WILLIAMS HERD
“From farm gate to dinner plate” By Neil Shand
A
ndrew, Hayley and son William Clarke have a vast understanding of the Beef industry and with the most recent addition of a butchers shop are now involved in the complete chain from production to dinner plate. Williams Livestock Ltd was started in 2007 with the purchase of two heifers from John Carter which were initially a surprise purchase by Andrew for Hayley and when they appeared at the Royal Norfolk Show exhibited in Hayley’s name this was the first Hayley knew anything about them. These were quickly followed by additions purchased from John Key and a heifer Tillymaud Malvenas 53rd who stood Champion at Perth. Several other females were purchased, most notably from the Hockenhull dispersal and privately from Boddingtons Estates. Heathbrow Tristar was purchased privately from David and Lesley Sapsed and to date has had a major influence
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on the herd. The cattle became a major interest for Hayley following a serious riding accident in 2008 where she was forced to retire completely from equine competitions. The cattle enterprise had just started and were in place to allow Hayley to continue her interest in breeding and bloodlines. Andrew supports the business at evenings and weekends, running a local abattoir during the week. William, although only nine is becoming very interested in the cattle side of the business and has a natural flare for machinery. Cow numbers now total 34 with 32 cows due to start calving from mid-January onwards, Andrew and Hayley have one eye on the show season for calving but are predominately targeting sales in order to maximise their financial returns. Significant success has been achieved on the sales circuit to date with Williams Eddie being sold for 12000gns at Stirling in October 2014.