Coinciding with the renowned Valentine’s Day celebrations, the new February Spring show and sale gave Hereford enthusiasts even more reason to gather and trade. Despite the cold weather, optimism remained high among exhibitors and purchasers alike, and the day proved that many successful matches were made.
The event commenced with the inaugural show, where judge Mr Richard Bowen of Herefordshire, stockman at Bounds Herefords, cast his experienced eye over a strong lineup of pedigree entries. No stranger to the showring, the Livesey family under the Normanton prefix once again found themselves in the spotlight.
Winning his class of four bulls was Normanton 1 Crumbie from TD & WT Livesey, Leicester. The September 2024-born bull has already enjoyed success, having claimed reserve senior male champion at the Hereford Cattle Breeders Christmas calf show in December 2025. On this occasion, Crumbie went one better, securing not only his class win but also male champion and overall champion on the day.
Crumbie is out of Normanton 1 Fistulina 38th V479 and sired by Cleland 1 Nelson. Mr Bowen admired his ease of movement, conformation and squareness, and praised the team for the exceptional turnout. The champion later sold for 6,200gns to Goodwin and Powell, Rough Moor Herefords.
Taking reserve male champion and reserve overall champion honours was Thornysure 1 Chuckles, a smart August 2024-born bull from the Shaw family, Warwickshire. Chuckles had been previously placed first in his class at the National Poll Show, and his quality was again evident. Mr Bowen commented on his soundness and described him as a good, strong bull.
Chuckles is out of the homebred cow Thornysure 1 Sky and sired by Maxstoke 1 Sovereign. He went on to sell for 5,100gns to AD Richards, Celynen Herefords, Carmarthen.
Overall Champion and Reserve Champion
Three strong females were presented before the judge, with Bowendu 1 Penelope 7th from Bowen Farms taking first place and securing the overall female championship. Standing second in her class and awarded reserve female champion was Spartan 1 Plum RW C272 from SC & GL Hartwright.
Born in November 2024, Penelope is out of the homebred cow Bowendu 1 Penelope 4th and sired by Havenfield 1 Wilf. Mr Bowen commended her style, describing her as a flashy heifer, clean throughout. She later realised 5,000gns in the sale ring going to D & AC Shakeshaft, Quaiken Herefords, Ellesmere.
Spartan 1 Plum RW C272, born October 2024, is out of Spartan 1 Plum SP W163 and sired by Rempstone 1 Waspy N641.
Pepperstock 1 Blossom C1144
Topping the female trade with 10,000gns going to Welshpool for S, H & A Smith of Helens Herefords was Pepperstock 1 Blossom C1144, a January 2025-born heifer. She is sired by the renowned show winner Spartan 1 Typhoon and combines style with strength in a very feminine package. Blossom attracted strong interest ringside before going on to lead the female section, reflecting both her breeding credentials and the continued demand for quality young females within the breed.
Fisher 1 Barney
The male section began with bulls born on or before 22nd February 2024. Taking top honours in this class was Fisher 1 Barney B585 from RJ Hutchings, West Sussex. The oldest in his class, born January 2024, Barney showed strength and power throughout. He is sired by Fisher 1 Prospect P464, a bull that has enjoyed considerable breeding success for the Hutchings family and across the wider membership, and out of Fisher 1 Susan T515. Mr Bowen praised his locomotion, stating he was a bull that would stand out in any field. He went on to sell for 8,500gns, top price in the male division to A & P Massey of Hollyvale Herefords, Bury, Lancashire.
In the following class for bulls born between 2nd March 2024 and 18th May 2024, Lowesmoor 1 Blenheim secured first place. A well-fleshed, solid March 2024 bull, he is sired by Romany 1 Viking FR V61 and out of Lowesmoor 1 Kinella 1086. Blenheim went on to sell for 5,000gns and now heads to J Martin, Hilgay Herefords in Norfolk.
The February Spring show and sale proved a promising addition to the calendar, showcasing both the strength in depth and forward-thinking breeding within the Hereford breed. Quality cattle met with genuine demand, reflecting continued confidence in Herefords as a profitable and sustainable choice for commercial and pedigree producers alike. With strong trade, keen competition in the showring and a positive atmosphere throughout, the event set a solid foundation for future spring fixtures and underlined the resilience and ambition of Hereford breeders nationwide.
Sale results
Bulls total price £62,685.00 to an average £5,699.00
Show heifers total price £15,750.00 and sold to an average £7,875.00
Grand total £78,435.00 Grand average £6,033.00
Full Show Results
Class 1 – heifer born on or before 17/01/2025
1st – Bowendu 1 Penelope 7th – Bowen Farms
2nd – Spartan 1 Plum RW C272 – SC & GL Hartwright
3rd – Pepperstock 1 Blossom – Spiers Farms Ltd
Class 2 – bull born on or before 22/02/2024
1st – Fisher 1 Barney B585 – RJ Hutchings
2nd – Allwood 1 Brigadier – FJ Wood & Sons
3rd – Auckvale 1 Boss 2332B – W & R Kemp & Sons
Class 3 – bull born on or between 02/03/2024 – 18/05/2024
1st – Lowesmoor 1 Blenheim – MJ Clark
2nd – Spartan 1 Billy-the-Kid – SC & GL Hartwright
3rd – Fisher 1 Bentley B589 – RJ Hutchings
Class 4 – bull born on or between 07/06/2024 – 11/09/2024
1st – Normanton 1 Crumbie – TD & WT Livesey
2nd – Thornysure 1 Chuckles – M & C Shaw
3rd – Allwood 1 Boringdon – FJ Wood & Sons
Class 5 – bull born on or between 17/10/2024 – 08/11/2024
1st – Spartan 1 Cowboy – SC & GL Hartwright
Class 6 – bull born on or between 16/12/2024 – 09/01/2025
1st – Spartan 1 Cupid – SC & GL Hartwright
2nd – Coley 1 Cavalier – Miss H Whittaker
Overall and Male Champion – Normanton 1 Crumbie – TD & WT Livesey
Reserve Overall and Reserve Male Champion – Thornysure 1 Chuckles – M & C Shaw
Female Champion – Bowendu 1 Penelope 7th – Bowen Farms
Reserve Female Champion – Spartan 1 Plum RW C272 – SC & GL Hartwright