At the spring show and sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre, bids reached 11,000gns for bull Rempstone 1 Virus N598, while a new record bull average was set as 27 bulls sold to average £4,404, clearing at 79 per cent.

Rempstone 1 Virus N598 sold for 11,000gns

A buoyant trade spread through Shrewsbury Auction Centre as Rempstone 1 Virus N598 from M Ludgate reached a top call of 11,000gns, paid for by Robert Allcock to join his Shrewsbury-based Burmill herd.

January 2021-born, this Solpoll 1 Nobility son also stood grand male champion in the pre-sale show, which saw silverware return to the fixture for the first time since the pandemic and was ably judged by Alistair Smith, Newark. Nobility, a Panmure 1 Henry son, has worked within the Rempstone herd as a stock bull, having also bred the 2021 Agri Expo supreme champion Rempstone 1 Curly N604. Out of Blakesley 1 Myrtle, a Dendor 1 Krypton daughter, it is from an easy calving line at Rempstone, with this dam’s first three calves having averaged 34kg at birth.

Classic 1 Theodore sold for 8,500gns

With official auctioneer Jonny Dymond in the box, next in the money at 8,500gns was Classic 1 Theodore from R Edwards and E Smith, Swindon, Wiltshire, purchased by Pete Cobley, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire. With Costhorpe breeding in both sides of its pedigree, it is by Kinglee 1 Nimrod and out of home-bred dam Classic 1 Showgirl, which is by Frys Cross 1 Oberon. April 2020-born, this bull was also tapped out as reserve senior male in the pre-sale show.

Pulham Victory sold for 6,500gns

The only horned bull in the sale, senior male champion Pulham Victory from PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Market, Norfolk sold for 6,500gns to W Shaw, Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire. September 2020-born, it is by the Irish import Shiloh-Farm Elite which stood breed champion at Ireland’s Longford Show 2018. It is out of Pulham Blossom 16th, which is a Haven Hotspur daughter and bred from the famous Badlingham Blossom line. Not a stranger to the Shrewsbury ring, it also stood male champion at the Christmas Calf Show in December 2021.

Rempstone 1 Vincenzo sold for 6,000gns

Another Ludgate-bred bull, this time Rempstone 1 Vicenzo N600, changed hands at 6,000gns to RA Bradstock and partners, Tarrington, Herefordshire. Another Solpoll 1 Nobility son, it is out of Rempstone 1 Dowager V424, a Hawkesbury 1 Vespa daughter. This bull stood third in its class to two other Rempstone males and in all the three averaged an impressive £7,665.

Hoghton View 1 Jackpot sold for 5,600gns

Hoghton View 1 Jackpot from S and E Walker, Preston, Lancashire, realised 5,600gns, selling to EL Lewis and son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire who celebrate their 200th year of breeding Herefords this year. Homozygous polled and January 2020-born, it is by the 2021 National Poll Show senior male champion, Hoghton View 1 Jackaroo.

Auckvale 1 Trafford 1991T sold for 5,500gns

Having made the trip south from Co Durham, W and R Kemp and sons achieved 5,500gns for Auckvale 1 Trafford 1991T, with a top bid made by Powys-based Steven O’Kane and Helen Morgan to take on the role as herd sire at Keadyview Herefords. By two home-bred parents, it is by Auckvale 1 Ramesses 1711R, a Laertes son. Its dam is Auckvale 1 Janet 1649P, a daughter of Dendor 1 Muttley which is the first stock bull the Kemps have bought in the last 20 years.

At 5,000gns, Normanton 1 Van Gough from TD and WT Livesey sold to Anthony Whitfield, Derrington, Staffordshire. By Dendor 1 P.Coltrane, a son of the Royal Welsh champion Bakgard 1 Keno 1178, its dam is by Days Calibre G74.

Rempstone 1 Venom sold for 4,900gns

Rempstone 1 Venom N597 from M Ludgate sold for 4,900gns to GE and SE Jackson, Hilderlsley, Herefordshire. Selling for use on British Blue cows, Taymar 1 Valentino from S Taylor and D Marsh, Leyland, Lancashire sold at 4,800gns.

Normanton 1 Blue Leg 13th sold for 8,000gns

In the heifer section, a selective trade saw some impressive prices. Topping this section at 8,000gns was the day’s grand female champion, Normanton 1 Blue Leg 13th V555 from TD and WT Livesey, Normanton-le-Heath, Leicestershire. A Panmure 1 Pudding daughter, it is out of a Laertes sired dam. It was purchased by Anthony Whitfield.

Barwise 1 Anise MU 127T sold for 6,400gns

Barwise 1 Anise MU 127T, a class winner from Mrs CS Fletcher, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria sold for 6,400gns and joined Anthony Whitfield’s purchases of the day. Sold as having run with bull Barwise 1 Tortuga, a son of Square-D Tortuga 953T, it has been scanned in-calf. This dark heifer carries HF 4L Beyond 36N, Dendor 1 Goblin and Barwise 1 Wellington in its pedigree.

Solpoll 1 Pansy T17 sold for 6,000gns

Having travelled across the Irish Sea, Solpoll 1 Pansy T17 from John and William McMordie, Ballygowan, Co Down found a new home at 6,000gns, selling to the Allwood herd of FJ Wood and sons, Moreleigh Totnes, Devon. Having placed second in its heifer class, it by Moeskaer Mentos and out of the Panmure 1 Henry sired Solpoll 1 Pansy M16, this heifer is full sister to Solpoll 1 Powerhouse which holds the Northern Irish public auction records.

Normanton 1 Fistulina 35th V569 sold for 4,800gns

At 4,800gns, Normanton 1 Fistulina 35th V569, again from TD and WT Livesey sold to N Hooper, Leigh Sinton, Worcestershire. This class winner is another by previous stock bull Panmure 1 Pudding and out of a Dorepoll 1 579 Knighthood daughter.

Two heifers sold for 4,000gns. The first was Pepperstock 1 Orchid V707 from Speirs Farms, Luton, Bedfordshire which was another purchase made by FJ Wood and sons. Having run with a Rockafella 1 Trevor, this heifer is the first to be offered by Pepperstock 1 Rebellious which was supreme champion at Bucks Show 2019.

At the same money was Spartan 1 Oyster’s Vienna from SC and GL Hartwright, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, selling to P Pimlott, Market Drayton, Shropshire. By the 8,000gns Solpoll 1 Perfection which the Hartwrights purchased at the 2019 spring show and sale, it is out of Cleland 1 Oyster Gem 50th.

There was a 100 per cent clearance in the for sale only female section, which was led by Alderoak 1 Lilac 7^th from P and E Williams, Montford Bridge, Shropshire and Fellowhills 1 FR Julia from J Hodge, Horndean, Berwickshire, both selling for 1,500gns.

Averages: 30 show females, £2,973; 27 bulls, £4,404; 6 for sale only females, £1,330
Auctioneers: Halls

The 2022 European Hereford Conference will be held in France, staged at Sommet  de l’Elevage on Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 October 2022. The conference programme can be viewed here.

A special website has been created just for the conference, outlining the programme and costs. Take a look here.

The early bird deadline is Thursday 31 March, and you can find the booking form here. You can also book online here.

On his debut into the sale ring with a Hereford, Dumfriesshire-based Ewan Burgess topped the trade at Stirling at 6,200gns.

Returning to the ring at Stirling after a number of years, the Hereford section saw six bulls selling to an average of £4,322.50, clearing at 86 per cent, with just one animal not finding a home.

Criffel 1 Thor from E Burgess

The top call of the day at 6,200gns was made for Criffel 1 Thor from Ewan Burgess, New Abbey, Dumfriesshire which also stood champion in the pre-sale show judged by Liam Muir, Orkney. May 2020-born, it is by Australian AI sire Wirruna Katnook K74 and out of Moorside 1 Jane 8^th which was purchased at the 2018 Designer Genes sale for 4,000gns, being a Romany 1 Lawbreaker daughter. The first bull to be sold at public auction from the new breeder, it travels to Perthshire with a great set of figures to Iain Wilkinson of Redstroke Herefords to be used on both commercial and pedigree females.

With bidders and the judge in agreement, the reserve champion was next in the money. Baldinnie 1 Digger from JA Cameron and son, Balbuthie, Fife realised 4,500gns, selling to E Innes and sons, Glenlivet, Moray. March 2020-born, it is by stock bull Solpoll 1 National, a son of Solpoll 1 Dynamite and out of Baldinnie Dom Lass 21^st.

Baldinnie 1 Digger

Saltire 1 Vinnie from Willie and Pauline Wason, Kinglassie, Fife realised 4,000gns, purchased by the Roberts family, Dunfermline, Fife. Having been seen out on the calf show circuit last year, it stood reserve senior and senior male champion at Stars of the Future and reserve senior male champion at Agri Expo. A Normaton 1 Laertes son, it is out of Baldinnie 1 Cathy 40^th and sold at 16 months of age.

Also changing hands at 4,000gns was Harveybros 1 Vuitton from Balfron-based father and daughter team, George and Sophie Harvey. Born in December 2020, it is by Wirruna Matty M288 and from the family’s renowned Crocus line. It sold to Dougie Hogarth, Saltcoats, Ayrshire to use in his herd of Montbeliardes.

Travelling with its stablemate to the same home and selling at 3,500gns was Harveybros 1 Valentino, another Matty son. Going through the ring at 16 months of age, its dam is a Laertes daughter.

First bull sold was another from JA Cameron and son, Baldinnie 1 Rebel, which was purchased by the Scottish Government for use in its Crofting Cattle Improvement Scheme as bull hire for 2,500gns. Born in March 2020, it is again a son of Solpoll 1 National.

Two heifers were forward in the female section, both from JA Cameron and son. Baldinnie 1 Dainty 8^th by Wirruna Justin J13 sold at 1,800gns while herd mate Baldinnie 1 Ruth 60^th, a Cornriggs 1 Knight Rider daughter sold for 2,400gns. Both were purchased by JJ Patterson, Oxton, Scottish Borders.

Auctioneers: United Auctions

Averages: six bulls, £4,322.50; two females, £2,205

There are challenges and obstacles ahead for the ruminant sector, but opportunities are in abundance too. That was the overall message from speakers at the British Cattle Breeders Club (BCBC) annual conference ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ this week.

Just under 1,000 delegates from across the UK and beyond registered to attend the virtual conference which included 16 presentations by experts from across the industry.

“Ruminant farmers deserve to be rewarded for the favour they are doing to other sectors,” said Oxford University’s Professor Myles Allen. Currently methane emissions from livestock are wrongly blamed for causing global warming, he said.

“The current way we measure the impact of methane on climate, simply isn’t fit for purpose.”

Carbon dioxide and methane have different effects on global temperatures but are incorrectly considered as equivalent under current measures used by Defra, he explained. When correctly assessed it could be seen that agriculture is no longer contributing to an increase in global temperatures, he said.

“That’s been achieved largely by falling methane emissions from the ruminant sector.

“We need to frame climate policy in terms of warming outcomes rather than emissions inputs.” The livestock sector should be arguing for being rewarded for its impact on global temperature, while also accepting that producers should be penalised for adverse impacts, he added.

Professor Jude Capper, ABP Chair of Sustainable Beef and Sheep Production at Harper Adams University highlighted the importance of considering economic viability and social accessibility as well as environmental responsibility within discussions on sustainability.

“If consumers aren’t happy with what we do on the farm, then ultimately we won’t have a market for our product,” she said.

Marks & Spencers’ Steve McLean agreed. Customers want high quality fresh products that offer superior value and great taste, he said.

Increasingly however, they want to ensure that we’re offering food that is healthy, sourced from livestock reared in high animal welfare conditions and coming from farms that are environmentally friendly.

“Personally, I think that is a real opportunity for UK farmers. We have some of the best animal welfare conditions in the world and we can farm in environmentally friendly ways that should ensure that the UK industry is at the forefront of sourcing decisions.”

Former Rugby Union referee and beef farmer Nigel Owens, kindly sponsored by CRV, spoke about the importance of good mental health for individuals, families and the wider industry.

“If you’re struggling, ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness,” he said. “We need to create an environment where people feel they can talk about it and not be judged and that it’s not going to be seen as a sign of weakness. It’s actually a sign of great strength to open up.”

He encouraged delegates to also consider their impact on others. “Never underestimate the influence you will have on people around you and the way you talk about people who are different.”

BCBC Chairman Dr Karen Wonnacott said: “On behalf of the BCBC committee, we would like to thank all of our delegates, speakers and sponsors for their time and continued support. We held a fantastic virtual conference with insightful and thought-provoking presentations from all. Plans are already underway for a return to an ‘in-person’ conference in Telford from 23 – 25 January 2023. We will look forward to seeing you.”

The sixth annual Designer Genes sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre saw a new female price record set for the Hereford breed, with 13,000gns paid for Pulham Diadem 6th from PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Market, Norfolk.

Pulham Diadem 6th from PRJ and LR Vincent sold for 13,000gns

Following a bidding frenzy, the September 2020-born heifer was knocked down to A Whitfield, Wem, Shropshire. Best heifer under 12 months in the Midlands and East Anglia Hereford Breeders’ Association herd competition, it is by Pulham Ranger which sold to Ireland and out of Clipston Diadem M12.

In all, 13 lots of Hereford females from 12 consignors sold to average £5,645.77, with a clearance of 86 per cent.

The second highest bid of the day at 10,200gns was made by L and L Bowen, Nelson, Glamorgan for Dendor 1 Ruby 37th from DE, ED and AL Jones, Caersws, Powys. Sired by former Royal Welsh Show champion Gouldingpoll 1 Moonshine, it is the first daughter from Dendor 1 Ruby 25th to ever sell which is a maternal sister to Dendor 1 Ruby 29th, the 2018 female of the year.

Dendor 1 Ruby 37th from DE, ED and AL Jones sold for 10,200gns

Next in the money was Auckvale 1 Beth 2023T from W and R Kemp and sons, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham which sold at 7,000gns and joined the Pulham heifer in A Whitfield’s acquisitions. Crowned senior female champion at Agri Expo 2021, this heifer was the first female ever sold from the Kemps’ Beth family and goes back to WLB 36N Beth 452S which was the champion female at the 2012 World Hereford Conference in Canada and a former Hereford Miss World.

G and MC Shepherd, Woodplumpton, Lancashire sold August 2020-born Moorside 1 Dawn 2nd at 6,000gns to John Mooney and heads back to its home county. Sired by 13,000gns Coley 1 Pilot, it is out of a daughter of the former Canadian national champion bull CCR Stamina.

From first time consigner, W Awan from Bath was January-2021 born Midford 1 Kate 2nd which saw a top call of 5,200gns made by Gwyndaf Davies, Felinfach, Ceredigion. It is by noted sire Panmure 1 Henry and out of Moralee 1 Kate 2nd which sold at Designer Genes 2017 for 6,200gns.

The second heifer entered from the Kemp family was Auckvale Lively 1971T and realised 5,000gns, selling to N Hooper, Malvern, Worcestershire, in-calf to Ervie Classic S30. A daughter of Auckvale Kalgoorlie 1322K which stood senior male champion at the National Hereford Show 2019, it is out of two-time horned female of the year, Auckvale Lively 1058H.

Having also won supreme championship at the HCBA Christmas calf show that morning, Spartan 1 Polly T122 from SC and GL Hartwright, Abingdon, Oxfordshire was knocked down at 4,000gns to LD and LL Powell, Penpedaorheol, Mid Glamorgan. Sired by the 8,000gns Solpoll 1 Perfection, it is out of Ruckmans 1 Polly 1306.

The first of three females to sell for 3,800gns was Bosbury 1 Laurel 46 from S Hawkins, Bosbury, Herefordshire, adding to A Whitfield’s purchases of the day. It sold in-calf to Grifford 1 Try which sold at the 2021 society autumn sale for 5,500gns. A Netherhall 1 Oz Daffy M024 daughter, it is out of Bosa 1 Laurel 1053 and carried one of the best EBV profiles in the sale.

At the same money was another Coley 1 Pilot daughter, Fardre 1 Maple V216 from GH Morgan, Abergele, Conway which sold to W Milner, Much Wenlock, Shropshire. The Maple cow family is one of the most prolific lines at Fardre and stems back to some very successful Canadian genetics.

Again at 3,800gns, Coley 1 Clara 575 from H Whittaker, Halifax, West Yorkshire was purchased by J and E Logan, Fountainhall, Galashiels. It is the first ever daughter to sell from female of the year Coley 1 Clara 418, a half share of which sold at Designer Genes 2018 for 7,500gns.
The youngest entry in the sale was Porton House 1 Amehtyst 1st from Paul Moyle and Vikki Weller, Porton, Newport sold for 3,600gns to J Torrance, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. This February 2021-born daughter of Dendor 1 Sherlock is out of Ashley Moor 1 Amethyst 33rd, bred by EC and MM Everall.

Another heading north with J Torrance was Bosbury 1 Rosa 52 from S Hawkins, which was secured for 2,500gns. Again by Netherhall 1 Oz Daffy M024, this heifer is in the top 1 per cent for eye muscle and beef yield, and top 5 per cent for IMF, carcase weight and both breed indexes.

Robert Allcock, Hine Heath, Shropshire sold Burmill 1 Dowager 22 to a top call of 2,000gns, made by G Davies and is a daughter of renowned sire Dendor 1 Kohinoor.

Auctioneers: Halls and Dowbiggin Marketing
Averages: 13 heifers, £5,645.77

Spartan 1 Polly T122 from SC and GL Hartwright

Spartan 1 Polly T122 from SC and GL Hartwright, Abingdon, Oxfordshire stepped into the supreme position at the HCBA Christmas calf show at Shrewsbury Auction Centre. With stockman Luke Murphy on the steering end, this September 2020-born heifer also took the grand female title, adding to the reserve junior female champion accolade it won at the National Poll Show this summer. Out of Ruckmans 1 Polly 1306, it is by Solpoll 1 Perfection which the breeders purchased at the 2019 spring show and sale for 8,000gns and won the breed championships at Devon County and the Royal Bath and West in the same year.

Normanton 1 Fistulina 34th from TD and WT Livesey V631

In his role as judge, Jim Barber described the heifer as ‘feminine and balanced’ while being ‘long and full of meat’ with ‘great commerciality’.
Following Polly through its class and the female championship into the reserve supreme spot was Normanton 1 Fistulina 34th V631 from TD and WT Livesey, Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire. Three days younger than the supreme, it is by Panmure 1 Pudding which was purchased for 4,000gns at the 2018 society autumn show and sale.

Jim said his reserve supreme was of a similar stamp to the champion and moved with great mobility.

Pulham Victory from PRJ and LR Vincent

Leading the male section and taking the grand male title was Pulham Victory from PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Market, Norfolk. September 2020-born, it is by the Irish-bred Shiloh-Farm Elite and out of Pulham Blossom 16th which is a Haven Hotspur daughter.

Rempstone 1 Venom from M Ludgate

Nearly 12 months old, Rempstone 1 Venom N597 from M Ludgate, Thame, Oxfordshire stood reserve grand male, led by Joe Clark. It is by Solpoll 1 Nobility and out of Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 911 which is by Remitall Super Duty 42S.

Pepperstock 1 Vesuvius from Speirs Farms

Elsewhere in the classes, Speirs Farms took the red ticket in the November/December 2020 born bull calf class with Pepperstock 1 Vesuvius. A son of SMH Kingsize 87K, it is out of Pepperstock 1 Tamerisk which is a daughter of stock bull Kinglee 1 Gangster.

Dendor 1 Virginian from DE, ED and AL Jones

Displayed on the Royal Welsh Winter Fair stand, Dendor 1 Virginian from DE, ED and AL Jones, Caersws, Powys headed up the March to April 2021 born bull calf class. By the 2018 National Poll Show supreme champion Dendor 1 Nairobi, it is out of Dendor 1 Jano 18th.

Spartan 1 True Love V127 from LD and LL Powell

Another from Hartwrights’ stable, Spartan 1 True Love V127, owned and exhibited by LD and LL Powell, Penpedaorheol, Mid Glamorgan, won the November to December 2020-born heifer class. Again a Solpoll 1 Perfection daughter and out of Cathedral 1 Stephanie, and carries Dorepoll breeding on both sides of its pedigree.

Rempstone 1 Curly N604 from M Ludgate

Rempstone 1 Curly N604 from M Ludgate took the top spot in the January to February 2020 born heifer class. By Solpoll 1 Nobility, it is out of Rempstone 1 Curly C453.

Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 37th from DE, ED and AL Jones

With a packed ring of baby heifers, Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 37th from DE, ED and AL Jones won the 2 March to 22 March 2021-born class. Another by Nairobi, it is out of a home-bred Bakgard 1 Keno 1178 daughter.

Midford 1 Ruby 2nd from Will Awan

The final class of the day, the younger half of the split baby heifer class, was won by Midford 1 Ruby 2nd from Will Awan, Bath. With two Dendor parents, it is by Naiorbi and out of the SMH Euro 30E daughter, Dendor 1 Ruby 17th.

Best pair of heifer calves from SC and GL Hartwright

The pairs classes saw DP Jones Agricultural Contracting, Maxstoke, Warwickshire lead the bull calf section while it was another red ticket for the Hartwrights in the heifer pairs class.

Best pair of bull calves from DP Jones Agricultural Contracting

The young handlers’ classes were very well supported and judged by HCBA vice chair Andrew Whitlow of HighHouse Herefords. The junior class was won by 15 year old Beth Vincent of Beckhall Herefords, Pulham Market, Norfolk who went on to take the overall championship. First time exhibitor, 24 year old Alex Newton of Thellow Herefords, Antrobus, Cheshire won the senior section and stood reserve overall.

Young handlers’ championship

Will Griffiths with steer Penrhiwgoch Progress 508

Standing champion in the Hereford section at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair was steer Penrhiwgoch Progress 508 from Messrs Griffiths, Ferryside, Pembrokeshire, with Will Griffiths on the steering end.

Home-bred, it is by Border Napier N57 and out of Penrhiwgoch Binks Rachelia 220 which also carried Border breeding on its maternal side and was born in May 2020. The Griffiths family also won the steer championship in three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018.

In the sale on Tuesday afternoon, this steer passed through the ring to a top call of £2.31/kg and weighing 702kg, it grossed £1,621.62, and sold to Douglas Willis, a butchery business in Cwmbran, Torfaen.

The reserve champion and reserve steer position was also secured by the Griffths family, again with a home-bred beast, this time Penrhiwgoch Progress 516, another Border Napier N57 son, born in June 2020. Weighing 656kg, it sold for £2.48/kg, amounting to £1,626.88, bid by J and S Wareham, Broadoak, East Sussex.

In the heifers, July 2019-born Celynen Envy 2nd from Alun Richard, Pumpsaint, Carmarthenshire. Born a twin to a male, it is by Windycreek 1 Notary and out of Blackwell 1 Envy. The breeder was also successful at the 2018 Royal Welsh Winter Fair, where they won the heifer championship and reserve in 2019. The sale saw R and S Rattray, New Cross, Ceredigion pay £2.36/kg for the heifer, and at 638kg it grossed £1,5050.68.

The reserve heifer rosette was handed to Scott Coates, Monmouth with February 2020-born Parkapella 1 Serena 1447. By Moeskaer Upgrade, it is out of Nanhoron 1 Serena 10th and weighed 590kg. It sold at £2.36/kg, totalling £1,392.40 to butchers ER East and son located on Brecon high street which are keen supporters of the breed.

The society stand was busy throughout the course of the show with members, interested parties and prospective new members.
Thanks must go to the Jones family of Dendor Herefords, Caersws, Powys for once again supplying stock for display on the stand. Two bull calves were loaned and were Dendor 1 Vivian and Dendor 1 Virginian.

Dendor 1 Virginian is by Dendor 1 Nairobi which was the supreme champion at the National Poll Show in 2018. Dendor 1 Vivian is by Gouldingpoll 1 Moonshine which stood supreme champion at the Royal Welsh Show in 2018 as well as making up one half of the Fitz Hugh Trophy winner with stablemate Dendor 1 Ruby 29th.

Margarita Sebastian

A shipment of 250 straws of Margarita Sebastian, bred by the Hodson-Walker family, Derbyshire has been exported to the USA and received by a group of four American breeders who collectively run 600 cows. In addition, 200 straws of Margarita Sensation were purchased by one of these breeders.

This importation will be used across four different US states, including North Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Montana, which all have very diverse climate and forage types, ranging from abundant low-nutrient grazeable forages to areas of sparse amounts of nutrient dense forages.
This is the first shipment of UK Hereford semen to the USA for the first time since 2008, when 300 straws of Atok Socrates were exported.

One of the purchasers, Steven Pollestad, North Dakota, said: “All of us involved with the importation were interested particularly in Traditional Hereford bloodlines because of their ability to convert forages more efficiently.

“This efficiency results in more pounds of beef produced per acre or hectare of pasture without resorting to the added expense of using creep feed, or other grains to increase cattle weights while they are on pasture. Drought conditions, such as what we now have here in much of the US, make efficiency traits even more important.”

Roger Hodson-Walker and his family keep 20 females in their Derbyshire-based Margarita herd and explained representatives from the group visited the UK to look at Traditional cows.

The Americans jointly funded a synchronisation programme, with Free Town Kendal as the chosen sire, to produce bull calves for semen collection for export. Kendal was purchased by EL Lewis and son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire in 1976 and sold for a then record price of 17,000gns.

Roger said: “The purchasers were looking for animals to out-winter on the range and to perform on a forage-based diet, and they believed the Traditional Hereford was particularly well placed for this task.

“The Americans travelled across the country looking at Traditional females to breed bulls from for semen collection and settled on five from our herd which had been among our original animals when establishing the herd.”

A group of females from the Margarita herd were chosen for synchronisation including purchases from Peter Talbot’s Baytal herd and Les Cook’s Albany herd which were the eventual dams of the bulls.

Roger explained the purchasers were particularly helpful in ensuring the right procedures were undertaken. To export to America, semen must be free of Schmallenberg, and as such, the timing of semen collection was vital.

From this mating, three bull calves were produced. Photographs were sent to the American breeders throughout their development, and the group of breeders chose two bulls. Semen was collected in the winter of 2020, before any challenge from midges.

Steven said: “My colleagues and I are excited about our recent importation of Traditional Hereford semen from the Hodson Walker family, and we are looking forward to seeing the results of the use of these genetics blended with our own Hereford bloodlines.

“I am very pleased to have been able to locate and obtain Traditional Hereford genetics which are essentially the foundation genetics of the Hereford breed.”

The semen is also on sale in the UK via UK Sire Services.

Margarita Sensation

At the English Winter Fair, TD and WT Livesey, Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire, won the Hereford section for the fourth consecutive year and took the reserve native-bred championship with the October 2019-born Normanton 1 Jews Ear 35th. It is a Normanton 1 Laertes son and out of Normanton 1 Jews Ear 5th. Going through the ring at the end of the day, it sold for £2.74/kg.

The Livesey family led the Hereford steer class and won reserve Hereford champion with Normanton 1 Telepathic. Born in October 2019, it is Normanton 1 Laertes and out of Normanton 1 Jurana 8th.

Normanton 1 Jews Ear 5th

Sky High 1 Miss Allure from Nick Griffths and Boomer Birch and Graham Brindley, Staffordshire took the supreme spot in the National Pedigree Calf Show, hosted annually at the English Winter Fair.

Sky High 1 Miss Allure

Richard Rettie, Perthshire had travelled south to judge, and said this heifer caught his eye as soon as it came into the ring.

Born in February 2021, it led the junior heifer calf class and followed hot on the heels of its success as junior champion at Stars of the Future. By Dendor 1 Kohinoor, it is a son of Danish-imported SMH Euro 30E and out of Dendor 1 Jennefer 15th, the two times Hereford female of the year which is a daughter of Solpoll 1 Gilbert, the three times UK sire of the year.

Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland also had a National Pedigree Calf Show with Moralee 1 Villain RK V17, a Rebel Kicks son, and out of Moralee 1 Kylie which is bred from Romany Herefords’ Ishbel family.

In the carcase hall, the supreme and native champion carcase was from Hereford Cattle Society young breeder, 15 year old Harvey Heath, Derbyshire. Sired by Tydesmoor 1 Jubilee purchased out of Bakewell market, it is out of a home-bred pedigree British Blue cow. Weighing 550kg live, it was 320kg when cold and graded as R4L. The carcase was sold at 5.70kg to Howdens, Yorkshire.

Isla Soutter of Normanton Herefords also won the young handlers’ championship along with the John Yates Memorial Challenge Trophy, presented to the person showing the most professionalism in the presentation and handling of their stock, which every stockperson at the show was automatically entered in.

Finlay Soutter, also of Normanton Herefords, won his young handlers class.

Grifford 1 Princess from Nick Griffiths, Penkridge, Staffordshire was selected as senior and senior female champion at the Stars of the Future held at United Auctions, Stirling. September 2020-born, it is a Normanton 1 Laertes son, and out of Coley 1 Clara 315, a daughter of Blakelaw 1 Calzaghe.

Grifford 1 Princess

Judging was Panmure Herefords’ Audrey Anderson, who commented on the high quality of calves forward.

Leading the junior section was March 2021-born Moralee 1 Valuabull RK V19 from Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland. March 2021-born and having already taken the grand male title at Agri Expo, it is by Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks KS R12 which did so well on this year’s summer show scene. Its dam is the Harrisons’ ‘original Pippa’, Coley 1 Pippa 356, which won the Royal Highland Show in 2017.

Moralee 1 Valuabull

Saltire 1 Vinnie from Willie and Pauline Wason, Kinglassie, Fife took the reserve senior and senior male champion titles. Born in October 2020, it also did well at Agri Expo, being named reserve senior male champion. Another Laertes son, it is out of Baldinnie 1 Cathy 40th, which is a Baldinnie 1 Orient daughter.

Saltire 1 Vinnie

Sky High 1 Miss Allure from Nick Griffiths and Boomer Birch and Graham Brindley took the reserve junior and junior female champion. Out of Dendor 1 Jennefer 15th and by Dendor 1 Kohinoor, a SMH Euro 30E son, it is February 2020-born.

Sky High 1 Miss Allure

From Strathaven-based Gavin Dunbar, February 2020-born Drumboy 1 Vindicator 1103 won the reserve junior male champion accolade. Home-bred, it is by AI sire Fabb 1 Northern Star, and out of the Danish -bred Moeskaer Kashmir 1655.

Moralee 1 Mink RK V2

Another from the Harrisons’ stable, this time Moralee 1 Mink RK V24, won the reserve junior female champion title. Out of Romany 1 Mink DL L24, it is again by Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks KS R12.