

REVIEW


Welcome
Welcome to the 2025 Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Annual Review where we once again gather the highlights of the year just gone, and share insights as we look to 2025 and beyond.
2024 proved to a be a challenging year weather-wise, with a lack of sunshine and an excess of rain throughout the year. While the agricultural input price volatility has settled down, it is still a challenging marketplace demonstrated by declining suckler herds across the United Kingdom.
Aberdeen-Angus genetics continue to perform well in the marketplace and many newer breeders are arriving at Aberdeen-Angus as their solution to problems experienced with continental cows.
The Review this year remains true to its tradition of featuring in-depth technical articles, up-to-date market analyses, and comprehensive reports from shows and sales. These insights aim to inform and inspire, equipping members with the knowledge to navigate the evolving UK beef industry.
To the 2025 Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Annual Review
Additionally, we are pleased to include new case studies spotlighting both established and emerging members as well as commercial beef farmers who have embraced the benefits of the Aberdeen-Angus effect in their herds.
Thanks again this year to the Committee Chairs, whose guidance and collaboration have been integral to compiling The Review of 2024. Their efforts, coupled with the efforts of the Council, and the team at Pedigree House, have ensured delivery of the Review to you again this year. Our gratitude also extends to our PR and media partners and all others who contributed behind the scenes to make this publication a reality.
We would like to express our appreciation to the advertisers, members, trade partners, and clubs. Their support is the cornerstone that makes The Review possible each year, and we are grateful for their continued involvement.
As we enter 2025, we do so with optimism and determination. The Aberdeen-Angus effect on economics, efficiency, and environmental, along with outstanding beef quality positions it as a leader ready to meet future demands. We wish everyone health, prosperity, and happiness in the year ahead and look forward to continued success and growth for the breed.


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TR A NSFOR M YOUR HERD WITH UK’S NO.1 BEEF BREED

SOCIETY NEWS
News
Member
SOCIETY SALES
Spring
YDP NEWS & REPORTS Ydp
Ydp
Ydp
Ydp
Ydp
MEMBERS UPDATES & ADVERTISEMENTS
CASE STUDIES
Please See The Advertisers Index On Page 258 To Locate
Herd Advertisements
SOCIETY
SOCIETY COMMITTEE REPORTS & BYE-LAWS
INDEXES


SUS TA IN A B LY TR A NSFOR M YOUR HERD
WITH UK’S NO.1 BEEF BREED
A Review of 2024 from Pedigree House
With 2024 coming to a close, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to the 2024 Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Review.
Our great breed continues to go from strength to strength in the marketplace with 12-month data (from 1st October 2023 to 30th September 2024) showing Aberdeen-Angus taking a 28% share of total beef registrations, standing at 541 000 animals. This is an increase of just over 20k animals on the same period in 2023. Concerningly, comparing the two periods, total beef registrations have declined by 20k, symptomatic of a continuing decline in the beef herd. The council continues to have a commitment to ensuring a seamless and efficient registration process for the membership, with ongoing evaluation of new registration software carrying on apace. The new system will need to suit both members and staff and lead to a greater ease of use. Recent advancements in DNA management software are currently being implemented to improve member oversight of their DNA tests.
As ever, the Society is indebted to many others who have played a part in another successful year. Our thanks go to the Border Aberdeen-Angus Club for hosting the Summer National at the Border Union Show at Kelso. The club, to raise funds to cover the cost of the marquee required for the show held a very successful heifer raffle, with the heifer having been kindly donated by the Hodge family at Rulesmains. Not only did the raffle fund the marquee, it also led to a substantial donation of the surplus to RSABI.
The Aberdeen-Angus Youth Development Programme (YDP) continues to be a gem in the crown for the Society. Many thanks go to those members who have hosted workshops, supplied cattle, judged, or otherwise helped out. The programme relies on a significant quantity of goodwill to succeed and a debt of gratitude is owed to all those who have contributed.
The 2024 YDP Finals were ably hosted by our sister Society in the Republic of Ireland at Thurles Mart. With input of livestock from many members to ensure a successful final, the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society are incredibly grateful to all those who helped out on the day. A huge well done to all who travelled and took part in both the finals and the workshops throughout the year, and congratulations to John Smyth on his well-deserved victory.
In international news, our friends in the German Angus Society hosted a European Forum in July. Touring the herds in Germany with friends old and new was a fantastic experience and congratulations must go to Richard Brinette and his team for pulling together such a great event. The week closed with a European Aberdeen-Angus Secretariat meeting in Potsdam, that concluded with an accord for all European societies to work more closely to contribute to a European evaluation. From Germany, I also had the honour of representing the Society in Kazakhstan at the Green Day exhibition. Kazakhstan is a country with a land area similar to the whole of Western Europe and a fast growing beef industry that is looking to Aberdeen-Angus genetics.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the support and dedication of our Council, staff, and you, the members. Your commitment leads to our progress and success, demonstrating the Aberdeen-Angus Effect.
How to get in touch with your Society
Meet the team

Robert Gilchrist Chief Executive Officer
Robert oversees the strategic and operational direction of the Society.
Phone : 01738448345
robert@aberdeen-angus.co.uk

Caroline Ford Keast
Head of Registrations & DNA
Responsible for the Registration Department. Dealing with Registrations, DNA and member services.
Phone: 01738 448341 caroline@aberdeen-angus.co.uk

Helena Stewart
Breedplan & Finance General Enquiries
Helena is responsible for Pedigree Cattle Services which covers Breed Plan, performance recording and processing raw data such as weightings and scanning.
Phone: 01738 448347
helena@breedplan.co.uk

Laura Stewart Office Manager
Works closely with the council and all office departments and facilitates the smooth running of the office.
Phone: 01738 448343
laura@aberdeen-angus.co.uk

Fiona Flood Registrations & DNA
Fiona deals with any registration queries including DNA testing and results. She has a particular focus on producing the annual herdbook and managing any imported genetics.
Phone: 01738 448342
fiona@aberdeen-angus.co.uk

Sarah Wood Registrations
aberdeen-angus.co.uk

Angela Cumming Finance
Angela is responsible for the accounts and day-to-day bookkeeping for the Society.
Phone: 01738 448344
angela@aberdeen-angus.co.uk

Felicity Hunter
Marketing & Communications
Responsible for marketing, communications, social media, PR and the Youth Development Programme.
Tel 07427826912
Direct dial : 01738 622477
felicity@aberdeen-angus.co.uk

Natalie Cormack
Breed Development Manager
Sarah is part of the Registrations team, she covers pedigree registrations, transfers, DNA, Social Media and the Website.
Phone: 01738 448348
sarah@aberdeen-angus.co.uk
Natalie works astride Pedigree Cattle Services and AACS, and is responsible for Breed Development, mainly dealing with technical projects covering everything from Genomic Evaluations to DNA software.
Phone: 01738 448349
natalie@breedplan.co.uk
Beef Industry Outlook 2025
The market for UK origin beef will remain strong in 2025 as long as supermarkets and major food service users remain committed to prioritising the use of home-produced beef and shoppers keep buying it.
Tight cattle supply to underpin prices
UK beef producers saw record farm gate prices in 2024 and with cattle supplies forecast to tighten in 2025, strong competition is expected between factories to source cattle. While the numbers going through UK factories were up 6.5% for steers and 2.9% for heifers to the end of September, the fact that there are over 5% less cows on the ground in June 2024 compared with a year earlier, suggests that supplies will tighten in 2025 and future years.
The UK has an annual beef supply deficit between 20% and 25% which is filled by imports. Ireland has always been the main supplier and 82,505 tonnes of beef were imported from there up to the end of August, an increase of over 5,000 tonnes on the same period last year. Irish farmers have watched with envy as the equivalent UK price per kilo hovered around £1/kg.
UK beef imports
This is because Irish supplies have been strong throughout 2024 with the kill actually running ahead of last year for a good part of the year. However, the Irish supply outlook isn’t as strong as this suggests. Breaking the Irish kill down, up to the middle of October prime beef kill (steers, heifers and young bulls were just 100 cattle up on last year but there was a big increase in the cow kill, up to just under 33,000 head or 10.3% compared with the same period in 2023.
This means a decline in cows and less cattle being bred in the year ahead. Looking at the June Irish data for on farm cow numbers at the 1st June 2024, it showed a decline in suckler cows of 46,543 over the previous twelve months to 810,00. Head and calf registrations for the first half of the year were down 39,202 head. The dairy cow herd which had been expanding over the past decade has also stalled with numbers down 22,485 compared with a year earlier.
All of this may suggest that there will be less Irish beef in the UK market in 2025 and subsequent years assuming the decline continues. However, this will also depend on the strength of other markets for Irish exports. In the first eight months of 2024, just under half of Irish beef exports went to the UK, most of the rest went to EU countries with small amounts to Asia and North America. If the UK/Irish price gap is as big in 2025 as it has been in 2024, Irish exporters could allocate more beef to the UK market and reduce volumes to the EU and other international markets.
Alternative to Irish imports
Irish beef will continue to dominate UK beef imports because of its geographical closeness to the UK, similarity of beef product and the fact that much of the processing capacity either side of the Irish sea is owned by the same companies. However, the post-brexit trade deals made by the UK Government with Australia and New Zealand have created options for beef supplies that weren’t there when the UK was part of the EU.
This is the first full year of trade in which Australia and New Zealand can send beef to the UK without tariffs, and volumes have increased significantly on last year though it has been from a very low base. According to AHDB data, UK fresh beef imports from Australia to the end of August 2024 were 3,167 tonnes, up from just 667 tonnes in the same period last year with 1,921 tonnes coming from New Zealand compared with 224 tonnes the previous year.
With Australian farm gate beef price around £3.20/kg at present, it is a very price competitive option for UK importers and there are strong Australian supplies with near record exports at the end of 2024. While Australian or New Zealand beef is unlikely to compete directly with UK beef, it will be a competitor for Irish beef in the import category.
Because of the distance and travel time, Irish beef will continue to have an advantage of fitting seamlessly into established supply chains. However, Australia and New Zealand will have a competitive advantage on price and we can expect that they will grow their share of the UK beef import market in the years ahead.
Comment
The market for UK origin beef will remain strong in 2025 as long as supermarkets and major food service users remain committed to prioritising the use of home-produced beef and shoppers keep buying it.
High beef prices bring a risk of consumer resistance and switching to cheaper proteins, with chicken and pork attractively priced. However, Kantar retail data published by AHDB has shown that consumer purchases actually increased slightly in the year to the end of September 2024 with the spend up 5.3%. UK beef producers will be hoping this trend continues in 2025.


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TR A NSFOR M YOUR HERD WITH UK’S NO.1 BEEF BREED

Members Services
SOCIETY SALES
Society sales are run by the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society across the UK, giving members options to sell in all areas.
As a Society Sale vendor, you receive a greater level of input than a normal collective sale.
A Society sale has many benefits for both vendor and purchaser
» Animals are vet inspected giving greater peace of mind
» All vendors are covered by a recognised CHeCS health scheme giving greater levels of information on the animals being bought
» Performance recorded animals. Most Society sales ensure that animals have been performance recorded. This not only validates their lifetime data, it also helps purchasers make more informed decisions with regards
CATALOGUES AND ON FARM SALES
Did you know that the Society can prepare individual catalogues for your own cattle on farm? We offer this service for all categories of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle and youngstock suitable for breeding, bulls, maiden heifers, in calf heifers, cow calf pairs and more. Using the same outputs and information as are used for a
to potential performance.
» No transfer fees. Society sales see transfers carried out for free
» NBA warranty. The NBA warranty is a default option at Society sales, meaning greater peace of mind for both buyer and seller.
Further information is available from Pedigree House on 01738 622477.
ON FARM SALES
The society can assist with running on farm sales in their entirety under the auspices of the society. On farm sales can be advantageous for maintaining high-health status and give an opportunity for the buyer to see cattle in their natural environment.
(including EBV graph)
Society sale catalogue, the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society can offer members the ability to have their own catalogues available to prospective buyers. From a basic Word extract to a full cover to cover design, we are happy to explore all options with you.
Further information is available from the Pedigree Cattle Services Ltd team on 01738 622477
PERFORMANCE RECORDING
Breedplan performance recording provides AberdeenAngus breeders with valuable genetic insights, helping to identify animals with superior traits for fertility, growth, and carcass quality. It enhances breeding decisions, maximizes herd productivity, and supports profitability. By tracking Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), it ensures genetic progress, enabling breeders to meet market demands and maintain breed excellence.
Performance Recording Timeline
Since February 2024, the Society has been offering full Single Step Genomically Enhanced Breeding Values. These have greater accuracy levels, working from the DNA that the Society has been collecting over the last number of years. Further information is available from the Pedigree Cattle Services Ltd team on 01738 622477




EBV’S FROM AHDB NATIONAL BEEF EVALUATIONS
Alongside Breed plan EBVs on the data base AHDBs own set of EBVs from the National Beef Evaluations are also accessible under Technical Resources on the website giving significant additional accurate information.
LINEAR CLASSIFICATION
Over the last twelve months, the Society has been in a position to offer members the ability to have their animals structurally classified. Assessors from the National Bovine Data Centre attend the farm, preferably in the summer, when cows have calves at foot and structurally assess cattle. The assessment covers four areas of the animal:
• Feet & legs • Udder • Body • Breed Character
From this, a score is calculated, and animals are ranked on a scale from 50 – 97.
2024, where has it gone?
By Ian Watson
When I became president back in February 2024, February 2025 seemed an age away. 2024 has absolutely flown past!
The new Council, Presidential Team and all within Pedigree House started the year with much to do and will finish the year still with much to do. A depressing statement perhaps, but only due to constant change within the industry. Much has been achieved over the period and I look forward to supporting the incoming President and Council as they continue to take the Society forward.
A great deal of Council’s effort and particularly the Governance Committee’s has been spent on final amendments to the Articles of Association and bylaw updates. The time and effort given to this work by Governance, ably chaired by Matthew Currie is not change for change’s sake, but updates required to allow AACS to function properly on behalf of the membership whilst fulfilling our obligations as a registered charity.
The well documented Zootechnical Regulations requiring breed societies to adhere to new interpretations of EU and UK legislation would be at odds with the current bylaws making change inevitable.
Council as recommended by the Breed Development Committee, agreed to implement the Helical parent verification software. This will allow pedigree house to carryout PV/SV on behalf of the membership more efficiently along with several other functions.


It was also agreed by Council, again recommended by Breed Development, to update the long serving index calculations. Terminal and Maternal values will be arrived at from up-to-date parameters and the work will also provide a Dairy Beef Index. Sustainability information will be critical to the breeds success along with eating quality and this information will also be utilised in the updated indexes.
Breed Development chair Kit Acton and his Committee deserve thanks for their efforts for the above and others which will be highlighted in the Breed Development report.
Much discussion has taken place regarding Society sales, and several changes are planned for implementation over time to showcase the breed at its best, ever mindful of the requirements of all Society members.
While I personally did not attend the Youth Development Programme finals in Thurles, it was a great success highlighting once again the quality we have within the younger members of the Society. Many thanks to the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association for hosting the finals and our coordinators for their efforts prior to and during the finals. The YDP programme would not be possible without your continued effort. Thanks also go to the host farms who generously gave of their facilities time and trained cattle, all to encourage the stock men and women of the future.
Felicity Hunter is deserving of thanks for her YDP input having picked up the baton at short notice. Felicity along with Ewen Campbell YDP chairman, both YDP new timers gave their all to the Programme, and the success is testament to their enthusiasm.
All those who gave their time as trainers during the workshops and judges in Thurles deserve mention and the gratitude of the Society.

One of the highlights of my year was visiting Germany for the European Aberdeen-Angus Forum and witnessing the quality cattle on farm. These cattle along with the enthusiasm of the breeders have taken the breed a long way in a relatively short time. During the Forum meeting, an accord was reached to work more closely with our European neighbours which over time will prove fruitful for AACS members.
The marketing Committee chaired by Chris Wilkinson have overseen changes in the promotional offering with more inhouse promotion giving greater control.
Felicity has made herself known attending various shows, sales and Society events throughout the year, all to meet members and understand their promotional requirements. Again, many thanks to all involved in marketing, both Council members and staff for all their time and effort during 2024
The Finance Committee chaired by Peter Chapman are deserving of my and the Society’s thanks for their efforts in what has been a difficult year. A reduction in suckler cow numbers combined with the export challenges resulting from Brexit and BTV has concentrated breeders’ minds in what are difficult times for all breeds, resulting in a reduction of pedigree registrations.
Reduced registrations resulting in the drop in registration income has been uppermost in the minds of the finance committee.
The Building Sub Committee, having exhausted several options regarding relocation which all proved unsuitable or overly expensive.
It is now agreed with Council to go ahead with remedial work on Pedigree House to a level of spend which would be recoverable should the building be sold.
All the above and more will be reported on in full in the committee reports.
I would take this opportunity to thank all members of staff, Robert Gilchrist who has burned the candle at both ends at a time of much change and pressure within the beef industry.
Caroline, Fiona and Sarah for their efforts within the Registration Department, Felicity in communications and Laura in the office. Angela for keeping the accounts in order and not least Natalie and Helena for their hard work on behalf of Pedigree Cattle Services.
As president of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, I have travelled the length and breadth of mainland UK and Northern Ireland to various shows, sales and club AGMs where I have been afforded great hospitality and I would thank all members for making my tenure such a pleasure.
It has been an absolute privilege to have held the position of President of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society.
I have enjoyed the support of what I believe to be an excellent hard-working Council along with the efforts of Alan Morrison (Senior Vice President) and Matthew Currie (Junior Vice President).
I am indebted to both Angus Stovold and Finlay Munro along with previous Councils for giving me the opportunity to become the President of this great breed and for their support over time.
A Journey through Herds, Heritage, and European Collaboration
The German Angus Forum, held from July 10th to 17th, was an outstanding event that brought together Angus enthusiasts and professionals from across Europe. The trip began in Frankfurt on July 10th, with an insightful bus tour that explored various herds and provided a deep look into the Angus cattle industry in Germany.
Day 1
Frankfurt to Byshoff and Sipple Herds
The first day of the forum featured visits to two distinguished herds: the Byshoff herd and the Sipple herd.
The Byshoff herd’s unique integration of medical and therapy elements into its business model stood out. Meanwhile, the Sipple herd focused heavily on direct retail, reflecting a broader trend seen throughout the trip. The German Angus producers showcased a strong emphasis on direct retailing, aiming for high-value, high-end markets for their Angus meat.

Day 2
Wiedemann Factory and Herd Visits
The second day took the participants to the Wiedemann factory in Corbach, where they had the opportunity to tour the facility and observe the assembly of Wiedemann loaders. The day continued with visits to the Reichenberg Oakers and Barra herds, culminating in an overnight stay in Wiedemann.
Day 3 Tamstad Show and Hamburg
The third day was highlighted by the Tamstad show, which featured a state beef cattle show including Angus and other breeds. The event provided an excellent display of quality cattle and offered a pleasant afternoon for attendees. The day ended with a journey to Hamburg for an overnight stay.
Day 4
Steesle and Gooditzer Agrar Farm
On the fourth day, the forum traveled to Steesle to visit the Gooditzer agrar farm in Karstadt, home to a large herd of approximately 700 Angus cattle. The evening was spent in Gordon Laban, preparing for the next day’s activities.
Day 5 Gutkarl and Hilgert Herds
The fifth day included visits to the Gutkarl farm, which manages 500 Abbey Angus, and the Hilgert farm, with a herd of 150-200 Angus. The Hilgert herd is notable for being one of the longest-established Abbey Angus herds in Germany.

The European Forum:
The highlight of the trip was the European Forum itself, attended by representatives from various European Angus societies, including those from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland, along with the host nation, Germany.
A notable realisation from the forum was that there are over 100,000 Angus registrations per year in Europe, this figure though excludes several countries like France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, and parts of Spain. This suggests that there could be the potential for at least 120,000 Angus registrations annually across Europe.
The primary outcome from the forum was a collective agreement to enhance cooperation among the European Angus societies, aiming to work towards a common European evaluation system. This collaboration is expected to foster growth and improve the industry as a whole. One unexpected observation from the trip was the surprising prevalence of red Angus cattle across Germany and Europe. Additionally, many nations, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, face challenges in educating consumers about the high eating quality of Angus beef.
From Germany to Kazakhstan
Following the visit to Germany, the next destination was Kazakhstan to attend Jana Dala (Green Day), one of the leading agricultural shows in the country. Kazakhstan is a country with huge agricultural potential. While the current cattle population stands at 6 million, experts estimate that the available productive grassland could support up to 24 million cows.
Pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle currently make up around 100,000 of the country’s cattle population, with

While consumers are willing to pay for standard meat, there is a struggle to elevate the perceived value of high-quality Angus beef.
The German Angus Forum was an enlightening experience that highlighted the strengths and challenges within the Angus cattle industry in Europe. With a focus on direct retail, high-value markets, and increased European collaboration, the future looks promising for Angus producers.
The forum underscored the importance of consumer education and the need for a unified approach to enhance the industry’s growth and sustainability.

registrations increasing year on year. Despite unseasonal rain, which made conditions at Jana Dala challenging, the determined breeders were undeterred and brought their cattle out for judging. Judging was conducted on individual animals, one at a time, loose in the ring, followed by a penside review before the champions were selected.
With classes for Aberdeen-Angus and Hereford, the UK native breeds were well represented. Kazakh breeds, including Aqbas, Aliokol, and Kalmyk cattle, were also shown. The Aberdeen-Angus champion title was awarded to Stevenson Rockmount 3161 from Kazbeef Ltd.
During the visit, meetings were held with representatives of the Angus Chamber of Kazakhstan to discuss UK genetic export opportunities. This follows significant efforts over the past three years to open the market for UK breeders. With the rapid growth of their herds, the Kazakhs are keen to explore further opportunities with the UK. The Society is considering organizing a visit to Kazakhstan in 2025, which will be open to members interested in exploring these opportunities.
A special thanks goes to the Angus Chamber in Kazakhstan for being such fantastic hosts, and to Beth and Meruyert at the British Embassy for their invaluable help and support in making this visit possible.
For more information on potential opportunities in Kazakhstan, please contact the society office.
Lifetime Award for Pedigree Cattle Show Preparation
Falkirk based cattle livery winner, Richard Rettie, has been chosen as the recipient of the David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award at Agri Expo 2024.
One of the UK’s most successful and respected pedigree livery experts who has a unique reputation for his dedication in preparing cattle for the UK’s most prestigious show rings has been awarded the 2024 David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Richard was presented with this coveted award by Managing Director Scott Donaldson in the main show ring during this year’s Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 1st November.

Richard is the fourth recipient of this award created by Harrison & Hetherington in 2021 to recognise a lifetime’s commitment and accomplishment within the livestock farming industry, following David Thomlinson’s untimely death in a tragic accident. The award commemorates
David’s life by celebrating a kindred spirit – a passionate livestock farmer and an exemplary role model within the industry.
From a farming family with a long tradition of pedigree livestock showing success, Richard Rettie has been associated with some of the UK’s most respected cattle breeders and leading bloodlines throughout this career in the industry.
In announcing the recipient, the judges responsible for the almost impossible task of choosing this year’s award agreed fully with the summary in his nomination: “Richard is a master at his profession. He has earned the trust of the pedigree cattle industry throughout the UK and has a vast number of Customers who rely on his ability to produce Pedigree Cattle to the animal’s full potential.”
“He is always the first to credit his wife, Carol for making their success possible, and we all hope very much that they will continue to push the standards of showing ever higher and with ever greater success.”
Since establishing himself as a leading freelance 27 years ago, Richard has become synonymous with the highest standards of preparation and skill in showing pedigree cattle to their very best advantage.
His first breed win came in 2006 with Beef Shorthorn cow, Holmeere Georgia Rose, for Mark Holmes. In 2007, the same team won again with Holmeere Alastair and a year later their season was dominated by champion stockbull Cairnsmore Thrasher.
As well as winning the Great Yorkshire with Cairnsmore Thrasher in 2008, Richard was also presented with the John Miller Perpetual Challenge Trophy at the Royal Highland Show, awarded to the Stockperson who makes the best presentation of their stock and the greatest contribution to fostering goodwill in the stock lines.
Over 20 years at the Royal Highland Show, Richard’s Dyke Farm team have produced two Hereford champions, six Beef Shorthorns, including the World Shorthorn Congress in 2010, one Aberdeen Angus (home-bred, but brought out for Donald Rankin, from Skye), and reserve Angus twice, once from their own herd, with a Lincoln Red bull.
In 2019 Richard brought out two National show champions at the Great Yorkshire Show, together with reserve champion Aberdeen Angus and reserve junior champion with their own home-bred. 2024 highlights so far include winning the Breed Championship with a Beef Shorthorn heifer for Tom McMillan at both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows, and numerous Championships at one day shows including Perth and Turriff.
Richard was overcome by this completely unexpected accolade and said: “David Tomlinson was a mentor and an inspiration to me early in my career, and this is a very great honour to receive his award for doing something that I love. It makes me feel old, but I am absolutely overcome to have received such a prestigious award."
Richard Rettie Receiving his award from Scott Donaldson
James Playfair-Hannay, Recipient of the President’s Award in 2022
In 2022, James Playfair-Hannay was awarded the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society President’s Award by the then President of the Society, Angus Stovold, at the Royal Highland Show.
A former President of the Society himself, James holds the distinction of being the youngest person ever to take up the office and has served on Council on three separate occasions. His service to the breed has extended well beyond the UK, having represented the Society at various events across the globe, including the USA, New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia. He was also heavily involved with the 2017 World Angus Forum held in the UK.
James received the President’s Cup in recognition of his unwavering commitment to the improvement of the Aberdeen-Angus breed. Throughout his time with the Society, James has been a keen advocate for Pedigree Cattle Services Ltd (PCS), the Society’s trading arm. Appointed to the PCS board in 1991, James went on to chair the board until recently. PCS has been the driving force behind the growth and development of the Society’s Certified Aberdeen-Angus Beef Programme.
James has also been a stalwart of many Society events, often lending a hand with commentary and stewarding, not to mention judging too.
Despite the political and environmental challenges facing the industry, James remains committed in his belief that cows are integral to biodiversity and soil health. He believes
in the Aberdeen-Angus breed’s global leadership in efficiency and market share and went on to emphasise the need for the correct genetics to maximize the conversion of grass into quality nutritious food. He also stressed the importance of UK farmers safeguarding their market position and working to protect it. Part of this is the need for the agricultural sector to embrace change, innovate, and explore new approaches to ensure a sustainable future.
Reflecting on receiving the award, James shared:
“I was delighted and surprised to win the award. There are a lot of people out there in the breed who have probably been involved longer than I have and are possibly higher profile. Some have been recognized, and some haven’t. I’ve been privileged, so I appreciate that.”
Herd History
Established in 1947 by James’ grandfather, R J (Hamish) Roberton, the Tofts Herd has a deep history. Foundation females came from prestigious herds like Broadleys and Clashfarquar, with notable bloodlines such as Polly Perkins and Princess still present today. The herd’s early success included the record-breaking sale of Elite of Tofts in 1955, followed by his export to the USA. Another bull, Philanderer of Tofts, was also sold to the US in 1959, and both bulls featured in the American Angus Sire of the Year Awards, making Tofts the only British herd with two sires on the list in one year. To further enhance their herd, the family has imported embryos from New Zealand’s oldest herd, Turihaua, using donor cows and Te Mania herd sires.

The Playfair-Hannay family’s philosophy centres around breeding functional, productive cows that are economical, fertile, and structurally sound. They focus on converting grass and forage into high-quality beef. More recently the Tofts herd has produced show winners with Tofts Prona D681 winning the Burke Trophy at The Royal Bath and West Show and Tofts Polly Perkins L777 being National Female Aberdeen-Angus champion at the Royal Welsh Show.
The Tofts herd embarked on a herd health programme and as a result stopped showing. The herd continues to sell some 30+ bulls annually to both dairy and suckler producers with the progeny heading to branded AA beef outlets.
James Playfair recieving the Presidents award





The History of the Aberdeen-Angus in pictures






Smithfield Club Show, At The Royal Agricultural Hall, Issington. Credit The History Of The Smithfield Club Show From 1798 To 1900
Cattle judging on the street in Perth 1947
Perth Judging Ring 1957Dave Smith Centre
Harviestoun Dispersal - Roley Fraser Selling, Flanked By Harry And Lovatt Fraser. Courtesy Aberdeen-Angus Archives
Angus Bulls Being Loaded On To A Boat In Liverpool Bound For Argentina 1960s. Courtesy Of AberdeenAngus Society Archives.
Three Aberdeen-Angus Steers Exhibited By Kansas State College. 1909 International Live Stock Exposition Grand Champion Steer Herd Over All Breeds.
Find your local Aberdeen-Angus club
The regional Clubs are not just for breeders, but for anyone interested in Aberdeen Angus cattle – be it breeding, beef or wanting to be a part of the number one breed in the UK.
The Aberdeen Angus clubs play an essential part in representing the breed and the society around shows and sales within their regions, as well as organising meetings, herd walks and competitions throughout the year. The Society intends to help local clubs become essential in publicizing the breed and brand going forward. We will be making investments throughout the year to provide clubs with tools to promote the benefits of the breed throughout the supply chain.
If you are reading this and are not a member of your local club and have an interest in learning more about membership benefits, contact the club secretary in your local area.
Gill Macgregor, Secretary HIGHLAND AREA CLUB (IV10 8SN)
t: 01381 620570
e: gillian.macgregor@btconnect.com
Bruce MacAngus, Secretary NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND CLUB (AB42 4RD)
m: 07917 758668
e: aa.in.nescotland@gmail.com
Elaine Smith, Secretary CENTRAL SCOTLAND CLUB (PH11 8HJ)
t: 01828 633709 | m: 07719 440542
e: csaaclub@gmail.com
Natalie Cormack, Secretary BORDER CLUB (TD5 7QG)
t: 01573 221613 | m: 07712 623669
e: natalie.cormack@btconnect.com
Shona Andrew, Secretary SOUTH-WEST SCOTLAND CLUB (KA26 6PB)
t: 07912 783719
e: swsaberdeenangus@hotmail.co.uk
Tom Peters, Chairman SOLWAY CLUB (DG1 1TE)
t: 07711 995420
e: dref@btinternet.com
Catherine O’Hara, Secretary NORTHERN IRELAND CLUB (BT44 8SH)
t: 028 29571092 | m: 07968 868001
e: innisfayleangus@gmail.com
Davina March, Secretary
NORTH-EAST ENGLAND CLUB (YO25 9AH)
t: 07894 697724
e: dref@btinternet.com
Mary Hamnett, Secretary PENWAC CLUB (SK12 2HJ)
t: 01663 767877
e: olivham@btinternet.com
Meg Atkins, Secretary EAST ANGLIA CLUB (NR24 2JE)
t: 07919 108714
e: megatkins96@gmail.com
Katherine Ball, Secretary WEST MERCIA (GL13 9EU)
t: 07891 633454
e: elmviewherd@gmail.com
Christopher Hood, Secretary SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND CLUB (SN4 0DT)
t: 01793 791180
e: info@seeaa.co.uk
Lisa Davey, Chairman SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND CLUB (PL15 7EX)
t: 07970 793838
e: lisa.davey@daveyslivestock.co.uk
For more information on local clubs, please visit: www.aberdeen-angus. co.uk/the-society/regional-clubs/
PENWAC CLUB
Border Club 2024 report
The Border Club is fortunate to have a growth in membership and excellent support from both new and existing members.
Such is the continued interest in Aberdeen-Angus within our region, that we were able to hold a very well attended Bull Walk ahead of the February sale, incorporating 6 herds with others also having bulls but not able to present on the day.
The travel distance has meant some amendments to the schedules, but a good number of commercial buyers take the opportunity to come out and see the bulls and dams in their own environments. Our two core local shows have had good attendance, with some new faces, which is very pleasing, and some travelled further afield and their commitment is to be congratulated.
The raffle was extremely successful, and exceeded our targeted amount, such that we were able to give £5354.94 to RSABI as well. Thank you for all who purchased tickets, and congratulations to Robin Orr, Halbeath, who won the heifer, which was drawn on the day.
We hosted Owen Tunney of the Morpheus Herd to judge our Herd Competition recently in October, which was an excellent couple of days and a great tour of Borders’ Herds.
An enormous amount of work went into gathering sponsorship and selling raffle tickets to fundraise and cover the costs of the event.
Borders herds were well represented at Stirling in February, where Messrs Campbell, Thrunton sold their reserve senior champion, Thrunton Best Man Y566 for 20,000gns, selling 7 to an average of £8010. Trustees of the late Gordon Brooke sold sold 3 to average £7875, with the best being Gordon Last Call Y789 selling to 9000 gns. Andrew and Emma Hodge, Rulesmains sold Rulesmains Pascual Y703 for 8500 gns, having been successfully shown over the previous summer.

The Club hosted the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s Summer National show at the Border Union this year, which was ably judged by a club member, Wanda Tilson.
An enormous amount of work went into gathering sponsorship and selling raffle tickets to fundraise and cover the costs of the event, we were very pleased to host so many breeders from far and wide both to the BBQ the evening before and on the day. Entry numbers were healthy, and the ringside was packed for a great spectacle throughout the judging. The weather disappointed over the course of the day, but didn’t detract from the quality forward.
The Club is grateful to Andrew, Jill and Emma Hodge for their generous donation of Rulesmains Princess Z838 for raffle in aid of fundraising to pay for show costs.
The May sale in Stirling also saw Borders herds topping the charts. Messrs Campbell, Thrunton sold Thrunton Plato Y764 for 6800 gns, while Roscoe Bowled Man Y915 exhibited by Messrs Ross, Wester Middleton, achieved 4200gns.
The autumn round of bull sales was dominated by Rulesmains with their Senior and Overall Champion at Stirling, Rulesmains Pedro Z819. Pedro has had a prolific show career during the summer, and sold to Messrs Neish, Rodmead at 10,000gns.
John Steel and family once again hosted the Borders YDP training day, which was well attended by a group of enthusiastic youngsters from both Borders and outwith. Stephanie Dick, Scottish regional coordinator led the session, to put the attendees through their paces in halter training, stock judging and reasons, cattle dressing, just for starters.
Rulesmains held a joint herd walk visit alongside a QMS open day at Rulesmains in early August which was well attended. This followed their award as Beef Farmer of the Year, awarded in the backend of 2023. Thanks again to the team at Rulesmains for opening their herd at a busy time of year.
Mark Wattie pictured on the Club Herd Visit
Border Club Herd Competition Results 2024
(Judge: Owen Tunney, Morpheus)


Ian Watson (centre) presenting awards. Andrew Hodge (left) and Daniel Whiteford (right)
BORDER ABERDEEN ANGUS CLUB
ALN
George & Toby Burrell
Broome Park Farms, Alnwick Northumberland, NE66 2EQ georgew.burrell@btinternet.com
T: 01665 574344 M: 07511 726110
BLACKHAUGH
Andrew Elliot
Blackhaugh, Clovenfords Galashiels, Selkirkshire, TDI ITW T: 01896 850333 M: 07798 923663 E: elliotblackhaugh@btinternet.com
BOREWELL
John & Daniel Whiteford Borewell Farm, Scremerston Berwick-upon-Tweed Northumberland, TD15 2RJ
T: 01289 307507 M: 07711 478885
E: info@borewellangus.co.uk
CHATHILL
Messers P.A. Robson
Chathill Farm, Chathill Northumberland, NE67 5DE
T: 01665 589435 M: 07889 874454
E: pip@chathillfarm.co.uk
EASTFIELD
Ewan Brewis / Iain MacGiIIivray Lempitlaw, Kelso
Roxburghshire, TD5 8BN
M: Ewan 07836 349190
M: lain 07768 022463 E: lempitlaw@btconnect.com
EILDON
Sion Williams
Bowhill Farming Ltd
Bowhill, Selkirk, Selkirkshire, TD7 5ES M: 07795 403291
E: swilliams@buccleuch.com
ELLIOT
John R Elliot
Roxburgh Mains, Kelso Roxburghshire, TD5 8NJ T: 01573 450223 M: 07795 165140
E: johnrelliot@aol.com
ETTRICK
Gordon & David Gray
Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk
Selkirkshire, TD7 4QW
M: 07751 066053 M: 07841 865769
E: ggraysunnycroft@mail.com
FEABUIE
Donald and Gill MacNeill
Old Orchard Cottage, Cavers
Hawick, TD9 9ST
T: 01450 376265 M: 07925 993070
E: Donald.macneill@btopenworld.com
GALAWATER
J & E Logan
Romavale, Denholm, Hawick TD9 8SZ
T: 07771 526936
E: jim@romavale.com


GORDON
(formerly Linton Gilbertines)
Trustees of the Late Gordon R. Brooke, Farm Office
Upper Huntlywood, Earlston Berwickshire, TD9 6RB
T: 01573 410226 M: 07795 165140
HALLINGTON
Alan & Steven Lawson
South Farm, Hallington, Newcastle Northumberland, NE19 2LW
T: 01434 672227 M: 07701 010294
E: lawsonpedigrees@aol.com
HARDIESMILL
Alison and Robin Tuke
Hardiesmill, Hardiesmill Place
Gordon, Berwickshire, TD3 6LQ
T: 01573 410797 M: 07767 618123
E: info@hardiesmill.co.uk
HAYMOUNT
Messrs Arnott
Haymount, Kelso Roxburghshire, TD5 7RR
T: 01573 460227 M: 07787 385542
E: arnott@haymount.uk.com
KERSQUARTER
Ian Watson / Jim Ford
9 Abbey View, Kelso, Roxburghshire, TD5 8HX
T: 07789 128756 M: 07774 283382
E: performancefeeds17@outIook.com
RAETHORN
Gavin Tait
Raethorn, Thorneydykes, Westruther Gordon, Berwickshire, TD3 6NG T: 01578 740634 M: 07773 764794
RAWBURN
John Elliot
Roxburgh Mains, Kelso Roxburghshire, TD5 8NJ T: 01573 450223 M: 07795 165140 E: rawburn@aol.com
RIDDELL ORGANIC ANGUS
Grant & Minto
Riddell Farm, Melrose Roxburghshire TD6 9JP
T: 07968721636 / 07813860172
E: bminto7583@gmail.com
ROSCOE
Ross Farms Ltd, Wester Middleton Farm, Gorebridge, Midlothian EH23 4RF T: 01875 820158
M: 07881 815037
E: markrosswesterm@gmail.com

RULESMAINS

Andrew Hodge, Rulesmains, Duns Berwickshire, TD11 3SY T: 01361 883774 M: 07889 316106
E: rulesmains@outlook.com
STOUPHILL
W.D. Allen
Humbleheugh, Alnwick Northumberland, NE66 2LF T: 01665 579274 M: 07738 220558
E: dallasallen@hotmail.co.uk
THREEBURNFORD
Angus & Patricia Glennie, Threeburnford, Oxton, Lauder Berwickshire, TD2 6PU M: 07702 063072
E: patriciaglennie@hotmail.com
THRUNTON
J.H.C. Campbell & Sons
Thrunton Farmhouse, Whittingham Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 4RZ
T: 01665 574305 M: 07788 754717
E: thrunton.charolais@btinternet.com
Facebook: Thrunton Charolais & Aberdeen Angus
TOFTS
James and Debbie Playfair-Hannay
Morebattle Tofts, Kelso Roxburghshire, TD5 8AD T: 01573 440364 M: 07831 455994
E: james.playfair@btconnect.com
TULLYFERGUS
Gemma Wark
Southfield Farm, Hawick
Roxburghshire, TD9 0PE
T: 01450 850311 M: 07518 296560
E: gemma.wark@gmail.com
Instagram: Tullyfergus_uk
WEDDERLIE
John, Marion & Wanda Tilson
Wedderlie, Westruther, Gordon Berwickshire TD3 6NW
T: 01578 740246
M: 07795 493303 / 07796 402468
E: marion.tilson@btconnect.com
E: ewh1@hotmail.co.uk
WESTDRUMS
John M Steel



M: 07801 802260





Allanbank House, Allanton Duns, Berwickshire, TD11 3JX
E: westdrums@hotmail.com






Central Scotland club report
This year has seen many wins at shows and sales for some of our club members congratulations to those involved.
Our summer meeting to Newhouse and Dunlouise was a good day with a great turnout from our members and friends. We got to see two of the most famous names in the Angus Breed.

Their main selling point is genetics from 60 and 70’s. Our members had a good time seeing both herds and difference in types from different times in the breeds history.



At Newhouse, Andrew took great pride in showing us around his herd which has given him multiple successes in the last few years at shows and sales. We also got a tour of the Charolais and Limousine herds.
In the afternoon we visited Dunlouise by kind invitation of the Soutar family. This herd has likely sold more genetics around the world than any other UK breeder.










Wille Mclaren will be stepping down as chairman this year and we would all like to thank him for taking the time to help keep the club running for the past 2 years along with our committee members and secretary Elaine Smith.
Some of the members successes pictured below.
Sale LEADER


As always, if you would like to join our club please get in touch. Any age is welcome, whether you are a breeder or just interested in cattle, we welcome all.
Reserve Male Champion Mosshall Red Saltire
Sale leader at 13,000gns was the 16-month-old heifer HW Blackbird Y673 The
THE ANGUS HEARTLAND
Elaine Smith
M: 07719 440542
E: csaaclub@gmail.com
Balhelvie
J S Wilson
Balhelvie Farm
Newburgh
Fife KY14 6HN
T: 01337 870229
E: wilson@balhelvie.co.uk
Barnsview
C Davidson & G Thomson
Fintalich Farm Cottage
Crieff PH5 2AZ
M: 07704 878339
E: chrissie_d@btinternet.com
Brailes Livestock
Richard Hassell & Rachael Wyllie
Dyke Farm
Slamannan
Falkirk FK1 3DR
M: 07896 355707
M: 07966 164197
E: rachaeljwyllie@gmail.com
Cardona
J Robert Galloway
Cardona Farm, Doune
Perthshire FK16 6AX
T: 01786 832911
M: 07979 704330
Coul
James Arnott
Mains of Coul
Forfar, Angus, DD8 3TX
T: 01307 860223
Craigowmill
Ken & Eva Brown
Ledlanet, Kinross, KY13 ORR
T: 07899 877001
E: keva@highlandcattle.co.uk
Drumphin
Jonathan & Osla Guest
Drumphin Farm
Fowlis Wester
Crieff PH7 3NJ
T: 01764 683470
M: 07506 665859
Dunlouise
G & J Soutar
Kingston, Forfar
Angus, DD8 2RU
T: 01307 462784
M: 07860 825324
Fiddlehall
Fiddlehall Farm, Falkland
Cupar, Fife, KY15 7DD
T: 01337 857308
M: 07828 432054
E: keith.rennie811@btinternet.com
Gannon & Lisbane
Robert Shaw & Son
Dunlappie Farm, Edzell, DD9 7UD
T: 01356 648827
E: robertshawson@xin.co.uk
Hillfoots
Jamie Rettie
12 Glaive Ave.
Stirling, FK7 7XF
T: 01356 648827
Idvies
F J Fraser & Sons
Newton of Idvies, Forfar
Angus, DD8 2QP
T: 01307 818313
M: 07764 532193
M: 07712 829840
E: enquiries@idviesaberdeenangus.co.uk
Inchisla
Clare mcGowan
Faulds of Derry, Kilry
Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH11 8HS
T: 01575 560236
E: inchaslaangus@gmail.com
W: incheochfarm.co.uk
Jac
Wester Balgair Farm
Balfron, Stirling, G63 0QF
T: 01360 860456
M: 07889 649405
E: balgairangus@gmail.com
Keirsbeath
Caroline Orr
Halbeath farm
Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 0TY
T: 01383 729329
M: 07966 590251
E: belhavenscot@icloud.com
W Mather & Son’s
Shandford Farm
Fern, Brechin
DD9 7RS
Contact Graeme M: 07793 099731 or 07711377978
Mosshall
Parkview, Mosshall Farm, Blackburn, W Lothian, EH47 7DB
T: 01501 760186
M: 07903 248040
E: mosshallredangus@yahoo.co.uk
W: mosshallredangus.co.uk
Mosston Muir
Allan S Rennie
New House, Mosston Muir Farm, Guthrie, By Forfar, Angus, DD8 2TX
T: 01307 466614
M: 07740 947785
HW Netherton
W & D McLaren
Netherton, Blackford
Auchterarder
Perthshire, PH4 1QU
M: 07740 786112
E: mclaren672@aol.com
Retties
R & C Rettie
Dyke Farm, Slamannan
Falkirk FK1 3DR
M: 07714 759643
E: carolrettie@gmail.com
St Fort
A Mylius & Partners of St Fort
St Fort Estate, Newport-On-Tay
Fife, DD6 8RE
T: 01382 541587
E: stfort@btconnect.com
W: stfort.co.uk
Quharity
Taylors of Tannadice
Inverquharity Farm
Kirriemuir
Angus DD8 4LW
T: 01307 850775
M: 07703 493989
E: jttoft@outlook.com
Wolflaw
D & P Murray
Wolflaw, Forfar, Angus DD8 3TQ
T: 01307 860237
M: 07835 074917
E: pamelamurray1@btconnect.com
HAAAC Club report 2024
The year began with a tremendous turnout to our 47th AGM. Guest speaker for the evening was Society President Ian Watson who gave an overview of his plans for his year ahead in his new role.
We held an inhouse raffle where top prize of a butchered Balavilhouse lamb, kindly donated by Hannah Heerema, was won by Muriel and Stuart Ross.
Our Pedigree herd judge for 2023, Rob Bishop and his wife Rachael, were unfortunately unable to join us to reveal their winners.
Our Chairman read out a short speech on behalf of Rob and announced his choice of winners in each category.
Show season seemed to come around very quickly but the summer weather forgot to keep up! Our local shows were well supported as was the Club hospitality caravan. Grateful thanks to our stalwarts who bake for, and then help man the caravan at our four local shows. Thanks also to the team who move the caravan to each venue. Your commitment is greatly appreciated, as without you, the caravan wouldn’t come out of the shed. The caravan needed a bit of repair once more, and our talented fabricator and Chairman Mike Thomson, came to our rescue again.
As well as locally, the Highland Club herds continued to enjoy success further afield at the bigger shows and we were delighted when one of our club member’s grandson, Grant Rhind enjoyed success at the YDP finals in Ireland.
The calf show season is off to a tremendous start for Club members Ewen and Elaine Campbell with success at Agriexpo with their homebred calf Kilmallie Kolisi A421. This calf looks like it will follow in Kilmallie Juggernault Eric Y389’s footsteps.
Club members with commercially based herds also continue to feature in the sale reports throughout local marts, as the breed continues to top sire registered calves born in the UK.
In August, our annual trip saw us join with the North East Scotland Club and head across the choppy waters to Orkney.

On the Saturday we attended the local County show. The weather was a challenge so after a fantastic display of cattle expertly judged by David Johnstone, most took shelter in the beer tent!
The following morning, the group headed to tour Phyllis and Angus Hepburn’s Burnside herd. Their show team from the previous day were once again admired, as was the rest of the herd.
We then travelled to Quanterness, where, by kind permission of Willie and Kylie Harcuss and family, we were treated to a lesson on cattle management which is a truly spectacular sight. The size and scale of the system in operation is so impressive.
The day finished with a trip to Skaill to visit the Davidson family. Once again, the cattle on show were outstanding. A different system in operation, but yet again, the breed working so well for what is required. We got the opportunity to walk round the heifers that were being prepared for sale at Stirling in October. A sale that saw the Davidsons’ years of hard work and breeding decisions pay dividends as the heifers flew out of the sale ring realising tremendous trade on the day.
At each venue the clubs were treated to the famous Orkney hospitality. We can’t thank our hosts enough. The sun came out at the end of the afternoon and it was very difficult to leave such an amazing setting. Thank goodness we had Margaret Sclater on board the bus and with a wee help from a bit of alkathene pipe managed to round up the last of the stragglers before the driver left them behind!

Viewing Cattle on one of our Club Herd Visits

Just a week later the club was back on tour. This time it was the turn of the micro-tour, whereby we visit our club members herds. This year, with an exceptional turnout from the club, we began the day with a trip to the Ballindalloch herd by kind permission of the MacPherson- Grant family.
Herd managers, David and Susan Johnstone, treated us to a full morning of entertainment and hospitality. Following a cuppa and Susan’s famous scones, we were delighted to walk through part of the historic herd of cows and the young bulls. We then headed to the grounds in front of the castle where we witnessed more stunning cows and calves and too a fantastic photo opportunity.
The next part of the tour took us to Balavilhouse where, by kind permission of Hannah Heerema, herd manager Gerald Joyce, his wife Gillian, and the team, gave another outstanding tour. This time the terrain went from the lush green paddocks in front of the estate house all the way up to the main herd grazing some 800 ft above sea level.
Club Competition Results
HAAAC Show herd of the year 2023
1st Balavlihouse
2nd Ballindalloch
3rd Newton-Struthers
HAAAC Pedigree Herd of the Year 2023
1st Ballindalloch
2nd Orbliston
3rd Balavilhouse
The cattle on show were a credit to the staff working with them and the hospitality shown was unbelievable. We were treated to entertainment provided by our very own talented Hamish Polson and his trusted accordion. Music and dancing went on well into the night.
The perfect ending to another great year for the club.

Best cow Balaldie Belle U362
Best heifer Ballindalloch Miss Paloma Y658
Best female calf 2023
Best yearling bull
Best male calf 2023
HAAAC Stock
Bull of the Year 2023
Kilmallie Rosebud Z403
Balavilhouse Mr Ben Y952
Ballindalloch Edward Z704
Deveron Evoque W726 (Owned by Varis and Lingieston)
Reserve Raddery Excel W250


PENWAC Club Report 2024
It is with great sadness that I report the death of friend and member of the club Margret Hardcastle, she was a past secretary of the Yorkshire Club and was an active member in the PENWAC Club she will sadly be missed, our condolences to husband Richard and family.
At the start of the year we had the AGM at Garstang which was well attended. The meetings are informal and a great chance to air our views as well as have an information exchange. We were joined by President Ian Watson and Felicity Hunter, the communications and marketing manager, who kept us up to speed with society events.
The year events started in the area with the Beef expo in April at junction 36, the society stand was complimented by having Daniel Cooks bull Gretna House KP on the stand.
The club attended Royal Cheshire, Royal Lancashire, and Westmorland Show which is now a permanent 2-day show, we gave members and public refreshments. The members attending the show with cattle is increasing and classes are getting back to reasonable numbers again a big thanks to the Websters, Tunney, Cook, Walsh, and Ashworth families who also supported the local shows in 2024
Within club areas there were 2 new sale fixtures. Derek Webster organised a Native sale at Brockholes at Garstang there was a good entry of Aberdeen Angus cattle with full clearance. The second sale was an on-farm production sale at David Isherwoods Airedale herd, again this received a high of 5000 gns. These sales are both planned for next year.
We greatly appreciate Owen Tunney who hosted the North West YDP workshop this was a very busy day, well attended and the cattle were well trained. Owen had spent an enormous amount of time with the preparation. Five club members went through to the finals due to the skilled trainers, there could have been more but unfortunately there were limited places.
Members were invited to the open day at the Knox family Millclose Herd and cutting room with the Yorkshire club, an excellent day which was very informative about the retail side of the industry.

This year the club held the biannual herd competition. It was fantastic that this builds year on year with new members, the Spooner and Tempelton families, entering and being in the prizes. The weather was kind and we drove the Judge Alistar Clark and Wife Ishbell round 5 counties over 4 days. He did an excellent job.
The club members had good results at Beef Expo Carlisle Calf show, with the Webster, Walsh, Tunney family winning 1st prizes with their bull calves and heifers. Entering for the first time also taking two 1st prizes with her bull calves, was Sophie Harding from the newly formed Shewbridge herd.
There is one person in the club who excelled this year. Congratulations must be given to Owen Tunney winning with the female calf Rose family at both the summer National at Kelso and the calf show at Beef Expo at Carlisle. Well done the Tunney Family.
Date for your diary the 23rd of February 2025 the PENWAC CLUB AGM will be held at the Best Western Garstang Golf and Country Club Garstang.

Judge Alistair and Ishbell Clark Judging the Castern Herd
Alistair Judging the Morpheus Herd

Club Competition Results
Class 1. Stock Bull any age
1st Deveron Evoque W726 Dieulacresse Herd
2nd Morpheus Rolex U045 Buckhurst Herd
Class 2. Bull any age under 30 months
1st Wedderlie Blackmart Z962 Morpheus Herd
2nd Mobberly George Y423 Mobberly Herd
Class 3. Cow and Calf - to be judged as a pair
1st Airedale Queenie T538 calf Airedale Quidson Airedale Herd
2nd Morpheus Rose U040 calf Morpheus Riverdance Morpheus Herd
Class 4. Heifer under 36months with calf at foot
1st Wedderlie Blackmart Z962 Morpheus Herd
2nd Mobberly George Y423 Mobberly Herd
Class 5. Group of heifers any amount 3 or over in the group
1st Wood Moss Eleanor Y41. Queen Mother Y50. Elisa Y38. EthelolyaY39 Wood Moss Herd
2nd Morpheus Kirspy Gal Z126. Princess Caroline Z122. Rosebud Z124 Morpheus Herd
Class 7. Heifer calf born 2024
1st Buckhurst Lady Heather A358 Buckhurst Herd
2nd Morpheus Rose A151 Morpheus Herd
Class 6. Bull calf born 2024
1st Airedale Quidson A875 Airedale Herd
2nd Morpheus Aftershock A149 Morpheus Herd
Small Herd
1st Owen Tunney Morpheus Herd
2nd Daniel Cook Pikeview Herd
Medium Herd 1st David Isherwood Airedale Herd
1st J&D Webster Wood Moss Herd
2nd The Walsh family Buckhurst Herd
2nd Richard Jackson Pilsbury Herd
Overall Champion Herd
Large Herd 1st David Isherwood Airedale Herd
Master Judge
David Isherwood Airedale Herd
Alistair Judging the Dieulacresse Herd


North East of Scotland Aberdeen Angus Club
The year got off to a start with the club’s AGM in March, where office bearer’s Graeme Miller of the Birkenbower herd (Chairman), Mark Wattie of the Tonley herd (ViceChairman) and Bruce MacAngus of the Little Glencoe herd (Secretary) were re-elected for a second year.
Club members continued to dominate at society sales. The highlight for the year was the major reduction of the Morven herd from Neil Massie junior and the Tonley production sale from the Watties held at the UA Stirling bull sales in October. The Morven reduction topped at £5,250 for Morven Duchess X055 with her bull calf Morven Dynamite A099.
The Tonley production sale topped at £15,750 for Tonley Princess Z108 with a further three selling to £10,750. It was great to see these females sell into existing herds as well as a number going to buyers starting up new herds!
The show season kicked off with the club caravan present at Echt show where N. Wattie took the championship with Tonley Princess. The club was also present at Banchory show, here the champion (Cardenwell Iona) and reserve (Cardenwell Blossom) went to cows with calves at foot from G&F Willox.
The final show of the season for the club caravan was Turriff where A&K Rhind took the championship with NewtonStruthers Espresso.
Finally, the North East was well represented at this year’s national show hosted at the Border Union, with Tonley taking home a number of prizes with young bulls.
Well done to all exhibitors who put in the effort to show their cattle!
2024 Club Trip
In August we had an excellent club trip to Orkney over the county show weekend. A great day was had on the Saturday at the county show where a heifer bred by K&M Howie at Cairnton won the AA championship and then went on to win the overall cattle championship for current owners A&A Foubister. A credit to breeders & the Foubisters for doing a tremendous job in bringing her out.
Even with some sore heads on the Sunday morning, a great day of herd tours was held! The visits were held at Messigate, Quanterness and Skaill, it was a great opportunity to see the cattle and different management systems of these pedigree and commercial AA herds. A very insightful day, giving our members a lot of food for thought! A huge thank you to Phyllis & Angus Harcus, Willie Harcus & Family and to Colin Davidson & Family for giving up your time to very kindly host the club!

Members from the North East of Scotland Aberdeen Angus Club
2024 Summer Herd Competition
The NE summer herd competition held in late August was once again a great success. We had 20 herds (approx. 1400 cattle) which were divided up into small, medium and large categories.
A huge thank you goes to the judge – Jim Borland! The presentation was kindly hosted at Denhead Farms, home of
the Deveron herd and winners of the 2023 competition. A great afternoon was had with stock judging, tour of cattle, BBQ and prize giving.
Once again, the Deveron herd came out on top with Overall Champion Herd, and it was great to see Hamish & Margaret Sclater receiving the ‘Bill Sclater Trophy – NEAAC Overall Champion Herd’ for the second year in a row!
The stock judging entry fees which totalled just over £400 were donated to The Archie Foundation.
The North East was well represented at this year’s national show hosted at the Border Union, Kelso.




TONLEY
Neil A Wattie,Mains of Tonley, Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8EL. Tel 019755 62533 Mob 07803 186748
CAIRNTON
Ken and Nicola Howie, Cairnton,Lumphanan, Banchory, Kincardineshire AB31 4QP Ken 07768 311913 Nicola 07469 852664
FOGGIE
Karl Scot, South Brownhill, Turrin, Aberdeenshire AB53 4GZ Tel: 07774 600254 email karl@foggiefarm.com
SILVERMOSS
Rod and Mary Sloan Silvermoss Barthol Chapel Inverurie, Aberdeenshire AB51 8TL Tel 01651 806850 Fax 01467 624418
MASSIE'S Graeme Massie Braeburn, Finzean, Banchory AB31 6NX Tel: 07753748023
PERKHILL
Alex and Philippa Davie, Bankhead, Perkhill, Lumphanan, Banchory, Aberdeenshire AB31 4RB Tel 01339 883636/07778 964438
WRAE
Alexander J Norrie, Wrae Farm, Turrin, Aberdeenshire AB53 4RB Tel/Fax: 01888 563595 Mob: 07774 287332
STRATHINVER
Wendy Willox, Broadmyre, Clatt, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 4PQ Tel 07718 316470
NEWCAIRNIE
Angela McGregor, Auchenhuive, Whiterashes, Aberdeen AB21 0QQ Tel 01651 882381 Mob 07515 638592
SCOTSMILL
W A L Lawson, Scotsmill, Tullynessle, Alford AB33 8QF Tel 019755 62014
CARDENWELL
Mr G Willox, Meikle Pitinnan Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire AB51 0EH Mob: 07585 601984
BREGACH
A Locke, Glenrinnes Farms Ltd, Glenrinnes Lodge Duntown Keith Bannshire AB55 4BS Tel 01340 820384 (OOce)
ARDOYNE
H and H Rennie, Westfield of Ardoyne, Insch, Aberdeenshire AB52 6RN. Tel 01464 820325
MORRISON
Duncan J Morrison, Meikle Maldron, Torphins, Banchory AB31 4NR Tel 07919 083798
NEWTON MUCHALS
Newton Smiddy
Lyne of Skene, Aberdeen AB32 7DA Tel 07729 300062 (Ray Gardinder)
BIRKENBOWER
G&R Miller Birkenbower Lumsden Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 4JW Tel 07792 190110
NEWTON-STRUTHERS
A&K Rhind & Son, Newton of Struthers Kinloss, Moray IV36 2UD Tel: 07721 386802
GLENLIVET
D&R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch AB37 9DN Tel: 07718 467868 (Michael Durno)
LITTLE GLENCOE
Bruce & Becky MacAngus, Little Glencoe, Milton of Atherb, Maud, Aberdeenshire AB42 4RD Tel 07917 758668
MORVEN
Tam a Chairr, Logie Coldstone Aboyne AB34 5PQ Tel: 07809224036 07809224036 nfmassie@googlemail.com
COUL
James Arnott Mains of Coul Forfar, Angus, DD8 3TX Mob 07710 140861 email james@coulangus com
BROTHERTON
David Alexander,Brotherton Estate, Brotherton House, By Johnshaven, DD10 OHW Tel 07970 049965 email; david@brothertonestate co uk
DOCHAS
Brae of Blackton, King Edward Bann AB45 3NQ Tel: 07989 332345 Rachel Sharp Tel 07903 483690 James Nelson-Shaw


North East of England Aberdeen Angus Club Report

The club held their annual AGM at Whixley Nr York in March 2024, sadly Will Chrystal (Chairman) and Ashleigh Fenwick (Secretary) stood down from their respective posts due to other commitments and we thank them for supporting the club during their time in their roles. After much deliberation and arm twisting, the posts were filled by husband and wife team Robert March (Chairman) and Davina March (Secretary) with David and Penny Evans continuing as Treasurer and Social Secretary respectively.
After a few difficult years, the aim was to reintroduce a diary of events for member participation and the introduction of a new quarterly email newsletter.
Events started in June with a visit to the Mill Close Herd by kind invitation of Stephen and James Knox, in addition to the tour of the cattle, they provided an introduction to their wholesale meat business, the Yorkshire Dales Meat Company and a tour of their processing facilities and farm shop.
The day was well attended with a very sociable BBQ afterwards where we all got to sample the excellent burgers and sausages. Thank you to Stephen and James for providing an informative and interesting day.
Aberdeen Angus Judging at the Yorkshire Show was on the Tuesday this year, which unfortunately coincided with some very significant rainfall, but exhibitors and the judge Owen Tunney persevered. The evening saw the return of the NEEAAC supper in the cattle lines which was greatly appreciated after a cold and wet day showing and the bar was well supported. The NEEAAC stand returned to the show with great support and attendance with enquiries from breeders UK wide and international enquiries about genetics. With thanks to the society for their coverage of the show and support in exhibiting at the show and in particular Felicity for manning the stand.
Thank you to all members who exhibited livestock at the regional shows throughout the season showcasing the breed.

On the 23rd of July the club was very sorry to learn of the passing of Margaret Hardcastle after an extremely brave and courageous battle with her illness, a former treasurer to the club and friend of many members. Margaret will be greatly missed by us all.
Adrian and Penny Johnson very kindly once again held the YDP training day on the 4th August. The day was very well attended with a range of ages. The day was organised by Kim Brown as part of the YDP covering stock judging, clipping, changing halters and showmanship, it was a very enjoyable day and great to see so many young people being given the opportunity to develop their livestock skills and knowledge being passed to the next generation. Lunch was a BBQ with meat kindly provided by David Timm of Timms Butchers Pickering.
Club Dinner at Whixley
On the weekend of 2nd to 4th August we held a Herd Competition for members with Giles Lane of the Rosslayne Angus herd kindly coming down from Scotland to judge 10 herds across three days from Cumbria to Northumberland and throughout north, west and east Yorkshire which culminated on the Sunday afternoon with a meal at Yarm for the prize giving.
Unfortunately, the annual calf show at Thirsk was cancelled on the Friday night the weekend of the show due to an extension of the blue tongue restrictions. We hope that the event can return next year and we thank our exhibitors and sponsors for their continued support.
Congratulations to all members who have successfully shown during 2024 and in particular to Gini Guttery and Tom Slater of the Oak Moor herd for a very successful year winning best bull and standing reserve champion at the Royal Highland Show with Oakmoor Boss Y637.
The club are holding their AGM on Sunday 19th of January at The Crathorne Arms, Yarm and are already planning an away herd visit for 2025. We are always looking to support new breeders and those with an interest in the breed, for more information or to join please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Club Competition Results








































SUS TA IN A B LY
TR A NSFOR M YOUR HERD WITH UK’S NO.1 BEEF BREED

The Southwest Club... Slow and steady 2024?
We held our AGM at the Devon Hotel in April where we were joined by Ian Watson, the Society President and Felicity Hunter from the Society. It was a very productive AGM with a carvery enjoyed by some 60 members.
After the AGM, Richard Tully was elected as Chair of the Club, and Lisa Davey and Alan Eustace remained as Secretary and Treasurer. A vote of thanks was given to Richard Ashenden the outgoing Chair.
We had a stand at the Devon County show where interested parties could pick up any information needed. The breed was well supported at the main three county shows, showing the strength in depth of quality here in the Southwest, many of whom went on to do well further afield.
In September by kind permission of the Luxton family, we held a herd walk to the home of the Luxton herd. We were blessed with sunny skies and dry weather and the cattle looked an absolute picture in the Autumn sun. The Luxton family have been a great supporter of the club for several years now and we were delighted to have been asked and I have no doubt that Dudley was there with us in spirit.
3rd Trewoon K and A Sowden Small Herd
1st Buskin
Alan Eustace and family
2nd Uphill Mrs Vanda Fitzgerald
Medium Herd
1st Colhayne
B and V Fry
2nd Mabec G and J Jenkins
3rd Westwilmer R and S Westcott & Son
Messrs Luxtons Large Herd
1st Watton
2nd Warson
3rd Luxtons
Messrs Tully
David Andrews
Overall Herd winner- Watton
Group of in Calf Heifers
1st Messrs Luxtons Luxtons
2nd Peter Chapman Atlantic
3rd David Andrews Warson

SWAAC herdwalk 2024
Some 50 to 60 people had a trip around the farm and the afternoon was finished off with a carvery in their local farm shop with their own cattle being used in the shop and for their carvery every Sunday.
The highlight of the year must be our biannual herd competition. It’s no mean feat for anyone undertaking the task quite simply because of our geographical location and the club spreads out over 5 counties. However, this year it was down to Paul Westaway of the famous Melview herd who had to face the challenge! He clocked up nye on 1000 miles over the course of a few days and literally saw every point of the west country. Thank you to Paul and his number one co driver, and by the time you will have all read this, we will have had our Christmas Dinner on the 24th November again at the Devon Hotel where our prizes will have been awarded.
As secretary of the club I’d just like to say how indebted I am to Alan Eustace for all that he does for the Club, taking on the majority of my role too. We would welcome anyone who would like to join the club in 2025 and we will have a full diary of events coming up in the New Year!
Johnathon Walker
Heifer Calf 1st G and J Jenkins Mabec Master Edward A966 2nd R and S Westcott & Sons Westwilmer Pepper A023 3rd B and V Fry Colhayne Ellery A694 Best Bull Calf 1st David Andrews Warson Thomas W494 2nd Peter Chapman Atlantic Entertainer X320 3rd Messrs Luxton Rosemead Black Panther X428 Best Stock Bull
Rosebud A004
South West of England Aberdeen Angus Club
ATLANTIC
Messrs Chapman
Hele Barton
Week St Mary
Holsworthy
Devon, EX22 6VR 07785 937675
BRAMSHAW HILL
Howard & Alison Smith

Southbank Fovant, Salisbury Wiltshire, SP3 5JL 01722 714641 howardsmith2012@gmail.com
BUSKIN
Mr & Mrs A Eustace
Buskin Farm
Exbourne
Devon, EX20 3RL 07950 036404 buskinfarm@aol.com
CALSTONE
Harry Morley
Blackland Farm
Calne
Wiltshire, SN11 8PS 01249 816131 hmcmorley@hotmail.com
CHERRY LANE
N C & H E Pascoe
Hedge End 15 Trebarvah Close Constantine, Falmouth Cornwall, TR11 5AQ 07814 487762 / 01326 340030 hel65@btinternet.com
COLHAYNE
Mr & Mrs B S & V J Fry Colhayne Farm Shute
Axminster Devon, EX13 7QQ 07969 604287 / 01404 831103 frycolhayne@aol.com
FOXCOMBE
Trevor & Ruth Dawe Highlands Lewdown Okehampton
Devon, EX20 4BS 07835 145082 / 01566 788838 ruthdawe0866@gmail.com
FURZELEASE
John Edgley & Susan Poulton
J & S Farming
Furzelease Farm
Tisbury Row, Tisbury Salisbury Wiltshire, SP3 6RZ 01747 870509 jackdaw@orpheusmail.co.uk
GEAR
Mr M G H Pilcher
Gear Farm
Zennor, St Ives Cornwall, TR26 3DD 07498 354588 / 01736 795471 gearpilch@gmail.com
GRANDON
Paul Jeenes
Grandon Manor
Friggle Street
Frome
Somerset, BA11 5LH 07769 903113

KELVEDON
N W & K E Forfitt
Punchards
Shebbear
Beaworthy
Devon, EX21 5ST 01409 281150 / 07837 084313
KINGSTON
P & J House & Sons
Tetton Farm
Kingston St Mary, Taunton
Somerset, TA2 8HY 07877 243451 (Mark) housejunior@hotmail.co.uk
LIVATON
Robert & William Reddaway
Livaton Farm
South Tawton Okehampton
Devon, EX20 2RB 07812 180482 / 01647 231586 ritaweir14@gmail.com
LUXTONS
Luxton Partners
North Alfordon Farm
Okehampton
Devon, EX20 1RX 07875 246346 farmerluxton@gmail.com
RODMEAD
Angus Neish
Rodmead Farm
Maiden Bradley
Warminster
Wiltshire, BA12 7HP 07793 810335
awn@farmline.com
SWEETERS POCKET
R & J Sweet
Sweeters Pocket
Fitzroy Road
Norton Fitzwarren
Taunton
Somerset, TA2 6PL 07803 321762
randjsweet@yahoo.com
WARSON
D W Andrews
Warson Barton
Coryton Okehampton
Devon, EX20 4PQ 01822 820699
Teresa@warsonbeef.com

WATTON HERD
Richard & Jean Tully
Waddeton Barton Farm
Waddeton Road
Brixham
Devon, TQ5 0EL 01803 842174 / 07813 313411
info@waddeton.co.uk
WESTWILMER
M R & S K Westcott & Son
Wilmersham Farm
Porlock
Minehead
Somerset, TA24 8JT 01643 862524
westwilmer@outlook.com
WHITE TOR
Mr J Walker
Lane Head
Mary Tavy
Tavistock
Devon, PL19 9PN 07707 737307
whitetorview@outlook.com

Chairman: Richard Tully
T: 07813 313411
E: info@waddeton.co.uk
Secretary: Lisa Davey
T: 07970 793838
E: lisa.davey@daveyslivestock.co.uk
Website – www.aacsw.uk
South East England AberdeenAngus Club report
The club held our AGM in March and then enjoyed 2 herd walks during July and September.
Our AGM was hosted by Reading University for the first time. Ian Watson, the recently elected President of the Society, and Felicity Hunter, the recently appointed Communications Manager for the Society came down from Scotland to join us and to inform us of all the latest news.
Ian, having properly introduced himself, gave us a thorough account of current events at Pedigree House as well as
It was decided that it would be to our advantage to encourage a wider group beyond the core Angus Breeders to get involved with our club
his vision for the Society going forward. He laid out what he regarded as the challenges that the breed faced and needed to overcome.
Felicity, who had taken up her role relatively recently, made it quite clear that she would be available at all times to act as a conduit for providing answers to queries and solving any problems.
Our guest speaker for the event was Professor Christopher Reynolds, Professor of Animal and Dairy Science at Reading University. Chris gave a very interesting talk on the research Reading is currently carrying out. Of particular interest was the work that has taken place in different types of leys for forage and how these can potentially provide high yields without traditional fertilizer inputs. This is very relevant to Angus breeding and was very well received.

Members inspect the Herd at Shefford


Further on in July, we held a committee meeting on 19th July where we made some notable decisions. It was decided that it would be to our advantage to encourage a wider group beyond the core Angus Breeders to get involved with our club. We agreed we would now welcome full-time Agricultural Students, Commercial Breeders who have an association with Angus Businesses, and those who have a keen interest in serving Angus Breeders.
As the club has increasingly become the natural home of breeders throughout the Sount of England it was agreed that our title, Southeastern England Aberdeen Angus Club, was outdated. 70% of the current membership is now West of London, with Wiltshire, one of the strongest counties in the club. It was therefore agreed that the club would now be known as the South England Aberdeen Angus Club.
The Club now has a fully functional Website that includes a stock “ for sale” and a “wanted” area where club members can advertise their requirements free of charge. The site also has a “Latest news” facility where members can quickly see any new contributions that have been made.
The Club is encouraged to make full use of the Website which can be found at www.seeaa.co.uk.
On probably the hottest day of the year, in the afternoon of Friday 19th July, we were welcomed by Rob & Alan Bishop to see his Warrenho Herd. Rob’s cattle are well known to many of the club members and his ability to produce quality bulls, ready to work at a young age is much admired. We viewed a small group of this year’s bulls, born between October 22 and February 23, which were ready to go. These were all that remained of some 20 bulls already sold.
We then moved on to see Cows and heifers running with Warrenho Keystone & Warrenho Francis with some calves from HF Databank and Netherton Kiwi Sam. Following a great walk of the farm, the Bishops entertained us with a delicious BBQ.
At the end of September we visited 2 small Herds, Wanborough Plain & Shefford. Wanborough Plain Herd, owned by Christopher Hood, the club Secretary is a very small herd of some 10 animals that was started with stock from Rosan Porter’s Gaston Wood Herd in 2003 is a closed Herd with most breeding via AI.
We then moved on after a 15-minute drive to see Paul Carter’s Shefford Herd. Paul started his herd some 15 years ago and was the first customer to buy from Shadwell securing several females. Paul has 34 head of cattle currently with 3 families: Pam, Blackbird, and Jane Erica. There were some fine Cows and nice young bulls that created a lot of interest.
The club looks forward to its Biennial Herd competition in 2025 which this year will be judged by Mr Owen Tunney.
SEEAA The Warrenho girls with Prince Charles - The Bull!
SEEAA Young Wanborough Plain Bulls

























Northern Ireland AberdeenAngus Club
Annual Club Report 2024
2024 has been a difficult year for all livestock farmers in Northern Ireland. As with the other regions of the UK, the weather tested all of us. However, in spite of the weather, N.I. Club members had another enjoyable year.
Peter Lamb was elected our new Chairman at the AGM in March and, with a refreshed committee, set out to put his mark on the Club. The April show and sale in Dungannon was the most successful for some time. A new breed record of 8400gns was set for the Dungannon sale yard. This was paid for Ian Watson’s choice of champion, Drumhill Lord Hugo Y102. A bull bred and brought out by husband and wife team, Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Cookstown and sired by their stock bull Galcantray Jedi Eric V287. Thirteen bulls sold on the day to average £3715 each.
The summer show season kicked off at Balmoral and we were delighted to welcome David Johnstone of Ballindalloch to judge the Aberdeen-Angus classes. David was accompanied by his wife Susan. Alwyn Armour and family scooped the championship for the fourth year in succession with another outstanding homebred heifer who had already won overall champion at our 2023 Calf Show in November.
The final show of the season was our Summer National which proved to be a very special day for the Coolermoney herd owned by Adrain and Graeme Parke. They came away with the AA Championship as well as a basketful of class rosettes. This time Dallas Allen did the honour of judging the entries.
While we were absorbed with our local shows, Iain Colville of the Glen Cowie herd in Co. Down was exhibiting his bull Oakmoor Kingston Z709 at the Highland and also the Great Yorkshire show where he won his class. As usual, August was the month for our Herds Competition. Mark Pilcher from the Gear Herd in Cornwall was our judge for the week. He travelled the highways and by-ways of Northern Ireland to visit the 25 herds in the competition.
The Club are extremely grateful to Robin Lamb who gave a week of his time to escort Mark around the province. The culmination of the Herds Competition was the Open Day held at Kevin McOscar’s Island Farm herd near Cookstown.
The Northern Ireland Club is an interesting and progressive club where new members are always welcome.
Around 200 visitors, from all over Ireland, came to see the cattle, enjoy the BBQ and hear the results of the Herds Competition.
The large herd section was won by our host Kevin McOscar, Island Farm Herd, the medium herd winner was R & K. Sufferin’s Tamneymullan Herd while the best small herd award went to A & G. Parke’s Coolermoney Herd.
The cup for Best Stock Bull went to Kevin McOscar for his bull Blelack Dark Magic X124; Robert and Keith Sufferin won the Cow Family cup for their Millicent family; Robin Irvine’s Ballymoyer Prudie A521 was awarded the best heifer calf while Adrain and Graeme Parke’s calf Coolermoney Rochester A414 won the best bull calf and was awarded the cup for Overall Champion Calf.
Robin Irvine was awarded more silverware for his Futurity Heifer Ballymoyer Pippa Y112 and he also took home the cup for the Newcomer Award. Congratulations to all winners and participants. The UK and Ireland YDP Finals were held at Mid-Tipp Mart, Thurles on 28 September and we are very proud of James Morrison who was placed 2nd in the Senior class.
As this is written on the evening of the Stirling October bull sale, the news of Jonathan and Lisa Doyle’s success with their bull Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194 is doing the rounds. Following on from their success with Drumhill Echo Y091 in February where he recorded the second highest price on the day, today they have achieved the top price of the day. Well done Jonathan and Lisa.
The Northern Ireland Club is an interesting and progressive club where new members are always welcome. Come along to our AGM in March and see for yourself.

Drumhill Lord Hugo Y102

John Gabbie 1938 - 2024
The Society mourns the passing of John Gabbie, a former President of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society, who owned the Ballymaglave herd in Northern Ireland.
John Gabbie grew up in Co Down where his father founded the Ballymaglave herd of Aberdeen Angus. He was a career banker joining Northern Bank (a subsidiary of Midland Bank) where he worked in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, before establishing the banks agricultural team in the early 70’s and which he then led until his retirement in 1994.
He made a significant contribution to agricultural banking by recognising the unique needs of the sector and his pioneering work enabled countless farmers to modernise and develop their businesses and helped enhance Northern Bank’s reputation as ‘the farmers bank’. His vision and dedication als o earned him the respect of colleagues and clients alike.

Margaret Hardcastle 1959- 2024
Margaret Hardcastle was introduced to the Aberdeen Angus breed when the Friesian herd was dispersed from the family farm, Margaret and husband Richard purchased four cows from David Wellock and Wendy Hoare of the Hurries Herd and went on to buy more cows from the Yorkshire area to establish the foundation of their Saltergate herd in 2012.
Despite his work away from the farm, initially at Ballynahinch and then Comber, John never lost his love of pedigree cattle and he developed the Ballymaglave herd over many decades. During this time he was a regular exhibitor at the RUAS Spring and Autumn Shows & Sales winning many prizes and often selling at premium prices.
His involvement with the NI Aberdeen Angus Club and Irish Aberdeen Angus Association led to his appointment onto the Council of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society serving on the Finance Committee before being elected President in 1979 where he led the Society with distinction.
He also purchased some Simmental heifers in the late seventies and made a contribution to the British Simmental Cattle Society as well - Elected to the Council and subsequently served as President in 1993/94.
John Gabbie was active in the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society where he served on a number of committees including the Cattle, Finance & Nomination Committees which he also Chaired and was elected a Vice President of the Society in 1992.
On his retirement from banking, John worked with his son Trevor developing a plant raising business producing brassica plants for other growers which has now grown to become the largest such business in Ireland producing millions of plants each year.
John will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the agricultural industry, his sharp intellect and his kind and approachable nature. He was not only an industry leader but also a mentor who inspired many in the farming and banking sectors.
John Gabbie is survived by his wife Yvonne and children Carol, Ian and Trevor to whom the Society extends its deepest sympathy.
Margarets first introduction to the society was on the Ruby tour of the North East of Scotland Aberdeen Angus club in 2012, travelling to 13 herds over four days, this enabled Margaret and Richard to meet a lot of people that would become friends for life. They attended their first Stirling bull sales in 2013, after which the February and October sales became their annual holidays spent amongst friends.
Maragret took on the role of treasurer for the North East of England Aberdeen Angus Club and really appreciated the opportunity to meet people and become more involved in the society.
Margaret was always willing to support new breeders and members, it was the interaction with the people of the Aberdeen Angus society Margaret enjoyed and she developed a real passion for the cattle and their breeding, she will be greatly missed by many friends within the society.
The Aberdeen-Angus Society would like to express their deepest sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of Ranald Pottinger, William Schlater, John Gabbie and Margaret Hardcastle. We appreciate all the tremendous contributions these members made to not only the Society, but also the Aberdeen-Angus breed and the wider cattle community.

Ranald Pottinger 1982- 2024
A Viking. Genetically. Physically. On the rugby pitch. In the Angus Society boardroom. In life.
Ranald’s family migrated from the Orkney isle of Stronsay, to the mainland in 1944, with Ranald’s grandfather taking over the farms of Lower Dounreay and Isauld in 1953, with the UKAEA building an Atomic Fast Reactor on the adjacent WW2 airfield. Ranald had many tales of living in the midst of one of Britain’s most securely guarded sites, including one where the SAS asked for assistance when needing to test the security of the Royal Navy Vulcan Naval Reactor Testing Establishment. The soldiers feared they would be easy targets to attempt to cross the open fields and asked Ranald for suggestions. In a Trojan Horse strategy, the Vulcan security thought nothing untoward to see Ranald unhitch his feed trailer filled with silage in the field adjacent. Like a Longship of old, this feed trailer was also carrying highly trained heavily armed warriors as well.
Ranald is survived by his wife Annette, and his children Samantha, Rebecca, James and Caitlin. He farmed closely with his brother Duncan and father Tom, with his other brother Halde and sister Freya having off farm careers. Perhaps following in the footsteps of his grandfather Morris, who created the Isauld Cattle Crate (which won a silver certificate at the Highland Show), built up a noted herd of Hereford cross cows, a flock of Romney sheep and introduced a lamb fattening system he discovered in Norway, and his father Tom, Chairman of Scrabster Harbour, former director of Quality Meat Scotland, and the Scottish NFU, as well as developing businesses such as Norse Stone and renewable interests, Ranald was an innovator, a business builder and a cattle breeder.
Ranald, after working, and playing rugby, in New Zealand and Ireland, returning to the farm “accidentally” fell into breeding Angus cattle. After buying some black cattle Ranald discovered the paperwork that accompanied the animals was pedigree certificates and his interest was piqued, especially when he realised that those of one cow family outperformed the others. These first Angus females came from the Dalmore dispersal, with the Black Lily family proving outstanding, were purchased with the assistance of his grandfather Morris. Years later whenever Morris
would accompany Ranald around the cows, he would point out a cow that caught his eye, and ask Ranald if that was a descendant of a particular Dalmore cow that he had picked out at the sale years before. Ever the diplomat Ranald always confirmed its heritage!
Bitten by the bug, Ranald became a cattle breeder, or more precisely, a breeder dedicated to improving Angus cattle. He became involved in QMS commercial cattle trials, ironically with Robert Gilchrist in a former career, he acquired high EBV females and bulls, experimented with native genetics, imported a stock bull from Denmark, embryos from Canada and America, acquired UK bloodlines for further experimentation, all the while evaluating what worked. Wintering cattle on the far north shoreline of mainland UK, constantly monitoring grazing requirements of differing bloodline groups, and culling hard, Ranald rapidly developed a robust, forage efficient Angus herd.
Of the most important bulls that Ranald introduced to his herd, Morven Kalashnikov P290 was perhaps his favourite, while Sondergard Fred, the Danish bull was the most influential. Kalashnikov was a combination of part native with Morven’s Kristina line, with potent thickness able to impose carcass conformation. The import of Fred has been a significant legacy, with Ranald stating that best udders, the best feet, the nicest muzzles, the correct type for his environment were the Fred daughters. So much so that a summary of his future breeding plans was to breed Fred daughters to Fred sons.
Through Ranald’s inquisitive and passionate drive, he spent many hours quizzing the UK’s leading breeders before then having lengthy discussions with North American breeders. He would spend months trying to source old American genetics, evaluate their descendants and grilling breeders. He searched for opportunities to bring in the old Emulation line, the Rito N Bar, or the Traveler line. In February he was discussing plans to visit probably the world’s largest bull selling ranch, the Jorgensen Ranch, at Ideal, SD., who line breed to these bulls.
However, Ranald’s contribution to the Angus breed was not just limited to his cattle, which had leading breeders regularly going out of their way to visit Isauld, having partnerships on genetics with Blelack, Neil Barclay, Logie and Skaill to name a few, numerous international exports and a strong local market for bull sales, but also to the Society and its Council. Ranald was ever present and consistent in holding the Council to the highest standards during some difficult years. More than one President found themselves being held to account at a Council meeting by Ranald. It was his persistence that resulted in Council members being repeatedly briefed by outside professionals as to Directors’ responsibilities and how Council was to be held accountable to its members.
For some time Council debates were dominated by DNA. The why, the how, the cost, the purpose, the introduction of compulsory testing, were repeatedly debated. For many Ranald was the roadblock, complete with his blue and white striped top, sometimes perceived as regressive, objecting to the juggernaut DNA, thereby appearing obstructionist. The truth was completely different. Ranald opposed wasteful expenditure on DNA projects that he felt were already outdated and limited in making a meaningful return for the members. His views came from having already done extensive genomic evaluations on his own cattle, and from his research and conversations with DNA/Genomic/Performance recording providers elsewhere in the world that he felt would offer the Society’s membership a greater opportunity.
His time on Council, and afterwards, resulted in him becoming a focal point for those with a grievance to the Council’s policies or politics. Many breeders sought his guidance and assistance to bring an issue to the attention of Council, to correct a wrong, and when Ranald was convinced there was nobody more dedicated. Amongst his friends within or outwith the breed, there was no one more sure to back you.
His ability to fight for the little guy was reflected in his rugby. As an outstanding prop in teenage rugby, he stepped in when the younger teams lost their coach. His approach to members and friends was no different.
While Ranald achieved phenomenal success in improving his cattle, he didn’t chase accolades, nor publicity. When the film crews for the Highland Vet descended on Isauld, the vet himself arrived three hours late, to a barrage of wisecracks resulting in Ranald being censored from the programme!
Instead he and Annette developed an on farm butchery. The new venture, created during the Covid lockdown, was difficult to establish but after 4 years became a well oiled machine – especially once Annette locked Ranald in the

William Sclater (Bill) 1927 - 2024
William (Bill) Sclater was born in Orkney in 1927, and attended the local school, on foot, until he was 14. His first job was working for the council in the roads department. It was wartime and he spent a great deal of that time on the island of Hoy working to maintain and build roads to support the British fleet stationed in Scapa Flow.
In1944, the family moved to Tormiston Farm, Stenness There was an army camp on the farm which provided extra income as there was a great need for eggs, milk and vegetables. Bill met local girl Mary Swannie and they were engaged the week of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. At the celebrations in the local hall, a couple came to congratulate them and said they planned to retire and would like Bill and Mary to buy their 40 acre farm.
They married the following November and moved into their new farm, to which a further 40 acres were added later. Their two oldest children, Hamish and Marilyn, were born during this time. A chance meeting in November 1960 with the late Douglas Fowlie of Millhill, Longside was to change their lives for ever.
butchery while she dealt with customers! Ranald brought the same passion he had for his cattle to the meat business desperately wanting to give the customer everything they could possibly want. He was rewarded with the immediate recognition in his local area of the high quality of his meat. While the quality of his burgers were of particular satisfaction, he was stunned and driven by the praise for the high marbling he was achieving. Multiple butchers from southern parts couldn’t believe the high quality being sold for relatively low prices.
Ever the entrepreneur Ranald spotted a new market opportunity with large construction projects being created nearby and was establishing a catering van business, supplied with his meat, to service them when he died. Ranald didn’t see closed doors, just opportunities.
Ranald’s funeral was packed. His community came out in force reflecting his kindness.
Ranald’s legacy is not just the cattle herd he built. There will be a new generation at Isauld.
Douglas had judged the Dounby show that year, and he said to Bill “I have a farm for you”, to which Bill replied “I have a farm”. The response was “you deserve a better farm”, so the seed of moving to Aberdeenshire was sown. In May 1961, Townhead at Fyvie was purchased, and a neighbouring Croft was purchased in 1963. Soon after this latest purchase, Bill suffered a serious knee injury which restricted what he could do. Younger son David was born at Townhead, completing the family.
Bill always had a passion for Aberdeen-Angus cattle mainly buying AA stores to finish. He enjoyed competing in carcass competitions and was delighted to win both the hoof and hook championships with a home bred pure AA steer from 70 entries at the 1970 New Deer show, the first time the same animal won both awards.
In 1975 the 520 acre Balnamoon Farm, Keith was bought, where he established his Balnamoon Herd. In 1988 the knee injury that occurred in 1963 was operated on.The damage had been severe and Bill was advised that nothing more could be done and if he wasn’t careful he would end up in a wheel chair. Bill then retired with Hamish and David setting up their own businesses.
Bill was a founding director of Aberdeen-Angus Producers North, an idea of the late George Cormack which was the first organisation to achieve a premium price for AA sired cattle. Bill, along with George, went to London to meet Waitrose, and a premium was agreed. Bill acted as field officer for the group and spent many happy hours meeting and talking to members.
During his retirement Bill was quality inspector at Perth, Carlisle and Dungannon bull sales. He also helped organise various open days promoting AA cattle. He was frequently asked to judge shows all over the country and his proudest moment was judging the 2000 Royal Show.
Mary died 2 days after their Diamond wedding anniversary, and Bill continued to live on his own without any help until his death in May this year. His funeral, in St. Rufus church, Keith was attended by over 300 people. Bill had a great sense of humour and friends of all ages. He was a great family man and enjoyed nothing better than having his family round him. Bill is survived by his two sons, daughter, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Youth Development Programme
■ Reports, Updates & results
2024 has seen the YDP (not just for Angus breeders) go from strength to strength. The numerous workshops that took place across the country were very well attended and we are extremely grateful to all who contributed to make them such a success.
This year’s YDP final was held in Thurles, Co Tipperary with assistance from the IAAA. Many thanks to Shane Murphy and the IAAA members for providing facilities and cattle which were generally regarded as some of the best that had been used for this competition and to Showtime for their very generous sponsorship. Also, to our judges, many of whom had to travel considerable distances to officiate and to our competitors and their parents and guardians, without whom

there would be no competition! The standard of stockpersonship on show was tremendous and as previously stated, the future of the breed is in safe hands!

Looking to 2025, our WAF team head to Australia with a great opportunity ahead of them to represent the UK and Ireland and compete against some of the best young stockpeople from around the world. We wish you the very best of luck in your endeavours.
Chairman of the YDP Ewen Campbell


Fletcher Russell
David & Susan Johnstone
YDP Workshop dates for 2025
Ireland
Saturday 31st May, Northern Ireland, Glenbrae Aberdeen Angus, William and Jane Dodd, Co. Down, BT24 7BS
Saturday 14th June, Leinster, Liss Aberdeen Angus, John and Sean McEnroe, Co. Meath, A82 XP20
Saturday 12th July, Connaught, Maseragh Aberdeen Angus, John and Anne McDermott, Co. Sligo, F91 AC2N
Saturday 26th July, Munster, Jadam Aberdeen Angus, Enda and Pauline Kearney, Co. Clare, V95 W578
South of England
Sunday 13th April - Rodmead Herd, Warminster, Wiltshire, Angus Neish
Sunday 27th April-Briston herd, Norfolk – Duncan and Tracey Jeary
Sunday 29th June-Temple herd, Somerset, Judith Denning Sunday 6th July-Winslow herd, Buckinghamshire, Terry Ives
North of England
Sunday 3rd August, Yearsley Herd, Adrian Johnstone Owen Tunney – Morpheus Herd, Cheshire date to be announced
Derek and Joanne Webster – Woodmoss Herd, Lancashire –date to be announced
Scotland
Saturday 28th June, West Drums Herd, Berwickshire - John M Steel
Sunday 29th June, Stephick Herd, Stirling - Stephanie Dick A third Scottish Workshop will be announced next year.
Wales: Date and location to be announced.
Finals
Saturday 27th September to be held in Scotland
The YDP National Final will be held in Scotland Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September 2025 Location for final TBC.
TAKING PART IN THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (YDP) WHO CAN TAKE PART?
Any young person aged 8 –24 yrs can attend and compete at the workshops. You can be from any breed of cattle, Young Farmers Club, School, University or College, or from any walk of life.
WHAT IS IT?
A 'hands on' opportunity for all young folk to meet and learn from experienced cattle stockman on how to prepare cattle for shows and sales and learn cattle handling techniques. Annually we invite along an industry specialist to attend the day to enhance the experience for the attendees in animal husbandry, health and welfare.

HOW CAN I QUALIFY FOR THE YDP FINAL?
During the day you will be observed by our trainers and assessed, so that you can establish where improvements can be made. These assessments will be considered from all workshops nationwide, and 12 candidates will be selected from each area and invited to attend the YDP Final held in the autumn. Any young person that attends a workshop can attend the final to take part in workshops and observe, alongside the selected finalists.
WHY?
You will learn new skills, meet new friends, have fun and build confidence in your ability to handle cattle. It is an excellent opportunity for young folk considering making agriculture their chosen profession or if you are looking to establish your own herd of cattle. HOW? Register online by completing the booking form via: www.aberdeenangus.co.uk/youth-development/ You can attend as many workshops as you wish.
Can I still be involved with YDP once I reach 25 years?
Yes you can; our Senior Conferences are held twice a year and are for our members aged 18 -28 yrs. These are designed to introduce you to industry partners and help you develop your knowledge in agriculture, personal development and continue your networking and friendships. Ideas from members are invited for programme content.
YOUTH COUNCIL
Established in 2022, is made up of individuals around the UK and Ireland who are passionate about taking the Youth Development Programme forward into the next decade. The Youth Council will also be involved with international exchanges, become trainers at the YDP Workshops and attend the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Youth Development Programme Committee meetings, plus invitations to attend main council. The Youth Council will lead the direction of young people activities within the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society.
Your YDP Regional Co-ordinators for 2025
Jess Musk – regional co-ordinator for England South
Email: jessmusk@icloud.com
Stephanie Dick – regional co-ordinator for Scotland
Email: ypdsteph@gmail.com
Niall Lynch – regional co-ordinator for All Ireland
Email: ydpniall@gmail.com
For any further information please contact Felicity Hunter
Email: Felicity@aberdeen-angus.co.uk
World Angus Forum
Your WAF Youth Team
2025
On behalf of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, it is with great pleasure that we extend our congratulations to our youth team on being selected to represent the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society at the World Angus Forum 2025 Youth Competition in Australia.
The World Angus Forum 2025 will take place on the 7th and 8th of May in Brisbane. The selected team will compete against other teams from participating countries in a range of agricultural based competitions which are designed to be fun and challenging. It will also undoubtedly be a remarkable networking event with the team surrounded by Aberdeen-Angus enthusiasts from across the globe. The team will consist of 4 members and a reserve competitor. Providing that they are not required in the team, the Reserve will compete in a Barbarian team consisting of reserves from different countries giving them an opportunity to also take part. The tour and event will offer the participants a unique platform for learning, networking, and celebrating our shared passion for the AberdeenAngus breed.
The Society has also awarded Catherine Smyth, Sean McEnroe and Maddie Clarke the opportunity to attend the World Angus Forum Angus Trek (pre-tour) event and the Technical Forum as delegates, representing the AberdeenAngus Cattle Society, in light of the fact that the 2021 World Angus Forum was cancelled due to the Covid Pandemic.
Once again, congratulations to both teams on this welldeserved honour. We look forward to cheering you on as you represent the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society at the World Angus Forum 2025 in Australia.
Meet the World Angus Forum Team

Westaway
My parents run the Melview herds of Aberdeen-Angus and Murray Greys which I am heavily involved in. I attended the
James Morrison John Smyth
Ellie Westaway
Graeme Rhind
Oisin Keogh

University of Reading achieving a degree in Agriculture with particular focus on Livestock and genetics, completing my final year dissertation project looking at the growth and carcass performance of Angus x Holsteins compared to their AA sires EBVs. I now work as Breeding Advisor for Genus ABS.
I have been attending YDP workshops for over 15 years which have taught me a wide range of skills to aid the preparation of the family show team. In 2018 I was lucky enough to win the intermediate section at the YDP final before placing second in 2018, and then in 2023 placing second in the senior section.
More recently I have taken up the role of vice chair within the Angus Next Generation Council to help push the YDP programme forward.

At 23 years old, I work on my family’s farm, Newton of Struthers, located in the north-east of Scotland. Our farm is home to a herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle, a small Limousin herd, a flock of Blue Texels, and a commercial sheep flock. Alongside our livestock enterprises, we cultivate malting barley for local distilleries and operate an agricultural contracting business.
Having grown up on the farm, I’ve always been passionate about working with livestock and preparing animals for shows. My involvement with the Aberdeen-Angus Youth Development Programme has been a highlight of my journey. In 2023, I was proud to qualify as a senior finalist and honored to win the overall title. Representing the Aberdeen-Angus breed and our country is a privilege, allowing me to combine my passion for livestock with a commitment to the industry.
Ellie
Graham Rhind

James Morrison
I farm alongside my father and grandfather in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland, where we run a small herd of 15-20 Aberdeen Angus females alongside our pedigree Charolais and commercial suckler cows. I’ve always had a keen interest in Angus cattle and set up my own Hillmount herd in 2014 to further my passion for the breed. I have been attending YDP workshops for the last ten years and have found it has played a massive role in the development of my pedigree livestock skills as well as allowing me the opportunity to meet fellow breeders. I won the junior section in 2019 and was placed second in the intermediate in both 2022/23. I am currently completing my A-levels at secondary school and hope to study sustainable agriculture with agri business next year through Ulster University. I have been privileged to have been given the opportunity to have worked for Harrison and Hetherington livestock auctioneers last summer and am looking forward to heading back to Carlisle this summer to help me on my journey of hopefully becoming a livestock auctioneer.

John Smyth
I farm alongside my father Noel in Co. Cavan in the Republic of Ireland. The farm operates under a suckler to weanling system with a small pedigree herd of Limousin and Aberdeen Angus cows ran alongside this. I recently completed my BSc of Agricultural Science in SETU Waterford/ Kildalton Agricultural college, and I am currently working with a local farm machinery dealership Clarke Machinery Group.
I have worked with Aberdeen Angus for many years, working
each summer during school with the Liss herd of John & Sean McEnroe. I spent 8 months working with the pedigree herd book of Aberdeen Angus in Ireland “The Irish Aberdeen Angus Association” as part of my industrial placement module of college. I recently completed my final year dissertation titled “Genetic variation in the MITF gene of pedigree Aberdeen Angus parents and their offspring and its potential association with white pigmentation in the offspring.”
I have attended the YDP for many years, winning the Intermediate section of the YDP in 2019 and was third in the Senior section in 2022.

Oisin Keogh
My name is Oisin Keogh, I am currently farming alongside my grandfather Charlie and David Keogh in Co. Meath. The farm consists of continental and suckler cows selling the progeny as stores and also running a small herd of Pedigree angus cows. We are also growing vegetables on the farm consisting of Turnips and Sprouts.
I have completed a level six degree in agriculture and now hold a green certificate. I am currently studying a level eight degree in agriculture at SETU in Waterford. I received beef student of the year in my first year of AG College and then received overall advanced dry stock student of the year.
I am heavily involved with my local Skryne GAA club where I am currently playing senior Gaelic football, and I have also played with my county for the past 7 years.
I am currently working at home on the farm and part time on a large scale drystock/tillage farm where I am still learning a lot of animal husbandry skills.
I have been competing in the youth development programmes for the past 4 years where I’ve learned so many new skills and aspects within the Aberdeen Angus breed and willing to learn more.
I have a huge love and passion for the breed, and I hope to grow and expand my herd in the future.
Once again, congratulations to both teams on this well-deserved honour. We look forward to cheering you on as you represent the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society at the World Angus Forum 2025 in Australia.
YDP England 2024 Round-Up
SPONSORED BY

2024 in England, really did showcase the energy, enthusiasm, and talent of our young participants. The workshops across the country highlighted the programme’s spirit: Aberdeen-Angus Youth Development – Not Just for Angus Breeders.
A Successful Season of Learning and Growth
From Cheshire to Wiltshire, each workshop brought together budding cattle enthusiasts, passionate trainers, and supportive hosts to create an environment where skills were developed, friendships formed, and knowledge expanded.
Highlights from the Year
• Morpheus Herd, Cheshire – July 6th
The season started with a bang at Owen Tunney’s Morpheus Herd. The young participants threw themselves into the activities, and the trainers were exceptional, keeping everyone engaged throughout the day. The quiet cattle and the fantastic venue set the perfect tone for a day of fun and learning, topped off with a delicious BBQ featuring homeproduced burgers.
• Northumberland College, Northumberland – July 13th
Enthusiasm was the order of the day as trainers like Dougie McBeath (clipping) and Richard Rettie (ringcraft) led the group through a dynamic programme. Hosted at the excellent facilities of Northumberland College, this workshop saw great support from Harrison and Hetherington and Hallington Aberdeen Angus. With expert stock judging and fantastic food prepared by Anne Lawson, the feedback from participants and their families was very positive.
• Yearlsey Herd, Brandsby –August 4th
Northern England closed its workshop season at Adrian and Penny Johnson’s Yearlsey Herd. The day welcomed a huge turnout, including participants from other breeds—a testament to the YDP’s inclusivity. The kids had an incredible time, from hands-on activities to a BBQ feast generously donated by Timm Family Butchers. Special thanks to David and Chris Timm for their extra efforts with cattle, making the day even more memorable.
• Standlynch Herd, Wiltshire – August 10th
The south workshop was very generously hosted at Andrew and Carolyn Carter’s Standlynch Herd in Wiltshire. A packed day of activities—washing, clipping, dressing, stock judging, and ring craft—was complemented by a fascinating talk on embryonic transfer from Dr. Peter May. Trainers like Matthew Impey and John Westaway provided exceptional guidance, while Ellie Westaway ensured the event ran seamlessly.
Looking Ahead
This year’s workshops have reinforced the importance of collaboration and the value of providing hands-on learning opportunities for young people passionate about beef production. As we look to 2025, we’re inspired by the dedication of our hosts, trainers, and participants, and we aim to expand the reach and impact of the YDP in England. Here’s to another year of fostering the next generation of talent in the cattle industry!


Ireland 2024 Round-Up
■ By Niall Lynch, YDP Coordinator Ireland
2024 was another fantastic year for the YDP in Ireland. Once again we have gone from strength to strength in Ireland with 4 fantastic workshops held throughout the country and it all finishing up with the YDP finals in Thurles in September.
Our workshops started back in May on the Killaney herd of John Blackburn. John and his family have been great supporters of the YDP down through the years and once again they didn’t disappoint with great display of both cattle and hospitality. On the day we had a super turnout of young participants who were shown the all the aspects of the YDP by some of our up coming world forum team members Sean McEnroe and John Smyth they were also helped on the day by former participants Mena McCloskey and Thomas Blackburn.
Our second workshop held once again by the McEnroe family at Liss Aberdeen Angus we had another fantastic turnout of participants. Once again Sean McEnroe was on hand to teach all the participants with his father John. On the day we also had in the day the skills of John Paul McNulty helping Sean with the clipping and grooming and another former YDP participant Micheal Carey on the Ringcraft. A special thank you has to be given to the McEnroe family for their continued support of the YDP. Every year they are on hand to host a workshop and their hospitality is second to none.
Moving on to our 3rd workshop of the summer we went to the home of Irish Aberdeen Angus president John Tait and his renowned Westellen herd. This was another fantastic


workshop with a great turnout of new and returning participants. John and Kate were fantastic hosts and their hospitality and venue are a credit to them. Once again taking full advantage of our up coming world forum team we had both Catherine Smyth and Oisin Keogh to help out on the day with the training. Also on the day we had the experienced had of Eoin Lynch on the clipping and grooming.
Our fourth and final workshop of 2024 took place on the farm of Dr. Felicity McGrath and her mother Patrica McGrath. A common theme with all our hosts is the hospitality on the day. But the McGrath’s have a special place in the YDP as they have possibly the quietest cattle in the country. Every year we go to Felicity’s I give her credit on how well behaved the animals always are. On the day we had both Enda Kearney and Richie Lombard doing the ringcraft and I myself managed to get my hands dirty with the clipping and grooming.
The 2024 YDP final was hosted this year in Ireland and I’d wish to thank the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association for all the hard work they done in helping to plan this event. This year’s finals was probably one of the best we have had and a lot of the thanks for that goes down to all the parents who bring their children to all the workshops throughout the UK and Ireland. Every year the standard seems to be getting better and better and going forward this can only be good for both our industry and our world famous breed. Thank you to everyone who helped, hosted and participated in workshops in 2024 and let’s make 2025 even bigger and better.


ScottishAreaReport 2024
■ By Stephanie Dick, Scotland YDP Coordinator
The Scottish workshops kicked off at the beginning of June with our first workshop being held at Ballindalloch Aberdeen-Angus by kind permission of the McPherson Grant family and stocksman David and Susan Johnston. Having been at Balllindalloch for a workshop last year also, we knew that we were in for a great day! We were welcomed to the longest established continuous herd of Angus and taken back by the quiet natures of all the animals involved.
We were delighted to have last years senior winner Greame Rhind come back as a trainer to pass down some of his expertise, it is great to see people who have benefited from the program giving back. Other trainers on the day included Seonaid Mclaren, Kim Brown and David and Susan themselves. We had a great turn out with lots of new and young faces and as ever all the participants seemed really excited to be getting stuck back into YDP. A huge thank you to everyone involved at Ballindaloch as usual we were spoiled with BBQ and ice cream to finish off and a great day was had by all.
From the north, we then travelled to the south for the second Scottish workshop to be held at West Drums Angus by kind permission of John Steel. John had put in a super effort into hosting for us as he always does. The enthusiasm from John is second to none and once again we were spoiled with a BBQ. Our trainers on the day were Ewan Mcrobert, Gemma Wark and Seonaid Mclaren who all did a fantastic job of getting our candidates involved and pushing themselves to be the best they can be. As always with John the nature of the cattle makes the day go by with ease and his quality of cattle in the stock judging class gave everyone something to think about. Our final workshop fast approached, and we headed to Keith Rennie at Fiddlehall over in Fife. A new venue for us



this year and it certainly did not disappoint. Kim Brown the stocksman had the cattle all ready for us and she then helped train in the ringcraft also, we had Ewan Mcrobert back from round two in the clipping and dressing and one of our WAF team members James Morrison came to train the stock judging. I love to see the older YDP participants getting involved with teaching the younger ones. Again we had old and new faces attending on the day and a great deal of enthusiasm, it’s great to see the progress of some of the youngsters that have now been attending for a few years. Keith put on a fabulous spread for us for lunch and everyone departed after a successful day eagerly awaiting to see who had qualified for finals!
So I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone mentioned above that hosted or trained this year in Scotland, we are truly grateful and couldn’t do these days without your help and kindness, we know how much work it is to be a host farm so truly appreciate it.
Thank you to all the participants who came along and parents that gave up their time to come and the parents who helped out on the days also, the standard this year was really high and very impressive and I hope you all enjoyed the workshops. We will see you back again next year. Also a huge congratulations to Cameron and everyone who competed and placed at the finals, I am very proud of what you have achieved.

Youth Council Report
■ By Gemma Wark
Since my last write up in the Review, the year kicked off with the Next Generation prioritising discussions around selecting the World Angus Forum youth teams which would be sent to represent the UK and Ireland in Australia. Our aim was to use our experiences as a junior council to help put a timeline together of events to ensure teams were picked one year before the World Angus Forum is due to take place. The key milestones were to create; a structure for a selection panel, key areas of where knowledge and experience was needed and put forward a list of judges - where the final decisions still sat with the society, coordinators and the YDP committee.
In the run up to the start of summer YDP workshops myself, Ellie Westaway (vice chair) and Nicola Howie (Secretary) got the chance to join YDP meetings with the council and gain experience in how these meetings ran. We communicated workshops to the wider Next Generation council where we assigned local members to attend workshops in their area. Graeme Rhind, last year’s YDP winner, attended the Ballindalloch workshop hosted by the Johnstone family in Aberdeenshire where he helped our Scottish coordinator - Stephanie Dick with the running of the workshop on the day. In Graeme’s words: “Both David and Susan are both very nice and approachable people for younger people to interact with, the cattle were faultlessly broken to a standard everyone felt comfortable to take them. “
Ellie Westaway was approached to run the Standlynch workshop in Wiltshire, kindly hosted by Andrew and Carolyn Carter. Ellie coordinated the groups on the day and helped trainers that had not trained at workshops before to ensure the workshop ran well. The YDP participants got to experience being hands on and really enjoyed the day. A big thanks to the hosts for providing such well broken in cattle.
In the Scottish Borders, Stephanie Dick hosted a local workshop at Westdrums, where John Steel and his family worked hard preparing stock for the day and hosted a BBQ lunch which was delicious. I gave a couple of young local lads, Angus Hume and James Irving, a lift to the workshop. On the way there they didn’t say too much - but on the way home the two of them were full of energy and enthusiasm telling me stories from the day about their new friends and the fun they had. This was a great reminder of what YDP is all about and I am sure we have two new young lads who will be keen to get involved again in the future.
This summer it was suggested that the Next Generation council pull together a fundraising event. The Summer National show was hosted at the Border Union Show in Kelso so we pulled together some ideas for this. We


decided to support the local Borders Club with the raffle of the Rulesmains heifer, where all proceeds went to RSABI, by offering a clipping demonstration. This was hosted before the BBQ and was well attended by people of all ages. Ian Campbell very kindly clipped the heifer and explained the process whilst we had fun getting youngsters involved with a pop quiz. Thank you to the Hodge family for letting us use their heifer for the demonstration, Robert Wilson for the lend of the crush and Ian Campbell for clipping the heifer.
I want to encourage others to get involved in YDP as it is a great way of growing confidence around cattle and meeting like-minded folk from a young age. The recent startup of the Next Generation council where meetings are held generally every 2 months (mostly online) is your chance to feedback and help with decision making about the future of YDP.
We are now recruiting for new members to join the Next Generation council. The next AGM will be hosted face to face at the February Bull Sales. Timings and location for the meeting are to be confirmed but will be advertised on the YDP social media pages. We will be looking for members between 18 and 30 years of age to get involved to do the following; participation in meetings, supporting local coordinators with workshops in your area, supporting the society stand at local shows and to bring new ideas to the table for more fundraising events. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved, please contact myself on 07518296560 or Ellie Westaway on 07969786281.
A final word from me – I would like to thank Ellie, Nicola and the wider Next Generation council for their support this last year. A thank you must also go to the coordinators for always being at the end of the phone and for their dedication in making the YDP workshops and final so successful. I look forward to seeing where it all goes next.
Thanks, Gemma
Wark
Gemma Wark
YDP Finals 2024

Over the year YDP candidates from ages 8 – 24yrs have been taking part in workshops across the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland all hoping to get the chance to qualify for the finals, a weekend event that this year, was held at Thurles Mart, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Friday the 27th of September saw all these successful candidates travel from far and wide across to Ireland, to get ready for the big competition day on the Saturday.
As Saturday morning came around, the competitors dressed in their white shirts and black gillets, kindly sponsored by Showtime, and with their Aberdeen-Angus ties, got ready for a full-on day of competition. The bus arrived and everyone headed out to Thurles Mart who kindly hosted the event.
Cattle had been provided by many different breeders from around Ireland and a huge thank you must go to them for having exceptionally quiet cattle that made the running of the day go so smoothly. The coordinators, Niall, Steph and Kim, got everyone split up into their groups for the day and the competition got underway.
Seniors started off with their panel interviews where they are asked questions by our able judges Ewen Campbell, John Tait and Rob Wills about themselves, the breed, the industry and much more. Juniors headed over to the clipping crates to do clipping which was judged by Leo McEnroe followed by dressing judged by Callum Innes.
Leo and Callum were given a difficult task with the standard of these youngsters being so high, sometimes only half points separating winners. They were fabulous judges and gave great feedback to the competitors on the day, which was admired by everyone, even some parents were taking notes!
In the groups they had been put into, half the Intermediates headed over to Maddie Clarke, our stock judging judge for the day. There was a class of 4 red heifers brought out for this and Maddie, who has an abundance of stock judging knowledge behind her, placed the class before then taking reasons from all competitors.
Later in the evening Maddie gave us her reasons publicly for why she placed this class how she did, and no one could argue with her, they were outstanding.
We would like to give an additional special thank you to Showtime for their generous sponsorship, which played a key role in making this event a huge success.
The other half of the Intermediates headed over to ringcraft where we found our judges in David and Susan Johnston, they are no stranger to the showring having led many champions at their Ballindalloch herd. Here, the competitors had to change halters ready for the show ring, swap animals and show off their best showmanship skills.
Also, ongoing throughout the day, was an AI talk from Kim Brown, which was a real hit with not only competitors but also parents. Along with a talk from council member Seonaid Mclaren on Angus from around the world, hopefully the event gave everyone some ideas of where they would like to go and visit if they ever win the senior section. Intermediate competitors also had a 5-minute presentation to do on the benefits of Aberdeen Angus in sustainable beef production, which the panel judges judged. It was great to get such lovely feedback from all the judges on the day saying that the future of the industry is in safe hands and all competitors were a credit to themselves. Thank you to all judges who took the time to travel to the event and be a part of our weekend.
After the day wrapped up, we all headed back to the hotel in preparation for the presentation dinner where the much-awaited results would be announced. The strong competition showed in the results with some sections being very close.

YDP Finals 2024 - Results
Juniors

Intermediates



Seniors

Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Youth Development Programme Senior Conference

This year, the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Youth Development Programme Senior Conference went international, hosted by Bernhard Delle and the Delle family at their Donaumoos Angus farm in Germany. It was a truly remarkable weekend filled with learning, networking, and unforgettable hospitality and the collaboration with the Czech youth team added a truly memorable international element to the weekend.
The conference provided attendees with valuable insights into the Delle family’s farm-to-fork business model, their dedication to quality beef production, and their innovative approaches to herd management and marketing.
We are grateful to the Godfrey Neale Award Fund for its generous support of the Senior Conference. This funding provides a significant opportunity to enhance the learning experiences of young farmers, helping to shape the future of the beef industry.
Day One
Morning Session: A Farm-to-Fork Journey
The first day began with a guided tour of the Delle family’s butchery and hotel kitchen. We enjoyed a traditional German breakfast before exploring the heart of their operation. The butchery, established in 1999, was the starting point of the Delle’s farm-to-fork vision. Bernhard explained that the family wanted to take control of the entire process, from breeding to processing to selling their own beef.
Martin Delle, Bernhard’s son and the lead butcher, guided us through the butchering process, showing how they use high-marbling genetics to ensure top-quality beef. The group was shown how cuts like the spider steak, which would typically be used for mince, can be marketed as a premium product at a higher price. For instance, a cut typically priced at €15 per kilo as mince could be sold as a spider steak for €30 per kilo.
The family also explained the importance of dry-aging beef, emphasizing how the external fat cover is crucial for this process. We learned about the different cuts used, with Martin demonstrating the creation of burgers with a 23% fat content mix, which gives the burgers an incredible flavour and texture.
The morning ended with a tour of the cold storage facilities, followed by a look at the hotel kitchen, where the family applies their butchering skills to prepare dishes for their guests.
Afternoon Session: A Visit to Donaumoos Angus Herd
In the afternoon, we visited the Donaumoos Angus herd, where we had the chance to see the cattle firsthand.
Established in 1998, the herd has grown to 150 breeding females, with genetics sourced from around the world, including embryos and semen from Canada, Australia, and the USA. The Delle family aims to produce medium-sized, easy-to-manage cattle with high carcass performance and premium beef quality from a predominantly grass-based diet.

We were shown several groups of cows and calves, including a particularly impressive group of two-year-old first-calvers with calves at foot. The herd is also focused on continuous improvement, and the young heifers on display gave us an insight into their breeding programme.
The tour also included an introduction to some of the stock bulls, with a particular focus on Donaumoos BD Transcend Z018 ET, one of the bulls from the herd’s Embryo Transfer Programme. The Delle family explained how these bulls are used to maintain the high genetic quality of the herd.
We concluded the day by seeing some of the bulls destined for the annual Donaumoos Angus Bull Sale, which takes place in April 2025. The sale is growing in prominence and continues to attract attention from buyers across Europe.
Day Two Morning Session: Visit to the Ulm Farmers Market
Saturday morning began with a visit to the farmers market in Ulm, where Bernhard shared the story of how the Delle family began selling their products at markets. In 1990, Bernhard started with a refrigerated van and began selling at local markets. Over time, they expanded to a fleet of beef vans, which now visit various markets from Tuesday to Saturday.
Bernhard explained that their beef vans have a loyal customer base, many of whom are older customers who may not have the means to travel to larger stores. The cost of maintaining a stall at the market is relatively low, as the city authorities encourage market participation, but it’s competitive to secure a space.
Around 80% of the beef is sold at the markets, while the remaining 20% is sold through the family’s restaurant. Bernhard discussed how the demand for high-quality, sustainably produced food is growing in Germany, with customers increasingly concerned about animal welfare and the sourcing of their food.
Afternoon Session: Bull Judging and Final Discussions
On arrival we were once again warmly greeted by incredible hospitality shown by the Delle family throughout the whole

weekend. We started off by sampling some of their beef burgers where we were all in agreement that they were some of the best that we had ever tasted which just goes to show the time and effort they have put into product they are producing.
The afternoon session involved a bull judging competition, where we had the opportunity to assess 40 bulls. The bulls were grouped by sire, and participants evaluated them independently, ranking them in first, second, and third places using a simple judging system: three points for first place, two for second, and one for third.
Once all the scores were collected, we identified the top bulls from each group, and then the group of first-place winners was judged to determine the overall champion. After much deliberation, the overall champion bull was selected: Donaumoos MD Kansas Z022 ET, an embryo transfer son of GAR Kansas.
The session started discussions about the different types of bulls we viewed and how the Donaumoos herd is producing bulls suitable for various markets, emphasizing the importance of genetics and selection for market demands.
Godfrey Neale Trophy
The Godfrey Neale Trophy for Endeavour for the Senior Conference will be awarded at the February Bull Sales in 2025. The Trophy recognizes exceptional potential, knowledge, and enthusiasm, celebrating the future leaders of beef farming.
Conclusion
The 2024 Senior Conference was an incredible experience that showcased the Delle family’s innovative and inspiring approach to Angus farming. We left with new ideas, stronger connections, and a deeper appreciation for the possibilities within the Aberdeen-Angus breed.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Bernhard and the Delle family for their hospitality and to all participants for making this event a resounding success.











Callum Innes
Daniel Willis
Adam Kearney
Eoin Robinson
Seonaid McLaren & Maddie Clarke
John Tait, Ewen Campbell, Rob Willis Lottie Hill















Cameron Barclay
Cameron Barclay
Adam Minehane
Eoin Robinson
James Morrison
Connor Craig
James Morrison
John Smyth
John Smyth & Connor Craig
Susan Johnstone, Graeme Rhind & David Johnstone
Niall Lynch, Stephanie Dick, Cameron Barclay, Kim Brown & Graeme Rhind
Veronica Webster
Grant Rhind & Finlay Hunter
Greggor Milne
Fletcher Russell
Introducing John Smyth, YDP finals winner
I’m John and I’m 22 years old and I am delighted to be the 2024 YDP Senior Section winner at the final held in Thurles in Ireland.
The final was made up of a panel interview, stock judging, ring craft, dressing and clipping, I was fortunate on the day and things went my way! I was first in the panel interview and dressing. Joint first in the clipping and joint second in the clipping.
As a result of winning, I am about to get the chance for a once in a lifetime trip to study Aberdeen Angus cattle anywhere in the world! I am looking forward to this immensely and have a strong attraction to South America especially Argentina or Uruguay to see Aberdeen Angus genetics in pasture based systems and see how they are using superior genetics and grazed grass in the diet to produce a high quality product.
At home I farm alongside my father where we keep a herd of Limousin suckler cows, in addition to the suckler herd we keep a small number of pedigree Aberdeen Angus. Working with the McEnroe family in Liss has added to my interest in cattle especially the Aberdeen Angus breed. John has been a great mentor to me over the years from preparing cattle, showing cattle and farming as a whole.

Currently I am working with Teagasc, the agriculture and food development body in Ireland. Carrying out research to fulfil my PhD on the topic “Development of a national framework for reducing the finishing age of Irish beef cattle" Which will involve investigating the effect of nutrition, health, and on-farm environment factors presently constraining animal growth performance across farms in Ireland.
This year was my fifth time competing in YPD and in 2019 my second year competing I was fortunate to win the Intermediate section. I qualified at the Liss workshop. This event saw a great turn out, it was excellently run, with great cattle to work with.
A few weeks later, the finals took place in Thurles where an excellent weekend was held and I was able to put my knowledge to the test. The YDP is one of the best programmes which gives amazing opportunities to learn and meet new people.
Alongside the stock skills, the panel interviews and presentations are so important in preparing us to work progressively within the industry to fight the corner for Agriculture. Finally and best of all, you don’t have to have Aberdeen Angus cattle to get involved! I would encourage anyone who has the chance to give it a go.

John Smyth Winning YDP Final
Aberdeen-Angus 2024 New Members
Northern Isles
ODINSTONE FRAZER JOHN LESLIE
North of Scotland
NAIRNSIDE ROSALIND MacRAE
AULTCRAGGIE ALLAN GRANT
North-East Scotland
HOWEMILL JAMES YOXALL
WYLIES LESLEY WYLIE
MURDOCH ALLAN PAUL ALLAN
NEWMACH S & H HAY
AUCHINHANDOCH MR HUGH MONTGOMERY
Central Scotland
CARLSTON HEATHER RALSTON
SALIGO ANDREW JONES
BALCHRYSTIE ROBERT MCGOWAN
ROSSIE RAINHEATH LTD
GILMEADOWLAND JAMES HAMILTON
LOWES S & JE ANDREW
CRAWLAW AD & SA CAMPBELL
South-West Scotland
POLDEAN W & J DAVIDSON
CULNAIGHTRIE A LINDSAY & CO
KILBRIDE ALLY NELSON
BLACK DRUMGALDER CALLUM DONALD
GARTVAIGH THOMAS CAMERON
KIRKLAND CLIVE SINCLAIR
CULBAE IAN HOUSTON LAF LOGAN FLETCHER
Borders
BONNINGTON W BROWN & SON
North-East England
EDRO JD & JA HOLGATE RJ RM CLARKSON
DEAN HOUSE L DRIVER & SON
CROFTBANK GERRAD FARMER
DRAKESTRUTHER JOHN RENNER
BELLMANEAR J & C WRIGHT
North-West England
SHREWBRIDGE SOPHIE HARDING
ROWCROFT R R PARKINSON & SONS
Midlands
FITTIES HENRY HICKLING
STANTON LONG W A DAVIES & CO
CAVENDISH E S HANCOCK LTD
LESTER MR RICHARD LESTER
West of England
WIGGA DT & AJ BARWELL
EASTBROOK EASTBROOK FARM PARTNERSHIP
ROEBUCK JACK ROEBUCK
GREAT BUSTARD JAMES WAIGHT
TREVANNON ALAN SHEPPARD
STANTON LONG W A DAVIES & CO
CHARLTON MR TODD CHARLTON
South-East England
INNES JAMES INNES HADFIELD
HANCOCKS HANCOCKS FARM LTD
South-West England
ROEBUCK JACK ROEBUCK
HDS OLIVER ROUNSEVELL
KNOWLE MANOR TOM LAMACRAFT
INCE CASTLE INCE ESTATES LTD MR DAVID URCH
Wales
NANT YR EIRA RICH BAILEY
MAESDU C & S FENEMORE
MANORDEILO AG & RL LEWIS
HEYOKAH MISS SARAH DUSGATE
Northern Ireland
SHESKINSHULE MR DAMIAN McCULLAGHY
BOGHILL TIMOTHY & CATHERINE McCOLLUM DEAN O’NEILL
CHERRYVALLEY PETER FITZGERALD
BALLYDAVEY JAMES McCULLOUGH
MONCLONE DAVID WALKER
CORNAVARROW DENISE McCANNEY
ROBINSONS ROBERT & SHIRLEY ROBINSON
HOMESTEAD HEIGHTS

PHILIP McCONNELL






Oakmoor Farm, The Moor, Haxby, York, North Yorkshire, YO32 2LH
Oakmoor Boss Y637

Gatehouse Farm, Carr Lane, Watton, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 9AH
Asloun Aberdeen Angus
A small herd of Native Aberdeen Angus Established in 2022
Email: TBA
Web: TBA
Andrew Lawson
Asloun, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8NR



BARNSVIEW ABERDEEN ANGUS
Contact:
Chrissie Davidson 07704 878 339
Glenn Thomson 07871 544 400
Crieff PH5 2AZ
Email CHRISTINA DAVIDSON848@GMAIL COM
Hi Health Herdc are Elite Health Status Johnes Level 1 BVD, Lepto, IBR Accredited











Drumphin Aberdeen Angus

www.drumphinfarm.com


Grass Feed Pedigree & Commercial Aberdeen Angus Cattle Uttoxeter, Staffordshire


Matt: 07837968319
Alice: 07484310215
Peter: 07976814369 chsmith.agri@gmail.com












Morpheus Kodiak W068
HW Mr Equilibrium W202
Sire: HF Alcatraz 60F | Dam: The Moss Krispy Girl N221
Kilmallie Kolisi A421
Son of the in demand Morpheus Kodiak W068 | Dam: Kilmallie Kristina R022














Calstone Aberdeen Angus, Wiltshire


Balavilhouse Mr Ben Y952
Elite Junior Bull Recorded Native Bull at the

Balavilhouse Daisy Duchess Y995
Reserve Female Champion at Black Beauty Bonanza 2023

Balavilhouse Galahad Z991 Junior Male Champion at the Royal Highland Show 2024

Reserve Champion Aberdeen Angus Bull Royal Welsh Show
Junior Bull in the Interbreed
Blelack Lady Eraline J258
Bought from the famous Blelack Herd for 35,000gns













Commercially run pedigree herd
Working age bulls usually for from home
Naturally reared on grass
Call Tom 07508624376
R.G.Elliott and son
Navigation Farm
Warwickkshire
CV23 8AG






CARDONA EDWIN
MAIN SIRE FOR 2024
A son of Edwin, Oakchurch Drifter Z489, was supreme champion and top price at Worcester selling for 7000gns to Lockerley. We are very pleased with our first crop, displaying all Edwin’s qualities!

New Family purchased 2024
Morven Poppy W041, by Blelack Duke and her daughter Morven Poppy A100, by Millah Murrah Quixote
We have always admired this family going back to the Cheeklaw herd. Two females from this line topped the dispersal at 20,000gns. Cheeklaw Poratio had a big impact at Easton Grey and is a son of the cow Pomander Of The Moss, who started the line for Cheeklaw.
HI HEALTH BULLS AND FEMALES ALWAYS FOR SALE Follow on
Based in Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Thank you to all purchasers in 2024
Leading Sires used every year through AI and ET, resulting in excellent bulls and females for sale.


Herd manager: Mat Stoker 07932 914302
Email: mathew.eastongrey@outlook.com













Middle Hook Pride 5746
Wheeton Egor P442
Middle Hook Rita Pearl Egor X836 Blelack

Kilmallie Juggernaut Eric Y389, Male and Reserve Supreme Champion, Winter National 2022.
Purchased by Caroline Orr, Keirsbeath, where he went on to have a stellar show season in 2023.
Kilmallie Kolisi A421, Male and Reserve Supreme Champion, Winter National 2024


Fordel Earl Vanguard Y467, we’re delighted with his first crop of calves and eagerly await his second!
Vanguards first son - Kilmallie Kolbe A420, shape and figures, look out for him in Carlisle in May

Vanguard semen and embryos of the above matings available soon. Please drop me an email to discuss.
DUNLAPPIE FARM EDZELL ANGUS











Mottistone Aberdeen Angus
The Mottistone Herd is relatively new and follows on from our nationally well regarded Highland Cattle Fold which was dispersed in 2020 fetching record high prices.
Our foundation cows have been sourced from the Blelack, Shadwell, and Macchina dispersals plus quality heifers and bulls from Rosemead, Warrenho and Standlynch.
Our cattle are reared and out-wintered on the Isle of Wight Downs overlooking the English Channel and fully exposed to all the elements, both harsh and kind.
Visitors are welcome and encouraged to make a short break so that they can appreciate the natural beauty of not only our farm but also the whole of the Isle of Wight.


Wroxall Cross Farm, Manor Road, Wroxall, Isle of Wight PO38 3DF
Michael Poland







UK9041700 1367-1 (pictured at seven months)
Old Glenort Black Lass A671
Sire: Orbliston Jury Eric X245
Dam: Old Glenort Black Lass V705
James Porter 028 9260 7333
james@gillhallestate.co.uk www.gillhallestate.com

UK9041700 1367-1 (pictured at seven months)
Old Glenort Black Lass A671
Sire: Orbliston Jury Eric X245
Dam: Old Glenort Black Lass V705



UK9041700 1365-6 (pictured at seven months)
Old Glenort Euro A656
Sire: Old Glenort Victorious Y514
Dam: Old Glenort Evon X197
UK9041700 1378-5 (pictured at six months)
Old Glenort Kensington A785
Sire: Orbliston Jury Eric X245
UK9041700 1378-5 (pictured at six months)
Old Glenort Kensington A785

UK9041700 1364-5 (pictured at seven months)
Dam: Old Glenort Kim W501
Sire: Orbliston Jury Eric X245
Dam: Old Glenort Kim W501
Old Glenort Eagle A645
Sire: Old Glenort Victorious Y514
Dam: Old Glenort Edwina X013

UK9041700 1365-6 (pictured at seven months) Old Glenort Euro A656
Sire: Old Glenort Victorious Y514
Dam: Old Glenort Evon X197

UK9041700 1150-1
Old Glenort Kim W501
Sire: Carlhurlie Epic P021
Dam: Old Glenort Kim K761

UK9041700 1251-4
Old Glenort Victorious Y514
Sire: Carlhurlie Gentilex S124
Dam: Old Glenort Victoria N511
UK9041700 1219-7
Old Glenort Evon X197
Sire: Blelack Dakota U898
UK9041700 1364-5 (pictured at seven months) Old Glenort Eagle A645
Dam: Old Glenort Evon R664 FIRST PRIZE – Junior Cow RUAS 2024
Sire: Old Glenort Victorious Y514 Dam: Old Glenort Edwina X013

FIRST PRIZE – Senior Bull & Male Champion & Best
Pair of Aberdeen Angus with Old Glenort Kim W501 RUAS 2024
FIRST PRIZE – Senior Cow, Reserve Female & Breed
Champion RUAS 2024 & Best Pair of Aberdeen Angus RUAS 2024 with Old Glenort Victorious Y514
























Have
Moderate
Easy calving –– hassle free
Easy fleshing –– lower overall concentrate input
Performance –– hit carcase spec at the right age
We are here to provide functionally efficient Te Mania sires that will produce long life replacement females that can get on with the job without all the fuss and bother Te Mania sired bulls can be sold straight off farm without the massive feed bill and labour cost.
Join the growing list of UK herds selling their bulls straight off farm year after year using Te Mania sired bulls. They are decades down this road collecting data on 20,000 cattle per year






























W Th r M109




Dam : Elli o t Ty ra R1 27




Wa rs o n E r r o l l Qua ke W42 9 I/IM P)



Dam : Wa rson Ermi n trude U18 8


Our High Health, Pasture for Life certified, Pedigree Angus herd i s fed only on West De v on pasture as part o f our mission to rear our animals naturally .
Usi n g Elite bulls from top US, Australia n & B ritish genetics., w e breed efficient, ea s y ca l ver s , pro du cing cal v es with excellent growth & high eating quality potential .
We authenticate & scan our animals via the Good Bee f I ndex, to ensure that only animals with the be st ea t ing qu a l i t y EBV s , & Mar b ling Meater IMF scans are used in our breeding programme.


W n Ell ic 703


Dam : Stand lynch Ellice P 783




Wa rs o n El sie V 370 ynch Rameau P79 1


Dam : R awburn Elsie T58 4



The Good Be e f I nd ex authe n tic ates and verifies be e f qualit y by g rading and scoring animals, facilit ating a n ew ‘b reede r to consume r ’ connection vi a the webap p.
These Prime Angus sirloin stea ks, measu red vi a the marbling me ate r, compa re favou rab ly with ‘top qualit y ’ impo rts on marbling .
ww w. goodbe e find ex .o rg o r scan the QR code fo r mo re i n form ation . f r om b r eede r to consume r… .


For further information head to our website, or contact us


























EXCITING TIMES AHEAD AT WATTON HERD WITH THE ADDITION OF WOODINGTON IDEAL RACHIS U581
PRESENT HERD SIRE: Watton Bronco Man V897
JUNIOR SIRE: Watton Drybrook Z424
Biobest High Herd Health Status Level 1.
Spring calving. Heifers calve at 2 years.
Closed herd.
Fed on grass. Made to last. Visitors always welcome.


CONTACT:
RICHARD & JEAN TULLY Waddeton Barton, Waddeton Road, Brixham, Devon.
TQ5 0EL
e: info@waddeton.co.uk
t: 01803 842174
m: 07813 313 411












Our high health status breeding herd has been carefully developed, with calving ease and ability to thrive e ciently on low quality forage being at the forefront of our objectives. Performance recording is a must for us and we have maintained our 5 Star BreedPlan status since day one.
Outwintering is a cornerstone of our business allowing us to maximise herd health across our moderate framed highly functional cattle.
We have a great selection of heifers and young bulls for sale



Visitors always welcome, please contact: Chris Wilkinson - Wildfell Farm, Chapel Road, Ramsey Heights, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE26 2RS | T: 01487 814496 / 07795 098797 | E: chris@wildfellfarm.co.uk
Instagram: @wildfellfarm | Facebook: wildfellfarm | www.wildfellfarm.co.uk | Member of biobest

Te Mania Legend L646 (AI)(IMP)
Te Mania Berkley B1 (AI)(IMP)
Te Mania Nebo N424 (AI)(IMP)
Our stock bulls are: Wildfell Ewan W342 Wildfell Duke X449
Our other AI sires are: Quaker Hill Blindside SGR (AI) (IMP) Quaker Hill Westcoast QHF (AI) (IMP)


Shows, Sales & Events Calendar 2025
20 - 22nd January
British Cattle Conference
The Telford Hotel, Telford
2nd-3rd February
Stirling February Bull Sale
Stirling Auction Centre
8th February
HW Netherton Bull Sale
Nertherton Farm, Blackford
11th February
Dungannon Sale
Dungannon Farmers Market
26th February
Royal Northern Spring Show Thainstone Centre, Inverurie
5th-6th March
Low Carbon Agri Expo
NAEC Stoneleigh
14th-15th March
UK Diary Expo
Borderway Mart, Carlisle
22nd March
Melton Mowbray Multi Breed Sale
Melton Mowbray Auction Market
18th April
Dunagannon Spring Sale
Dungannon Farmers Market
19th April
Worcester Sale
Worcester Market
5th May
Stirling May Sale
Stirling Auction Centre
16th May
Carlisle Sale A-A Bulls & Females
Borderway Mart, Carlisle
14th-17th May
RUAS Balmoral Show
Eikon Centre, Lisburn
25th May
RNAS BeefTech 25
Home Farm, Kinninmonth, Peterhead
29th-31st May
Royal Bath & West Show
Shepton Mallet
5th-7th June
Royal Cornwall Show
Royal County Showground, Wadebridge
13th-15th June
Royal 3 Counties Show
3 Counties Showground, Malvern
19th-22nd June
Royal Highland Show Ingliston, Edinburgh
25th-26th June
Royal Norfolk Show Norwich
2nd-3rd July
Goundswell Agricultural Festival Hertfordshire
8th-11th July
Summer National at The Great Yorkshire Show Harrogate
21st-24th July
Royal Welsh Show
Builth Wells
30th July
Clogher Valley Show, NI Summer National Clogher, Northern Ireland
25th-26th July
Border Union Show Clogher, Northern Ireland
10th September
UK Dairy Day Telford
10th-11th September
Westmorland Show
Milnthorpe, Cumbria
19th-20th October
Stirling October Sale
Stirling Auction Centre
22nd October
Carlisle Autumn Sale
Carlisle
31st October
Borderway Agri Expo (Winter National)
Borderway Mart, Carlisle
1st November
Calf Show
Dungannon Farmers Market
5th & 8th November
Premier Meat Exhibition Lanark Auction Market
5th-6th November
Farm Business Innovation Show NEC, Birmingham
8th-9th November
Stars of the Future Calf Show
Stirling Auction Centre
18th-19th November
Future Farming Expo Scotland
P & J Arena, Aberdeen
19th November
Agri Scot Ingliston, Edinburgh
21st-22nd November
Livescot Lanark Auction Market
21st November
Black Beauty Bonanza Thainstone, Inverurie
25th November
Royal Ulster Beef & Lamb
Eikon Centre, Lisburn
24th-25th November
Welsh Winter Fair
Builth Wells
TBA - XX
Royal Ulster Winter Fair
Eikon Centre, Lisburn
New judges for 2025

Rob Bishop
Rob Bishop has been breeding Aberdeen-Angus cattle since 1998, developing a herd of 60 cows that regularly competes at local and national shows and actively supports Society sales. Rob has a wealth of experience in breeding and showing Aberdeen-Angus and a passion and commitment to the breed and its continued success.

Hamish Sclater
It is huge privilege to judge any show, being invited to judge the Aberdeen-Angus Summer National at the Great Yorkshire is really something quite special. Since my debut judging (Caithness Show) 1985 the Summer National will be the 30th time of judging shows and sales from Orkney to Cornwall including Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Stephen Wallace
I manage the 100 cow
Baronagh Aberdeen Angus herd, near Coleraine in Northern Ireland. Established by my father Victor in 1976. Maximising output from a grass based system, and running up to 5 stock bulls per year, I aim for functional all round cattle with good locomotion, easy calving and milkiness.
I am delighted to have been invited to judge Stirling and look forward to the excellent display of cattle.

John James
John James of the Glasnant Herd in Mid Wales, has a strong commitment to suckler beef farming and is particularly passionate about the maternal qualities of the Aberdeen-Angus Cow.
» Stirling February: Alwyn Armour
» Melton Mowbray March: John James
» Worcester April: Seonaid McLaren
» Carlisle May: John Blackburn
» Summer National: Hamish Sclater
» Stirling October: Stephen Wallace
» Winter National: Rob Bishop

Seonaid McLaren
I’m a 5th generation Farmer and Partner of Netherton Angus also a member on council. Aberdeen Angus is in my blood and I have always been passionate about the breed it has taken me around the world where I have worked with some top herds like Miller Wilson Angus, Cudlobe Angus, Herbster Angus, Temania Angus and many more learning off some top breeders and stockpersons across the world. I have also been fortunate enough to have been asked to judge in 4 different countries where I have very much enjoyed seeing the exceptional animals presented and the differences of them from each country.

John Blackburn
John runs the Killaney herd in County Tyrone together with his wife, Sandra. Before retiring to full-time farming, John was a beef and sheep carcass grader in Northern Ireland meat plants. The herd is run on a low input system promoting natural fed stock and is a mixed herd of Black and Reds. John has had many judging appointments over the past 25 years across Ireland. He has previously served on Society Council and is a past Chairman of the NI Aberdeen Angus Club. Killaney has previously hosted several NI YDP workshops.

Alywn Armour,
Founded the Woodvale Herd in 1995 with his wife Carol and has won the supreme overall championships at the Balmoral 152nd show among other numerous prizes at shows and sales over the years. He has also been actively involved in the society and has served two terms on the Council and two terms as a representative in the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association and chaired the NI Aberdeen-Angus club for over three years. He has judged at numerous shows including Perth, Berwickshire County Show and in Elmia in Sweden.
2025 Judges Panel
Name Address
If you are organising a show and need a judge, feel free to get in touch with the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society Judges on these pages.
A Johnson Clarence House Farm, Yearsley, Brandsby, Yorkshire, England, YO61 4SL
Email Address
adrian.901johnson@btinternet.com
A K Quinn Thong Farm, Wrantage, Taunton, Somerset, England, TA3 6DT akgquinn@btconnect.com
A P McLaren The Warren, Croughton, Brackley, Northants, England, NN13 5LW ihmclaren@theaynhoherd.co.uk
Alan Bishop Church Farm, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berks, England, RG40 4LS churchfarm1@outlook.com
Alan R Lawson South Farm, Hallington, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, NE19 2LW lawsonpedigrees@aol.com
B R Butler Broomhill Farm, Pancrasweek, Holsworthy, Devon, England, EX22 7JZ barrybutler@orange.net
C S Addison 20-24 Castlegate, Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland, England, TD15 1JT castlegatecafe@xln.co.uk
Christopher S Page Oak Tree Farm, Carr Lane, Newport, Yorkshire, England, HU15 2QH
Colin J Hutchings Kingsbrompton Farm, Brompton Regis, Dulverton, Somerset, England, TA22 9NT kingsbromptonfarm@hotmail.co.uk
D Evans Tree Bridge Farm, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England, TS7 0NS david@treebridgefarm.co.uk
Dallas Allen Humbleheugh, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, NE66 2LF dallasallen@hotmail.co.uk
Donald MacPherson Castlehills Farm, Castle Terrace, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England, TD15 1PB info@wellhungandtender.com
Duncan K Jeary Hawthorn Farm, High Road, Briston, Norfolk, England, NR24 2JQ duncanjeary246@btinternet.com
J Price Oakchurch Farm, Staunton-on-Wye, Hereford, England, HR4 7NE jeremy@oakchurchfarm.co.uk
Jessica CM Musk 35 High Street, Tuddenham St Mary, Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, England, IP28 6SQ jessied321@hotmail.com
John C Moss Glebe Lodge, Gotham, Notts, England, NG11 0HF pennie.moss@btinternet.com
John Coultrip Wingfield Farm, Stalisfield, Faversham, Kent, England, ME13 0BS johncoultrip@btinternet.com
Karl Hancock Toad Hall, Etherow Park, Compstall, Stockport, England, SK6 5JQ blackthornangus@gmail.com
Mathew Stoker Easton Grey House, Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, SN16 0PH mathew.eastongrey@outlook.com
Michael Story Hobbiesburn, Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, CA6 5RJ
Miss Ashleigh Fenwick 12 Roseberry Drive, Great Ayton, Middlesborough, Cleveland, England, TS96 6EQ a.e.fenwick@live.co.uk
Miss Gayle Bersey Perdredda, 47 Morview Road, Widegates, Cornwall, England, PL13 1QE gaylebersey@outlook.com
Miss Juliet H Swires Cragg House Farm, Wilsill, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, HG3 5EE janeswires123@btinternet.com
Mrs C Sutherland Manor Farm, Abberton, Pershore, Worcs, England, WR10 2NR abbertonangus@outlook.com
Mrs Carolyn S Fletcher Barwise Hall, Hoff, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, England, CA16 6TD info@barwisepedigreecattle.com
Mrs Lisa Frain Tregadillett House, Tregadillett, Launceston, Cornwall, England, PL15 7EX allaburyangus@aol.com
Mrs Penny Evans Tree Bridge Farm, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England, TS7 0NS david@treebridgefarm.co.uk
Mrs Victoria McLaren Willow Grange, Little Smeaton, Northallerton, Yorks, England, DL6 2HE victoria.mclaren@gbsolo.co.uk
Nigel Hammill Pyegreave Farm, Coalpit Lane, Langley, Cheshire, England, SK11 0DQ nigel@tegsnose.co.uk
Owen Tunney Manor Farm, Cuddington Lane Cuddington, Cheshire, England, CW8 2TE owen.tunney@btinternet.com
Paul Westaway Gamage Hall Farm, Dymock, Glos, England, GL18 2AE melviewfarming@aol.com
R Angus Stovold Lydling Farm, Shackleford, Nr Godalming, Surrey, England, GU8 6AP info@aberdeenangus.co.uk
Richard Ashenden 11 Old Chapel Drive, Lytchett Matravers, Poole, Dorset, England, BH16 6HA rashenden@outlook.com
Richard Tully Waddeton, Barton, Brixham, South Devon, England, TQ5 0EL info@waddeton.co.uk
Rob Bishop Church Farm, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berks, England, RG40 4LS churchfarm1@outlook.com
Robert Clarke Coley Hall Cottage, Norwood Green, Halifax, England, HX3 8RD izzymad70@gmail.com
Robert Edward Bell 10 Park Avenue, Huntleby, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, England, PE23 5LY robert.bell26@btinternet.com
Ruth Perry 33 Hartley Court Gardens, Cranbrook, Kent, England, TN17 3QY
Terry W Ives Berrys Leys Farm, East Claydon Road, Winslow, Buckingham, England, MK18 3ND terryives@outlook.com
Thomas Beadle 4 Cross Farm Cottages, Chalk Lane, Shackleford, Surrey, England, GU8 6AJ
Lindsay Dodwell Pond Farm, Green End Road, Radnage, Buckinghamshire, England, HP14 4BZ lindsaydodwell32@gmail.com
Andrew Hughes Coley Walks Farm, Coley Hall Lane, Norwood Green, Halifax, England, HX3 8RD 07861 899646
Meg Atkins Moor Farm, The Street, Foley, Dereham, England, NR20 4QP matkins8nr8@gmail.com
Alan Morrison The Acre, 86 Drummeer Road, Drummeer, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, BT94 4PD theacre@hotmail.com
Brian R Anderson Drumgar Lodge, 110 Killylea Road Armagh, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland, BT60 4LL brian.r.anderson@btinternet.com
John Blackburn Killaney, 205 Aughafad Road Clogher, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, BT76 0XB s_mb57@hotmail.com
Robert J Sufferin 15 Tamneymullan Lane, Maghera, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT46 5HS elaine.mcquillan@hotmail.co.uk
Stephen Wallace 100 Cullyrammer Road, Garvagh, Coleraine, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT51 5YF baronaghangus@hotmail.co.uk
T Noble Drummee House, Lisbellaw, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, BT94 5NG
Thomas A Rea 200 Dunminning Road, Glarryford, Ballymena, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT44 9PP tommyrea980@gmail.com
V J Wallace Trinaltinagh House, 98 Edenbane Road, Garvagh, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT51 5XE baronaghangus@hotmail.co.uk
Peter Lamb Lime Tree Farm, Richhill, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, BT61 9QJ 07732 178669
Ivan Forsythe Woodview, 51 Cookstown Road, Moneymore, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, BT45 7QF ivan@edgelineroofing.com
John Henning 1 Bramblewood, Maghaberry, Moira, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, BT67 0BF j.henning@btinternet.com
Bryan O'Halloran Briarhill, Templemartin, Brandon, Co Cork, Rep of Ireland, bryanhal5@gmail.com
A Fraser Newton of Idvies, Forfar, Angus, Angus, Scotland, DD8 2QP enquiries@idvies-aberdeenangus.co.uk
Albert J Taylor 69 Woodend Drive, Northmuir, Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland, DD8 4TG easterknox@btinternet.com
Alec Sanger Prettycur Farm, Hillside, Montrose, Angus, Scotland, DD10 9EG alexsanger@rosemountfarms.co.uk
Alexander J Norrie Wrae Farm, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB53 4RB wilmanorrie@aol.com
Alistair Clark Avisyard Farm, Glenmuir Water Road, Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA18 3HY duncanziemereangus@hotmail.com
Alistair K Cormack 1 Letham Farm Cottage, Leven, Fife, Scotland, KY8 5NN doreen159@btinternet.com
Name Address
Andrew Elliot Blackhaugh, Clovenfords, Galashiels, Scottish Borders, Scotland, TD1 1TW
Email Address
elliotblackhaugh@btinternet.com
Andrew S Hodge Rulesmains Farm, Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland, TD11 3SY rulesmains@outlook.com
Brian Clark Avisyard Farm, Glenmuir Water Road, Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA18 3HY duncanziemereangus@hotmail.com
Charles M McCombie Auchincrieve, Rothiemay, by Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB54 7JR charles.mccombie1@btopenworld.com
Colin J Davidson Skaill Farm, Sandwick, Orkney, Scotland, KW16 3LR skaill2@aol.com
David G Lucas Cheeklaw Farm, Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland, TD11 3HS cheeklaw@cheeklaw.co.uk
David J Murray Wolflaw, by Forfar, Angus, Scotland, DD8 3TQ pamelamurray1@btconnect.com
David Johnstone Ballindalloch Home Farm, Ballindalloch,Banffshire, Scotland, AB37 9AT davidjohnstone64@hotmail.co.uk
Emma Hodge Rulesmains Farm, Duns,Berwickshire, Scotland, TD11 3SY rulesmains@outlook.com
George Soutar Kingston, Forfar,Angus, Scotland, DD8 2RU dunlouiseangus@gmail.com
Graeme Fraser Idvies, Forfar,Angus, Scotland, DD8 2QP enquiries@idvies-aberdeenangus.co.uk
Graeme N Massie Rose Cottage, Blelack, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB34 5NH gnmmassie@outlook.com
Hamish W Sclater Denhead Farms, Dunlugas, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB53 4NR deveronaa@btinternet.com
Hugh Thomson South Ardoyne, Oyne, Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB52 6RN hughthomson@hotmail.com
Iain D McGillivray 2 Eastfield of Lempitlaw, Lempitlaw, Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD5 8BN iainmcgillivray3386@gmail.com
Ian Anderson Dalcrest, 13 Penders Wynd, Glaisnock Road, Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA18 3BS
Ian Davidson Kildonan, Peat Road, Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland, PH5 2DA m.davidson125@btinternet.com
Ian Watson 9 Abbey View, Kelso,Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD5 8HX performancefeeds17@outlook.com
J P L Playfair-Hannay Esq Morebattle Tofts, Morebattle, Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD5 8AD james.playfair@btconnect.com
J Woodward Steading House, Wester Fordel, Glenfarg, Perthshire, Scotland, PH2 9QQ
Jack Arnott Haymount, Kelso,Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD5 7RR arnott.haymount@gmail.com
James Baillie Sebay, Tankerness,Orkney, Scotland, KW17 2QU inga.kemp@hotmail.co.uk
James Borland 5 Pirnie Hall Cottage, Kelso,Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD5 8NS
Jim Ford 8 Broomlands, Kelso,Scottish Borders, Scotland, TD5 7PR
John G Lohoar 22 Pittengardner Crescent, Fordoun, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland, AB30 1SF
John R Elliot Roxburgh Mains Cottages, Kelso,Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD5 8NJ rawburn@aol.com
Ken Howie Cairnton, Lumphanan, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, AB31 4QP cairnton1@btconnect.com
Mark Wattie
Mains of Tonley, Alford,Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB33 8EL markwattie@hotmail.co.uk
Miss Jacqueline Strathdee Retanach, Rothiemay, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB54 7NU strathdeeretanach@gmail.com
Miss P M Hepburn Burnside, Tankerness,Orkney, Scotland, KW15 2QT messigate@hotmail.co.uk
Mrs E Wanda Tilson Wedderlie, Gordon,Berwickshire, Scotland, TD3 6NW ewh1@hotmail.co.uk
Ms Wendy Hunter Newbigging, Culsalmond, Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB52 6UF
Neil A Wattie Mains of Tonley, Alford,Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB33 8EL markwattie@hotmail.co.uk
Philip J Strathdee Retanach, Rothiemay, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB54 7NU strathdeeretanach@gmail.com
Richard Rettie Craigend Farm, Methven, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, PH1 3QY carolrettie@gmail.com
Richard Thomson Speyview, Lagganbridge, by Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scotland, PH20 1AN
Robert D Aitken 6 College Terrace, Methven, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, PH1 3UH
Robert Marshall Potts of Rayne, Drum of Wartle, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB51 5DE robert.marshall@hrntractors.com
Stewart C Wood Garson, Sandwick, Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, KW16 3JD
W T Arnott Haymount, Kelso,Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD5 7RR arnott.haymount@gmail.com
William A Brown Laigh Drumdow, Turnberry,Ayrshire, Scotland, KA26 9LR isobel929@outlook.com
William McLaren Netherton Farm, Blackford, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland, PH4 1QU mclaren672@aol.com
Seonaid McLaren McLaren Cottage, Netherton Farm, Blackford, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland, PH4 1QU" seonaidmoo@gmail.com
Ewan MacGregor 1 RadderyFortrose, Ross-Shire,Scotland, IV10 8SN gillian.macgregor@btconnect.com
Ewen Campbell Steall, Camaghael, Fort William, Inverness-Shire, Scotland, PH33 7NF ewen.campbell72@hotmail.co.uk
Gemma Wark Southfield Farm, Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland, TD9 0PE gemma.wark@gmail.com
Aileen McFadzean Woodhead of Mailer Farm, Perth,Perthshire, Scotland, PH2 0QA 07768 820405
Nicola Howie Cairnton Farm, Lumphanan, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB31 4QP nicolamhowie@outlook.com
Sandy Watt Swordale Farm, Bonar Bridge, Sutherland,Scotland, IV24 3AP messrs.watt@hotmail.co.uk
Graeme Rhind Newton of Struthers, Kinloss, Morayshire, Forres, Scotland, IV36 2UD grhind516@outlook.com
Doug Shand Hilton Park, Banff, Banffshire, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB45 3AP agnes5@btinternet.com
Caroline Orr Halbeath Farm, Kingseat Road, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, KY12 0TY belhavenscot@icloud.com
Alistair Clark 15 Bellfield Court,Hurlford,Scotland, KA1 5EY Clark-a21@sky.com
Tom Peters South Bowerhouse, Ruthwell, Dumfries,Scotland, DG1 4LZ tomp1418@hotmail.com
David Gray Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk,Scotland, TD7 4QW davidok@hotmail.com
Gordon Gray Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk, Scotland, TD7 4QW ggraysunnycroft@mail.com
Kim Brown 27 Mansefield Avenue, Sauchie, Falkirk, Scotland, FK10 3LG kimthetim@googlemail.com
Ewan M Brewis Lempitlaw Farm, Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD5 8BN lempitlaw@btconnect.com
Maddie Clarke Graig Goch, Nebo, Llanrwst,Wales, LL26 0SY maddieclarke@icloud.com
Paul Jones Penclippin Farm, Henllan Amgoed, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Wales, SA34 0TD pjones142@btinternet.com
Thainstone Spring Show sales report
■ 28th February 2024
The Royal Northern Spring show was packed to the brim with a record breaking crowd making the most of the dry day out.
A small entry of Aberdeen-Angus bulls sold to a top of £5250 (5000gns) at the annual spring Multi Breed Show & Sale of Pedigree Cattle, conducted by Aberdeen & Northern Marts, Thainstone. The presale show was judged by Andrew Anderson from Smallburn Farms in Duffus, Morayshire. The days top bid was £5250, secured by Ballindalloch Eoin Y663, an April 2022 born son of Wedderlie Timaru M594 and out of Ballindalloch Eliza S492, exhibited by Ballindalloch Home Farms. Ballindalloch Eoin was purchased by J & J Henderson.
Sale List:
Sale Statistics:
The second top bid was £4725 obtained by Wrae Proud Irwin Y433, sired by Foxhill Dominator V185 and out of Wrae Proud Ivy V374, exhibited by AJ Norrie Esq of Wrae Farm, Turriff. Wrae Proud Irvin was the Aberdeen-Angus Champion at the presale show and was purchased by S. Grant-Mackintosh.
The Royal Northern Spring show was packed to the brim with a record breaking crowd.
The third top bid was £4200 for the Reserve Champion, Auchincrieve Eurostar Y845. This March 2022 born bull was sired by Blelack Prince Cooper U938 and is out of Auchincrieve Ethelle R878. Eurostar was bred by C & E McCombie of Auchincrieve Farm, and goes home with J & A Kindness.
Top priced Exhibition calf at £4000 was Expresso Martini, which had been Reserve Champion heifer. This much admired commercial Aberdeen Angus cross heifer was bred by David and Neil Work, Mains of Dumbreck, Udny and was sired by Sebay Jacobite, a privately acquired bull that has produced three native champions thus far.
Balmoral Show results
Four-in-a-row for
Woodvale Angus herd
■ 15th May 2024
The Armour family continued their winning streak at Balmoral Park, claiming the supreme Aberdeen-Angus championship and the reserve junior interbreed honours at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s 155th show. Alwyn, wife Carol, and their sons, Lee, Craig and Adam, run a 15-cow pedigree herd on the family farm at Dromara, County Down.
Founded in 1995, the herd has been unbeaten at four successive Balmoral Shows with home-bred prize winners Woodvale Miss Annie U436 (2021), and Woodvale Delia X867 (2022 and 2023). The 2024 junior, exhibitor-bred and supreme overall champion was Woodvale Miss Annie Z151, a granddaughter of the herd’s 2021 Balmoral AberdeenAngus and overall interbreed champion Woodvale Miss Annie U436.
This sixteen-month-old heifer was sired by the home-bred bull Woodvale Powerplay X893, and is out of Woodvale Miss Annie W856. She was overall champion at the NI AberdeenAngus Club’s annual calf show last November. Judging the Aberdeen-Angus entry at this year’s Balmoral Show was Scotsman David Johnstone, who has been farm manager at the multi-faceted Ballindalloch Estate in Banffshire for 16 years. “It has been a fantastic show with some exceptional classes. The supreme champion epitomises everything I am looking for in an Aberdeen-Angus breeding female,” explained the judge. “She has led a strong class of 12 heifers and is a very deserving winner.” “This heifer has a fantastic ring presence and oozes character and style from head to tail. She has a lovely head, a tremendous level top and is really good on her legs. I have no doubt she will mature into a lovely cow with great show potential.”
“It has been a fantastic show with some exceptional classes. The supreme champion epitomises everything I am looking for in an Aberdeen-Angus breeding female.”
CHAMPION SupremeOverall

Aberdeen-Angus Perpetual Challenge Cup for the champion: Woodvale Miss Annie Z151

Claiming the reserve female and reserve supreme championship was the four-year-old cow Old Glenort Kim W501 bred by Bill and James Porter, who were making a return to the Balmoral showring after a seven-year hiatus. This young cow was a second prize winner at the NI Aberdeen-Angus Club’s Summer Championship, held at Clogher in 2022. Sired by the 2017 Balmoral breed champion, Carlhurlie Epic P021, she is bred from the prize winning Old Glenort Kim K761.
The reserve champion was shown with her March-born Old Glenort Victorious Y514 bull calf at foot. She is one of 60 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cows and 50 Beef Shorthorn cows at the Porter family’s Gillhall Estate at Dromore, County Down. Judge David Johnstone added: “The reserve champion is a sweet young cow with a good calf at foot. Another fine example of the breed, she has a lovely head, a great top and good legs.” Bill and James Porter also secured the award for the best of opposite sex to the champion with Old Glenort Victorious Y514. Born in February 2022, he is by Carlhurlie Gentilex S124 and bred from Old Glenort Victoria N511 – a daughter of the 15,000gns herd sire The Moss Quebec K027.
His great granddam Shadepond Victoria V1 was one of the herd’s foundation cows, and was Balmoral champion in 2000.
James Porter said: “This home-bred bull has been retained within the herd. He was used last year, and one of his first calves was shown alongside our reserve overall champion. His sire, Gentilex S124 was bought as a calf along with his dam at the Carlhurlie dispersal sale.” Also making a return to the Balmoral showring were Jonathan and Lisa Doyle from Cookstown. The Doyle’s 60cow Drumhill prefix, which is managed by stockman Callum Innes, secured the reserve junior championship and the reserve best of opposite sex to the champion award.
The reserve junior honours went to Drumhill Queen Z183, a fourteen-month-old heifer bred from Nightingale Queen Lois U946; while the reserve best of opposite sex award went to the March 2023 born bull Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194, out of the homebred Drumhill Evora V643. Both prize winners were sired by the herd’s 15,000gns stock bull Galcantray Jedi Eric V287 – purchased at Stirling in 2021, he has sold sons to 16,000gns. Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194 was reserve champion at last year’s calf show in Dungannon. Breed society president Ian Watson from Scotland said: “It has been a tremendous show. I am pleased to see some super youngstock coming through, especially top-quality females. I’ve no doubt the breed is in safe hands in Northern Ireland.” These words were echoed by Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Chief Executive Robert Gilchrist. “This year’s show has been well supported and I’m delighted to see an increased entry. Congratulations to all of the exhibitors on a fantastic turnout of cattle.”
Balmoral Show’s interbreed championship classes were judged by Stewart Stronach from the noted Islavale Simmental Herd. He awarded second place in the native interbreed pairs championship to the Aberdeen-Angus duo, Woodvale Miss Annie Z151 and Old Glenort Victorious Y514. These two animals were later joined by the Doyle family’s heifer Drumhill Queen Z183 to secure the reserve interbreed award for the best group of three native cattle.

In the interbreed beef performances classes, judged by Welshman Meurig James, first prize in the native breed junior bull class, and the reserve native championship, went to Adrian and Graeme Park’s Coolermoney Lord Hublo Z344, by Netherallan Peter Pershore E052. Third place went to first-time exhibitor Andrew Fletcher BVMS MRCVS for Rathmoss Priam Z012, by Blelack Lord Blackthorn S825; and fourth prize went to John and Ann Henning’s Solitude Elite V777 son, Drumcorn Carte Blanche Z085. Second prize in the beef performance junior heifer class went to John and Ann Henning’s Drumcorn Ella Z096 by Solitude Elite V777. Securing third prize was Adrian and Graeme Parke’s Coolermoney Frances Z307 by HW Evander S051.
Drumlister Trophy for the best of opposite sex to the champion - Bill and James Porter’s Old Glenort Victorious Y514
JD Templeton Memorial Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best yearling bull: Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194
Balmoral: Results from the Showring
CLASSES
Cow, born on or before 31/12/20 in-calf or having produced a calf in the last 12 months
1. Bill and James Porter, Old Glenort Kim W501 by Carlhurlie Epic P021;
2. Adrian and Graeme Parke, HW Madame Pride V714 by HF EL Tigre 28U;
3. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Ellen Erica T453 by Hallington Jack Eric N398;
4. John and Ann Henning, Drumcorn Lady Ida U536 by Blelack Prince J165.
Cow or Heifer, in-milk or in-calf, born in 2021
1. Bill and James Porter, Old Glenort Evon X197 by Blelack Dakota U898;
2. William and Jane Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mouse X234 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018;
3. John and Ann Henning, Drumcorn Elusive X831 by Blelack Prince J165.
Bull, born prior to 01/01/23
1. Bill and James Porter, Old Glenort Victorious Y514 by Carlhurlie Gentilex S124;
2. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Lord Hatfield R532 by Nightingale Proud Jake G405;;
3. Bill and James Porter, Blelack Dakota U989 by Netherallan Peter Pershore E052;
4. John and Ann Henning, Solitude Elite V777 by Netherallan Peter Pershore E052.
Heifer, born on or after 01/01/23
1. Alwyn and Carol Armour & Sons, Woodvale Miss Annie Z151 by Woodvale Powerplay X893;
2. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Queen Z183 by Galcantray Jedi Eric V287;
3. Bill and James Porter, Old Glenort Poppy Z306 by Carlhurlie Gentilex S124;
4. James McCullough and Alex Belch, Rodmead Evening Tinge Z169 by Blelack Dual Mine U913.

Old Glenort Kim W501 by Carlhurlie Epic P021

James McCullough and Alex Belch’s Rodmead Pribaby YO85 heifer, born between 01/01/22 and 31/12/22
Balmoral Show Results continued...
Heifer, born between 1/1/22 and 31/12/22
1. James McCullough and Alex Belch, Rodmead Pribaby Y085 by Rodmead Lord Halcyon U051;
2. John and Ann Henning, Drumcorn Lady Ida Y993 by Solitude Elite V777 ET.
Bull, born after 01/01/23
1. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194 by Galcantray Jedi Eric V287;
2. Andrew Fletcher BVMS MRCVS, Rathmoss Priam Z012 by Blelack Lord Blackthorn S825;
3. Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Lord Hublo Z344 by Netherallan Peter Pershore E052;
4. William and Jane Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mario Z177 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018.
Pair of animals, property of exhibitor
1. Bill and James Porter, Old Glenort Kim W501 and Old Glenort Victorious Y514;
2. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Queen Z183 and Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194;
3. Bill and James Porter, Old Glenort Ermiss Z004 and Old Glenort Poppy Z306;
4. MacRoberts Bros, Magherally Bella Z804 and Magherally Judith Z793.
SPECIALS
Aberdeen-Angus Perpetual Challenge Cup for the champion: Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons Woodvale Miss Annie Z151
Reserve: Bill and James Porter’s Old Glenort Kim W501
M&S Award for the junior champion: Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons’ Woodvale Miss Annie Z151
Reserve:
Jonathan and Lisa Doyle’s Drumhill Queen Z183
WJ Carson Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup for the exhibitor-bred champion: Alwyn and Carol Armour and Sons
JD Templeton Memorial Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best yearling bull:
Jonathan and Lisa Doyle’s Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194
Drumlister Trophy for the best of opposite sex to the champion: Bill and James Porter’s Old Glenort Victorious Y514
Reserve:
Jonathan and Lisa Doyle’s Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194
John Thompson and Sons Crystal Awards for the best pair of heifers, owned by exhibitor: Bill and James Porter
Reserve: MacRoberts Bros
Royal Highland Show report 2024
The Royal Highland Show 2024: A triumph for Tonley Fiona Y937 bred by Neil and Mark Wattie
■ 20th June 2024
The Royal Highland Show 2024 once again proved to be a pivotal event for the Aberdeen-Angus breed, with breeders from across the UK bringing their finest Aberdeen-Angus cattle. The commitment and passion of these breeders ensured an outstanding showcase of the breed reinforcing its reputation and celebrating its success. The beautiful weather brought out over 220,000 visitors all enjoying the high calibre of competition.
The Champion prize was won by Tonley Fiona Y937, bred by Neil and Mark Wattie from Alford, Aberdeenshire resulting in celebrating their first championship win at The Royal Highland after showing at RHS for the past 10 years. This March 2022 born champion is homebred and is sired by Tonley Jester Eric and out of Tonley Fiona V594. Fiona was also champion at last year’s Agri Expo and Thainstone’s Black Beauty Bonanza and secured the reserve female title at last year’s National Show at Turriff.
Tom Slater from North Yorkshire earned the reserve title with his two-year-old bull, Oakmoor Boss Y637, also achieving his best result at the show. Champion at the Royal Welsh Show the previous year, Oakmoor Boss is a progeny of the privately purchased Wedderlie Osprey and Oakmoor Beauty.
Runner-up in the male category was Balavilhouse Galahad Z991 from Hannah Heerema of Balavil Home Farm, Kingussie. Presented by farm manager Gerald Joyce, this bull boasts home-bred genetics, being sired by Balavilhouse Loyal Era and out of Balavilhouse Genevieve.
Mike and Melanie Alford from Foxhill, Devon, were awarded runner-up in the female category with their April 2023-born heifer, Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499. Bought as a calf at the herd dispersal for 8,000 gns, she is a daughter of Rodmead Primero and Gretnahouse Evas Honey U052. She has been a reserve champion at Cornwall and the Three Counties and is set to compete at the upcoming Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh Shows.
Special commendation also goes to Mosshall Red Saltire Y490 (G. & N. Taylor), who secured the Beef Breeder Class Champion title. In the Beef Cattle Pairs Competition, Oakmoor Boss Y637 (Tom Slater) and Tonley Fiona Y937 (Neil A Wattie) emerged victorious.
This year’s achievements highlighted the breed’s status and success. The event has not only celebrated the Aberdeen-Angus breed but also set the high standard for future competitions, ensuring continued recognition and success for this iconic breed.
A triumph for Tonley Fiona Y937 bred by Neil and Mark Wattie.

Champion prize winner, Tonley Fiona Y937
TonleyFiona CHAMPION
ReserveOakmoorBoss CHAMPION


CHAMPIONS
Female Champions, Tonley Fiona Y937 and Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499
Reserve Champion, Oak Moor Boss Y637
Royal Highland Show Results Continued...
The Aberdeen-Angus section saw tough competition, with the following notable achievements:
Best Junior Female:
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –MR & MRS M ALFORD
Reserve Junior Female: LOGIE EYEBRIGHT Y417 –AJR FARMS
Best Cow:
MOSSHALL RED ERINDA X291 –MESSRS G & N TAYLOR
Best Female:
TONLEY FIONA Y937 –NEIL A WATTIE ESQ
Reserve Female:
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –MR & MRS M ALFORD
Best Junior Bull:
BALAVILHOUSE GALAHAD Z991 –MRS HANNAH HEEREMA
Reserve Junior Bull:
GRETNAHOUSE EGBERT Z489 –MRS LISA FLEMING
Best Bull:
OAK MOOR BOSS Y637 –MISS MV GUTTERY & MR TOM SLATER
Reserve Bull: BALAVILHOUSE GALAHAD Z991 –MRS HANNAH HEEREMA
Best Junior Animal:
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –MR & MRS M ALFORD
Reserve Junior Animal: LOGIE EYEBRIGHT Y417 –AJR FARMS
Aberdeen-Angus Champion:
TONLEY FIONA Y937 –NEIL A WATTIE ESQ
Reserve Champion:
OAK MOOR BOSS Y637 –MISS MV GUTTERY & MR TOM SLATER
Royal Highland Show 2024 Beef Breeder Class Champion: MOSSHALL RED SALTIRE Y490 –G & N TAYLOR
Royal Highland Show 2024 Beef Cattle Pairs Competition Champions:
OAKMOOR BOSS Y637, TOM SLATER AND TONLEY FIONA Y937, NEIL A WATTIE

CLASS RESULTS
Female born on or after 1st April 2023
1st GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –MR & MRS M ALFORD
2nd IDVIES ELISA Z150 –BRAILES LIVESTOCK
3rd DUNCANZIEMERE ELLEN ERICA Z536 – A CLARK & SONS
4th RULESMAINS PRICELESS Z872 –ANDREW S HODGE ESQ
5th CARDONA EDWINA Z458 –J ROBERT GALLOWAY ESQ
Female born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st FOXHILL DIAMOND MIST Z253 (ET) –MR & MRS M ALFORD
2nd CARRUTHERS ELSPETH Z227 –MESSRS D & K GRAHAM
3rd DUNCANZIEMERE EDWINA Z512 –A CLARK & SONS
4th HILLFOOTS EVIE Z019 –JAMIE A M RETTIE ESQ
5th FOXHILL DIAMOND MIST Z259 (ET) –MR & MRS M ALFORD
Female born on or between 24th June and 31st December 2022
1st LOGIE EYEBRIGHT Y417 –AJR FARMS
2nd TONLEY PRINCESS Y022 –NEIL A WATTIE ESQ
3rd DUNCANZIEMERE EDWINA Y508 –A CLARK & SONS
4th TONLEY ESTER Y021 –NEIL A WATTIE ESQ
Female born on or between 1st January and 23rd June 2022 with calf at foot
1st DUNCANZIEMERE EDWINA Y468 –A CLARK & SONS
2nd SHADWELL LADY HEATHER Y292 –JOHN M STEEL ESQ
Female born on or between 1st January and 23rd June 2022, in calf
1st TONLEY FIONA Y937 –NEIL A WATTIE ESQ
2nd FOXHILL PRINCESS CAROLINE Y167 –MR & MRS M ALFORD
3rd BRAILES BLACK BEE Y245 –BRAILES LIVESTOCK
4th MOSSHALL RED ESSENCE Y436 –MESSRS G & N TAYLOR
5th BALAVILHOUSE BLAEBERRY Y969 –MRS HANNAH HEEREMA
Female born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2021
1st MOSSHALL RED ERINDA X291 –MESSRS G & N TAYLOR
2nd CARDONA JEWER ERICA X257 –J ROBERT GALLOWAY ESQ
Bull born on or after 1st April 2023
1st BLELACK HILL PAT CASH Z035 (ET) –MESSRS A N CALCOTT & SON
2nd CULFOICHMORE JALAPENO ERIC Z074 –GORDON G MCCONACHIE ESQ
3rd GRETNAHOUSE KP Z530 –MR DANIEL COOKE
4th OAK MOOR KINGSTON Z709 –IAIN DAVID COLVILLE ESQ
5th FIDDLEHALL EAGLE Z058 –KEITH RENNIE ESQ
Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st BALAVILHOUSE GALAHAD Z991 –MRS HANNAH HEEREMA
2nd GRETNAHOUSE EGBERT Z489 –MRS LISA FLEMIMG
3rd ETTRICK GORDY Z327 –FIRM OF G GRAY
4th RULESMAINS PEDRO Z819 –ANDREW S HODGE ESQ
5th LONGBANK PARAMOUNT Z892 –COLIN A H RODGER
Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2022
1st OAK MOOR BOSS Y637 –MISS MV GUTTERY & MR TOM SLATER
2nd RETTIES RING LEADER Y253 –DONALD RANKIN ESQ
3rd MOSSHALL RED SALTIRE Y490 –MESSRS G & N TAYLOR


Foxhill Diamond Mist Z253
Duncanziemere Edwina Y468
Blelack Hill Pat Cash Z035




Best Cow, Mosshall Red Erinda X291
Best Junior Bull, Balavilhouse Galahad Z991
John R Elliot Esq
Reserve Junior Female, Logie Eyebright Y417
Shining at the The Great Yorkshire Show was Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499
owned by Mr & Mrs M Alford
■ 9th July 2024
Despite the pouring rain, the competition was fierce with participants vying for first place in all classes and championships highlighting the impressive show of Aberdeen-Angus. With record-breaking attendance and an excellent display of Aberdeen-Angus cattle, The Great Yorkshire Show continues to be a highlight in the UK’s livestock showing calendar.
Despite the torrential rain, our esteemed Judge for the day, Owen Tunney from the Morpheus Herd in Cheshire, had the even tougher task of judging the high-quality competition. The Overall Champion, Female Champion and Junior Champion was Gretnahouse Evas Honey, from Mike and Melanie Alford, Foxhill, Devon.
This April 2023-born heifer is a daughter of Rodmead Primero and out of Gretnahouse Evas Honey U052 and was purchased at the Gretnahouse herd dispersal as a calf for 8000gns. She was also Reserve female at the Highland Show earlier this summer.
Overall CHAMPION
Andrew and Emma Hodge’s 16-month-old bull, Rulesmains Pedro, from Duns, scooped the Reserve champion, Reserve Junior Champion and Male Champion. He is sired by Blelack Prince Camelot, and he is bred from Rulesmains Princess and is the full brother to the Senior Champion at Stirling Bull Sale last year.
Esteemed Judge Owen Tunney, from the Morpheus Herd in Cheshire, had the tough task of judging this high-quality competition.
Reserve Male Champion was taken by Oak Moor Boss Y637, owned by Tom Slater from North Yorkshire, a two-year-old bull out of the privately purchased Wedderlie Osprey and Oakmoor Beauty and also the Reserve Overall Champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show.
Reserve Female Champion was Rulesmain’s Rosebud from Andrew and Emma Hodge of Rulesmain, sired by Blelack Prince Camelot and dam Rulesmain’s Rosebud U056 and Reserve Overall Champion and Reserve Female champion in May 2024 at The Northumberland Show.

The Best of the Pairs and Group of Three was deservedly awarded to Andrew and Emma Hodge. The final accolade goes to Veronica Webster, aged 14, who won Champion Beef Young Stock Handler and the much-coveted Millie Richardson Cup.
Congratulations to a brilliant win.
See overleaf for The Great Yorkshire Show AberdeenAngus Classes and Championship Results.
Overall Champion, Female Champion and Junior Champion Gretnahouse Evas Honey. from Mike and Melanie Alford, Foxhill, Devon.
The Great Yorkshire Show Champions
CHAMPION ReserveMale







Reserve Female Champion Rulesmains’ Rosebud.
Melanie Alford
Rob Bishop and Joanne Webster
Reserve Male Champion Oakmoor Boss Y637 owned by Tom Slater from North Yorkshire.
Tree Bridge Polly Perkins T699
Reserve Champion, Reserve Junior Champion and Male Champion Rulesmains’ Pedro.
Reserve JUNIOR CHAMPION
Reserve FEMALE CHAMPION
The Great Yorkshire Show Results
Championship Classes
Male Champion: RULESMAINS PEDRO Z819 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
Reserve Male Champion:
OAK MOOR BOSS Y637 –Miss MV Guttery & Tom Slater
Female Champion:
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –Mr & Mrs M Alford
Reserve Female Champion:
RULESMAINS ROSEBUD Z792 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
Junior Champion:
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –Mr & Mrs M Alford
Reserve Junior Champion: RULESMAINS PEDRO Z819 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
Overall Champion:
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –Mr & Mrs M Alford
Reserve Overall Champion: RULESMAINS PEDRO Z819 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
Group of Three
1st Andrew S Hodge Esq
2nd Mr & Mrs M Alford
3rd Messrs A E & C R Bishop
Pair of Animals
1st Andrew S Hodge Esq
2nd Mr & Mrs M Alford
3rd A W Neish Esq
4th Miss Juliet H Swires
5th Brailes Livestock
Other Results
Class 1 BULL born before 1 January 2023.
1st OAK MOOR BOSS Y637 –Miss MV Guttery & Tom Slater
2nd WARRENHO EVENT Y987 (ET) –
Messrs A E & C R Bishop
3rd RETTIES LORD LUCAS Y277 –William Joel Ashworth
4th BLELACK EGOTIST X151 –Mr G D & Mrs J E Webster
Class 2 BULL born in 2023, on or between 1 January and 31 March.
1st RULESMAINS PEDRO Z819 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
2nd RODMEAD BLACK ISLE Z138 –A W Neish Esq
3rd BALAVILHOUSE GALAHAD Z991 –Mrs Hannah Heerema
4th KINGHOLM EL DORARDO Z407 –Messrs M & H D Currie
5th WARRENHO ERNIE Z006 –Messrs A E & C R Bishop
CBClass 3 BULL born in 2023, on or after 1 April
1st OAK MOOR KINGSTON Z709 –Ian David Colville Esq
2nd GRETNAHOUSE KP Z530 –Mr Daniel Cooke
Class 4 COW in milk or in calf, born before 1 January 2022.
1st TREE BRIDGE POLLY PERKINS T699 –Mr & Mrs D Evans
2nd OAK MOOR PRINCES CAROLINE X582 – Mr Thor Atkinson
Class 5 HEIFER born in 2022
1st FOXHILL PRINCESS CAROLINE Y167 –Mr & Mrs M Alford
2nd WOOD MOSS QUEEN MOTHER Y050 –
Mr G D & Mrs J E Webster
3rd BRAILES BLACK BEE Y245 –Brailes Livestock
4th BLACKRODIAN EMPRESS Y224 –William Joel Ashworth
5th YEARSLEY MISS BISHAMPTON Y424 –Richard Gratton Esq
Class 6 HEIFER born in 2023, on or between 1 January and 31 March
1st RULESMAINS ROSEBUD Z792 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
2nd FOXHILL DIAMOND MIST Z259 (ET) –Mr & Mrs M Alford
3rd RODMEAD LADY HEATHER Z164 (ET) –A W Neish Esq
4th HILLFOOTS EVIE Z019 –
Jamie A M Rettie Esq
5th YEARSLEY ELLEM ERICA Z443 –
Mr T A & Mrs P Johnson
Class 7 HEIFER born in 2023, on or after 1 April.
1st GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –Mr & Mrs M Alford
2nd IDVIES ELISA Z150 –Brailes Livestock
3rd YEARSLEY ESTON ANNE Z455 –Mr T A & Mrs P Johnson
4th CRAGG MISS EVERGOLD Z214 –Miss Juliet H Swires
5th RULESMAINS PRICELESS Z872 –Andrew S Hodge Esq

Heavy rain didn’t dampen spirits as visitors braved the downpours at the Great Yorkshire Show 2024.
Royal Welsh Show report 2024
■ 22nd July 2024
Alford’s Foxhill team excels at Royal Welsh Show
The Alford’s Foxhill Team from Cullompton in Devon had an exceptional week at the Royal Welsh Show.
Judge Mr Jim Ford from Kelso who began by placing Foxhill Princess Caroline Y167 as his first place in the Heifer born on or between 1st Jan 2022 and 31st Dec 2023 class, followed by Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499, who also secured first place in the Heifer born on or after 1st January 2023 class. Foxhill Diamond Mist Z259 earned second place in this same class.
Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499 went on to achieve multiple accolades, standing as Female Champion, Breed Champion, and Junior Champion. Foxhill Princess Caroline Y167 earned the Reserve Female Champion and Reserve Breed Champion titles. The team also triumphed in the group of three class, featuring Foxhill Princess Caroline Y167, Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499, and Foxhill Diamond Mist Z259.
Adding to their success, Amelia Phillips won the pairs stars of the future competition with Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499 and Foxhill Diamond Mist Z259 on Thursday.
The male classes were dominated by Oak Moor Kingston Z709, an April 2023 born bull out of Duncanziemere Edwin J311 and Dam Oak Moor Katya R295, owned by Iain Colville and won Junior Male Champion and Male Champion. Congratulations to the Alford’s Foxhill Team for their outstanding achievements!
Junior Male CHAMPION

Junior Female CHAMPION

Female Champion, Gretnahouse
CLASS RESULTS
Class 573: BULL born on or after 1 Jan 2023
1st OAK MOOR KINGSTON Z709 –
Iain David Colville Esq
Class 577: HEIFER born on or between 1 Jan 2022 and 31 Dec 2022
1st FOXHILL PRINCESS CAROLINE Y167 –
Mr & Mrs M Alford
2nd RETTIES LADY RUTH Y256 –
Tudur A Roberts Esq
Class 578: HEIFER born on or after 1 Jan 2023
1st GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –
Mr & Mrs M Alford
2nd FOXHILL DIAMOND MIST Z259 (ET) –
Mr & Mrs M Alford
3rd RAWBURN ELSIE Z975 –E S Hancock Ltd
Junior Male Champion:
OAK MOOR KINGSTON Z709 –Iain David Colville Esq
Male Champion:
OAK MOOR KINGSTON Z709 –Iain David Colville Esq
Female Champion:
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –
Mr & Mrs M Alford
Reserve Female Champion:
FOXHILL PRINCESS CAROLINE Y167Mr & Mrs M Alford
Overall Champion:
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –
Mr & Mrs M Alford
Reserve Overall Champion:
FOXHILL PRINCESS CAROLINE Y167Mr & Mrs M Alford
Group of Three:
Mr & Mrs M Alford
Evas Honey Z499
Junior Male Champion, Oak Moor Kingston Z709
Summer National at the Border Union Show, Kelso
Sponsored by AK Stoddart’s
■ 26th-27th July 2024
Morpheus Rosie bred by Owen Tunney wins the Aberdeen-Angus Summer National at The Border Union Show.
The Aberdeen-Angus Summer National 2024 was held in the picturesque market town of Kelso, in the heart of the Scottish Borders. The much-anticipated show was superbly judged by Wanda Tilson from the renowned Wedderlie Herd in Berwickshire.
Owen Tunney from the Morpheus Herd in Cheshire takes the Summer National supreme sash with six-year-old, January 2018 born cow, Morpheus Rosie. Shown with her three-month-old bull at foot, a Morpheus Kentucky son, Morpheus Riverdance went on to win the beef inter-breed Champion and Reserve Champion of Champions. Morpheus Rosie sired by Ardrossan Admiral and bred from Morpheus Rosebud was also Female Champion, Best Cow and Calf and Best Bred by Exhibitor. This follows her success as the breed champion at this year’s Royal Cheshire Show.
Claiming reserve Overall Champion was the Male Champion Oakmoor Boss, a two-year-old homebred bull from Tom Slater, York. The first calf out of its dam Oakmoor Beauty, Oakmoor Boss was also male champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show and reserve male champion at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Other top prizes were won by the Reserve Male Champion Mosshall Red Saltire, owned by Messres G & N Taylor and Reserve Female Champion Tree Bridge Polly Perkins, owned by Mr & Mrs D. Evans.
The title of Junior Champion went to Gretnahouse Evas Honey owned by Mr & Mrs M Alford and Reserve Junior Champion went to Rulesmains Rosebud owned by Andrew S Hodge Esq.
The Best Pair of animals and Best Pair bred by exhibitor went to Andrew Hodge Esq whilst the Best group of three bred by exhibitor went to Mosshall.
Overall CHAMPION

CHAMPIONS
Overall, Champion:
MORPHEUS ROSIE U040
Owen Tunney Esq
Reserve Overall Champion:
OAK MOOR BOSS Y637
Miss MV Guttery & Mr Tom Slater
Male Champion:
OAK MOOR BOSS Y637
Miss MV Guttery & Mr Tom Slater
Reserve Male Champion: MOSSHALL RED SALTIRE Y490
Messrs G & N Taylor
Female Champion: MORPHEUS ROSIE U040
Owen Tunney Esq
Reserve Female Champion: TREE BRIDGE POLLY PERKINS T699
Mr & Mrs D Evans
Yearling Male Champion: FIDDLEHALL EPIC Z051
Keith Rennie Esq
Reserve yearling male champion: TONLEY EVERGOLD Z045
Neil A Wattie Esq
Yearling Female Champion: GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499
Mr & Mrs M Alford
Overall champion Morpheus Rosie with her three-month-old bull calf at foot





Yearling Male Champion Fiddlehall Epic Z051
Reserve Male Champion Mosshall Red Saltire Y490
Reserve overall champion Oakmoor Boss Y637
Overall champion Morpheus Rosie U040
Reserve Female Champion Tree Bridge Polly Perkins T699
Best Cow and Calf:
MORPHEUS ROSIE U040
Owen Tunney Esq
Best Bull Calf:
TONLEY VETTEL A130
Neil A Wattie Esq
Reserve best bull calf:
MOSSTON MUIR TIDY BOND Z474
Mosston Muir Farm Ltd
Best Heifer Calf:
FOXHILL PRINCESS CARINA Z178
Mr & Mrs M Alford
Reserve best heifer calf:
TREE BRIDGE ESTELLA Z087
Mr & Mrs D Evans
Class 161. Bull born on or between 1st January and 31 December 2022
1st OAK MOOR BOSS Y637 –
Miss Mv Guttery & Mr Tom Slater
2nd MOSSHALL RED SALTIRE Y490 –Messrs G & N Taylor
Class 162. Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st FIDDLEHALL EPIC Z051 –Keith Rennie Esq
2nd RULESMAINS PEDRO Z819 –
Andrew S Hodge Esq
3rd ETTRICK GORDY Z327 –
Firm Of G Gray
4th GRETNAHOUSE EGBERT Z489 –Mrs Lisa Flemimg
5th KILMALUAG EDRADOUR Z369 (ET) –Donald Rankin Esq
Class 163. Bull born on or between 1st April and 31st July 2023
1st TONLEY EVERGOLD Z045 –
Neil A Wattie Esq
2nd MOSSTON MUIR EROCO Z464 –Mosston Muir Farm Ltd
3rd MCCORNICK ECOSSE Z088 –Martin R Mccornick Esq
4th KERSQUARTER FORDY Z511 –Ian Watson Esq
5th MCCORNICK EMPOWER Z072 –MARTIN R Mccornick ESQ
Class 164. Bull calf born on or between 1st August and 31st December 2023
1st MOSSTON MUIR TIDY BOND Z474 –Mosston Muir Farm Ltd
2nd WESTDRUMS LORD HUGO Z045 (ET) – John M Steel Esq
3rd BRAILES LORD RICHARD Z328 –Brailes Livestock
Class 165. Bull calf born in 2024
1st TONLEY VETTEL A130 –
Neil A Wattie Esq
2nd MOSSTON MUIR ICEMAN A475 –Mosston Muir Farm Ltd
3rd RETTIES LIONHEART A337 –Messrs R & C Retti
4th MORPHEUS RIPTIDE A163 –Owen Tunney Esq
5th KILMALLIE KINGHORN A434 –
Ewen M Campbell Esq
Junior Champion: GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499
Mr & Mrs M Alford
Reserve Junior Champion: RULESMAINS ROSEBUD Z792
Andrew S Hodge Esq
Overall best calf: FOXHILL PRINCESS CARINA Z178
Mr & Mrs M Alford
Reserve overall best calf: TONLEY VETTEL A130
Neil A Wattie Esq
Class 166. Female born on before 31st December 2020. Dry, to calve in 2024, no calf at foot
1st SWORDALE EMERALD U270 –Miss Lucy C Pittendrigh
Class 167. Female born on or before 31st December 2020 with natural calf at foot
1st MORPHEUS ROSIE U040 –Owen Tunney Esq
2nd TREE BRIDGE POLLY PERKINS T699 –
Mr & Mrs D Evans
3rd KILMALLIE KYLIE S037 –
Ewen M Campbell Esq
4th WEETON BLACKBIRD V519 –Brailes Livestock
Class 168. Female born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2021, with natural calf at foot
1st MOSSHALL RED ERINDA X291 –Messrs G & N Taylor
Class 169. Female born in 2022 with first natural calf at foot
1st MORPHEUS ROSE Y105 –Owen Tunney Esq
2nd SHADWELL LADY HEATHER Y292 –
John M Steel Esq
3rd RULESMAINS ROYAL LYNN Y711 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
4th DUNCANZIEMERE EDWINA Y468 –A Clark & Sons
Class 170. Female born in 2022
1st FOXHILL PRINCESS CAROLINE Y167 –
Mr & Mrs M Alford
2nd MOSSHALL RED ESSENCE Y436 –Messrs G & N Taylor
3rd BRAILES BLACK BEE Y245 –Brailes Livestock
4th TONLEY PRINCESS Y022 –Neil A Wattie Esq
Class 171. Heifer, born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2023
1st RULESMAINS ROSEBUD Z792 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
2nd CARRUTHERS ELSPETH Z227 –Messrs D & K Graham
3rd KERSQUARTER FENECIA Z483 –
Ian Watson Esq
4th NEWTON EYRE Z134 –Ray Gardiner Esq
5th KERSQUARTER BLACK WIDOW Z488 –
Ian Watson Esq
Best Bred by exhibitor: MORPHEUS ROSIE U040
Owen Tunney Esq
Best Pair of animals: ANDREW HODGE ESQ
Best Pair bred by exhibitor: ANDREW HODGE ESQ
Best group of three bred by exhibitor: MOSSHALL
Class 172. Heifer born on or between 1st April and 31st July 2023
1st GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499 –Mr & Mrs M Alford
2nd IDVIES ELISA Z150 –Brailes Livestock
3rd FALNASH EBONY Z501 –Mrs Lisa Fleming
4th RULESMAINS PRICELESS Z872 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
5th CROOK HILL MISS BLISS Z076 –Dr William & Mrs Margaret Taylor
Class 173. Heifer calf born on or between 1st August and 31st December 2023
1st FOXHILL PRINCESS CARINA Z178 –Mr & Mrs M Alford
2nd TREE BRIDGE ESTELLA Z087 –Mr & Mrs D Evans
3rd CROOK HILL BELLE Z083 –Dr William & Mrs Margaret Taylor
4th ANDERSONS ELSA Z320 –Robert & Rhona Anderson
5th WESTDRUMS LADY HEATHER Z044 (ET) –
John M Steel Esq
Class 174. Heifer calf born in 2024
1st RULESMAINS ROYAL LYNN A996 –Andrew S Hodge Esq
2nd DUNCANZIEMERE EDWINA A564 –A Clark & Sons

Yearling Female Champion Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499

Reserve Yearling Male Champion Tonley Evergold Z045
Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus National Show 2024
Two-in-a-row for Coolermoney at Aberdeen Angus Summer Show
■31st July 2024
By Julie Hazelton
The Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club’s Summer Championship, held at the 104th Clogher Show, proved to be a day to remember for the Coolermoney Herd owned by Adrian Parke and family from Strabane, County Tyrone.
The six-cow herd,founded in 1996, won two firsts, two seconds and one fourth prize rosette, before securing the reserve junior male, reserve senior male and senior female awards, as well as the supreme overall championship.
This was the Coolermoney Herd’s second successive Summer Championship title. Last year’s overall winner was the six-year-old cow Coolermoney Frances T703; while the family’s heifer Coolermoney Ruth X086 claimed the reserve supreme award in 2022.
Topping this year’s show was the five-year-old cow HW Madame Pride V714, shown with her January-born HW Mr Equilibrium W202 bull calf at foot. She joined the herd last autumn, having been purchased at the 3rd HW production sale, held at William McLaren’s Netherton Farm in Perthshire. This much-admired young cow was sired by HF El Tigre 28U – senior calf champion at the Canadian World Forum in 2011 – and is bred from the SAV Harvestor 0338 daughter, HW Madame Pride S632.
Judge Dallas Allen from the noted 30-cow Stouphill Herd in Northumberland, described the day’s show stopper as an easy winner. “The supreme champion is a well-fleshed medium-sized cow with a beautiful feminine head. She has very good locomotion, a tremendous udder with good teat placement and is doing an excellent job rearing her calf.” Mr Allen added: ”It has been a brilliant show with an excellent turnout of entries. I’ve really enjoyed judging. Massive credit to the exhibitors on turning their stock out so well, especially after the challenging spring we’ve had across the UK.”

Rodmead Evening Tinge (reserve junior)and Old Glenort Ermiss Z004 (junior champion).
Catching Dallas Allen’s eye to win the reserve supreme championship was the senior male champion Island Farm Monrose Z392 from Kevin McOscar’s 30-cow herd at Cookstown. This sixteen-month-old bull was sired by the herd’s former stock bull Stouphill Marcus Prince U251 and is bred from a home-bred dam by Rawburn Bannockburn T628. “The young bull in reserve is one of the better bulls I’ve seen in recent times. He is nicely fleshed, has good locomotion and shows great potential for the future.” Island Farm Monrose Z392 will come under the hammer at the herd’s on-farm dispersal sale, scheduled to take place on Friday 30th August.
The reserve senior female championship went to James McCullough’s Rodmead Pribaby Y085. Born in February 2022 she is by Rodmead Lord Halcyon W051. This junior cow was accompanied by her April-born heifer calf, Ballydavey Prii A086 – winner of the baby heifer calf class.
Adrian and Graeme Parke won the reserve senior male championship with the second placed Coolermoney Lord Hublo Z344. Born in April 2022 he is by Netherallen Peter Pershore E052 and was the winner of the Ulster Championship Trophy at Omagh Show.
The Dodd family, William, Jane, Lewis and Jamie from Saintfield, won the junior male championship with Glenbrae Red Mario Z177. A Mosshall Red Forrest V018 son, his dam is the home-bred Glenbrae Red Mouse U173. “Another lovely young bull, full of promise for the future. He is well put together, nicely fleshed and has great locomotion,” commented the judge.
Runner-up in the junior male line-up was Adrian and Graeme Parke’s seven-month-old calf Coolermoney Rochester A414. He is by Rawburn Ernan W110 and bred from the 2022 reserve champion Coolermoney Ruth X086.
James Porter, Dromore, scooped the junior female championship with Old Glenort Ermiss Z004. Born in February 2023, she is by the herd’s 7,000gns stock bull Blelack Dakota U898. “This is a very sweet, well-balanced heifer with a feminine head and good legs and feet. She has all at the hallmarks of a good cow-maker,” added Dallas Allen.
The reserve junior female title went to Rodmead Evening Tinge Z169 from James McCullough’s herd at Holywood. Born in April 2023 she was sired by Blelack Dual Mine U913 and is out of Rodmead Eastern Tulip. “Another nicely balanced heifer, she shows great promise for the future” concluded Mr Allen.
NI Aberdeen Angus National Show. Results from the showring...
Bull, born before 01/01/23
1, James Porter, Old Glenort Victorious Y514 by Carlhurlie Gentilex S124;
2, Alan Morrison, Liss Masterstroke W013 by Mogeely Dreamer T534.
Bull, born between 01/01/23 and 30/06/23
1, Kevin McOscar, Island Farm Monrose Z392 by Stouphill Marcus Prince U251;
2, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Lord Hublo Z344 by Netherallen Peter Pershore E052;
3, Graeme Donaghy, Lisnavaragh Black Bond Z071 by Mosshall Red Junior Eric U911;
4, Andrew Fletcher, Rathmoss Priam Z012 by Blelack Lord Blackthorn S825;
5, Noel and Daniel Willis, Greenacres Red Eldorado Z194 by Mosshall Red Alfie X124.
Bull, born between 01/07/23 and 31/12/23
1, William Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mario Z177 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018;
2, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Eric Z381 by Rawburn Ernan W110.
Bull calf, born on or after 01/01/24
1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Rochester A414 by Rawburn Ernan W110;
2, James Porter, Old Glenort Euro A656 by Old Glenort Victorious Y514;
3, James Porter, Old Glenort Kensington A785 by Orbelston Jury Eric X245;
4, Adrian and Graeme Parke, Coolermoney Master Piece A403 by HW Mr Equilibrium W202;
5, Brian Anderson, Drumgar Lodge Comet A413 by Nightingale Dunbar K551.
Cow in-calf or in-milk, born before 01/01/22
1, Adrian and Graeme Parke, HW Madame Pride V714 by HW El Tigre 28U;
2, James Porter, Old Glenort Kim W501 by Carlhurlie Epic P021;
3, Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Princess S443 by Kiltariff Lord Tornedo M443;
4, William Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mouse X234 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018.

Junior cow, born on or after 01/01/22, with natural calf at foot
1, James McCullough, Rodmead Pribaby Y085 by Rodmead Lord Halcyon U051.
Heifer, born between 01/01/23 and 30/06/23
1, James Porter, Old Glenort Ermiss Z004 by Blelack Dakota U898;
2, James McCullough, Rodmead Evening Tinge Z169 by Blelack Dual Mine U913;
3, Alan Morrison, Drummeer Bell Z316 by Hillmount Maximus W706;
4, Kevin McOscar, Island Farm Evora Mist by Z554 by Blelack Black Magic Z124;
5, Noel and Daniel Willis, Greenacres Missie Z205 by Mosshall Red Alfie X286.
Heifer, born between 01/07/23 and 31/12/23
1, William Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mouse Z166 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018;
2, Alan Morrison, Drummeer Mayflower Z327 by Drummeer Blackburn T457.
Heifer, born on or after 01/01/24
1, James McCullough, Ballydavey Prll A086 by Rulesmam Pegasus X849;
2, Lewis Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mouse A435 by Glenbrae Red Mr Kayo Y536;
3, Rachel Elliott, Minran Pamela A004 by Blelack Duke J262;
4, Steven Weatherup, Cairnboy Lady Iona by Drumcrow Popeye V773.
Best animal bred by exhibitor
1, James Porter, Old Glenort Kim W501 by Carlhurlie Epic P021;
2, William Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mouse Z166 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018;
3, James Porter, Old Glenort Victorious Y514 by Carlhurlie Gentilex S124.
Best pair of animals
1, James Porter, Old Glenort Kim W510 and Old Glenort Victorious Y514;
2, Alan Morrison, Drummeer Bell Z316 and Drummeer Mayflower Z327.

Kevin McOscar’s Island Farm Monrose Z392 was the senior male and reserve supreme champion at Clogher Show.
Female and supreme overall champion was HW Madame Pride V714 shown with bull calf at foot by Gemma and Jasmine Parke
Senior Male & Reserve Supreme CHAMPION
Junior Female CHAMPION
NI Aberdeen Angus National Show photos from the








Jasmine Parke, Strabane, in the showring at the NI Aberdeen-Angus Summer Championship, Clogher.
First prize senior bull was James Porter’s Old Glenort Victorious Y514.
Jamie Dodd exhibited the first prize heifer Glenbrae Red Mouse Z166.
Keeping an eye on the AberdeenAngus Judging at the 104th Clogher Valley Show.
Clogher Show Aberdeen-Angus judge Dallas Allen from Northumberland.
Sponsor Laura McDonnell, ABP, congratulates Graeme and Adrian Parke on winning the supreme championship at the NI AberdeenAngus Summer Championship.
First prize heifer calf Ballydavey Prii A086 exhibited by Alex Belch.
Award for best pair went to James Porter’s Old Glenort Victorious Y514 and Old Glenort Kim W501 (calf at foot Old Glenort Kensington A785). Included are Laura McDonnell, ABP; and judge Dallas Allen, Northumberland.
Luddenmore makes it two in a row
■ 5th October 2024
The Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association hosted its National calf show as part of their Extravaganza weekend with over one hundred of the countries best Aberdeen Angus animals catalogued.
Tasked with judging this year’s event was John Elliot Jr of the noted Rawburn herd in Scotland. He found his supreme champion in the form of Luddenmore Frances Z597 from Dr Michael Sheahan, Co Tipperary. This marks the second year in a row the Cappawhite breeder has secured the Supreme championship.
CHAMPION Supreme
This marks the second year in a row the Cappawhite breeder has secured the Supreme championship.

The March 2023 born Frances is a daughter of the herd’s stock bull Carruthers Ear W088 and out of a homebred cow by Friarstown Evolver. Ahead of taking the supreme title, she secured the red rosette in the senior heifer class and the title of senior female champion also.
Claiming the title of junior heifer champion and reserve supreme champion was Clonagh Winnie Frances. This calf was bred by Garrett and Lyndsey Behan, Co Laois and marks the first time the duo exhibited at the calf show or Extravaganza.

This stylish young heifer was born December 2023 and is sired by Keirsbeath Karma and again from the noted Frances line.
The senior male championship with the way of Ballykilroe Marble Z940 from Eoin and Adam Robinson. This bull was sired by Keirsbeath Karma and out of the famous Miss Essence line. He was sold to Belgium as part of the Extravaganza sale.
In the junior male section, the champion sash went to Kerins Ammo from Bernard Kerins, Co Sligo. This March bull is sired by HF Rebel and out of the same cow which bred last year’s junior male champion.
Reserve supreme champion Clonagh Winnie Frances
Supreme Angus Beef Ireland champion Luddenmore Frances Z597
2024 Winter National at Borderway Agri Expo
■ 1st November 2024
The Aberdeen-Angus Winter National was held on 1st of November at the internationally recognised Borderway Agri Expo in Carlise. Then it is one of the largest autumn livestock events showcasing the best of the breed and is a celebration of the farmers, breeders and stockmen, as well as the breed itself.
Owen Tunney of Manor Farm, Cheshire, had a standout day at the Aberdeen-Angus Winter National, where he claimed the overall championship title, also securing Reserve Overall Interbreed Champion. His winning entry was the February 2022-born heifer Morpheus Rose Y105, presented with her March-born bull calf at foot, Morpheus Riptide A163. Rose Y105, a daughter of Cheerbrook Profit, acquired from the Cheerbrook dispersal, hails from the renowned Morpheus Rosebud S028, herself a former champion at this event. Her calf, Morpheus Riptide A163, is home-bred and sired by Morpheus Enzo.
CHAMPION ReserveOverallInterbreed
Owen Tunney of Manor Farm, Cheshire, had a standout day at the Aberdeen-Angus Winter National, where he claimed the overall championship title, also securing Reserve Overall Interbreed Champion.
Standing reserve female champion for Mike and Melanie Alford of Foxhill, Devon, was Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499 who has also secured championships at the Highland Show, Great Yorkshire, and Royal Welsh. This April, 2023born heifer was acquired as a calf at the Gretnahouse herd dispersal for 8000gns and is a Rodmead Primero daughter out of Gretnahouse Evas Honey U052.
In the male section, Judge Tom Beadle of the Noir herd awarded Kilmallie Kolisi A421 male champion, from Ewen M. Campbell, Fort William. This impressive seven-month-old calf, sired by Morpheus Kodiak and out of the Canadian embryo Kilmallie Kristina R0222, was also Reserve Overall Champion, and is now set for Stars of the Future and the Black Beauty Bonanza.

Morpheus Rose Y105
Among the males, Hamish W. Sclater of Denhead, Turriff, saw success with Deveron Elliott Z923, who took runnerup honors. This March 2023-born bull, sired by privately purchased Rawburn Braw Lad and bred from the reserve winning Deveron Estorella, had a successful show debut this summer, having been male champion at Turriff show, and is destined for the Stirling Bull Sales in February. The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society would like to congratulate Richard Rettie, who was awarded the 2024 David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award, for his dedication in preparing cattle for the UK’s most prestigious show rings.
Richard is the fourth recipient of this award, created by Harrison and Hetherington in 2021 to recognise a lifetime’s commitment and accomplishment within the livestock farming industry, following David Thomlinson’s untimely death.
His nomination stated: “Richard is a master of his profession. He has earned the trust of the pedigree cattle industry throughout the UK and has a vast number of customers who rely on his ability to produce pedigree cattle to the animal’s full potential.

CHAMPION Male CHAMPION
He is always the first to credit his wife, Carol, for making their success possible, and we all hope very much that they will continue to push the standards of showing even higher and with ever greater success.
They support the industry and the agricultural community, and they are a wonderful inspiration to the next generation of breeders and showers.”
Having established himself as a leading freelance stockman 27 years ago, Richard commented: “David Tomlinson was a mentor and an inspiration to me early in my career, and this is a very great honour to receive his award for doing something that I love. It makes me feel old, but I am absolutely over the moon to have received such a prestigious award.”

Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499
Kilmallie Kolisi A421
Agri Expo - Winter National Show Results...
Championships
Yearling Male Champion
Reserve Yearling Male Champion
Junior Male Champion
Reserve Junior Male Champion
Overall Male Champion
Reserve Male Champion
Senior Female Champion
Yearling Female Champion
Reserve Yearling Female Champion
Junior Female Champion
Reserve Junior Female Champion
Overall Yearling Champion
Reserve Yearling Champion
Overall Junior Champion
Reserve Junior Champion
Overall Champion
Reserve Overall Champion
DEVERON ELLIOTT Z923
WOOD MOSS SPARTACUS Z078
KILMALLIE KOLISI A421
SHREWBRIDGE BLACK HEART A103
KILMALLIE KOLISI A421
DEVERON ELLIOTT Z923
MORPHEUS ROSE Y105
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499
FOXHILL PRINCESS CARINA Z178
FOXHILL PRINCESS CAROLINE A265 (ET)
TEMPLE NORTHERN AURORA A953
GRETNAHOUSE EVAS HONEY Z499
HAMISH W SCLATER ESQ
MR G D & MRS J E WEBSTER
EWEN M CAMPBELL ESQ
SOPHIE HARDING
EWEN M CAMPBELL ESQ
HAMISH W SCLATER ESQ
OWEN TUNNEY ESQ
MR & MRS M ALFORD
MR & MRS M ALFORD
MR & MRS M ALFORD
TEMPLE FARM (CHEDZOY) LTD
MR & MRS M ALFORD
DEVERON ELLIOTT Z923 HAMISH W SCLATER ESQ
KILMALLIE KOLISI A421
FOXHILL PRINCESS CAROLINE A265 (ET)
MORPHEUS ROSE Y105
KILMALLIE KOLISI A421
Pairs Winner ANGUS A NEISH Reserve Pairs HW SCLATER
Other Classes
EWEN M CAMPBELL ESQ
MR & MRS M ALFORD
OWEN TUNNEY ESQ
EWEN M CAMPBELL ESQ
5th
DEVERON LIEBHERR A964
HAMISH W SCLATER ESQ
Other Classes Continued...
Scottish judge praises entries at NI Aberdeen Angus calf show
■ 19th October 2024
By Julie Hazelton
The Northern Ireland Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual Calf Show proved to be a Red Letter Day for the Doyle family from Cookstown, who claimed four championship sashes.
Scottish judge Ewen Campbell who runs the 20-cow Kilmallie Herd, and is farm manager at SRUC’s estate near Crainlarich, said it was a privilege to judge the one-day show, held at Dungannon.
Mr Campbell and his wife Elaine have had a busy weekend, winning the breed’s male, junior and reserve supreme championships at Carlisle’s Agri-Expo Show with Kilmallie Kolisi on Friday, before embarking on their journey to Northern Ireland.
“There was a strong turnout of over 70 entries in the young handler and calf classes. The quality and presentation of calves was superb, with every class featuring youngstock that would rival entries at any UK show.”
Mr Campbell, chairman of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society’s YDP committee added: ”It was fantastic to see so many young handlers competing and enjoying the camaraderie. They are the stockmen and women of the future, and I’ve no doubt the breed and the NI club are in safe hands.”
Claiming the supreme overall championship and the JB Lamb Memorial Cup was the bull calf champion, Drumhill Express Root A883 from Jonathan, Lisa, Jack and Jessica Doyle’s 60-cow herd. This six-month-old calf is by the herd’s 15,000gns stock bull Galcantray Jedi Eric V287, and bred from Drumhill Evora V116 – dam of Drumhill Explorer X354 standing at AI Services’ beef stud.
The Doyle family topped the Stirling sales in February and October at 16,000gns and 13,000gns, with sons of Galcantray Jedi Eric V287 bred from the Evora cow family.
Ewen Campbell added:”The overall champion is a very eye-catching bull. He is well fleshed, displays great length, breed character and lovely hair. He is one to watch for the future.”
Standing in reserve overall position was the Doyle’s heifer calf champion, Drumhill Princess Chartreuse A023. This five-month-old calf was sired by the home-bred stock bull Drumhill Lord Hatfield R532, her dam is Weeton Princess Chartreuse W125.

Bull Calf Champion and Overall Champion, Drumhill Express Root A883 Owned by the Doyle Family

“The reserve is a similar type to the champion and was brought out to perfection. She is very correct and sweet and has great locomotion. I couldn’t go past her.” commented the judge.
The Dodd family from Saintfield, William, Jane, Jamie and Lewis, secured the yearling championship, sponsored by Energia Renewables, with the July 2023 bull Glenbrae Red Mario Z177. A son of Mosshall Red Forrest V018, he is out of the home-bred Glenbrae Red Mouse U173.
This bull has won numerous rosettes throughout the show season, including reserve overall breed champion at Lurgan and Saintfield, male and supreme Aberdeen Angus champion at Antrim, first prize at Castlewellan and junior male champion a Clogher Valley.
Ewen Campbell said:”This is another well fleshed young bull. He is very correct, thick and powerful, with great breed character. This one will go on and do a great job.”
James Porter’s 60-cow herd, based at the Gill Hall Estate near Dromore, claimed the reserve yearling championship with the February 2023 heifer, Old Glenort Ermiss Z044. Sired by the 7,000gns stock bull Blelack Dakota U898 – senior Stirling champion in October 2019 – she is bred from Schivas Ermiss T520.
This one was described by Ewen Campbell as a fantastic cow maker. “She is stretchy, very feminine with lovely big ears and great breed character.”
The reserve bull calf championship, sponsored by Alexander Mills (Benburb), went to the six-monthold Bluebell Bank Black Bently A612 from Hugh Dickson and family, Moneyreagh. Sired by Whinney Knowe Jumbo V005, her dam is the home-bred
Bluebell Bank Black Bianca X527 – one of two cows in the herd, founded in 1973.
“Another nice young bull, very correct, with a lovely frame, good bone and great locomotion. He will grow on and make an excellent stock bull.”
John Blackburn from Clogher, won the reserve heifer calf championship, sponsored by Boyd Haulage (Swatragh), with Killaney Lady Elizabeth A072. This three-month-old heifer was sired by
Windy Gowl Red Laddie W292, and is out of the home-bred Killaney Lady Elizabeth U635.
Ewen Campbell added: ”This baby heifer is one for another day. She is very correct, well put together, and oozes breed character with a lovely head and big ears. Another fantastic cow maker.”
Moses Irwin Jnr from Fintona won the pairs championship and the David Dickson Trophy. His winning duo were the first placed Denamona Primer A416 by the 7,500gns Drumhill Prime Cut X155, and the second prize winning Denamona Black Benson A674, a son of the 8,000gns Shadwell Bravado X283.
The judge commented: ”These March and May born bull calves are almost identical. They are very well-matched, have great ring presence and are full of breed character.”
Runner-up for the pairs championship were James Porter’s first placed Old Glenort Euro A656, and the second placed Old Glenort Eagle A645. These eight-month-old bull calves are both sons of the home-bred Old Glenort Victorious Y514 – male champion at Balmoral and first prize senior bull at Clogher Show this year.
“Again, two very similar bull calves with lovely heads and super breed character.” Concluding, Ewen Campbell said: “The pairs competition was a tremendous spectacle with 16 pairs competing for the prizes. There was an impressive line-up and the animals on parade were a credit to the exhibitors. Well done!”
NI Aberdeen Angus Club chairman Peter Lamb congratulated the exhibitors and prize winners. He also thanked the judge, stewards, and the sponsors for their generous financial support.
The club is indebted to Dungannon Farmers’ Mart for the use of its excellent facilities.

Jonny, Lisa, Jack and Jessica Doyle with their supreme champion Drumhill Express Root A883 shown by Carol Rettie. Picture: Alfie Shaw, Agri-Images
Emma Hunter, Callum Innes and James Beggs, exhibited the reserve pair of calves owned by Bill and James Porter. Picture: Alfie Shaw, Agri-Images
Results from the Northern Ireland
AA Calf Show
YOUNG HANDLERS
Class A, sponsored by WD Meats
1. Jamie Dodd;
2. Jasmine Park;
3. Lewis Dodd;
Class B, sponsored by WD Meats
Class C, sponsored by WD Meats
1. James Morrison; 2. Pippa Troughton;
CALF CLASSES
Senior yearling heifer, born January to August 2023, sponsored by Troughton’s Premium Drinks
1. James Porter, Old Glenort Ermiss Z004 by Blelack Dakota U898;
2. James McCullough, Rodmead Evening Tinger Z169 by Blelack Dual Mine U913;
3. Robin Lamb, Richhill Elba Z527 by Cairnton Emperor W452;
4. William and Jane Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mouse Z166 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018.
Senior yearling bull, born January to August 2023, sponsored by Fane Valley Stores
1. William and Jane Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mario Z177 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018;
2. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Mr Popeye Z511 by Drumhill Evo W757;
3. James Porter, Old Glenort Black Legacy Z063 by Threeburnford Luther W806;
4. James Porter, Old Glenort Jewel Eric Z144 by Blelack Dakota U898.
Senior heifer calf, born January or February 2024, sponsored by NCCE Ltd
1. William and Jane Dodd, Glenbrae Red Mouse A365 by Mosshall Red Forrest V018;
2. ames Porter, Old Glenort Black Lass A671 by Orbliston Jury Eric X245;
3. Fiona Troughton, Tullybryan Fleur A654 by HW Mr Equilibrium W202.
Intermediate heifer calf, born in March 2024, sponsored by Grennans Feeds
1. Hylda Mills, Dartrey Red Glamorise A335 by Mosshall Red Junior Eric U911;
2. Graeme Donaghy, Lisnavaragh Black Boudica A141 by Lisnavaragh Phoenix Conor Y056;
3. Hylda Mills, Dartrey Blackriches A346 by Dartrey Richie R333;
4. Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Elba A574.
Intermediate heifer calf, born in April 2024, sponsored by BK Electrical
1. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Ellen Erica A835 by Drumhill Evo W757;
2. Andrew Fletcher, Rathmoss Pages A056 by Keirsbeath Karma S539;
3. James Mallon, Knockoneill Princess A511 by Innisfayle Bright Muppet X172;
4. Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Blackbird A666 by Liss Masterstroke W013.
Junior heifer calf, born in May or June 2024, sponsored by Greentown Environmental
1. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Princess Chartreuse A023 by Drumhill Lord Hatfield R532;
2. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Pride A001 by Galcantray Jedi Eric V287;
3. Moses Irwin Jnr, Denamona Penny A556 by Shadwell Bravado X283;
4. Fiona Troughton, Tullybryan Lady Jonellii A691 by Rawburn Poncho X487.
Baby heifer calf, born in July 2024 onwards, sponsored by Capper Animal Feeds
1. Mr and Mrs John Blackburn, Killaney Lady Elizabeth A072 by
2. Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Bell A795 by Liss Masterstroke W013;
3. Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Blackbird A817 by Liss Masterstroke W013.
1. Amelia Parke; 2. Alesha Parke; 3. Alfie Dickson;
1. Daniel Willis;
2. Freddie Thompson;
3. Sarah Biggar;
Windy Gowl Red Laddie W292;
Senior bull calf, born in January to February 2024, sponsored by Greenfields Fertiliser
1. James Porter, Old Glenort Euro A656 by Old Glenort Victorious Y514;
2. James Porter, Old Glenort Eagle A645 by Old Glenort Victorious Y514;
3. Adrian Parke, Coolermoney Rochester A414 by Rawburn ErnanW110;
4. Adrian Parke, Coolermoney Ragnor A447 by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630.
Intermediate bull calf, born in March 2024, sponsored by John McElderry Ltd
1. Moses Irwin Jnr, Denamona Primer A416 by Drumhill Prime Cut X155;
2. Alan, Emma and Hannah Topley, Hazelbank Vince A537 by Stouphill Bomber T182;
3. Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Evolution A462 by Stouphill Paddi Z358;
4. Noel and Daniel Willis, Greenacres Adventurous A014 by Millah Murrah Kingdom K35.
Intermediate bull calf, born in April 2024, sponsored by Clogher Valley Aberdeen Angus Herd
1. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Express Root A883 by Galcantray Jedi Eric V287;
2. H, W and R Dickson, Bluebell Bank Black Bentley A612 by Whinney Knowe Jumbo V005;
3. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Powerpoint A846 by Drumhill Major Player X317;
4. Graeme Donaghy, Lisnavaragh Minotaur A163 by Blelack Lord Blackthorn S825.
Junior bull calf, born in May or June 2024, sponsored by Boyd Feeds (Clogher)
1. James Mallon, Knockoneill Probably A577 by Clooncarne Thompson;
2. Moses Irwin Jnr, Denamona Black Benson A674 by Shadwell Bravado X283;
3. Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Jack A045 by Drumhill Quintin;
4. Caolan McBrien, Old Barr Irish A751 by Idvies Eric S735.
Pair of calves born in 2024, owned by exhibitor
1. Moses Irwin Jnr, Denamona Primer A416 and Denamona Black Benson A674;
2. James Porter, Old Glenort Eagle A645 and Old Glenort Euro A656.
1st Prize

1st Prize

Reserve Heifer Calf CHAMPION
1. Alan and Naomi Morrison, Drummeer Lord Tik Tok A843

Blackburn, Clogher, exhibited the reserve heifer
Baby bull calf, born in July 2024 onwards, sponsored by NI Aberdeen Angus Club
by Blelack Lord Blackthorn S825.
Moses Irwin exhibited the first prize bull calf Denamona Primer A416. Picture: Alfie Shaw, Agri-Images
Hylda Mills, Scarva, with her first prize winning intermediate heifer Dartrey Red Glamorise A335.
John
calf champion Killaney Lady Elizabeth A072. Picture: Alfie Shaw, Agri-Images
Results Round-up from Local Shows with Angus Classes
Tarland Show
Royal Cornwall Show
& Mrs M Alford Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499
& Mrs M Alford
Royal Bath & West Show Rodmead Black Isle Z138 Mr Angus Neish Cosmore Bonzo Z287 Andrew Edmunds
Echt Show Tonley Princess Neil A Wattie Newton Jill Erica Ray Gardiner
Royal Norfolk Show Embrooke Priceless Z144
Robert Mawer & Emma Benge Gladstone Miss Essence U086 Jill Graves
Fife Show Idvies Elisa Z150 Brailes Livestock Brailes Black Bee Y245 Brailes Livestock
New Deer Show Newton-Struthers Espresso Y649 A & K Rhind
Turriff Show Newton-Struthers Espresso Y649 A & K Rhind
Tonley Ester Y021 Neil A Wattie
Tonley Ester Y021 Neil A Wattie
Hertfordshire Show Priors Meadows Elnora Mia W010 HC & CW Aberdeen-Angus Priors Meadows Lady Rosie Y016 HC & CW AberdeenAngus
Edenbridge & Oxted Show Warrenho Event Y987
Central & West Fife Show Idvies Elisa Z150
Messrs A E & C R Bishop
Brailes Livestock
Orkney County Show Cairnton Black Nancy Y487 A & A Foubister
Warrenho Evora Z999
Messrs A E & C R Bishop
Brailes Black Bee Y245 Brailes Livestock
Bucks County Show Glympton Perseus X385 Glympton Farms Ltd Warrenho Evora Z999
Dunster Show Rosella Royal Ucal Z007
Abbie Westcott - -
Fettercairn Show Cairnton Eyrie Z501 K & M Howie
Messrs A E & C R Bishop
Mosston Muir Invictus Z459 Allan Rennie

Stars of the Future 2024
■ 9th November 2024
Stars of the Future continues to go from strength to strength and the 14th edition held at United Auctions, Stirling, on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2024 was no exception.
The main livestock competition, which commenced early on Saturday morning, and attracted a big audience throughout the day, with the majority staying to witness the grand finale of the native championships, the pairs competition and the new group of three contest.
Junior Male CHAMPION

Michael and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, Devon were triumphant in the native section, taking the senior native championship title with their Aberdeen-Angus overall senior champion, Foxhill Princess Carina Z178, a Weeton Evolution R447 daughter born in August-2023 out of Blelack Princess Carine X125. They were also victorious in the junior native section winning with Foxhill Princess Caroline A265 (ET) an embryo calf born in January 2024, sired by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203.
In the Aberdeen-Angus section, judge Alistair Cormack, Fife, crowned the heifer Foxhill Princess Carina Z178 from Michael and Melonie Alford, Cullompton, Devon as his overall senior champion while R & R Anderson, Kelso were reserve with a Tonley Ronald X800 daughter, Andersons Elsa Z320. Foxhill Princess Caroline A 265 (ET) a January-2024 heifer won the overall junior title and standing reserve was Ettrick Belle A 350 from the Firm of G Gray, Lindean Selkirk.
Senior Female CHAMPION

Carol Rettie & Michael Alford
Judge - Alistair Cormack, Ewen Campbell, Gabi Massie
Judge - Alistair Cormack, Michael Alford, Carol Rettie
CHAMPION OverallSenior

Overall



Overall Senior Champion, Foxhill Princess Carina Z178
Foxhill Princess Caroline A265 (ET)
Kilmallie Kolbe
Senior Male Champion Brailes Lord Richard Z328
Senior Male CHAMPION
JUNIOR CHAMPION
Stars of the Future Results
Native Interbreed Judged by Sarah Wareham
Senior Champion
Foxhill Princess Carina, Aberdeen Angus heifer from Michael & Melanie Alford
Aberdeen Angus Class Results
Senior Championship
Overall Foxhill Princess Carina Z178
Michael & Melanie Alford
Reserve Andersons Elsa Z320 R&R Anderson
Senior Male Brailes Lord Richard Brailes Livestock
Senior Female Foxhill Princess Carina Z178
Michael & Melanie Alford
Reserve Andersons Elsa Z320 R&R Anderson
Junior Championship
Overall Foxhill Princess Caroline A265 (ET) M&M Alford
Reserve Ettrick Belle A350 G Gray
Junior Male Kilmallie Kolisi A421 Ewen M Campbell
Reserve Newton Edgar from A153 Ray Gardiner
Junior Female Foxhill Princess Caroline A265 (ET) M&M Alford
Reserve Ettrick Belle A350 G Gray
Class 1 Senior Males
1st Brailes Lord Richard Z328 Brailes Livestock
Class 2 Senior Females
1st Foxhill Princess Carina Z178
Michael & Melanie Alford
2nd Andersons Elsa Z320 R&R Anderson
Class 3 Junior Males
1st Newton Edgar A153 Ray Gardiner
2nd Hillfoots Ebenezer A025 James Reggie
3rd Retties Lionheart A337 R&C Rettie
4th Retties Prizefighter A335 R&C Rettie
Junior Champion
Foxhill Princess Caroline, Aberdeen Angus heifer from Michael & Melanie Alford
Judged by Alistair Cormack
Class 4 Junior Males
1st Kilmallie Kolisi A421 Ewen M Campbell
2nd Ettrick Ringleader A352 G Gray
3rd Kilmallie Kolbe A420 Ewen M Campbell
4th Newton Prince Caledonia A156 Ray Gardiner
5th Auchengray Evolve A990 W&R Dunlop
6th Lindertis Prince A205 Kinnie Angus
Class 5 Junior Males
1st Tynet Bond A166
Mr & Mrs H Thomson
2nd Shawtonhill Norris A920 D Strachan & Son
3rd Kilmallie Kinghorn A434 Ewen M Campbell
4th Shawtonhill Novak A921 D Strachan & Son
5th Raethorn Mister Punch A423 Gavin J Tait
6th Brailes Black Brain A352 Brailes Livestock
Class 6 Junior Females
1st Foxhill Princess Caroline A265 (ET) Michael & Melanie Alford
2nd Mosshall Beauty A621 G&N Taylor
3rd Newton Evora A154 Ray Gardiner
4th Mosshall Red Domina A626 G&N Taylor
Class 7 Junior Females
1st Ettrick Belle A350 G Gray
2nd Lindertis Duchess A319 Kinnie Angus
3rd Auchengray Emma A009 W&R Dunlop
4th Brailes Ellie A346 Brailes Livestock
5th Dallars Mains Kiki A073 S&E Prentice
Black Beauty Bonanza
Black Beauty Bonanza attracts 78 cattle from 19 herds as the event celebrates its 25th anniversary
Aberdeen-Angus cattle from across the region took centre stage at the Black Beauty Bonanza, held at Thainstone Exchange near Inverurie. The event marked the 25th show of calves and yearlings organized by the North East Aberdeen-Angus Club. Andrew Hodge, of Rulesmains, Duns, was tasked with selecting the winners and commented, “The quality of the cattle was exceptional across all classes—this event truly showcased the best of the breed.”
In the heifer calf class, the champion was Tonley Princess A144, an April 2024-born animal from Neil Wattie’s Tonley herd, near Alford. Sired by Shadwell Black Magic X281 and out of Tonley Princess U585, she stood out as the top contender. Deveron Lady A970, bred by Hamish Sclater of Denhead, Turriff, claimed the reserve champion position. Born in March 2024, this heifer is sired by Rawburn Braw Lad R041 and out of Deveron Lady U612.
In the yearling heifer section, the champion was Idvies Eliza Z150, a March 2023-born heifer from Oxfordshire-based breeders Richard Hassell and Rachel Wyllie of Brailes Livestock. Sired by Duncanziemere Jacobite W374 and out of Idvies Elstrome W934, this heifer had previously placed second in her class at the Royal Highland Show and was also a runner-up in her class at the Aberdeen-Angus Summer National, held at The Border Union Show in Kelso. Newton Eyre Z134, born in February 2023 and bred by Ray Gardiner of Newton Smiddy, Skene, secured the reserve award. She is sired by Idvies Ferrari S752 and out of Newton Muchalls Eyrie W083.
Massies Patriot A008, a bull calf born in April 2024 and bred by Graeme Massie of Blelack Farm, near Aboyne, was named the bull calf champion. He is sired by Blelack Equinox X115 and out of Newfield Premium X189. The reserve bull calf title went to Lindertis Atlas A277, a March 2024-born calf from Graeme and Paul Allan, bred by Tom Hopkinson, sired by Rawburn Jingo Eric T595 and out of Lindertis Annabel W577.
The yearling bull champion was Tonley Endpart Z105, a July 2023-born bull from Neil Wattie’s herd. Sired by Duncanziemere Jetstream V322 and out of Tonley Elma P108, he claimed the top prize. Deveron Elliott Z923, a March 2023-born bull from Hamish Sclater, was selected as the reserve yearling bull. Sired by Rawburn Braw Lad R041, he is out of Deveron Estorella T588.
In the overall awards, Massies Patriot A008 was named the Champion Calf, while Idvies Eliza Z150 was chosen as the Champion Yearling.

Heifer calf champion Tonley Princess. Image Melissa Irvine
CHAMPION OverallCalf


The Champion Pair of Calves was awarded to Newton Edgar A153 and Newton Prince Caledonia A156, bred by Ray Gardiner. The Champion Pair of Yearlings title went to Perkhill Cherry Blossom Z385 and Perkhill Black Knight Z386, from Alex and Philippa Davie of Lumphanan, near Banchory.
North East Aberdeen-Angus Club chairman Graeme Miller was quoted as saying “The Black Beauty Bonanza continues to be a spectacle, thanks to both committed enthusiasts from the club and participants from further afield who are willing to bring out their young stock. The Black Beauty Bonanza has gone from strength to strength over the last 25 years and has become one of the premier shows of Aberdeen-Angus cattle.”

The North East Aberdeen-Angus club recognised the judge for the day in Mr Andrew Hodge “Andrew has a wealth of judging experience, and we are very grateful that he has come here to judge for us today.”
Showmanship and stockmanship competitions were judged by Nicola Howie, who has been involved with AberdeenAngus cattle from a young age with her parents’ Cairnton herd. Nicola recently started her own herd under the Ladyluck prefix and registered her first calf earlier this year.
A special thanks must go to all the exhibitors, stockpersons and the sponsors for their generous and continued support, especially Sellars Agricultural Limited.
Overall yearling champion Idvies Elisa Z150 image Melissa Irvine
Overall calf champion, Massies Patriot A008. Image Melissa Irvine.
The yearling bull champion, Tonley Endpart Z105, image Melissa Irvine










Old Glenort Kim W501 at The Balmoral Show
Woodvale Miss Annie Z151 At The Balmoral Show
Black Beauty Bonanza Heifer Calf Champion Tonley Princess
Clogher Show Junior Female Champion, Old Glenort Ermiss Z004
Great Yorkshire Show Gretnahouse Evas Honey 2165
N.I AA Calf Show Old Glenort Euro A656
N.I AA Calf Show Supreme Champion Drumhill Express Root A883
Black Beauty Bonanza Overall Calf Champion, Massies Patriot A008
Clogher Show Reserve Supreme Champion Monrose Z392
Champion prize winner, Tonley Fiona Y937










Oakmoor Boss Y637 at the Great Yorkshire Show
Royal Highland Show Oakmoor-Boss-Y637
Stars Of The Future, Overall Senior Foxhill Princess Carina Z178
Winter National Kilmallie Kolisi A421
Winter National Morpheus Rose Y105
Royal Welsh Show Oakmoor Kingston Z709
Stars Of The Future, Senior Male Champion Brailes Lord Richard Z328
Kelso Summer National Overall Champion Morpheus Rosie
Gretnahouse Evas Honey Z499 Winter National
Royal Welsh Show Gretnahouse Evas Honey
Society Sale Entry Requirements PRE-ENTRY
HERD HEALTH
Herd Health Declaration Form
Health Pen Cards
Herd Health Declaration forms are required at the time of entry, and are due by the entry deadline. This document captures relevant details of the herd’s health policy, vaccinations and testing commitments. Summary details are displayed in the front of each sale catalogue to enable buyers to make informed purchasing decisions. Herd Health Declaration forms are mandatory and are available to complete at www.aberdeen-angus.co.uk/resources/ show-and-sales-resources, and on the relevant auctioneer’s website.
Health Pen Cards are available from your CHeCS health scheme provider of which every vendor is required to be a member. Please apply to your health scheme provider for individual cards for each animal, in good time. These cards should be displayed in the pen at the sale.
As a minimum, herds/animals must participate in a CHeCS approved health scheme and be the following:
Minimum Health Testing
PERFORMANCE RECORDING
DNA TESTING
Minimum Performance Recording Criteria
• BVD accredited and vaccinated with an approved vaccine within 12 months prior to the sale. Vaccination dates must be provided on the Herd Health Declaration form to inform the purchaser. Animals from non-BVD accredited herds must be individually tested BVD virus negative, and vaccinated as above.
• Declare their Johnes status on the Herd Health Declaration form. Animals must only be from Johnes 1-4 risk levels to be eligible for a Society Sale.
[Risk Level Table]
• Tested for IBR, and vaccinated (if positive). All test results and vaccination dates should be declared on the Herd Health Declaration Form, and on the pen card.
All males and led females must have met minimum submission of performance recording data which is as follows: Birth Weight, 200 day weight, 400 day weight, check weight (done at scanning), Scanning data.
All males and led females must be sire verified and myostatin tested in line with Society requirements AHEAD OF ENTRY. It is the vendor’s responsibility to see that this has been successfully completed ahead of entry.
Society Sale Day Requirements
ON THE DAY
Contagious Diseases
Check that animals are free from Warts (particular attention should be paid to the sheath and scrotal area of bulls), Ringworm, Mange and Lice or other contagious diseases. Any animals showing signs of untreated conditions will not be allowed for sale. A vet’s letter declaring treatment should accompany the animal at inspection.
Weight for Age
Males forward for sale are expected to meet a minimum weight for age. Please see the table as follows:
Crush Inspection
All males and led females must come forward for inspection at the appointed time identified by the auctioneers. Animals which fail to appear for inspection will not be allowed to compete in the show or come forward for sale. Lot numbers will be applied at the time of inspection. Inspection consists of the following measurements or assessments:
1. Testicles (size, shape and consistency) – minimum size – 30cm at 12 months, 32cm at 18 months, 34cm at 24 months
2. Teeth assessment – must meet the pad of the upper jaw in professional view of the vet. Animals found to have undershot or overshot jaws will be rejected.
3. Eyes – All animals will have eyes examined by a vet.
4. Identification – must meet prevailing identification regulations, and concur with the entry details as catalogued.
5. Scurs – all animals will be checked to ensure they are free from scurs
6. White markings – it is a requirement of the herdbook that animals should be free from white markings in front of the navel.
If the vet considers any animal to be carrying a heritable genetic or phenotypic condition which in their opinion is detrimental to the integrity of the breed, then the animal will not be allowed to be put forward for sale and no progeny registered.


Health Requirements
Male Animals
BVD accredited herds
Non BVD accredited herds -must be part of the health scheme and be testing for a minimum of 12 months
IBR accredited herds
IBR non-accredited herds
Lepto accredited herds
Lepto non-accredited herds
TB
Johne’s - must be a part of the CHeCS health scheme and a minimum Level 4 and be testing for a minimum of 12 months
No - Individual test optional
Yes - Antigen
Optional - but recommended
Optional- but recommended
Individual test optional
Yes - Antibody
No - Individual test optional
No - Individual test optional
Date of last test
Optional – but marker vaccine recommended
Optional – but marker vaccine recommended
Optional
Optional
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed.
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed
If tested the animal’s individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The date of the last test and the TB testing interval must be completed. If a herd is TB exempt this must be shown. The TB information must be completed.
Every animal must have the risk level of the herd shown in the box.
Non-homebred animals have no details in the Johne’s box.
Calves at Foot
(the minimum age at date of sale is one month)
Test Required Vaccination Health Card Boxes to be Completed
BVD accredited herds
Non-BVD accredited herds -must be part of the Health Scheme and be testing for a minimum of 12 months
IBR accredited herds
IBR non-accredited herds
Lepto accredited herds
- Individual test optional Yes - Antigen
Individual test optional
Yes - Antibody
Lepto non-accredited herds No - Individual test optional No - Individual test optional
TB Date of last test
Johne’s - must be part of the CHeCS health scheme and a minimum Level 4 and be testing for a minimum of 12 months
Female Animals
Test Required
BVD accredited herds
No - Individual test optional
Yes - Antigen
Non BVD accredited herds -must be part of the health scheme and be testing for a minimum of 12 months
IBR accredited herds
IBR non-accredited herds
Individual test optional
Yes - Antibody
Lepto accredited herds No - Individual test optional
No - Individual test optional
TB Date of last test
Johne’s - must be part of the CHeCS health scheme and a minimum Level 4 and be testing for a minimum of 12 months
- but recommended Optional- but recommended
Optional - but marker vaccine recommended
Optional - but marker vaccine recommended
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed.
The individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed.
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed
If tested the animal’s individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed
If tested the animal’s individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The date of the last test and the TB testing interval must be completed. If a herd is TB exempt this must be shown. The TB information must be completed.
Every animal must have the risk level of the herd shown in the box.
Non-homebred animals have no details in the Johne’s box.
Vaccination
Must be vaccinated to cover period of sale. The Society strongly recommends that in-calf females are vaccinated prior to service
Must be vaccinated to cover period of sale. The Society strongly recommends that in-calf females are vaccinated prior to service
Optional - but marker vaccine recommended
Optional - but marker vaccine recommended
Health Card Boxes to be Completed
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The herd accredited box must be completed and if vaccinated the details must be completed
If tested the animal’s individual test result must be shown and if vaccinated the details must be completed
The date of the last test and the TB testing interval must be completed. If a herd is TB exempt this must be shown. The TB information must be completed.
Every animal must have the risk level of the herd shown in the box. Non-homebred animals have no details in the Johne’s box.
Spring Bull Sales in Brief
Inchisine on top for third year running
Despite unsettled weather affecting buyers’ confidence, the Munster Aberdeen Angus club sale in Bandon at the beginning of April met with a brisk trade. In total 80% of the bulls forward sold to an average over €3,400.
This was topped with a call of €4,700 for Denis and Donal O’Riordan’s bull Inchisine Venom. This marks the duos third consecutive year topping the sale! This double five-star September 2022 born bull is sired by the herd’s stock bull Coodaniel Rekie with Carrigroe Neville on the dam’s side. This stylish young bull was also tapped forward as reserve overall champion in the pre-sale show.
Tasked with judging this year’s bull sale was Richard Lombard of the Dulague herd in Co Kerry. He found his overall champion in the form of Droumdaniel Mr Sherlock Y135 from Eoin and Eugene Lynch. This October 2022 born bull is a son of stock bull Westellen Black Bingo V865 and carried five stars on the replacement index. He met his reserve at €3,500.
Taking the second top price of the day was the first prizewinning Carrigroe Wilson from the herd of John Appelbe. This five-star January 2023 born bull is sired by the homebred Carrigroe Real McCoy and sold for €4,200.
€4,200 tops Tullow bull sale
A small entry of bulls was met with a steady demand at the Associations sale in Tullow in early April. Overall trade peaked at €4,200 with average settling at a strong €3,530. Leading the way was Westellen Dixie Y926 from the herd of John and Kate Tait, Midleton, Co Cork.
This five-star son of HF Alcatraz carried a carcase figure of double breed average for carcase weight. This was one of four bulls on the day in which the buyer received a €250 money back voucher. These vouchers were kindly sponsored by Angus Beef Ireland and the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association.
Next in line after securing a bid of €4,100, was Luddenmore Extra Special Y570. Bred by Dr Michael Sheahan, this fivestar terminal bull was a son of stock bull Drumhill Exeter V105. A further two bulls hit the market at €4,000.
First at the money was the first lot into the ring Liss Mile Y179. Bred and exhibited by John and Sean McEnroe, this son of homebred Liss Darl R561 carried five stars on the replacement and four stars on the terminal. He was knocked down to a pedigree breeder. Matching him at the money was his stable mate Liss Knockout Y184. This August 2022 born bull is a son of HW Evander and carried five stars down the line.
Thurles bulls top €4,900
The annual Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association spring bull sale held in Thurles on April 24th seen a steady demand for bulls with average settling at over €3,500.
Leading the way on prices was the September 2022 born bull Luddenmore Vesuvius who hit the market at €4,900. This powerful young bull was bred by Dr Michael Sheahan and carried a dairy Beef Index (DBI) of €169. Sired by the herds senior stock bull Drumhill Lord Hampstead V127 his pedigree also includes Friarstown Evolver and Hf Rebel.
Taking the second top price was the first bull into the ring, Kilsarlaught Lord Harry Y611 who met his reserve at €4,500. Sired by Intelagri Maverick, the August 2022 born bull carried five stars on most traits with a DBI of €174. Bred by the Houlihan family in west Cork, he was secured for pedigree breeding. Overall 71% of the bulls on offer found new homes to average €3,530.

Supreme champion Jadam lady Sandra X150 with Enda, Adam and Nicole Kearney
Senior Male CHAMPION

Exceptional demand at final spring sale
The Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association’s final spring bull sale took place in Nenagh on the 2nd May. Trade was described as exceptional with 80% of bulls finding new homes to average over €3,500.
Leading proceedings at €4,900, was the second bull into the ring, Lisduff Emirates Y091, from Leo McEnroe, Virginia, Co Cavan. This August 2022 born bull is sired by the herd’s stock bull Liss Minter with Bohey Jasper breeding on the dam’s side. This topped an exceptional day for the Cavan man who sold his only other entry, Lisduff Dandy Y090 at €4,500. This bull was sired by the aforementioned Liss Minter and from the Duchess cow family.
Next in line was Sligo breeder John McDermott who sold Maseragh Mr Essence Y325 at €4,600. This son of the famous KYA goes back to an embryo bred dam from Miller Wilsons.
At €4,500 was Luddenmore Virgil from Dr Michael Sheahan, Co Tipperary. This bull is sired by the herds stock bull Drumhill Lord Hampstead. Topping a good day, Luddenmore Epsom Z594 also hit the market at €4,000. This bull was also sired by Lord Hampstead and out of Mercury Lovely Tinge.
First time exhibitor Paul O’Brien made a debut to remember when he sold Weperous Master Z658 at €4,400. This son of Lisduff Red Pepper is out of a Rawburn Boss Hogg mother. The Muldowney’s made the trip back to Mayo a short one, selling both their exhibits at €4,100 and €4,000 respectively. The upper of these prices was for Rawban Lad Joe Z091, a HW Farghal son. While Rawban Mister Z253 was a son of Drumcrow Tribesman.
Jadam takes first AllIreland championship
It was the day of dreams for the Kearney family in Kilfenora, Co Clare who claimed this year’s Growvite supreme All-Ireland championship.
The finals this year headed to the Dualla Show in Co Tipperary and welcomed breeders from all corners of the country, both exhibiting and spectating.
Standing centre stage at this year’s event was Seonaid McLaren of the noted Netherton herd. This marks the third generation of the McLaren family to judge this prestigious event.
She found her champion in the form of the junior cow Jadam Lady Sandra X150 from Enda and Adam Kearney. This home bred two-year-old first calved cow was sired by HF Alcatraz and out of Blackfield Lady Sandra P531 and show alongside her January born heifer calf.
Having come out of the strongest and most impressive class of the day, had seen eight first calved cow and calf pairs compete, she went on to claim the intermediate championship before taking the coveted supreme championship.
Standing as reserve intermediate and reserve supreme champion was Gurtavoher Venice from local Tipperary breeders the Barlow family. This rising two-year-old bull is a son of the herd’s stock bull Clooncarne Pellet and the homebred dam Gurtavoher Naples.

Taking the senior male championship was Corlismore Tomohawk from Albert and Jennifer DeCogan, Castlemartyr, Co Cork. This son of NCBC bull HW Farghal is out of Corlismore P Lady. The four-year-old is no stranger to success having won numerous championships throughout the country in 2024.
Claiming the overall junior championship was Tara Elliot Eric Z992 from Malachy Tighe, Batterstown, Co Meath. This September 2023 born bull is a son of popular AI bull HF Rebel and Luddenmore Ellen Erica V403.
Corlismore Tomohawk from Albert and Jennifer DeCogan
Reserve overall champion Gurtavoher Venice exhibited by Daragh and Cillian Barlow Reserve
Stirling Bull sales report
■ 4th-5th February 2024
The much-anticipated February Bull Sales took place on Monday the 5th of February 2024 at United Auctions, Stirling. Of the 104 bulls forward, 82 found new homes, with a clearance of 79% and an average of £6017. Trade was solid thoughout the sale for commercial types, and good few top end bulls went for pedigree work. The best saw two reach a joint top of £21,000. The pre-show sale was ably judged by Mr Norman Catto of Argentina.
The first bull realising £21,000 was Thrunton Best Man Y566, an April 2022 born son of Tonley Kasper U512 and out of Thrunton Best Maid T141, a Blelack Prince Consort daughter, and bred by Messrs JHC Campbell & Sons of Thrunton, Alnwick. Thrunton Best Man was Reserve Senior Champion at the pre-sale show and was purchased for pedigree work by F.J. Fraser & Son of Newton of Idvies, Forfar. Messrs JHC Campbell sold 7 bulls to an impressive average of £8017 on the day.
Joining him in the top spot was Duncanziemere Mr Bulletproof Y498, bred by Alistair Clark and Sons. Mr Bulletproof also went for pedigree work with Andrew and Emma Hodge of the Rulesmains herd at Duns, Berwickshire.
This fourth prize bull is by Duncanziemere Sportsman W357 and out of Duncanziemere Miss Belinda W373. Duncanziemere also sold 7 bulls to an equally impressive average of £8048.
The reserve Junior Champion, Drumhill Echo Y091, out of Galcantry Jedi Eric V287 and dam Drumhill Evora P101, bred by Jonathon and Lisa Doyle from Northern Ireland, was sold for £16,800 to Balavil Estate.
The Overall Male Champion, Harestone Eurostart, out of Blelack Popeye U950 and out of Blelack Evora R506 and bred by Mrs June Barclay was sold to Messrs Walker, Dunfallandy Home Farm, Pitlochry, for £10,500.
The Female sale average was £2573 with 16 animals sold and a clearance of 94%. The top price female was £8400 for the section Reserve Champion, Foxhill Princess Carina Y168, sired by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of dam Blelack princess Carina U902k. This well respected heifer was bred by Mike and Melanie Alford and will join the herd at Balavil Estates.
The Female Champion, Foxhill Diamond Mist Z255(ET), sired by Linton Gilbertines President S021 and out of Dam Weeton Diamond Mist M351 (ET) was also bred by the Alfords. This heifer sold for £7140 to Dan Whiteford & Co. of the Borewell Herd, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.
The next best female was Eastlands Primrose X858, bred by Messrs MK & G Sprowl, sired by McCornick Delboy T419 and out of Eastlands Pooh Pooh U690, which sold for £2310 to the Taylors of Tannadice.

Thrunton Best Man Y566 was the first bull to realise £21,000

Of the 104 bulls forward, 82 found new homes, with a clearance of 79% and an average of £6017.



Duncanziemere, Mr Bulletproof Y498 also realised £21,000
Drumhill Echo Y091 went for £16,800
Judge Mr Norman Catto from Argentina
Foxhill Princess Carina Y168 fetched the top price for a female, bringing £8,400
Stirling Bull Sales Statistics:
Aberdeen Angus bulls to 3,200gns at Dungannon
■ 11th February 2024
A small entry of Aberdeen Angus bulls sold to a top of 3,200gns at the annual spring Native Breeds Show and Sale, conducted by Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
Securing the day’s top bid was the two-year-old Ember Paxton Y973 TSI+37 SRI+53 bred by Freddie Davidson, Banbridge. Sired by stock bull Drumcarbin Richie, he is out of the home-bred Ember Pearl U494.
Ranked in the breed’s top 20% for calving ease, he was snapped up by S. Caldwell from Beragh, County Tyrone. This young bull was awarded the reserve supreme championship honours by Scottish judge Emma Hodge. He is no stranger to the limelight having won the reserve junior Aberdeen Angus championship, and reserve in the interbreed beef performance class at the 154th Balmoral Show.
Emma Hodge farms with her parents Andrew and Jill in the Scottish Borders. The former dairy farmers run an arable enterprise alongside the noted Rulesmains pedigree Aberdeen Angus Herd. The trio recently won the Beef Farm of the Year title at the inaugural Scottish Agriculture Awards.
TOPREDANGUSPRICE 3,200gns
Claiming the breed’s supreme champion title at Dungannon was the May 2022 born Home Farm Erne Y802 TSI+26 SRI+25, bred by Fintan Keown who runs a herd of 10 pedigree and 25 commercial cows at Belleek in County Fermanagh.
Sired by Haymount War Smith R578, this one is a son of the former Pedigree Calf Fair breed champion, Home Farm Ebony Stunner S087. He also had a successful show career, winning the junior, male and reserve overall titles in the Aberdeen Angus line-up at last year’s Balmoral Show.
Additional accolades include second reserve junior interbreed champion at Balmoral, reserve senior male champion at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s Summer Championship, and male champion at Enniskillen Show in 2023. The champion attracted a bid of 2,900gns from J. Marshall, Castlederg.
Confirming a complete clearance for Aberdeen Angus bulls, auctioneer Trevor Wylie confirmed that more entries were needed to satisfy the demand from commercial suckler herd owners and dairy farmers.

Ember Paxton Y973 TSI+37 SRI+53 secured the top price of 3,200gns
Dungannon show & sale
■ 16th April 2024
Bidding was brisk with prices soaring to a top of 8,400gns, setting a new breed record at the County Tyrone saleyard. Auctioneer Trevor Wylie reported a 93% clearance with 13 bulls selling to average £3,715 per head.
Breed society chief executive Robert Gilchrist, and president Ian Watson, were among the packed ringside audience. Mr. Gilchrist commented: “It has been a fantastic day at Dungannon, demonstrating the continued demand for Aberdeen-Angus genetics, with bulls finding new homes across all sectors from pedigree through to dairy.
The record breaker was the day’s supreme overall champion, Drumhill Lord Hugo Y102 TSI+45 SRI+54 bred by Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, and exhibited by stockman Callum Innes.
Buyers were out in force at the
Born in July 2022 he is from the first crop of calves sired by the herd’s 15,000gns stock bull Galcantray Jedi Eric J287 – purchased at Stirling in 2021. His dam is the home-bred Hallington Jack Eric N398 daughter, Drumhill Lady Heather T593 – one of 60 cows in the Cookstown-based herd. Galcantray Jedi Eric J287 is breeding well at Drumhill. Another July 2022 son, Drumhill Echo Y091, claimed the reserve junior championship at Stirling in February, and secured the day’s second highest bid of 16,000gns.
The Dungannon champion was described by Scottish Judge Ian Watson, owner of the 50-cow Kersquarter herd, as a ‘stand out bull’. “It has been a fantastic show, with some strong classes especially in the junior section of the show”.
“Today’s champion is a big upstanding bull with excellent legs and feet. He has superb character and presence, and caught my eye the minute he entered the show ring”.
The champion attracted considerable attention from online and ringside bidders, with Trevor Wylie bringing the gavel down at 8,400gns, selling to Campbellhall Farm, Dunadry, County Antrim, for its Beechview pedigree herd. This bull has a Breedplan milk EBV +23 in the top 5% of the breed. The second bull in the salering, Richhill Evolver Y376 TSI +41 SRI +55 sold at 4,000gns for Robin Lamb, Richhill.
Aberdeen-Angus Cattle
Society’s Dungannon show and sale.
CHAMPION SupremeOverall

The supreme overall Aberdeen-Angus champion Drumhill Lord Hugo Y102 topped the sale and set a new breed record of 8,400gns at Dungannon.
Dungannon Show, Results from the Showring...
This second prize winner was born in May 2022, and was sired by the home-bred Netherton Matrix T880 son, Richhill Black Barrister W481. His dam is the Richhill Monarch P473 daughter, Richhill Elva T626. He is in the breed’s top 20% for eye muscle +5.5, and sold to Will Corrie for the dairy herd at Smiddiehill Farm, Newtonwards.
Robin Lamb won the best large herd in the NI AberdeenAngus Club’s 2023 Herd Competition. He sold three bulls from the Richill prefix to average £3,780 each.
The April 2022 Richhill Rockafella Y321 TSI+40 SRI +48 sold for 3,700gns. Sired by stock bull Rulesmains Knox W359, he is bred from the Keirsbeath Kingsland R537 daughter, Richhill Rosanna U153. Ranked in the top 20% for milk +18, and top 25% for eye muscle +5.3, he sold to William Johnston from Newtownbutler.
New breeders James and Robin Irvine, Whitecross, County Armagh, realised 4,000gns for the second prize winning Ballymoyer Pierre Y252 TSI +35 SRI +40. Born in June 2022 he was sired by Woodvale Kool Jaguar P633, and is out of the home-bred Easton Grey’s Everest T817 daughter, Ballymoyer Peggy V703 – one of five females in the herd, founded with heifers bought privately from Victor and Stephen Wallace’s Baronagh Herd. This bull is in the top 25% for calving ease +1.8 and eye muscle +5.4. He also joins Smiddiehill Farm in County Down.
Claiming the reserve champion was the thirteen-month old Bessiebell Lord Tommy Z407 exhibited by Jack Smyth, Newtownstewart. Sired by Retties JFK M195, his dam was the home-bred Weeton Diamond Mine P444 daughter, Bessiebell Lady Tilly W127. This one was unsold.
CHAMPION Reserve
Bull, born between 25/04/22 – 21/05/22
1, Robin Lamb, Richhill Rockafella Y321 by Rulesmains Knox W359; 2, Robin Lamb, Richhill Evolver Y376 by Richhill Black Barrister W481; 3, Robin Lamb, Richhill Eric Y387 by Richhill Black Barrister W481.
Bull, born 12/06/22 and 03/07/23
1, and supreme champion, Jonathon and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill Lord Hugo Y102 by Galcantray Jedi Eric V287; 2, Robin Irvine, Ballymoyer Pierre Y252 by Woodvale Kool Jaguar P633; 3, Robin Irvine, Ballymoyer Pascal Y263 by Woodvale Kool Jaguar P633.
Bull, born between 16/01/23 and 18/02/23
1, David Whan, Slievecroob Kyle Z906 by Rawburn Trigger U659;
2, Kevin McOscar, Island Farm Petal Z366 by Stouphill Marcus Prince U251;
3, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Ruby Z916 by Stouphill Bomber T182;
4, Fintan Keown, Home Farm Lord Harry Z883 by Haymount Warsmith R578.
Bull, born between 26/02/23 and 16/03/23
1, and reserve champion, Jack Smyth, Bessiebell Lord Tommy Z407 by Retties JFK M195;
2, Kevin McOscar, Island Farm Prince Benjamin Z425 by Stouphill Marcus Prince U251;
3, Adrian Parke, Coolermoney Ragnor Z322 by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630;
4, Adrian Parke, Coolermoney Romeo Z333 by Rawburn Ernan W110.

Reserve
champion was Bessiebell Lord Tommy Z407 bred by Jack Smyth, Newtown Stewart.
Worcester sale report
■ 20th April 2024
The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society held its annual spring sale at Worcester Market on Saturday 20th April, and enjoyed a solid trade throughout with a clearance of 73%.
The pre-sale show was ably judged by Society President Ian Watson, who tapped out his champion in Oakchurch Drifter Z489, having already taken the Junior Male Champion. Oakchurch Drifter is a March 2023 born Cardona Edwin W156 son, out of a homebred dam, Oakchurch Daisy W389.
The Champion was bred and consigned by Mr. J & Mrs. A Price, and went on to sell for the top price of 7000gns to Messrs D Batch from Hampshire. Senior Male Champion was Coley Endeavour Y655, consigned by Carl Thomas and sired by Shadwell Evolution, selling for the second top price of £5460.
CHAMPION OakchurchDrifterz489
Tree Bridge Pellew Y984, sired by Tree Bridge Paterson, realised £5250 having been purchased for commercial work with A & J M Sheppard Partnership.
Females were in demand, enjoying a 100% clearance of the 11 forward, and averaging £1900. The top price in the females, £3990, went to the pre-sale show Champion, and Reserve Overall Champion, Rosemead Princess Z568, consigned by Messrs. P C Stovold & Son, and purchased by Melview Farming for their Melview Herd.
Two females realised the next two best prices of £2625, both bred by Andrew Carter, Standlynch. Standlynch Raisa Y381, sired by homebred sire Standlynch Radar, and out of a homebred dam, was purchased by M. Poland, while Standlynch Padame Y383, also out of homebred parents, sold to C & J Pudge.
The pre-sale show was ably judged by Society President Ian Watson who tapped out his champion Oakchurch Drifter Z489



Spring sale at Stirling report
■ 4th-5th May 2024
Prices
peak at £8,400 at the
Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Spring Sale at Stirling
The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society held its annual spring breeding sale on Monday 6th May at United Auctions, Stirling, where of the 26 bulls forward, 21 sold with a clearance of 81% and an average of £5295, an increase of £765 on the year.
The pre-sale show was judged by John Davidson of the Sutherquoy Herd in Orkney. The champion was Miss Stephanie Dick’s homebred bull Stephick Elvis Y395 (ET), sired by Weeton Diamond Mine and out of dam Weeton Evora. Elvis went on to top the sale at £8400, and was sold to Mr JT Fleming & Son from Teviothead, Hawick.
The pre-sale show Reserve Champion, Blelack Hill Enoch Y005, sired by Rodmead Primero, followed suit by fetching the second highest price at £7875. This 2022 born young bull was bred by Messrs AN Calcott & Son, Blelack Farm, Aberdeenshire, and sold to WSL Muir from Stromness, Orkney.

Next best was JHC Campbell & Sons, Thrunton, who sold Thrunton Plato Y915 to Glenkiln Farms for £7140. Thrunton averaged £5933 for two sold on the day.
Two bulls achieved £6825, Harestone Lord Harry Y764 and Fiddlehall Proud Impact Z053. Harestone Lord Harry Y764 is a Blelack Prince Colorado W032 son, out of a homebred dam, consigned by Mrs June Barclay, and travels to commercial work with Mr M Langlands & Co from Blairgowrie.
The second bull to reach this price was Fiddlehall Proud Impact Z053, sired by Tonley Jester Eric, and out of dam, Fiddlehall Proud India, consigned by Keith Rennie Esq, and sold to Longloch Farming Ltd in Fife.
Neil Wattie Esq had a solid day’s trade selling 5 bulls with an average of £5334 and a top price of £6510 for Tonley Panther Y010 (ET) who went home with S&S More of Mains of Balhall, Angus.
Congratulations to all the buyers and sellers on a very solid trade.
Champion & Reserve CHAMPION

Judge - John Davidson, Stephanie Dick, Gabi Massie And Robert Gilchrist
Harestone Lord Harry Y764 was one of two bulls to achieve a price of £6,825

Stirling Sale Statistics:
Carlisle Sale Report
Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society
■ 17th May 2024
Carlisle Spring Sale
–
Harrison and Hetherington
The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society held their annual spring sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, part of the native multi-breed sale held on 17th May. A much reduced entry forward than catalogued were a solid commercial trade with 31 bulls of the 39 forward changing hands, a 79% clearance (+12%), and an average of 4645gns.
The small offering of females were more difficult to cash with 11 of the 18 forward sold, resulting in a clearance rate of 61%, and an average of 1873gns. The bulk of the trade was underpinned by a commercial demand for both bulls and females, with more than one bull going for pedigree work.
CHAMPION
The pre-sale show was ably judged by Euan Campbell, Kilmallie Herd, Oban, who found his Champion in Wensleydale Black Voltage Y140
The pre-sale show was ably judged by Euan Campbell, Kilmallie Herd, Oban, who found his Champion in Wensleydale Black Voltage Y140 having been Junior Champion, and selling for 9000gns to Mike and Mel Alford, Foxhill, Devon. Wensleydale Black Voltage Y140 is a December 2022 born son of Gretnahouse Blackboot V082, and out of a homebred dam. Reserve Junior Champion, and following through to reserve overall male was Carruthers Equador Z229, a March 2023 born Auchincrieve Exodus son out of a Carruthers Eleanor, and sold for 10,000gns to L.R. Carmichael, Barwick Hill, Ponteland.
Best of the senior bulls was Tree Bridge Parthenon Y988, having stood 2nd in the first class of the day. Parthenon is a Linton Gilbertines Elgin T149 out of the Tree Bridge Pride family on the dam side. He was purchased by local commercial breeders, Messrs Rutherford Esq, Whitfield, Hexham.
Back to the juniors, where Martin McCornick sold his first prize in the last class for 7000gns to Graeme Massie, Finzean, Aberdeenshire. McCornick Energy Z998, a 14month-old son of a homebred bull by Halbeath Pentagon N511, and out of a homebred Evergreen dam.

Champion, Wensleydale Black Voltage Y140
Stouphill Blaze Y445, consigned by William D. Allen, Stouphill, found at home with Messrs Hendry, Stow, Galashiels at 6600gns, having been 1st prize in the second class. This September 2022 born bull was also home bred on both sides of his pedigree. Messrs Williams, Chwilog, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales picked out the admired 4th prize bull in a strong class, Newbank Dakota Z415, by Idvies Master Boy and consigned by M & S Wilson & Sons, Beattock, and paid 6500gns for him. Another senior bull, Eilean Pitbull Y233, consigned by MAG McSporran, Innerleithen and sired by Logie Bruce V897, was purchased

BestSeniorBull
for 5800gns by L. Muir, Stromness, Orkney, having been 2nd in his class and sporting a +50 Terminal Index figure. Second place out of class 3, Trebister Erik Y005, consigned by C. Laurenson and N. Wyllie, an AI son of Cheerbrook Profit V138, out of a homebred dam that goes back to a Moncur female, sold for 5000gns, and went home with Messrs Goldie, Lochmaben, Lockerbie.
Females were a strong trade, which was led by a 3000gns bid by Graeme Massie for Crook Hill Blackbird Y067, an AI sired in-calf heifer due October to Fordel Ma Puma, having stood Reserve Female Champion earlier in the day. Next best was Duncanziemere Edwina Z518, a March 2023 born Duncanziemere Exodus daughter, sold for 2200gns to Callum Donald, Glenluce, Newton Stewart, for his newly established herd.
John Steel, Allanbank, Chirnside had a small draft of females forward, selling 3 to average 1700gns and to a double top of 2000gns, which was Schivas Phoebe U672 by Weeton Ronan P420, who along with her February 2024 born bull calf at foot, joins the commercial herd at Morris and Co, Fawside, Gordon. The second female from the draft to reach 2000gns was Tynet Princelia V058, a Blelack Duke daughter and sold with her Te Mania Legend sired, two month old bull calf at foot.
Martin McCornick sold 6 heifers to average 1642gns, and to a top of 2000gns for McCornick Kylie Z002, a 14-month-old McCornick Evening Express daughter.

Best of the senior bulls, Tree Bridge Parthenon Y988
Carlisle Spring Sale Statistics (ranked
New pedigree herds among principal purchasers at CCM
Airedale Angus onfarm production sale
Joint 5,000gns tops at CCM Airedale
Angus on farm production sale
■ 1st June 2024
Joint highs of 5,000gns, plus multiple four-figure selling prices, were recorded at the 7th annual production sale of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle from the Airedale herd run by David and Judith Isherwood, and son Josh, and conducted at the family’s Airedale House Farm, Kildwick, by CCM Auctions in conjunction with the Aberdeen-Angus Society. (Sat, June 1).
First at this price was a cow and calf outfit, the six-year-old Airedale Princess Caroline U565, by the home-bred Airedale Lord Perseus P325, himself an AI son of an imported bull, S A V BRAVE 8320. Out of a Blelack dam, she was sold with her female youngster – her fourth calf to date – Princess Caroline A883, an April-born daughter of the herd’s main stock bull, Shadwell Rock ‘N’ Roll X245.
Also making 5,000gns was a five-year-old cow and mother of two bull calves to date, Aireburn Prairie V631, by another home-bred sire, Airedale Kirstoner S434, himself by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630, out of a Weeton dam daughter of Blelack Duke J262.
Catching the eye at 4,800gns was the last lot into the sale ring, another cow and calf outfit, the 2019 Airedale Ellie V621, by the home-bred Airedale Kasper S451, both by Weeton Lord Horatio M357, accompanied by her fourth Marchborn calf, Airedale Evensteven A880, again by Rock ‘N’ Roll.
The sale opened with a number of cow and calf outfits sold separately. These peaked at a combined high of 4,300gns for the 2018 Airedale Karama U579, same way bred as the joint top price cow, who out of another Weeton dam joined her fifth calf Airedale Karama Z863 — a September 2023 daughter of Shadwell Finnigan X262 — like Rock ‘N’ Roll, prominent in the breeding of the sale entrants and both sires with championship-winning backgrounds. The dam made 2,800gns, her calf 1,500gns.
All the above joined the same local buyers, the Holgate family, from Hard Head Farm, Rathmell, who took home five lots in total – a brace of cows and three calf and calf outfits, the former also including a 3,000gns purchase of the dam of the first pair into the sale ring, a 2016 cow, Airedale Pastelle S458, by the Rawburn Elmer J921, out of The Moss Pastorellen K997. She was accompanied by fifth calf and third male, Airedale Pastor Z872, another Rock ‘N’ Roll product, born last November and sold separately at 1,200gns to G. Raper, Thorne, Doncaster.
A good crowd gathered ringside to view the well presented cattle on offer, with other standalone cow and calf outfits also selling well, among them at a combined 4,100gns Airedale Miss Essence W667, by the home-bred Airedale Rosenthall U554, a Blelack Duke son, out of Miss Essence U557, a Lord Perseus daughter. She sold with her third male calf, the October, 2023, Rock ‘N’ Roll son, Airedale Mr Essay Z867. The cow made 2,500gns to Forgelands Estate, Caton, Lancaster, her calf 1,600gns to B. Shaw, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield.
A good crowd gathered ringside to view the wellpresented cattle, with other standalone cow and calf outfits selling well.

Airedale Princess Caroline U565 with her heifer calf, at foot, Princess Caroline A883

Also in the mix were yearling bulls, a brace of February, 2023born entries achieving joint highs of 3,800gns. First up was Airedale Mission Bell Z818, by Weeton Black Brooke V539, out of a Lord Horatio-sired dam, claimed by E. Stott, Rishworth, Sowerby Bridge, followed by a further Rock ‘N’ Roll son, Airedale Early Riser Z839, a herd favourite, out of Airedale Early Bird V614. The buyer was B. Howarth, Turton, Bolton.
Three cow acquisitions at a joint 5,800gns, the trio all second calvers and all due to calve again this autumn, fell to another young North Yorkshire couple, Josh Wright and Charlotte Garbutt as the foundation for their brand-new Angus herd at Bellmanear Farm, North Grimston, Malton.
Buckhurst and Yearsley herds perform well at CCM Aberdeen-Angus sale
The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s 6th annual autumn sale at CCM Skipton began well when a quartet of served heifers from John Walsh, Buckhurst herd, Walmersley, Bury, sold to a top of 3500gns for Buckhurst Lady Heather Z350. (Wed, Nov 6)
Their first purchase at 2,000gns was the 2019 Weeton Ephos R472 daughter, Airedale Mini Belle V620, followed at the same price by the 2020 Airedale Evora W678, by Ephos’s own son, Airedale Lord Sinden T542, then 1,800gns for Airedale Blackbird W699, also a 2020 Lord Sinden daughter. Going under the hammer at the end of the sale were embryos, which sold to £300 for a Blelack Duke J262 out of recipient dam, Airedale Rosie S420.
David Isherwood, whose family also owns Isherwoods Butchers in Kirkgate, Silsden, where prime quality Angus beef from the Airedale herd remains in ready demand, said: “We would like to say a big thanks to all involved in putting on the event. We are sure our cattle will do well for their new owners, in particular Edward and Rosie Holgate and Josh Wright and Charlotte Garbutt as great additions to the founding of their new pedigree Angus herds.
It’s great to see keen young stockmen/women coming into what is now the number one beef breed in the UK. We at Airedale wish them every success and are here to help in any way we can to further that goal.”
Displaying strong figures, the June, 2023, heifer was sired by HF Alcatraz 60F, this year’s National Show champion, and is out of the prolific Lady Heather line. Scanned in-calf to Buckhurst Mistic Prince, she was one of four claimed locally by Andrew Holgate, Rathmell, who also took home five at the same day’s Beef Shorthorn Society annual highlight.
Buckhurst also sold Blackbird Z338, Elegant Z343 and Ebony Z337, this out of the 10000gns Rawburn Ebony N666, all three sired by Morpheus Rolex UO45, who has bred multiple show champions and sale toppers, and in-calf to either Mistic Prince or Blackeye, selling for 3400gns, 3,000gns and 2,200gns respectively.
A draft of in-calf cows from Adrian and Penny Johnson’s Yearsley herd, Brandsby, Hambleton, sold to 1900gns for the February, 2022, Yearsley Royal Lady Y241, sired by McCornick Pathfinder and out of a Rawburn Black Hawk-sired dam. Carrying a calf due next Spring to Moss Florian, it sold to the Church family, Otley.

A Wedderlie Black Art-sired March, 2021, cow, Duncanziemere Ellen Erica X415, carrying a Pathfinder calf again for next Spring, made 1800gns, while a single young March, 2024, bull, Yearsley Royal Logistic A464, himself from Yearsley Royal Lady and by Rawburn Loaded, sold for 1000gns. With 12 forward, in-calf heifers averages £3176 and in-calf cows £1732.50.
John Walsh in the Skipton sale ring with one of his Angus consignment.
Airedale Angus Cow & Calf
Female champion tops Dungannon AberdeenAngus entry at 5,000gns
■ 4th October 2024
There was a small entry of Aberdeen-Angus cattle at the Native Breeds Show and Sale hosted by Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.
This very smart maiden heifer was reserve Native Breed champion at the Fermanagh Stars Calf Show last year. She was bred from Drummeer Beauty U877 and sired by the Netherton Mr Brazilian E377 son, Hillmount Maximus W706 – a home-bred bull registered under the Hillmount prefix of YDP member and trainee auctioneer, James Morrison. Hillmount Maximus is the stock bull in Robert Turkington’s Trasna Herd at Lurgan, County Armagh.
Drummeer Bell Z316 attracted strong attention from ringside and online bidders. The closing bid came from Mervyn Robinson, herd manager at the Cherryvalley Herd owned by Randox Laboratories chief, Peter Fitzgerald from Crumlin, County Antrim.
Cherryvalley Estate is establishing a pedigree AberdeenAngus herd to run alongside its highly acclaimed and successful pedigree Beef Shorthorn herd. Bulls sold to a
top of 3,000gns, paid to Ivan Forsythe, Moneymore, County Londonderry, for the fifth place Coltrim Pedro Z134 TSI+40, SRI+52. Sired by the herd’s stock bull Island Farm Master Missie X854, he was bred from the Coltrim Echo U992 daughter, Coltrim Princess Z526. This seventeen-monthold bull sold to Reggie Ewart from Killylea, County Armagh.
Island Farm Master Missie X854 was also behind the breeding of Ivan Forsythe’s male and supreme champion, Coltrim Black Bando Z123. This March born entry was bred from the Coltrim Javier Eric U911 daughter, Coltrim Blackbird X515. He sold for 2,800gns to Trevor Irwin from Stewartstown.
Judge David Alexander, Ballymena, awarded the reserve male and reserve overall championship to Dartrey Dellirious Z232, bred by Hylda Mulls, Scarva, County Armagh. Born in March 2023, he was sired by Mosshall Red Junior Eric U911 – crowned best stock bull in the NI Aberdeen-Angus Club’s 2023 herd competition. His dam is the home-bred Dartrey Della U843. This bull failed to meet his reserve and returned home unsold.

Female champion, Drumeer Bell Z316 tops Dungannon AA entry at 5,000gns
Records Smashed at Extravaganza 2024
■ 5th October 2024

The Irish Aberdeen-Angus association’s Extravaganza sale took place on October 5th in Mid-Tipp Mart Thurles and smashed all records for the breed in Ireland. Average soared to just shy of €5,000, with a near full clearance for the 50 pre-selected bulls and four choice bulls.
From the get-go the sale was on fire, however it was the last animal of the day which had spectators on the edge of their seats, as prices soared to €27,800. This price was paid for the 11-month-old Mercury Red Evo Z910 who was bred by John and Shane Murphy, Banteer, Co Cork. Sired by imported stock bull McCornick paramount W768, he is out of Luddenmore Ellen Erica W442 and with two black parents offered a complete outcross for red breeders.
This price breaks a number of records, claiming highest Angus male price in Ireland as well as the highest Red Angus price in Europe! Securing the sale topper was John Elliot of the Rawburn herd in the UK, who purchased the young red bull in partnership with Angus House Farm in Romania.
In total the sale saw 13 animals exported to Northern Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Belgium and Romania which again strengthens the extravaganza’s reputation as not just the leading Angus sale in Ireland but one that’s recognised across Europe.
Leading the female prices at €9,000 was Lavally Lady J Carmel Y455 from the Mullooly family in Strokestown, Co Roscommon. This Keirsbeath Karma S539 sired heifer is out of the homebred Lavally Honey who is a full sister to the record priced Lavally Angie who sold for €31,000.
This rising two-year-old sold in calf to Rawburn Poncho. Having won a host of championships throughout the summer, after spirited bidding, she was knocked down to Leo McEnroe of the Lisduff herd.
This topped an exceptional day for the Mullooly family who also sold their second entry Lavally Willow at €6,000. This daughter of Kealkil Prime Lad is out of a Liss Brendan bred dam that goes back to Netherton Mr Radar. This January 2023 born heifer heads to Co Donegal.
New for the 2024 Extravaganza was the ‘You Pick, We pay’ initiative. Here one lucky bidder would see their chosen lot completely paid for, so they were walking away with an animal completely free.
The lucky number pulled out was lot number 3, Lisduff Baroness Y096. Sired by Rawburn Earthquake, this fivestar heifer was bred by Leo McEnroe of the Lisduff herd in Co Cavan and had earlier in the day sold for €6,500!

Mercury Red Evo Z910 who sold for €27,800
€27,800
Lavally Lady J Carmel Y455 who sold for the top female price of €9,000
UK Record William McLaren’s on-farm sale at Netherton hits 18,000gns
■ 19th October 2024
By Patsy Hunter
A 15-month-old heifer backed by the best of Australian and American genetics attracted the lead price of 18,000gns at the fourth production sale of Aberdeen Angus from Highland Wagyu.
The on-farm sale at Netherton, Auchterarder, under manager William McLaren, saw cattle sold in their pens with online bidding available through MartEye. Texas Iceman which sold in Australia in 2021.
The sale was topped by HW Blacklass Z995 – an embryo-bred heifer and the first calf born in Europe by the $225,000 Texas Iceman which sold in Australia in 2021.

Equally impressive, the dam, HW Blacklass W233 ET – one of only two daughters in the UK from the high performance American sire Sydgen Enhance and bred from the $17,000 Cudlobe Blacklass 103B ET – is the No2 in the UK for IntraMuscular Fat (IMF).
The heifer, which scanned 8.2 for marbling at 10 months, also boasts 13 traits in the top 30% of the breed. She sold to Angus House Farm, Romania, and will remain at Netherton with embryos being exported from her.
A new record price for a red Aberdeen Angus bull was also paid when the same buyers forked out 10,000gns for the 14-month-old ET, HW Red Russian Z001. He is bred from the Canadian Red Rush Lilie ET and sired by the lead Australian performance bull, Milwillah Marble Bar.
Such was the demand for more moderate framed, deeper fleshed cattle that can be produced from forages that the cattle sold to eight countries, with another two being under bidders. Averages also improved by £800 on last year’s third production sale and with an impressive 100% clearance. Second top price was 12,000gns paid for the first lot in the
Top PRICE 180,00gns

HW Blacklass Z995 topped the sale at 18,000gns
A new UK record for a red Aberdeen Angus was paid when HW Red Russian sold for 10,000gns

catalogue, HW Madame Pride V509, a five-year-old Rawburn Boss Hogg daughter. She is bred from HW Madame Pride S153, an SAV Harvestor daughter and sold due in March to HW Mr Equilibrium W202. The buyers were EA and MC Jones, Paulsland, Cullompton, Devon.
The second bull, HW Black Label Z998, a 14-month-old sired by HW Mr Equilibrium W202 ET, was another that will remain on farm with semen exported to his buyers in France. A maternal brother to the sale leader, being out of HW Blacklass W233, he was knocked down at 10,000gns to Spinnewyn Brissac Angus, Chemin De La Roirie, France.
Heading down to Gloucestershire with Melview Farming, Crowfield Lane, Dymock, at 7000gns was the February 2021born HW Prauline X264. A daughter of Rawburn Bannockburn out of a previous home-bred Prauline by Rawburn Boss, she sold carrying her third calf to HW Blackbuddy Y722.
Just behind on 6500gns, Highgate Farm Partnership, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, bought the six-year-old cow, HW Duchess Windsor U450, an ET bred from Rawburn Duchess Windsor and sired by Fordel Minnesota Prime. She changed hands, carrying her fifth calf to HW MR Equilibrium W202. Matching that 6500gns price tag, Orkney breeders Messrs Copland, Harray, bought her four-year-old flush sister, HW Duchess Windsor W239 ET, which sold due with her third calf to Equilibrium in March.
Another remaining at Netherton to have embryos exported was the four-year-old in-calf cow, HW Blackbird W229, which made 6000gns to Latvian breeders, Messrs Bruzilasav SIA, Saldus, Novads. A successful donor cow with 16 traits in the top 30% of the breed, embryos have already been sold to Latvia, Romania, Holland and N. Ireland from this granddaughter of Netherton Kracker, out of Netherton Australian-sired daughter HW Blackbird S182.
Additional Prices
HW Madame Pride
Stirling October sale peaks at 13,000gns
■ 19th-20th October 2024
The Aberdeen Angus Cattle society held its much anticipated annual October Sales at United Auctions on Monday the 21st October following the show on the Saturday which was very ably judged by Hugh Thompson of the Tynet Herd, in front of a large crowd.
The trade was mixed and topped at 13,000gns for Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194 from Northern Irish breeders, Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, Drumhill. This March 2023 born bull is a son of Galcantray Jedi Eric and is out of Drumhill Evora. Neil and Mark Wattie of the Tonley herd, Alford took home this second prize bull.
Numbers forward for the sale were 44, reduced compared to the catalogue and the average was 5,644gns (£5926) with a clearance of 57% for bulls. The second highest bid of 10,000gns was claimed by three different bulls including Rulesmains Pedro Z819, son of Blelack Prince Camelot W017 and out of Rulesmain Princess V171 from Andrew S Hodge Esq.
OVERALL CHAMPIONPre-saleShow&
Rulesmains Pedro was the pre-sale show overall Champion and sold to Angus Neish, Rodmead Farm in Warminster. Alongside this was Neil A. Wattie’s Junior Champion Tonley Evoke Z058 (ET) sired by Tonley Jester Eric S318, and out of Tonley Ester R132 who sold to Muir & Sons, Orkney.
The third bull to achieve this price was the reserve Junior Champion McCornick Empower Z072, a son of Wedderlie Valentine W217 and out of McCornick Evensorrel V586, bred by Martin R McCornick, selling to Angus Stovold of the Rosemead Herd in Surrey.
The next best price was 8500gns for A Clarke & Son’s Duncanziemere Echo Z510 sired by Duncanziemere Sportsman W357 and out of Duncanziemere Edwina X408. This was followed by Mosshall Red Bonanza Z555 who reached 6800gns and was sold to the Austins from Gatehouse of Fleet.
The females topped 5500gns with Duncanziemere Edwina Y508 sired by Duncanziremere Sportsman W537 and out of Duncanziemere Edwina V353, and goes home with Rob Bishop to Berkshire. Tonley Princess Y022 from the Tonley Herd sold for 5000gns to Alton Copland from Orkney. The third top price was 4000gns for Brailes Black Belle Z301 bred by Brailes Livestock and sold to TA Roberts in Conwy, Wales. Overall, 11 females averaged 3190gns (£3,349) with a clearance of 91%.
Rulesmains Pedro was the pre-sale show overall Champion and sold to Angus Neish, Rodmead Farm in Warminster.

Stirling October Sale Statistics:
Stirling Sale Statistics Continued:

Drumhill Exchange Rate Z194 from Northern Irish breeders, Jonathan and Lisa Doyle reached a price of 13,000gns
Carlisle sale report
■ 18th-19th October 2024
Held at Harrison & Hetherington, a small entry of Aberdeen-Angus bulls and females sold to a top of £4305 (4100gns), with a solid commercial trade where 6 bulls of the 7 forward changed hands. While the entry was larger than forward, the sale achieved an 86% clearance and an average of £3640. Of the 3 females forward, one sold at £966 (920gns).
It was a successful day for Mr & Mrs D. Evans from Tree Bridge Farm in Nunthorpe who sold the 2023 February born bull, Tree Bridge Pattinson Z049 at the top price of £4305 to Messrs Martin from Carlisle, Cumbria.
The second priced bull, Lessonhall Kinsman Z037 (ET), from David W. Steel Esq and the Lessonhall Herd in Wigton, Cumbria, sold for £4095 to Gerrard House Farm Ltd in Wigton, Cumbria.
The third top bid was for Martin R. McCornick’s bull, McCornick Emblem Z044, who sold to Messrs Cadwallader, from Bridgnorth in Shropshire for £3990.
The only female sold was the April born Westdrums Phoebe Z040, who realised £966 to Spittal Farm in Wigtonshire.

Tree Bridge Pattinson Z049 sold for a top price of £4,305 to Messrs Martin from Carlisle, Cumbria
Morven Reduction sale report
United Auctions, Stirling
The catalogue forward explained the breeding policy for the herd, and described the herd as having been built on a foundation of strong, productive females known for their exceptional breeding potential. It started with Kincarie Kylie, a smaller cow with impressive capacity, whose four sons averaged £7,500 each.
Another key cow was Oakchurch Dove, from a powerful lineage, and Miss Annie, bought as an embryo, produced bulls for breeding programs. The Poppies, another family, are known for their hard work and efficiency. The herd focuses on resilience and practicality, with cows living outdoors year-round and calving outside, ensuring ease of calving and balanced growth.
Sale Statistics:

X055 & Morven Dynamite A099
The sale topped at 5000gns (£5,250) with Morven Duchess X055 and her bull calf Morven dynamite A099, sired by Skaill Emperor W233, who sold to Rhuairdh MacFarlane for his new herd at Quixwood, Duns.
Morven Kristina Y060, an in-calf heifer out of Foggie Easy Alex V241 and Morven Kristina R532, also reached 5000gns (£5,250) and was taken home by the Carskiey Partners, Campbeltown.
This was followed by Morven Kristina W042 out of Blelack Proud Punch U929 and Morven Kristina U027 selling for 4200gns (£4,410) to the Howells in Carmarthenshire.
The next price was achieved by the cow and calf, Morven Domino V034 and her bull calf Morven Dominator A102 sired by Morven MacAngus Y061, purchased by RW Steel, Wigton for 4000gns (£4,200).
Reduction of the Skaill AberdeenAngus Herd
■ 21st October 2024
Saturday the 21st October saw the very successful sale of the entire crop of the 2023 born in-calf heifers from the Skaill herd of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus from Colin J Davidson, Orkney. The herd includes around 100 pedigree and 100 commercial cows.
The cows are wintered outdoors, and calving is outside from April onwards, and for over 40 years, every Skaill heifer has calved at 24 months. The most notable female line from Skaill is the “Dianas,” which began with the purchase of Nicks Delia.
The herd has achieved multiple successes in national shows and sales, holding a female breed record at one point.
Recently, genetics have been imported from two U.S. herds— Byergo and Gardiner - chosen for specific traits. All the heifers were in calf to homebred bulls, and the catalogue displayed predicted breeding values for the matings.

The 18 catalogued and forward achieved 100% clearance, selling to a top of 10,000gns (£10,500) and to average 6278gns (£6,592). The top selling heifer was Skiall Diana Z761 daughter of Millah Murrah Kingdom and out of Skiall Diana T606.
This was one of two heifers heading to J&J Campbell, at Wedderlie. The next highest price reached was 8800gns (£9,240),by Skaill Tibbie sired by O’Neills Black Bardolier and out of Skaill Tibbie V019 and sold to D & F Campbell, Perthshire.
The third best-selling heifer at 8000gns (£8,400) was Skaill Estella Z850 daughter of Skaill Elite X442 and Skaill Estella W203 and was bought by Netherhall Farm.
Following closely was Skaill Estella Z733, at 7500gns (£7,875), in calf to Skaill Evelix X529, and purchased by JD & JA Holgate in North Yorkshire.

Skaill Diana Z761 was the top selling heifer, realising £10,500
Skaill Estella Z850 realised £8,400

Sale Statistics:
Additional Prices:
Skaill Tibbie Z788
Tonley Aberdeen Angus Production Sale
■ 21st October 2024
The October Stirling Bull Sale also saw the production sale of cows with calves at foot, plus the full crop of yearling heifers from the Tonley herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus, consigned by Mr Neil A Wattie.
The Tonley Herd was established in 1993 by Neil’s father, inspired by his fondness for the Aberdeen Angus breed. The first purchases were three females from the Warren Herd, two of which (Vine and Julia) were included in the sale. Other key female lines include Belle, Elma, Emily, Equidora, Ester, Kay Pride, Rose, and Princess, with previous sales of females from these lines reaching up to 20,000gns.
The herd has enjoyed success in past February and October bull sales, with highlights such as the sale of Tonley Pato for 12,000gns, and Tonley Evor P044 for 24,000gns. February 2023 marked the herd’s best day, with Tonley Endgame X809 and Tonley King Paco X812 winning champion and reserve, respectively, alongside multiple group awards. All bulls were sired by homebred Tonley Jester Eric, whose offspring have proven highly successful, with sales of his progeny reaching up to 24,000gns.
The sale topped at 15000gns (£15,750) with the sale of Tonley Princess Z108 by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of Tonley Princess W783, selling to Stephanie Dick, Westerton of Cowie, Stirling. The next best price of 10000gns (£10,500) was reached by three animals. One being a Gretnahouse Krack Light daughter, Tonley Princess Z049, who took best yearling heifer in this year’s NE Club Herd of Year competition and was bought by Mr Doyle from Northen Ireland.
The second heifer to reach this price was Tonley Annie Z050 by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of Tonley Annie T382 and goes home to Brotherton Estates in Angus. This price was also realised by a cow and bull calf Tonley Ester R161 and her calf Tonley Enzo A204, which was purchased by Taylor Farms, West Lothian.
The sale topped at 15000gns (£15,750) with the sale of Tonley Princess Z108 by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of Tonley Princess W783.
Tonley Fiona Y937, daughter of Tonley Jester Eric S318, the current Highland Show Champion 2024, also won the yearling heifer champion at the BBB 2023 and was overall champion at the Agri Expo 2023. Tonley Fiona sold for 8500gns (£8,925) to Murdoch Allan & Son in Aberdeenshire. The young heifer Tonley Equidora Z098 sired by Blelack Evora X116 and out of Tonley Equidora X825 reached 8000gns (£8,400) and was sold to RM Adam & Son, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar.
There were four buyers going to 7000gns (£7,350) which put them in the top ten prices. First was Tonley Kay Pride S256 and her heifer calf Tonley Kay Pride A200 bought by Graeme Massie, Aberdeenshire. This outfit was followed by the heifer Tonley Ester A129 by Tonley Jester Eric S318 and out of Tonley Ester S255 and sold to Ms E. Benge & Mr R Mawer from Corner Farm, Lincolnshire.

Third to reach this price was Tonley Ester Z038, daughter of Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and Tonley Ester V672 and was purchased by Angus Neish for the Rodmead Herd in Warminster. Tonley Julia Z037 also achieved 7000gns (£7,350) and was bought by the Hardings in Cheshire.
Tonley Princess Z108
Sale Statistics:
Yearling
Additional Prices:


Tonley
Tonley Annie Z050


Introducing Aberdeen Angus Advantage Dams
Identifying dams that provide the Aberdeen Angus Advantage (Triple A Dams)
Triple A dams aims to identify the dams within your herd based on their raw performance alone, and is not based on EBVs or predicted performance. Emphasis is placed on early puberty, breeding and early calving, followed by regularity of calving and above-average performance of offspring. While outstanding dams can be identified after their first or second calves, TripleA dams require a minimum of three calves to determine her regularity of calving and ability to produce above average calves for weaning weight year after year. Each herd with qualifying dams will receive a report which lists the dams in their herd that qualify, along with the parameters which have been met in order to achieve this qualification. The report will also be available in your Downloads folder in your Breedplan login.
Intended implementation steps and timeline
Reports will be published annually and will be available within herd initially (2023). It is an ambition to identify both breeders with TripleA females, and the females themselves, within a Breedplan for other breeders to be able to identify (2024). It is also an ambition to publish the full list, in the Review and online, from 2025. Lastly, AACS intends to identify the sires which produce 5 or more TripleA females, on an annual basis. Please scan the QR code to access the current list.
Why use raw data rather than EBVs?
The idea behind applying the criteria to raw data is that using the raw data with easily understandable and accepted criteria will produce a list of dams that the breeder can identify with as being their top producing females – a way of describing the data set with a focus on maternal traits. It is expected that this approach will both encourage breeders to submit data to try to achieve greater numbers of their females populating their individual lists, on the basis that if the data isn’t there then the criteria cannot be applied to it. And secondly, create a greater confidence level in the predicted values (EBVs) which are created from the raw data.
Focus on TripleA Dam Advantages - Criteria
TripleA dams are actively involved in breed performance recording. First, a female must have at least 3 natural calves registered. Secondly, a female must produce her first calf before a minimum of 911 days (2.5 yrs.), and the female must have had her most recent calf in the last 10 years. In addition, from within the population selected using the above criteria, females are further filtered based on average calving interval for the 3 or more calves born to the female, such that the maximum calving interval is 365 + (30/number calving intervals).
Lastly, of the selected dams based on the above criteria, females will be included if their (minimum 3) natural calves are present in contemporary groups (herdmates) of 5 or more, and where the average weaning weight ratio is greater than 105 – the calves are at least 5% above breed average. In summary, a qualifying dam must produce regularly and wean a calf that helps maintain the average weaning ratio of 105 or above.
Scan the QR code to view the current list

Quality beef genetics give boost to Worcestershire dairy business
The addition of Aberdeen-Angus genetics has created a robust market for beef stores for one Worcestershire dairy farm looking to enhance its farm business.
Angela Turney returned to her family’s dairy farm in 2017, and now manages the 300-cow Friesian dairy herd in Malvern, alongside her parents, Francis and Diana Harcombe.
The herd operates an autumn block calving system, with twice-daily milking through a 24/48 GEA herringbone parlour. Milk yields average 7,000 litres per cow per year, sold on direct contract to Muller.
Mrs Turney says running a sustainable, self-sufficient operation that utilises home-grown feed, is very much the focus for their farm, which comprises 850-acres of grazing and arable.
“We could push for more milk but it’s not my priority to drive the cows to their limits.
"I want long life, healthy and efficient cows - so our current milk yield is their sweet spot.”
She explains, other than calf milk powder, starter cutlets and a soya blend during winter, which is supplied by GLW feeds, all other supplies are grown on the farm, including maize, cereals and straw for their loose housed yards.
Breeding for success
Starting in November, cows and heifers are served to natural heat by artificial insemination (AI) with Friesian sexed semen. The target is to achieve 100 dairy bred heifer calves to retain as replacements.
Cows that return after second service, or that are unsuitable to breed dairy replacements, run with their Aberdeen-Angus bulls, with all beef calves reared on the farm and sold privately to a nearby finishing unit at 16 to 18 months old.

“We invested in CowManager ear tag sensors in 2023 and have been very pleased with their performance, acting as an additional pair of eyes around the clock.
“It allows us to react to health alerts but most importantly be much more accurate with our heat detection and timing of services.
“This has been a huge help in tightening our calving block, but inevitably there will be some that still slip through the net, which are then swept up by the Aberdeen-Angus bull.”
Running a closed herd allows Mrs Turney to have full control over the characteristics they breed for.
She knows what is needed to work in their system, and when it comes to using beef sires, she carefully balances trait selection to suit both the dairy herd and their store beef operation.
Explaining her priorities for breeding dairy replacements, she says: “Ultimately, I need fit cattle; they can walk up to a mile a day between grazing paddocks and the parlour along a network of 12,000 concrete railway sleepers, which obviously takes up a proportion of their energy that isn’t then being used to produce milk.
“But practically and logistically, that’s what they need to be able to do here, and we take a great deal of pleasure seeing our herd out grazing.”
“A good grazing animal is vital to achieve our grass residuals, we put fresh grass in front of the herd twice a day and keep them out for as long as possible throughout the year.”
Consistency is key
Having previously used Limousin and Simmental bulls as sweepers, Mrs Turney is very content with what the Aberdeen-Angus genetics have been bringing to the herd for over 15 years
“We weren’t getting consistency with the bulls before, both in their fertility and the calves they produced.
“Simplicity is key, and that wasn’t the way to keep things simple,” she says.
The farm has sourced a number of Aberdeen-Angus bulls from Paul Westaway and his Melview herd.
She says they provide exactly what she needs to work in harmony with the dairy herd, including a short gestation, easy calving and a good temperament.
“They’re good-sized bulls that I know will work with the stature of the Friesians and produce a decent-sized calf without any calving issues.”
“Any intervention at calving limits her ability to get back into calf the following year, so I’m pleased to have not had any significant problems last year.”
Mrs Turney says with calving outdoors they also need vigorous calves that get up and suck, with a good temperament to make handling easier.
She adds: “We take care in rearing both the dairy and the beef sired calves; if you’re not willing to invest time and effort at this stage, then it’s a waste of time.
“The dairy cross beef calves have a great temperament, and that comes from having a bull you don’t feel the need to watch over your shoulder whenever you’re in the same field.”
Mrs Turney explains the breeds innate hardiness and ability to thrive off forage also lends itself to the low cost outwintering system in which they operate.
This is important in alleviating the pinch points in the farm’s winter housing space while fitting in with their ethos of maximising forage.
“All the cows and calves are housed inside but we’re able to out-winter 100 Aberdeen-Angus weanlings on fodder beet and they’re perfectly happy on the lighter free draining land around the farm.”
With a strong market for Aberdeen-Angus named sired cattle, four years ago, Mrs Turney started selling approximately 90 dairy cross beef stores direct to a finishing unit, having previously sold them at Worcester market.
She says: “They are often more attractive to finishing units than other beef breeds because of the market premium on offer and their ability to finish quickly.”
All beef calves are reared on farm and then grown on to 16-18 months of age before being sold to Gloucestershire finisher, Peter Hewlett, who mostly supplies Co-Op as well as a few butchers.
“He only wants pedigree Aberdeen-Angus sired calves and for good reason; the market demand is there on the supermarket shelves for the breed, from a premium steak right through to beef mince.”
Aberdeen-Angus proves ideal breed for busy Yorkshire couple
A focus on efficiency and achieving market premiums led to an East Yorkshire couple establishing an AberdeenAngus herd. Here we find out more about the farm business and how it has grown to become a supplier of breeding bulls to farmers in the region.
East Yorkshire couple Robert and Davina March established their Abbeywold herd of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle in 2018. The married couple, who both work full-time off the farm, made the move into keeping Aberdeen-Angus after a re-think of the farming strategy at Gatehouse Farm, near Driffield. The farm is run alongside Davina’s parents and comprises 70 acres of permanent pasture with one third owned, and the remainder rented.
Mrs March, who works as a rural surveyor, says the change in policy arose from concerns about the consequences of Brexit on the farm’s sheep enterprise. “We were very worried about the impact of Brexit on the sheep market, so we started looking at introducing cattle to the farm,” adds Mrs March.
“The grass that is available to us is fairly traditional, permanent pasture, managed under Agri-Environment Schemes and the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme so we were looking for a breed of cattle that would fit into our system.”
At the time, the farm was home to a flock of 60 Lleyn cross Texel ewes, however the flock currently stands at 40 ewes, and they are in the process of converting to pure bred North County Cheviot Park ewes. “We wanted to increase the size and weight of lambs, and the Cheviot Parks help with this, and being hardier can thrive on the traditional grasses that we have on the farm,” explains Mrs March.
After deciding to introduce cattle to the farm, the couple did research to determine what breed would be most suitable for them. “We were looking for an animal that could finish off grass but something that was also a brand; we wanted to be confident that there was a strong market for both breeding stock and meat,” says Mrs March.

Davina and Robert March
““We also liked the fact that the inputs required for Aberdeen-Angus cattle are a lot lower than other breeds.”
With the couple both having jobs outside of the farm business and sometimes having to work alone with the cattle, ease of management and handleability was also vital.
He adds: “We also liked the fact that the inputs required for Aberdeen-Angus cattle are a lot lower than other breeds.”A trip to the Royal Highland Show, and a visit to the AberdeenAngus Cattle Society’s exhibit at the event, cemented the decision to go for Aberdeen-Angus and the couple decided to secure their foundation females from the dispersal sale of Henry Rowntree’s Lancashire-based Ribble herd in 2018.
Mrs March says: “The herd held a couple of open days in advance of the sale, and we went to one to have a look around. We really liked some of the cows and we marked up all the ones we were interested in. When we went to the sale we managed to buy an in-calf cow with a heifer calf at foot, and two in-calf heifers.”
The herd now stands at 16 cows and a senior stock bull and home bred junior stock bull and the current focus is on producing breeding stock to sell to other pedigree herds, commercial beef producers and dairy herds.


Mr March says in the first few years of having cattle, everything except young heifers were housed during the winter. However, young bulls are now also outwintered and they are performing very well on this system. Mrs March adds: “We calve in April and May and our system is very much grass-based and forage-based when they’re in during the winter.”
In the early days, a number of AI bulls were used to maximise the potential of the herd however in recent years a stock bull – Airedale PrairieBoy – was purchased for his genetic potential and a home-bred bull by Rawburn Boss Hogg is also used on heifers.
Since establishing the herd, all heifers have been retained to build numbers and all breeding bulls, with the exception of the one being used on the heifers, have been sold off farm.
The couple says the breed has delivered economic and efficiency benefits for them. Mrs March says: “We’re definitely getting a premium from selling the bulls because we find people who might traditionally have used a continental bull, are buying Aberdeen-Angus, especially to put on their heifers for the first time due to being naturally easy calving”
“And for us they’re efficient to keep because they’re generally good mothers, we have found the calves want to thrive so there has been limited intervention required.”
Mr March says this is especially important because time is a precious commodity for the couple due to their off-farm work commitments”
He adds: “As well as having good maternal traits, they’re good-natured and this is important if I’m not available and Davina has to handle them on her own. You don’t want something that’s difficult to handle.”
Going forward, the couple plans to keep growing cattle numbers and continue producing breeding bulls with a focus on producing easy fleshing, efficient, low input Aberdeen-Angus cattle.
Longer-term they also plan to tap into the consumer market and attract some of the premium prices achieved for Aberdeen-Angus beef through starting a meat box enterprise from the farm
CASE STUDY
Aberdeen-Angus cattle allow Surrey breeder to farm in harmony with nature
“I thought if we sold a product which was pure Aberdeen-Angus and finished off grass, the butchers would like it – and they did because it was very consistent and easy to work with.”
Breed stalwart Angus Stovold believes Aberdeen-Angus cattle are the ideal choice for farmers looking to run lowcost, environmentally friendly farming systems.
Angus Stovold, a former Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society president, runs the Rosemead herd of pedigree AberdeenAngus cattle at Lydling Farm, near Godalming in Surrey.
The herd was established nearly 90-years ago and after returning home to run the family farm, Mr Stovold set about increasing cattle numbers to produce high-quality Aberdeen-Angus beef for butchers.
“My grandfather started breeding the cattle here in 1936 and he liked them because they did well on this poor sort of West Surrey Greensand land; he wanted a breed that was going to do well on forage and not require a lot of inputs,” says Mr Stovold.
After spending time away from the farm working in the meat sector, Mr Stovold returned home in 1986 to a 60-cow herd.
“At the time, we also had a very large pig farm which was supplying a lot of butchers, and they wanted a quality product,” explains Mr Stovold.
“I thought if we sold a product which was pure AberdeenAngus and finished off grass, the butchers would like it – and they did because it was very consistent and easy to work with.”
Shift in farming policy
The Rosemead herd expanded under Mr Stovold’s stewardship and by 2000, the business comprised 230 cows run across 11 units.
However, the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak the following year sparked a change in farming policy and a new focus on producing high-quality, disease-free animals.
Mr Stovold says although the farm was not directly affected by the outbreak, it started his interest in high-health status cattle – something he has prioritised ever since.

“I first joined a Defra-run health scheme, which initially focussed on Leptospirosis, and then we later joined the SAC Premium Cattle Health Scheme which also focused on Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Johne’s, and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD),” he explains.
“Health is hugely important and since being involved in these schemes, we’ve been clear of disease with the exception of having once case of BVD in 2012 which we got rid of quickly.”
As well as closely monitoring for disease, Mr Stovold only vaccinates cattle when necessary and he runs a strict quarantine policy for any bought-in animals, or those returning home from a show.
Current farming system
The herd currently comprises 150 cows which are run across two units, and the farm extends to 700 acres of which 300 acres is arable land.
Having established a very strong customer base, the majority of stock is now sold for breeding, with approximately 10% reared to supply Aberdeen-Angus beef to butchers.
“Post Foot and Mouth, it was a really challenging time for the beef sector and renting the 11 farms wasn’t sustainable,” says Mr Stovold.
“It was costing me money and some of the farms were up to 10 miles away, so we had to have quite a few members of staff.
“We’ve consolidated the business somewhat since its peak in cow numbers; there’s now three of us working on the farm which is more sustainable and profitable.”
He describes his current system as “low-cost, low-input, and environmentally friendly” and firmly believes the Aberdeen-Angus breed is key to achieving this.
The herd comprises both spring- and autumn-calving blocks, and all cattle are outwintered, and run on a paddock grazing system.
“We’ve found that if we reduce the mob size to between 20 and 25 cows, they’re coming off the grass in absolutely tip top shape,” says Mr Stovold.
“Both the cows and calves are just phenomenal, whereas with a larger mob of 40 cows, the quality is not as consistent.”
Going forward, he plans to further reduce the size of his grazing mobs, and he is assessing whether a two-day or three-day grazing system is best suited to his farm.


Sustainable choice
Mr Stovold believes the adaptability of Aberdeen-Angus cattle, and their ability to thrive on less inputs, means they are a sustainable choice – both in terms of their environmental impact and their profitability.
“The breed is the ideal breed for modern beef production,” says Mr Stovold.
“From an animal that’s born in Aberdeen, to one born on the cliffs of Cornwall, they’re so adaptable and they can work for you wherever you are and with whatever system you have.”
He says the fact Aberdeen-Angus can thrive on his very dry farm, which has been badly hit by droughts in recent years, is testament to the hardiness of the breed.
“In a normal year, because we’re on sandy soil, we will be brown on most of the farm in July,” adds Mr Stovold.
“We tend to have to feed forage in July, August, and September, and then the grass comes back allowing us to graze all the way up until Christmas quite happily.”
The Rosemead style
A firm believer in breeding the right type of AberdeenAngus for your system, Mr Stovold has focused on producing a medium-sized, deep-bodied cow – something which proves popular with the customers he sells bulls and breeding females to across the country.
He says current stock bulls which are working well in the herd include Cardona Edwin, by Ballindalloch Earl, and Perrywood Mr Regent, by imported AI sire Tuwharetoa Regent.
“My main priorities with breeding are fertility, feet and udders,” explains Mr Stovold.
Six decades of Angus breeding at Denamona
The Irwin family’s Denamona prefix has been synonymous with quality pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle and top-class stockmanship for over six decades.
Founded by Moses Snr, and wife Margaret, in the early 1960’s as a ‘side-line’ to their successful hardware business in the County Tyrone village of Fintona, the Denamona prefix has grown and evolved over the years and is now home to 65 pedigree cows.
Moses Snr recalls buying his first foundation female, Jill of Corromahon at the Fardross dispersal for 74gns. The herd’s first home-bred bull, Charles of Denamona, sold for 125gns at a multi-breed sale hosted by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society at Balmoral in Belfast.
“Our first stock bull was Lord Tomboy of Ballymagowan, bred by Tommy Mills from Clogher. He was sired by Baron Remus of Tulnavert and was selected on my behalf by the late Fred Short. He cost 200gns and was an interbreed champion at Omagh Show.”
Successful cow families at Denamona include Ida, Julie, Penny and Pansy. The Pearl family was introduced by Moses Jnr, following the purchase of a heifer at the Ladeside dispersal held at the old market in Perth. The Princess Caroline and Evora lines were purchased from the Blelack Herd in 2002.

We like medium-sized cows with good square bodies and a nice sweet head,” added Moses Snr.
More recently, the Rodmeade Primero R746 daughter, Gretnahouse Karma Lady Z486 was purchased for a top price of 12,000gns at the Gretnahouse dispersal sale.
“We like medium-sized cows with good square bodies and a nice sweet head,” added Moses Snr.
Moses Jnr is responsible for the day-to-day management of the herd, which is run alongside a successful commercial power washing business. “The Aberdeen Angus breed is really well suited to our farmland and the wet climate in Northern Ireland. Over the years we have moved away from the traditional Aberdeen Angus in favour of more modern and functional genetics.
“We calve during the spring and autumn months. The majority of cows and heifers calve by themselves, which is a necessity when I’m away working. The Aberdeen Angus boasts longevity, coupled with plenty of milk, good mothering ability and fertility. The oldest cow in our herd, Denamona Julie J857 is seventeen-years-old.”

Newborn calves are gradually introduced to creep feed prior to weaning. Calves are weaned at around seven to eight-months-ofage and separated into bull and heifer batches.
The best heifers are retained as herd replacements, with the remainder reared and sold in Clogher Mart at eighteen or nineteen-months-old and weighing around 600kgs. Surplus bull calves are also sold in the mart and are in demand from Aberdeen Angus producer scheme members.
Moses Irwin with the first prize bull calf Denamona Primer A416. Picture Alfie Shaw, Agri-Images
Denamona Princess Caroline U824 was reserve supreme champion at Clogher Show in 2019. Picture Edward Dudley
CHAMPIONPairofCalves

Moses Jnr added:”We select and rear 25 of our best bulls annually. They are grazed during the spring and summer, and fed blend and straw during the winter housing period. Prior to sale, the bulls are managed in individual pens.
“The bulls are sold off-farm from sixteen-months-old onwards to repeat customers. In recent years we have established an annual sale at Ballymena Mart, with the April 2024 offering of ten bulls averaging 2,950gns per head. Most of the bulls sell to dairy herds, but a few go to commercial suckler herds.”
Stock bulls which have left their mark on the herd include Blelack Lord Heston S721 purchased in Stirling in 2016, and Liley Karlsberg U299 bought in Stirling in 2019.
Current stock bulls at Denamona include Drumhill Prime Cut X155, reserve senior champion at Stirling in October 2022 and purchased for 7,500gns; and Shadwell Bravado X283, purchased as a seven-month-old calf for 8,000gns at the Shadwell dispersal sale.
When selecting stock bulls for the herd, the father and son team opt for an animal with good conformation, a smart head, breed character, nice bone and sound legs and feet.
The cows are grazed from April to the end of October, weather permitting. During the winter housing period they are fed a diet of bale or clamp silage which is mixed with straw. Youngstock receive a blend mixed with minerals. The father and son duo both have a good eye when it comes to selecting and judging cattle. Moses Jnr is recognised throughout the UK and Ireland as a top stockman and judge. He has been a mentor at Youth Development Scheme workshops, and has worked in a freelance capacity, halter training, clipping and exhibiting numerous prize winning native and continental breeds for pedigree herd owners in Northern Ireland.
The Denamona Herd has also savoured showring success, winning championships and prizes at NI Aberdeen Angus Club sales in Dungannon. The Irwin family aren’t regulars in the showring, but have won championships at a number of local shows. The home-bred Netherton Mr Brazilian E377 daughter, Denamona Princess Caroline U824 was junior female champion and reserve overall champion at the NI Summer Championship, held at Clogher Show in 2019.
More recently, the Irwin family had a successful trip to the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s annual calf show in Dungannon, winning the pairs championship with Denamona Primer A416 by Drumhill Prime Cut X155, and Denamona Black Benson A674 by Shadwell Bravado X283. These calves were placed first and second in their respective classes, and were described by judge Ewen Campbell as very flashy and almost identical. He added: “They are very well-matched, oozing breed character and full of promise for the future.”

The Irwin family, Moses Snr, Margaret, Moses Jnr, Heather, Moses, Ella and Charlie
Alfie Dickson presents the trophy for the champion pair of calves to Moses and Heather Irwin, Fintona. Picture Alfie Shaw, Agri-Images
Native Aberdeen-Angus Leading the Way in LowCost Sustainable Farming
Phepson Farm’s low-input, grass-fed native AberdeenAngus model highlights a system where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand, contributing to a resilient farm and thriving environment.
Pedigree, native-bred Aberdeen-Angus are at the heart of Rob Havard’s organic, low-input, grass-fed system at Phepson Farm in Droitwich, Worcestershire, offering both economic and environmental benefits while ensuring longterm viability.
Originally a traditional mixed farm managed by Rob’s father David, and grandfather, Phepson Farm has shifted with Rob’s help—a fourth-generation farmer—to a more sustainable, low-input model that includes holistic grazing.
The 1,000 acres of diverse grassland, spread across Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, include rough grazing on scrub and hill land along with permanent pasture. Here, cattle skim-graze in summer to preserve forage and graze intensively through winter, moving every 2-3 days with only hay supplementation, avoiding concentrates entirely, even for sale bulls.
"Using grazing techniques that mimic natural processes lets us grow healthier cattle for less cost while leaving the land better than we found it," says Rob. “People are leaving suckler farming because of the high cost of keeping cows, with wintering costs among the biggest challenges. By farming in this way and outwintering the cows, we avoid

Rob Havard
“Using grazing techniques that mimic natural processes lets us grow healthier cattle for less cost while leaving the land better than we found it,”
those expenses, but it’s essential to have the right cow for this setup.”
Native Aberdeen-Angus along with cows that are part native bred, with their 550-600 kg frame, are ideal as they don’t damage the ground, make better use of forage, and enable a higher stocking rate.
Rob has developed a low-input maternal line that he sells as pedigree cows and bulls to commercial suckler and dairy producers. These smaller cows, when put to a terminal sire, can produce calves similar in size to those from larger Aberdeen-Angus cows but allow Rob to keep two smaller cows per larger one. “Half or three-quarter native cows are a fantastic commercial cow for a low input system,” explains Rob.

Demand from dairy producers is also high, thanks to the smaller calf size—ideal for heifers—a shorter gestation period by ten days and ability to finish off grass.
Rob’s grazing platform, despite being mainly rough grazing, achieves a stocking rate of 1.6 acres per cow-calf pair on the best land comparable to the top third of AHDB’s suckler producers. After years of testing various breeds and genetic lines, Rob found the native Aberdeen-Angus—traceable to the breed’s origins without imported bloodlines—ideal for this system.
In 2015, Rob purchased his first native Aberdeen-Angus bull and later added females from the Dunlouise native Aberdeen-Angus herd in Forfar, Scotland. Today, he manages 110 conventional pedigree and native Aberdeen-Angus cows and eight bulls, with 90% of the herd being homebred.
Profitability
For Rob, fertility is the primary driver of profitability. “Many focus on growth rates, but what you need is a cow that reliably produces calves every year for 10 years or more. If pedigree breeders supply easy-keeping cows to commercial farmers, it supports their viability,” he explains.
Phepson Farm’s fertility rate exceeds 95%, well above the UK average of 75%. “With good fertility, we’re weaning more kilos of beef by simply having more calves.”
The cows are naturally selected for fertility, with any failing to conceive in the first or second cycle removed when the market suits. Heifers are all put to the bull, ensuring any problem cows are replaced with new genetics. This approach also enables a tight eight-week calving window in May and June.
Rob uses detailed records for breeding decisions, focusing on:
• Fertility and early conception
• Strong udder, feet, and leg structure, promoting longevity
• Temperament
• Health and structural soundness.
“We have zero tolerance for functional issues, particularly in bulls’ scrotal structure and sheath placement,” says Rob.
His foundation sire, 10-year-old Oxencraig Kaiser, has greatly influenced the herd. Bred by Andy Humphries, Kaiser comes from 40 years of selective breeding and can be traced back to the renowned bull Evesund of Dupplin, famed for ‘fixing udders’.
Rob has line-bred from Kaiser, allowing him to refine desired traits, with customers benefiting from heterosis when they use his bulls. This year Kaiser ran with 60 cows and when semen was collected from him, he produced 1,100 straws per jumpdemonstrating his fertility.
Rob now sells about 20 pedigree bulls annually, along with starter herds. His meticulous breeding programme ensures each animal thrives in sustainable, low-input farming systems, supporting both the environment and the farm’s bottom line. “It’s about having the right animal for the right job,” he says.
Costs
His system costs about £300 per cow put to the bull, far below the 2022/2023 AHDB average of £968.39, with gross margins over £1,000. This cost structure has given Rob and David confidence to expand.
“High input works when prices and weather align, but low input cows are profitable even in bad years and reduce business risk,” says Rob.
Rob’s travels during his Nuffield Scholarship underscored the importance of competing effectively in the global marketplace, especially after visiting major beef-producing countries. “In 2022, I visited Argentina and Uruguay and saw businessmen managing over 10,000 cows. They weren’t using costly terminal lines—the backbone of their herds was the native Aberdeen-Angus,” he says.
“These operations ran more than 2,000 cows per labour unit. This experience made it clear that we’re farming in a global marketplace, and this level of efficiency is what we’re up against. Efficiency is absolutely vital to succeed.”
And the benefits of the breed don’t stop there. As an ecologist, Rob says he’s seen notable environmental benefits by managing cattle in this way. “Cattle deliver vital environmental outcomes. Well-run systems provide biodiversity gains and allow us to target environmental payments.
“We use holistic planned grazing to maximise diverse, native pastures and have restored many acres of speciesrich land. Our livestock thrive on diverse pastures, allowing us to manage all stock on grass and natural herbs alone”.

CASE STUDY
A switch to AberdeenAngus cuts costs and simplifies management for Welsh farmer
A Welsh upland farmer has switched to Aberdeen-Angus cattle to reduce costs and ease management. A volatile marketplace and declining Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments led Welsh upland livestock farmer Gareth Davies to switch to a native beef breed.
Gareth, who farms at Cwmgwilym near Brecon with his wife Sue, son Cynog, and long-term, full-time employee Vic, decided to change their policy and disperse their 100cow Limousin-cross suckler herd three years ago. After analysing the costs of maintaining a Continental-cross suckler herd, Gareth explored simpler, more economical systems and began considering native pure breeds.
Gareth acknowledges the decision was difficult and emotional but essential for the farm’s future viability.
“We were having some calving issues and spending a lot of time encouraging some of the more stubborn calves to suckle. It was becoming too time-consuming and costly, so we decided to switch to a more easily managed breed” he says.
The herd was initially set to be dispersed in August 2021, but an inconclusive TB test just weeks before the sale delayed the auction. Wanting to continue keeping cattle, the family sought a lower-maintenance breed better suited to their improved upland farm. After considering breeds such as the Welsh Black and Stabiliser, they chose the Aberdeen-Angus. Once the cows tested clear, the herd was reduced, gradually being replaced by Aberdeen-Angus.
“The Aberdeen-Angus yields a good carcass with marbling and fleshes easily off grass and homegrown grain, attracting a 20-30p per kilo premium on finished cattle” he adds.

When the Aberdeen-Angus were first introduced, cows and heifers were sourced from Yorkshire, Scotland, and Carlisle. Their first bull, Lakewood Daniel, was purchased from John Elliott’s Rawburn herd in the Scottish Borders and is sired by Rawburn Makka Pakka. “We wanted an Australian-type Angus, something between the traditional (550-600 kg) and Canadian type (750-900 kg) that stands square with a good loin and hindquarters. Our Rawburn-bred bull has done a great job; he holds his condition well over winter, and his calves flesh easily” he adds.


The Davies aim to build their herd size to 50, with numbers currently at 40. Currently, they sell a few pedigree bulls annually and some breeding heifers. Bull beef leaves the farm at 13-15 months, averaging 340-350 kg deadweight to Kepak. Finished steers are sold at 20 months, averaging 650 kg (live weight) and securing up to a 30p per kilo premium. Although the Aberdeen-Angus doesn’t yield as high a
The Border Aberdeen-Angus Club Heifer Raffle Supports RSABI
In the summer, the Border Aberdeen-Angus Club held a successful raffle which raised funds for agricultural charity, RSABI, and the Aberdeen-Angus Summer National Show at the Border Union Show in Kelso.
The prize was Rulesmains Princess Z838, a pedigree Aberdeen-Angus heifer generously donated by Andrew, Jill, and Emma Hodge of Rulesmains, Duns.
The raffle draw took place on Saturday, 27th July, with Robin Orr from Halbeath, Dunfermline, being the lucky winner. Rulesmains Princess Z838 was also present at the show and featured in a clipping demonstration led by Ian Campbell who works with the Gordon and Rawburn herds, organised by the NextGen committee of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society.
The raffle raised a substantial amount for the Summer National Show, with an excess of £5354.94 donated to RSABI, a charity that provides vital support to individuals within the agricultural sector.
The cheque was presented at the Winter National at the Carlisle AgriExpo by Andrew and Emma Hodge, alongside Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society President Ian Watson, to RSABI Chairman Jimmy McLean.
killing-out percentage as Continental-cross cattle, they yield more profit. Gareth says they are at least 30% cheaper to feed and require two months less housing over the winter, thus reducing costs.
In addition to being more cost-effective, the AberdeenAngus has also simplified management. “Cows now remain out until December, then return indoors until calving in March. After calving, they are turned out within a week or so, requiring only silage and an energy block. Previously, cows were housed earlier for winter and calved in April/ May. The Continental-cross sucklers were not suited to an earlier turnout” says Gareth.
“Although outdoor calving was considered with the Aberdeen-Angus, the current indoor setup is more convenient for the team. With heavy soil and upland weather conditions, calving outside in March could be challenging” Gareth says.

Emma Hodge commented: “As an industry, we are indebted to RSABI for the work that they do to support members of our industry, as it can be a lonely job. It is a very worthwhile cause, and the club is pleased to be making this substantial donation.”
Jimmy McLean, RSABI Chair, was pleased to receive the cheque on behalf of the charity.
“Our thanks go to the Hodge family, the Border Aberdeen Angus Club, and everyone involved in raising this exceptional amount to help support the work of RSABI. We are extremely grateful to all those involved in the raffle and to those who bought tickets and our congratulations to the winner.”
The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society would like to thank The Border Aberdeen-Angus Club and the Hodge family for their generous donation and all who participated in the raffle, contributing to the success of the event and supporting a good cause.
Jimmy McLean, Andrew Hodge, Emma Hodge, Ian Watson

Selective breeding and focus on grass behind success of Orkney beef suckler enterprise
A focus on maternal traits and making the best use of grass has created a profitable and resilient beef suckler enterprise for Orkney farmer William Harcus.
Quanterness Farm has been home to Aberdeen-Angus cattle for more than 50 years and a strict focus on maternal traits has helped deliver a low-cost, high-output system.
Run by third generation farmer William Harcus, in partnership with his father Scott who has semi-retired in recent years, the farm enterprise extends to approximately 1,500 acres with 1,250 acres owned and the remainder rented on an annual basis.
The farm on mainland Orkney has three full-time employees and is home to a herd of 400 pure Aberdeen-Angus cattle, of which 15 are registered pedigree under the Quanterness prefix, and a flock of 800 mainly Shetland cross Texel and Shetland cross Cheviot ewes.
In the past seven years, William has set out to create a farm business that turns a profit before farm subsidies are accounted for.
This has been achieved by focusing on rotational grazing and making the most out of grass – resulting in a shorter winter housing period for the cattle, a reduction in boughtin feed and fertiliser costs, and a significant increase in livestock numbers from 300 cows and 300 ewes. They have implemented a strict selection and culling policy which rewards maternal traits.
Grazing focus
“In the last few years, we’ve worked really hard to move to a rotational grazing system,” says William.
“This has resulted in us extending our grazing season so the cattle are out earlier in the spring, and in the backend of the season we are able to keep a lot of the dry in-calf cows and heifers outside on kale and a hay bale grazed system.”
The winter housing period has reduced to just over four months from seven months previously.
William says the farm runs a simple rotational grazing system with the cattle run in four mobs comprising around 100 cows and calves at foot each.
“When we first started rotational grazing, we really tied ourselves in knots because you ended up shifting around far too many groups of livestock every day, and it was a headache,” he explains.
“In the past three years however, we’ve changed so we only have four groups of cows and calves, and we move them every three days or so. By doing this, our infrastructure needs are less demanding, and you can also adapt the system very easily.”
He says a leader follower system is run in the height of summer and the sheep go on the grazing blocks first to get the best of the grass, followed by the cows and calves who are used to tidy everything up.
Approximately 850 acres of the farm is used for either grazing, or silage and hay production, with one main cut of silage taken from the third week of June onwards every year.
The grass fields are regularly re-seeded and more recently William has made use of herbal leys with mixed success.
He says the focus on rotational grazing has reduced the farm’s annual fertiliser bill by approximately £30,000 a year and completely eradicated bought-in feed costs, which were around £6,000 a year for the sheep enterprise alone.
“It’s delivered a win-win for us,” adds William.
“The winter hardiness and resilience of our grass has meant by rotationally grazing in the winter, we’ve improved root structure, so we’ve now got more grass in the spring and we don’t have to put as much fertiliser on to get the grass growing.”

Breeding focus
Adopting a strict ‘one chance to get in-calf' policy, William runs two tight six-week spring calving blocks – the first group of 170 calves indoors on slatted accommodation from the beginning of March, and the second group of 230 cows is calved outdoors from the beginning of May.
“Running two calving groups gives us a gap to get lambing done in-between,” says William.
“To achieve this, I’ve pushed pretty hard in the last four or five years to get a six-week bulling period, and my empty rate is averaging 5-6%.
“Aberdeen-Angus work well for this because the calves have low birth weights, making them well suited to outdoor calving, and because they are born with extremely high vigour, we know they’ll be up and suckling in no time.”
A red-tag system is also in use and any problematic cows – such as those with a bad temperament, poor feet, or bad
udder structure – are given a red tag and if they have a problem again, they are culled. Their heifers will also receive a red tag and not be kept for future breeding.
“It’s a very simple system and by doing this you can certainly make great genetic gains in the herd quite fast,” says William.
Prior to running a rotational grazing system, all cattle were finished on the farm, however anything that isn’t being kept for breeding is now sold as stores to a finisher in Aberdeenshire at 10 or 11-months-old in March and April.
The winter ration is entirely based on home-grown forages and comprises grass silage and spring barley for the weaned calves.
Efforts have been made to reduce cow size and mature cows now average 750kg, compared to 800-900kg previously.
All heifers are expected to calve down at two-years-old and get in-calf within six-weeks, otherwise they are finished and sold off the farm.
William is a firm believer in breeding for maternal traits and he focuses on selecting for fertility, locomotion, and good udder structure.
A group of 14 stock bulls is run on the farm, and William sources bulls privately – rejecting the type of bulls being produced for the show and sale ring – with recent purchases including sires from Wedderlie and Fordel.
Home-bred pedigree bulls are also produced from the herd’s registered pedigree females, with some sold to local farmers and the others retained for use within the herd.
“My system is low-input, high-output because of the type of cattle we’re working with; we’ve worked hard to select for maternal traits and it has paid off,” says William.
“The Aberdeen-Angus breed has been instrumental because the cattle require minimal inputs and grow well on grass.”

The Benefits of Aberdeen Angus in Sustainable Beef Production by
Clíodhna Smith

Background of Aberdeen Angus:
Sustainability:
Sustainability of Breed:
Why we chose Angus on our farm:
Conclusion:

Good afternoon, my name is Cliodhna Smith. I am 17-years- old from Ireland. I work on the family farm with my dad, where we have a suckler beef herd of Limousin and Red Angus cattle. Today I am going to talk to you about the benefits of Aberdeen Angus and why I think they are sustainable for beef production.
Background of Aberdeen Angus:
Sustainability:
Sustainability of Breed:
The Aberdeen Angus breed was developed in the early part of the 19th century from the polled and predominantly black cattle of the northeast Scotland region. They are red or black in colour and are known for being good natured animals. Aberdeen angus are undemanding, adaptable, have a high carcass yield with nicely marbled meat and mature very early.
Why we chose Angus on our farm:
Conclusion: Background of Aberdeen Angus: Sustainability:
Sustainability of Breed:
Why we chose Angus on our farm:
Sustainability is the long-term goal to maintain and protect earth’s natural resources. With climate change being at the fore front of the news over recent years, it is important that farmers are up to date and willing to be part of the solution/ willing to change their practices to ensure beef production is environmentally friendly.
Conclusion:
Good fertility is the foundation of sustainable beef productivity. An empty cow poses a huge expense to farmers. Farmers should aim for a calf per cow per year. When angus calves are born, they are relatively small at birth which decreases calving difficulty. The calves are vigorous. Having a smaller calf, the cow is able to get back in calf within the three-month window. This is important for her calving interval. It allows for compact calving and provides the farmers an opportunity to hit the ideal markets throughout the year. A constant flow of income is important for farmers to hit their goals and maintain the efficiency of the farm.
Having a heifer that is fit to calve down at 22-27 months, increases the number of calves she will have over her lifetime and lowers the number of non-productive females in the herd.
Breed genetic choice also has a huge influence on sustainable productivity on farms. It is important that famers target the traits that suit their enterprise. If a farmer wants a cow that has good maternal capabilities, replacement is important. If a farmer wants to focus on the carcass, the terminal index is vital.
Aberdeen angus cattle are the attractive breed to turn food into meat most efficiently. The diet of cows in Ireland is mainly grass due to the temperate climate. The breed is known for their early maturing traits. They are known for being easily finished on grass and maintain their body condition score. Aberdeen angus are suitable for converting low-cost feed into very high-quality products. Aberdeen angus can be reared to the required weight which is 315-320 kg without the reliance of expensive feed, heifers can be finished at 23-26 months and steers 26-27 months. This decreases the extra cost on farmers.
The breed is also well known for their maternal traits, good milking ability and docility. They have good mothering abilities and able to rear the calf on their own. This limits the stress on the farmers. They are easy to handle in the yards, this is ideal for health and safety.
The health and wellbeing of the cow also contributes to increased sustainable output for farmers. As previously mentioned, fertility is crucial in the production of beef.
If the health of animals is not addressed properly by farmers, then fertility may become a problem. Similarly, the poor condition of cows can cause a reduced milk yield which in turn can cause poor growth rate in the calf. This can increase cost for farmers as they may have to introduce meal to finish animal. Healthy animals need less antibiotics and in turn this decreases the cost on the farmer and food chain contamination.
Background of Aberdeen Angus:
Sustainability:
Sustainability of Breed:


Sustainability:
This is not sustainable in regard to human health. Around 20% of global livestock production is lost due to animal disease. By protecting and treating animals against disease, the overall health of the herd is improved, and productivity is increased. It is important to remember that prevention is always more desirable and leads to a less economic loss.
Sustainability of Br
Why we chose A

Conclusion:
With the focus now on climate action and sustainable farming, we realised we would need to change our farming practises. Knowing that we needed an early maturing breed, we looked at various breeds that may suit our system while adhering to the environmental schemes and found that the Angus was best suited to our enterprise.

With farmer’s main focus being drawn to maximising production while maintaining sustainability of the business, the Aberdeen Angus breed has proven to be part of the solution. Being able to have a cow breed on the farm with proven health, fertility and genetics separates those best suited for the years ahead while keeping an eye on sustainability.
Therefore, I believe Aberdeen angus is the breed for the future. That concludes my presentation for today. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoyed!
Background of Aberdeen Angus:
The Benefits of Aberdeen Angus in Sustainable Beef Production by Eoin Robinson
a young breeder
Introduction


I am Eoin Robinson, I’m 17 and live on a dairy farm in Co. Westmeath which is located in the midlands of Ireland. Alongside our family-run dairy enterprises, I farm my own herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle under the Ballykilroe prefix which has been established since 2022.
On the presentation topic of The Benefits of Aberdeen Angus in Sustainable Beef Production, I plan to look into several pillars and aspects of sustainability that the Angus breed reach and why I believe Angus beef is superior to its alternatives on these grounds.
Worldwide, the Aberdeen Angus breed is renowned for its easy calving, short gestation, polled, easy fleshing, early maturing and meat eating quality attributes. All of the above lead to a more sustainable beef product.
On the calving front, the breed’s traits have led it to dominate the beef usage amongst the dairy industry. Over 50% of beef inseminations on Ireland’s dairy herd were Aberdeen Angus so far this year (2024). With regard to the suckler industry, the breeds calving traits have a similar influence, allowing heifers to calve closer to 24 months to an Angus bull, and Angus heifers calve at 24 months due to them maturing early.


Often overlooked is the breed’s polled nature which is linked to reduced labour and costs, thus increasing sustainability and with other management conveniences, leading to increased profits which also include the breed’s dietary requirements.
Aberdeen Angus are arguably the world’s trademark breed for grass fed beef Angus have an unparalleled ability to produce our northern hemisphere climates cheapest food source from grass into top quality beef.
Couple this with early maturing and easy fleshing, the need to feed concentrates is minimal and in some cases needless. This leads us to a reduced carbon footprint due to the reduced amounts of concentrates or protein sources that may otherwise have to be imported and transported to feed livestock.
Amongst consumers, Aberdeen Angus beef is associated with quality and now with thanks to producer group and several associates of the beef industry, Aberdeen Angus is recognised as the most sustainable choice of beef.
Aberdeen Angus beef clearly boast benefits from an environmentally sustainable aspect, however it also delivers on social sustainability.
It is evident from the breeds reduced management that I’ve alluded to and coupled with the breeds docility, calving ease and

marketability making them a standout choice for all age groups of farmers looking to minimise stress in their enterprise.
Economically the breed is one of the most sustainable, major cost savings are possible as mentioned earlier. Irish research body Teagasc have proven Dairy calf to beef as being one of the most profitable beef enterprises based off a dairy bred traditional breed model.
With many farmers moving away from the suckler or calf to weanling or store industry due to its small margins, there seems to only be one path that covers all pillars of sustainability, that being the Aberdeen Angus route.
Factory and producer group incentives in Ireland and abroad are incentivising farmers to invest in the breed.
Commonly in Ireland Angus beef is cooperating with the dairy industry with high genetic merit Angus calves coming off the dairy herd being reared on dry stock farms with targets of over 300kgs carcass weight at 20 to 23 months.
If systems like this are adapted we will deliver to our consumers high quality and sustainable beef on the grounds of Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability. Aberdeen Angus are paving the way for sustainable beef production worldwide!


Results from the recently held Livescot 2024
Livescot 2024, hosted by the Scottish National Fat Stock Club at Lanark Agricultural Centre was held on Friday the 22nd of November and Saturday the 23rd November. From the unhaltered classes the Champion Butchers Animal (R B Meiklejohn Challenge Trophy) was a 570kg Aberdeen Angus steer exhibited by George and Aileen McFadzean of Woodhead of Mailer Farm, Perth. Best
Pure AA was a steer, Humdinger, exhibited by the Firm of G Gray, Sunnycroft, Selkirk.
Livescot also hosted pedigree calf classes, and in the Aberdeen-Angus Pedigree calf section Mr and Mrs M Alford took home both the Champion and reserve champion with Foxhill Princess Caroline A265 and Foxhill Carina Z178, respectively. Foxhill Princess Caroline then went on to claim Reserve Interbreed Pedigree calf Champion.
Mr and Mrs M & HD Currie also had a fantastic result in the Beef Rib Competition, taking both champion and reserve in the Native Class. They then went on to take Reserve Overall champion Beef Rib with their winning Native bred entry.
Congratulations to all of the exhibitors and winners on a great weekend despite the snowy weather which did not hinder their success.




Winning 1st prize in the Bullock sired by a native sire, Best animal sired by an Aberdeen Angus, and the Harry Elmsley perpetual challenge cup - Humdinger 620kg from firm of G Gray, Sunnycroft, Selkirk
Mr and Mrs M & HD Currie first and second place and reserve overall Native Rib class
Mr & Mrs M Alford with Champion and Reserve Champion in the pedigree Aberdeen Angus calf classes. Pictured are: Foxhill Princess Caroline A265 (Champion) and Foxhill Princess Carina Z178 (Reserve Champion)
Cattle Class Results
Class 1
Pure bred native bullock
Class 2
Native cross bred bullock
Firm of G Gray Sunnycroft Humdinger (Aberdeen Angus) (5)
J Paterson and Son; Low Three Mark Mr Softey (Aberdeen Angus Cross) (11)
RSPB Scotland; Adradh Am Prionnsa Dubha (Aberdeen Angus Cross) (15)
George McFadzean; Woodhead Of Mailer Farm Malcolm (Aberdeen Angus Cross) (10)
Gordon Cameron; Newton Cottage Baby Guinness (Aberdeen Angus Cross) (45)
(R B Meiklejohn Challenge Trophy) G and A McFadzean (106)
Pedigree Calves - Aberdeen Angus
Class 1004
Bull born between 1st July 2023 and 31st December 2023
Class 1005
Bull born after 1st of January 2024
Class 1006
Heifer born between 1st July 2023 and 31st December 2023
Class 1007
Heifer born after 1st of January 2024 1st
Champion
Reserve
Inter-Breed Pedigree Calves
Beef Rib Competition
Brailes Livestock’s Brailes Lord Richard (517)
Firm of G Gray’s Ettrick Ringleader (667)
D Strachan and Son’s Shawtonhill Norris (525)
R and C Rettie’s Retties Lionheart (521)
Mr and Mrs M Alford’s Foxhill Princess Carina Z178 (528)
Firm of G Gray’s Ettrick Bella (529)
Mr and Mrs M Alford’s Princess Caroline A265 (531) 2nd
Brailes Livestock’s Brailes Ellie (535) 3rd W and R Dunlop’s Auchengray Emma A009 (535)
Mr and Mrs M Alford’s Princess Caroline A265 (531)
Mr and Mrs M Alford’s Foxhill Princess Carina Z178 (528)
Mr and Mrs Alford’s Foxhill Princess Caroline (531 Aberdeen Angus)
Reserve Champion Beef Rib M and HD Currie, with their Rib sired by a Native sire from class 102
Semen Royalty Scheme to be updated and reintroduced
Background
Aberdeen Angus cattle are a valued breed, celebrated for their excellent marbling and tenderness. Traditionally, breeders have relied on established bloodlines to maintain and enhance these characteristics. However, the genetic pool can become limited, leading to issues such as inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity. A semen royalty scheme aims to incentivize breeders to invest in superior genetics while generating revenue for breed improvement initiatives.
Benefits of a Semen Royalty Scheme
1
Enhanced Genetic Diversity
By incentivizing the use of high-quality semen from elite bulls, the scheme could promote genetic diversity. Access to diverse genetics is crucial for improving traits such as disease resistance, growth rates, and reproductive efficiency.
2

3
Revenue Generation for Breed Improvement
Royalties collected from semen sales can be reinvested into research and development initiatives focused on breed improvement. This funding could support genetic research, performance evaluations, and promotional activities to increase the breed’s market share.
Improved Market Competitiveness
A well-implemented semen royalty scheme could position Aberdeen Angus as a leader in quality beef production. By ensuring that only top-tier genetics are disseminated, the breed could maintain its premium status in the marketplace, ultimately benefiting both breeders and consumers. A Semen Royalty Scheme (SRS) rewards breeders for their investment in genetics and encourages ongoing participation in improving the breed.
Parameters of the updated Semen Royalty Scheme
The Aberdeen Angus breed suspended its Semen Royalty scheme in 2020 to new applications, due to issues around being able to accurately administrate the scheme while reconciling sire verifications following registration.
Improvements in DNA procedures and changes in Society requirements have led to the ability to reintroduce a SRS, following the roll out of the updated byelaws. In accordance with other Societies, a formal agreement has been drafted which will be circulated to all breeders with bulls on the previous SRS list, which will provide an opportunity to update the list.

Thereafter, new applications will be taken for bulls to be added to the SRS list. The guidelines for the scheme will be largely the same as previously, apart from an additional parameter that limits the semen royalty fee for any bull to £100. The SRS is in place to level out the playing field and make it expectant that semen is sold at the same price for both commercial use and pedigree use. A pedigree calf would be charged a surcharge at the point of registration (SRS fee), which acknowledges the expected increase in value of the pedigree calf, and to help the breeder recoup the cost of collection, storage and distribution of the semen.
For clarification, the summary of guidelines of the SRS are as follows:
• Any full member of the AACS can make an application to include a bull on the SRS register.
• All progeny registered sired by bulls registered with the SRS will be required to pay a Semen Royalty Fee.
• An entry fee of £50 is levied for each bull entered on the SRS to cover administrative, printing and advertising costs. At the same time, the owner of the bull is required to sign a declaration of willingness to abide by the rules of the SRS, and to specify the fee to be charged.
• The Society has added a cap on any Royalty Fee of £100 plus VAT.
• AACS will remit the value of the SRS (minus an administration fee) to the owner of the SRS sire once the registration and SRS fee have been remitted to AACS.
• Only bulls which have been approved for AI, by both the relevant AI licensing authority (where applicable) and the Society may be entered onto the SRS.
• Only bulls which meet the below points will be accepted to go onto the SRS.
o DNA SNP tested to the Society standard as at time of entry to the scheme.
o At least sire verified.
o Myostatin tested for relevant variants.
o Tested for Progressive Ataxia gene and not be a double carrier.
• For imported semen from an Aberdeen Angus bull that meets the requirement of Bye-Law 2.3, the semen royalty payments must be made through an agent who is a fully paid up member of the AACS.
• Alterations to the SRS fee can only be made with a considerable time lag ahead of implementation.
• Further specific conditions, particularly around ownership, apply. Please see the application form, available on the Society’s website, for further information.
What is a Linear Assessment scheme and why are we introducing it?
What is Linear Assessment?
Linear assessment is a systematic approach to evaluating the conformation, structure, and overall quality of an animal. This method involves scoring specific traits on a numerical scale, providing a standardized way to compare animals and inform breeding decisions. With the increasing demand for quality beef production, linear assessment has gained prominence among breeders, producers, and geneticists.
Why is it important?
■ Objective Evaluation
Linear assessment offers an objective framework for evaluating cattle, reducing subjectivity in visual assessments. This allows for more accurate comparisons across herds and breeds.
■ Genetic Improvement
By identifying desirable traits, breeders can make informed decisions to enhance the genetic quality of their herds. Traits commonly assessed include:
BODY STRUCTURE:
TEMPERAMENT:
REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS:
■ Marketability
Evaluating muscle development, locomotion, and overall balance
Assessing behaviour and ease of handling
Including udder structure and scrotal circumference
Cattle that meet higher standards of conformation and health are more marketable. Linear assessment can help producers target traits that are valued in the marketplace, leading to improved profitability.
Why are we introducing it?
Linear assessment represents a valuable tool for the beef cattle industry, offering a structured approach to evaluating and improving cattle quality, particularly locomotion traits. By focusing on specific, measurable traits, producers can enhance their breeding programs, improve herd management, and ultimately increase profitability. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing objective assessment methods will be crucial in meeting the growing demands for quality beef production.
Roll out of assessments
What can we do to correct “poor” locomotion? This is a common question among many breeders. In order to make an assessment of the situation within the breed, Meurig James (NDHC) assessed the sale bulls forward for both October 2022 and February 2023 sales. These assessment scores (locomotion only) were compared with sale price to establish the relationship between locomotion score and price – see the graph below.
Relationship between Price and Locomotion score - Feb 2023
Locomotion Score
This analysis has shown that the biggest numbers of bulls were scored between 4 and 6 (average), with a still significant number scored 3 or below, while a smaller number still were scored 7 or above.
There were no bulls with scores 3 or below that achieved prices above £8000, while those scored 4-6 achieved up to £17,500. It is also worth noting that those bulls scored 7 or above achieved prices topped at £11,000, but did not top the sale.
It can be seen by the trend line (dotted line on the graph above) that the general trend, or relationship, between price and locomotion is positive, such that as the locomotion score increases so the does the price.
Demonstrating this positive relationship between locomotion score and price has been the catalyst for the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society to introduce a Linear Assessment scheme, or Type Classification, which aims to provide an independent assessment of cows in your herd, reviewing the strengths and weaknesses to enhance longevity, health and welfare. It provides an overall classification score for your cows, which can substantially increase their value. The benefits of assessment include:
• See your cows through fresh eyes
• Classifiers score twenty-four individual ‘linear’ traits
• Insight enables better corrective breeding decisions to be made
• Identify the top percentage of the herd on type to breed your replacements from
• Helps breed in good functional conformation and reduces unnecessary rearing costs
• Once enough records have been collected they will be included in evaluation analyses, to enable these traits to be included in genetic selection indices.
• Highly graded animals can have a considerably higher value than their non-classified counterparts
Meurig James, NBDC, will lead the classification team, who currently evaluate over 130,000 dairy and beef animals every year, including both Simmental and Beef Shorthorn. The NBDC classifiers operate an internationally recognised appraisal system which is used by the AI industry in the British Isles to provide reliable type proofs.
Key Traits in Linear Assessment (General)
■ Structural Soundness
Evaluating the skeletal structure is crucial for ensuring the longevity and productivity of beef cattle. Key indicators include:
■ Leg Structure
Straightness of legs, soundness of joints, and foot structure. Back and Hip Structure: Levelness of the top line and proper hip alignment.
■ Body Condition Score (BCS)
BCS is a critical measure of an animal’s nutritional status and overall health. A standardized scale (typically 1-9) helps assess fat cover and muscle development, guiding feeding and management practices.
■ Conformation
Conformation traits such as body depth, width, and overall shape impact meat quality and yield. Evaluating these characteristics can help predict the animal’s performance in production settings..
National Beef Evaluations
■By Harriet Bunning, Lead Animal Genetics Expert at AHDB
Alongside EBVs provided through BreedPlan, Angus breeders also have access to AHDB’s National Beef Evaluations (NBE), which use national data from BCMS and major processors to measure genetic potential of all breeds and crossbred cattle for five carcase and three maternal traits. For the first time, from August 2024, results for all breeds in NBE are comparable, meaning your customers can compare the genetic potential of your Angus bull, with the Charolais from the farm next door.
To look up your animals in NBE, you can follow the link for an animal through the society online data, listed as “EBVs from AHDB National Beef Evaluations”. Alternatively, you can search directly using either an eartag or pedigree name at ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/national-beefevaluations
Because NBE measure all breeds and crossbreds across the UK, we can track genetic trends for Angus and compare these to beef breed average. For days to slaughter, we see that over the last 15 years, the average genetics for beef cattle has improved. On average, cattle born in 2022 have the genetic potential to finish 13 days earlier than those born in 2008.
These trends show that the Angus breed is continuing to improve its genetics as a terminal sire, ensuring Angus-sired calves have the genetic potential to finish quickly, reducing feed costs.
When we look at just Angus, this trend is even more impressive. Angus cattle on average have better genetics than the overall beef mean and the rate of improvement is also better, with a 17 day reduction. This rate of improvement is also increasing, suggesting that Angus breeders are accelerating the improvement of genetics to finish cattle more efficiently.
The trend for carcase weight is a little different, with not much change seen on average (an increase of about 2kg between 2008 and 2022). On average, Angus cattle have lower genetic potential for carcase weight, compared to the overall beef average. This is unsurprising when breeders are selecting for easy calving and potentially more moderately sized cows to fit in more pasture-based systems. However, we can see a slight acceleration in the breed, leading to genetics for heavier carcases of cattle born in the last 5 years.
Carcase data used in AHDB’s National Beef Evaluations is not limited to pedigree data. It includes a large proportion of commercial crossbred data, including beef x dairy calves. About 69% of carcase records included in the evaluation

have a dairy dam. Using the data in our evaluations, we can track the genetic trends of Angus-sired calves from both suckler and beef x dairy origin.
For carcase weight, the genetics of beef x dairy and suckler calves track similarly. In particular, this trend suggests that between 2014-2018, the breeding companies supplying Angus genetics to dairy farmers may have been prioritising calving ease, which tends to be linked to genetics for lower carcase weight. However, in more recent years, the average Angus x dairy calf has the genetic potential for a higher carcase weight than the average suckler Angus calf. This may be due to the continued increase in the size of an average dairy cow. It also may suggest that the priorities for breeding companies may have changed. With the increased prevalence of integrated schemes for rearing beef x dairy calves, breeding companies have begun to include calf growth rates in their selection criteria.
For days to slaughter, we see that, although in the past, calves with a dairy dam had poorer genetics for growth, in the last 5 years they have on average overtaken suckler calves. This improvement is likely due to investment of breeding companies in genomic selection of their beef sires alongside their move from a focus on just easy calving to also include growth traits.
These trends show that the Angus breed is continuing to improve its genetics as a terminal sire, ensuring Angus-sired calves have the genetic potential to finish quickly, reducing feed costs. Animals finished more quickly are also linked to lower greenhouse gas emissions, meaning that these genetics are key in protecting the reputation of British beef.


Weight Generic Trends


Days to Slaughter Generic Trends

Net Zero Event Hosted by Rulesmains
Quality Meat Scotland hosted an open day on Wednesday, the 7th of August, focused on sustainability, at the award-winning Rulesmains Farm, home to the Hodge family.
The event showcased how the Hodge family’s farming practices have progressed to improve productivity and reduce emissions. Their efforts were recognized when they were awarded Scotch Beef Farm of the Year at the 2023 Scottish Agriculture Awards, a testament to their outstanding dedication.
Emma Hodge, alongside parents Jill and Andrew, runs the mixed arable and pedigree cattle farm at Rulesmains and the family team has 110 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus, 30 commercial Angus, and a handful of pedigree Hereford cattle. Pedigree cattle are successfully shown, and bull sale prices regularly reach five figures. Commercial cattle are aimed to be finished at around 13 to 14 months of age.
The Hodge’s select cattle genetics ultimately create a profitable animal: one that fleshes easily, provides excellent carcase quality, and has sound breed character. In addition, livestock health remains a priority, with the family investing in a comprehensive vaccination program to ensure herd well-being.
The event was a huge success and included a lunch sponsored by The Aberdeen-Angus Society and included a farm tour and workshops covering such topics as investment in genetics using data to explore net weight gains, health protocols (including colostrum intake, vaccination and nutrient analysis) for better animal performance, calving at two years of age, and artificial insemination of heifers and soil improvement and use of homegrown feeds. Robert Gilchrist, CEO of The AberdeenAngus Cattle Society, held a workshop during the event on "Breeding for Net Zero" at the event.
Take home messages from Robert Gilchrist’s workshop on “Breeding for Net Zero.”
To know where you are going, you first need to know where you are.
1. Understand Your Starting Point:
To set clear goals, first analyse your current position by collecting:

» Performance Data: Calving records, sales data, weighing records, farm software outputs, and herd statistics.
» Financial Data: Accounts and enterprise costings.
» Physical Data: Current herd type and estimated breeding values (EBVs).
2. Recognize Breeding Control:
Breeding is a manageable process, so define your breeding objectives by considering:
» Breed or crossbreeding strategies.
» Financial, physical, and structural goals.
» Family lineage or pedigree.
» Desired EBVs.
Gather and Align Resources:
» Assess available resources (land, infrastructure, genetics, etc).
» Understand market demands (e.g., carcass weights: >400 kg or <250 kg).
3. Set a Clear Breeding Objective:
» Objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed (SMART).
» Align these with available resources and market requirements.
4. Implement the Objective:
» Select sires that will advance the breeding goal.
» Breed only from cows that meet the set objective.
» Use culling as a tool to refine herd quality.
Key Principle:
A well-defined breeding objective integrates data-driven decisions, resource management, and market alignment to achieve measurable results.
Robert at Net Zero Rulesmain
Breed Development
■ Kit Acton - Head of Breed Development
In last year’s review I stated that the role of the Breed Development Committee was to evaluate breeding and record technology and deliver the best of those to AACS membership. The goal in 2024 remained the same with the committees’ primary developments being the adoption of genomics, moving to Helical DNA management software in the office and beginning the process of developing a suite of new indexes with Abacus Bio.
Genomics
AACS implemented Breedplan single-step genomic analysis at the start of the year, with the first run completed in spring. In essence, the program compares the physical performance data submitted by breeders to the animal’s DNA profile and then uses the patterns identified to help make predictions across all animals with DNA profiles.
This results in some small changes to individual animals EBV’s, but more importantly, gives a significant rise to trait accuracies making our EBV’s more reliable.
Helical
Adopting Helical DNA management software at Pedigree House has allowed the Society to take DNA profile storage in-house and perform testing such as parentage verification that was previously carried out by a third party. This has been a considerable piece of work for the team at Pedigree House and has also come with a considerable upfront cost. However, in the long-term, there will be a significant annual saving and importantly AACS will be able to provide a more efficient service to members.
Helical also has the potential for members to log-in and manage their herd’s DNA profiles and testing directly, which would be a significant time saver for both members and staff. This function is under development, and I hope will be available in 2025.
Index Development
During 2024, Council has approved a considerable package of work to update the Terminal and Self-Replacing Indexes, as well as provide two new indexes for Dairy-Beef and Sustainability. TI and SRI will be updated to better reflect current UK production systems. The new Dairy-Beef index is being developed in response to the significant rise in Aberdeen-Angus sired calves coming from the dairy sector and will be available to assist members breeding for that market as well as supporting Dairy customers seeking their next sire. Taken together, these indexes will be a considerable investment in the breed that will help the Society and its members to demonstrate the value of using an Aberdeen Angus sire.
In addition to the above, there have been several more visible changes. Linear Assessment is now up and running with more results added to the database each month, if you would like to have your herd assessed there is an application form available on the Society website. Following feedback from vendors at Society sales this spring, we are trialling the use of an alternative EBV graph at Society sales. The alternate graph is available for all animals on the database by clicking the ‘switch graph’ button directly under the classic EBV graph. There is also a detailed explanation of the different graphs available there. Finally, we are continuing to trial locomotion scoring as part of the inspection process at Society sales with a view to publishing those scores on pen cards in future.

IVP: reaping the cost benefits
Introducing in-vitro embryo production (IVP) to your Aberdeen-Angus herd greatly accelerates the rate of genetic gain by increasing the number offspring from your superior cows over a much shorter period than can be achieved through natural breeding. Consequently, IVP also offers significant cost benefits, especially when used on the top cows within your herd, writes AB Europe’s vet, Gavin Tait.
Cows will typically yield only one natural calf per year, meaning genetic progress can take several generations. In comparison, a single IVP collection from a donor cow can result in the production of multiple embryos. IVP involves collecting oocytes (unfertilised eggs) directly from the ovaries of donor cows. These are then taken back to our purpose-built lab in Edinburgh, where they are fertilised with selected semen and incubated for a further seven days. Fully developed embryos can then either be implanted into recipient cattle or frozen and stored for future use. The total number of potential offspring a donor cow could have in her lifetime is therefore significantly increased, and in turn, her productive value.

semen to be used over multiple donors, frequently up to four or five. This, combined with the possibility of producing multiple offspring from the IVP collection versus a single calf from AI, gives you a huge amount of choice and flexibility in terms of available genetics, at a reduced cost.
Furthermore, if your heifers are well grown and cycling, IVP enables oocyte collection from them at around 11 to 12 months of age. It is also possible to collect from incalf donors up to around 12 weeks of gestation, thereby increasing the number of breeding opportunities from your cows.
One of the benefits of the IVP system is that the oocytes collected from a donor cow can be split be-tween multiple sires. Usually, only one straw of semen per sire is required for an IVP collection, compared to two or three straws used in an AI programme. IVP also allows for one straw of
IVP costs on average between £200 and £225 per embryo, frequently falling to as low as £120 per embryo for high productive donors. While the initial outlay may appear high, introducing IVP allows you to focus on quickly enhancing desirable or beneficial traits that fit into your breeding strategy, which in turn will lead to a more profitable, productive and high genetic merit Aberdeen-Angus herd.

No Room for Passengers
■ Jill Hunter, Harbro Beef & Sheep Nutritionist
Fertility is the number one driver of productivity and profitability in suckler herds and a pedigree herd should be the ideal place to strive for perfection, especially in fertility.
AHDB report over 60% of cost and emissions derived from suckler produced beef comes from keeping the cow herself. It is easy to let a cow slip a few weeks or months because of her past progeny success and the hope she might produce the one you’ve been waiting for. However, with a commercial lens, every cow must earn her place.
Fertility is key to sustainability and profitability, and there are a few areas the Harbro team focus on, to help fine tune fertility:
Heiffers:
Typically, bulling heifers are well managed and pregnancy rates are good but the challenge comes trying to get them back in calf for the second time. Cows needing assistance at calving need extra time to recover before they cycle again. Pelvic measuring heifers and removing the smallest 10% is a way to improve calving ease.
Then, bull maiden heifers 21 days ahead of the main group to allow them time to recover and regain body condition. Keep calved heifers separate from the main herd throughout summer and feed them well as they are expected to rear a calf, then repair after calving, prepare for bulling, then maintain a pregnancy, while still growing themselves.
Bulls:
Half the job is down to the bull. Semen production takes around seven weeks, so pay close attention to stock bulls, whether serving the cows naturally, through artificial insemination or embryo work.
Look carefully at mineral supplementation and consider additional antioxidant support along with omega 3, which is proven to support semen quality. Our Stockman’s Choice range was designed alongside Glasgow Vet School with this in mind.
Cow body condition:
Be mindful of change in cow condition throughout the year (our team have been trained to body condition score cows to support this). Cows with excess body condition year-round become lazy and less likely to cycle normally.

Keep cows fit, active and make them work for you. It is well understood in the dairy industry how the diet a cow is fed before calving has more impact on her milk production and fertility than the ration she is fed after calving, so plan the ration alongside your nutritionist, to maximise milk production and early calf growth.support along with omega 3, which is proven to support semen quality. Our Stockman’s Choice range was designed alongside Glasgow Vet School with this in mind.
Mineral supplementation:
Minerals in grazing and forage differ between areas and even farm to farm. At Harbro we regularly test forages to ensure feeds meet the requirements of high performing animals. Investing in fertility by putting your herd on the Harbro suckler cow mineral programme will cost around £35 per cow for the year.
Super Suckler SEC is the base of our mineral programme and focuses on: supporting immunity, looking after cow and calf health to avoid grass staggers, slow calvings and retained cleansings; and finally, boosting fertility.
Our team are on hand to help evaluate current feeding regimes, assess body condition and match a mineral programme to your herd so you can find the next marginal gain. After all, fertile, productive and profitable cattle are what commercial buyers want to buy. Leave the passengers behind and fill your herd with stock which meet the mark when supported in the right way.
Jill Hunter, Beef & Sheep Nutritionist with Harbro


The Advantage of Donegal Seaweed Biofertilizers.
Donegal Seaweed was established in 2015 by the O’Boyle family and is situated overlooking the beautiful Atlantic coastline of Donegal. It is from these pristine waters that our seaweed is hand harvested. The harvesting process is done in a sustainable way, carefully managed to ensure the preservation of this natural resource for the future.
Processing of the harvested seaweed is carried out within 24 hrs to retain all the natural benefits contained in the seaweed.
Our seaweed extract is obtained using a cold pressing and extraction process. This means that we capture and optimise all the natural benefits and nutrients contained in the seaweed. The extract is then passed through a fine filtration process to ensure that it is suitable for use through any spraying equipment.
We are proud to have accreditation by the Irish Organic Association and are currently in the process of applying for accreditation by the Soil Association in the UK. We are focused on supplying a sustainable, environmentally friendly , quality product that will support plant growth and help to reduce the need for chemical fertiliser and also improve soil quality .
Over the years, we have supplied product for application to a wide range of crops . These include potatoes, grass ( grazing and silage ), cereals , salads, amenity turf, golf courses, sugar beet, strawberries and grapes.
Seaweed extract is a very diverse and complex product that works in many ways to support the growth of plants and improve the soil quality. It has been used for centuries as a natural source of nutrients for soil and livestock but today we are beginning to get a better understanding of how this works and that it can provide many benefits to plant and soil health. When you consider the extremely harsh intertidal conditions that seaweed grows in then you can begin to understand that it has evolved to thrive in extremes of temperature, salinity , desiccation and physical battering. It is this biology, present in our seaweed extract, that makes it such a useful product in many situations.
Our Seaweed extract is currently supplied from the factory direct to our customers and is available in 20lt and 200lt drums or 1000lt IBC. Delivery time is normally around 3-5 working days.
Please call or email us to find out more about our products and prices.

Unlock the potential of your herd

· Aids strong bulling activity
· Boosts cow health
· Aids easy calving
· Promotes calf development
· Boosts calf vitality and immunity
· Improves colostrum quality/quantity
Secure the future of your herd by giving your calves the best possible start in life. Super Suckler is available in 25kg or 100kg buckets, or as powdered minerals or in cow rolls.
Speak to your Harbro specialist, or visit us instore.
www.harbro.co.uk farming@harbro.co.uk

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MEETING BREED SOCIETY REQUIREMENTS
BVD, NEOSPOROSIS, IBR, JOHNE’S & LEPTOSPIROSIS TESTING
bTB ACCREDITATION
FULL VETERINARY SUPPORT AND ADVICE TAILORED TO YOUR HERD TO MINIMISE INFECTIOUS DISEASE RISKS
Contact us to discuss how we can help you:
0131 440 2628 (Edinburgh Office) 01856 878 293 (Orkney Office)
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AB Europe offers farmers professional and reliable services as well as access to the latest reproductive breeding technologies to cost effectively maximise and accelerate genetic gain from their superior cows.
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01875 614 500

The cattle team at Biobest provide services to Aberdeen Augus herds throughout the UK and Ireland. We welcome enquiries from new and established breeders
www.hihealthherdcare.co.uk
Collect from young or pregnant donors
On-farm services
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Utilise rare or valuable semen
Recipient availability
Photo thanks to Inkstack Aberdeen Angus


SUS TA IN A B LY
TR A NSFOR M YOUR HERD WITH UK’S NO.1 BEEF BREED

WHY SHOULD YOU ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE REVIEW?
The official annual publication of The Aberdeen-Angus Society Review is the ultimate showcase for your herd and business.
» The Review is kept, treasured and referred to throughout the year and very often for years afterwards.
» The Review is posted to all members in January ready for the year ahead.
» Hundreds of copies are also given out at shows and sales throughout the year
» It is very useful, with member and trade ads and loads of informative and essential information.
» The Review is a full colour, glossy publication with that ‘coffee table’ appeal, ensuring your ad will be seen, read, and used time after time maximising your herds exposure.
» See what other herds are promoting, allowing you to easily keep up with trends and new ideas in the breed.

» Advertising in the Review allows you to directly target market all members easily and cost effectively.
» Advertising in such a quality publication offers your business kudos, showcasing what you have to offer.
» Not only are you enhancing your reputation by advertising in this quality magazine, you are also showing support to your Society.















Graeme & Alistair Fraser
Brian Clark (left) Andrew Hodge (centre) and Alistair Clark (right)
Emma Hodge
Melanie Alford
Mark Wattie
Steven O’Kane
Stephanie Dick
Sophie, Niamh, Owen Tunney
Gemma McCornick
Rob Bishop
Rob Bishop, Ruth Perry (right)
Grace Denning
Ruth Allen












David & Susan Johnstone
James Wightman
Melanie Alford
Emma Hodge
Emma Hodge
Robbie Wills
Amelia Phillips
Gabi Massie
Alistair Cormack & Carol Rettie
Premier Meat Exhibition, Sponsored by Marks and Spencer
A-A Carcase
Pure A-A Carcase
Live Results
Class 100 A
Aberdeen-Angus steer light weight Sponsored by Aberdeen
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Class 100 B
Aberdeen-Angus steer heavy weight Sponsored by Aberdeen
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Class 101
Aberdeen-Angus heifer Sponsored by Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society


Wilson Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse (13)
M and HD Currie, Skewbridge (39)
Andrew Purdon and partners, Stravenhouse (6)
Ross Bros, Wardhead (18)
J and R Stranger, South Seatter (14)
Wilson A Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse (13)
T and A Taylor, Heatheryhall (11)
Ross Bros, Wardhead (89)
A and E Cumming, Tillydesk (33)
Ross Bros, Wardhead (21)
E Buchan, Glenisla (29)


Steve McLean & Wilson Peters
Alan Turnbull & Matthew Currie
Wilson Peters (left) winning
Steve McLean & Matthew Currie
Fees & Charges
■From 1st January 2025
All prices for services below are quoted as net of VATVAT should be added at the prevailing rate
Herd Book Registration
Herd Book Registration – late entries (see Byelaw 6 (b). Any registrations of animals over 12 months of age will be subject to the charges in the table below
Membership Subscription (Life): £750
Membership Subscription (Annual): £30
Junior Membership (Annual): £15
Herd Name Copyright Fee: £10
» No animal over 5 years of age will be registered or accepted into the herd book
» Junior members, until the year in which they are 18 years of age, are entitled to one free registration each year.
» Change of Ownership Fee for Members: £25
» Change of Ownership Fee for nonMembers: £35
» Overseas Purchases – Registration
Males: £50 Females: £30
Overseas Sales – Export Certificate / Zootechnical Certificate
• Males: £25.00*
• Females: £25.00*
• Semen: £25.00*
• Embryos: £25.00
Artificial Insemination and Foetal Ovum Transfer (FOT)
• Duplicate/Amended Certificate of Pedigree: £5*
• Extended Pedigree Certificate: £30*
• Retrieval and distribution of a DNA profile £8.00* per profile retrieved
• Copies of Herd Book: As advised at time of ordering
• Semen Royalty Brokerage Scheme - Commission collected on royalties: 20%
*Denotes fees are doubled for Non-Members
*All FOT collections & implantations must be notified to the office on the relevant ET1 forms
DNA Testing
• Stock Bulls –Where the sire does not have a SNPs profile, animals will be myostatin tested and run as profile only
• Breeders should check that any stock bulls they are using have been tested on 50K SNPS.
• Lab requests for testing will be sent when the breeder nominates the animal for testing.
• Male animals will be tested for free. Females tested prior to first calving will be charged at cost. Those females that do not have a profile on file by first calving will be charged full rate for the DNA test.
• Members will receive an email with a list of tests requested. Please check junk folders for these emails.
• Members will receive a subsequent email when DNA results are uploaded to the database.


SUS
TA IN A B LY TR A NSFOR M YOUR HERD
WITH UK’S NO.1 BEEF BREED
Finance Report
■ By Peter Chapman
As with the wider agricultural industry 2024 has been a challenging financial year for the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and associated companies. It falls to me, as chair of the finance committee to report a very small operating loss to year end 31st October 2024.
The two main drivers of this have been a small reduction in registrations and the ongoing inflation across all of the Society costs. The small loss has been balanced overall by income from the trading arm Pedigree Cattle Services Ltd and income from the Society’s investments.
A few of the things that we as a committee have managed in the year are:
Governance
Through 2023 and 2024, the Governance Committee have examined the Society’s governing documents, including the Articles of Association and the Byelaws. To maintain legal compliance and ensure that we are fit for the future, there has been a considerable amount of management time legal expense invested. This expenditure will continue into 2025.
Marketing
Council took the decision in 2023 to bring marketing coordination in house to reduce overall costs. This has been a net positive to the Society’s bottom line for 2024. It has also meant an increase in presence at many events through the year.
Registry provision & DNA Management
During 2023, ABRI noted that the current registry software is end of life and they are currently redeveloping the programme. However, the Society is also taking this as an opportunity to evaluate other providers to make sure that members have the best service possible.
Council took the decision in 2023 to bring marketing coordination in house to reduce overall costs. This has been a net positive to the Society’s bottom line for 2024. It has also meant an increase in presence at many events through the year.
Meantime, the Society has also transitioned DNA profile storage across to a new provider to give better access and control to the data. This has been a significant investment but has been made on the basis that cost reductions will be made within the processes, allowing it to pay for itself in time.
DNA testing and genomic evaluations
One of the fundamental aims of the Society is to protect the integrity of the breed. DNA testing is one such means of helping to achieve this. This has also allowed the rollout of genomic evaluation across many animals, fostering greater accuracy in evaluations.
YDP
We continue to invest in this important programme as young breeders are our future and the long term lifeblood of the Society.
The Society does not take any investment decisions lightly. We feel the Society has to be Fit for Purpose for the future and all members will benefit from the quicker and more efficient use of Digital Technology
I would like to thank all the staff and fellow committee. members for their time and expertise during the past year. The Society is in a better position to weather anything that comes its way next year.
Marketing Report
Taking the Society Forward
■ By Chris Wilkinson
The Aberdeen-Angus Marketing Committee has been busy breathing new life into our efforts to champion the breed and connect with both our members and beef lovers. After our first meeting, we’ve made some exciting strides that we want to let you know about.
In Northern Ireland, lead by Alan Morrison, we’re targeting funding to promoting our brand - no small task, especially since Brexit led to the creation of a separate society in the Republic of Ireland. We're keenly aware that our approach needs to flex and adapt to different regional needs.
We're launching a consumer video project through Pedigree Cattle Services that’s all about taking Aberdeen-Angus beyond the farm. Our goal? Make people think "AberdeenAngus" when they're choosing top-quality beef. It’s a recognised brand not just a breed and worth a huge amount to all of us and the wider food industry. We're also protecting our brand by registering key trademarks, particularly with all the activity happening across the border.
Pinstone Communications has helped us prepare a fresh three-year marketing strategy. We've brought a lot of expertise in-house with Flis, and we’re exploring partnerships that could really amplify our message across the food industry. We're not just talking about small changes - we want to make some serious noise.
Our website’s been long overdue for an overhaul. It works, but it’s about as user-friendly as a tractor with square wheels. We're inviting tenders to create something that actually speaks to our members and the public - something modern, intuitive, and actually enjoyable to use.
We're also reimagining how we connect with our members. A new welcome pack is in the works, and we’ve started sending out monthly bulletins packed with updates and member stories. Our social media is getting a total makeover toowe’re now active on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, with TikTok potentially on the horizon.
For members looking to sell, we’re developing a marketing service that'll help showcase bulls and females through digital and print channels. We're still fine-tuning the details to make sure it delivers real value.
Events are another focus. We're proposing a biannual conference to bring everyone together, though juggling
logistics will push our first gathering to 2025. In the meantime, we have prepared the next edition of The Angus, which will feature case studies from across the UK.
Research remains a passion. We're keen to get more PhD students and Nuffield Scholars involved, positioning Aberdeen-Angus at the cutting edge of agricultural innovation. Our herd book digitization is charging ahead too, preserving our heritage in a digital format.
The Youth Development Programme continues to be a bright spot. Successful events in Thurles in the Republic of Ireland and Germany have been real highlights, with ongoing fundraising to support things like the World Angus Forum.
Throughout all of this, we’re staying true to our roots: keeping things transparent, cost-effective, and focused on delivering real value. There’s a lot happening!
I would like to thank Robert and Flis for all of their help, the support of the marketing committee and wise advice from both Vice Chairman Ewen Campbell and in particular Alan Morrison, former Chair of Marketing and now Senior Vice President.
Bye-Laws (2025)
1 Entries for the Herd Book will only be accepted from members of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society
2 Entries of stock which belonged to a deceased member will only be accepted from his representatives provided such entries are made prior to 1st January following the date of death
3 A calf shall only be accepted for entry in the Herd Book if its sire and dam have been entered in the Herd Book, it has been ear-tagged according to current EU identification regulations and a Deoxy Ribonucleic Acid (DNA) profile of the service sire has been lodged with the Society Furthermore, from 1st January 2019, all pedigree bull calves eligible for entry into the Herd Book must have a DNA sample taken, sent to and received by the Society for sire verification where a valid SNPS profile is available for its sire, and Myostatin tested before such calves can be registered From the 1st of July 2020 all first calving heifers entering the herd will be tested from a sample held by the Society, 50 k SNPs profiled, Myostatin tested, and sire verified where a valid SNP profile is available for its sire. The method of collection of the said DNA sample will be prescribed by the Council of the Society from time to time The Society will occasionally request to carry out tests on samples out with the normal protocols of registration and pre-official Society sales For the avoidance of doubt, upon sale, the title to the DNA sample transfers with the ownership of the animal and permission to test will be sought from the owner The cost of such tests will be borne by the owner In the event that permission is not granted, the Society reserves the right to take action to limit any potential negative impact (such as identifying carriers of any genetic defects as defined on the Society's website at www aberdeen-angus co uk) on the Herd Book
4. Notwithstanding Bye-law 3, imported animals may be entered in the Herd Book provided they are entered in the Herd Book of the country of origin and that there are supplied such certificates and other documents as the Council of the Society may from time to time prescribe (see Guidance Note at end of Bye-law 22). Imported animals entered in the Herd Book will carry the identifying letters IMP and the pedigrees and all relative details, including information on sires of calves imported in utero, will appear at the end of the Herd Book
5 The breeder of an animal is the owner of the dam at the date of calving or in the case of a calf got by Embryo Transplant, the owner of the recipient cow
6 All calves must be ear-tagged according to current EU identification regulations by time of intimation and intimated to the Secretary according to the following rules: -
a) To enter calves in the Herd Book, breeders must intimate them within 60 days either online or on the appropriate form which should be obtained in advance from the Society (see also para. 6(b)). All relevant certificates (see para. 13) and fees (inc. VAT) MUST accompany registration forms
Bull calves intimated within 60 days of birth can be registered up to 6 months of age from the date of birth of the calf for the standard fee
Heifer calves intimated within 60 days of birth can be registered up to 6 months age from of the date of birth of the calf and will be subject to the standard fee A full list of fees and charges is available on the website at www aberdeen-angus co uk
b
) All cases of dead-born calves or of calves which for any reason are not to be entered in the Herd Book must be intimated to the Secretary on the appropriate form Such intimations must be made within 60 days of the date of birth Late registration of calves, for which full details, including ID Number, have been so intimated, may be accepted on payment of the appropriate late entry fee and subject to a DNA profile of the animal along with its sire and dam being lodged with the Society
Later registration of heifer calves which were twinned with a bull and for which full details, including ID number, have been so intimated, will be accepted when she is proven to be in calf on payment of the appropriate late entry fee
c) Registrations, Intimations or Fees which are incomplete or incorrect when received, will result in all documents being returned to the breeder with an explanation They must be completed/corrected and resubmitted within a further fourteen days Failure to respond will result in the registration/s not being accepted
d) While the foregoing rules are designed to apply primarily to home-bred animals, they will also apply where appropriate to imported animals
7 An animal shall only be entered in the Herd Book by its breeder, or in the case of an imported animal, by its owner
8 Animals entered in the Herd Book under separate ownership by husbands and wives or other family partnerships may be made under the same Herd Name but for all other purposes, such as group prizes at Shows and Sales, they will be considered as being in separate ownerships Animals entered in the Herd Book by the same owner from different holdings can carry the same Herd Name.
9 Animals showing excessive white markings should not be entered in the Herd Book, and if entered, may be removed from the Herd Book on the instructions of the Council of the Society: (for guidance - normally, white markings are acceptable on females only on the underline behind the navel and on males only on underline behind the preputial orifice and up to and including the scrotum)
10 (a) Animals showing scurs, whether fixed or moveable, or traces of scurs, will not be accepted for entry in the Herd Book, and if entered unknowingly, may be removed from the Herd Book on the instructions of the Council of the Society
(b) Animals exhibiting double muscling characteristics (muscular hypertrophy) will not be accepted for entry in the Herd Book, and if entered unknowingly, may be removed from the Herd Book on the instructions of the Council of the Society (See guidance note at end of Bye Laws) If required, the proof of double muscling shall be a combination of visual appearance (phenotype) and scientific gene testing Such proof shall be instituted by the Council, who shall appoint a veterinary surgeon and a Council member,
who is also a member of the Society's panel of judges, to inspect the animal
If both agree that the animal phenotypically shows double muscling characteristics, the Council shall arrange with the owner of the animal to test for the deleted version of the myostatin gene If the result of such test is that the animal is homozygous for the gene, the animal shall be considered to be double muscled Costs of such proof shall be borne by the Society
Guidance Note re Bye Law 10(b) Double Muscling Characteristics:
1 Increased development of the hindquarter, accentuated in appearance by a groove between the major muscles and a rounded ham appearance
2 Thick, open shoulders
3 An unusually wide, stretched stance with the front and hind legs extended, generally creating a swayback appearance
4 Lean, trim appearance often with a cylindrical middle and tucked up flank
5 Fine bone
6 Short tail
7 Small testes
8 Tail set forward on top of rump
11 Recessive Genetic Defects Animals identified as being carriers of Class 1 genetic defects as listed on the Society s website at www aberdeen-angus co uk will be ineligible for registration Any registered animals which are subsequently identified as carriers of such genes will have their carrier status clearly identified on their pedigree certificate. Progeny of such animals will require to have their carrier status determined and identified accordingly
Class 1 genetic defects: Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM) or Curly Calf Syndrome; Dwarfism; Fawn Calf Syndrome; Mannosidosis; Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH); Osteopetrosis (marble bone disease); Syndactyl (mule foot). Any member who knowingly enters false information in relation to an animal s identity, age or other performance related data will be subject to actions as determined in Article 15 and 15(a) of the Articles of Association of The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society
Status of Currently Registered Females and Bulls
A As used herein, the word “currently” in the phrase “currently registered” shall mean that date on which laboratories approved by the Society began to provide a commercial DNA test for the mutation to the membership With respect to Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy, that date was 1st January 2012
B All currently registered females and bulls with the impacted genetics in their pedigrees shall remain registered In other words, their registrations will not be revoked, cancelled, or suspended
C All currently registered females and bulls with the impacted genetics in their pedigrees that are tested and determined to be carriers of the mutation shall remain registered
II. Resulting Progeny of Carrier Females and Bulls All resulting progeny of currently registered carrier females or carrier bulls may be registered without submitting to testing. Notwithstanding such registration, the Society shall place or electronically display a notation on each Aberdeen-Angus Pedigree, or any other pedigree displayed electronically
III Currently Registered Animals Determined to be Affected by the Mutation Any animals identified as being homozygous for the mutation, shall therefore be considered to be affected by the defect, and are not eligible for registration under Byelaw 10(c)
If a registered animal is discovered to be affected by the defect, its registration shall be considered null and void, and the Certificate of Registration must be returned to the Society for cancellation
12. A.I. REGULATIONS General (applicable to all regulations)
a) A Herd Prefix will constitute one ownership.
b) Any bull from which semen is drawn for A.I. usage must have a Sire verified DNA profile lodged with the Society
c) From the first of January 2022 any bull from which semen is drawn will be subject to parentage verification confirmed by a DNA profile lodged with the Society.
d) All calves got by A I and registered with the Society will be designated "got by A I " in the Herd Book
e) An insemination certificate signed by a qualified inseminator or Veterinary Surgeon must be retained by the breeder and be available for inspection by the Society for a period of two years following the insemination
f) Sales of Semen - If an owner of a bull or of semen (where ownership of semen is separate from that of the bull) notifies the Society that the bull is a royalty bull, or the semen is from a royalty bull, as the case may be, then in order to register a calf got by semen from that bull the appropriate royalty fee must accompany the registration form If an owner (of bull or semen) does not notify the Society that the bull is a royalty bull it will be assumed that the requirements of this paragraph are dispensed with The Society is not accepting any further Royalty sires from the 1st of April 2020 and
will cease the semen Royalty collection service for existing Royalty sires on the 1st of November 2025.
g) Import of Semen Subject to the provisions of the relative preceding paragraphs, progeny got by imported semen may be entered in the Herd Book if the donor bull is or could have been entered in the Herd Book in terms of Bye-Law 4. Providing sole ownership of the semen rights in this country can be verified to the satisfaction of the Society, this will be considered one ownership for the purposes of these A I regulations All imports of semen must be accompanied by a Zootechnical Certificate issued from the keeper of the herd book as approved in the list of accepted associations held by the EU, in the country of origin A list of these authorities can be found here:https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02006D013920080601&from=EN
h) Strict legislation is in place surrounding collection of AI and the subsequent sale and use of the collections For avoidance of doubt the following three categories are recognised by the society
a) Unlicensed Premises approval: (On farm collected non export approved) An unlicensed premises approval is valid for three months only The animal must undergo a single series of tests in an unlicensed premise The animal must be licensed within 28 days of sampling Semen collected from an animal at an unlicensed premise is eligible for GB, excluding Northern Ireland, trade and may be eligible for export to certain countries outside the EU
b) Domestic Centre approval: (Non-Export Approved) In order to collect at a domestic centre, the animal will undergo a single series of tests in an unlicensed premise before being authorised to move to a domestic centre The animal must be licensed within 28 days of sampling
Semen collected from an animal in a Domestic Centre is eligible for GB excluding Northern Ireland trade and may be eligible for export to certain countries outside the EU.
c) EU Centre approval: (Export Approved including Northern Ireland) The animal will undergo a first series of tests in an unlicensed premise before being moved to centre quarantine The second series of tests will be carried out in centre quarantine before being authorised to move to the Collection Centre The animal must have moved to the Centre Quarantine within 28 days of undergoing the first series of tests Semen collected at an EU Centre is eligible for intra-Union trade, Domestic trade and may be eligible for export to countries outside the EU
Contravention of the legislation is considered a serious risk to animal health and as such any animal submitted for registration from semen collected from category (a) and (b) above outside the territory of Scotland, England and Wales will not be registered by the Society
13 Embryo Transplant Regulations Registrations of calves got by Embryo Transplants will be accepted subject to the following conditions:
a) All other byelaws regarding Herd Book Registrations must be complied with
b) The breeder must inform the Society in writing beforehand of the intention to carry out each specific embryo transplant and return to the Society along with the relevant fees and within the times fixed by the Society duly completed certificates (on forms to be approved by the Society) as to the identity of all animals concerned, the pregnancy testing of the recipient cow and the sire verified DNA profiling of the bull, donor cow and, when requested, a parentage verified DNA profile of the resultant calf/calves within three months of such request If the Council of the Society is not satisfied with any such certificates, the resultant calf will not be eligible for entry in the Herd Book
c) Calves got by embryo transplant and registered with the Society will be designated "got by ET" in the Herd Book
14 In cases where the breeder of an animal is not the owner of its sire, it is necessary for the breeder to either:
a) Comply with para 11(c) and, where appropriate, 11(d) or
b) Obtain a completed Hire or Loan Certificate and forward with registration form
15 Cloning Any animal which is born as a direct result of cloning technology will not be eligible for entry into the Herd Book Whilst it is acknowledged that cloned animals are entered into Herd Books of overseas societies, such animals will not be eligible for transfer into the Society’s Herd Book. Progeny from such animals whether resulting from natural service, A I or E T will be eligible for entry into the Herd Book and their pedigree certificate marked accordingly
16 All animals entered in the Herd Book must be named in accordance with the following rules: a) No names likely to prove misleading to the public shall be admitted into the Herd Book
b) Breeders, prior to making their first entries in the Herd Book, must apply to Council for the copyright of a Herd Name. A Herd Name copyright is the property of the member only during the period of his membership The name of each registered animal must be prefixed by the Herd Name of its breeder unless otherwise authorised by Council.
c) Each animal belongs to the family of its dam and must be given an individual name in accordance with the practice of naming for that family The initial letter of such individual name must be one of the approved initial letters of its family as listed in the Herd Book and must not exceed two words
Where an animal is red in colour, the additional word “Red” must be included at the beginning of the individual name
d) All names will include as a suffix a year letter followed by the last three NUMERICS of the animal’s official ear tag number. No other lineage numbers will be permitted. Year letters indicate the calving seasons which date from January 1st to December 31st. Year 1st January 2014, to 31st December 2015 Year Letter P. Year 1st January 2015, to 31st December 2015 Year Letter R and so on. (I, O and Q will not be used).
e) The total number of characters (including spaces) in an animal s name must not exceed forty (f) Once an animal has been entered in the Herd Book under a certain name, no
change shall be made in that name thereafter The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society is committed to equal and fair treatment of breeders and will enter into the breeding book animals of the same breed line or cross that are eligible for entry under the Society s breed criteria without discrimination on account of their country of origin
17 All Changes of Ownership of Aberdeen-Angus cattle must be intimated by the purchaser if such cattle are to be subsequently used for pedigree breeding, in accordance with the following rules: -
a) The seller shall comply with the procedures detailed in (c) below if he is selling Aberdeen-Angus cattle for pedigree breeding purposes at a public or private sale Where it is not indicated at the time of sale that such cattle are being sold for pedigree breeding purposes, it shall be at the discretion of the seller whether or not he subsequently authorises their use for pedigree breeding by complying with the Change of Ownership procedures detailed in (c) below. (b) Non-Members may register Changes of Ownership (c) To register Changes of Ownership of Aberdeen-Angus cattle, the purchaser shall complete the Certificate of Transfer portion on the reverse side of the Certificate of Pedigree, which he shall obtain from the seller as detailed hereinafter, Such Changes in Ownership shall be countersigned by the immediate preceding owner except where the animal is sold by public auction at a sale for which a catalogue has been published and submitted to the Secretary in which it is clearly indicated that such animal is being sold for pedigree breeding purposes, in which case the catalogue lot number and the name and date of the sale shall be inserted in the place provided for the signature of the seller
The following procedure shall be adopted:-
(i) A Private Sale. The seller shall hand the Certificate of Pedigree to the purchaser at the time of sale The purchaser shall complete the Certificate of Transfer portion and send it to the Secretary with the appropriate fee
(ii) A Public Sale. The seller shall lodge the Certificate of Pedigree with the Auctioneers as a condition of entry for the sale The Auctioneers will deliver the Certificate to the Society who shall record the Change of Ownership and forward the Certificate to the purchaser, on receipt of the appropriate fee. The term "Public Sale" in (ii) above refers to a sale at a public auction for which a catalogue has been published and submitted to the Secretary
18 Herd Records shall be kept, containing the following minimum details relating to each animal in the herd:- Name, Herd Book Number, Date of Birth, Name and Herd Book Number of Sire, Name and Herd Book Number of Dam. Details, if applicable, of when and where purchased, of when and to whom sold, or date of death These records shall be available for inspection at all times by officials of the Society
19. Council shall have power to instruct a DNA profiling test to be made at any time of any animal entered in the Herd Book and to have the entry in the Herd Book cancelled (it being a condition of acceptance of an entry that the information supplied is accurate) if said test reveals the entry to be inaccurate, in which event the cost of the said test shall be paid by the Member who instructed the Herd Book entry but if the said test confirms the Herd Book entry to be correct, the cost of the said test shall be met by the Society
20. All fees must be paid with the forms to which they refer. No registrations will be accepted unless all other fees and current membership subscriptions have been paid
21 The Council shall be at liberty to include reports made to them by any official of the Society or officer of the Department of Agriculture (or appropriate body) in Scotland, England & Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland among the sources of information as to any suspected failure by a breeder in the observance of any of the Byelaws heretofore
22 Animals showing excessive white markings or scurs (or traces of scurs) should not be exhibited in the pure-bred section of any Show
23 If a herd is advertised and sold as a dispersal, the Herd name may not be used thereafter for entries into the Herd Book without permission of the Council
(Guidance Note re Byelaw 4) The following are the documents currently required to register transfers in the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Herd Book from an overseas Society
Breeders are strongly advised to obtain and lodge with the Society all documents before shipment, as the UK Customs authorities require that imported pedigree cattle be registered with this Society, or the animals will be classified for duty purposes on arrival
(a) A Five Generation Certificate of Pedigree certified as correct by the Society which registered the bull
(b) A Certificate of Approval for Export from the overseas Society stating that so far as is known the pedigree of the animal is free from, and the animal itself is not a possible carrier of, any genetic defects
(c) A DNA profile Certificate
(d) A satisfactory DNA profiled parentage verification. If, for a bona fide reason, this is not possible, the Society with which the animal is registered must supply a certificate of explanation
Cows and Heifers
As above and, if in calf, service details from the overseas Society, a Certified Four Generation Pedigree Certificate and a sire verified DNA profile certificate for the service sire
Embryos
(a) A four Generation Certificate of Pedigree of both sire and dam with a Certificate from the overseas Society that it approves of both sire and dam and that their pedigrees are free from any known genetic defects
(b) A sire verified DNA profile certificate for both sire and dam.
(c) Certificates from owner of cow if natural service used, or by A I technician if A I used,
certifying dates of service, tattoo ID number of cow, name and number of bull
(d) Certificates from ET unit making collection, certifying date of collection, tattoo ID number of cow, number of viable embryos recovered, number of embryos frozen for export and their reference number
The relevant Society forms and requirements relating to implantation, pregnancy testing and registration will apply
Where relevant, Byelaw 12 (a) to (d) will apply
SUPPLEMENTARY REGISTER REGULATIONS
The owner of a female ("the base female") which is not registered in the Herd Book may have the female progeny of such female upgraded to a standard acceptable for registration in the Herd Book subject to the following rules:-
The base female and her daughters and grand-daughters shall be entered in a Supplementary Register and only the great grand-daughters of the base female shall be eligible for registration in the Herd Book
(ii) The base female may be of no known origin, but if so, must be polled, of an obvious beef type, physically correct in all respects, mainly black - defined as allowing some white, but not excessive white, below the underline and only a small amount of white elsewhere Alternatively, if certified by its breeder as being by or out of a named registered Aberdeen-Angus, must be polled, of obvious beef type and physically correct in all respects
(iii) The base female and her daughters and grand-daughters must be approved by a Society- appointed inspector before acceptance into the Supplementary Register and the daughters and grand-daughters must be sired by a bull which is registered in the Herd Book The great-grand daughters of the base female will likewise require to be approved before registration in the Herd Book and must also be sired by a bull which is registered in the Herd Book A member aggrieved by the decision of the Societyappointed inspector may appeal against the decision to a Committee of not less than three members of the Society appointed by the Council of the Society The decision of such committee shall be final and whether or not the appeal is successful, all costs of the appeal shall be paid by the appellant
(iv) Registration will only be accepted from fully paid-up members of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society
(v) Members intending to register females in the Supplementary Register must intimate their intention to the Secretary at least six months before their initial base female is due to calf. Participants will be responsible for all inspectors' fees at cost and an entrance fee will be payable for each female registered The entrance fee will not be less than that payable to register females in the Herd Book
Base Female (X)
(vi) Must be 15 months or over at time of inspection and double-tagged with an EU style ID number or tattooed with a number allocated by the Secretary
1st Generation Female (Y)
(vii) To be ear-tagged according to current EU identification regulations and registered with the appropriate fee within two months of the date of birth Colour to be breed standard, polled and physically correct To be inspected between 12 and 18 months of age and prior to mating Failure to pass inspection will result in de-registration or reverting to stage X.
2nd Generation Female (Z)
(viii) As para (vii) 3rd Generation Female (Herd Book) (ix) As para (viii) To be identified in Herd Book with (S) after the individual name.
(x) All male calves from females in the supplementary register must be steered and births intimated within two months of the date of birth
OFFICIAL SALE RULES
All Aberdeen-Angus animals exposed for sale held under the auspices of the AberdeenAngus Cattle Society, hereinafter called "the Society", shall be sold subject to and in accordance with the following rules:
(1) The consignor must be a member of the Society. All animals must be ear-tagged according to current EU identification regulations In the case of imported animals, they must have been registered in the Herd Book of the country of origin and entered in the Society's Herd Book
(2) Should any dispute arise as to the identification in the Society’s Herd Book of any animal exposed for sale or as to the pedigree of any such animal, such dispute should be referred to the Council of the Society or such sub-committee as the Council may appoint as arbiters and their decision shall be final
(3) The Council of the Society may, prior to any sale, nominate and appoint a Panel to inspect the animals forward at the sale, in order to ascertain that such animals are fit for inclusion in the sale The members so appointed shall, in consultation with the Auctioneers, be the sole judges as to whether or not the animals may be included in the sale and shall have the power to debar from the sale any animal which they consider is not of a fit standard. No consignor will have any claim for damages in respect of any animal which is rejected under this rule
N.B. All animals (except in the case of bona fide dispersals) may be subject to pre-sale inspections by the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society in order to establish identity and to provide a minimum standard Such inspections, however, do not imply any liability or warranty by The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society for animals sold, such liability remains the responsibility of the vendor Animals are sold with all patent defects and any subsequent claim is against the vendor and not The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
(1) All entries are subject to the Society s male and female warranties.
(2) From Stirling October sale 2020 all cattle entered must be performance recorded through Breedplan
(3) From January 2022 it will be a requirement that all entries will be performance recorded bulls through Breedplan for all sales under the auspices of the society
(3) Members who enter cattle for Sale in the Catalogue and who do not present their animals will be subject to such fines as determined by the Society's official auctioneers from time to time Reasonable grounds for withdrawal will, if accepted, eliminate the member from such a fine
(4) Animals entered in the Catalogue must be offered for sale through the ring unless rejected by the Stewards or the Society-appointed Panel of Inspectors.
(4) Prize money will be forfeit on any prize-winning animal which is not sold in the official Pedigree Sale.
(5) Any Female which has been used as a donor for Ovum Transplant purposes must be declared
(6) Any Female which has had a Caesarean operation must be declared.
(7) Retention of ova must be declared.
(8) Bull semen retention must be declared.
(9) The appointed Stewards have been instructed to reject any animal which is not controllable by normal means at any time whilst in the Show and Sale premises Exhibitors are responsible for their cattle throughout the Show and Sale period of the breed
(10) All cattle presented may be subject to inspection for identity, veterinary approval suitable standard, and weighing and measuring by officers appointed by the Society prior to the event at a time to be advertised
(11) Any doubt on identity will automatically debar an animal from the show and sale. If the vet considers the animal to be carrying a heritable genetic or phenotypic condition which in his opinion is detrimental to the integrity of the breed then that animal will automatically be debarred from the Show and Sale and the Society will not register any progeny from that animal
(12) All animals entered for Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Sales must come from herds which are members of a registered CHeCS health scheme and must have been testing for BVD and Johnes Disease for a minimum of 12 months. Sale animals must have an individual pen card that displays all relevant test results and current vaccination status supplied by the CHeCS accredited health scheme provider
a) All animals must be individually blood tested no more than 3 months prior to the sale for BVD antigen unless coming from a herd which has accredited status. Accredited herds do not need individual animal tests.
b) All females whether from an accredited herd or not must be vaccinated against BVD to provide cover for the relevant period (ie, the sale date) relating to the type of vaccine. The vaccination date must be submitted to the relevant health scheme provider when the pen card is requested. It is recommended that the herd’s vet be consulted on the vaccination of male sale animals.
c) Animals testing antigen positive (PI) for BVD will not be accepted for sale.
d) All animals must have a risk level for Johnes displayed on the pen card and this must be a minimum level 4.
e) The pen card must display the date of the last TB test and the testing interval (or completed as ‘TB exempt' where applicable) The box must not be left blank
(13) The use of drugs is totally banned, as undernoted:-
1) Preparation for Sale.
Any drug which would affect weight for age, conformation, or growth of hair
2) Presentation for Sale.
Any drug which would affect soundness or temperament at inspection, judging or Auction Sale The Society reserves the absolute right to take blood samples from any animal presented at Shows and Sales, and to have the sample independently analysed at a certified laboratory If any unauthorised drugs have been used, or treatment given without Veterinary certification having been provided, or without a declaration having been made to the Auctioneers, the exhibitor will be reported to the Council of the Breed Society In any event, the offending entry will be banned from the Show/Sale
(14) Access to parents for DNA profiling (affecting animals not DNA profiled in proof of parentage). The Vendor must provide access to the purchaser to prove the parentage of any sale animal by DNA profiling provided:-
1) that the request is made in writing to the Society Office within one calendar month of the date of the Sale
2) that the tests are carried out at the Purchaser s expense.
3) that the sire and dam are alive, and the vendor has access to the parents if they are not in his ownership
(15) Animals affected by contagious diseases i.e. warts, mange, ringworm, etc, will not be accepted for sale unless accompanied by a Veterinary Certificate indicating that treatment has been given and the condition is no longer contagious
(a) All bulls must have a nose-ring
(b) Certificates of Pedigree must accompany each entry.
(17) White markings must not be disguised.
CONDITIONS OF SALE A. SALE
(1) All animals exposed for sale must be bona fide property of the vendors at the time of the sale and free of all liens, charges and encumbrances
(2) The highest bidder shall be declared the purchaser (subject to Rule A.
(3) The auctioneers reserve the right to refuse any bid without giving a reason for doing so. All cattle will be sold in guineas
(3) The vendor has the right to fix a reserve price and to announce such price before, during or at the conclusion of the bidding The right to bid by or on behalf of the vendor in terms of the current Sale of Goods Act is expressly reserved The vendor, or his duly authorised representative, must be with the auctioneer at the sale of the catalogued animal to accept or reject the final bid
(4) Each animal forward at the sale must be exposed for sale by auction before any private sale shall be permitted or recognised by the Auctioneers
(5) Immediately after the sale of an animal the price thereof shall be paid by the purchaser in cash to the Auctioneers On the price being paid the purchaser shall receive from the Auctioneers a written removal order and shall at his own expense remove the animal within one day of the sale or within such period as may be laid down by the Auctioneers at the commencement of the Sale. No animal shall be removed without the Auctioneers' written removal order and any animal so removed shall be recovered by the Auctioneers summarily without any further warrant
(6) In the event of any purchaser not paying for and not removing the animal purchased in compliance with Rule A. (5) hereof the Auctioneers in their sole discretion may, without the consent of the vendor, either
(a) sue the purchaser either in their own name or in the name of the vendor for the price and interest there-on at the rate of 2% per annum above current Bank of Scotland Base Rate, and for the keep of, and other expense incurred by them in connection with such animal or
(b) re-sell the animal either publicly or privately and on behalf of the vendor recover from the defaulting purchaser the deficiency (if any) attending such re-sale and interest thereon as aforesaid together with the keep and all other expenses The defaulting purchaser shall have no right to object to the action taken by the auctioneers In the event of there being any surplus after paying interest, keep and other expenses as aforesaid, such surplus shall be paid to the defaulting purchaser
(7) Immediately after the purchase of each animal is declared, the risk of the animal shall pass to the purchaser, but until the price is paid the right of property shall not pass and delivery of the animal may be suspended
(8) In the case of animals sold privately within the premises of the auctioneers the risk and the passing of the property thereof shall be governed by the bargain made between the parties and Rule A(7) shall not apply thereto. Animals withdrawn from the auction may be sold by private treaty on the auction premises. Private sales will be held to the vendors' guarantees of fertility and must be put through the Official Auction record by the appointed Auctioneers
(9) No undertaking by the Auctioneers or their servants to take charge of any animal after the sale or to forward it to its destination shall be held to impose upon the Auctioneers any legal obligation or invalidate any of these rules
(10) No liability whatsoever is undertaken by the Auctioneers for the accuracy or otherwise of the statements appearing in the catalogue or made at the sale The vendor is responsible for such statements and for any error, omission or misstatement
(11) (a) If a bull from which semen has been stored is offered for sale, it must be stated in the catalogue (and if different circumstances have arisen since the catalogue was printed, the correct and up-to-date circumstances must be announced from the Auctioneer's rostrum at time of sale) whether the semen so stored is to pass with the ownership of the bull or whether it is to be retained by the vendor If it is retained by the vendor, then he must declare if he is reserving the right to sell or gift such semen for pedigree and/or commercial use If such declaration fails to be made it will be assumed that any semen retained is for the vendor's own use only and cannot be sold or gifted for pedigree or commercial use
(b) If a female in calf to a royalty bull is offered for sale, it must be stated in the catalogue (and if different circumstances have arisen since the catalogue was printed, the correct and up-to-date circumstances must be announced from the Auctioneer's rostrum at time of sale) whether the payment of the royalty for the subsequent registration of the unborn calf will be the responsibility of the vendor or the vendee If such declaration fails to be made it will be assumed that payment of the royalty will be the responsibility of the vendor
(12) If a female is offered for sale as being in-calf and/or with calf at foot, it is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure that a sire verified DNA profile of the service sire/s is lodged with the Society before the date of sale If a calf at foot is not registered at time of sale, subject to current herd book registration bye laws, the vendor must state if registration is permissible at the expense of the purchaser
(13) If a female offered for sale through a Society auction has been used as an embryo donor the fact that she has been flushed must be stated in the catalogue along with the number of embryos collected, complete with their sire/sires up to the time of the donor being offered for sale Within the contract for sale of the female, the Seller must expressly state the number of embryos which they intend to retain for use within their own herd (if any) and the number of embryos which they intend to retain for resale purposes (if any)
(14) In the event of a female carrying a transferred embryo being offered for sale, the number of embryos collected at the same time as that carried by the female entered for sale must be stated in the catalogue
(15) Apart from the Bull and Female breeding warranties printed in the catalogue or others specifically given by the vendor in the catalogue or made at the sale, animals are sold subject to their condition and to all faults, excepting the case of animals suffering from total or partial blindness
(16) Should any animal be sold subject to passing tests or re-tests, full details of those must be declared by the vendor to the Auctioneers prior to sale The bargain shall not be deemed to be concluded until the result of such tests/re-tests are notified to the Auctioneers
(17) No Rosettes or Sashes won at other Shows or Tests to be affixed to Show animals. B.
COMMISSION
(1) The Auctioneers shall charge and deduct commission of 6.5p per £1.05 (1.5p of which shall be paid by them to the Society) from the price of all animals sold, including those which may be sold privately in their premises at the time of the sale
(2) The Auctioneers shall be entitled to charge against the vendor one percent on the price bid or £25 per animal whichever is the greater on all animals put through the sale ring and withdrawn
(3) The Auctioneers shall not be entitled to charge commission on animals sold which fail a re- test (Sale Rule A 15), but shall be entitled to make a charge against the owner of £25 per animal in respect of cataloguing, etc
C. GENERAL
(1) Without prejudice to the foregoing rules, it is hereby expressly declared that the vendor by selling and the purchaser by purchasing any animal shall be bound by the above rules notwithstanding the terms of any statutory enactment or custom of trade to the contrary
(2) The Auctioneer is Judge of the Sale, to whom all disputes and differences of any kind which may arise at and in relation to the Auction, either between vendors and bidders or among the bidders themselves, shall be referred and his decision shall be final and binding on all parties
(3) Any dispute as to any matter for the settlement of which no provision is made in these rules shall be referred to an Arbiter or Arbiters to be appointed, failing agreement between or amongst the parties, by the Auctioneers The decision of the Arbiters so appointed shall be final and binding on all parties to the dispute Any Arbitration under this Clause shall be subject to the provision of the Arbitration Act for the time being in force in Scotland if the sale was in Scotland or in England if the sale was in England and shall be deemed to be a reference to Arbitration thereunder
(4) In the foregoing rules, the word "animal" shall be held to include dam and a calf when sold together
BREEDING WARRANTIES
At auction sales, other than dispersals, held under the auspices of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, the Bull Breeding Warranty of The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society will apply Full information is available from the Society on 01738 622477
FEES & CHARGES
Current information available online at www aberdeen-angus co uk
Dispute resolution/rules of procedure
The Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society is committed to equal and fair treatment of breeders and non-discrimination between breeders based on their country of origin
Council reserves the right to check selected herds The owner will be given 48 hours oral notice of the visit by the Inspector An owner with a genuine reason is allowed an extra 24 hours for the inspection, otherwise an owner cannot refuse admission to the Inspector unless in the most exceptional circumstances The society also has a system in place for random inspecting of herds and data where every 100th calf registered triggers an inspection requirement
If a Breeder refuses to co-operate in allowing an inspection for up to 3 weeks, all calves in the herd under 3 months of age (at the time of the first notification) could be banned from all Society run events for life and the herd banned from all Society events for two years and no herd book certificates will be printed for that herd until an inspection takes place at the breeder s expense
When an Inspector on inspection finds that any of the rules of the society have been compromised a letter will be sent to the breeder within 20 working days of the inspection Upon receipt of such written notification, which shall act as initial evidence of breach of the rules, the breeder shall have an agreed period of time including the date of the receipt of the written notification to make written submissions to the Society s representative and/or to produce any evidence in writing in support of any explanation that the breeder might wish to submit in defence of the initial findings purporting to a breach of any rule
Should no such written submissions or evidence in writing aforesaid be made by the breeder within a period of five working days, then the initial finding of the Inspector shall be final and the Society s Council Representative shall submit the Inspector s findings to the Council of the Society at their next meeting and they shall proceed to impose the sanctions as set out hereunder
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Oakmoor Farm, The Moor, Haxby, York, North Yorkshire, YO32 2LH