A new record average of £3,477 after a 100 per cent clearance was set at the premier sale at Dungannon Farmers Mart, while a record top price was also established.

Graceland 1 Silas from Robin and James Irvine, Whitecross, Co Armagh sold for 5,500gns

Leading the day’s trade was Graceland 1 Silas from Robin and James Irvine, Whitecross, Co Armagh which changed hands for 5,500gns to AI Services NI stud in Co Antrim, to help meet the ever-increasing demand for Hereford semen. This June 2019-born Blakesley 1 Nathan son sits in the top 20 percentile for weight and eye muscle figures and is out of a home-bred female, sired by Greenyards 1 Dougie.

Brookfield 1 Teddy from Roy and Pat McClenaghan, Holywood, Co Down sold for 4,300gns

Next in the money at 4,300gns was the youngest bull forward, Brookfield 1 Teddy from Roy and Pat McClenaghan, Holywood, Co Down which went home with T McAuley, Ballmoney, Co Antrim. A superior carcase sire, this Moorside 1 Joseph son also sits in the top five per cent for eye muscle and retail yield figures.

Solitude 1 Sunshine for Andrew Mcmordie Ballygowan, Co Down sold for 3,800gns

At 3,800gns, and first animal through the ring, was Solitude 1 Sunshine from Andrew McMordie, Ballygowan, Co Down which sold to A Porter, Omagh, Co Tyrone. This 23 month old is by Moeskaer Upgrade and out of Solitude 1 Helen G131, which is a Solpoll 1 Dynamite daughter.

River-Dale 1 Spartacus from the McMordie family, Saintfield, Co Down sold for 3,600gns

Not far behind was River-Dale 1 Spartacus from the McMordie family, Saintfield, Co Down, selling to JA Humphrey, Coleraine, Co Londonderry for 3,600gns. Another superior carcase sire, this May 2019-born Panmure 1 Henry son is out of a home-bred female.

The next sale at Dungannon Farmers Mart will be held on Tuesday 20 April.

Averages: 9 bulls, £3,477

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart

John Vaughan

Former Hereford breeder T John Vaughan had just finished writing a 416 page A4 book entitled ‘The Hereford, The Greatest Breed on Earth’ before sadly passing away in December 2020.

John previously wrote ‘Bovine Showbiz’ which sold over 5,000 copies, with just six left on the shelf. Taking just 10 days to write, it was printed in another two weeks.

Last year, he commented: “I thought it was a doddle producing a book. However, ‘The Hereford, The Greatest Breed on Earth’ has been ten years in the making and virtually every day over the past twelve months.”

The book details how the breed began right through its development and covers the Hereford’s ups and downs from the early 1800s right up to today. It is the perfect learning point for breeders and all Hereford breeders will agree it is aptly titled.

Events and characters are brought to life to celebrate this influential breed. It is packed with facts and opinion and composed in such a way that from start to finish is very entertaining to read.

Fortunately, John was satisfied he had completed his project before illness set-in and instructed the printers to produce his book, but more than most such works, this one certainly has the feel of being compiled by a true practitioner.

The book costs £45 plus postage and can be ordered by emailing beverley.turner@herefordcattle.org.

Paul Sneyd

Paul Sneyd has been appointed as the new director of operations of the Hereford Cattle Society and will take on the role of managing the society and its office.

Having worked across a number of agricultural and horticultural businesses, Paul has spent the last two years working for Jupiter Group managing its grower portfolio and running a project in India. Prior to that, he spent eight years in a senior management role in Haygrove Growing Systems within Haygrove Ltd which is a farming business supplying the best retailers in the UK, Europe, South Africa and China with berries all-year-round.

Originally from Staffordshire, Paul spent most of his childhood growing up and working on a dairy farm. On leaving home, he joined the Fleet Air Arm in the Royal Navy, where he trained and worked as an air engineer for five years. Following this, he studied agricultural marketing and business studies at Harper Adams University where he met his wife, Sarah, and together they live with their two children in rural Herefordshire.

Away from work, Paul is passionate about sport, particularly rugby and is an avid supporter of his local team, Luctonians Rugby Club based near Leominster, Herefordshire.

Paul said: “I am looking forward to getting my teeth into this role which has such scope and I relish the opportunity to work with an ambitious council and the wider membership, to grow and develop the society and Hereford cattle brand.

“With my experience, passion for agriculture, there is real opportunity to progress and further enhance the great work already achieved alongside the team. Along with my personality and ability to communicate at all levels, my life’s experience in farming communities and agricultural businesses gives me a great foothold for the role I am taking on.

“As we move into a changing landscape for farmers and the industry, it is imperative we continue to build a more profitable and sustainable industry, developing on the latest technologies in science and genetics. We must also make sure our communications and connections with the end consumer are strong and clear.”

Paul begins his role on Monday 1 February. He is happy to discuss his new role with any members or friends of the society and can be contacted on paul.sneyd@herefordcattle.orgor 07811 748079.

Auckvale Curly 1831S from W and R Kemp sold for 10,000gns to T and D Harrison

Breaking the European record for a horned Hereford female, Auckvale Curly 1831S from W and R Kemp and sons led a tremendous trade at the fifth Designer Genes sale. After a heated bidding war between online and phone bidders, the heifer knocked down to Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland for 10,000gns. The 23 month old horned heifer is sired by Auckvale King-Maker 1265K and bred from the renowned Curly cow family, and was sold in-calf to Ervie Classic S30.

This year’s sale was conducted in an online-only format and saw a total of 13 lots sell to average £6,308.08, clearing at 87 per cent. The female trade averaged at £6,214.09 and is a UK and European Hereford record.

Moorside 1 Jane 16th sold for 8,000gns to Linda Mooney

Leading the poll female trade was 15 month old Moorside 1 Jane 16^th from G and MC Shepherd, Woodplumpton, Lancashire which met a top call of 8,000gns to Linda Mooney, Lancashire, and is the first daughter of the 13,000gns Coley 1 Pilot to sell at auction.

A pick of the herd lot from Halifax-based Heather Whittaker’s Coley Herefords also reached 8,000gns, and sold to George Morgan, Abergele, Conwy. The successful purchaser was offered the chance to pick any animal in the herd’s full ownership, including donor cows, herd bulls, embryo calves and embryo pregnancies.

Moralee 1 Kylie KS S10 sold for 6,600gns to T Vasami

Moralee 1 Kylie KS S10 from Tom and Di Harrison realised 6,600gns, and was knocked down to T Vasami, Ffostrasol, Ceredigion. This March 2019-born heifer is a daughter of current UK Hereford sire of the year SMH King Size 87K and out of a Cornriggs 1 Knight Rider daughter.

Coley 1 Hasimara 504 sold for 6,000gns to E Hodge

Another entry from Heather Whittaker, 16 month heifer Coley 1 Hasimara 504, saw bids to 6,000gns, and was purchased by new breeder Emma Hodge, Duns, Berwickshire. This heifer was the first daughter born to current UK Hereford bull of the year, Romany 1 Primetime BL P62.

Auckvale 1 Janet 1756R sold for 5,900gns sold to P Martindale

The Kemp family also offered March 2018-born Auckvale 1 Janet 1756R and its Dendor 1 Mutley bull calf, which sold to P Martindale, Bolton, Lancashire for 5,900gns. This female is a three-quarter sister to Royal Welsh supreme champion 2019, Auckvale 1 Curly 1725R, which was purchased for 7,300gns at Designer Genes 2018 by L and L Bowen, Nelson, Glamorgan.

Dendor 1 Greta 31st sold for 5,600gns to A Fitzgerald

DE, ED and AL Jones, Caersws, Powys offered October 2018-born female, Dendor 1 Greta 31^st, which crosses the Irish sea to Anselm Fitzgerald, Co Westmeath after a closing bid of 5,600gns. Sired by former Royal Welsh Champion Bakgard Keno 1178 and from the famed Greta line, it sold in-calf to Gouldingpoll 1 Moonshine.

At the same money was the final lot of the day, nine month old heifer calf Moorside 1 Julia 4^th from G and MC Shepherd which was purchased by Ian Wilkinson, Inchture, Perthshire and is another daughter of renowned Coley 1 Pilot.

M Ludgate, Thame, Oxfordshire consigned Rempstone 1 Curly D561, a January 2020-born daughter of Gouldingpoll 1 Double Decker, which went to Jimmy Hodge, Horndean, Berwickshire at 5,300gns. The first ever daughter of Double Decker to sell from the herd, it is also a granddaughter of Blakesley 1 Kimberley which stood female champion at the National Poll Show in 2016.

Two daughters of former sire of the year Barwise 1 Lancer from the well-known Romany herd of JRB Wilson and sons also sold in the sale. April 2019-born heifer Romany 1 Dawn BL S48 was bought for 5,000gns by A and J Taylor, West Lothian, while September 2019-born Romany 1 Ishbel BL T2 sold for 4,100gns to Bethan Hutchinson, Greatham, County Durham.

Fabb 1 Princess Sofia, a March 2019-born daughter of Danish-bred Bare Mr Youtube 4Y from DRA Fabb, Warboys, Cambridgeshire changed hands at 3,000gns and joins A and J Taylor’s purchases.

Herd sire prospect Moralee 1 Tommy Lad KR T2 from Tom and Di Harrison sold for 5,000gns to Neil Howie, Northumberland. Sired by Cornriggs 1 Knight Rider and out of a King Size daughter, Tommy Lad was the first bull to sell at Designer Genes since Coley 1 Pilot in 2018.

Averages

11 females, £6,214.09; 1 bull, £5,250, 1 pick of the herd, £8,400

Auctioneer: Jonny Dymond, Halls

Sale manager: Josh Dowbiggin, Dowbiggin Marketing

A small turnout of bulls saw six bulls forward at the December native breeds sale at Dungannon Farmers Market, resulting in an average of £2,415.

Solpoll 1 Show Time sold for 3,000gns

Auctioneer Trevor Wylie found his top priced animal in the form of John and William McMordie’s Solpoll 1 Show Time. After some fast bidding on this 19 month old bull, sired by the home-bred Solpoll 1 Prime Time, it was knocked down at 3,000gns to Valerie McCrea from Stewartstown for use on suckler cows.

Taking the second top price was first time sale exhibitor Jonah Laughlin with his 19 month old entry, Mountober 1 Powerful, sired by Graceland 1 Giovanni, which sold at 2,000gns to G McHahan, Dungannon.

Colin McCord sold the youngest bull forward, Ballycrune 1 Solomon. This 17 month old Graceland 1 Micheal son sold for 1,900gns to Edward Robinson,  Dungannon and is the second Hereford bull added to his dairyherd this season.

The next native sale will be held at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Tuesday 9 February 2021.

From 1 January 2021 the UK will trade with the EU as a third country and therefore new rules for entry into the EU of certain animals and products from third countries, including livestock, will apply.

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol of the EU Withdrawal Agreement, the same requirements will apply for these live animal movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The last date for receipt of samples for microsatellite and/or SNP testing which require results before the Christmas break is Friday 27 November 2020.

Weatherbys Scientific will be closed from Thursday 24 December to Friday 1 January 2021 for the Christmas holiday season.

The laboratory will reopen on Monday 4 January 2021.

Hereford Cattle Society has launched its new identity, including a unique logo and improved website.

Phil Allman

With a striking, modern brand, the society is setting itself apart, as it looks to the future as a proactive organisation, with an ever-increasing membership.

Phil Allman, chairman of the Hereford Cattle Society, said: “We are excited to finally be able to launch our new brand and website to our members, stakeholders and the wider industry.

“We now have an identifiable brand which is easily recognisable and resonates with our society aims. Although we are proud of our rich history, being one of the oldest beef breeds in the UK, we recognise the need to look to the future, and are actively working to prepare and strengthen ourselves for whatever challenges Brexit and beyond bring.”

In 2020, there are over 1,000 active pedigree Hereford breeders across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, an increase of nearly 60 per cent over the last 10 years.

Mr Allman continued: “In excess of 9,000 pedigree calves are now registered each year, which is up nearly 50 per cent compared to a decade ago. Over 185,000 Hereford sired progeny are now registered each year in the UK, including those on cross-bred suckler and dairy systems which is almost a 90 per cent increase from ten years ago.

“Not only does this show the Hereford Cattle Society is going in the right direction with the breed is gaining more and more momentum, but it also shows how commercially relevant and popular Herefords have become once again. Visit our new website and you can read more.”

In a £13,000 deal, Hereford bull calf Solpoll 1 True Grit has sold to the Clipston herd of Rod and Rose Westaway, Leicestershire.

Breeders John and William McMordie, Co Down, described the September 2019-born bull as the ‘most stand out calf’ they have ever bred and is the nineth Panmure 1 Henry son to sell from the herd for £8,000 or more.

Solpoll 1 True Grit

The dispersal of the Kilvrough herd of pedigree Herefords on behalf of Elizabeth Radcliffe, Gower, Swansea led the trade at the Autumn Hereford Day, at Shrewsbury Auction, with females realising over 5,000gns on three occasions.

Dendor 1 Ruby 29th from E Radcliffe sold for 5,500gns

Top of the money was Dendor 1 Ruby 29^th with the gavel going down at 5,500gns, and travels back over the Welsh border with L and L Bowen, Nelson, Glamorgan to join their Bowendu herd. Bred by DE, ED and AL Jones, Caersws, Powys, this four-year-old cow was the 2018 female of the year and was part of the winning Fitzhugh pair at the Royal Welsh in the same year.

Kilvrough 1 Myrtle from E Radcliffe sold for 5,200gns

Another show star, Kilvrough 1 Myrtle, changed hands at 5,200gns to Russell and Angela Howells, Gower, Swansea. This October 2017-born female stood reserve champion at the Royal Welsh last year as well as exhibitor-bred champion and part of the winning group of three. It is by Dorepoll 1 579 Knighthood and out of Dendor 1 Myrtle 12^th. It sold with its five-month bull calf at-foot.

Kilvrough 1 Ruby from E Radcliffe sold for 5,200gns

At the same money was Kilvrough 1 Ruby, a 21-month-old female purchased by PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Market, Norfolk. It is out of the day’s top price animal and by Bakgard 1 Keno, the 2017 Royal Welsh breed champion.

Kilvrough 1 Joyful 3^rd went at a bid of 3,800gns, purchased in equal shares between EL Lewis and son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire and PRJ and LR Vincent. This September 2018-born female is by Solpoll 1 Dynamite and out of another Dendor cow.

Making 3,600gns was Kilvrough 1 Keepsake 3^rd, which went home with R Lewis and Codd, Pembrokeshire. It is by the 2016 Royal Welsh and Royal Highland interbreed champion, Normanton 1 Laertes.

Females hit 2,900gns on three occasions, the one being Kilvrough 1 Keepsake 04, which rugby referee Nigel Owens secured in an online bid before officiating the Heineken Champions Cup final.

Elsewhere in the sale, the first lot through the ring Thames 1 Jed Vanity 905 from A and S Timbrell, Cirencester, Gloucestershire sold at 4,800gns to Ryan Coates, Newton Harcourt, Leicestershire. It sold with its heifer calf at foot and confirmed in-calf to Appleridge 1 Rolo.

Thames 1 Jed Vanity 905 from A and S Timbrell sold for 4,800gns

DE, ED and AL Jones sold Dendor 1 Jennefer 21^st, realising 3,500gns, also to R Lewis and Codd. This March 2019-born heifer is another Keno daughter, and a maternal granddaughter of three-time UK Hereford sire of the year, Solpoll 1 Gilbert.

Dendor 1 Jennefer 21st from DE, ED and AL Jones 3,500gns

Averages

Kilvrough dispersal

25 females, £2,513

Auctioneers: Halls