SOUTH DEVON HERD BOOK SOCIETY Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ. Tel: 01392 447494 Fax: 01392 447495
www.sdhbs.org.uk
info@sdhbs.org.uk
PATRON: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES
NEWSLETTER APRIL 2014 Spring Show & Sale
3
Show & Link Coordinators TB Compensation
7 9
Changes to TB rules; National Show Truro Club meeting cancelled
10 11
Forthcoming sales; EBLEX beef prices AI Bulls Pub is the Hub; Rally Weekend Angus Youth Programme; Diary Statements; And Finally
12 13 14 15 16
Dear Member What a great turnout of members to the Annual General Meeting and Dinner – 107 booked their places, and enjoyed a very convivial evening of lovely food and good company. Duncan Sinclair from Waitrose gave us some insights into the company’s expansion and future direction, with South Devon beef playing its part in the South West. Product integrity was a theme of his talk, and DNA testing is crucial to guaranteeing traceability. Duncan said he wished all breeds were as progressive as the South Devons with regard to DNA technology. All positive, and we are pleased to be associated with Waitrose. Our new President was elected by the AGM for this year – Robert Shinner, Stretchford, Buckfastleigh, who takes over from John Wakeham. The Stretchford herd was listed in the first Herd Book published in 1891, and continues today under the management of 1
Robert and Elizabeth, and son James. We wish Robert a very enjoyable year as he travels around the country as our ambassador. Also welcomed into his new position at the AGM was Mark Thomas who has taken over from Malcolm Broome as Society Chairman, a term which runs for three years. We look forward to working together, with the new Executive and Council, and I am sure we would all like to thank Malcolm for his commitment to the Society as he ‘retires’! A report from the Sale is inside; not the ‘headliner’ sale of 2013, but with 30 bulls finding new homes, a top price of 6,500 guineas, and a respectable average of £3,406. Indeed we have performed better than most other breeds’ spring sales. With some strong sales coming up in the next few weeks there will be excellent opportunities for acquiring good quality South Devons, with a favourable geographic spread from west to east, to the Midlands. If you would like to receive printed catalogues please let us know – they are no longer sent out unless requested, but are available to view on the website as and when available. The show season will be starting in just a few weeks, and inside you will find a list of dates and link coordinators. These coordinators are volunteers who encourage entries to specific shows, so please contact them if you would like help. The National Show at the Great Yorkshire is also not far away, and the prize schedule will shortly be available. Exhibitors should receive a copy but if for some reason you do not, please request one! We have block-reserved stalling for South Devons, and would ask you to submit your entries to the Show as early as possible. With best wishes,
Caroline 2
SPRING SHOW & SALE Judge for the day was Mr Paul Harrison from Tollerton, near York, who selected his male champion from an impressive line-up in seven bull classes – polled bull Z Colcharton Jasper 2, who also won the Thornton Cup based on Breedplan performance as well as inspection. Jasper 2 is by another high EBV bull, AI Ridgemere Jasper, and out of a homebred polled cow. He went on to sell to Mr Andrew Watkins from Kentchurch in Herefordshire for 3,700 gns. Top price went to Mr & Mrs Richard Burrough’s polled bull, Z Godworthy Starbuster 17, from Axminster in Devon, who sold for 6,500 gns to G K & M A Garrett & Son, Okehampton, Devon. Starbuster 17 is by Brafferton Starbuster 17, a bull bred by the Show Judge Paul Harrison, and out of a homebred Godworthy polled cow. A second bull from the same herd, Godworthy Starbuster 15, sold to P A & D E Cleave, Holne, Devon, for 4,000 gns. Reserve Male Champion from Mr Richard Ford’s Leicestershire herd, Goffe Cave Sturdy Away, sold for 5,000 gns to Mr Roger Rundle’s Kestle herd from Newquay in Cornwall. Sturdy Away carries the Trevassack Trusty hallmark – a strong-boned, well-structured bull. Three other bulls sold for 4,000 gns each – A & C Farms’ Z Langham’s Kubla 1 selling to Mells Park Trust, Frome, Somerset; W P & S L Harper’s X Bedford Noble sellington to Mr E L Foale, Newton Abbot, Devon; and P S & A P Rowe’s Z Trewint Hallmark 2 selling to Mr R J Throssell, Holsworthy, Devon. In the female section the champion came from The Tully Partnership’s Waddeton herd, Brixham, Devon. Waddeton Ann 137 is a stylish strong bulling heifer by Goffe Cave Persius 9. She took the top price in the sale ring at 1,950 gns, selling to Mr David Smallridge from Ermington, Ivybridge. The same buyer also bought the second highest priced heifer from the Grove herd, Grove Buttercup 140, another bulling heifer with bloodlines going back to the well proven Trevowah Joe Louis 11. THE SHOW Judge: Mr Paul Harrison, Tollerton, York BULLS Class 1 1st D J Thomas & Son nd 2 B G & J Z A Dart rd 3 The Tully Partnership
TREGUDDICK PRODIGIOUS 2 AI X WOODHAYES ASHLEY 5 X WADDETON ILLISTRAM 20 3
Class 1st 2nd 3rd Class 1st 2nd 3rd Class 1st 2nd 3rd Class 1st 2nd 3rd Class 1st 2nd 3rd Class 1st 2nd 3rd
2
3
Mr T H E Laity Mr W H D Scott D & B Bowley
Z POLKINGHORNE KING GEORGE 5 X GROVE BRUTUS 132 (T) RIDGEMERE ALBERT
Highgate Farm Prtnrshp HIGHGATE NAPOLEON 4 W P & S L Harper X BEDFORD NOBLE Mr J White BROADWOOD TAVY (T) 4
5
Mr A & Mrs G Sell P S & A P Rowe M R & R J Rowe
SELLSTEAD FANTASTIC Z TREWINT HALLMARK 2 TREGONDALE DYNAMIC 3
R J & C J Edwards J G Williams & Son A H & E M Bartley
Z COLCHARTON JASPER 2 HOPTON GALAHAD AI ET X MUTTERTON ASHTON SHARP
Mr R A Ford Mr & Mrs R C Burrough G W J & L F Pluess
GOFFE CAVE STURDY AWAY Z GODWORTHY STARBUSTER 17 TREVOULTER CRUSADER 19
The Tully Partnership G W J & L F Pluess J G Williams & Son
X WADDETON ILLISTRAM 22 TREVOULTER CRUSADER 24 HOPTON MAXIMUS 4
6
7
Male champion – The Roskymer Cup Winner R J & C J Edwards Z COLCHARTON JASPER 2 Reserve champion – The Rowe Cup Winner Mr R A Ford GOFFE CAVE STURDY AWAY Most points on performance/inspection – The Thornton Cup Winner R J & C J Edwards Z COLCHARTON JASPER 2 Reserve B G & J Z A Dart AI X WOODHAYES ASHLEY 5 Best male pair – The Macfarlane Cup Winner G W J & L F Pluess TREVOULTER CRUSADER 19 TREVOULTER CRUSADER 24 Reserve J G Williams & Son HOPTON GALAHAD HOPTON MAXIMUS 4 Best polled male – The Polled South Devon Perpetual Cup Winner R J & C J Edwards Z COLCHARTON JASPER 2 Reserve Mr & Mrs R C Burrough Z GODWORTHY STARBUSTER 17
4
FEMALES Class 8a 1st The Tully Partnership WADDETON ANN 137 nd 2 Mr W H D Scott GROVE CELANDINE 114 rd 3 Mr W H D Scott GROVE BUTTERCUP 140 Class 8b 1st M R & R J Rowe TREGONDALE SUFFRAGETTE 23 (T) nd 2 M R & R J Rowe TREGONDALE BUTTERCUP 84 rd 3 P S & A P Rowe TREWINT MARY 69 Female Champion – The Waddeton Perpetual Cup Winner The Tully Partnership WADDETON ANN 137 Reserve Female Champion – The Alger Cup Winner M R & R J Rowe TREGONDALE SUFFRAGETTE 23 (T) Best female pair – The Greenslade Perpetual Cup Winner M R & R J Rowe TREGONDALE SUFFRAGETTE 23 (T) TREGONDALE BUTTERCUP 84 Reserve P S & A P Rowe TREWINT MARY 69 TREWINT MARY 71 Best polled female – The Colcharton Cup Winner The Tully Partnership Z WADDETON SALLY 55
THE SALE BULLS Vendor B G & J Z A Dart Mr & Mrs J Hadley A & C Farms A & C Farms W H D Scott W H D Scott T H E Laity T J Warhurst W P & S L Harper Highgate Farm M E & T E Broome W P & S L Harper Mr A & Mrs G Sell W H D Scott Sir Simon Day P S & A P Rowe M R & R J Rowe A H & E M Bartley
Bull AI X Woodhayes Ashley 5 Z Knightcote Demetrius 9 Z Langham’s Kubla 1 Langham’s Louis 2 Grove Wellington 65 X Grove Brutus 132 (T)
Purchaser D & L Farr, Shepshed, Leics Gwealavellan Partners, Hayle, Cornwall Mells Park Trust, Frome, Somerset E & J Paynter, Liskeard, Cornwall S & K Carpenter, Stourport-on-Severn T H E Laity, Hayle, Cornwall Z Polkinghorne King George 5 J Wharton Agriculture, Alford, Lincs Ewefields Dazzler 5 R J & P N Hunt, Newton Abbot, Devon Z Bedford Nimrod I G Mortimore & Son, Chagford, Devon Highgate Napoleon 4 M R & R J Rowe, Liskeard, Cornwall Welland Valley Hanbury 25 R T & A R Smaridge, Totnes, Devon X Bedford Noble E L Foale, Newton Abbot, Devon Sellstead Fantastic A C Brewer, Boscastle, Cornwall Grove Croesus 8 Peckons Hill Farm, Shaftesbury, Dorset Keaton Brutus E W G Warne, Totnes, Devon Z Trewint Hallmark 2 R J Throssell, Holsworthy, Devon Tregondale Dynamic 3 T Whitley, Newton Abbot, Devon AI ET X Mutterton Ashton Sharp H M & E Palmer, Thurlestone, Devon Mr & Mrs R C Burrough Godworthy Starbuster 19 C J Smallwood, Chagford, Devon M R & R J Rowe Tregondale Cavalier 2 G Kerslake, Okehampton, Devon Mells Park Trust Mells Park Exhibitionist F Screech & Son, Launceston, Cornwall
5
Gns 3200 3000 4000 3810 2600 2600 3500 2400 2800 3800 2200 4000 3000 3600 2900 4000 3200 2800 2300 3000 2400
R J & C J Edwards J G Williams & Son D J Thomas & Son
Z Colcharton Jasper 2 Hopton Galahad
R A Ford M E & T E Broome
Goffe Cave Sturdy Away Welland Valley Sherman
Z Treguddick Progression 5
Mr & Mrs R C Burrough Godworthy Starbuster 15
Mr & Mrs R C Burrough Z Godworthy Starbuster 17
The Tully Partnership X Waddeton Illistram 22 B G & J Z A Dart Woodhayes Homer 11
A Watkins, Kentchurch, Herefordshire P R T Balsdon, Beaworthy, Devon P Bowden, Newton Abbot, Devon P A & D E Cleave, Newton Abbot, Devon R K Rundle, Newquay, Cornwall R A Wonnacott & Son, Chagford, Devon G K & M A Garrett & Son, Okehampton G Kerslake, Okehampton, Devon D P & M G White, Axminster, Devon
30 bulls sold, average £3,406
HALTER BROKEN HEIFERS BETWEEN 1 YR 3 MTHS AND 2 YRS 3 MTHS Vendor Heifer Purchaser The Tully Partnership Waddeton Ann 137 D J Smallridge, Ermington, Devon W H D Scott Z Grove Willowherb 80 J W Virgin, Pulham, Dorset W H D Scott Grove Buttercup 140 D J Smallridge, Ermington, Devon The Tully Partnership Z Waddeton Sally 55 C Northey, Ermington, Devon M R & R J Rowe Tregondale Buttercup 84 Brittan & Co, South Brent, Devon P S & A P Rowe Trewint Mary 71 Brittan & Co, South Brent, Devon M R & R J Rowe Tregondale Suffragette 23 (T)Brittan & Co, South Brent, Devon
3700 3500 2500 4000 5000 2000 6500 3000 2000
Gns 1950 1750 1800 1700 1400 1400 1500
7 halter broken heifer sold, average £1,725
NON HALTER BROKEN HEIFERS BETWEEN 1 YR 3 MTHS AND 2 YRS 3 MTHS Vendor Heifer Purchaser Gns D & J Hedgeman Nether Mynton Flirt 25 D J Thomas & Son, Launceston, Cornwall 680
D&J D&J D&J D&J D&J
Hedgeman Hedgeman Hedgeman Hedgeman Hedgeman
K V & M A Plain K V & M A Plain
Nether Mynton Dora 29 Nether Mynton Beryl 27 Nether Mynton Doris 39 Nether Mynton Doris 40 Nether Mynton Sharron Corrinna 26 Foxhole Apricot 11 Foxhole Bonnie 14
T E Bayly, Launceston, Cornwall T E Bayly, Launceston, Cornwall
700 680
D J Thomas & Son, Launceston, Cornwall
700
D J Thomas & Son, Launceston, Cornwall
550
D J Thomas & Son, Launceston, Cornwall 650 W W Williams & Son, Helston, Cornwall 1080 W W Williams & Son, Helston, Cornwall 1600
8 non haltered heifers sold, average £872
NON HALTER BROKEN HEIFERS BETWEEN 9 MTHS AND 15 MTHS Vendor Heifer Purchaser
A A A A A
E & P E Ridgway E & P E Ridgway E & P E Ridgway E & P E Ridgway E & P E Ridgway
Clannon Feldspar 167 Clannon Feldspar 170 AI Clannon Feldspar 171 AI Clannon Feldspar 173 Clannon Feldspar 174
Taylor, c/o M Bromell, Holsworthy Taylor, c/o M Bromell, Holsworthy W P & S L Harper, Holsworthy, Devon W P & S L Harper, Holsworthy, Devon M Wise, Bude, Cornwall
Gns
500 450 700 700 320
5 non haltered yearling heifers sold, average £561
6
FRAME SCORES SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE (cm) Age (mths) No Range Avg Pass size 21-30 42 35-42 38 35 cm HEIGHT AT WITHERS (cm) Age (mths) No Range Avg 21-30 42 137-154 145 HEIGHT AT RUMP (cm) Age (mths) No Range Avg 21-30 42 143-164 150 LENGTH (cm) Withers to pin Hook to pin Age (mths) No Range Avg Range Avg 21-30 42 141-162 148 59-69 64 RUMP WIDTH (cm) Age (mths) No Range Avg 21-30 42 64-76 69 WEIGHT (kg) Age (mths) No Range Avg 21-30 42 754-1192 958 SHOULDER WIDTH (cm) Age (mths) No Range Avg 21-30 42 68-75 74 Seven bulls were rejected for not reaching the minimum scrotal size, and three were rejected with overshot jaw.
SHOWS & LINK COORDINATORS Our thanks go to those who have ‘volunteered’ to help coordinate entries for shows this summer, to encourage a good turnout of South Devons and to make sure that there are the standard breed promotion leaflets available as handouts at shows where the Society does not have a breed stand. Supplies of leaflets are available from the office – please ask Debbie. The Society will have a stand at the Devon County, Royal Cornwall, Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire shows.
7
Date
Show
Coordinator
Newark & Notts
10th-11th May
Jo Rodger
Devon County
22nd-24th May
Gordon Tully
Shropshire County Royal Bath & West Rutland County
th
May
th
st
24
Richard Hartshorn
28 -31 May st
1 June th
th
Robert Dimond Richard Wright
Suffolk
28 -29
Royal Cornwall
5th-7th June
Roger Clemens/Roger Rundle
Royal Three Counties
13th-15th June
Keith & Margaret Plain
Cheshire County Royal Norfolk
th
May
th
17 -18 June th
th
25 -26 June th
Emma Darlington tbc
Leicestershire
5
Great Yorkshire
8th-10th July
Caroline Poultney
Liskeard
12th July
Mervyn Rowe
Stithians Camborne
July
Richard White
Jo Rodger
th
July
Roger Clemens
th
July
Roger Clemens
st
th
14 19
Royal Welsh
21 -24 July
Richard Hartshorn
Launceston
24th July
Mark Thomas
Mid Devon
26th July
Elizabeth Bartley
Totnes Yealmpton
th
July
Gordon Tully
th
July
Chris Savery
th
July
Emma Darlington
27 30
Nantwich
30
Blakesley
2nd August
Pat Rickett
Honiton
7th August
Elizabeth Bartley
Camelford Okehampton
th
August
Suzanne Harper
th
August
Ken Garrett
th
August
Richard Hartshorn
13 14
Minsterley
16
Gillingham & Shaftesbury
20th August
Robert Dimond
Aylsham
25th August
Nick Hood
Holsworthy & Stratton
28th August
Suzanne Harper
Bucks County Kingsbridge
th
28
August
Pat Rickett
th
Sept
Richard Smaridge
th
Sept
Mike Kettlewell
6
Moreton-in-Marsh
6
Dorset County
6th-7th Sept
John Virgin
Frome
13th Sept
Johnny Ward
Thame Newbury
th
18
th
Sept
David Nixey
st
20 -21 Sept
8
Chris Page
COMPENSATION FOR BOVINE TB Payable during April 2014 NON PEDIGREE BOVINE Male Age Up to 3 months Over 3 months up to 6 months Over 6 months up to 9 months Over 9 months up to 12 months Over 12 months up to 16 months Over 16 months up to 20 months 20 months and over, non breeding bulls Breeding bulls 20 months and over
Compensation due 227 407
Female Age Up to 3 months Over 3 months up to 6 months Over 6 months up to 9 months Over 9 months up to 12 months Over 12 months up to 16 months Over 16 months up to 20 months 20 months and over, not calved Over 20 months, calved
722 908 957 1,017 1,136 1,280
Compensation due 178 353 624 777 817 901 1,002 914
PEDIGREE BOVINE Male Age Up to 6 months 6 months up to 12 months Over 12 months up to 24 months 24 months and over
Compensation due * *
Female Age Up to 6 months 6 months up to 12 months Over 12 months up to 24 months 24 months and over (not calved) Calved over 24 months and up to 36 months Calved 36 months and over
4,953 2,557
*Compensation to be determined using individual valuation 9
Compensation due * 1,345 1,686 2,113 1,419
1,563
CHANGES TO PRE-MOVEMENT TB TESTING Thanks to some strong negotiation, including from the NBA, Defra has announced a concession to the newly imposed requirement to pre-movement test cattle moving on and off common land such as Dartmoor. Defra has acknowledged that TB testing on common land is impractical and dangerous, and is therefore allowing a post-movement test for cattle moving off common land. A further concession is that AHVLA will consider licensing some cattle movements without pre-movement testing where veterinary judgement is that an agreed TB ‘control plan’ for the whole common gives at least the same level of assurance as testing would provide. Commoners’ associations are being encouraged by Defra to work with AHVLA to set up these plans.
NATIONAL SHOW 2014 The Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate Programme of Events Mon 7th July:
th
Tues 8
July:
Weds 9th July:
Thurs 10th July:
17.30
08.30
Farm walk & barbecue, by kind invitation of the Powley family, Elm Farm, Green Hammerton
(nb, transport will leave showground at 17.00) Judging of South Devon classes
16.30
Supreme Interbreed Championship
19.00
Society Dinner, Members Pavilion, Showground, with presentation of awards
09.00
Judging of interbreed classes
14.00
Grand Parade of Livestock
15.30
Society’s Young Handler Competition – classes for 11-15 years; and 16-25 years
10.30
Parade of South Devons, cattle rings
11.00
Housewives Choice multi-breed competition
14.00
Grand Parade of Livestock
15.30
Final presentations in the Society marquee 10
We are most grateful to all our sponsors (as of today’s date) of the National Show whose support enables us to stage this event:
Carter Jonas LLP; CCM Auctions Kenneth Easby LLP; Ripon Farm Services Ltd Active Business Partnerships Mole Valley Farmers; Harrison & Hetherington Kivells; Acstede Design Cundalls; Rumenco Ltd & Nettex Harbro Ltd; Ritchey Ltd Towergate Farm Insurance There are still some National Show sponsorship opportunities remaining – a number of packages at different prices. Please contact Caroline if you are interested or have a business contact who might wish to benefit from sponsorship.
CANCELLATION OF MEETING Please would members of the Truro Cattle Breeders Club note that their meeting scheduled for Tuesday 15th April has been cancelled. However, the Cornwall Region’s annual meeting scheduled for Monday 14th April is still on, and is an opportunity for all to attend. There will be two speakers: Gordon Tully, Waddeton, Brixham, newly appointed to the Executive Committee; and Andrew Johns, Combeinteignhead, Newton Abbot, finishing unit for Dovecote Park. The meeting takes place at the Victoria Inn, Roche, beginning at 7.30 pm.
11
FORTHCOMING SALES Midland Club, Saturday 3rd May, Stratford upon Avon (fully inspected)
Dispersal of Malthouse herd, Monday 19th May, Norwich Market South Devon Cattle Breeders Club, Friday 30th May, Exeter (bulls inspected)
Dispersal of Chavid herd, Tuesday 10th June, Alton, Hants Autumn Show & Sale, Tuesday 14th October, Bristol (fully inspected)
CATTLE MARKET IN BRIEF Source: AHDB/EBLEX/LAA/IAAS
GB liveweight prices week ending 26/03/2014 Price per kg/lwt Steers Heifers Young bulls Cows
187.5 197.4 167.0 116.9
Price/kg change on wk -1.0 -1.6 -1.7 -0.1
GB deadweight prices week ending 22/03/2014 Price per kg/lwt Steers: R4L Steers: All Heifers: R4L Heifers: All Young bulls: R3 Young bulls: All Cows: -O4L Cows: All
372.5 364.3 368.1 364.9 342.5 327.8 248.9 233.0 12
Price/kg change on wk -0.8 -1.7 -1.4 -0.8 +2.6 -3.3 +1.1 -1.6
NEW AI BULLS AVAILABLE Two new bulls have been added to the list of AI bulls available from the Society. Enterprise Condor, UK581519 300011, born 10/02/2003 is bred by David Irving from Dumfriesshire and jointly owned by David and by Robert Lee. Condor is still working in the Enterprise herd at the tender age of eleven, and his semen was successfully collected a few weeks’ ago! His full pedigree, EBVs, progeny, and photograph can be found on the Society database on-line. His semen is available at £15 per straw net of any despatch/distribution charges. Z Welland Valley Trident 3, UK201140 101649, born 15/01/2012 is bred by Malcolm & Thelma Broome, and was sold to Bill & Suzanne Harper at the 2013 Autumn Show & Sale for a record polled bull price of 10,200 guineas. He has been privately collected and is available from the Harpers, tel 01409 271376. Both these bulls are myostatin ‘1’ nt821, so please refer to catalogue notes about myostatin influence, or speak to Caroline if you are unsure about its implications. The Society’s Semen List is available to view or download from the website. If you would like a printed copy please request it from the office.
INTERNATIONAL AI BULL Davelle UB Righton H26 is bred by David & Rochelle Leese from South Australia. He is marketed as “the complete package both in type and performance – a rare combination. His dam is the great Lincoln Rose 14, arguably the best female in Australia. His sire is Paltarra Ubquiet” Righton is polled, and was born on 23/03/2012. His first calves will be born in July, and he will then be used in the Davelle herd for this year. After that it is planned to collect semen for a New Zealand order. If you might be interested in this bull please contact the Davelles – (61) 8 8664 1702, e-mail info@davelle.com.au The bull and his details can be seen at www.davelle.com.au
13
PUB IS THE HUB! I was recently introduced to a gentleman who works at the Great Yorkshire showground, running a charity called ‘Pub is the Hub’. The focus is one with which most of us will be familiar – an attempt to keep alive the village community and to help retain its village services as viable businesses. The charity is an organisation of specialist voluntary advisors for rural pubs and licensees who are thinking of broadening their range of services. These might include things like running a shop or a library within the pub’s premises. If you think it might be appropriate for your own local community and would like to know more, have a look at the website – www.pubisthehub.org.uk. The chief executive is Mr John Longden and can be contacted on 01423 546165, or e-mail jlongden@geraldeve.com.
NEXT GENERATION RALLY WEEKEND A new event is being organised this September, on the back of the very successful Next Generation Weekend held in 2012 – but with a difference! The venue will be Chesterton Fields Farm, home of the Knightcote herd, near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, by very kind invitation of the Hadley family. The Weekend’s activities will be designed to suit younger members and their guests, from 16 to 30 years of old. In addition, families with younger children will be welcomed, and specific activities will be arranged for them. The content of the weekend will include a diverse range of educational sessions, as well as a big social get-together. Accommodation will be camping only – so please arrange to bring your own tent/caravan. During the weekend a competition will be running to find the most suitable Young Ambassador to represent the Society in a trip to Australia in 2015 – more details to follow in due course. If you might be interested in attending please let us know as soon as possible.
14
ANGUS YOUTH PROGRAMME The Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society is running a Youth Programme which is open to anyone aged 8-24 who is interested in cattle. The programme is centred around workshops which are held around the UK and cater for all abilities. They are held on farm where trainers (not just Angus breeders) with years of experience get involved teaching them everything from basic cattle handling skills to clipping and dressing cattle for a show. There is stock judging and sometimes halter making, and various tips that can stand a future beef farmer in good stead. This year workshops will be held as follows: April May June July August
Thetford, Suffolk Cullompton, Devon Hook, Hampshire Banchory, Aberdeenshire St Ives, Cornwall Banbury, Northants Dymock, Gloucestershire Auchterarder, Perthshire Appleby in Westmorland, Cumbria
Further information is available at www.aberdeen-angus.co.uk/youthdevelopment, or from Gayle Bersey, tel 01503 240478, e-mail gayle@bersey.fslife.co.uk
DIARY April
May
2nd
Executive Committee meeting
14th
Region 1 annual meeting, 7.30, Victoria Inn, Roche
24th
Council meeting
29th
Breed Promotion Committee meeting
3rd
Midland Club Sale, Stratford
8th
Breed Improvement Committee meeting
19th
Dispersal Sale of Malthouse herd, Norwich
22nd
Beef Expo, Hexham 15
30th
South Devon Cattle Breeders Club Sale, Exeter
June
10th
Dispersal Sale of Chavid herd, Alton, Hants
July
2nd/3rd
Livestock 2014, NEC
September
19th-21st Next Generation Rally Weekend
October
14th
Autumn Show & Sale, Bristol
November
5th
Skipton Sale
13th
Beef South West, Westpoint, Exeter
STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNT Please find enclosed statements of account as appropriate. Payments can be made by debit card – please ring to speak to Debbie if you would like to settle your account this way. Alternatively, you can pay on-line to our SDHBS account, 00410188, sort code 30-96-06, and please give your name as reference so that we can make the correct allocation. Or send a cheque!
AND FINALLY ‌ A magician was working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. The audience would be different each week, so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again. There was only one problem: the captain's parrot saw the shows each week and began to understand how the magician did every trick. Once he understood he started shouting in the middle of the show: "Look, it's not the same hat" "Look, he is hiding the flowers under the table" "Hey, why are all the cards the ace of spades?" The magician was furious but couldn't do anything: it was, after all, the captain's parrot. One day the ship had an accident and sank. The magician found himself on a piece of wood in the middle of the ocean with the parrot, of course. They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word. This went on for a day and another and another. After a week the parrot said; "ok, I give up. Where's the boat?" 16