At the annual awards dinner of the Hereford Cattle Society, Pembrokeshire-based breeders George, Ionwy and Non Thorne were named as winners of the national herd of the year title after winning the Wales herd competition this summer. With the Glenvale poll, Studdolph poll and Ashdale British Polled herds to their name, the Thorne family have been in the breed since 1946, and were also founding members of the British Polled Hereford Society.

Now running 35 breeding females, the family have experienced some great successes over the years, and previously won the herd of the year title in 2008. This year alone, they topped the female trade at the society’s spring sale with Glenvale 1 Polly 721 which sold at 5,200gns after 40 years of private-only female sales.

This year’s National Poll Show also saw Studdolph 1 Barbie 754 in the reserve supreme position in the hands of Inverness-based owners Calum Smith and Anna Wilson.

Commenting on her visit to the herd, judge Pat Stanley commended the breeders for their animals’ uniformity, stating all groups were of the same type. She highlighted the females’ flat tops and great depth, and praised the cattle for their second thigh and rump angle.

Taking second place was Phillip and Laura Vincent, Norfolk who had led the Midlands and East Anglia Hereford Breeders Association herd competition. Their Pulham herd consists of approximately 30 horned and 15 poll breeding females.

Having won the North of England Hereford Breeders’ Association herd competition a total of seven times, the Kemp family were pleased to be named third place in the national competition. Operating under the Auckvale prefix, they run 100 cows.

For more of the regional herd competition, click here.