Last lot of the day, Moralee 1 Katy-Perry PR301, sired by Moralee 1 RHS Price, out of foundation female Richmount 1 Katie-Perry, went off like a ‘firework’ seeing the hammer fall at 11,000gns (£11,500).

The 9-month-old heifer calf from breeders Tom and Di Harrison saw competitive bidding both within the ring and online. She found her new home with breeder A Whitfield, Shropshire.

This marks a new UK record for a Hereford animal under 12 months of age.

The sole male entry saw the current joint Bull of the Year, Solpoll 1 Trailblazer kick off the proceeding as the opening lot. Selling with a package of 150 straws, alongside exclusive breeding rights – outside of straws retained from L & L Bowen, to Vaughan Farms Ltd, Herefordshire for 10,000gns (£10,500).

Hoghton View 1 Alfreda 3rd became the second highest-priced female of the day from S & E Walker. A daughter of Moeskaer Magnetic and out of a Normanton 1 Laertes, she was scanned in-calf to new herdsire Auckvale 1 Walktall. Alfreda will be joining Moralee 1 Katy-Perry PR301 with buyer A Whitfield for 8,200gns (£8,610).

In total 8 lots passed through the ring with an average of £6,116.25, heifer averaged £5,809. Clearance sat at 57%.

Other prices

• Lot 5 – Porton House 1 Lilac Wine 2nd sold for 4,200gns to F J Wood
• Lot 11 – Pepperstock 1 Fashion A899 sold for 4,000gns to JDC Livestock
• Lot 2 – Porton House 1 Amethyst 3rd sold for 3,600gns to C Codd & R Lewis
• Lot 14 – Midford 1 Brownie 1st sold for 3,000gns to U Shaw
• Lot 13 – Bowendu 1 Lottie 4th sold for 2,600gns to J Edwards

The evening before the Designer Genes sale saw the Designer Genes on Ice event, an opportunity for purchasers to invest in Hereford genetics through varying means: semen, flushing rights, and pick from calf crops.

Emma Hodge, Scottish Borders, an established Angus Breeder, now investing in a Hereford herd, judged the show portion of the Hereford Cattle Society’s Autumn Show and Sale in October. Placing the winning bid, Emma claimed rights to an exclusive pick of all 2023 born calves at Auckvale. Winning the rights for 5,000gns (£5,250), Miss Hodge will head to the Auckvale herd in June 2024 to select a male or female to add to her herd.

Moeskaer Herefords offered the right to flush any cow in their herd, guaranteeing a minimum of 5 grade A exportable embryos to a sire of the buyer’s choosing. The lot sold for (£6,825) to Kevin Schaub, Canada.

A consignment from T & D Harrison of Moralee Herefords saw a flush from Auckvale Curly 1831S, the former record-breaking female hitting 10,000gns. Dam to the current Horned Female of the Year, the lot was purchased by G Davies, Ceredigion, Wales for 1,600gns (£1,680).

A flush of the 10,000gns former record-breaking female Auckvale Curly 1831S was consigned by T & D Harrison of Moralee Herefords. The 1831S female is also the dam of the current Horned Female of the Year. The flush sold for 1,600gns (£1,680) to G Davies, Ceredigion, Wales.

29 embryos from multiple consignors peaked twice at 520gns per embryo. Firstly embryos by Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 671, consigned by Matthew Goulding, sold to B Fitzgerald, Republic of Ireland. Embryos from Solpoll 1 Startlet M19, consigned by J & W McMordie, and by Dendor 1 Kohinoor, sold to P & V Moyle, Porton House Herefords. 29 embryos averaged £474 per embryo.

Semen from three sires sold to a high of 160gns (£168) per straw and averaged £135.50 per straw. Two packs of five straws of 16,000gns Spartan 1 Typhoon sold for 140gns and 160gns each, both to K Davidson, Fife, Scotland. Semen from Kingsland 1 Wolf (current National Champion Polled Hereford Bull) sold for 160gns per straw for 10 straws to Nigel Owens, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Semen from Moralee 1 RHS Prince, sire of the 11,000gns high-selling female, sold for 85gns per straw to S Jones

Held at United Auctions Stirling, Stars of the Future does what it says in the name. For those who get called to the front as the judges’ top pick within calf classes, it marks the start of a glittering career in the summer months with their potential recognised at a young age.

One such heifer, from the Harvey family, spotted by judge Maddie Clarke, within the junior female class, was Harveybros 1 Crocus Aurora.  Daughter of Sky High 1 Take-a-Chance, out of Harveybros 1 Crocus Tiara. Following on from winning her class, she moved up the board taking the sash for junior female champion and overall female champion. Having gotten her first taste of success at AgriExpo, standing reserve in the junior championship, the 2023-born heifer represented the breed in the native championship at Stars of the Future, to be tapped out as reserve champion.

Another success from the Harveybros herd, saw Harveybros 1 Crocus Absolut-Rose tapped out as senior overall champion following her triumph in senior female championship and senior class, born on or between 6^th November and 13^th January 2022. Absolut-Rose first entered the ring back in the summer at the Scottish National Show in Perth and earned her first red rosette. November born, Absolut-Rose is sired by Gouldingpoll1 Stockman, out of Harveybros 1 Crocus Tequilla-Rose, the Crocus line heading back to the Panmure 1 Crocus line.

Reserve overall senior champion was selected as Saltire 1 Ruth 3^rd from WP & K Wason, Lochgelly, Fife having stood second in her class and then reserve female champion beside Absolut-Rose. November 2022-born, she is a daughter of Dorepoll 1 499 Einsteine, sired himself from Canadian breeding, out of homebred Saltire 1 Ruth 2^nd.

 

December 2022-born, Panmure 1 Apollo from JM Cant & Partners, was selected as senior male champion after first taking the top spot in the senior male class. A Romany 1 Thor FR T4 son, out of Panmure 1 Plum S8. Romany 1 Thor FR T4 is proving to have a strong influence over the Panmure herd, seeing his progeny rack up the ribbons at major shows throughout the summer and this year’s Stars of the Future show.

In the junior section, Panmure 1 Plum A9 upheld the winning streak for the Panmure team by pocketing the reserve junior title before moving on to claim the reserve junior overall champion ticket. Traveling from Tayside, January 2023-born Plum A9, sired again by Romany 1 Thor FR T4 and out of Panmure 1 Plum H12.

Seeing success in the junior section Panmure 1 Alexander took the junior male champion position. Another Romany 1 Thor FR T4 son, out of Panmure 1 Blessing S4. Alexander took the red ticket in the junior male class ahead of Harveybros 1 A-Ladies-Man.

Harveybros 1 A-Ladies-Man, caught Miss Clarkes eyes into the junior championship, strode into reserve junior male champion position. Born May 2023, another winning animal from the crocus line, this time out of Harveybros 1 Crocus N1, sired by Gouldingpoll 1 Stockman.

The Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders Association staged their popular Annual Calf Show at Dungannon Mart, which attracted a strong entry of calves from across the province with 41 put in front of judge Matthew Rollason of New Dawn Herefords, Lancashire.

Leading the way in the male section was the December 2022 born Drumshanbo 1 Alisson from Ethan Small, Randalstown. From the homebred Drumshanbo 1 Starlet his sire was Graceland 1 Giovani he was victorious in Class 4 before taking the Senior & Overall Male Championship and giving Ethan his first Championship win at the Calf Show.

Following him through in the class and right through into the Male Championship was Benburb 1 Alan. Born in November 2022 and sired by Fabb 1 Northern Star and from the bought in dam Intelagri 1 Lancombe Jay Lucy he began a great day for Dungannon based Alan Shaw and family with his team of Fabb 1 Northern Star sired calves.

Benburb 1 Alan from Alan Shaw, Reserve Senior & Reserve Male Champion

The March born Benburb 1 Alice 8^th took the Junior & Overall Female Championship after winning class 11, this time with the homebred dam Benburb 1 Alice 5^th, it was no surprise when these 2 calves teamed up to win the best pair of calves class.

In a repeat of the male championship the Reserve Overall Female Champion came from the same class as the winner this time in the shape of Lisnaree 1 A-la-carte from Marcus Murdock, Newry. Born in April 2023 this calf was no stranger to the show ring have been at foot with her dam Cornriggs 1 Vanity 2^nd, the current NI Female of the year and was also sired by Fabb 1 Northern Star.

Both the Senior & Reserve Senior Female Champions came from John & William McMordie, Ballygowan after winning classes 8 & 9. Solpoll 1 Amber A2 a September born daughter of NBG The Wonderer from a homebred dam Solpoll 1 Amber S24 took the Championship ahead of her younger herd mate Solpoll 1 Starlet A11.

Solpoll 1 Amber A2 from John and Williams McMordie, Senior Female ChampionA11 is a daughter of CCR Stamina and the homebred Solpoll 1 Starlet T3. The Solpoll herd also took a win in Class 3 with the September born Atlas, another sired by NBG The Wonderer with Solpoll 1 Pansy N7 as his dam.

Class 6 produced the Junior Male Champion for Glenn & Tracey Morton, Armagh. The March born Nancy Volvo was sired by stockbull Glaslough Volvo with the homebred Nancy Chloe as the dam.

Reserve Junior Male Champion and winner of class 5 was Lisrace Loyalist 39^th from David Wilson, Magheraveely. Sired by his stockbull Glaslough Unique, his dam was the homebred Lisrace Prettymaid 26^th.

Ballynahinch based Alan Rea had first prize winners in both baby bull and heifer classes with May born progeny of stockbull Mountdale 1 Ulysses. Picking up the win in Class 7 was Glassdrummond 1 Albert who had the homebred dam Glassdrummond 1 Penny.

The winner of Class 12 was Glassdrummond 1 Apple again with a homebred dam this time Glassdrummond 1 Molly.

Class 10 was won by the January born Moyadd 1 Apollo, a daughter of Kinglee 1 Oyster Girl with Graceland 1 Silas as the sire for Ciara Fitzpatrick, Kilkeel.

The always very competitive young handlers class seen Gary Andrews take the championship with Nathaniel Shaw in Reserve.

The NI Hereford Breeders association would like to thank United Feeds for their continued support in sponsoring for the event, the Wylie Family at Dungannon Mart, judge Matthew Rollason, Alfie & Kathryn Shaw at Agri Images and all exhibitors for ensuring that the event was a huge success.

Overview of the show

Drumshanbo 1 Alisson, Senior & Male Champion for E Small

Benburb 1 Alan, Reserve Senior & Reserve Male

Nancy Volvo, Junior Male

Lisrace Loyalist, Reserve Junior Male

 

Class 3 – Sept/Oct Bull

1 – Solpoll 1 Atlas – J & W McMordie

2 – Solpoll 1 Ace – J & W McMordie

3 – Mountview 1 Master – T Andrews

 

Class 4 – Nov/Dec Bull

1 – Drumshanbo 1 Alisson – E Small

2 – Benburb 1 Alan – A Shaw

3 – Mountview 1 Merlin – T Andrews

 

Class 5 – Jan/Feb Bull

1 – Lisrace Loyalist 39th – D Wilson

2 – Nancy 1 Impact – G & T Morton

 

Class 6 – March/April Bull

1 – Nancy Volvo – G & T Morton

2 – Annaghbeg 1 Leo – M & L Moore

3 – Roselodge 1 Leo – G McCorry

 

Class 7 – May onwards

1 – Glassdrummond 1 Albert – Alan Rea

2 – Moyadd 1 Apollo – C Fitzpatrick

3 – Moyadd 1 Atlas – C Fitzpatrick

 

 

Beburb 1 Alice 8th – Junior & Female Champion – Alan Shaw

Lisnaree 1 A-la-carte, Reserve Junior & Reserve Female

 

Solpoll 1 Amber A2, Senior Female

Solpoll 1 Starlet A11, Reserve Senior Female

 

Class 8 – Sep/Oct Heifer

1 – Solpoll 1 Amber A2 – J & W McMordie

2 – Mountview 1 Midnight – T Andrews

3 – Benburb 1 Alex – A Shaw

 

 

Class 9 – Nov/Dec Heifer

1 – Solpoll 1 Starlet A11 – J & W McMordie

2 – Lusky 1 Annie – J Gill

3 – Nancy Cathy – G & T Morton

 

Class 10 – Jan/Feb Heifer

1 – Moyadd 1 Apollo – C Fitzpatrick

2 – Richmount 1 Apples – J Graham

3 – Benburb 1 Anna – Shaw

 

Class 11 – March/April Heifer

1 – Benburb 1 Alice 8th – A Shaw

2 – Lisnaree 1 A-la-carte – M Murdock

3 – Richmount 1 Abbie – J Graham

 

Class 12 – May onwards

1 – Glassdrummond 1 Apple – A Rea

2 – Sessiagh 1 Adele – N Shaw

3 – Derryfubble 1 Aurora – K Shaw

 

Pair

1 – A Shaw

2 – J & W McMordie

3 – C Fitzpatrick

Young Handlers

Overall Winner

Gary Andrews

Reserve

Nathanial Shaw

Breeders headed to Borderway, Carlisle to partake in Agri-expo. The classes were well attended with quality stock on parade.

Catching judge, Twm Jones eye, Coley 1 Alexander from Heather Whittaker, Halifax, took home the coveted supreme champion position. Earlier in the day following success in his class, Alexander went forward to take the top position in both the male and senior male championships. September 2022 born, Alexander is sired by Denor 1 Sherlock, out of Kammerherre Kati.

Not a stranger to the ring Coley 1 Alexander saw success earlier in the year at the national poll show taking the junior male championship and reserve overall junior champion.

Standing beside him in reserve, from the herd of a breeder gaining momentum on the show circuit was Midford 1 Ravette 1^st. Bred by Will Awan, Bath, sired by Kinglee 1 The New One, out of Gouldingpool 1 Ravetter 738, this Jan 2023-born heifer headed to the championship ring, after being tapped out as junior champion and overall female champion. Ravette 1^st was spotted as the heifer calf to watch in the southwest herd competition and took 1^st in her class at Frome show this summer.

Panmure 1 Alexander from JM Cant & Partners took the ticket for reserve overall male champion following victory in his class, ‘bull born in Jan/Feb 2023’. December 2022 born, Alexander is sired by Romany 1 Thor FR T4, out of homebred, Panmure 1 Blessing S4.

The Romany herd took a title home of their own when Romany 1 Aztec FR A21 took the red ticket in ‘bull born in October 2022’. He later revisited the ring to be brought forward as reserve senior male champion. Bred by JRB Wilson & Son, hailing from Kelso, the bull is out of Romany 1 Lily BL S13 and sired by Fabb 1 Rocco whose breeders, Helen Parr and Daniel Fabb came second in the Beef farmer of the year this month at the British farming awards.

Another triumph for the Coley herd, saw Coley 1 Alsace standing reserve besides Panmure 1 Alexander, in the junior male championship after coming second to the aforementioned bull in his class. Sired by the same bull as overall champion Coley 1 Alexander, Denor 1 Sherlock and out of a Dendor bred dam, Dendor 1 Lilace Wine 29^th, a new face to the ring from a successful stable.

Within the overall female championship, standing beside Midford 1 Ravette 1^st, Grifford 1 True Fashion from NJ Griffths was tapped out by Mr Jones as reserve. Born December 2022, out of Greenyards 1 Truelove M314, sired by Gouldingpoll 1 Stockman, True Fashion made the trip up north from Staffordshire worth the journey after taking the red ticket in her class, ‘heifer born in Nov/Dec 2022’ and the top title in the senior female championship.

All the way from Pembrokeshire, riding a winning high after being named herd of the year for the consecutive time, saw the Thorne family’s homebred Studdolph 1 Barbie 884 tapped out as reserve senior female champion. From the Barbie line, out of homebred Studdolph 1 Barbie 719, sired by Vexour 1 Palmer whose progeny saw success at the Autumn show and sale reaching 5200gns.

Continuing their winning streak the Thorne teams heifer, Ashdale 3 Queen 898, sired by Alderville 1 Dover, out of homebred Ashdale 3 Queen 638 took Twms fancy in ‘heifer born on or after 1^st March 2023’ putting her in the top spot.

Again, the Welsh breeders stepped forward, this time with their bull, Glenvale 1 Hoskins Sotutu in ‘bull born on or after 1^st March 2023’, out of Glenvale 1 Angela 680, a homebred cow and Alderville 1 Dover.

Within the junior female championship, Harveybros George and Sophie’s heifer, Harveybros 1 Crocus Aurora strode into reserve. Sired by Cogent backed Sky High 1 Take-A-Chance, a bull that boasts impressive credentials and out of homebred Harveybros 1 Crocus Tiara. The Scottish team collected another red rosette towards the end of the schedule in the pairs class.

Tom and Di Harrison had a fruitful day, beginning when their horned heifer Moralee Curly Cl288, reigning ‘horned female of the year’ took first in her class, ‘born in October 2022’. A heifer not originally planned to enter the ring but put herself in Di’s eyeline at home and has proven to be a fortuitous decision. Sired by Parkhill Pompeii, out of Auckvale Curly 1831S, Curly marks the pairs investment within horned genetics within their enterprise.

Moralee 1 Sparkles PR285 saw red, adding another ribbon to the Harrisons pens after winning the ‘heifer born in September 2022’ class. Sired by homebred bull Moralee 1 RHS Prince KR R8, out of Tynedale 1 Sparkles 674.

Later the team went on to take the ticket for the group of three from the same sire.

Moving through the schedule, hitting the showing classes off, a bull becoming a firm favourite with onlookers, is Taymar Panda from S Taylor and D Marsh. At Westmorland County show this striking animal swept the board winning 1^st native bred bullock, then moving up to take Champion Bullock and finished as the Commercial Hereford Champion. At Agri-expo, Panda left the Hereford ring to attend the commercial native steer class placing a respectable second against an animal nearly one year his senior.

From the Spartan herd, Spartan 1 Arabian King SP 204 took top position in ‘bull born in Nov/Dec 2022’. Out of Spartan 1 Peppa, Arabian King is sired by Irish bred, Solpoll 1 Perfection making him the half brother to the infamous Sparton 1 Typoon.

Following success earlier in the day with bull Romany 1 Aztec, Lottie Wilson put her best foot forward whilst remaining in complete control of the four hooves of her exhibit to be rewarded with the first place spot within the 15 years and under, Young Handlers class.

At the Hereford Cattle Society’s autumn show and sale at Shrewsbury, the hammer fell on the top call of 9000gns for Scottish bred, Harveybros 1 Willy-The-Womanizer from G & S Harvey. Tapped out as grand male champion in the pre-sale show earlier in the day, this 2021-born bull sired by Wirruna Matty M288 and out of home-bred Harveybros 1 Crocus N1. Willy has been shown with great success for George and Sophie Harvey, father, and daughter team, having racked up multiple titles and ribbons, a particular highlight on his cv was double win as native interbreed champion at the Royal Welsh show and at Perth earlier on in the season.

Initially highlighted within the catalogue due to his unusual name by the Gooch family, a name proudly coined by Sophie, estate manager Andrew Allan was further drawn to the Scottish entry after spotting his impressive EBV data. Willy will be making the journey to the Suffolk coast, to play a pivotal role on the Benacre Estate with the reintroduction of cattle, after seeing the last herd leave in the 70’s. Lady Gooch, alongside her two daughters have ambitions of transforming the once arable farm into a regenerative haven. Under the watchful eye of Mr Allan, the farm will undergo work to improve soil health with the combination of herbal leys to help with carbon secretion and establish a large herd of Hereford cattle to contribute to this exciting initiative.

Willy won’t be traveling back to his new home alone, as Mr Allan secured a total of sixteen winning bids on quality heifers from the UK’s top breeders and bloodlines. Heading into further detail regarding the plans at Benacres, Mr Allan explained he is looking for an animal that will thrive on herbal leys, can maintain condition being wintering out on a farm that borders the coast and will offer them a product that they can confidently approach local, highly revered butchers.

Another celt that got the attention of the crowd was Wales bred Dendor 1 Jano 23rd, a heifer who has had a successful season in the showring winner her class at both the Royal Welsh and the Poll show last month. Selling for 6000gns, Jano will be heading down country to Totnes to the Wood family. New to the breed, the Allwood herd have been active participants in their local association and attended Devon County show seeing tremendous success taking the supreme championship and reserve as well as both the champion male and reserve titles. Jano will become a part of Gerald Woods plans for his herds development.

Opening the sale, Glenvale 1 Sara 798 entered the ring, immediately commanding the attention of prospective purchasers. Travelling from Pembrokeshire, Sara 798 comes from Thorne family, who had been named national herd of the year the night prior. This April-2021 heifer was tapped our in the pre-sale show 1^st in her class and reserve female champion. The hammer fell on 5,200gns seeing Sara head home with M Ludgate, Thame, Oxfordshire to join the Rempstone herd.

The energy for good quality heifers continued as the auction lots progressed. G & MC Shepherd brought forward a large consignment and were met with demand throughout, their first lot Moorside 1 HC Jane 24^th created a stir as the bids climbed settling on 5000gns heading to Creuddyn Herefords owned by Gwyndaf Davies from Felinfach, Lampeter. Five of the seven entries from the Shepherd herd will be heading to the Benacres estate in Suffolk.

Moving to the top selling bulls, behind Willy-The-Womanizer, saw Barwise 1 Wordle NP W1298 from Carolyn Fletcher, heading to his new home within the LLynon herd owned by HO Davies, Amlwch, Anglesey. A buyer who attended the Lewis Family Bicentenary sale last year last year purchasing polled heifer, Havenfield 1 Ruby 4^th.

Another highlight within the sale for the Harvey bros team saw Harveybros 1 Williams-Wallace being whisked away to West Wales to get to work adding star power to D Evan’s majority Hereford suckler herd. The underbidder for Willy-The-Womanizer, Mr Evans wasn’t disappointed for long as he snapped up William-Wallace, who earlier in the day won his class and was awarded the trophy for the best pair exhibitor bred bulls, for 5600gns.

Normanton 1 Warnie W890 from TD & WT Livesey took reserve grand male champion and reserve junior male champion. Sired by Gouldingpool 1 Gold Spice, out of homebred Normanton 1 Fistulina 20^th R192.

Sighted as the top pick for senior male champion following his win in the senior bull class, Thornysure 1 Willy Wonka, later sold for 3000gns to NW & J Kent, Penkridge, Staffordshire. Sired by Fisher 1 Monarch M414 out of a Kinaston 1 Neala cow.

Standing reserve senior male champion, bred out of a Dendor bred cow, sired by Hawkesbury 1 Swift, Newtoncroft 1 Whole-Lot-Of-Fun. Heading across the road from the market to the Albrighton Estate.

Bulls to an average – £4,121.25

Show heifers sold to an average – £3,431.84

For sale only females – £3,255.00

The clearance for the show heifers was 83% and 71% for the bulls.

This year, judges up and down the country visited herds within regional associations and Hereford clubs to determine which of their members had the best herd. It’s an opportunity for breeders to not only showcase their breeding stock but also their systems, farmland, and plans for future changes. Those lucky enough to be spotted as the associations top pick are then brought forward to partake in the national herd of the year competition.

Judging the national herd competition is no mean feat, setting aside personal commitments to travel the width and breadth of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to assess nine herds. Invited by the Hereford Cattle Society council to take on the mantle was husband and wife team Davie and Kate Dickinson. Not known as a couple to shy away from a challenge, they happily accepted and were excited to see what was on offer from fellow breeders.

Davie Dickinson began his farming career by breaking away from the traditions of his family to pursue his own passion. He started as a shepherd, adding shearer and then sheep scanner to his CV. His skills were not only in demand in the UK but also New Zealand, allowing him 13 years of travelling from country to country. Here started his love and appreciation for the breed having seen large herds of Herefords on his travels.

Having been born into the farming life, Kate Dickinson continued her links within agriculture working from MAFF, DEFRA and the Poultry Club of Great Britain and currently for the British Free Range Producers Association as the membership and event manager. It was during her time as an inspector for MAFF, that she headed up the drive of a small holding, selected for an inspection, to meet its occupant, Davie Dickinson. The premise of a romantic comedy, Kate reprimanded Davie as he had written his movement records in pencil. The pair must have made a lasting impression from this meeting as few months later they met again, this time in a local nightclub and have been together since.

Both determined to continue ahead in farming, wanting to secure a plot of land to expand their enterprise, they applied for farming tenancies. After multiple unsuccessful attempts the two took the leap purchasing land of their own.

Chattlehope House was 400 acres of bare hill ground when they first purchased it 17 years ago. Since then, the couple have improved its infrastructure with the addition of buildings, including cattle housing and a muck store along with a family home which they now share with their 15-year-old daughter, Nina. Set 1,000 feet above sea level at the top of the Pennines in Northumberland close to the Scottish border, the farm is completely off grid.

The farm is ring fenced with forestry which prevents nose-to-nose contact with neighbouring farms but enhances the local insect population. Sitting above the snow line the farm often lies white for several weeks at a time. They have a higher-than-average rainfall, the ground is clay over peat and there is a peat bog on the farm. Despite all these challenges the family and their pedigree Hereford herd are thriving. At the annual awards dinner, Kate gave insight into their farm, and its challenges, finishing with the statement. “It may not be the easiest or the best farm in the land, but it is ours.” As she finished the sentence, she was met with applause from the room, in support and understanding. A moment that felt profound.

Kate put great emphasis on Chattlehope in her presentation as it has set the foundation for their judging criteria and gave the audience which included those whose herds, they visited context to their decision. Davie and Kate both decided before heading out that they were looking for a consistent herd with naturally fleshing cows, producing quality calves. They would take into consideration farm types. Expecting variation from farm to farm, they wanted insight into how the land was being managed to suit the unique needs and ecosystem of each, as well as any environmental sustainability initiatives being undertaken with particular focus on management of grassland and improvements. All of this alongside a long list of questions surrounding herd husbandry spanning insemination to health schemes.

As Kate concluded with what she described as the ‘Winning formula’ she moved ahead reviewing the nine herds she’d visited with Davie and later due to illness, without Davie. Touching on areas of interest from each, showcasing animals within the presentation on screen.

The area winners were.

• Scottish Hereford Breeders association winners – Iain Wilkinson
• South of England Hereford Breeders Association – Messrs Myers
• Midlands & East Anglia Hereford Breeders Association – PRJ & LR Vincent
• Traditional Hereford Breeders Club – P Holloway
• Southwestern Hereford Association – JD Moorhouse
• Wales Hereford Club – TG, EI & EN Thorne
• Hereford Cattle Breeders Association – EL Lewis & Son
• Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders Association – Alan Shaw
• North of England Hereford Breeders Association – W & R Kemp & Sons

Thanking all families and herd owners for hosting the Dickinson on their judging journey. The top three winners were announced.

In third places, with a herd that showed exceptional consistency and confirmation throughout especially considering the size of the herd, Messrs Kemp of Auckvale Herefords in County Durham.

The second-place position was awarded to Laura and Phillip Vincent, Pulham Herefords again producing a herd which had great cow consistency, condition and conformation and with breeding prize winning young stock.

As the applause died down, the room of more than 120 heads sat quiet, awaiting the final decision and announcement from Kate. The winners of the National Herd Competition for the second time in a row, hailing from Pembrokeshire in Wales, with 45 Polled and British polled cows within their herd were the Thorne family, Studdolph from Wales.

Following a busy show season, the results were announced for the Herefords of the Year competition at the annual awards dinner in Shrewsbury. The night marks the climax and conclusion of a year of hard work and dedication, behind a season of exhibiting stock up and down the country from Scotland to Cornwall and everywhere in- between. Each individual win not only racks up the ribbons but also adds points to move an animal, herd or breed a step closer to claiming one of nine coveted silverware pieces to take home and display pride of place.

The room filled with anticipation as the presentation for the 2023 Hereford of the Year winners began.

The bull of the year cup is sharing its home this year with two worthy winners, following a tie for the first-place spot. L & L Bowen’s, Nelson, Glamorgan, Solpoll 1 Trailblazer and Liam Jackson-Carr’s, Sheffield, Coley 1 Vincent. Both bulls have been a staple in the showring this season, accumulating points throughout the years show calendar.

Solpoll 1 Trailblazer was bought into the Bowendu herd in 2021 from breeders John and Williams McMordie, Ballygowan, Co Down and has earned the Bowens numerous championship titles this year from shows such as Bath and West and the Royal Welsh. His triumphs haven’t ended there, his progeny Bowedu 1 Ruby 2nd seeing success this year in her own right.

Bred by Heather Whittaker, Coley 1 Vincent from Liam Jackson-Carr of JC Hererfords has dominated the north, taking home the championship title at both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire shows. With the herd calving their first Coley 1 Vincent sired crop this year, this impressive bull will no doubt pass his winning touch to his progeny, setting the team up for future success.

With her breeding taking home both the poll and bull of the year title, Heather Whittaker did not go home empty handed as Coley 1 Duchess 609 claimed the title for both female of the year and poll female of the year. Earlier this year Duchess strode into the supreme champion position at the Royal Norfolk Show, also having won the junior and female championships.

Following their outstanding success at last year’s awards, Simon and Gemma Hartwright, Spartan herd, will be adding their names for a second year, with their stock bull, Solpoll 1 Perfection, taking the much-anticipated sire of the year title. Bred by Northern Irish breeders John and William McMordie, the Hartwrights made its purchase at the 2019 society spring show and sale for 8,000gns. It is son of the renowned Panmure 1 Henry.

Tom, and Di Harrison, Stocksfield, Northumberland headed to the front of the room to collect the award for the show herd of the year. The couple weren’t in their seats long before returning to collect horned female of the year with their homebred heifer Moralee Curly C1288, sired by Parkhill Pompeii out of Auckvale Curly 1831S. Familiar faces on the scene this year, the team have travelled the breadth of Britain collecting red ribbons.

After being tapped out in the top spot at this year’s national horned show at Tenbury Wells, Pulham Admiral from PRJ & LR Vincent, sired by Mawarra Influential Q162 an Australian bred bull shared within a syndicate, marks the exciting success of the imported genetics, earning him the cup for horned bull of the year. The night saw further success for the Pulham team as they returned to the stage, presented with the Horned Herd of the year trophy. Both cups will be heading to their home in the east of England.

Congratulations to all those who won and took part in the points shows. All will agree that there was a strong presence of Hereford cattle at the shows throughout the summer, drawing interest from parties within and outside the farming community.

It was certainly a day dominated by female power at The National Poll Hereford Show, held at Moreton-in-Marsh. Judge Mrs Mary Reynolds, Bordan, Hants, made history as the first female judge to proceed over what attendees would say is the most anticipated show in the poll breeders’ calendar. With a large number of entries to choose from, Mrs Reynolds had the challenging task of selecting this year’s champion but came armed with the desire to find ‘a modern, well fleshed, clean animal with tremendous locomotion’. The weather was kind, which helped drawing the crowds to the ringside, including television personality Jeremy Clarkson and his partner, Lisa Hogan, much to the delight of Top Gear and Clarkson’s Farms fans within the Hereford tent.

 

The appearance of Mr Clarkson was soon overshadowed by what the judge described as a ‘sweet clean and modern heifer’. Yet to celebrate her first birthday, Porton House 1 Jane 4th, from Paul and Vicky Moyles, Newport, Gwent, hit a career-high on her first outing securing her a permanent position within the Porton House herd. 

 

First stepping into the ring, Jane won her class ‘heifer, born on or after 1st November 2022’ there she moved from strength to strength again catching the judges’ eye, claiming both Junior and Grand Female rosettes.

 

After having a brief rest within the straw, she returned to the ring to claim the overall Junior Champion title and the coveted Supreme Champion ribbon.

 

 

A previous Christmas Calf Show winner Rempstone 1 Bonny N655 from M.Ludgate, Thame, Oxfordshire saw sucess on the Saturday. With winning blood being in her DNA, Bonnys sire, Dendor 1 Nairobi, won the Junior Male Champion title at both the National Poll Show and Kington in 2016, at six months of age. Mary commended the heifer on how well she paraded and again for being a ‘nice modern sort’. 

 

Bonny started her streak of wins in Heifer born on or between 1st April 2022 and 30th April 2022, climbing up the ladder taking the intermediate female and reserve grand female title and finishing the day alongside Porton House 1 Jane 4th as reserve overall champion.

 

 

Kingsland 1 Wolf has totted up a ream of awards this summer, parading rings from Yorkshire to Builth Wells. Working his magic at Moreton, this March 2022-born bull from S and H O’Kane, Adfa, Powys first caught Judge Mary’s eye in Bull born on or between 1st March and 30th April 2022 class. He went on to increase his rosette collection, claiming the top spot in intermediate male championship and finishing on a high with Grand Male Champion. A son of the 2018 Royal Welsh champion Gouldingpoll 1 Moonshine, it is out of Kingsland 1 Lily 1st which is from the Lily line at Dendor.

 

 

Moving up the ranks alongside Kingsland 1 Wolf, Normanton 1 Warnie W980 was tapped out as reserve in the grand male and intermediate male championship. From TD & WT Livesey, sired by Gouldingpoll 1 Gold Spice.

*Normanton 1 Warnie W980 will be available for purchase at the Society Autumn Show and Sale (Lot number 42 in the Catalogue)* 

 

Coming out on top in the junior male championship and claiming reserve in the overall junior championship, following success in his class bull born on or between 1st September and 31st October 2022, was Coley 1 Alexander from Heather Whittaker. Sired by Dendor 1 Sherlock, out of Kammerherre Kati.

Another Coley bull bringing home the goods, Coley 1 Ariel took reserve junior male champion, alongside stablemate Alexander, owning the junior bull championship, after winning red in bull born on or after 1st November 2022.

 

 

Part of the winning team of three, Spartan 1 Jen 4th, from SC & GL Hartwright, stood as reserve intermediate female champion after being tapped out as first in Heifer born on or between 1st March and 31st March 2022. Sired by Solpoll 1 Perfection, last year’s sire of the year and out of Englefield 1 Jen 5th.

 

*Spartan 1 Jen 4th will be available for purchase at the Society Autumn Show and Sale (Lot number 16 in the Catalogue)* 

 

 

Rempstone 1 Fashion N584 from M Ludgate, Thame Oxfordshire, saw previous success as the bridesmaid in the senior female championship at Moreton last year but this year steps up to claim the senior female champion rosette following her success in her class, senior cow with her own calf-at-foot. By Solpoll 1 Nobility, she is out of Kinglee 1 Fashion 304, which goes back to Costhorpe breeding.

 

 

Another success story from the Keadyview herd saw Keadyview 1 Pippa Kicks named reserve senior female champion following her class win. Hot on the tail of her success gaining the same title at Buck County Show days prior. Mary described Pippa Kicks as ‘a long, clean modern heifer’.

 

 

Brought forward by the judge for her size and power, Sky high 1 Lavish Lucy, from B. Birch & G Brindley took home the reserve junior champion accolade following her success in heifer born on or between 1st September and 31st October 2022. Sired by Gouldingpoll 1 Stockman, out of Sky high 1 L’amour Lucy.

 

 

Following success in his class, bull born on or between 1st January and 31st August 2021, Reserve Senior Male Champion title was taken home by Kinglee 1 Verlou from Pete Cobley, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire. By the 3100gns Cleland 1 Nelson, he is out of Kinglee 1 Nicole.

 

 

Standing beside Kinglee 1 Verlou as reserve senior male was Spartan 1 Voyager SP V138, from SC & GL Hartwright, sired by Solpol 1 Perfection, out of Panmure 1 Plum K19, the full brother to the Spartan hero Spartan 1 Typhoon. Typhoon had a whirlwind season last year sweeping up at the National Poll show, and Great Yorkshire show, moving on to be named champion of Europe as well as UK Bull of the Year. This well-admired bull then closed the year on a high, breaking records for a poll sale reaching 16000gns at Designer Genes.

 

 

Newtoncroft 1 Whole Lot of Fun from Newtoncroft Farms, sired by Hawkesbury 1 Swift took home the red rosette in Bull born on or between 1st January and 28th February 2022.

 

 

Dendor 1 Jano 23rd, sired by Pepperstock 1 Trigger from D.E., E.D. & A.L. Jones, was tapped out as the victor in heifer born on or between 1st May and 31st August 2022. Early this season, Jano 23rd snagged the red rosette at the Royal Welsh show in her class heifer born after April ’22.

 

 

Dendor 1 Atlas has had a busy summer, attended three shows, and won at each. The latest of these triumphs for D.E., E.D. & A.L. Jones, is his in Bull born on or between 1st May and 31st August 2022.

*Dendor 1 Atlas will be available for purchase at the Society Autumn Show and Sale (Lot number 51 in the Catalogue)* 

 

Winning Heifer born between 1st September and 31st December 2020, with her own calf-at-foot born in 2023, Rempstone 1 Anna Mary D594, bred by M Ludgate and owned by Dr E Williams. Dr E Williams, Denbighshire, Holetown Herd joined the society in 2022 and purchased Anna Mary at the Designer Genes sale last December for 6,000gns.

 

 

Allwood 1 Greta from F.J Wood & Sons, sired by Kilvrough 1 Thomas, out of Dendor 1 Greta 33 won heifer born on or between 1st January 2022 and 28th February 2022.

 

 

R & R.I Shaw, Ledsham, Cheshire saw success in the pairs with Hallwood 1 Sprite, sired by Hallwood 1 Theodore and Hallwood 1 Apollo, sired by Dorepoll 1 93N Nationwide.

 

 

Both groups of three classes were led by a trio from SC & GL Hartwright, with the progeny group all sired by Solpoll 1 Perfection, this being the second consecutive year the Spartan herd have come out on top in the group classes.  

 

Coley 1 Vincent from Liam Jackson-Carr was tapped out as supreme and male champion at this year’s Scottish National Show in Perth, as well as senior male champion and winning the senior bull class. Purchased by Liam Jackson-Carr of JC Herefords, Carle Coates, Sheffield, bred by Heather Whittaker, Halifax. Vincent has commanded the ring this season and has claimed supreme champion at the Great Yorkshire Show, Royal Highland and male champion at Northumberland County Show, not to mention his string of wins last year.

Starting within bull born on or between 1st March 22 and 31st July 22, Harveybros 1 Willy-The-Womanizer, from G&S Harvey, Balfron, Glasgow, claimed the red ribbon, then moving ahead came out on top in the junior male championship. From there, he joined Vincent in the overall male championship and supreme championship, being named as reserve in both classes.

Coley 1 Alexander started the bull classes by winning first in the junior bull class. Bred and exhibited by Heather Whittaker, Halifax. By Dendor 1 Sherlock, out of Kammerherre Kati. The day went on seeing this young bull winning reserve champion in the junior male championship, alongside Harveybros 1 Willy-The-Womanizer.

Last year saw Milovaig 1 Vindicator win reserve junior male champion, owned by GD & Mr Poyser. Back again a year older, Vindicator hasn’t lost the winning touch within the championships, seeing him claim reserve in the senior male championship. Born in May 2021, by Shraden 1 Perestroika and out of Milovaig 1 Bonnie Belle 6th.

Bennachie 1 Wizard led the bull born on or between 1st August 21 and 28th February 22 class, earning himself the red ticket. Wizard bred from I Skea, Aberdeenshire, was sired by Solpoll 1 Lawman, the supreme champion at Tullamore Show in 2016 and 2017.

Former Stars of the Future calf show winner, heifer Panmure 1 Plum W1 from JM Cant and partners, Arbirlot, Angus, was brought forward to claim first in her class heifer born on or after 1st August 21 and 28th February 22. Plum saw further success in the junior female championship, earning the Champion title and then finishing on a high, taking the overall female champion title.

Alongside Panmure 1 Plum W1, as reserve junior female champion, was Coley 1 Duchess 609 from Heather Whittaker, Halifax. In 2022, Duchess claimed Champion at Agri Expo, reserve female and junior champion at the highland and reserve supreme champion at her mother Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 916 foot, to name a few of her successes.

Following her win in the senior female class, leading to her victory as senior female champion, Drumboy 1 Sophia finished her day with reserve within the overall female championship. Bred by Gavin Dunbar from Lanarkshire, Sophia, sired by Romany 1 Distiller A84 D53 grandsire Venture Night Time 7055 ET.

Bennachie 1 Amy 5th started her day claiming the top spot in Heifer/Cow in Milk or in calf born on or before 1st August 20 and 31st July 21. From I Skea, Aberdeenshire, Amy went forward to win reserve senior female champion.

First time entering the ring and taking it all in her stride, Harveybros 1 Crocus Absolut-Rose, again from George and Sophie Harvey, won the junior heifer class at Perth.

From sire, Moralee 1 Roland Rat KS R16, whose progeny saw prices up to 2,500gns in Stirling in February this year, Baldinnie 1 Chico 17th, from JA Cameron & son from Balbuthie Fife, was lifted in first in heifer born on or after 1st March 22 and 31st July 22.

In the young handlers’ section, Molly Poyser, age 15, won the senior class.

Fletcher Russell, age 12, took first in a well-represented junior class.

At a wet Clogher Valley Show the NIHBA held their National Show with 12 exhibitors putting on a great display of cattle for a good crowd of spectators. UK Society Breed President David Smyth from Magheraknock Herefords, Ballynahinch was the judge tasked with placing the 48 entries with Fane Valley kindly sponsoring the classes.

 

Taking the Supreme championship was the March 2021 born Griananpoll 1 Vegas owned by Robin Irvine. Bought in Southern Ireland from Anslem Fitzgerald he is sired by Gouldingpoll 1 Moonshine with Dendor 1 Greta as a dam. Vegas started his day winning the senior bull class before taking the Male Championship.

Following all the way through from the same class to the Reserve Supreme was Nathanial Shaw’s Sessiagh 1 Vin Disel . A homebred Normanton 1 Laertes son his dam is the homebred Sessiagh 1 Olga, he had picked up several rosettes since first showed as a calf in 2021.

Taking the Female Championship was the Porton House 1 Poppy 2nd, owned by new breeder Ciara Fitzpatrick. Born in March 2021 this Dendor 1 Sherlock and Porton House 1 Poppy daughter was bred and by Paul & Vicky Moyle in Wales and had already stood Reserve Female Championship at Balmoral Show.

David Wilson’s Lisrace Landlady stood Reserve Female Championship after winning the Junior Heifer Class. A daughter of Glaslough Unique and the homebred Lisrace Landlady, born in January 2022 she also collected the Exhibitor Bred Female & Junior Female Championships.

The calf championship was won by local exhibitor Harry Browne with his Solpoll 1 Pounder daughter, Clogher Valley 1 Clover. Born in March 2023 her dam was the purchased Clonliff 1 Keelan.

Alan Shaw brought a strong team of calves, leading his team was the November 2022 bull calf Benburb 1 Alan. Sired by Fabb 1 Northern Star he won his class and was Reserve Calf Champion. Alan Shaw also took the progeny pair and the best exhibitor bred group of 3, all sired by Fabb 1 Northern Star.

Raymond & Stuart Pogue were the winners of the 2 remaining bull classes, first was 2-year-old Tullymore 1 Shrek, sired by the homebred Tullymore 1 Nixen. Following in the next class was Glenside Trillick, a February 2022 born Corlismore Commander son, after winning his class he was placed Junior Male Champion, the same award he had lifted at Balmoral Show.

John & William McMordie also lifted 2 class wins, first in the Intermediate heifer Class with Solpoll 1 Starlet W1, a 22-month-old daughter of Grousehallpoll 1 Premier. Solpoll 1 Starlet A4 a September 2022 born Solpoll 1 Perfection daughter won the Senior Heifer Calf class and was Reserve Exhibitor bred heifer and Reserve Junior Female Champion.

First class of the day was the cow class, won by Cornriggs 1 Vanity from Marcus Murdock. Born in 2016 and sired by Cornriggs 1 Superguy she was shown with a smart heifer calf at foot.

The young handlers class was won by Bobby Morton, Nancy Herefords.