Mr Peter Whittaker taking Championships in both Male and Female sections at some of the UK’s top summer shows. “Super Duty”, exhibited by professional showman Frazer Cormack, is by Remitall Super Duty and out of Wilgor 174H Keyline 29F 55K. Pictured above left are Judge Ian Harvie, Marlene Harvie, Frazer Cormack, Peter Whittaker and Breed President Robert Shaw.
Taking the Reserve Supreme Championship was Grand and Senior Female Champion Hallwood 1 Penelope (pictured right), bred and exhibited by R & R.I Shaw from Cheshire. “Penelope” is by former Poll Bull of the Year Hallwood 1 Nibbs and out of Hallwood 1 Poppy.
Reserve Grand Male was Intermediate Champion Hollowseal 1 Goliath owned and exhibited by Peter Richman, Swindon, Wiltshire. Twenty month old “Goliath” was bred by DD Rowley & Partners and is by Bosa 1 Dabinate and out of successful show cow Hollowseal 1 Easter Rose 30th.
The Junior Male Championship went to 10 month old Greenyards 1 Homer, bred and exhibited by P.J & A.C Allman, Sutton St Nicholas, Herefordshire.
Other Male successes were as follows; Reserve Senior Champion was Classic 1 Duke from R Edwards & P.J Cole, (earlier in the day Edwards & Cole had taken the Nitram Trophy for the Best Pair of Animals), the Reserve Intermediate Championship went to Mandalay 1 Grady bred by R.P. Manning and finally the Reserve Junior Male Champion was Romany 1 Hero D1 H23 from J.R.B Wilson & Sons.
In the Female section the Reserve Grand Female Championship went to Intermediate Champion Romany 1 Dawn A84 A51, owned by H.P. & L.S. Whittaker Farms. “Dawn” is by current Sire of the Year Baybridge 1 Atlas.
The Junior Female Championship went to Romany 1 Lily A84 H11 (pictured left), also by Baybridge 1 Atlas, from J.R.B Wilson & Sons, Kelso, Scottish Borders. “Lily” then went on to take the Overall Junior Championship, taking the Hallwood Perpetual Trophy. J.R.B Wilson & Sons also took the Reserve Junior Female Championship with Romany 1 Dawn A51 H55.
The Romany herd were also awarded the Ted Hewitson Trophy for gaining the most points over the entire show and the two Groups of Three classes, justifying their long trip down from Scotland.
The Reserve Senior Female Championship, went to the breeder of “Atlas”, Mr Les Gould, Dorset, with Baybridge 1 Flower. Two and half year old “Flower” is by Cato 1 Darcy and out of Baybridge 1 Dawn.
The Reserve Intermediate Female Championship went to D & E Colledge with Hawkesbury 1 Von Jodie. “Jodie” is by 2010 National Poll Show Supreme Champion Dorepoll 1 Emperor and out of former Royal Show Champion Hawkesbury 1 Voli-vont.


In the Young Handlers Classes the Overall winner was Ryan Coates (pictured right with Young handler Competition organiser Andrew Hobson), followed by Abbie Anderson and Guto Jones.



Also in the Young Handlers section and taking the Dendor Show Stick, presented by Doris Jones, was young Cameron Cormack (pictured left), his father having earlier shown the Supreme Champion.
However, we must mention Mrs Christine Cormack who despite being in the background is there supporting and encouraging both Cameron and Frazer to their show successes.

A Hereford takes Inter-Breed Championship at Pembrokeshire County Show

Stock bull Weybrook 1 Duke, owned and exhibited by local breeders TG & EI Thorne, won the Inter-breed Championship, Judged by Mr Roger Birch, at the Pembrokeshire County Show.
Three year old "Duke" bred by Mr Harold Hatt, is out of Romany 1 Dawn R5 B2 and by Fisher 1 Charlie was expertly shown by Non Thorne ably assisted by her cousin Dafydd.



Pictured right inspecting the Champion is Show President elect, non other than Mr George Thorne!




 

Einsteine is top of the class at Perth Show!

The Herefords had a very successful day at Perth Show recently with a good show of cattle. 

Three and half year old old stock bull Dorepoll 1 Einsteine was Champion and a younger 20 month bull Baldinnie 1 Royal was Reserve, against a strong line up with many prize winners from the Royal Highland Show.
"Einsteine" bred by JE, RI & W Haire was exhibited by JA Cameron & Son, is out of  Dorepoll 1 Ravette R9 and by Dorepoll 1 73J Jonathan 499. He's no stranger to success having been taken a number of Breed Championships in 2011.
Dorepoll 1 Einsteine then went on to win the Inter-Breed Beef Championship and Overall Supreme Champion of Show. This is his THIRD Inter-Breed Championship this season winning also at Fife and Dunblane. He was also  Male Champion at the Scottish National Show in Kelso.

Twelve month old Panmure 1 Harry from JM Cant & Partners  was Reserve in the Junior Inter-Breed Bull Championships, against another strong line up of 11 other Breeds. 

Tell Laura....I think she is Champion!

Senior and Grand Female Champion Dieulacresse Laura 22nd was judged Supreme Champion by John O’Connor, Limerick, Republic of Ireland at the National Horned Show, Tenbury Wells on Saturday 6th August. “Laura”, pictured left, bred by Messrs Spooner from Leek, Staffordshire is by Lakelodge Storm 2nd and out of Dieulacresse Laura 7th and has had other successes at the following shows; Kington, Shropshire County and Great Yorkshire. “Laura” was shown with her calf at foot, Dieulacresse Laura 34th , who went on to take the Reserve Junior Female Championship.

Taking the Reserve Supreme Championship was another female and Intermediate Female Champion Elms School Walnut by Clipston Juggernaut and out of Free Town Petition. Twenty one month old “Walnut”, pictured right, had previously been crowned Female Champion at the Royal Welsh Show and is 'just reward' for the Elms School’s persistence and sheer endeavour.

Completing the Female Championships - in the Junior Section Gomer Prunella H79 from Mr & Mrs T Amery took the Morris Powell Trophy. It was a marvellous day for the Amery family as they were jointly awarded, with Mrs Lesley Jackson, the George Davies Memorial Trophy for the Herd gaining the Most Points on the Day.

The Grand Male Championship went to the Senior Male Champion, 30 month old Free Town Fortune from RA Bradstock and Partners, Tarrington, Herefordshire. “Fortune” , pictured left, by Border Rory D58 is out of Free Town Adventuress and has picked up major awards at all the shows he has attended this year, including Kington, Shropshire County, Three Counties and Royal Welsh.

In the Intermediate section the Championship went to Church Preen Galileo from AR Owen, Church Stretton, Shropshire. “Galileo”, pictured right, also collected the Badlingham Trophy for the Best Bull under 2 years of age. In the corresponding show in 2010 Church Preen Galileo took the Junior Championship and now a year later he’s taken the Intermediate Championship, so watch this space for 2012!

The Junior Male Championship went to 12 month old Free Town Hotspur, by Spinney Dublin and out of Free Town Benign, which completed another successful show for Breed Stalwarts RA Bradstock & Partners.

In the Junior Section of the Young Handlers' Competition Jack Wilson of Lisrace Herefords, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland came out on top. In the Senior section Flora Amery from Carmarthenshire was awarded first place, she then went on to be judged the 'Best Overall Young Handler'. Flora’s prize was to be the first recipient of the Dendor Show Stick presented by Mrs Doris Jones in memory of her late husband Mr Denis Jones of Dendor Herefords, Caersws, Powys.

Leos Pride 1 Violet-Abbey is Supreme Champion at the Scottish National 2011

Leos Pride 1 Violet-Abbey bred by M/S D&B Ellis and owned and exhibited by HP Whittaker, Tarporley, Cheshire,  took the Hereford and Reserve Inter-Breed Championships at the Scottish National, held at the Border Union Show in Kelso. Hereford Judge Aled Jones places "Violey-Abbey", by Yalgoo Boulder and out of Leos Pride 1 Violet-Sundae, as his Champion against a strong line-up of cattle. This followed her success at the Royal Highland where is took the Grand Female & Reserve Breed Championships.
 
For a full list of Results please see the pdf Load Me

Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association Herd Competition July 2011

The Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association held their herd competition recently. Judging the 30 herds was Mr John Kemp from Durham, altogether John viewed approximately 3,100 head of pedigree & commercial cattle. Some achievement!  - And it wasn't an easy task as John said, he was "impressed by the quality of the cattle in front of him". 
The results were as follows:-

Small Herd     Tony Sargeant Memorial Cup
1st The Elms School       “Elms School”
2nd WJ & CM Hodges   “Broadstoke”                        
3rd F Arrowsmith           “Oaklea”



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Medium Herd
1st  MJ & M Nash     “Whartonspool”
2nd IA Braithwaite   “Highfields”
3rd C Passmore       “Llanthony” 



Large Herd   Ann Hamer Perpetual Challenge Trophy
1st SW Quan & Co.  “Border”
2nd J Walker           “Docklow & Hyde”
3rd = G Blandford    “Bosa”
        AJ & LR Hobson   “Eldersfield”                        

Overall Herd Winner   SW Quan & Co., Border Herefords 

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Best Stock Bull and Progeny
SW Quan & Co.    Border Rory D35

Best Bull Calf        Border Libertine Cup
EL Lewis & Son     Haven Harrier

Best Heifer Calf Cup presented by Clive & Syliva Richards
PJ & AC Allman    Greenyards 1 Truelove H171

Herefords Take Centre Stage At Antrim Show

Competition was fierce at the NI Hereford Breeders Association National Show which took place at Antrim Show recently with a top notch entry presented for judging.
Society President Robert Shaw travelled from Cheshire to place the forty strong entry, representing Hereford breeders from throughout the Province.
An impressive final line up saw the father and son team of John and William McMordie triumph with their March 2010 born entry “Solpoll 1 Geronimo”, pictured above left with Judge Robert Shaw, William & John McMordie and right. Greatly admired on the day this impressive young prospect is sired by the three times Balmoral Champion Solpoll 1 Dynamite and bred from the Starlet cow family within the herd.
This young bull has had other show successes most notably; first prize tickets at Balmoral, Saintfield and Castlewellan.
Hot on the heels of this was “Dorepoll 1 499 High Society”, pictured left, bred and exhibited by the Haire family Dundrod. Again there was home breeding on both sides of his pedigree - the sire being Dorepoll 1 73J Jonathan. There is also a sound track record on the dam side with his maternal brother having sold semen throughout the EU.
This flashy young bull also notched up the Calf Championship for the Haire’s, who had a very strong team forward at the event. 
The Haires were back in the headlines again when their stylish young cow “Westfield 1 Claire”, pictured right, walked away with the Female Championship. She was sired by the same home bred bull as their calf champion, reinforcing how well he is breeding both bulls and females.
Reserve Female Champion came from the Solpoll prefix with a September 2010 daughter of the mighty Dynamite. The McMordie family have high hopes for this young heifer originating from their Starlet cow family.
The Best Progeny Pair award went to JE, RI & W Haire, with Portadown breeder James Graham exhibiting the best Group of Three with a trio of well matched cattle from his Richmount herd.
Society President Robert Shaw, Cheshire in action at Shanes Castle, Antrim.
Speaking after the judging Club Chairman Raymond Pogue said he was “delighted with the turnout and standard of cattle forward. It was an honour to have our Society President join us in his capacity as judge, and he performed his duties in a professional manner throughout. I would also like to thank our sponsors and exhibitors who ensured that the National Show was a resounding success”.
Society President Robert Shaw commented at the end of his judging stint “Breeder’s are to be congratulated on their cattle today. The Overall Champion and Reserve are tremendous young cattle with great prospects ahead of them,”

Report by Libby Clarke    Photos Alfie Shaw

Triple Crown success for Beaumont, Johnson & now Livesey!

Tim Livesey of Normanton Herefords, Leicestershire took the Reserve Supreme Inter-Breed Championship at the Royal Welsh Show with Normanton 1 Eastern Promise. Inter-Breed Judge Mr Jim Bloom, President of the Limousin Society, remarked “the Hereford Bull was as good an example of a modern Hereford you could wish to see with wonderful locomotion”. Mr Bloom added, “I’m an advocate of good locomotion, it’s a trait too often over looked by pedigree breeders of all Breeds”
This followed earlier Inter-Breed successes at the Royal Highland and Three Counties Show.
Earlier in the day “Eastern Promise” had been judged Breed Champion by Hereford Judge and Breed stalwart Mr Bob Borwick or Mara Herefords, Northants. Bob was equally full of promise for his Champion, “it was an easy decision to make, he’s a very correct bull with good spinal structure”.
The Reserve Supreme & Grand Male Championship went to promising young bull Church Preen Galileo from Andrew Owen, Much Wenlock, Shropshire. “Galileo” has a fine Royal Welsh pedigree with his sire Hermitage Commando being a former Breed Champion at the Royal Welsh Show in 2007.
Taking The Dendor Perpetual Challenge Trophy, presented by Mrs Doris Jones, was 16 month old Drayton Commandor from FW Cook & Son. In Reserve was Dendor 1 Gaffer from DE, ED & AL Jones, Caersws, Powys.
In a strong female section, there was first Royal Welsh Show success for the Elms School, Malvern, Worcestershire. Twenty month old Elms School Walnut pipped top show cow Normanton 1 Jews Ear C21 for the Grand Female Championship.
In two very competitive heifer classes, Dendor 1 Echo another animal from  DE, ED & AL Jones stable finished first in the class born between 1st  January and 31st March 2010. In the heifers born on or after 1st April, Llwynrose Oystermaid, bred and exhibited by R & G Morgan took first prize.
A Group of Three by the same Sire, exhibited by TMG Amery were positioned in first place. 

The Welsh Young Farmers Clubs held their National Stock Judging Competitions at the Royal Welsh Show, the four different age categories had to judge four Hereford bulls and four Hereford heifers. In the under 21 age group, Hereford breeder Non Thorne from Pembrokeshire took the honours - with no inside information! Non said "as a Hereford breeder, she felt quite a bit of pressure and just hoped she didn't disgrace herself" - Well she certainly didn't do that, well done Non!

Round Two and again Eastern Promise beats Calzaghe on points!

Following on from the Royal Highland Show Normanton 1 Eastern Promise, (pictured left with Breed President Robert Shaw), Tim Livesey, Will Livesey and Judge Robert Clark, from TD & WT Livesey, Leicestershire pipped Blakelaw 1 Calzaghe, exhibited by owner Heather Whittaker of Coley Herefords, Halifax, West Yorkshire in the Senior Bull Class at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Only this time "Calzaghe" went on a step further, taking the Reserve Breed Championship behind "Eastern Promise". Heather can be seen pictured right with her pride & joy Blakelaw 1 Calzaghe.

In the other bull classess, Anthony & Adam Spooner of Dieulacresse Herefords, triumphed with Haven Governor, sired by Border Rory and Dieulacresse Goodenough sired by Westwood Advancer. Pictured left are Adam & Anthony competing with "Eastern Promise" for the Grand Male Championship.
"Governor" went on to take the Reserve Junior Championship behind Romany 1 Ishbel from JRB Wilson & Sons, Kelso, Scottish Borders.

"Ishbel" can be seen pictured right with Robert Wilson.

In the female section, Normanton 1 Jews Ear C21, came out on top with another Romany female, 27 month Romany 1 Julia, taking second spot.

With 24 heifers, born after 1st January 2010, entered in class 27, it was decided to split the class into 27(A) and 27(B). Sixteen month old "Ishbel" took first place in (A) and 14 month Spurstow 1 Crystal from Peter Whittaker, Spurstow Herefords, Cheshire first in (B).

"Crystal" was well shown by young Cameron Cormack, pictured left, and following in his father Frazer's footsteps he keeps a close eye on the Judge!

In the "Best Group of Three" owned by the same exhibitor and the "Best Pair of Animlas" by the Same Sire, JRB Wilson & Sons took first prize. The  winning Pair were sired by current Sire of the Year, Baybridge 1 Atlas.

Scotland - New Hereford Bull at Monitor Farm Meeting

A new bull was the four legged star attraction at the recent Kintyre Monitor Farm meeting, part of the national programme run by Quality Meat Scotland, at Glenbarr Farms, between Tarbert and Campbeltown.
 At the previous meeting monitor farmer Duncan Macalister, who runs a herd of 140 predominantly spring-calving Aberdeen Angus cows put to Aberdeen-Angus bulls, had said he felt his cows were becoming too pure and that action was needed to boost milk production. He had invited suggestions for an outcross breed.
 
Few had suggested a Hereford bull, consequently the majority of the community group, which included farmers from the islands of Bute and Islay, were surprised when Duncan Macalister introduced them to
Ervie L1 Achiever 91161F. This 21-month-old Hereford bull was purchased the previous month for £5,200 at John Douglas’s on-farm sale at Stranraer. Although born onto Scottish soil, the bull has American genetics, imported as an embryo from Montana.
 
Quizzed as to why he had purchased a Hereford, Mr Macalister replied:  “I want a native, easy-to- handle breed which, when crossed with my Aberdeen Angus cows, will produce replacement females which will out-winter, be fertile, calve easily and produce quick growing calves.”
 
Mr Macalister plans, if all goes well, to retain daughters of his Hereford bull which will then be crossed back to Aberdeen Angus, with the resulting daughters going back to a Hereford bull, creating a rotational cross of Hereford and Aberdeen Angus – “Black Baldies”.
 
A fan of Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) figures, Mr Macalister admits that basing his past selection of Aberdeen Angus bulls on good growth figures has probably cost his herd milk. He hopes that his new Hereford bull breeds true to his EBV figures.
 
“The bull is Plus 16 for milk, putting him in the top one per cent of the breed,” he said.
 
“He’s also Plus 58 for Growth and significantly, Plus 1.5 for scrotal size, which puts him in the top five per cent. And size does matter! A higher EBV here indicates higher fertility – semen and quantity. Also daughters of bulls with larger testicles come into season younger.”
 
 Fertility and health had been among the reasons Mr Macalister had chosen to purchase at an on-farm sale instead of the wider selection of a collective auction.
 
 “I was able to see the farm where the bull had been produced – a one man band, working with 160 cows. Also, the bull had been semen tested prior to sale as well as having been tested clear and vaccinated for BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea). So once the bull was out of my on-farm isolation he was ready to roll!”
 
He added: “Thanks to embryo transfer and AI, cattle genetics can be easily transported around the world these days, giving us in Scotland the pick of international bloodlines but with minimal health risks. This bull, born in Scotland, but with American sire and dam with tip top EBVs for what I’m looking for, is a living example.
 
“Also, Scotland is clear of TB (Bovine Tuberculosis), another reason why I was so determined to buy a bull in Scotland.”
 
 For general information on monitor farms, plus detailed reports of meetings:-www.qmscotland.co.uk/monitorfarms.

More Success for Livesey's Red Bull team

It's not just Mr Vettel who had success last weekend, the other red bull team from Mr Tim Livesey, Normanton Herefords, Leicestershire, took the Breed Championship at the Royal Highland Show with Normanton 1 Eastern Promise. "Eastern Promise" had earlier taken the Grand Male Championship against a good line-up of bulls, especially in the Senior Bull Class. What a show season it has been so far for Mr Livesey and his team and now it's onto the Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh Shows in July.......
Pictured above left from (L to R) Breed President Robert Shaw, Breeder Tim Livesey, Showman Andrew Hughes and Judge Richard Mann.
Mr Livesey also had success in the Female section when his prominent show cow Normnanton 1 Jews Ear C21 was awarded the Senior Cow and Reserve Grand Female Championships. Judge Mr Richard Mann of Spinney Herefords, Warwickshire, commented that if "Jews Ear" had been human "she would appear on the front cover of Vogue magazine - a beautiful feminine cow". 

Taking the Grand and Reserve Breed Championships was promising young heifer 20 month old Leo's Pride 1 Violet Abbey, bred by D& B Ellis and exhibited by owner Mr Peter Whittaker of Whittaker Farms Ltd. Mr Whittaker also won the Reserve Grand Male Championship with Spurstow 1 Super Duty, expertly shown by Frazer Cormack. Pictured above right with the Judge are from L to R; Frazer Cormack and Peter Whittaker. Pictured above left are Leo's Pride 1 Violet Abbey in the foreground competing with Normanton 1 Jews Ear C21 for the Female Championship.
In the Junior Male section, Romany 1 Glenlivet from well known Scottish Breeders' JRB Wilson & Sons was placed in first position. The Wilson family from Cowbog, Kelso had more success in the Junior section when their heifer Romany 1 Ishbel was judged Overall Reserve Junior Champion.
In the Inter-Breed Group of Four, the Hereford Team comprising of Senior bull Blakelaw 1 Calzaghe from Ms Heather Whittaker, young show cow Arranview 1 Regina from Bill Andrew, Leo's Pride 1 Violet Abbey and Romany 1 Dawn A 84 exhibited by Peter Whittaker, finished a very respectable fourth.

GRASS FED BEEF HAS HUMAN HEALTH BONUS

BEEF cattle and lambs finished on grass, rather than cereals, offer consumers an important, potential health bonus.
The good news from an AgriSearch, Northern Ireland Agricultural Research and Development Council, supported project undertaken by Dr Alison McAfee at the University of Ulster.
 Beef and lamb from stock finished off grass were shown to have higher levels of desirable long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, know to enhance human health, than livestock finished on cereal based diets.
Dr McAfee and colleagues found that moderate consumption of red meat from grass fed animals could increase blood plasma and platelet long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in healthy humans without any effect on blood pressure or serum cholesterol
 This is thought to be a completely new finding as Dr McAfee’s follow through from the animal diet to human diet and human blood composition is a novel and original approach.
With some consumers already willing to pay more for food products, such as fat spreads and eggs, with enhanced levels of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, this research opens up the prospect of beef and lamb finished off grass attracting a premium price. Good news for these two sectors of the agricultural industry plagued by low margins and especially for producers in regions such as NI famed for an ability to produce grass cost effectively.
Dr McAfee also points out that the long-term implications for human health are entirely positive. Not least because almost 90% of the population consume red meat, but in the UK as a whole only 27% eat oily fish, the major source of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the human diet.
For those, who do not eat oily fish grass finished red meat has the potential to supply 41% of their total daily long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake compared to just 29% that can be obtained from livestock finished on cereal based diets. Grazing for at least the final six weeks prior to slaughter gives beef and lamb much higher levels of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
These long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are widely recognised as providing numerous human health benefits, particularly to heart health. Red meat also contains conjugated linoleic acids, a group of unsaturated fatty acids, which may offer potential antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
Dr McAfee and colleagues in the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, NICHE, at the University of Ulster, Coleraine see this ability of grass finished red meat to supply higher concentrations of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as excellent news for human health and for the province’s grass based beef and lamb production sector.

Eastern Promise becomes Western Success!

“Eastern Promise”, bred by Tim Livesey from Leicestershire, followed his Inter-Breed success at Stafford County Show taking the individual Inter-Breed Supreme Championship against strong competition. There were approximately 900 cattle entered at this year’s Three Counties Show, which included over 100 cattle from each of the Simmental and Charolais Breeds, who were both holding their National Shows. Three year old Normanton 1 Eastern Promise, a former Three Counties Junior Champion in 2009, is by Normanton 1 Casa Nova and out of Normanton 1 Jews Ear.
“Eastern Promise” also paired up with Normanton 1 Jews Ear C21 to take the Native Inter-Breed Pairs Championship. Pictured left are Anita Gilson with "Jews Ear C21", "Eastern Promise" with Andrew Hughes, Judge Roger Everall and breeder Tim Livesey.

However looking the part is one thing but the proof of the pudding is in the eating and so how appropriate that the Pedigree Hereford Beef served up in the Hereford Cattle Society marquee was supplied by Normanton Herefords. The public queued to get their hands on delicious rib-eye steaks, beef-burgers and various pies. The beef was being promoted following recent successes in Germany and Northern Ireland where Hereford Beef was crowned the “Best in the World”. Pictured above right are Show Commentator Clive Davies interviewing Tim Livesey about how the Hereford Beef was produced.

Standing as Reserve Breed Champion was Senior and Grand Female Champion, Hawkesbury 1 Pandora, from D & E Colledge, Warkwickshire. Two year old “Pandora”, pictured left (from L to R) with Ernie Colledge, Steve Edwards, Judge John McMordie and Breed President Robert Shaw, is by Churchlands Estate 1 Pegasus and out of Hawkesbury 1 Passion and was expertly shown by showman Steve Edwards. Taking the Reserve Senior Female Championship was Frys Cross 1 Saffie from R. Edwards and P. Cole.
Further accolades followed for Ernie Colledge when Junior Female Champion Hawkesbury 1 Precious was judged Reserve Grand Female Champion. The Reserve Junior Female Championship went to promising heifer Eldersfield 1 Laurel G543 from Marsh Court Farm Ltd and bred by Mr Andrew Hobson.
In the Male section Reserve Grand & Senior Male was 26 month old Free Town Fortune bred and exhibited by R.A. Bradstock & Partners of Tarrington in Herefordshire.  “Fortune” is by Border Rory D58 and out of Free Town Adventuress. In the Junior section the bull coming out on top was Hollowseal 1 Goliath exhibited by Peter Richman and bred by D.D. Rowley & Partners. Standing in Reserve to “Goliath” was Haven Governor, jointly exhibited by E.L  Lewis and Son from Herefordshire and  Messrs Spooner from Leek in Staffordshire.

The Hereford Cattle Society also held their Annual National Stock Judging Competition at the show and was as usual keenly contested with over 50 competitors. Finishing in joint first place were sisters Elaine and Melissa Timmis, Baschurch, Shropshire and Breed stalwart Richard Mann from Warwickshire.

Bluetongue Update

The Minister of State has announced today that GB (England, Scotland and Wales) will declare Freedom from BTV8 on Tuesday July 5th 2011. From this date it will NOT be legal to use vaccine in UK and animals moving out of GB will be free to do so without vaccination.

The last case of BTV in GB was in 2008 and we are able to show 2 years of freedom by surveillance.

It had been hoped that the EU rules would have changed before now to allow vaccination in the Free Area but this change is not expected in the close future and the best way to protect our livestock is by declaring freedom so that ruminants coming from Restricted Areas have to comply with the rules. This will make overseas trade simpler for us. Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, and Austria have declared freedom already and it is likely that other more northern member states will do the same as soon as they can show 2 years of freedom (later this summer for some).

Vaccination has been very successful against BTV so that the virus has been removed from Northern Europe. Various strains persist around the Mediterranean and will continue to do so. BTV may not have gone for good and BTV 8 may not be the main threat any longer. There is not perceived to be enough virus circulating in Europe for a windborne incursion to occur and the risk from imported livestock is low. Imports to UK will still be checked for BTV on a risk basis.

There are now a considerable number of BTV vaccines on the market and bivalent ones. Defra will continue to press the EU to allow vaccination in the free area. When this becomes legal Defra will advise the industry if the risk level alters and vaccination against a strain would be wise.

BTV is a Notifiable Disease in the EU and Member States have to report cases to the EU. There has been a rumour that France was not reporting cases because the virus was endemic this is NOT correct.
Duff Burrell (07764409027)

More Herefords say Au Revoir

Mr Les Gould of Baybridge Herefords from Shaftesbury in Dorset is the latest Hereford Breeder to Export cattle to France.
Fourteen month old bull Baybridge 1 Galaxy by Creeslea 1 Elvis and out of Baybridge 1 Jane 4th. along with Baybridge 1 Golden Girl have been sold to Mrs Susan Dametell. "Galaxy" is pictured below right, just prior to departure.


"Golden Girl", pictured above left, is also fourteen months old, is by Cato 1 Darcy and out of Baybridge 1 Candy. These two Herefords follow in the footsteps of many Herefords sold to France over past four years, as the interest in the Hereford Breed continues to grow in near neighbours.

Beef Expo 2011

Interest from commercial livestock farmers in the Hereford Breed was very much in evidence at Beef Expo 2011, held at Newark Showground on Thursay 26th May.
During the event an inaugural Suckler Herd of the Year Competition was launched, please see article below for an Entry Form.

Also during the day farmers were invited to complete a form listing 5 attributes of the Hereford in order of priority. Forms were distributed and filled in by Charlotte Hill and Joanne Dougdale, students from Harper Adams University College. They are pictured right with Breed Chairman Robin Irvine, who flew over from Northern Ireland for the event. 


Farmers who completed the forms had the chance to win a bottle of whiskey on four ocassions during the day. The winners were picked out by Breed President Mr Robert Shaw and Breed Chairman Mr Robin Irvine. 
Pictured left with Breed President (right) are Mr and Mrs Heath from Tarporley in Cheshire winners of a bottle of malt whiskey. The Heath family have used a Hereford bull for many years in their dairy herd and said "they would never change".


Pictured right with Robin Irvine is Mr Gouisbra another of the winners. Mr Gouisbra is a large suckler farmer from South Lincolnshire. He stated that "Hereford genetics make a very good suckler cow, with easy calving to boot".


To see the results of the Survey please click the following pdf

Load Me

On Farm Sale Success at Ervie Herefords

An excellent attendance and vigorous bidding ensured a successful Spring Sale.

John and Alexandra wish to extend thanks to all who came to the 2011 Spring Sale on Saturday 7th May and helped reinforce belief in the commercial strength of our Line One Hereford breeding program. Your interest has been very much appreciated and we hope to be able to return some business in the future.
                                                Good luck to all our successful bidders

Plans are now being made to stage the 3rd Ervie Spring Bull Sale, again the first Saturday in May 2012, with 45 young bulls in the pipeline for selection.
Please keep visiting this web site for further news of this and other upcoming events.

Sale Summary
12 Bulls to £5800 averaged £3958
11 Bulling Heifers to £2100 averaged £1600
Black Baldie Bulling Heifers to £1250
Black Baldie Bullocks to £1000
Hereford X Cows with calf to £1650
The full report can be viewed at Sale Report

Solpoll 1 Dynamite scores a hatrick at the Royal Ulster at Balmoral

Solpoll 1 Dynamite bred by John & William McMordie from County Down, took the Supreme Championship at the 2011 Royal Ulster Show for an incredible third successive time! "Dynamite", pictured above left, has been a great ambassador for the Hereford Breed, taking the Reserve Interbreed Championship in 2010 and again this year attracting compliments from many other competing Breeds. There was further success for the McMordie family when a son of "Dynamite", Solpoll 1 Geronimo took the Junior Male Championship.

The Reserve Supreme Championship went to Mr James Graham of Richmount Herefords with Lady GaGa, a daughter of the well known bull Graceland 1 Colin. Pictured right are James with his young son and Judge Jens Michael Jensen from Denmark. James's delight was compounded when he triumphed in the Group of Three later in the day.



Reserve Grand Male Champion was three year old bull Lisrace Lumberjack VII, pictured left, by Glaslough Captain and from David Wilson of Lisrace Herefords, shown by his son Jack. 







J & W McMordie took the Pairs Championship with two eye catching eighteen month old females; Solpoll 1 Starlet G6 and Solpoll 1 Starlet G8 (pictured extreme right)



The Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders' Association put on a terrific display with their Breed Stand, highlighting their successes in recent Beef Competitions and launching their inagaural Suckler Herd Competition offering prize money of £1,000.

Sponsored by Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health. For competition details please contact David Smyth on 07808 078117.

Hereford Spring Sale Tops 8,000 gns. Twice

The Hereford Cattle Society’s Spring Show & Sale, held on Saturday, saw a record bull sale average of £3,430.00.
Leading the star studded sale was Mrs. J.M. Cant & Partners of Arbroath, Angus who saw their Champion 18 month old Panmure 1 Goliath by Romany 1 Distiller sell for the top Sale price of 8,300 gns.  “Goliath” weighing 792 kgs. was purchased by the Judge of the day, Mr. Ian Shaw in partnership with his father, Breed President, Robert Shaw, of Hallwood Herefords, South Wirral, Cheshire. (Pictured above left "Goliath" led by Abbie Anderson with Judge Ian Shaw and his father, Breed President Robert Shaw the purchasers).
A couple of lots later and Messrs. Cant were in the ring again, this time with 17 month old Panmure 1 Gino another son of “Distiller” selling for 8,100 gns. to Northern Ireland Breeders, Messrs. R. & K. Murphy of Gortnagarn and Sluggan Herefords, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. (pictured right with purchasers R. & K. Murphy is Breed Chairman Robin Irvine and fellow Northern Ireland Breeder, Des Kelly)
The Reserve Championship went to H.A. Hatt of Basingstoke, Hampshire with the youngest bull in the Sale, 12 month old Weybrook 1 Duke 5th by Fisher 1 Charlie. “Duke 5th”, weighing 586 kgs.(pictured below left) and out of Romany 1 Dawn sold for 3,000 gns. to newcomer to the Breed, G.H. Cattell of Solihull, West Midlands.
Mr. Hatt sold another son of “Charlie” earlier in the Sale, 24 month old Weybrook 1 Duke 3rd, weighing 1,100 kgs., selling for 4,000 gns. to A. Cox, Burton Waters Herefords, North Scarle, Lincolnshire.
Other leading prices included Ford Abbey 1 Glenn (938kgs.) 19 months old sold for 5,000 gns. to John and Edward Thornhill, Poynton Herefords Shropshire.  Romany 1 Galaxy (886kgs.) 19 months sold for 4,000 gns. to M. Jenkins, Appleridge Herefords, Gloucester and Fisher 1 Ferrari (934kgs.) 27 months  sold for 4,000 gns to L. Cox, Masefield Herefords and G. Hall Pinmoor Herefords, Lancashire.

21 Bulls sold for £69,930.00 to Average £3,430.00

The Female Sale followed the normal pattern of events with almost a total clearance of all those offered.
Commencing with the Show Section, the Championship went to local breeders, R.A. Bradstock & Partners of Tarrington, Hereford with their incalf heifer,
Free Town Lynette 13th by Border Benefactor D62.(pictured below right with Ian Shaw Judge, Gerald Cox Stockman and Breed President Robert Shaw)  A smart show heifer, she sold for 2,600 gns. to newcomers to the Breed, Mr. & Mrs. A. Miller, Alanna Herefords, St. Austell, Cornwall who also purchased another “Benefactor” daughter, incalf heifer Free Town Dove, for 2,100 gns.
The Reserve Female Championship went to J.R.B. Wilson & Sons, Kelso, Borders with Romany 1 Jane A51 G27 by Romany 1 Asteroid selling for 3,000 gns.(pictured below left with Robert Wilson and Martin Jenkins purchaser of Romany 1 Galaxy for 4,000 gns.) to D. & J. Coulson, Ancholme Herefords, who went on to purchase a further two heifers from Messrs. Wilson, Romany 1 Dawn G37 and Dawn G42 for 1,600 gns. and 1,700 gns. respectively.

The 9 Show Heifers offered sold for £18,952.50 to average £2,105.83.

The Sale Only Section following included a consignment of 12 Maiden Heifers from the award winning Romany Herd belonging to J.R.B. Wilson & Sons, Kelso, Borders.
The 12 sold to average £2,085.00 selling to a top of 3,000 gns. twice – Romany 1 Jane A51 G26 by Romany 1 Asteroid and Romany 1 Julia D345 G28 by the Danish Sire, SMH Calgary 345C purchased by P. & E. Williams, Alderoak Herefords, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury and J.E. Jones & Son, Chirbury Hall Herefords, Chirbury, Montgomery, respectively. (Jane A51 G26 pictured below left and Julia D345 G28 to the right)   Messrs. Jones purchasing a second heifer, Romany 1 Plum A51 G17 by Romany 1 Asteroid for 2,000 gns. and Messrs. Williams likewise who purchased another “Asteroid” daughter, Romany 1 Dawn G9, for 1,800 gns.
Three further Romany heifers, Romany 1 Dawn G25 (by Asteroid), Romany 1 Dawn G33 (by Calgary) and Romany 1 Mink G35 (by Asteroid) sold for 1,800 gns. each to A. Johnson, Chilstone Herefords, Madley, Herefordshire; G. Hall, Pinmoor Herefords, Manchester and B. Dixon, Argyll respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.R. & C.A. Kirby, Buxton, Derbyshire, a regular consignee at the Society Sales, sold to a top of 1,850 gns. a first calf heifer Tydesmoor 1 Elma with her heifer calf at foot selling to D.J. Diamond, Riverdee Herefords, Devon.

The 28 Lots on offer sold for £47,880.00 to average £1,710.00.

Auctioneers: Brightwells, Leominster, Herefordshire
 

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