BLCS Summer 2015 Magazine

Limousin News

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Limousin the official magazine of the british limousin cattle society

Summer 2015

35,000GNS FOXHILLFARM JASPER HEADS ‘STRONG DEMAND’ AT MAY SALES LIMOUSIN ‘SUMMER’ BULL SALES GROSS £1.25 MILLION

LIMOUSINS WIN 14 INTERBREEDS AT SHOW MAJORS FOXHILLFARM WINS BURKE TROPHY AT ROYAL CORNWALL

AMPERTAINE HEIFER SELLS TO 12,500GNS

LIMOUSIN SEMEN EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA

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KATRINA O’KANE WINS YOUNG LIMOUSIN TITLE

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UK BEEF’S FIRST GENOMIC EBVs OUTLINED

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Limousin News

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

DINMORE OPEN DAY SATURDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 10.30am - 3pm

Firmly established as a high quality and foremost pedigree and commercial cattle enterprise, the Dinmore herd of Paul Dawes, Upper Dinmore Farm, Dinmore Manor Estate, Hereford will play host to the BLCS’s 2015 Open Day on Saturday 19th September.

Open to everyone,

Dinmore is home to some of the most notable animals and bloodlines within the Society including Diamant, Dinmore Elegance, Dinmore Glorious, Dinmore Elle, Venelle, Voney, and Priceless to name but a few.

Upper Dinmore Farm, Dinmore Manor, Hereford HR4 8EE

all welcome

www.dinmore.net

Hot off another highly successful 2015 show season, the Open Day is sure to pull a crowd and is one not to be missed for all Limousin and cattle enthusiasts.

2014 Royal Welsh Individual Interbreed Champion - Diamant

Look for updout and m ates deta ore the Soils on c Faceb iety’s oo page k

Please let us know if you’re planning to attend the Open Day by clicking ‘join’ on the BLCS Facebook Dinmore Event page

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Limousin News Limousin News

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Limousin the official magazine of the british limousin cattle society

Summer 2015

35,000GNS FOXHILLFARM JASPER HEADS ‘STRONG DEMAND’ AT MAY SALES LIMOUSIN ‘SUMMER’ BULL SALES GROSS £1.25 MILLION

LIMOUSINS WIN 14 INTERBREEDS AT SHOW MAJORS FOXHILLFARM WINS BURKE TROPHY AT ROYAL CORNWALL

AMPERTAINE HEIFER SELLS TO 12,500GNS

LIMOUSIN SEMEN EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA

the british limousin cattle society

KATRINA O’KANE WINS YOUNG LIMOUSIN TITLE

www.limousin.co.uk

UK BEEF’S FIRST GENOMIC EBVs OUTLINED

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Cover Picture: Young Limousin Bull Dinmore Jonesy pictured at Dinmore Manor

NEXT ISSUE: Reports and pictures from the Autumn 2015 Sales Pictorial round-up and reports from the 2015 Winter Primestock events Technical round-up and reports on launch of Carcase Traits results; Feed Efficiency Project feature; and the latest BLUP run Features, herd profiles and ‘news and views’ from British Limousin

Limousin

Easy calving

Editor: Iain Kerr British Limousin Cattle Society Ltd, Concorde House, 24 Warwick New Road, Royal Leamington Spa, Warks CV32 5JG Tel: 02476 696500 Fax: 02476 696716 Email: info@limousin.co.uk www.limousin.co.uk

muscling

Length

It’s the business

& WIDTH

Designed by GHOST Leamington Spa

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Contents

Summer 2015

06 News round-up The Summer 2015 magazine is another bumper edition looking at all the news, views and achievements around the UK’s most popular beef breed. In this issue: the BLCS Chairman delivers his annual report to members; details of Limousin Open Day at Dinmore are outlined; strong sale demand see 700 Limousins sold at BLCS sales in the period; Limousins win steak tasting competition; Semenstore export to Australia; and much more!

40-57 Limousins win 14

Interbreeds at Summer ‘Majors’

The Limousin breed was once again raising the bar at the summer show ‘majors’ with some outstanding entries full of depth and quality.

Here we include a full pictorial report from the summer UK ‘majors’ as well as the Northern irish Championship and the Scottish Limousin Grand Prix.

58-69 Features on Mull of

Galloway Farm; & Brockwoodlees Limousins

The farm features are proving very popular and we have another three top profiles in this issue. Situated in the most southerly point of Scotland we look at the 300 strong Limousin suckler herd, featuring 10 Limousin stock bulls, of the Sloan family, Mull of Galloway Farm.

‘Specialising in the supply of quality cattle’ is the theme of the feature on the finishing enterprise of David Dickinson, Brockwoodlees, Dumfriesshire.

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sales Carlisle May 15

p70

Stirling May 15

p74

Ballymena May 15

p75

Brecon May 15

p76

Carlisle June 15

p78

20-33 Technical Corner Genomic Breeding Values (GBVs) will be available for all Limousin cattle later this year. They are the first of their kind within the UK’s beef sector. Here we look at how they might add to the profitability of commercial beef producers. There’s also an update on the Carcase Traits project as it nears conclusion.

66-69 Feature on the

70-78 Foxhillfarm Jasper

In the run up to the BLCS Open Day on Saturday 19th September to be held at Dinmore Manor Estate we profile the Dinmore Herd of Paul Dawes. The herd is home to some of the most notable animals and bloodlines within the British Limousin herdbook.

Over 700 pedigree Limousins were sold in the period of May to July including some 400 females.

A strong commercial demand for bulls across UK sale centres saw some excellent clearance rates and averages. The bull trade was topped at 35,000gns with females reaching 12,500gns.

Full reports and pictures from all the sales can be found in the extensive sales section.

Dinmore Herd of Paul Dawes

Heads May Sales

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Limousin News

BRITISH LIMOUSIN: PROVIDING CATTLE THAT ARE ‘PROFITABLE & ADAPTABLE’ TO MEET CHANGING MARKETS JOHN PHILLIPS GIVES HIS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT TO MEMBERS AS BLCS CHAIRMAN. “The £1 Million investment in the long range Limousin Breed Improvement Plan will very much be the central tenet of the British Limousin Cattle Society’s work in the coming years to ensure that the breed continues to provide producers with cattle that are profitable and that are adaptable to meet changing markets.” This commitment to invest in and drive forward the genetic improvement of the Limousin breed in the United Kingdom was the strong statement of intent within the annual report to members from the BLCS Chairman and Whitland, Carmarthenshire based breeder John Phillips.

The report, published within the Society’s 2014 BLCS Annual Report & Accounts, is Mr Phillips first as Chairman.

Published in 2014, and following two years of industry discussion, producer surveys, consultation and analysis the Breed Improvement Plan lays out 10 prioritised areas for investment that Mr Phillips states are “innovative, wide ranging, and long term and will drive even greater levels of breed performance.” The investment in the breed of over £1 million is he notes, “a very strong statement to all sectors of the supply chain as to the breed’s future.”

Focus is given to areas including: the accelerated improvement of the breed’s easy calving capabilities; improving rates of gain in growth and carcase traits; the introduction of measures to identify and further improve feed efficiency; and exploiting the use and development of genomic breeding values (GBVs), a beef industry first.

Work under the plan is already well under way in the shape of the much publicised Carcase Traits project and Limousin is noted as being the main breed in the DEFRA funded Feed Efficiency project recently announced. “Feed remains the main cost with beef production in the UK and this is a hugely important area of work to take aim at.

The work in time on the maternal attributes of the breed will also be very important as improvement of its terminal characteristics is driven on,” Mr Phillips notes.

2014 is noted as again being a ‘difficult industry year albeit a drier one’ that helped

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John Phillips BLCS Chairman

Gary Swindlehurst

in the provision of quality feed in quantity.

Whilst store cattle prices reached remarkable levels, not always in line with finished cattle, a question mark continued to hang over margins and overall profitability. Mr Phillips commented: “what is clear is that future profitability, position and market share will be for those breeds and breeders that work hard on genetic improvement and control of cost and production efficiencies. The traits of calving ease, feed efficiency, longevity, and marketability, whilst delivering the carcase weights and yield to meet the market place, will bring reward and deliver profit and these are surely Limousin strengths”.

The Limousin breed and Society have shown a remarkably consistent level of attainment and performance over a sustained number of years and Mr Phillips’ report outlines that 2014 was another solid year of achievement with a few highlights thrown in.

A summary of main points included: •

•

Limousin was again confirmed as the largest numerical beef breed in the UK for the nineteenth year in a row and since passport records began.

Pedigree Limousin registrations surpassed the 19,000 mark for the fifth

the british limousin cattle society

•

• •

• •

•

year in a row.

Pedigree sales realised more than £6.6 million in 2014 up by almost £1 Million on the year. Just under 1900 animals sold at BLCS sales in the year.

The long range Limousin breed improvement plan was rolled out.

Limousin was announced as the main breed in DEFRA funded feed efficiency project.

Limousin breed won 14 interbreeds at the summer show ‘majors’.

Six of the seven ‘major’ winter prime stock shows were won by Limousin sired cattle Glenrock Illusion sold for a Limousin world record and all-breeds European & UK record price of 125,000gns.

The strengthening pedigree sales in the year is described as ‘extremely encouraging’ whilst the ‘seemingly never ending’ demand for Limousin females by commercial producers and pedigree breeders is also emphasised.

BLCS Hon Treasurer, Gary Swindlehurst reports to members that the ongoing strong performance of the breed, coupled with good long term financial management, gives the Society a very solid base from which to

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Limousin News

FOUR WAYS TO INTERACT WITH BRITISH LIMOUSIN To discuss any Limousin related queries or to ask about the breed, Society services, upcoming shows, sales or events, then telephone the BLCS staff who will be happy to help. Tel: 02476 696500 For regular updates, breaking news, behind the scenes, date announcements, pictures, and insights into all things Limousin become a fan and ‘like’ British Limousin on Facebook.

The world of Limousin at your fingertips. Sale and show reports, news pages, catalogues, technical, galleries, blogs, classifieds, on-line shop, links, archives, young breeders, it’s got the lot. Visit www.limousin.co.uk Keep up to speed with the Limousin world by following us on Twitter @LimousinUK and tweet us your views. They may end up in the magazine. Limousin follows and is followed by restaurants, markets, retailers, breeders, industry bodies, and overseas organisations to name but a few.

progress its technical, promotional, and core herd book work.

A summary of the main points of the 2014 BLCS financial year includes.

Headline figures • • •

• • •

Total income for the period ended 31st December 2014 of £959,084, down by £205 Total expenditure was £913,782.

Income from birth registration fees levelled at £535,686. This is down by £12,456 and is again partly indicative of BASCO efficiencies with more animals continuing to be registered in the most cost-effective time periods Sale commission for the year totaled £67,563 which was up by £15,949 on the 2013 sales year The total net movement in funds on the year was £69,257 In the year £61,500 was returned to members in the form of pedigree refunds through the Society’s ongoing Breed Improvement incentive. Since its introduction over £700,000 of registration income in all has been returned to members.

The Society’s investment portfolio is reported as continuing to perform well and in line, and slightly above, benchmark figures.

Within the report and accounts the level of funds carried forward in the year is shown £2,671,858 up by £69,257.

The 44th Annual General Meeting of the British Limousin Cattle Society is scheduled to be held on September 18th at the Three Counties Hotel, Belmont Road, Hereford, HR2 7BP, commencing at 4.00pm

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Limousin News

STRONG COMMERCIAL DEMAND FOR LIMOUSIN BULLS AT MAY SALES

‘NEW’ 2014 BCMS FIGURES 28%

GB TOTAL

• BULLS GROSS OVER £1.25 MILLION SOLD FROM APRIL TO JUNE • OVER 700 PEDIGREE BULLS & FEMALES SOLD IN THE PERIOD • FOXHILLFARM JASPER LEADS THE WAY AT 35,000GNS

Limousin

484,381 28%

AA

294,655 17%

Charolais

214,716 12%

Simmental

162,937

British Blue

195,865 11%

Other Beef Breeds TOTAL

9%

378,223 22% 1,730,777 26%

ENGLAND TOTAL

Limousin

275,941 26%

AA

188,498 18%

Charolais

82,148

8%

Simmental

79,949

8%

British Blue

151,348 14%

Other Beef Breeds TOTAL Commercial buyers led a strong demand for Limousin bulls through the April to June sales with 290 bulls selling to gross over £1.25 Million. Bull sales held in the period were across the UK and included sales at Carlisle, Stirling, Ballymena, Brecon, & Welshpool.

Also in the period April to July over 400 pedigree females were sold at breeders’ sales held at Newark, Carlisle, Exeter, & Sedgemoor.

The demand across the board represented another major vote of confidence in the Limousin breed from highly cost conscious commercial producers focussed on profit and performance. The suckler men and finishers continue to place emphasis on easy calving, easy reared cattle that are feed efficient, growthy, marketable and which hit the target carcase weights and grades demanded by the market place. Across the sales, which offered real strength and depth in quality and performance, the majority of Limousin bulls were again sold for between 2000gns5000gns which represented fantastic long term value.

The British Limousin Cattle Society continues to work hard on the economically important breed areas of meat yield and carcase traits, feed efficiency, and maternal traits and this ‘added value’ work is aimed directly through breeders at commercial producers and their needs.

At the top end of the sales the pedigree

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trade was led by Foxhillfarm Jasper from Michael & Melanie Alford, Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, Devon. An embryo calf sired by Loosebeare Fantastic, Jasper is out of the herd’s noted cow Bankdale Alice. Supreme Champion at the pre-sale show he was one of a pen of four embryo calves from the Alfords, all the same way bred, who made 35,000gns, 29,000gns, 19,000gns, and 14,000gns to gross 97,000gns and constitute a remarkable day’s trading for the Alfords. Through the summer Foxhillfarm Jasper was to go on to notch up a host of show championship and interbreed titles that are fully reported in this issue of the Limousin magazine. Purchasing the bull at Carlisle for the 35,000gns top price was Messrs Jenkinson for their Whinfellpark pedigree herd at Clifton Moor, Clifton, Penrith.

The clearance rate at Carlisle was a very healthy 84% with 117 bulls selling to average £5728.

The clearance rate at the Society’s May sale at Brecon continued in the same vein with 34 of the 40 bull selling (85%) to average £4200 up by £546 on the year. Topping the trade was Wilodge Joskins, the Wilodge Vantastic son from Wilodge Limousins, Lodge Hill Farm, Park Lane, Shifnal, who sold to the Republic of Ireland AI company, Dovea.

For a full round up of all of the sales please see the sales section on pages 70-78 or visit www.limousin.co.uk

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271,883 26% 1,049,767 28%

SCOTLAND TOTAL

Limousin

127,011 28%

AA

88,937 20%

Charolais

89,440 20%

Simmental

73,028 16%

British Blue

17,050

Other Beef Breeds

58,057 13%

TOTAL

453,523 36%

WALES TOTAL

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4%

Limousin

81,879 36%

AA

17,220

Charolais

43,128 19%

Simmental

9,960

British Blue

8% 4%

27,467 12%

Other Beef Breeds TOTAL

48,283 21% 227,937

Limousin News

LIMOUSINS TAKE HOME 14 INTERBREEDS AT THE 2015 SUMMER ‘MAJORS’

The Limousin breed was again on form at the 2015 summer show ‘majors’ when, for the second year running, it claimed a grand haul of fourteen interbreed titles.

Leading the way was the Royal Welsh where eight of the nine available interbreed titles were secured. Other wins came at the three remaining majors of the Royal Ulster, Royal Highland, and Great Yorkshire shows. Over the last four years the breed has won a quite incredible 60 interbreed titles at these same four ‘major’ shows!

Out with the ‘majors’, other notable wins on the show circuit this year included the prestigious Burke Trophy won by the Limousin breed for the second year in a row. Taking the title this year were Foxhillfarm Jasper and Foxhillfarm Flashback to 2011 and National Limousin Show Champion Trueman Euphonium

Ivy at the Royal Cornwall Show for Michael & Melanie Alford. Also of note, was the Champion of Champions win for Poolehall Iris, from Dougie McBeath & Sarah Jane Jessop, at Turriff Show where the heifer had also secured the Scottish Limousin Grand Prix title.

There have also been innumerable wins across the county and local shows around the UK. A particular highlight yet again this year has been the outstanding depth and quality, in numbers, of females at the ‘major’ shows. In some instances animals placing fifth and sixth in classes would have been fantastic representatives of the breed in interbreed competitions. In the commercial championships Limousin sired or influenced

animals dominated both the entries and the championships.

As the UK’s largest numerical beef breed and wit the numbers entered at these events there should be some expectation of winning these championships. However, the standard across the breeds is high and a big tip of the hat is due to all Limousin exhibitors who have taken part and represented and promoted themselves, and the breed, with cattle that are so relevant to today’s pedigree and commercial market place.

These summer major shows very much maintain a relevance in promoting a herd, a breed, and the potential in animals for breeding or that may be coming forward for sale. Congratulations to all Limousin exhibitors!

MARKET SHORTS

APRIL 2015 CASTLE DOUGLAS:

Yearlings met a buoyant demand topping at £1,400 for a pen of six Limousin heifers from Glenhowl with heifers also making 263.5p per kg twice for Limousin crosses from both West Auchensheen and Drumhumphry. Bullocks peaked at £1,175 for a pen of Limousin crosses from Flathill.

DUMFRIES: A Limousin heifer from Yett topped at 231.5p per kg with bullocks to 221.5p for a Limousin from Kenmuir LONGTOWN: The Easter prime cattle show was judged by Steven Wilson, Corby Hill, who picked a Limousin heifer from AE Fawkes & Sons, Welton as his champion. She tipped the scales at 620kg and later sold to Mr Wilson, a butcher, for £1,350.90 or 219.5p per kg.

CARLISLE: A tremendous show of Limousin cross prime cattle were paraded a club show and sale at H&H. At the North West Limousin Club show it was a 572kg bullock from JS & JO Dodd, West View, which was tapped out as Champion.

He later went on to sell for £1,335.62.

LANARK: Judge Alan Nicholson, Carsemains, picked out his champion a 476kg Limousin cross heifer which was knocked down for £1,310 or 275p per kg. In reserve was a Limousin cross bullock from R Orr, Lawhead, which tipped the scales at 476kg and realised £1,245 or 262p.

THAINSTONE: Good Friday’s sale saw excellent trade. The yearling steers really were the trade of the day with five three quarter bred Limousin steers aged 11 months and weighing 350kg, selling for 286p/kg and (continued on P11)

2016 NATIONAL LIMOUSIN SHOW 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of Limousins first importation to the United Kingdom.

It also marks five years since the previous UK National Limousin Show held in 2011 at Borderway Mart where 400 animals in all were entered.

Early discussions around dates and possibilities are now being held around the staging of a 2016 National Show and in line with the previous intent of holding an event every five years in the run up to the breed’s golden anniversary in 2021! Always a spectacular showcase of the finest Limousin genetics around the UK keep an eye on Limousin news and media for further updates on the possibility of a National Limousin Show taking place in 2016!

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Limousin News

LIMOUSIN DUO WIN ‘COVETED’ BURKE TROPHY Winning the historic Burke Trophy, held this year at the Royal Cornwall Show in June, was one of the major highlights of another strong showing season for Michael, Melanie, & Charlotte Alford, Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, Devon. Adding a little icing to the cake was the fact that the winning pair, Foxhillfarm Jasper & Foxhillfarm Ivy, are of course homebred and both out of the herd’s prolific cow Bankdale Alice. Foxhillfarm Jasper is a son of Loosebeare Fantastic whilst Ivy is by Wilodge Vantastic.

As a pair and individually Jasper & Ivy racked up numerous wins, awards, and interbreed titles over the summer majors with Jasper winning outright the Limousin Championship outright at the Royal Highland and Ivy

doing likewise at the Great Yorkshire Show. Prior to heading to Cornwall the pair had already notched up Interbreed Pairs wins at both the Royal Bath & West, and Devon County Shows. At

the Royal Cornwall, Jasper had stood as breed champion with Ivy in Reserve in front of the judge Paul Sykes. The pair then teamed up to secure the Burke Trophy from interbreed judge

David Leggat.

The Burke Trophy, a former highlight of the now defunct Royal Show, was in its heyday the ‘one to win’ in the livestock world. Presented courtesy of the Royal Agricultural Society of England it was the jewel in the Royal Show’s crown for 58 years, but since 2010 and the show’s demise, a different agricultural show in the country is selected each year to host them.

Commenting, Melanie Alford said: “It’s been another memorable year and winning the Burke Trophy with a homebred pair is certainly another dream come true.” This is the second year in a row that the Limousin breed has won the Burke Trophy following on from the Dinmore herd of Paul Dawes at the Royal Three Counties in 2014.

LIMOUSIN SIRLOIN WINS TESCO STEAK CONTEST The fantastic eating qualities of Limousin beef prevailed once again when a sirloin steak from a Limousin cross steer won the McIntosh Donald/Tesco best Scotch steak competition at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

Taking the top honour was Gordon Kemp, of J Gordon and Co, from Waterside of Forbes, Alford, for a steak from a steer which weighed in at 370.8kg deadweight with a –U4L grading. Bought through Dingwall Auction Mart, last October, it was finished on a diet of silage, barley, potatoes, maize dark grains and minerals.

Commenting on his win Mr Kemp, who

finishes 550 cattle per year, said: “we are delighted to have won this prestigious award

and as this is only the second time we have had an entry in the competition!”

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, presented Mr Kemp with the Quality Meat Scotland Trophy and first prize of £1000.

Commenting on this latest win, the BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said: “Limousin beef has everything you would want in terms of taste, flavour and tenderness. To have the carcase, the yield and killing out, as well as the eating quality is an attractive package across the industry for producers, butchers, restaurants, retailers and of course consumers”

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Limousin News MARKET SHORTS

APRIL 2015 (continued from P9)

£1,000 a head. Some 12 month Limousin cross steers weighing 480kg sold for £1,230 a head.

PATELEY BRIDGE: The Easter show store cattle champion was a Limousin cross heifer, consigned by JA Stoney & Son, Bewerley, it was Judge James Pensley’s choice for champion having excellent conformation and temperament. She sold to Messrs Peel, Glasshouses at £1,300. Reserve champion and second placed heifer shown by WP & B Walker, Appletreewick, also a home bred Limousin cross, sold to J Waind, Malton for £1,100.

SEDGEMOOR: the best trade came from Limousins and native breeds. PR & MA Hooper & Son, Looe, Cornwall took top honours for their Limousin bull Trefrawl Impeccabull at 3,000gns. Others of this breed sold to 2,900gns for Linda Pidsley, Honiton and 2,800gns for EW Quick & Son, Crediton. Limousin cows and calves peaked at 2,000gns for CF & WE Richen, Totnes.

Limousin bulling heifers sold to 1,220gns and 1,200gns twice for C&S Partridge, Tiverton.

DINGWALL: A 12 month old, 440kg Limousin cross topped the day on pence per kg at 297.7p and grossed £1,310. It was bred by Achentoul Farms, Kinbrace, Sutherland and had been bought by Rachel Matheson at Dingwall in October. The reserve overall championship went to Jamie Fraser, Tore, with his reserve haltered champion, a 470kg Limousin cross heifer which made £1,200. Top price per head for bullock was £1,320 for a 590kg Limousin cross from Euan McIver, Fortrose.

GASCOINES GROUP SELL ‘TOP PERFORMANCE’ LIMOUSIN FOR £18,000 Nottinghamshire-based Limousin breeders Doug and Rachel Gascoine of the Gascoines Group have sold their leading young Limousin bull Gascoines James in a private £18,000 deal.

James, a son of the 10,800gns sire Heathmount Trojan, himself the overall champion at Balmoral in 2003, is out of Cockleshell Dishy, a daughter of the noted sire Winnington Trumps bought for 5500gns in October 2013 at Newark.

Carrying top performance figures for the breed, Gascoines James has a beef value of +38, placing him in the top 10% of the breed, alongside a 200 day growth figure of +44 inside the top 1% of the breed and a 400 day growth figure of +81, also in the top 1% of the breed. His muscle depth figure of +5.4 is also in the top 10% of the breed.

Commenting on the sale Alistair Smith, the Gascoine Group’s Farm Manager said James had been a stand out bull from early in his life. “He’s been a great bull at every stage and

carries some top breeding lines.

His combination of performance, pedigree and visual appeal is a rare package and one we valued highly. Dishy’s calf the previous year Cockleshell Issit, who was at foot when we purchased her, was Interbreed Junior Champion at Newark in May 2014.”

Selling with a proven show record Gascoines James was Reserve Male Champion at Great Yorkshire Show in July as well as being Junior Champion and Reserve Male Champion at

Nottinghamshire County Show in May. Buying this exciting young prospect at £18,000 is Thor Atkinson for the Arradfoot herd, Ulverston, Cumbria. Mr Atkinson said he was looking forward to putting James to work. “He’s a really exciting young bull, with great locomotion, shape and outstanding breed character. He will be a great fit for our cows and I’m really looking forward to seeing his first progeny.”

MAY 2015

SELBY: Chosen by Judge Chris Wright of A Wright & Son Boston, it was a 552kg Limousin heifer which sold for 269.5p/kg to D Broster, Farm Shop, Huddersfield.

PORTREE ISLE OF SKYE: A 160kg Limousin cross took the day’s top unit price of 293.8p/ kg with a 550kg Limousin cross topping at £1,150 gross. Heifers averaged 220.9p/kg and sold to 249.1p/kg for a 285kg Limousin cross, with the best gross price of £820 going to a 340kg Limousin cross.

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Limousin News

BREEDERS’ SALES ROUND-UP

BREEDERS’ SALES ROUND-UP As referred to in the BLCS Chairman’s annual report, the April to July period saw the seemingly never ending demand for pedigree Limousin females continue. Over 400 females sold at official sales in the period to both pedigree and commercial breeders.

Limousin has firmly established itself as the industry’s benchmark breeding female with producers readily acknowledging the value that easy & regular calving, fertility, efficiency, longevity, and marketability, delivers over a lifetime. Here we take a snapshot look at just some of the sales and highlights. For a full report on any of the sales and events here then please visit www.limousin.co.uk

MAIDEN HEIFER AMPERTAINE ISADORA SELLS AT 12,500GNS • GOLDIES OFFERING TOPS AT 8000GNS TWICE • FIFTEEN HEIFERS MAKE 4000GNS OR MORE • SALE GROSSES £203,070 FOR 53 LOTS The first heifer in the sale ring, Ampertaine Isadora, made 12,500gns and topped the sale from the Ampertaine, Haltcliffe, and Goldies Limousin herds held on Saturday 30th May at Carlisle’s Borderway Mart. The Goldies consignment was topped at 8000gns with two animals making this price.

The sale, of predominantly maiden and served heifers, saw 53 lots sell to gross £203,070.

Ampertaine Isadora, from the first production sale held

by Messrs WJ& James McKay, 88 Kilrea Road, Upperlands, Maghera, Co Derry, is an October 2013 born maiden heifer sired by the 32,000gns Ampertaine Elgin and is out of Ampertaine Anastasia who is a full sister to the 29,000gns Ampertaine Abracadabra. The breeding family behind this heifer attracted strong interest and resulted in Ampertaine Isadora being purchased by Mulholland Bros, Craigavon, Armagh to join their Deerpark herd.

Enjoying a strong sale 21 heifers from the Ampertaine herd averaged £4195. At 6000gns was the September 2013 born Ampertaine Ikea. This heifer is by the Wilodge Cerberus son

Ampertaine Foreman and is out of Ampertaine Vicky. Ampertaine Ikea is out of the Kype Sharon family which has seen a number of five figure bulls sell for the herd. She was knocked down to the partnership of John O’Kane and Declan O’Kane both from Co.Derry, N.Ireland.

The Goldies herd consignment, from Bruce T Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries, reached 8,000gns twice. The first to achieve this mark was the served heifer Goldies Heaven, a daughter of the 22,000gns Hartlaw Excaliber and out of one of the highly noted Goldies Vitality who is the mother of the famous Goldies Comet. Goldies Vitality has had five progeny selling for £20,000 or more. Purchasing the September 2012 born Goldies Heaven was Messrs AE Neachell & Son for their Shrubbery herd at Shrubbery Farm, Daniels Lane, Aldridge, West Midlands.

Also selling for 8,000gns was the stock bull on offer from the Goldies herd, Kaprico Germander.

A son of Sympa and out of Kaprico Erica, he was sold to join the Meadowrig herd for Messrs Renton & Redden, Shieldfield, Tweedmouth.

Leading the Haltcliffe

Ampertaine Isadora 12500gns

Goldies Heaven 8000gns

consignment from Haltcliffe, Hesket New Market, Wigton, Cumbria at 4,500gns was the April 2013 born Haltcliffe Inlet.

A daughter of the noted sire Cloughhead Umpire, this heifer is out of Haltcliffe Amazon whose

mother Haltcliffe Upperity won the Junior Female Champion at the ILC 2004 Show. Purchasing this heifer was local breeder Stephen Wilson who runs the Impulsive herd at Corby Hill, Carlisle.

SMITHY GHOST LEADS EXETER SUMMER SALE AT 2,550GNS The British Limousin Cattle Society Breeders’ Sale held on behalf of members of the South Western Limousin Breeders’ Club at Exeter on Friday 26th June 2015, saw a top price of 2550gns for Smithy Ghost a 2011 born in-calf cow by Grahams Unbeatable from Tony, Jo & Adam Smith of Launceston. This cow, carrying an embryo by Mas Du Clo or Ampertaine Foreman out of the French & Dutch National champion cow Breizizel, was sold to Mr TD Pearson of Hereford.

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BREEDERS’ SALES ROUND-UP

Limousin News

TWILYTE LIMOUSIN DISPERSAL SELLS TO 6,000GNS The Dispersal Sale of the Twilyte Herd of pedigree and commercial Limousin cattle held on behalf of Messrs GW Holling & Sons, Alfreton, Derbyshire on Saturday 6th June at Newark Livestock Market saw a solid trade throughout, with pedigree and commercial buyers in attendance and willing to pay well for well bred, correct females.

Leading the prices was a 6000gns call for the herd’s 2011born stock bull, Manorhouse Geronimo, a Mayfields Drambuie

son out of Manorhouse Velcro, a Hartside Oneman daughter.

Bred by W J Wright, he sold to F S Knight, Stoke Doyle, Peterborough.

Second best at 4800gns was another of the stock bulls, Confluence Greta, also 2011 born. This Greenwell Charttopper son is out of Confluence Bly, a Plaisant daughter and was the choice of P and J H Boyle, Southoweram, Halifax.

Topping the female prices at 4400gns was a heifer and calf

Twilyte Jazzy 3700gns

outfit, with this being Twilyte Holly, a 2012-born Redskins Enzo daughter out of Hodgro Polygala, a Bapton Javelin daughter. She sold in calf to Annandale Excalibur and was

knocked down at 2400gns to Nigel Johnson, Lutterworth.

Her heifer calf, Twilyte Jaynie,

by Confluence Greta sold at 2000gns to P R Walker and Son, Lund, Driffield.

COACHHOUSE NORMANDE HERD LIMOUSINS SELL TO DISPERSAL SALE 5,000GNS AT NEWARK REACHES 3,400GNS Another substantial offering of Limousin cattle at Newark on Saturday 4 July 2015, which included the major reduction of the Coachhouse herd for Gill & Barry Heald, hit a high of 5000gns, with a packed ringside of bidders in attendance demonstrating the continued demand for wellbred cattle from the UK’s leading breed.

Auctioneer Paul Gentry said buyers had been presented with an excellent selection of cattle from the Heald family and others which demonstrated the strength in depth on offer within the breed.

“The Heald family’s consignment were true breeders cattle, exceptionally correct and carrying deep pedigrees including come of the breed’s leading names from the past and present. It was a pleasure to sell such high quality cattle and see the genetics built up by the family eagerly sought after.”

Leading the trade at 5000gns was Hollyash Claret from the Burrough family, with this June 2007-born fifth calver selling with her bull calf at foot by the French sire Chaumeil. Sired by Junior, Claret is out of Twemlows Velvet, a Tunnelby Scallywag daughter and was bought by the Gascoines Group, Southwell, for their Gascoines herd.

Then making 3800gns was Coachhouse Elliemay from the Healds.

This daughter of the homebred Coachhouse Amos is a fourth calver and sold with a heifer calf at foot by the 15,000gns Rachels Ferrari. She is out of the Nenuphar daughter Coachhouse Appleblossom, bringing together some of the breed’s leading genetics and sold having run with Ronick Inspire. Buying this one were F and S M Stamper, Huntingdon.

• 58 LOTS SELL TO GROSS £111,940.53

The seventeen month old bull Drombanny Jacob sold for 3400gns to top the trade at the Dispersal Sale of the Normande Herd on behalf of Norman & Elma Cruickshank, Cowford Farm, Cleghorn, Lanark, held at Carlisle’s Borderway Mart on Friday 24th July. Originally bred by Patrick Sheahan, Limerick, Eire, Drombanny Jacob is by Cloughhead Ernie and is out of the Wilodge Vantastic sired Drombanny Glitter.

Purchasing the top price bull was T N Story, Hilltop, Kirkcambeck, Brampton, Cumbria.

One of the first Limousin herds in Scotland, the Normande Herd was established approaching some 40 years ago. Over the years the herd has met with many successes in both the sale and show ring with one of the highlights being winning the Queen’s Cup at the 1994 Royal Highland Show with the bull Filip and in partnership with the late Doug Edgar. At the herd’s Dispersal Sale, 58 lots sold in all to gross a solid £112,000.

The homebred bull Normande Jack made 3200gns when selling to AF Thomson, Lammerview, North Berwick, East Lothian. Another February 2014 born bull, Normande Jack is by the Irish sire Brookfield Elmo and is out of the eleven year old Normande Vanessa. The Brookfield Elmo daughter Normande Herys was sold with her bull calf at foot for 3000gns. Herys is December 2012 born and is out of Normande Erys. Her April born bull calf, Normande Lewis, is by the Highlander son Beck Giant.

This outfit was purchased by an undisclosed Drombanny Jacob 3400gns buyer.

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Limousin News

BREEDERS’ SALES ROUND-UP

BROADOAK DISPERSAL SALE TOPPED AT 5,000GNS

Columbpark Damson 3200gns

• COLUMBPARK REDUCTION SALE HITS 3300GNS The four year old stock bull Fieldson Guna sold for 5000gns and topped the dispersal sale of the Broadoak Herd of Chris and Wendy Richens, Coppa Dolla Farm, Broadhempston, Totnes on Saturday 8th August at Sedgemoor Auction Centre. The day also saw a major reduction of the Columbpark herd of Vicky and Matt Smith, Caseberry Farm, Copydown Lane, Bradninch, Devon.

Fieldson Guna, who is by the noted Cloughhead Umpire and

out of the Gunnerfleet Plunas daughter Fieldson Una, was purchased by the Waygood family of Taunton. The 4½ year old homebred cow Broadoak Elin led the females at 3800gns when selling with her March born heifer calf by Fieldson Guna at foot to the Lanfears of Bristol. Elin is by the French sire Ionesco and goes back to the Gorton female line.

The first three females forward from the Smith’s Polyanthus/ Iris family broke the 3,000gns barrier.

Leading the way was the seven

year old Columbpark Damson, a Rombalds Utah daughter out of Columbpark Apricot. She was sold with her February born bull calf at foot, Columbpark Lenny

by Tomschoice Harlequin, for 3200gns to RW Biss. Then the five year old Columbpark Fruitful,

a Fleethill Clipper daughter also out of Columbpark Apricot, sold with her March born bull calf at foot for 3,300gns when heading to North Devon with P & L Ley. The bull calf Columbpark Liquorice is another by the Tomschoice bull.

GARYVAUGHAN ICLIPSE LEADS WELSHPOOL LIMOUSINS AT 8,000GNS • 26 BULLS AVERAGE £3572 • 12 BULLS MAKE 3000GNS OR MORE Garyvaughan Iclipse from local breeder Colin Lewis, Buttington New Hall, Welshpool Powys sold for 8000gns and led another strong Limousin trade at the North West Midlands and North Wales Limousin Club Sale held at Welshpool Livestock Market on Thursday 14th May. On the day 26 bulls sold in all to average a healthy £3572 with 8 heifers averaging £1713. Twelve bulls made 3000gns and over.

The June 2013 born Garyvaughan Iclipse is by the herd’s 35,000gns stock bull Plumtree Deus and is out of the homebred Garyvaughan Eclipse, a Haltcliffe Bruce daughter. Purchasing the top price was EJ Bound, Cefnbeidiog,

Glynbrochan, Llanidloes, Powys.

Earlier in the day this bull had stood as Reserve Champion in the pre-sale show judged by Richard Priestley of the Brontemoor Herd, Cracrop Farm, Kirkcambeck, Brampton, Cumbria. A few lots later the same herd sold Garyvaughan Inger for 5000gns.

Similarly bred, the July 2013 born Inger is another by Plumtree Deus and is out of another Haltcliffe Bruce daughter, Garyvaughan Ginger. Purchasing this bull was Aston Hall Farm, Churchstoke, Montgomery, Powys. The Garyvaughan Herd sold two further bulls at 3000gns apiece.

The Welshpool Sale followed hard on the heels of the British Limousin Cattle Society’s sale at

Wilodge Instyle 7,500gns

Garyvaughan Iclipse top price 8000gns

Brecon on the previous Saturday that saw the Garyvaughan Herd selling two bulls at 7000gns and further bulls at 4600gns and 4400gns.

Wilodge Instyle, from Wilodge Limousins, Lodge Hill Farm, Park Lane, Shifnal, Shropshire made 7500gns when selling to RG Francis, Craignant, Newtown, Powys. December 2013 born, Instyle is by the Vantastic son Wilodge Fastrac and is out of the noted cow Sarkley Bellola. Again, Wilodge had also enjoyed a good day at the aforementioned Brecon

NETHER BARR BULLS REACH £7,800 AT CASTLE DOUGLAS TB Hansell & Co, Nether Barr, Corsock, Castle Douglas had another strong sale at Wallets Marts, Castle Douglas in May when selling Limousin bulls to a top of £7800 and five in all to average just shy of £5000. Netherbarr have over some ten years built up a strong following among local commercial producers that has seen them sell up to £8,600. Leading the way this year was Netherbarr Ideal who made the top price of £7800 when selling to Messrs McMillan, Glenchamber. October 2013 born Ideal is by Wilodge Cerberus and is out of the Sympa sired Netherbarr Garnet. Netherbarr Ionesco made £5500 when purchased by Messrs McLelland, Knockshinnoch. This January 2013 born bull is by the French AI sire Ionesco and is out of Netherbarr Clover. Further Netherbarr bulls made £4500, £4200 & £2500.

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Sale which they had topped at 9500gns with their full brother to Wilodge Fastrac called Wilodge Joskins. At Welshpool the herd sold a further bull to make 3000gns.

The day’s Champion bull was Temeside Infuse, a Rosecroft Dynamite son, from Vince Corbett, The Gorther, Felindre, Nr Knighton, Powys. June 2013 born this bull made 6200gns when selling to D Beatty, Style House Farm, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. He is out of Temeside Fivespice a daughter of Whinfellpark Boffin.

Limousin News

5,400GNS WARRENDERPARK GERONIMO TOPS CRAVEN LIMOUSIN DAY AT SKIPTON The Tomschoice herd of Jamie & Sarah Cooper of Dacre headed up the prices at the Craven Limousin Day, on Wednesday May 13th at Skipton Auction Mart, with their Senior Bull Warrenderpark Geronimo.

Geronimo is on sale because of the return of his sire, Kaprico Eravelle ,who had been at stud. With his sire scoring in the top 1% of the breed for calving and short gestation, the 2011 born Geronimo, out of Tomshoice Bramble a Sarkley Topknot daughter, met spirited bidding to finally find a new home with Chris Metcalfe of Healaugh for 5,400gns.

The Supreme Champion was Redland Illanois the first prize intermediate bull by Eldorado bred from a Goldies Valmet cow Redland Diamante. It was shown by Messrs RM&HJ Lewis of Hunsinggore and was purchased by CR Booth of Hightown for 4,440gns. The Overthwaite Hall of RS Harker from Holme produced a strong pen of bulls, from which judge Peter Kirkton of the Ashledge Herd, Bewdley found his Senior Male Champion and Reserve Overall Overthwaite Issac a March 2013 son of Haltcliffe Fencer out of a Sympa bred cow.

This bull was bought by P Nelson of Shap for 4,300gns.

Stephen & Michael Priestley returned to home territory from Brampton near Carlisle with their Brontemoor herd to win the spring 2014 junior bull class with Brontemoor Junglebook a Bahut son out of a Seaview Upstart bred cow selling to AR&J Alsop & Son of Dacre for 4,500gns.

Warrenderpark Geronimo 5400gns

FORTHCOMING SHOWS, SALES & EVENTS UP TO DECEMBER 2015 All Sales are Official BLCS Sales unless stated otherwise Mon 31st August Northern Ireland Club Sale* Unhaltered and Haltered Females Hilltown Livestock Sales

Friday 30th October Agri-Expo Carlisle Saturday 7th November Brecon Sale

Sunday 13th September SW Club AGM & Open day at Stourhead herd

Wednesday 11th November Beef South West, Exeter

Friday 18th September BLCS AGM – Hereford

Saturday 14th November Stars of the Future, Stirling

Saturday 19th September Open Day at Dinmore Herd – Hereford

Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd November English Winter Fair, Bingley Hall, Stafford

Tuesday 29th September Thainstone Annual Show & Sale of Comm Beef Breeding Cattle Saturday 10th October Newark Club Sale* Friday 16th October Hexham Limousin Day Saturday 17th October Carlisle Sale Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October Countryside Live Monday 19th October Stirling Sale Thursday 22nd October Bellingham Show & Sale Friday 23rd October Dungannon Sale

Thursday 26th & Friday 27th November East of England Smithfield Festival Saturday 28th November LiveScot, Lanark Monday 30th November South West Winter Fair Monday 30th November & Tuesday 1st December Welsh Winter Fair, Builth Wells Thursday 10th December YBC AGM & Young Handlers Competition, Carlisle Friday 11th December Red Ladies & Weaned Calf Sale *Not an official BLCS Sale.

NB Dates correct at time of going to press

MARKET SHORTS Redland Illanois 4,440gns

MAY 2015

THAINSTONE: Limousin crosses dominated at 296.9p for a pen of 320kg heifers from Whinnyhaugh, Garmouth; £1,415 for a pen of 680kg bullocks from East mains, Lumphanan; and £1,390 for a pen of 670kg heifers from Northton, Cullerie.

LOCKERBIE: taking the top award as judged by D Lockhart, Fauldingcleuch, was an eight month old Limousin bullock from Garry Bell, Haas Grove. Weighing 480kg he later realised £1,140 when sold to the judge. In reserve was a Limousin heifer from S Ewart & Son, Belridding, which sold for £1,060 at a weight of 442kg.

HEXHAM : Champion was a black yearling Limousin cross heifer from Mickey Lee, Harwood Shiel. Backing his decision, she sold to the Judge Les Bainbridge, Greystone Farm, Seamer, for £1,340.

STIRLING : Limousin crosses led the majority of classes at UA’s sale.

They sold to 297.3p per kg for a 259kg bullock from Tealing Home Farm; (continued on P27)

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Limousin News

VOLCANO DAUGHTER ON FIRE AT NORTHERN LIMOUSIN EXTRAVAGANZA NLE 2015, Elsa, supreme champ

An 11-month-old Limousin-sired commercial heifer from Cumbrian breeder Neil Slack outshone her pedigree counterparts to clinch the Supreme Championship at the 2015 Northern Limousin Extravaganza (NLE) at Skipton Auction Mart on Tuesday 12th May. Mr Slack, of Plumtree House, Newby, near Penrith, saw his first prize heifer and commercial champion, named Elsa, progress to land leading honours, pipping the pedigree champion, a bull from fellow Cumbrian breeders, the Priestley family, from Kirkambeck, Brampton.

Mr Slack’s title winner is by the noted Volcano (of John Richardson) and out of a Limousin-cross cow.

The pre-sale show judge, former British Limousin Cattle Society chairman, Peter Kirton, commented that “there had been a tremendous show of cattle”, with the early season event attracting a record entry of 75 head.

The Brontemoor herd of the Priestley family - Michael, Steven and Ruth, and their son Richard – picked up the Male and Overall Reserve championships with their March-born home-bred bull, Brontemoor Junglebook, by the French sire Bahut, out of their own Brontemoor Buttonmoon.

The same class was also responsible for the Reserve Male Champion, Tancredgrange Jericho, from the Barker Farming Partnership, who run their Tancred Grange herd in Scorton, Richmond. Shown by 18-yearold William Barker, the February-born son of the Genus sire, Fieldson Ally, is out of Bankdale Avril, bred in Cumbria by Gordon Wilson.

The 2015 Female Championship fell to another Cumbrian pedigree breeder, Thor Atkinson, who runs Arradfoot Limousins in Newlands, Ulverston, with his first prize January-born heifer, the Central Dart daughter, Saunders Japonica, a 2,000gns purchase last year who went on to become reserve Limousin champion at the Welsh Winter Fair. The Reserve Female championship was awarded to a new, young, up-andcoming north-east pedigree Limousin breeder, 22-year-old Kate Sutcliffe, of Church Farm, Carlton-in-Cleveland, near Middlesborough, with her first prize Wilodge Fantastic-sired February-born heifer, Burnbank Julie, purchased for 1,750gns last year as a foundation heifer.

LIMOUSIN BREEDING FEMALES HIT £4,400

4,400gns top price at Caledonian Marts

Limousin breeding cattle met a buoyant demand at Caledonian Mart’s sale at Stirling in late May. Leading the prices at £4400 was a Limousin cross heifer with Limousin heifer calf at foot from Craig Malone, Pitcairn, Cardenden. The heifer, which was bought out of Lanark market as a store heifer, was bulled at Pitcairn and sold with her calf, to Jemma Jordan Forest, Abington.

Limousin genetics were to the fore again for the second £4400 sale, when a Limousin cow with second calf at foot from J and J Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Blairdrummond, sold to H and JJ Forrest, Hillend, Biggar.

The Champion at the pre-sale show was another Limousin cross heifer from Craig Malone which had been bought privately. Sold with her Limousin sired bull calf at foot she made £4200 and was purchased by Brian Harper, Greenwells, Falkirk.

COLT PARK SUCKLER COW MAKES £5,550 AT CARLISLE The Commercial Beef Breeding Sale held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle at the end of May saw strong demand and a big trade for Limousin bred females top at £5550. This sale, widely described as perhaps the biggest and best sale in the UK for suckler cows and calves, and bulling heifers met with a fantastic show of cattle forward. The heifers with calves at foot averaged £2032 whilst the cows with calves at foot levelled at £1925.

Mark Towers, Colt Park Ltd of Colt Park Farm, Whitehaven offered a run of heifers and cows with calves at foot which topped the sale at £5500 for a black Limousin cross cow with a black Limousin cross heifer calf at foot. The calf was sired by the herd’s stock bull, Haltcliffe Bullet,

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which was purchased at Carlisle in February 2008 for 6,000gns.

Purchasing the top price was C Birrell, Barnboard, Castle Douglas.

Messrs Dickinson of High Knipe sold at batch of outstanding heifers and cows with calves at foot selling to a top price of £4000 for a British Blue cross heifer with a Limousin cross bull calf at foot.

Through the day pens of well-made Limousin cross heifers were regularly reaching between £1300 - £1400.

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Limousin News

ARCHIE MACGREGOR WINS SIR WILLIAM YOUNG AWARD Archie MacGregor who runs the Allanfauld Limousin herd at Allanfauld, Kilsyth, Glasgow is the 2015 recipient of the Sir William Young Award one of the livestock industry’s most notable prizes. The award, from the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland, recognises outstanding contribution to livestock breeding.

Archie farms 1800 acres at Allanfauld along with his son John. They have a flock of 1200 Blackface sheep and in addition to the Limousin herd they also breed pedigree Texel sheep, Charolais cattle and run a herd of 35 suckler cows. Amongst a welter of breeding, showing, and selling achievements the Allanfauld name has won many of the most prestigious pedigree and commercial titles, beef and sheep, across the UK and including the Royal Highland, Stirling sales, Scottish Winter Fair, and Royal Smithfield (where he has bred five champions).

Overall Champion Sooty from T C Edwards and Sons

Reserve Overall Champion, Midnight Black, from Trevor, Linda and Johnny Lyon

Baby Beef Champion, Balck Beauty from Tecwyn Jones, by Ronick Hawk

LIMOUSINS LEAD THE WAY IN SPRING SPECTACULAR SHOW AT NBA’S 2015 BEEF EXPO • OVERALL CHAMPION • RESERVE OVERALL CHAMPION • BABY BEEF CHAMPION • HEIFER CHAMPION AND RESERVE HEIFER CHAMPION • STEER CHAMPION AND RESERVE STEER CHAMPION It was a day of Limousin domination in the Spring Spectacular Show at the National Beef Association’s Beef Expo 2015, York, in May, with Limousin sired animals picking up all the major titles under judges Wilson Peters, Crieff Perthshire, and Craig Robertson, Pitlochry, Perthshire.

Heading up a quality field of more than 150 show cattle were Ruthin, Wales-based brothers Rhidian and Cai Edwards, entered under T C Edwards and Sons, Corwen, Denbighshire, when they took the event’s Supreme Championship with their Limousin cross heifer Sooty.

This 547kg entry was bred by the Bowen family and was on her first show outing of the year.

Commenting on his champion, Wilson Peters said: “I was looking for a champion that fitted the bill for

a high street butcher’s beast and she met that criteria completely with a loin full of meat, a balanced top and a great set of legs with a cracking head to match.”

Doubling up at the top of the line for the Limousin breed was Bourne, Lincolnshire-based Trevor Lyon at the halter of his, Linda and son Johnny’s Steer Champion Midnight Black. Weighing in at 579kg, this one is by former stock bull Ironstone Enigma and out of the same dam as the successful show heifer Temptation. Another which saw prize winning action last winter, Midnight Black was first at English Winter Fair and homebred calf champion, as well as being a class winner at East of England Smithfield Festival last December.

Following on in superb form, and taking the Reserve Heifer championship, were Aycliffe, Co

Durham-based Gordon, Julie and son Tim Sedgewick with Priceless, a homebred 511kg heifer by the herd’s stock bull Confluence Fadell. Bred from a former show heifer, this one has come through from a tough start having lost her dam early on. She was also a winner last winter, being the baby beef champion at LiveScot and on her first outing of this season was commercial and interbreed champion at Otley.

The Reserve Steer championship honours headed back to Wales with the Edwards family, with Cai Edwards leading dad, Gwyn, and, uncle, Erfyl Edwards’ 430kg Limousin steer Un Bach. Bred by the Lewis family, Pumsaint, this was the steer’s first outing this year.

It was a case of déjà vu in the Baby Beef championship when fellow Welshman Tecwyn Jones

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took the overall championship with his heifer Black Beauty. Like Tecwyn’s former show heifers of the same name this one was being aimed at the Royal Welsh.

Homebred and sired by Ronick Hawk, Black Beauty is out of a British Blue x Limousin dam and weighed in 420kg. She was described by judge Craig Robertson as: “an incredibly flashy heifer, with great style, locomotion and presence”.

Commenting on the breed’s success in the Spring Spectacular, British Limousin Cattle Society Chief Executive Iain Kerr said it was a credit to the exhibitors that Limousin sired animals had fared so well. “The Limousin breed has built its name around being the Carcase Breed and the cattle on show here were a tremendous reflection of that.”

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Limousin News

NEW BULLS ON The portfolio of Limousin bulls on www.semenstore.co.uk continues to increase. Here we take a quick look at the bulls that have been added to the site since May:-

Baileys Iain Quick Overview : £15 per straw; £50 Royalty

Purchased at Roscrea for 8,000 Euro when standing Reserve Champion. Irish Limousin Cattle Society ‘Male of the Year’ title in 2014. Reserve Senior Champion Male National Limousin Championships Tullamore Show 2014. By Ireland’s number one easy-calving sire, Queenshead Altea (by Greensons Gigolo), and out of Baileys Ena, one of the many topbreeding females left by Curraghree Vantheman in the noted Baileys Herd. Expected progeny performance: carcase conformation, weight and milky daughters. Within a week of the bull appearing on the site, straws were identified to make up a large export order going to Australia for a regular customer.

Mullary Intrepid Quick Overview : £15 per straw; £50 Royalty

Mullary Intrepid, a powerhouse, now available to breeders. A son of Plumtree Fantastic from a spectacular Nenuphar cow. Excellent bloodlines including Idea 23 and Rake Terrence. Extremely natural muscle, one copy of the F94L double muscle gene. Overall Male Champion at the Irish National Show, Tullamore 2014 where he was awarded Junior Male Champion the previous year.

Swarland Black Igolo Quick Overview : £15 per straw; £30 Royalty

A much admired Black Limousin Bull, purchased at Carlisle in February 2015 for 9000gns. Igolo has black genetics going back three generations. He is described as a very correct bull with tremendous locomotion and an ideal bull for breeding replacement heifers.

Dinmore Governor Quick Overview : £15 per straw; £50 Royalty

Dinmore Governor was purchased at the Dinmore Reduction Sale as a young bull for just under £9000. He is highly positive for milk and has tremendous breeding being a son of the record breaking Haltcliffe Vermount, and a grandson of the renowned Carmorn Penny. He has proved to be highly fertile and has produced some pleasing pure and crossbred progeny. His first pure and crossbred daughters will be calving at 24 months in January 2016.

*Please note, extracts of marketing text have been taken from the site. Check full details of all bulls at www.semenstore.co.uk

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Limousin News

SIGNIFICANT LIMOUSIN SEMEN EXPORT TO AUSTRALIA

Kaprico Eravelle

• SHIPMENT OF FOUR LIMOUSIN BULLS CONFIRMED Keystone Genetics, Victoria, Australia, have recently imported another shipment of UK Limousin sires as their strong working relationship with Semenstore continues. The latest shipment includes two new Limousin bulls for the Australian market in the shape of Kaprico Eravelle and Baileys Iain as well as repeat orders for semen from Bahut and Dolscorllwyn Fabio. This is the fourth year in a row that Keystone have purchased both Bahut and Fabio semen.

In commenting on their latest shipment, Tim Keys of Keystone Genetics said: “we are really pleased to be able to continue our long standing relationship with Semenstore through this latest shipment and appreciate the great service that Julie Nicholds and the team provide to us. Our strategy of marketing and promoting the sires to the Australian market through use in our own herd and partner herds is working very effectively and has increased the uptake and acceptance of UK derived genetics in Australia. We are very pleased with the leading position we hold in supplying quality genetics to the Australian market and see our strong working relationship with Semenstore as an integral part of this position.”

Baileys Iain

SEMENSTORE AUCTION FACILITY ‘COMING SOON’!

In the previous issue of the Limousin magazine we outlined the build of an on-line auction facility. This enhancement will see the ability for vendors to sell specific ‘lots’ of semen, to a designated timeline, with purchasers able to go in and bid on the live

auction. At the end of the period the highest bidder will ‘win’ the lot. The live auction facility will be integrated within the present site. Build work has now been completed and the enhancement is being thoroughly tested. Launch details will be announced as soon as is possible so keep an eye on the site and on social media.

Fairywater Haig

Ampertaine Foreman

Dolcorsllwyn Fabio

BEST SELLERS ON THE SITE APRIL - JULY 2015 the british limousin cattle society

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Limousin News

UK BEEF’S FIRST GENOMIC EBVs - ADDING £’s TO COMMERCIAL HERDS Background

What are GBVs? Animal performance is a combination of genetic merit and the effects of the environment, such as season, management regime, health etc.

Traditional Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) use a series of statistical procedures to establish how much of an animal’s performance is down to the genes it has inherited and how much is down to the environment in which it is reared. The EBV value is the genetic component and indicates the strengths and weaknesses the animal is likely to pass to the next generation.

GBVs take this a step further by using information from animals’ DNA as well as the usual measurements of performance.

The DNA is supplied by a hair or tissue sample (blood and semen can also be used) and compared to a DNA ‘key’ for the breed: • This key is developed from a core population of Limousin animals that have been measured on-farm as well as having DNA collected.

• The key is like a library that cross refers information from the DNA strand with different levels of on-farm performance.

• GBVs are produced by comparing the DNA of an animal with the key. They are calculated from the correspondence of that animal’s DNA with those in the library.

In the case of the new Limousin GBVs to be released later this year, they are all based on VIA measurements (Visual Image Analysis) supplied by selected ABP abattoirs as well as DNA from over 2000 related animals to produce the key.

The GBVs that we will all be in a position to access will indicate genetic merit for carcase weight and a selection of new carcase cuts: Fillet, Loin, Rump, Topside, Silverside, Flank and Knuckle.

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Already established in other agricultural sectors, Genomic Breeding Values (GBVs) will be available for all Limousin cattle later this year. They are the first of their kind within the UK’s beef sector and are the result of a £1.5 million four-year research project between the British Limousin Cattle Society, ABP Food Group and SRUC (funded by Govt Technology Strategy Board).

This article explains what GBVs are and, importantly, how they will be used and the value they will bring to commercial producers of Limousin-bred cattle.

Conventional EBVs

Carcase Trait GBVs

Pedigree information

Pedigree information

On-Farm Performance Records

On-Farm Performance Records

Trait Heritabilities & Correlations between traits

Trait Heritabilities & Correlations between traits DNA from hair or tissue compared to Limousin ‘key’

Key created from animal DNA, Abattoir records from ABP & crossbred breeding records from BCMS

How Much Will the New Carcase Trait GBVs be Worth?

Some work to date, based on 259 Limousin sires with at least ten slaughtered calves, has highlighted ranges in genetic potential for the different traits as follows:

Traits

Range in Genetic Potential

Fillet

1.0 kg

Striploin

2.4 kg

Topside

3.4 kg

Silverside

4.5 kg

Rump

2.0 kg

Knuckle

2.0 kg

Flank

7.7 kg

In other words, using Fillet as an example, some sires have the genetic potential to produce an additional kilogram of Fillet at slaughter, and so on. At a retail value in the region of £40/ kg for fillet (source: Meat Prices Index), it is not difficult to see the advantage in identifying the animals with the genes to produce it.

When the additional value of all the cuts is multiplied up, it equates to an estimated difference in retail value of £100 - £150 between the best sires and the poorest.* Half of a calves’ genes come from its sire and, assuming all other things are equal, this means that the sires with *Source: Meat Prices Index the british limousin cattle society

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Limousin News

superior carcase genes have the ability to produce calves worth £50 - £75/head more than the calves by sires with the poorer carcase genes. Money for the taking when all it involves is selection of the correct sire.

Who Can Test Their Animals?

The owner of any Limousin-bred animal can submit a hair or tissue sample and gain Genomic Breeding Values. A significant difference between an EBV and a GBV is that the former relies on the collection of performance records across groups of animals all managed in the same way. In other words, to gain EBVs, producers have been required to performance record their whole herds and this has typically been done in the purebred population. To gain the latter – a GBV – all that is required is the DNA sample and the identity of the animal.

This is the first time in the UK that the generation of breeding values has been shifted from the domain of the pedigree sector to the wider commercial sector. It offers commercial producers significant opportunity in assessing current and future sires and replacement heifers.

Whilst producing GBVs for an animal does not require herd-wide performance records, the ongoing collection of performance records throughout the breed remains as important as ever.

The library of information that forms the ‘key’ for the GBVs will rely on farm records as well as DNA; one will be unable to survive without the other.

“For the first time in the UK, commercial producers can test and gain breeding values for their own animals” How Soon Will the New GBVs be Available?

The project is due to end on 31st October 2015. It is planned that all producers will be able to submit DNA for analysis and publication of the results shortly after that time.

What will GBVs Look Like?

GBVs are just breeding values in the way that EBVs are and, as such, will be presented in the same way. Numeric values and accuracies will be shown for each trait, along with the bar chart format industry is now familiar with. For additional information, it will be clear which traits are EBVs and which are GBVs.

Are GBVs Better than EBVs? For many traits, GBVs offer the following: Speed: GBVs can be obtained shortly after a calf is born, thereby enhancing the accuracies of genetic merit predictions much quicker than performance recording alone. They are particularly valuable for traits that can only be measured later in life.

Improved accuracy: For many traits that have low heritabilities or are particularly difficult or expensive to measure, GBVs will offer higher levels of accuracy than conventional EBVs. Health, fitness, fertility, meat quality, methane emissions and feed efficiency are all current examples of these.

Lower Cost: Because accuracies are enhanced much more quickly using GBVs than collecting records on-farm (depending on the trait) there can be less cost involved in getting breeding value estimates to similar levels of accuracy.

The cost of the DNA analysis is likely to be in the region of £50-80 and possibly lower. Compare this to the cost of waiting until an animal has become a sire (or dam) and amassed performance recorded progeny in a number of herds to reach the same levels of accuracy.

What Further GBVs are Planned?

The BLCS and SRUC are currently in the second stage of a funding application process to add Maternal Trait GBVs to the ‘key’ along with a completely new trait, Calf Survival, if the genetic component to this trait can be successfully analysed.

The Society is a member of the Consortium in DEFRA’s Feed Efficiency Project. There is potential opportunity here to add traits associated with Feed Efficiency to the key. This will be of a significant step forward, given the expensive nature of collecting this type of information.

How Will I Use GBVs? GBVs will be used in exactly the same way as EBVs when breeding decisions are being made. Albeit they have been produced in slightly different ways, they are in essence breeding values that indicate genetic merit and the way producers choose to use them should not differ.

How Can I Find Out More?

For further information, go to the Limousin website (http://limousin.co.uk/projectsinitiatives/carcase-traits-project/) or contact Alison Glasgow at alison@limousin.co.uk, telephone 02476 696500.

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Limousin News

COMMERCIAL LIMOUSIN PRODUCERS SET TO GAIN FROM CARCASE TRAITS PROJECT

T

he earlier article “UK Beef’s First Genomic EBVs Will Add £’s to Commercial Herds” outlines the ultimate aims and outcomes of the Limousin Carcase Traits Project and the value these will potentially present to the UK beef industry.

As the research involved with this project has progressed, snapshots of information have been and continue to be gleaned that point towards the financial benefit from differentiation between individual animals and breeds.

November 2013: As much variation within a breed as between breeds for Carcase Traits A snapshot of ‘all breed’ and Limousin VIA (Visual Image Analysis) records identified very quickly in the project that considerable variation for high value cuts exists between and within all breeds. The graph

above shows the variation in Striploin for Limousin-bred animals with carcase weights between 350kg and 360kg…

The heritabilities of the various cuts were quickly established and were consistent with the findings in earlier research in this country and abroad.

Once it has been established that variation exists and that

The retail value of animals of the same conformation score can vary by as much as £750 albeit for different weights.

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Limousin

a trait is heritable, it can successfully be selected for in breeding programmes. Being able to identify the animals in our UK population that have the genetics to produce 2kg more striploin and other high value cuts is extremely powerful knowledge and will only be possible for producers of Limousin cattle.

The retail value of animals at the same carcase weight can vary by as much as £300 albeit for different grades.

January 2014: EUROP classification – too blunt an instrument?

Analysis of 20,000 steer carcases across all breeds revealed that animals within the same EUROP and Fat Classifications vary significantly in their eventual retail value…

The retail value of animals of the same conformation score and carcase weight can vary by as much as £100.

(Source: Meat Prices Index)

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Limousin News The final graph identifies how, using the EUROP classification system, messages about carcase quality can go unrewarded and therefore lost further up the breeding chain.

A situation where producers of high-value carcases within a broad classification category receive the same payment as low value carcases is helpful to no sector within the supply chain.

VIA (Visual Image Analysis) enables more accurate assessment of each primal cut within the carcase and research has established it as a superior method of carcase classification when it comes to ranking true carcase worth.

Release of new breeding values for the carcase traits will eventually be linked to a more sophisticated VIA payment grid, taking into account the animals measurements.

January 2014: The £ difference between Limousin sires is significant and real With ABP’s data flow in to the project came the ability to produce some early Carcase Trait EBVs. A sample of 30 Limousin sires with at least 10 slaughtered progeny was examined and the average price achieved by those calves was calculated. On average, the retail value of the calves sired by the bulls with the best Carcase Trait EBVs was £463/calf more than the calves sired by the bulls with the worst EBVs (source: Meat Prices Index). This provides evidence that the breeding values will successfully identify better and poorer performing animals and the degree to which industry will benefit from sharper selection decisions.

LIMOUSIN E

U+

U-

R

O+

O-

P+

P-

1

0

0.3

0.2

0.4

0.2

0.0

0.0

0.0

2

0.3

5.0

3.2

4.3

0.7

0.1

0.0

0.0

3

0.7

20.9

14.3

19.2

1.6

0.0

0.0

0.0

4L

0.1

5.6

4.9

6.6

0.3

0.0

0.0

0.0

4H

0.0

3.5

2.9

4.2

0.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

5L

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

85.1% of all Limousin-bred cattle slaughtered are in the desired carcase and fat specifications

ALL OTHER BREEDS E

U+

U-

R

O+

O-

P+

P-

1

0.0

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.1

2

0.1

1.8

1.1

3.0

1.9

0.9

1.8

0.2

3

0.2

7.7

8.2

20.7

7.6

3.5

4.5

0.2

4L

0.0

2.9

3.9

9.5

2.4

0.6

0.5

0.0

4H

0.0

2.2

3.4

7.8

1.4

0.3

0.2

0.0

5L

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

Only 59.2% of all other cattle slaughtered are in the desired carcase and fat specifications

2015: The next step?

Work on the project data is continuing throughout this year. The VIA measurements are being blended with DNA information obtained from a wide cross section of the breed to provide the carcase trait Genomic Breeding Values (explained in the article “UK Beef’s First Genomic EBVs Will Add £’s to Commercial Herds”). If all goes to schedule, the first of these new breeding values will be introduced at the Autumn sales, with the first full breed analysis (where any producer can genotype their animals and gain Carcase Trait breeding values) being carried out before the end of the year.

This project is all about identifying the sires that can achieve the enhanced levels of performance above and presenting the breeding information to bull buyers so they can use them in their herds. With the advent of a VIA-based payment grid, selecting bulls with high breeding values for these traits will make absolute sense & present enhanced income streams for all Limousin producers willing to embrace them.

December 2014: Limousin producers have much to gain from VIA payment grid At this point in the project, VIA records from more than 20,000 animals per week were being received. A further snapshot analysis of Limousin’s performance relative to that of other breeds revealed that producers of Limousin-bred cattle have much to gain from the introduction of a more sophisticated VIA EUROP payment grid.

For more information see http://limousin.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2011/04/BLCS_Project_Factsheets.pdf or contact Alison Glasgow, BLCS Technical Manager by email alison@limousin.co.uk or telephone 02476 696500.

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Limousin

Limousin News

£160/LIMOUSIN CALF: UK POTENTIAL FROM FEED EFFICIENCY INDEX F

irst reported in the Winter 2014 Magazine, the Defra Feed Efficiency Project is now up and running and the first Limousin cattle are under evaluation in SRUC’s (Scotland’s Rural Colleges) beef unit near Edinburgh.

First Limousin calves representing 13 sire lines now under evaluation in feed intake unit

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The project, funded to a total of £1.75 million, will complete in 2019. It is a partnership between AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) and SRUC and its aims are to: A. Produce a range of Limousin EBVs and breeding indexes for traits associated with feed efficiency, and B. Establish a blueprint for feed efficiency recording facilities that will enable data to be collected beyond the life of the project.

Natalie Cormack: Project Manager

Feed is the single-most costly part of any beef enterprise.

Savings through the use of high growth rate, feed efficient cattle in the region of $250/animal are

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Limousin News being reported in the USA where research and implementation of breeding values is more established. This would equate to over £160/animal in the UK and for all types of beef enterprises this would have a fundamental impact on net profit.

To assist with the running of the project, Natalie Cormack has recently been appointed as its Project Manager. Natalie is wellknown within the beef industry and the project will benefit immensely from her knowledge and experience.

In these initial stages of the project, 500 animals – the majority Limousin-sired – are being put through SRUC’s feed intake unit to establish a protocol for recording the right data accurately and consistently. This is the phase that has started now. A further 1500 animals – again predominantly Limousinsired – will be put through two commercial units that will be set up by the project on suitable farms. This will help establish the blueprint for long-term data collection.

The calves when sourced are between 7-9 months old. They undergo a period of quarantine and acclimatisation before commencing the test phase at around 10-12 months of age.

The test phase lasts for 63 days during which calves will be fed a 50/50 forage/concentrate ration (15% crude protein) on an ad-lib basis.

As well as measuring individual feed intake throughout the trial, calves will be regularly weighed and scanned for muscle and backfat depths. Eventual slaughter records will also be captured. These age and test protocols have been established and accepted internationally as appropriate methods of measuring feed intake.

The first batch of calves in the unit now represents thirteen sire lines from ten different farms.

These are due to complete their evaluation in October, whereupon the second batch will start. At this point, the project will be looking to source calves born in February and March this year; if you are interested, or know of anyone that might be, please get in touch for details.

Work regarding the second phase of the project is also underway. Up to three commercial beef units are being

Savings through the use of high growth rate, feed efficient cattle in the region of $250/animal are reported in the USA. This would equate to over £160/animal in the UK. recruited to enable measurement and selection for feed efficiency traits using data from commercial farms.

The project team are keen to hear from beef producers with suitable units who would like to be involved in such a leading edge project for the industry.

Anyone interested in applying must be able to demonstrate high levels of management on their current unit, have a keen

interest in the subject and be willing to spend time showing visitors around the unit and promoting the project. More information and an application form can be downloaded from http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org. uk/research/genetic-selection/ genetic-selection-beef/beef-feedefficiency/ Providing a breeding solution – by way of new breeding values – for users of Limousin

cattle in the UK is a key target within the breed’s 10 Year Breed Improvement Plan. The breed’s involvement in this initiative is welcomed and will ensure, as pressure on costs rises, it is best-placed to deliver real £’s value to all types of commercial enterprise.

For further details contact Alison Glasgow, BLCS Technical Manager alison@limousin.co.uk, telephone 02476 696500.

FOCUS ON: FEED EFFICIENCY IN THE USA Not surprisingly, because of the high economic impact that Feed Efficiency traits have, research to establish breeding values for animal selection is being conducted across the globe.

In the USA, the Department of Agriculture has funded a multi-breed research project that, for US Limousin, will establish a Dry Matter Intake EPD (Estimated Progeny Difference, similar in nature to our EBVs) along with a Feed Efficiency Index. This will be a breeding index incorporating several traits associated with feed efficiency as well as other production traits such as growth, enabling simultaneous selection on them all. The use of Genomic evaluations is also being deployed (a similar method to the Carcase Traits Project in the UK) to assist with the collection of information for these expensive-to-measure traits.

Joe Epperly, Assistant Executive Director with the North American Limousin Foundation, comments “our research runs produced FE Index values for animals that

Joe Epperly, North American Limousin Foundation

either have individual feed intake records or progeny with individual feed intake records. The index used Dry Matter Intake (DMI) EPD produced from GrowSafe ™ intake data and our currently produced Post-weaning Gain (PWG) EPD set on a profit per head basis. We decided on an index approach to balance intake with performance and, on this basis, we saw over $100/head difference in value between the best and worst over a 120 day feeding period. That research data contained about 1,500 animals with intake records and

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50k SNP genotypes and only represents around 5% of the population through their pedigrees, but the potential for genetic improvement is very encouraging.”

“We have plans over the next two years to capture more individual feed intake data and genotype additional 2,000-3,000 animals in order to increase correlation of the genomic values across the population.”

For further information: www.beefefficiency.org

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Limousin News

LIMOUSIN AND LIMOUSIN-CROSSBRED STORE CATTLE WANTED FOR DEFRA FEED EFFICIENCY TRIAL If you have calves for sale that meet the following criteria we would like to hear from you as soon as possible: • • • • •

Steers born in February & March 2015 By a registered (or previously registered) Limousin sire Groups of between 8-16 calves by the same sire From a TB-4 area For intake at the end of November 2015

Market price paid for selected cattle To discuss, please contact: Alison Glasgow, Limousin Society on 07885 255621 (alison@limousin.co.uk) or Natalie Cormack, AHDB on 07866 934563 (Natalie.Cormack@ahdb.org.uk)

SPORTSMANS HERD WINS MOST IMPROVED HERD AWARD FOR THE LIMOUSIN BREED

T

he Sportsmans Limousin herd, owned by Boden and Davies Ltd from Stockport on the Cheshire-Derbyshire border, has been recognised by AHDB Beef & Lamb as the Most Improved Herd of Limousin cattle in England for 2015.

The award is presented by the AHDB Beef & Lamb Better Returns Programme (BRP) to the recorded herd that shows the greatest genetic gain for commercial characteristics over a 12-month period. There is a separate award for each of 10 UK breeds.

Improvement award hat-trick A policy of using high-index bulls on high-index females and performance recording from 2007, when the Limousin herd was established, is behind the genetic improvement which also saw Charlie Boden win the same award in 2012.

The 365 hectare (900 acre) grassland farm also has a 100-cow pedigree Charolais herd, which took its breed Herd Improvement Award title in 2013, an 800-ewe commercial sheep flock and 100 pedigree Texel ewes. The Charolais herd, which also uses the Sportsmans prefix, is well established and has produced some high-quality pedigree bulls, which have sold well at auction, as well as winning some top accolades at major shows.

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Limousin

a large pelvis.

Initially, artificial insemination (AI) sires were used on the herd because the numbers didn’t justify buying a high-quality stock bull. “This meant we could use high-index, proven AI sires on the herd.”

They focus on using bulls with high beef values and good calving indexes, particularly muscle depth and growth, so the calves achieve a good daily live weight gain.

Grahams Humphrey, purchased at Carlisle in February 2014 for 37,000gns, is the most recent stock bull in the Sportsman’s herd

“The breed suits a modern butcher’s requirements with good muscle and easy fleshing. The ones we have finished rather than keeping for breeding have sold well at local auctions.

The Limousin herd is still relatively new to the farm, but Charlie is pleased at how well they are fitting in with his farming practices. “We chose the Limousin as a complimentary breed to the Charolais to ensure sales, both pedigree and commercial, all year round,” says Charlie.

Establishing the Limousin herd The pedigree herd was

established with the purchase of 10 females and over time numbers have increased to 50 cows and young stock. The initial purchases focused on high-index females, with good Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for Calving Ease, a shorter Gestation length and good maternal traits, such as Milk, and these continue to be important in selecting females, explains Charlie. He also looks for females which are of a good size and with

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High-index sire to boost herd Now the herd numbers have increased, a new high-index stock bull, Graham’s Humphrey, is being used across the herd. He was bought in February 2014 for 37,000 guineas at the Limousin Society spring show and sale at Carlisle. “He was first in his class in the pre-sale show and his Beef Value put him in the top 25 per cent of the breed,” adds Charlie.

“Buying top bulls with good EBVs will help us continue to improve the herd and we may also buy a few more females with good genetics to add some new bloodlines. But the herd is now well enough established for us to consider taking some of our home-bred cattle to compete at some of the major shows soon.”

Charlie has already been selling Limousin stock, mainly bulls, to other pedigree breeders and will have some more ready to sell this October.

Limousin News MARKET SHORTS

MAY 2015 (continued from P15)

294.4p for a 231kg heifer from Coalheughglen; and £1,240 for a 526kg heifer from Mains of Throsk.

DALMALLY : trade reached 307kg per kg for Limousin cross bullocks from Duncroisk.

ST BOSWELLS : bullocks sold to £1,260 for Limousins from Soutra to average 232.6p or £959.

KIRKBY STEPHEN : Calves from Messrs Brown, Asby Hall, Appleby dominated the prize list at a show and sale of store cattle. The consigned the supreme champion in the shape of the winner from the Limousin section, an 11 month old bullock, which was later snapped up by the Judge Walter Dandie of Learielaw, Broxburn for £1,460. Topping the sale at £2,300 was a nine month old Limousin cross from John Smith-Jackson, of Hightown, Haltwhistle which was knocked down to Messrs Hyslop, Girvan.

Heifers peaked at £2,000 for a Limousin from Gaythorne Hall.

CARLISLE : Taking the top honours was a 10 month old

Limousin cross bullock from Nunfield which later sold for £1,140.

Limousins from Beckhall took the top price of the day when a bullock and a heifer each went under the hammer for £1,300.

CARLISLE : Colt Park Farm, Ulverston topped the sale for a black Limousin cross cow with a black Limousin cross heifer calf at foot for £5,500.

PENRITH : A Limousin from W H Brass, Crosby, Ravensworth sold for £2,700. From the same farm was a Limousin heifer with bull calf selling at £3,000.

JUNE 2015

DARLINGTON : Sale of breeding cattle peaked at £2,320 twice. First at this money was a Limousin heifer which sold with a steer calf at foot from Foley Brothers, Clapheaton to H Cark & Sons, Longhorsley. They also sold a five year old Limousin cow with a heifer calf at foot to Keels Commercial, Thirsk.

KINGTON : Steers peaked at £2,28p/kg or £1,320 a head for Limousin cross steers from R & SM Watson. Heifers sold up to £1,180 a head for a consignment of Limousin

crosses from the same vendor.

THAINSTONE : Bullocks averaged

238.6p to 304.7p per kg for a pen of Limousin crosses from Burnheads, Deskford. Heifers crossed £1,400 for a Limousin cross from Mill of Auchintoul, Aberchirder.

DARLINGTON : A top price of£2,320 was achieved twice for Limousins with calves at foot. The days ceiling bid came for a Limousin heifer with steer calf and five year old cow with heifer calf, both outfits being sold by Foley Brothers, Clapheaton. The reduction sale of the Mill Hill Farm herd peaked at £2,180 for a smart second calf Limousin with three month old bull calf which was bought by Staindrop Farmer SJ & MJ Walton.

LEEK : Barren cows were in good demand, topping at 131.5p/kg for a 695kg Limousin cross cow. There was a shortage of butchers’cattle but those on offer sold up to 195p/ kg for a Limousin heifer.

LISKEARD : JR, PM & DW Treleaven, St Austell topped the steer section with four Limousin cross cattle aged 16-19 months making £902, with a further two Limousin cross steers at only 15

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months old achieving £852. A run of Limousin cross heifers aged 17 months sold for £770.

LANARK : A Limousin heifer from Brockwoodlees, Caonbie, topped the prime cattle sold.

Weighing in at 502kg she realised 245p per kg. A Limousin cow from Netherurd Mains led at 150p.

OBAN : 43 bullocks levelled at 232p per kg and sold to 286p for Limousins from Antuim, Dervaig, Mull and £1,000 for Limousins from No 3 Corls, Tiree. Breeding cattle sold to £1,850 for a shorthorn cow with Limousin sired calf at foot from Achadaphail, Bunessan, Mull.

DALMALLY : Store cattle were led by Limousin crosses throughout – at 324p per kg for a pen of bullocks and 290p for heifers, both from Garraron & Melfort Farms.

HUNTLY : Topping the stores at 272p per kg were 305kg Limousin cross bullocks from upper Tillathrowie, Gartly.

DINGWALL : Trade peaked at 211p/kg for a Limousin cross.

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Limousin News Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) show an animal’s genetic merit for a range of traits.

They are calculated from the performance of individuals and families throughout the breed and from the correlations with other measured traits.

They rank all animals within the breed relative to each other. Knowing an animal’s genetics are in the Top 1% of the breed for example, is one of the most powerful bits of breeding information a producer can have.

Four EBVs are produced that are associated with calving. They are… üü Calving Ease EBV – identifies bulls whose progeny are likely to be born without assistance üü Gestation Length EBV – enables producers to shorten gestation lengths. This can be used to tighten calving patterns and in dairy herds to extend lactation periods. üü Birthweight EBV – enables sires to be selected with average or smaller birthweights (depending on cow type and system) üü Maternal Calving Ease EBV – identifies bulls whose daughters are more likely to calve without assistance

Top Tips..

• Do not confuse “Maternal Calving Ease” (how a bull’s daughters will calve) and “Calving Ease” (how a bull’s calves will be born).

• When retaining your own heifers, use sires whose EBVs are as positive as possible for both the Calving Ease and Maternal Calving Ease EBV. • Identify sires whose Calving Ease EBVs are as positive as possible when mating heifers or smaller types of cow.

• Don’t forget the other traits. Whilst calving ease is arguably the most important aspect of your bull’s performance (no calf, no sale), use EBVs to target other key areas of performance also, such as growth and carcase quality.

For more information on EBVs go to www.limousin.co.uk/performancerecording/technical-information/

EASY CALVING LIMOUSINS – DOING AS THEY SAY ON THE TIN… T

he Limousin breed is used world-wide in commercial beef herds as a result of its growthy, easy–fleshing qualities from medium-sized, easily-born, vigorous calves. It has been the predominant beef breed and suckler dam type in the UK for the last 18 years as result of these qualities and their direct relevance to all beef markets.

One of the key economic drivers in the beef industry and in all suckler herds is the herd’s ability to produce live calves, unassisted, from its cows and heifers. Estimates of the cost of a difficult calving range from £20/case requiring slight assistance to more than £350/case requiring veterinary assistance, this before lost revenue from dead or ill-thriven calves is factored in. In dairy herds, the cost can be even higher owing to losses in milk yield and lactation length.

As margins tighten the industry is responding quickly to this. More than ever before, commercial bull buyers are hunting out bulls with easy-calving genetics. Using the Calving Ease Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) and the Maternal Calving Ease EBV, they are quickly able to find the bulls whose calves are more likely to be born easily and the bulls whose daughters will calve more easily.

Reliablity of the Limousin Calving Ease EBVs Every year, Genus ABS test their new young Limousin sires across wide numbers of dairy herds before semen from these bulls is marketed. This gives buyers assurance on the performance of the genetics they are purchasing and helps establish semen value. We thought it would be interesting to compare the Calving Ease predictions from the Limousin EBVs with the outcomes of some these trials…

Two current Limousin sires, Lodge Hamlet and Emslies Galileo have recently joined the Genus stud and have completed their evaluation. Semen from both bulls was used across a wide number of dairy herds with just under 400 calving events recorded between them. These results correlate with the EBV predictions as follows:

Genus ABS is the world’s largest animal breeding company marketing bovine genetics in the UK and 60 further countries. It is currently marketing semen from over 20 Limousin sires in the UK.

www.genusbreeding.co.uk.

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the british limousin cattle society

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Limousin News EMSLIES GALILEO

What the EBVs predict…

Estimated Breeding Values

EBV

Accuracy%

Position in Breed

EBV predicts that this bull will have..

Gestation Length (days)

-1.9

82%

Top 10%

Shorter than average gestation lengths

Calving Ease (%)

-0.7

67%

Top 25%

Less assisted calvings than average

What Actually Happened: Genus Calving Evaluation 215 calves by Galileo were born in 113 dairy herds. Of these calvings (all to cows)… üü Only 0.6% were assisted (less than 2 calves) üü With an actual Gestation Length of 287 days (compared to the Genus average of 288 days) üü High calf survivability resulted from the low levels of assistance; 98.1% compared with the Genus average of 94.8%

LODGE HAMLET

What the EBVs predict…

Estimated Breeding Values

EBV

Accuracy%

Position in Breed

EBV predicts that this bull will have..

Gestation Length (days)

-2.2

94%

Top 10%

Shorter than average gestation length

Calving Ease (%)

-2.1

80%

Average

Unassisted calvings consistent with breed average

What Actually Happened: Genus Calving Evaluation 182 calves by Hamlet were born in 91 dairy herds. Of these calvings (all to cows)… üü Only 0.5% were assisted (1 calf) üü With an actual Gestation Length of 285 days (compared to the Genus average of 288 days) üü High calf survivability resulted from the low levels of assistance; 98.5% compared with the Genus average of 94.8%

These results demonstrate well that EBVs are sound predictors of eventual performance; that animals typically do what is said on their ‘EBV tin’.

EBVs for these traits and all other traits can be found for all purebred Limousin animals here: www.basco.org. Click on ‘Beef Search’ and use the ‘Quick Search’, ‘Breeder Search’ and ‘EBV Search’ functions to find information on individual animals, breeders and those that meet your EBV criteria respectively. More information about EBVs generally can be found through the Limousin website www.limousin.co.uk/performancerecording/technical-information/.

As technologies develop, and particularly those associated with the use of animal DNA, new and even more accurate ways are being found that will identify animals’ genetic merit at the time in its life when we most need to know it; before the decisions to buy it or retain it for breeding are made. In its Breed Improvement Strategy adopted in 2014, the BLCS has committed to investing in these technologies to provide buyers with a breed that will drive the ongoing change and development of their herds.

Calving data kind supplied by Genus plc. For more information go to www.genusbreeding.co.uk.

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29

Limousin

Limousin News

RESULTS FROM THE JULY 2015 EBV UPDATE The most recent Limousin EBV (Estimated Breeding Value) update was carried out on 16th July 2015. In keeping with the lists produced in the Spring edition of the Magazine, the focus for the Top 10 league tables is on the bulls, dams and youngstock that are leading the breed in terms of their genetic merit for overall Maternal Value. The Maternal Value is an economically weighted index that groups together Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in to one single value as follows:

LONGEVITY

MATERNAL VALUE

AGE AT 1ST CALVING 200 DAY MILK WEIGHT MATERNAL CALVING EASE CALVING INTERVAL

Animals with high Maternal Values typically have superior EBVs for a combination of these trait EBVs. Other aspects of animal performance, such as calving ease and growth, remain important when selecting Maternal breeding stock, however, and these characteristics are also included in the lists that follow.

July 2015 Top 10 Maternal Sires The league table below identifies the current Top 10 Limousin sires according to the following criteria: • All bulls are born on or before 16th July 2012 (ie are older than 3 years of age at time of update) • All bulls have a calf registered in 2012 and/or 2013 and/or 2014/5.

• All bulls have the highest Maternal Value recorded in the July 2015 EBV Update • All bulls have Calving Ease EBVs greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of -2.0% • All bulls have a Beef Value greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of LM22 • All bulls have a 200 Day Milk EBV greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of -1kg.

Bull Name

Bred

Owned

Maternal value (pts)

Calv. Ease EBV (%)

Beef Value

200 Day Milk (kg)

1

Dyke Thunder - UK543107200151 DoB: 20/09/02 No. Calves: 249 Sire: Haltcliffe President

JRMacGregor (Dyke) Ltd Dyke herd Glasgow

Non-member owner

MV41 (82%)

0.5 (73%)

LM45 (97%)

+5 (82%)

2

Twemlows Sinbad - UK305925600166 DoB: 14/10/01 No. Calves: 196 Sire: Twemlows Magicman

WL&JA Forrester Twemlows herd, Shropshire

Bradwell Grove Farms Bradwell herd, Oxfordshire

MV38 (71%)

-0.9 (92%)

LM24 (97%)

+6 (80%)

3

Kaprico Eravelle - UK106173500054 DoB: 01/07/2009 No. Calves: 79 Sire: Wilodge Tonka

Mrs C Stafford Kaprico herd, Sunderland

JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd, N Yorks

MV37 (75%)

1.4 (88%)

LM38 (94%)

0 (62%)

4

Bailgate Dickie - UK140892300449 DoB: 15/11/08 No Calves: 19 Sire: Corridan Arkle

J Ward Farming, Bailgate herd, Lincolnshire

J Ward Farming, Bailgate herd, Lincolnshire

MV36 (57%)

-1.1 (71%)

LM40 (83%)

+3 (53%)

5

Haltcliffe Exocet - UK 100996400850 DoB: 15/06/09 NO. Calves: 22 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Mr KD Harryman Keskadale herd Cumbria

MV34 (60%)

-1.7 (63%)

LM29 (75%)

0 (58%)

6

Haltcliffe Canyon - UK100996200659 DoB: 01/07/2007 No. Calves: 26 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Mr J Capstick Blackcombe herd Cumbria

MV33 (61%)

-1.6 (62%)

LM25 (76%)

0 (58%)

7

Greenhaugh Utwo - UK521765200762 DoB: 14/02/03 No. Calves: 46 Sire: Mapleleaf Kickoff

K Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh herd, Aberdeen

Mr J Rendall Norseman herd, Orkney

MV32 (77%)

-0.3 (85%)

LM34 (93%)

+5 (76%)

8

Ampertaine Domino - UK 9564385/532-7 DoB: 01/10/2008 No. Calves: 102 Sire: Ampertaine Abracadabra

WJ & J Mackay, Ampertaine herd, Co Derry

WJ & J Mackay, Ampertaine herd, Co Derry

MV32 (67%)

-0.8 (86%)

LM53 (89%)

0 (60%)

9

Heathmount Talon - UK9564413/29-1 DoB: 12/03/02 No Calves: 49 Sire: 1666 Olaf

McKinney Bros Heathmount herd, Co Derry

Mr MJ Conway Craigatoke herd, Co Tyrone

MV32 (70%)

-1.2 (80%)

LM33 (89%)

+1 (53%)

10

Haltcliffe Brazil - UK100996200568 DoB: 22/07/06 No Calves: 87 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Non member owner

MV30 (63%)

-0.4 (83%)

LM30 (77%)

-1 (56%)

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the british limousin cattle society

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Limousin News

July 2015 Top 10 Maternal Dams The table below identifies the current Top 10 Limousin dams according to the following criteria: • All dams have produced at least one registered calf since 16th July 2012 (ie in the three years prior to this update) • All dams have the highest Maternal Value recorded in the July 2015 EBV Update • All dams have Calving Ease EBVs greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of -2.0% • All dams have a Beef Value greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of LM22 • All dams have a 200 Day Milk EBV greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of -1kg.

Dam Name

Bred

Owned

Maternal value (pts)

Calv. Ease EBV (%)

Beef Value

200 Day Milk (kg)

Haltcliffe Ultraviolet UK100996400255 DoB: 31/05/03 Sire: Sympa 6272

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

MV54 (72%)

-0.6 (74%)

LM45 (85%)

0 (75%)

Ellesmere Cindy UK 304645/600442 DoB: 30/03/07 Sire: Goldies Tango

AHM Lea & Son Ellesmere herd, Shropshire

AHM Lea & Son Ellesmere herd, Shropshire

MV50 (64%)

-2.0 (70%)

LM28 (83%)

+4 (67)

3

Scorboro Toffee UK 142543/400077 DoB: 20/01/02 Sire: Ionesco

JCG Bloom & Son Scorboro herd, E Yorks

JCG Bloom & Son Scorboro herd, E Yorks

MV49 (74%)

-2.0 (70%)

LM46 (86%)

+2 (76%)

4

Scorboro Vanity UK142543600191 DoB: 23/12/04 Sire: Coachhouse Supreme

JCG Bloom & Son Scorboro herd Driffield

Non member owner

MV46 (67%)

-1.4 (73%)

LM38 (83%)

+2 (66%)

5

Hudscales Aimable UK100998600562 DoB: 29/08/05 Sire: Lascard 2290

A&W Cowx Hudscales herd Cumbria

A&W Cowx Hudscales herd Cumbria

MV46 (63%)

-1.9 (69%)

LM44 (77%)

-1 (65%)

6

Haltcliffe Victoria UK 100996/400346 DoB: 10/05/04 Sire: Sympa

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

MV46 (68%)

-2.0 (70%)

LM38 (81%)

0 (72%)

7

Haltcliffe Brenda UK100996600551 DoB: 24/06/06 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

MV44 (67%)

-0.4 (70%)

LM40 (81%)

+1 (69%)

8

Brims Goodallover UK 500601/202947 DoB: 31/05/11 Sire: Ballynahone Arni

W & A Oag Brims herd Caithness

W & A Oag Brims herd Caithness

MV43 (55%)

1.3 (59%)

LM34 (58%)

+1 (43%)

9

Haltcliffe Carrie UK100996500620 DoB: 08/04/07 Sire: Sympa 6272

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Mr K McGrane Tivenacree herd Co Armagh

MV43 (62%)

-0.9 (63%)

LM39 (75%)

0 (60%)

Pinkerton Edinburgh UK 100996/500620 DoB: 22/03/09 Sire: Mynach Alpha

J T Gilchrist Pinkerton herd Dunbar

J T Gilchrist Pinkerton herd Dunbar

MV43 (48%)

-2.0 (37%)

LM24 (45%)

0 (35%)

1

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Limousin

Limousin News July 2015 Top 10 Maternal Young Bulls The table below identifies the current Top 10 Limousin young bulls according to the following criteria: • All bulls are born since 16th July 2012 (ie less than 3 years old at the EBV update), are pedigree registered and are performance recorded.

• All bulls have the highest Maternal Value recorded in the July 2015 EBV Update • All bulls have Calving Ease EBVs greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of -2.0% • All bulls have a Beef Value greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of LM22 • All bulls have a 200 Day Milk EBV greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of -1kg.

Bull Name

Bred

Owned

Maternal value (pts)

Calv. Ease EBV (%)

Beef Value

200 Day Milk (kg)

1

Haltcliffe Iceman UK 100996/101225 DoB: 18/04/2013 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

AG Kirton & Sons, Ashledge herd, Bewdley

MV40 (61%)

-0.3 (70%)

LM46 (78%)

0 (58%)

2

Haltcliffe Intern UK 100996/201226 DoB: 19/04/2013 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

MV40 (40%)

-1.7 (65%)

LM46 (75%)

+1 (57%)

3

Scorboro Inter UK 142543/300482 DoB: 23/09/13 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

JCG Bloom & Son Scorboro herd, E Yorks

JCG Bloom & Son Scorboro herd, E Yorks

MV38 (52%)

0.2 (63%)

LM36 (75%)

+1 (44%)

4

Haltcliffe Lucas UK 100996/701406 DoB: 12/02/2015 Sire: Haltcliffe Fencer

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

MV33 (46%)

-1.8 (58%)

LM37 (57%)

+1 (45%)

Copperhurst Ike UK 183403/500213 DoB: 07/05/13 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

Mr AR Howarth Copperhurst herd Whitefield

Mr AR Howarth Copperhurst herd Whitefield

MV31 (48%)

-0.1 (56%)

LM45 (71%)

+1 (43%)

Tomschoice Imperial UK 124148/300281 DoB: 18/11/13 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd N Yorks

Non member owner

MV29 (48%)

2.0 (60%)

LM24 (69%)

+1 (40%)

Tomschoice Ironstone UK 124148/500283 DoB: 28/11/13 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd N Yorks

Non member owner

MV29 (48%)

1.0 (60%)

LM30 (69%)

+2 (39%)

Hudscales Ivor UK 100998/601234 DoB: 21/04/13 Sire: Cloughhead Expert

A & W Cowx Hudscales herd Cumbria

Non member owner

MV29 (46%)

-1.2 (60%)

LM36 (69%)

-1 (38%)

Twemlows Horace UK 305928/601118 DoB: 10/09/12 Sire: Sympa

WL & JA Forrester Twemlows herd Shropshire

Non member owner

MV29 (58%)

-1.7 (64%)

LM40 (71%)

+3 (56%)

Twemlows Houston UK 305928/601111 DoB: 13/08/12 Sire: Twemlows Dynamite

WL & JA Forrester Twemlows herd Shropshire

WL & JA Forrester Twemlows herd Shropshire

MV27 (54%)

-0.4 (63%)

LM42 (71%)

+2 (50%)

NEW

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5

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6

NEW

7

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8

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9

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the british limousin cattle society

www.limousin.co.uk

Limousin News July 2015 Top 10 Maternal Heifers The table below identifies the current Top 10 Limousin heifers according to the following criteria: • All heifers are born since 16th July 2012 (ie less than 3 years old at the EBV update), are pedigree registered and are performance recorded.

• All heifers have the highest Maternal Value recorded in the July 2015 EBV Update • All heifers have Calving Ease EBVs greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of -2.0% • All heifers have a Beef Value greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of LM22 • All heifers have a 200 Day Milk EBV greater than or equal to the 2015 breed average of -1kg.

Bull Name

Bred

Owned

Maternal value (pts)

Calv. Ease EBV (%)

Beef Value

200 Day Milk (kg)

Homebyres Ivory UK 560248/101350 DoB: 18/10/13 Sire: Homebyres Gregg

Messrs J Logan Homebyres herd Kelso

Messrs J Logan Homebyres herd Kelso

MV35 (50%)

-0.7 (59%)

LM42 (73%)

+2 (46%)

Knock Iona UK 520759/700827 DoB: 08/01/2013 Sire: Goldies Florida

Mr AG Howie Knock herd Aberdeenshire

Mr AG Howie Knock herd Aberdeenshire

MV33 (54%)

-1.8 (60%)

LM38 (73%)

-1 (46%)

3

Tomschoice Ladyship UK 124148/100321 DoB: 07/01/2015 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd N Yorks

JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd N Yorks

MV30 (48%)

0.5 (60%)

LM27 (61%)

+2 (40%)

4

Shannas Infinity UK 520782/401857 DoB: 19/04/13 Sire: Dyke Thunder

Mr & Mrs J Penny Shannas herd Aberdeenshire

Mr & Mrs J Penny Shannas herd Aberdeenshire

MV30 (54%)

-1.4 (53%)

LM37 (75%)

+2 (55%)

Brims Jessica UK 500601/204095 DoB: 20/05/14 Sire: Ballynahone Arni

W & A Oag Brims herd Caithness

W & A Oag Brims herd Caithness

MV29 (52%)

1.0 (62%)

LM45 (72%)

0 (43%)

McTurk Indiaman UK 141094/401316 DoB: 26/04/13 Sire: McTurk Bushbuck

Manby Farms Ltd McTurk herd Lincolnshire

Manby Farms Ltd McTurk herd Lincolnshire

MV29 (52%)

-0.2 (65%)

LM34 (76%)

+1 (46%)

Loosebeare Jenny UK 361282/601534 DoB: 14/07/14 Sire: Aghadolgan Emperor

EW Quick & Sons Loosebeare herd Devon

EW Quick & Sons Loosebeare herd Devon

MV28 (50%)

-1.7 (60%)

LM37 (70%)

+1 (46%)

Ewdenvale Jessica UK 120412/700366 DoB: 15/09/14 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

Mr S Wilde Ewdenvale herd Sheffield

Mr S Wilde Ewdenvale herd Sheffield

MV27 (48%)

-0.2 (60%)

LM31 (61%)

-1 (42%)

9

Turville Japonica UK 280393/305338 DoB: 05/03/14 Sire: Procters Genesis

Messrs HB & LJ Lear Turville herd Buckinghamshire

Messrs HB & LJ Lear Turville herd Buckinghamshire

MV27 (44%)

-1.2 (55%)

LM35 (65%)

-1 (40%)

10

Knock Irisheyes UK 520759/200857 DoB: 23/04/2013 Sire: Newhouse Billy

Mr AG Howie Knock herd Aberdeenshire

Mr AG Howie Knock herd Aberdeenshire

MV27 (54%)

-1.7 (61%)

LM31 (73%)

0 (51%)

1

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To view pedigree and performance information for all registered Limousins go to www.limousin.co.uk and click on the ‘Basco Online Herdbook’ button.

You can then search by animal, by breeder and by EBVs.

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Limousin

Limousin News MARKET SHORTS

JUNE 2015

CARLISLE: a good show of

cows and heifers with calves at foot drew bids up to £2,940 for Messrs Johnson, Hexham with a Limousin cross heifer with a Limousin bull calf at food.

WHITCHESTERS: Top price was £7,000 paid for the two year old Limousin bull Monkeypuzzle Itch, purchased by Messrs Howie, Broomiebank. He is by Roundhill Fameandglory.

FORFAR: Limousin bullocks sold to247.5p per kg for a 295kg pen from Croft of Cultalonie.

ISLAY: Heading up the sale at 278p per kg were Limousin cross bullocks from Lossit. Heifers peaked at 261p for Limousin crosses from Ardnave and £1,100 for Limousin crosses from Starchmill.

HEREFORD: Prize for the best beast was won by DJ Farr, Vedw, Rowlestone with his 25 month old home bred Limousin steer sold for £1,455 to Ian Sevenoaks, Walterstone, who also paid £1,345 for the days highest priced heifer, a three quarter bred Limousin from H&H Layton, Whitney on Wye. CARLISLE: Sale topper was a Limousin cross bullock shown

by Messrs Graham, Miller Hill.

Heifers peaked at £1,470 for a Limousin cross from Messrs JM & SM Priestley, Cracrop Farm.

JULY 2015 HALLWORTHY, CORNWALL:

A Limousin cross heifer topped the small entry of cull cows at £1,154.55.

DUMFRIES: Prime cattle met brisk competition to top at 237.5p per kg for a Limousin heifer from Woodfield Whild OTMS were topped by Limousins, at 164p for one from Meikle Barncleugh and £1,109.25 for one from Airds of Balcary.

NEWARK: Mr Butler, Newbury Berkshire sold commercial crossbred cows and calves at Newark 4th July. Calves by Hunterhall Rambo sell to £4200 out of Blue cross cows.

STIRLING: Store cattle reached 267p per kg for a 290kg Limousin bullock from Wester Whin, Slamannan, with the same home topping the heifer trade at 266p for five 275kg Limmies.

Otherwise, bullocks also reached £1,190 for two 555kg Limousins from Bencloich, Lennoxtown.

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THE 22ND INTERNATIONAL LIMOUSIN CONGRESS The International Limousin Congress is being hosted by The Irish Limousin Cattle Society from 20th to 28th August 2016. The congress will showcase the very best Ireland has to offer: its rich, diverse countryside, its culture and outstanding Limousin Cattle.

An Opening Ceremony and Banquet in Athlone, a oneday Technical Conference in Grange, and a nationwide travel programme will culminate with the much anticipated National Limousin Show, Parade of Champions, Elite ILC Sale, Gala Banquet and Closing Ceremony in Kilkenny.

A full, varied and great value programme and a memorable trip

to Ireland is promised.

Tour highlights are plentiful and include both commercial Limousin and pedigree Limousin herd visits, a Technical Conference in Teagasc Grange Beef Research Centre, Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Wild Atlantic Way, Guinness Storehouse, Coolmore Stud, Blarney Castle, to name but a few!

The opportunity to attend ILC2016 should not be missed.

The event represents the world’s premier gathering of Limousin breeders and Limousin enthusiasts where friendships are forged, ideas are exchanged and lasting memories are created.

Registration is now open for

the full 9 day programme, and the reduced 6 day programme and full details can be found on the conference website www.ilc2016. com.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available and further details can be found on the website or email expo@ilc2016.com Contact Details www.ilc2016.com info@ilc2016.com + 353 (0) 1 400 3626 ILC 2016, Keynote PCO, Suite 26, Anglesea House, 63 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

The BLCS are delighted that once again Field Farm Tours will be available to it’s members to help with every aspect of their trip to Ireland.

Please find enclosed the details for the International Limousin Congress 2016 Ireland.

There are two tour options: 9 day programme – Saturday 20th to Sunday 28th August 2016 Cost per person (Euros)

Booked by 30 December

Booked by 31 March

Booked after 1 April

Double/twin occupancy

€2150

€2275

€2400

Single occupancy

€2595

€2730

€2855

6 day programme – Tuesday 23rd to Sunday 28th August 2016 Cost per person (Euros)

Booked by 30 December

Booked by 31 March

Booked after 1 April

Double/twin occupancy

€1795

€1920

€2045

Single occupancy

€1955

€2195

€2320

Costs include: • 8 or 5 night’s accommodation, bed & breakfast basis • All transfers and transport as per the itinerary • Lunches daily from Sunday 21st to Thursday 25th August, inclusive • Attendance and Opening Ceremony & Banquet, including wine with meal (9 day programme only) • One day technical conference (9 day programme only) • Exclusive access to elite and commercial Limousin herds • Attendance at National Limousin Show, Parade of Champions & Elite ILC Sale • Attendance at Gala Banquet & Closing Ceremony, including wine with meal • Evening meals as per itinerary • Entrance fees for all attractions included in the itinerary • Tour guide throughout Flights are not included in the above costs. In order for you to take advantage of the budget airline options, the organisers have extended the early registration deadline when booking through Field Farm Tours Ltd, simply specify your departure airport preference and we would be happy to provide a no obligation quotation.

Booking your flights and Congress fees with Field Farm Tours Ltd will automatically qualify you for full financial protection under the Civil Aviation Authority’s ATOL Scheme – reassurance you are in safe hands when booking with us, an option not available when booking your own flights.

Contact Field Farm Tours on Tel: 01636 616060 or www.fieldfarmtours.co.uk.

the british limousin cattle society

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Limousin News

IRELAND

2016 International Limousin Congress

22nd International Limousin Congress Registration Now Open Tour Highlights Include:

4 nights in Athlone - 4 nights in Kilkenny - Technical Conference in Teagasc Grange Beef Research Centre - Brú na Bóinne - Commercial Limousin Herd Visit - Pedigree Limousin Herd Visits: Drummin, Ardlea & Roundhill - Clonmacnoise - River Shannon - Bunratty Castle - Cliffs of Moher - Wild Atlantic Way - Teagasc Centre in Athenry - Newbridge Silverware - Virginia Show Guinness Storehouse - Rock of Cashel - Coolmore Stud - Blarney Castle

www.ilc2016.com info@ilc2016.com + 353 (0) 1 400 3626

the british limousin cattle society

BOOK NOW FOR THE WORLD’S PREMIER LIMOUSIN CATTLE EVENT

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Limousin

L i m o u s i n Yo u n g L i m o u s i n

Check out the YLBC Facebook page or www.limousin.co.uk for reports and future events.

YOUNG LIMOUSIN BREEDERS http://www.facebook.com/groups/311318061854/?fref=ts

CURRENT YLBC OFFICIALS Chairman

Kirree Kermode, Isle of Man

07624-435560

Vice Chairman

Stephanie Dick, Stirling

01786-812422

Secretary

Tom Illingworth, Lockerbie

07784-323988

Sponsorship & Promo

Sophie Harvey, Glasgow

01360-440504

President

Kay Adam

01307-840234

KATRINA O’KANE WINS 2015 NATIONAL YOUNG LIMOUSIN STOCKJUDGING AT ROYAL WELSH SHOW • NORTHERN IRELAND TAKES JUNIOR TEAM TITLE • SOUTH WALES & MID WEST WINS SENIOR TEAMS

W

inning this year’s National Young Limousin Stockjudging, held within the Royal Welsh Show in July, was Katrina O’Kane, Tollerton Road, Huby, York, who was representing the North East region. The National Stockjudging, the premier event in the Young Limousin breeder’s calendar, saw individuals and teams from five regions around the United Kingdom compete for the titles and awards in front of master judge Aled Edwards of the Dyfri herd, at Home Farm, Cilycwm, Llandovery.

The standard of stockjudging across the board was in both the placings and reasons elements of the competition was of a tremendous standard and drew some warm praise from the judge. Commenting he said: First of all I’d like to thank the Young Breeders for inviting me to judge, it was a great privilege to do so and what is my home show. I really was astonished by the high level of commitment and knowledge of the Young Breeders. They were professional throughout across all of the groups and ages and showed not just a level of ability in judging the stock, but also a knowledge and understanding of how Limousins fit into the beef industry. Very

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impressive and bodes well for the future!”

Katrina, who is 25, runs the Hampshire pedigree Limousin herd in North Yorkshire along with her husband Steven O’Kane. In 2012 she won the prestigious National Young Stockman of the Year for Young Farmers.

Encouraged by her father in law,

Barney O’Kane, to ’give it a go’ the National Young Limousin Stockjudging was the first event of its type that she had entered since 2012!

Delighted to have won, and with it the Douglas Crighton Silver Salver, Katrina spoke at the conclusion of the event and said: “I’m really over the

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moon with this. Taking part in the competition was definitely a worthwhile experience and it puts you in the frame of mind for future judging events. The standard of competition was very high and it was great to see so many younger members taking part.

The competition was well run and a pleasure to take part in.”

L i m o u s i n Yo u n g L i m o u s i n Katrina O’Kane Young Breeders Stock Judging Champion with Master Judge Aled Edwards

The senior team title was won, appropriately on home turf, by South Wales & Mid West Club members Ffion Jones and Thomas Price.

Winning the junior team title, and the Noel Lusby Cup, was the brother and sister team of Ruth and Andrew Hamill all the way from Dunmurray, Belfast, representing the Northern Irish

Master Judge Aled Edwards presenting the Noel Lusby Cup to Andrew Hammill

region.

The YLBC would like to thank master Judge Aled Edwards for all his time, Eric Gethin for organising the cattle, and Delana Davies for all her work in the build up to the event. Last but not least a big thanks and well done is extended to all Young Breeders who took part and gave such a great account of themselves.

2015 YLBC STOCKJUDGING COMPETITION RESULTS

Individual Overall 1st North East – Katrina O’Kane Joint 2nd Jess Simms (N Wales & NW Mids), Ffion Jones (S Wales), A Hammill (N.Ireland) Senior Teams 1st Ffion Jones and Thomas Price (South Wales and Mid West) 2nd Jess Simms and Matthew Wright (North Wales and North West Midlands) 3rd Lauren Bowe and Gemma Slater (N Wales and NW Midlands) Junior Teams 1st Ruth Hamill and Andrew Hamill (Northern Ireland) 2nd Serena Murphy and Kyle Diamond (Northern Ireland) 3rd Isla Soutter and Mollie Bowe (North West)

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L i m o u s i n Yo u n g L i m o u s i n

YOUNG HANDLERS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015.

COME AND HAVE A GO!

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lans for the third staging of the popular Young Handlers Competition are again well underway with the event scheduled to be held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Thursday 10th December 2015 on the evening prior to the Red Ladies & Weaned Calf Sales.

Once again there is likely to be a considerable prize fund of touching £1,000 to compete for!

The event is open to all

interested young breeders aged 10-28 with competitors under the age of 16 accompanied by a parent or guardian. Entrants will be divided into age groups.

Calves, which are to be born on after 1st January 2015, can either be brought along or we will try to find you a calf from those entered into the Weaned Calf Sale the following day. Entry is free for all paid-up members of the YLBC. Open to all within the age

group, there is a £5 entry fee if you are not a paid-up member of YLBC. Classes will be judged based on the young handler’s ability in the preparation and showing of the animal in the show ring.

Competitors will be assessed on the following areas: -- Pre-show preparation -- Grooming of animal -- Knowledge of equipment and product used -- Final presentation of animal

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Final presentation of the Young Handler Knowledge of animal Control of animal Eye contact with Judge Response/Alertness to Judge’s requests Positioning of animal

Final details and entry forms will be available later this autumn through the Limousin website and Young Limousin Breeders Facebook page.

JOHN GRAHAM WINS ‘STOCKMAN OF THE YEAR’ AT THE ROYAL HIGHLAND

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ajor congratulations are due to Limousin Young Breeder John Graham who has won the Scottish Association of Young Farmer’s Club’s prestigious Stockman of the Year title at this year’s Royal Highland Show. Across the board this competition is rightly hailed as the Holy Grail of the SAYFC’s syllabus and the 2015 event saw a 32% increase in participation from members vying for the top title.

A Clyde and Central district team member, John (18) was a highly popular winner with the crowd and needs little introduction to those in SAYFC, having been placed second overall and one of three leading individuals in the sheep section last year, as well as a member of the winning beef pairs duo in 2013. John hails from the Burnbank herd of pedigree Limousins, at Mains of Burnbank, Stirling and together with his brother James, they also own a flock of Bluefaced Leicester’s alongside the family’s flock

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of Scotch Mules.

“It just unbelievable to win, I never thought I would be able to do it”, John, an agricultural photographer, told The Scottish Farmer. “It’s all down to the coaches – John Gilmour, John MacGregor and Alan Brewster – who have given me the confidence and drive to do well” Having notched up a total of 617 points throughout the day, John proved he’s certainly got an eye for stock as he was barely out of the prize tickets – coming third in the junior section and a member of the winning junior team along with his brother James and Scott Duncan, as well as part of the second placed senior team with Clyde and Central A. In the senior section, brother James Graham lifted the individual sheep prize with 288 points, as well as the sheep pairs trophy with David McKerrow on a combined score of 540. Well done to the Graham brothers!

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Limousin News

DOUG EDGAR The British Limousin Cattle Society is very sad to have to report on the passing of Doug Edgar of the Shire Limousin herd, Fellside, Ousby, Penrith, Cumbria. A hugely popular and well respected figure throughout Limousin circles and beyond, Doug served terms on the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Council in the positions of both Vice Chairman and Treasurer. The following warm tribute is based around extracts from the eulogy delivered by David Thomlinson at Doug’s funeral: “Many may not know that Doug Edgar was a Scotsman having been born at Broughty Ferry and where he lived on a smallholding.

Following the passing of his mum when Doug was three, his dad remarried and moved to Shap some three years later and then moved to Penrith before he left school.

On leaving school he went to work at Lowther Builders as an apprentice joiner. In 1972 he was working for Lowther Caravans when they folded. Thereafter he decided to go self-employed.

He met and married his wife Carol in 1977. They purchased Shire in 1979 and the livestock interest started first by buying and rearing calves. Doug then noticed these ‘red cattle’ and with the help of John Thompson (Hartside) he imported two pedigree Limousin cattle Poese & Planet. Thereafter Doug could not see past the Limousin breed.

Interspersed with the cattle a family arrived, Katy in 1980 and Jack in 1982.

Doug loved showing cattle at both local and Royal Shows. In 1985 he won the Royal Highland with Umar, the Royal with Rousette, and the Great Yorkshire with Umar. The shows were also a medium for him to meet people for without doubt Doug was a people person wherever he was. Along with his big friend Norman Cruickshank they headed off to France and purchased a new stock bull, Filip. Filip went on to win the Royal Highland, Overall Interbreed, and Queens Cup. Then came the big one in February 2003, Robert Graham brought the outstanding bull Grahams Samson to be sold in Borderway. The night before the sale Doug was in the company of some noted Limousin breeders who were discussing who was going to buy the bull but Doug just smiled and said nothing. On leaving for the sale next morning

Doug with his son Jack after winning the 2004 ILC National Show at Ingliston

Doug said to Carol I might not get the bull but they will know I was there. The rest is history and Samson came back to Shire for the then world record price of 55,000gns.

Samson has left his mark breeding excellent females both at home where a heifer Shire Valhalla sold for 18,000gns and other progeny shown and bred

by Doug Mash going on to win the Royal Highland Show. Doug

was so proud of Samson and he took the bull to the International Limousin Congress when held in the UK in 2004 and won the Supreme Championship.

One of Doug’s other loves outside Limousin cattle was playing pool at which he was very good even attaining county level!

Doug always loved his building work with some members of staff being with him for a very long time. His last job was building

Doug Edgar moments after purchasing Grahams Samson for 55,000gns.

Also pictured is breeder Robert Graham with stockman Brian Wills.

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Katie’s house in Ousby. Katy also had an outside catering business which Doug took great delight in helping. One little known fact about Doug is that when living in Penrith he kept racing pigeons and not many years ago he was asked to judge the Penrith Pigeon Show.

In 1990 the family moved to Fellside and Doug loved the area, there he enjoyed his farming even more and ably assisted

by Jack. A lasting memory of Dougie is that he was very much a people person and where you saw him he was happily talking to someone with that wise knowledge, infectious smile and ready humour.”

The Society’s sincere condolences are extended to Carol, Jack, Katy and the family.

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Limousin Shows

BAILEY ICEPRINCESS WINS ROYAL ULSTER LIMOUSIN SUPREME OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE CONNELL BROTHERS

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he two-year-old heifer Bailey Iceprincess from John & Karl Connell, Newcastle, Oldcastle, Co. Meath, came through another Limousin section high on quality to win the breed’s Overall Supreme Championship on the opening day of the 2015 Balmoral Show held in Belfast in May. With strength in depth through the classes in both the male and female sections it proved to be very much a day for the young stock.

Bailey Iceprincess emerged from the fourth female class of the day for heifers in-calf born

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on or between October 2012 and 30th June 2013. From there she moved on to secure the Female Championship before being given the final tap as Overall Supreme Champion by the judge Mary Cormack who, along with Richard Bartle, runs the Absolute pedigree herd at Upper Dinmore, Hereford. Further success was to follow with Bailey Iceprincess being part of the winning Limousin Team of Three in the Linden Foods Beef Group Interbreed Championship and standing Reserve Supreme in the Marks & Spencer Beef Pairs Interbreed.

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Having enjoyed a great day, and just pipped into the Overall Reserve Supreme position, was the Trueman team of Henry Savage & Sons, 70 Skerriff Road, Altnamackin, Newry, Co Down, with their fine young bull Trueman Jagger who along the way had also won the Male Championship, Junior Male Championship, and Junior Overall titles! The titles kept coming with the bull also winning the highly prestigious Junior Overall Interbreed title on day two in front of the judge Jim Barber and then being part of the winning

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Limousin Shows

• Trueman Jagger wins Junior Interbreed Overall & Reserve Overall Limousin • Limousin Team of Three Wins Interbreed • Limousins Place Reserve in Interbreed Pairs • Carnew Jackpot wins Beef Performance Interbreed • Limousin wins Commercial Championship & places Second Reserve in Junior Interbreed

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Limousin Shows

Trueman Jagger

Trueman Jukebox

Group of Three on the Friday.

It was an all-round strong start to the 2015 summer show season by the Limousin breed at Balmoral Show. In the Interbreed competitions over the three days, Limousin cattle secured the Team of Three; Junior Interbreed & Second Reserve; the Beef Performance Interbreed; Reserve in the Interbreed Pairs; and the Supreme Championship in the Commercial Cattle section.

The Limousin Overall Supreme Champion, Bailey Iceprincess, is April 2013 born and was originally bred by Tom Bailey, Culcommon, Batterstown, Co. Meath. She is by Baileys Darwin, a bull that goes back to Grahams Samson, and is out of Roundhill Vgoyuse who goes back to Nenuphar. In 2014, Bailey Iceprincess had placed Champion at the Premier Heifer Sale held in Roscrea. Having been unsold Karl & John Connell managed thereafter to secure the heifer privately for their pedigree Carrickmore herd which presently consists of ten pedigree cows.

Scotchtown Iceberg

With a track record behind her in 2014 Bailey Iceprincess has been the Junior Female Champion at the National Limousin Show in Tullamore and had also won the Irish Limousin Junior Female Champion of the Year. The plan is that she will now be shown for the rest of the summer in Ireland. Following on from the success of William Smith in recent years the win here for the Connell Brothers saw the Overall Supreme Championship once again go to a breeder from Southern Ireland. Bailey Iceprincess was shown in-calf to the famous Ronick Hawk. No strangers to showing at Balmoral the Connell Brothers have previously picked up the Senior Male Championship.

Speaking afterwards John Connell said that this Championship was probably their biggest win to date and that it was ‘a great honour’ to win such a prestigious title and having gone up against some quality cattle.

The judge Mary Cormack was full of praise for her Champion and said: “This heifer came into the ring with her head up and just carried tremendous presence and style. She’s just

full of class, has a terrific top line, outstanding shape and is very correct. With great femininity and that bit of sparkle she is a very worthy Champion on the day.”

Commenting generally, Mary Cormack continued: “There was some real quality throughout the classes with at least a star or two in every class and my congratulations go to the exhibitors. Having been involved with Limousin cattle from a young age to now judge at a premier ‘Royal’ Show has been an enormous honour and one that I have greatly enjoyed.”

Come the Interbreeds judged over the second and third days, Bailey Iceprincess was very much to the fore. Teaming up with the Limousin Overall Reserve Supreme Champion, the young bull Trueman Jagger, and the Limousin Reserve Female Champion, Poolehall Isabelle, the Linden Foods Beef Group Championship was duly secured in front of the judge Richard Rettie. The same judge also placed Bailey Iceprincess and the Limousin Reserve Male Champion,

M&S Reserve Champ Pairs

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Limousin Shows

Poolehall Isabelle

Pointhouse Jewel

Carnew Jackpot Champ Beefbull

Scotchtown Iceberg, Reserve Supreme Champions in the Marks & Spencer Interbreed Pairs.

The Limousin Overall Reserve Supreme Champion, Trueman Jagger is an April 2014 born embryo calf by Ampertaine Gigolo and out of the herd’s noted cow Trueman Grazia.

Trueman Grazia is by the 100,000gns Haltcliffe Vermount and is out of Cookstown B1425, an animal bought from a dispersal sale in Southern Ireland.

Amongst a string of show and sale titles, Trueman Grazia had placed as Reserve Overall Supreme at the 2012 Royal Ulster Show to Millbrook Gingerspice, and is a previous Champion at the Northern Ireland Heifer Derby.

In 2012 she was also Champion at the Red Ladies Show & Sale at Carlisle before going on to sell for the day’s top price of 14,000gns to the Dutch based Cowporation herd.

The sire, Ampertaine Gigolo, also has a Dutch connection with a half share of the bull having been sold privately also to Cowporation who went on to show him successfully at the 2014 Dutch National Show.

Ampertaine Crystal, the dam of Gigolo, is out of the noted Ronick Gains. A very classy young bull, Trueman Jagger will now be aimed at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s October Bull Sale in Carlisle.

With two quality young bulls forward the Savage family also picked up the Reserve Junior Male title, behind their Champion, with the January 2014 born Trueman Jukebox.

Jukebox is an AI son of the 32,000gns Ampertaine Elgin (by Glenrock Ventura) and is a heifer’s calf out of Trueman Gabrielle (by Nenuphar). Earlier this year this bull won the Overall Supreme Championship at the Young Limousin Breeders Northern Ireland (YLBNI) Calf Spectacular held at Ballymena Mart in January. Again, Trueman Jukebox will also be heading to Carlisle in October.

The October 2013 born heifer Poolehall Isabelle shown jointly by Martin Davis, Ballinenee, Co. Longford, Republic of Ireland and Stirling’s Robert Graham, took the Reserve Overall Female Championship behind the Overall Supreme. An embryo calf, Poolehall Isabelle was bred by Mr & Mrs N Matthews, Applecross Farm, Alveley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. By the Sympa son

Linden Foods Group Interbreed Champions

Haltcliffe Ben and out of the 27,000gns Wilodge Flawless, she was purchased by Martin Davis for 7000gns at the 2014 Red Ladies Sale at Carlisle where she had stood as Overall Reserve.

Ampertaine Elgin breeding featured throughout the day and was the sire of the Junior Female Champion & Reserve Junior Overall, Pointhouse Jewel from Michael Diamond, Garvagh, Co. Londonderry along with his son Kile aged 10. June 2014 born this homebred heifer placed first in the day’s opening class for heifers born after 1st April 2014. A heifer described as having ‘a great top, and very level’, Pointhouse Jewel is out of the Kype Orkney daughter Pointhouse Apple. The 2015 Balmoral Show was the first big show that Michael Diamond had ever entered. Pointhouse Jewel is actually his “wee lad” Kile’s heifer. Kile had been ‘given’ the heifer as he wanted to learn how to groom up, handle and eventually show cattle. The intention is to carry on showing Jewel this summer at local shows at Antrim, Ballymena.

Standing second in the same class and placing Reserve Junior Female was Millgate Jem from Michael Loughran, Dungate Dunamore, Cookstown, Co Tyrone. This June 2014 born heifer is by the Attirant son Carmorn Greencastle and is out of Millgate

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Jemma.

Back in the bulls Scotchtown Iceberg from the Rodgers family, Hillhead, Dromara, Co Down took the Overall Reserve Male Championship. This rising two-year-old bull is another by Ampertaine Elgin and is out of Scotchtown Foxy. This bull was bred by Leslie Allison, 45 Scotchtown Road, Limavady, Co Derry.

A further Interbreed title was picked up when the 5th March 2014 born Carnew Jackpot from Messrs J&J Aiken, 82 Corbally Road, Dromara, Dromore, Co Down took the Beef Bull Performance Interbreed Championship in front of the judge Jim Barber.

This bull who had stood second in his class to the Reserve Junior Male Champion is by Swarland Eddie and is out of the Wilodge Vantastic daughter Carnew Erica.

The Sauvignon sired steer ‘Black Magic’, out of a Limousin cross cow, took the Commercial Championship for Gareth Corrie & Jonathan Neill, Newtownards, before going on to place a very creditable Second Reserve Champion in the Junior Interbreed.

Born in March 2014 this calf was purchased at Ballymena suckled calf sale for £1280 and weighed in at 560kgs. Judging the Commercial Cattle section was Ayrshire’s James Nisbet, Mauchline.

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Limousin Shows

FOXHILLFARM

WIN LIMOUSIN CHAMPIONSHIP & RESERVE AT 2015 ROYAL HIGHLAND • Foxhillfarm Jasper wins Supreme Championship, Foxhillfarm Ivy in Reserve • Limousins place Reserve in Interbreed Team of Four, and Junior Beef Interbreeds • Limousins win Champion & Reserve in Commercial Cattle

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midst some blustery and chilly conditions the ‘dynamic duo’ of Foxhillfarm Jasper and Foxhillfarm Ivy, from Michael & Melanie Alford, Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, Devon, came through a ‘top drawer’ field to sweep the board and win the Limousin Supreme & Reserve Supreme Championships respectively on the opening day of the 2015 Royal Highland Show held at Ingliston, Edinburgh on Thursday 18th June.

In securing the leading honours it is believed that this may be the first time that two homebred animals, and out of the same cow, have won the Champion and Reserve titles at the Royal Highland. The 2015 show is only the second time the Alfords have exhibited in the pedigree Limousin classes and their second Supreme Championship. In 2013 they won the top title with Foxhillfarm Gracie who is also out of Bankdale Alice!

Winning a mighty haul of individual awards over the show, and from within a Limousin entry of 118 animals, the Alfords team picked up the Supreme Champion and Reserve;

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the Male Champion; Junior Male Champion; Female Champion; and the Group of Three titles.

Foxhillfarm Jasper, a January 2014 born embryo calf, is by the Wilodge Vantastic son Loosebeare Fantastic and is out of the remarkable Bankdale Alice. Having powered through the junior and senior male section he was given the nod over his ‘team mate’ Foxhillfarm Ivy by judge for the day, and present BLCS Chairman, John Phillips who runs the noted 60 breeding female Gronw herd at Esgerddeugoed, Cwmfelin Mynach, Whitland, Carmarthenshire. Commenting on his Champion John Phillips said: “This bull is very stylish and had a terrific show ring presence. He has length, a great top, width & loin, and is good on his legs with excellent locomotion. He’s a very modern Limousin, full

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of quality, and was the stand out bull on the day.”

Back in May this year, Foxhillfarm Jasper was the Supreme Champion at the Society’s Premier Sale held in Carlisle. In a unique arrangement at the time of sale the Alfords announced that they had entered, and would show, the bull at the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire, and Royal Welsh Shows respectively. Thereafter the bull will go to the new owners Messrs Jenkinson, Whinfellpark, Clifton, Penrith, Cumbria who bid to what was the day’s top price of 32,000gns.

Taking the Reserve Overall and Female Championship was another embryo calf the January 2013 born Foxhillfarm Ivy. This heifer came through what was widely acclaimed to have been an outstanding show of Limousin females in quality and depth to take the

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Limousin Shows

section’s Championship. Ivy is by Wilodge Vantastic and again out of Bankdale Alice making her a full sister to the aforementioned and ‘Royal grand slam’ winning heifer Foxhillfarm Gracie. Commenting on his Reserve John Phillips said: “Again another animal just full of quality and a very powerful female. She caught my eye immediately and had tremendous width and backend. As well as carcase attributes she’s got so much style and has tremendous breeding potential.” Of the show of overall he went on to say: “It has been a tremendous honour to have been asked to judge the Royal Highland one of the UK’s foremost agricultural shows. The standard and depth of quality in the classes, particularly the females, was outstanding and a great credit to the exhibitors. When you see a show of such quality it is a pleasure to judge and shows that the breed is in very good order.”

Between them this summer Foxhillfarm Jasper and Foxhillfarm Ivy have racked up a number of leading awards, Championships, and Interbreeds at the Royal Bath & West, Devon County, and Royal Cornwall shows respectively. At the Royal Cornwall the duo paired up to win the blue riband Burke Trophy in front of judge and United Auctions auctioneer David Leggatt.

Bankdale Alice was purchased for

15,000gns at the Bankdale Dispersal Sale at Carlisle in July 2011 of Gordon Wilson, Bankdale Farm, Wreay, Carlisle, Cumbria.

She has now bred two Royal Highland Show Champions, a Royal Welsh Show Champion, a Great Yorkshire Show Champion, and three Carlisle Sale Champions. In all animals bred by her have so far grossed £284,500 at auction!

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The Reserve Male Championship was won

by Ian Nimmo, Bogside Farm, Newmains, Wishaw with the April 2014 born Maraiscote Jura. This young bull, who took first prize in his class, is by the herd’s prolific stock sire Goldies Comet and is out of Maraiscote Pamela a Tyddn Mei daughter. Remarkably consistent exhibitors at the Royal Highland the Nimmos between 2010 – 2013 had a run

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Limousin Shows Limousin Interbreed Team of Four

Maraiscote Jura - Res Male Champion

Glenrock Jewel. Junior Female Champion and and Res Female overall

of four Junior Male Championships in a row.

Of these three were by Goldies Comet who is also of course the sire of the world record breaking Glenrock Illusion at 125,000gns.

It was a Glenrock heifer, shown by first time exhibitor Thomas Illingworth, Howgillside, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie that took the Reserve Female Overall, Junior Female Championship, and Reserve Junior Overall titles. This was in the shape of the very stylish Glenrock Jewel who is January 2014 born and took the first prize in its class for females born on or between 1st January 2014 and 31st March 2014. In so doing it pipped Glenrock Jadore from mum and dad Stephen & Helen, into second place. In 2014 the Illingworth family had held a major sale from the Glenrock herd to help purchase Howgillside after some twenty years of tenancy. Prior to what was the ‘sale of the year’ Stephen and Helen had given Thomas the pick of the heifers from which to start his own herd. Glenrock Jewel looks to have been an astute choice!

Jewel is by the Irish bred Bremore Artist and is out of the Glenrock herds matriarch cow Glenrock Spangle. Glenrock Jadore, a heifer’s calf, is also by Bremore Artist and is out of another Spangle daughter the noted Glenrock Fantastic. Another remarkable cornerstone female, Glenrock Spangle progeny sold to date has grossed just under £400,000!

Ian and Wendy Callion, Bolfornought Farm, Stirling enjoyed a fine day’s showing when taking the Reserve Junior Female award along with two firsts, one second, three thirds, and a sixth place. Winning the Reserve Junior Female award was the September 2013 born Lodge Indie who had won her class for females in calf or maiden born on or between 1st July and 31st December. This heifer is by Loosebeare Fantastic, the same sire as the day’s Champion, and is out of Lodge Evita a daughter of the herd’s noted stock bull Ronick Luke. Indie came to the Highland with a good show record behind her having placed Overall Interbreed Champion at the 2014 Stars of the Future event held at United Auctions in Stirling. Prior to that she had stood first at Perth Show, as well as winning the best 2013 born heifer in the Scottish Limousin

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Female Championship Lodge Indie - Res Junior Female

Herd competition. The Callion’s other winner came in the shape of Lodge Helena who won the class for females in milk with calf at foot born after 1st January 2012. June 2012 born Lodge Helena is by the Irish bred Ardlea Dan and is out of the Ronick Gains sired Lodge Diana.

Winner of the MacGas Trophy for the Best Cow was Burnbank Fortune from D&L Graham, Mains of Burnbank Farm, Blairdrummond. January 2010 born Fortune is by the French bred sire Lino and is out of the Grahams Tycoon sired Burnbank Beauty. The MacGas Trophy is the highest award to date at the Royal Highland show for the Grahams 100 breeding female herd.

Come Interbreed time on the Saturday, 20th June, the Limousin entries performed extremely well securing Reserve Overall in the Team of Four and in the Junior Beef competition.

The Team of Four comprised of the senior bull Brockhurst Elvis from Doug Mash, Buckinghamshire, Bankdale Elizabeth and Foxhillfarm Ivy from the Alfords, and Glenrock Jewel from Thomas Illingworth.

As the Breed Junior Champion Foxhillfarm Jasper represented the Limousins in the Junior Beef Interbreed where he was placed Overall Reserve.

In the keenly contested Commercial Cattle section it was a Championship one-two for Limousin sired cattle. Taking the Supreme title was Hugh Dunlop, Holehouse Farm, Ochiltree, Cumnock, Ayrshire with his heifer champion Doolally. May 2014 born this beast is by the 11,000gns Roxburgh Gurkha who was Junior Champion at the Society’s February 2013 sale

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Ballinloan Jaegerbomb

Commercial Champion sired

by Roxburgh Gurkha

Hashtag Steer Champion, Commercial

at Carlisle. Winning the steer championship and taking Reserve Overall was Mr AR Grieve, Lundin Links, Leven, Fife with the October 2013 born Hashtag. This heifer, bred by Gavin Scott, is by Haltcliffe Egidius and is out of a Limousin cross cow.

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Limousin Shows

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Limousin Shows

FOXHILLFARM IVY CROWNED

SUPREME CHAMPION AT GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW

• Millington Highlight placed as Reserve Overall Champion • Foxhillfarm Jasper claims Male Championship • Glenrock Jewel wins Junior Championship • Limousin takes the Interbreed Team of Four • Breed stands Reserve in Blythewood Continental Pairs

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he Alford family continued their tremendous run of form on the year’s summer show circuit, when taking the Limousin Overall Supreme Championship at the 2015 Great Yorkshire Show with their heifer Foxhillfarm Ivy. This January 2013 born embryo calf is a Wilodge Vantastic daughter from Michael, Melanie and Charlotte Alford, Cullompton, Devon and is out of the prolific Bankdale Alice, herself a Sympa daughter. She was tapped forward by as Female Champion before going on to lift the Overall Breed Championship.

Judging the Limousin classes was Mark Quick of the noted Loosebeare herd at Zeal Monachorum, Crediton, Devon.

Ivy has had a strong season so far, having been Female and Reserve Overall Champion at the Royal Highland, as well as being part of the Burke Trophy winning pair at the Royal Cornwall, and racking up further awards at the Royal Bath & West and Devon County shows.

For the Alfords this was a second ‘major’ in 2015 following hard on the heels of Foxhillfarm

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Jasper’s win at the Royal Highland.

Standing Reserve Overall Champion at the Great Yorkshire was the Reserve Female Champion, Millington Highlight from the local herd Millington Limousins, The Grange, Millington, York. This 2012-born cow is another by Wilodge Vantastic and is out of Brockhurst Option. She was shown with her calf at foot Millington Juliet by the imported sire Ecran. This was the second year in succession that Millington Highlight had stood as Reserve Overall and Reserve Female Champion at the Great Yorkshire.

Highlight is a full sister to Millington Hawk who was previously a part of the 2013 winning Blytheswood Pairs Interbreed at the Great Yorkshire.

Completing her haul of titles Millington Highlight also collected the award for the Best Animal from a North East Limousin Club member. Reserve for this award was Jamie Cooper with Tomschoice Jasper, a Tomschoice Hurricane daughter out of Tomschoice Diva, a Ronick Member daughter.

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Limousin Shows

Class Results

Foxhillfarm Ivy - Overall Champion Limousin

Senior Bull 1. W J and M Mash’s Brockhurst Elvis 2. E J Penty’s Espoir Intermediate Bull 1. M Alford’s Foxhillfarm Jasper 2. Gascoines Group’s Gascoines James 3. C W and J E Johnston’s Crajan Jester Junior Bull 1. J M and S P Cooper’s Tomschoice Jasper 2. I Nimmo’s Maraiscote Jura 3. Gascoines Group’s Birdies Jim

Tomshoice Jasper also stood Reserve in the Best Junior Exhibitor Bred Male to Foxhillfarm Jasper The Alfords team were on winning form in the male classes too, taking the Male Championship, Reserve Junior Champion, and Best Junior Exhibitor Bred Male with the aforementioned Foxhillfarm Jasper, the Loosebeare Fantastic son out of Bankdale Alice.

As noted, Foxhillfarm Jasper was Overall Champion at the Royal Highland Highland in June and was the other half of the Burke Trophy winning pair at Royal Cornwall. In May he was the Overall Champion and sale topper at the Society’s bull sale at Carlisle when he sold for 35,000gns to Messrs Jenkinsons, Whinfellpark, Penrith. As announced at the time of sale the Alfords would continue to show the bull through the summer.

Taking the Reserve Male Championship were the Gascoines Group, Newark, with their

Heathmount Trojan son Gascoines James.

This one, January 2014 born, was Junior Champion and Reserve Male Champion at Nottinghamshire County Show in May and is out of Cockleshell Daisy, a Winnington Trumps daughter.

Leading the Junior Championship was the classy Glenrock Jewel from the Eagleside herd of Tom Illingworth, Howgillside, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie. January 2014 born, Jewel is a Bremore Artist daughter out of the Illingworth family’s exceptional breeding cow Glenock Spangle. Again, Glenrock Jewel had a strong Royal Highland Show behind her where she had won Reserve Female Overall, Junior Female Championship, and Reserve Junior Overall.

Glenrock breeding was again to the fore when Glenrock Jadore won the award for the Best Junior Exhibitor Bred Female for Stephen Illingworth. Glenrock Jadore, another Bremore Artist daughter, is out of the noted Glenrock

Cow in calf or in milk or heifer in calf 1. Millington Limousins’ Millington Highlight 2. W J and M Mash’s Brockhurst Howzat 3. W J and M Mash’s Brockhurst Heavenly Senior heifer 1. M Alford’s Foxhillfarm Ivy 2. C Alford’s Foxhillfarm Isla 3. J L Marks’ Oddacres Ivy Intermediate heifer 1. D McBeath and S J Jessop’s Poolehall Iris 2. Hampshire Livestock’s Keadyview Iamlovely 3. J M and S P Cooper’s Tomschoice Imagination Junior heifer 1. T Illingworth’s Glenrock Jewel 2. S D Illingworth’s Glenrock Jadore 3. W J and M Mash’s Brockhurst Jade Group of Three 1. M Alford 2. W J and M Mash 3. Gascoines Group

Millington Highlight Reserver Overall Champion

Pair by the same sire 1. M Alford 2. W J and M Mash 3. P Summers

GYAS 2015 Reserve Interbreed Pairs

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Limousin Shows

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Limousin Shows Glenrock Jewel; Junior Champion

Glenrock Jadore - Res Junior Champion

Fantastic, herself a daughter of Glenrock Spangle.

The Limousin breed was then on winning form in the Interbreed Team of Four competition, with the team lifting the Overall Championship under Judge Angus Stovold.

The victorious team consisted of Doug Mash’s senior bull Brookhurst Elvis; Millington Grange’s Millington Highlight; the Supreme Champion Foxhillfarm Ivy from the Alfords and Tom Illingworth’s Junior Breed Champion Glenrock Jewel.

In the Blythewood Continental Pairs Interbreed the Limousin pair of Foxhillfarm Ivy & Jasper took the Reserve title.

In the hotly contested commercial cattle classes it was a Limousin cross which secured the Reserve Steer Championship under judge Jason Wareham, Heathfield, Sussex.

This was Trevor Lyon and family’s bullock Midnight Black. Weighing 622kg, this one is by

Foxhillfarm Jasper - Limousin Male Champion

former stock bull Ironstone Enigma and out of the same dam as the successful show heifer Temptation.

His show career to date has included a first at English Winter Fair and homebred calf champion, as well as being a class winner

at East of England Smithfield Festival last December. This summer has seen him win at Hertfordshire County, take reserve steer at Lincoln and win his class at Norfolk. He next heads to the Royal Welsh.

GYAS 2015 Limousin Interbreed Team of Four

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Limousin Shows Frogmore Helen RWAS 15 Overall Champion & Interbreed Champion

FROGMORE HELEN

WINS INDIVIDUAL INTERBREED AS LIMOUSINS

‘SUPER EIGHT’ DOMINATE 2015 ROYAL WELSH SHOW

• Frogmore Helen wins Supreme Individual Interbreed for Chris White • Limousins win eight Interbreed titles • Interbreed wins include Individual; Team of Five; Fitzhugh Pairs; Junior Heifer; Elite Junior Bull; Exhibitor Bred Pairs; & Team of Three (Exhibitor Owned); Reserve Females of the Future • Limousin sired cattle win Commercial Champion & Reserve

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truly outstanding show of Limousin cattle produced a high quality Supreme Overall Individual Interbreed Champion in the shape of the in-calf heifer Frogmore Helen from Mr Chris White, Frogmore Farmhouse, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, on the opening day of the 2015 Royal Welsh Show at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.

The October 2012 born Frogmore Helen had in the morning come through a memorable class of maiden and in-calf heifers before taking firstly the Female Championship and then the Limousin Supreme Overall title having been given the nod by judge for the day Steven Priestley who runs the noted 80 cow Brontemoor herd at Cracrop Farm, Kirkcambeck, Brampton, Cumbria. After a quick rest and turn around Frogmore Helen then went head to head with the respective champions of other breeds where she came

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powering through to be crowned Supreme Overall Individual Interbreed Champion by the judge Ronnie Mackie of The Ross Farm, Madderty, Crieff, Perthshire.

The roll call of prizes for Frogmore Helen continued to mount as she picked up further Interbreed titles when being part of the Limousin winning Fitzhugh Pair and also the Team of Five! The win capped a remarkable story for the breeder Chris White who only established the Frogmore herd some 4 years ago and which now comprises six breeding females run along with a few recipients. 2015 marks only the third year the herd has been showing and Frogmore Helen is only the third female Chris White has bred. At the 2014 Royal Welsh the signs of things to come were there to see when Frogmore Helen placed Reserve in the Junior Heifer Interbreed. Sired by the noted Wilodge Cerberus the heifer, weighing in at 1100kgs, is out of the Clown

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Limousin Shows

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Limousin Shows Dinmore Glorious - Res Female and Reserve Overall

sired Ironstone Frangelica Fitzhugh Pairs Interbreed winners who was purchased for 2500gns from a herd sale in Carlisle. Frogmore Helen is due to calf in December to the noted Goldies Comet.

Commenting afterwards the judge Steven Priestley said: “this has been without doubt the best show of cattle that I’ve ever had the privilege to judge. The females were exceptional and there was a real strength in both depth and quality Exhibitor Bred Pairs throughout. The Champion was just full of style and breed character and had a tremendous ring presence.

She had size, length, tremendous locomotion, and had great femininity.

She is a great example of what the Limousin breed is all about and I have no doubt that she could be a cornerstone breeding female of any herd. The quality of the cattle shown was reflected by an unprecedented run of throughout the day was a real credit to all of success in the prestigious Interbreed awards the exhibitors showing.” that saw Limousins win the first eight titles on For Chris White it was of course a offer as well as the Champion and Reserve in remarkable and never to be forgotten show. the Commercial Championships along with all Speaking on the morning of the second day of the section titles! As well as the Individual he said: “To win the Individual Interbreed title the further Interbreed wins included; the title at the Royal Welsh Show, arguably the Team of Five; Fitzhugh Pairs; Junior Heifer; UK’s leading show now, is the pinnacle of Elite Junior Bull; Junior Bull; Exhibitor Bred any showing ambition. I’m thrilled to have Pairs; & Team of Three (Exhibitor Owned). won in only the herd’s third year of showing The Team of Five comprised of Frogmore and particularly with a homebred heifer which Helen along with Dinmore Glorious, Dinmore makes it really special. The standard of Immense, Foxhillfarm Ivy & Foxhillfarm Isla Limousin cattle shown was just fantastic to with the interbreed having been judged by come through but to then go on and win the David Thomlinson, Scaleby, Carlilse. The Individual Interbreed was just a dream come Fitzhugh Pairs, judged by E Williams, true.”

Bryncrug, Gwynedd was won by Frogmore The standard of Limousin cattle on show

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Helen along with Dinmore Immense. Taking the Junior Heifer Interbreed title was Whinfellpark Jade (judged by Clive Roads, Malvern, Worcester). The Elite Junior Bull Interbreed was snapped up by Foxhillfarm Jasper and it was Foxhillfarm who also took both the Exhibitor Bred Open Pairs & Team of Three Open (Exhibitor Owned) Interbreed awards on the Wednesday.

The Dinmore herd of Paul Dawes, Kipperknowle Farm, Dinmore, Hereford, was again very much to the fore in the Limousin judging and Interbreeds and following on from their Supreme Championship wins at last year’s show. 2015 saw another mighty haul of prizes for their team that included Male Champion; Reserve Supreme Overall; Reserve Female; Reserve Junior Female; and of course Interbreed wins as part of the Team of Five and Fitzhugh Pairs.

Taking the Reserve Overall Supreme Championship and Reserve Female title was the noted Dinmore Glorious. November 2011born Glorious is by Wilodge Vantastic and is out of Aghadowey Alix, a Broadmeadows Cannon daughter. Shown with her Crownhead Busby sired bull calf Dinmore Joules at foot, Dinmore Glorious is a full-sister to the 2010 Royal Welsh Champion and member of the winning Fitzhugh Interbreed Pairs, Dinmore Elle. In 2014 Dinmore Glorious had won the Limousin Grand Prix held at the Royal Three Counties where she also teamed up with the 2014 Royal Welsh Champion, Diamant, to win the Burke Trophy. This year Dinmore Glorious has also picked up Interbreed wins at both the Three Counties and Cheshire Shows respectively.

In the bulls Dinmore took the Male Championship with the powerful Dinmore Immense, a Mas Du Clo son out of the Vantastic daughter Dinmore Caprice. May 2013 born Dinmore Immense had previously won the Reserve Junior Male title at the 2014 Royal Welsh Show.

Dinmore Japonica took the Reserve Junior Female award after having won first prize in the youngest heifer class. July 2014 born Japonica is by Wilodge Vantastic and is out of Croftlimousin Primrose making her a full sister to the herd’s noted Dinmore Daffodil.

All the way from Cumbria Whinfellpark Jade from Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor, Penrith, won her class before moving on to take the Limousin Junior Female title and on the Tuesday, the Junior Heifer Interbreed title.

12th January 2014 born this heifer’s calf is another by Wilodge Cerberus and is out of the Blageur sired Whinfellpark Glow. On the Thursday Whinfellpark Jade teamed up with Poolehall Iris from Dougie McBeath & Sarah Jane Jessop, to place Reserve Overall in the Females of the Future Interbreed for heifers under two years old. The interbreed awards were the highest prizes attained to date by the Whinfellpark herd at the summer ‘major’ shows.

Poolehall Iris, bred by Mr N Matthews, had stood second in her class and is an embryo calf by Haltcliffe Ben and out of the 27,000gns

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Limousin Shows Dinmore Immense - Male Limousin Champion

Limousin Team of Five Interbreed winners

Foxhillfarm Jasper Junior Male Champion

Whinffellpark Jade Junior female Champion

Pabo Icemaden Best Welsh Bred Limousin

Baby Beef and Overall Champion Commercial

Black Beauty - Champion Heifer and Res Overall Commercial from Tecwyn Jones Exhibitor Bred Team of Three

Wilodge Flawless. Iris had been purchased at the 2014 Red Ladies Sale for 4800gns.

It was another strong show for the Foxhillfarm team of Michael, Melanie and Charlotte Alford, Cullompton, Devon.

Following on from Limousin Championship wins at both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows, and also picking up the Burke Trophy at the Royal Cornwall, a number of further titles were secured at the Royal Welsh. These included Junior Male Champion, Reserve Male Champion, Elite Junior Bull Interbreed, Junior Bull Interbreed; and Exhibitor Bred Open Pairs & Team of Three Open (Exhibitor Owned) Interbreed awards. Foxhillfarm animals also featured in the winning interbreed Team of Five.

Taking the Junior Male & Reserve Male Overall title was Foxhillfarm Jasper (this year’s Royal Highland Limousin Champion). This January 2014 born embryo calf, is by the Wilodge Vantastic son Loosebeare Fantastic and is out of Bankdale Alice. Back in May this year, Foxhillfarm Jasper was the Supreme Champion at the Society’s Premier Sale held in Carlisle where he sold for 35,000gns to the Whinfellpark herd. As announced at the time of sale the Alfords have continued to show the bull at the summer major shows. On the Tuesday, the bull picked up the Elite Junior Bull Interbreed title (for performance recorded cattle) from the judge William Bedell, Neuadd Isaf, Penybont, Llandrindod Wells, Powys.

Moving to Thursday and he also secured the Junior Bull Interbreed title in front of the judge E Williams, Bryncrug, Gwynedd.

The Exhibitor Bred Open Pairs was a new Interbreed title introduced to the 2015 show and was another judged by David Thomlinson. The 2015 Burke Trophy winning pair of Foxhillfarm Jasper & Foxhillfarm Ivy did it again when picking up this new award.

Foxhillfarm also won another new Interbreed award when lifting the Team of Three Open (Exhibitor Owned) Interbreed title from judge William Bedell. This time Jasper & Ivy were joined by Foxhillfarm Isla who had also featured in the winning Team of Five.

Lifting the Reserve Junior Male title, in what was the bull’s first show outing, was

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Garyvaughan Jade from the herd of Colin Lewis, Buttington New Hall, Buttington, Welshpool, Powys. This smart young February 2014 calf with growth and style is

by Garnedd Gower, a Bremore Djerk son and is out of Garyvaughan Godess the herd’s first daughter by the 35,000gns stock bull Plumtree Deus (and where the style of Jade came from according to the breeder Colin Lewis). This growing herd of over 100 cows and 80 odd heifers was voted the Overall Champion in the region’s 2014 Limousin Herd Competition.

Not to be missed as a theme of the day was the influence of breeding through the catalogue from the noted Wilodge herd, Lodge Hill Farm, Park Lane, Shifnal, Shropshire. Six of the seven female class winners were sired

by Wilodge bred bulls including Cerberus, Vantastic, and Drummer. This obviously included the day’s Supreme Champion Frogmore Helen (Wilodge Cerberus).

In the highly competitive Commercial Championships Limousin sired cattle won Supreme Champion & Reserve and every section title on offer! Taking the Supreme Championship, from judge Wendy Pickard, Gaddesby, Leicester, was Tydr Edwards with his baby beef champion, Biwt. Weighing 346kg, this home bred heifer is by a bull bred by the Davies family. Standing Reserve was the Champion from the heavier section of the commercials, Black Beauty from Tecwyn Jones. Sired by Ronick Hawk she weighed in at 485kg.

The Reserve Heifer Champion went to Jason and Sarah Wareham with Munchkin.

Weighing 586kg, this Limousin x British Blue heifer was bred by the Robertson family and was purchased for £5100 at Smithfield from Dougie McBeath and Sarah Jane Jessop. In the steers, Elfed Williams took the Championship with the 614kg Black Gold.

This beast was also purchased at Smithfield, for £5000, from Andrew Gammie and was bred by Balfour Baillie, Orkney.

Reserve Champion in the steers was Robert Elias with Sky Walker. Weighing 576kg, Sky Walker was bred by Bowen and Bowen and was purchased for £6000 at the Welsh Winter Fair where it was baby beef champion.

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Limousin Shows

POOLEHALL IRIS

LIFTS SCOTTISH LIMOUSIN GRANDPRIX TITLE & OVERALL INTERBREED • McBeath & Jessop’s Poolehall Iris wins Female Championship, Limousin Overall Supreme, Overall Interbreed, Champion of Champions, and Interbreed Pairs • Gunnerfleet Joplin wins Interbreed Junior Bull & Interbreed Pairs

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he third Scottish Limousin Grandprix was held at Turriff Show on the 2nd of August 2015 in what is one of the heartland areas of Scottish beef production.

Judge for the day James Hazard, of the noted Mereside herd based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, was highly complementary about a superbly well organised show as he judged an entry of almost sixty outstanding Limousins from all the corners of Scotland.

The claim of quality was confirmed with Grandprix winner D MacBeath and S J Jessop’s rising two year old heifer Poolehall Iris also winning the Beef Interbreed Championship before taking the Turriff Show Champion of Champions. Later on Poolehall Iris teamed up with Overall

Poolehall Iris Supreme Limousin Champion and Champion of Champions

reserve Champion Gunnerfleet Joplin to win the Interbreed Pairs. The Limousin breed took almost all the other interbreed titles at the show to boot!

The Grandprix Champion Poolehall Iris was purchased at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Red Ladies Derby Sale at Carlisle in December 2014 for 4,800gns from breeder Mr

Gunnerfleet Joplin Overall Reserve and Male Champion

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& Mrs N Matthews, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

By Haltcliffe Ben and an embryo calf out of the 27,000gns Wilodge Flawless she was described by the judge as “oozing style and class, a modern heifer with superb length, a great top and hindquarters that fill the eye.”

Through 2015 Poolehall Iris has been successfully shown at the Royal Welsh where she picked up Reserve Interbreed honours and also at the Great Yorkshire where she was first in her class.

Strong supporters of the Grandprix, Dougie McBeath & Sarah Jane Jessop, Lower Greenyards Farm, Bannockburn, Stirling, have now won this title twice, and placed overall reserve in the events three stagings! They first won the title in 2013 with Ardglasson Highlander.

The 2015 Grandprix Overall Reserve and Male Champion was Gunnerfleet Joplin, the junior stock bull at the Anside herd, Braehead Farm, Drummuir, By Keith, Banffs. Purchased from Messrs Handley, Ingleton, Lancashire in May 2015 for 6,000gns, this January 2014 born bull is by the 17,000gns Maraiscote Graffiti out of Gunnerfleet Fortunas. The judge James Hazard described Gunnerfleet Joplin as “a lovely well balanced bull, again with a great top and wide, square plates.”

Gunnerfleet Joplin also won the Junior

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Limousin Shows Interbreed title, and then the Interbreed Pairs with the day’s Champion.

Taking the Overall Senior Champion spot was the much admired April 2013 born heifer Emslies Ieryl, brought out by Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, Aberdeenshire. This heifer was originally purchased for 15,000gns from the Sassy Lassies sale of breeder Harry Emslie, Kinockie, Mintlaw, Peterhead in January 2014. By the 28,000gns Procters Cavalier she is out of Emslies Eryl. Following up in the reserve spot was Renton & Redden Partners six year old in calf cow Meadowrig Eva, a Broadmeadows Luigi daughter, who also secured the title of best animal bred by exhibitor.

The Senior Male was taken by Spittalton Gold from Michael Robertson, Fodderletter Farms Ballindalloch, Banffshire. March 2011 born this bull, bred by Andrew Burnett, is a Middledale Shergar son. Standing Reserve was Gaich Farms, Lower Gaich Farm, Grantown on Spey with the January 2013 born Culnagechan Ibrox. This bull purchased for 10,000gns at Carlisle in October 2014 is by Carmorn Copilot.

The junior titles were secured by the Overall and Reserve champions with the Reserve Female coming from the Dick family, Mains of Throsk, Stirling with Ronick Jingo. The April 2014 born Jingo is by Rathconville Eugene and is out of Ronick Bingo. The Reserve Male was from Stuart Fotheringham, Ballinloan, Dunkeld with Ballinloan Jaegerbomb. This March 2014 bull is by the stock bull Ampertaine Foreman and is out of the Nebo Dynamite daughter Ballinloan Glee.

James Hazard commented that “overall the females were a stand out on the day but that it has been a pleasure to judge quality Limousins all the way through from the calf classes to the seniors. Massive congratulations for the turnout of quality cattle are due to all who competed.”

The Interbreed competitions really saw the Limousins make their mark on the 2015 Turriff show with Poolehall Iris securing the Overall Interbreed title, the Champion of Champions, and the best continental beef animal, then jointly with Gunnerfleet Joplin securing the best pair from the same breed consisting of champion and reserve champion. Gunnerfleet Joplin took the junior interbreed title with the Ronick group of three winning the interbreed reserve spot.

The event proved to be a major success for the breed and the Scottish Limousin Club. The Grandprix social activities started on the Sunday evening with a steak BBQ for the exhibitors hosted by the Scottish Limousin club and was generally accliamed an outstanding start to the event.

TRUEMAN JUKEBOX TAKES NI LIMOUSIN CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

• Trueman Jukebox also wins Interbreed and Beef Stakes titles

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he Northern Ireland Limousin Championship held at Antrim Agricultural Show, Shanes Castle on Saturday 25th July, saw the young bull Trueman Jukebox take the Senior Champion, Male Champion and Overall Pedigree Supreme Champion titles for H Savage & Sons, Henry Savage & Sons, 70 Skerriff Road, Altnamackin, Newry, Co Down. While Gareth Corrie & Jonathan Neill, Newtownards took the overall Commercial Championship title with their heifer Black Ice. The weather held up very nicely for the show and a good turnout of pedigree Limousin breeders and spectators watched events unfold. Judge Richard Bartle, who is the stockman at the noted Dinmore herd in Hereford and who also runs the pedigree Absolute herd along with Mary Cormack, had tough classes to judge throughout the day including both pedigree and commercial championships and some12 classes in total.

Trueman Jukebox has done extremely well this year for the Savage family following on from his earlier show successes at both the Young Limousin Breeders Northern Ireland Calf Spectacular held at Ballymena Mart in January, where he was Champion, and then placing Reserve Junior Male at Balmoral Show in May. This January 2014 born bull is an AI son of the 32,000gns Ampertaine Elgin (by Glenrock Ventura) and is a heifer’s calf out of Trueman Gabrielle (by Nenuphar) and will be heading to the British Limousin Society’s October Sale in Carlisle. Rounding off another cracking day Trueman Jukebox also went on to win the Interbreed and Beef Stake titles at the show Taking the Pedigree Reserve Supreme title was the very impressive female Lowbarn Fotty owned by R Clyde, Templepatrick, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. 2010 born Lowbarn Fotty was originally bred by R Newall, Hexham, Northumberland. She was shown at Antrim with her January 2015 born bull calf at foot Clydevalley Luke who is by Sarkley Hotshot. This outfit has done really well in the show circuit this year for the father & son team Robert and Stephen, competing

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in various local shows and winning titles and including a first prize at Balmoral Show.

On the day her calf Clydevalley Luke also won his class and the cow & calf unit won both the Female Championship, and Reserve Overall Championship.

Taking the Calf Championship was the smart young heifer Millgate Lucy bred by Michael Loughran, Dunamore, Cookstown, Co Tyrone. This January born calf is sired

by Norman Ely and is out of homebred dam Millgate Hotstuff, a Millgate Fame daughter.

The Reserve Calf Champion went to Clanart Lana bred by John Murphy, Brookeborough, Co Fermanagh. This December 2014 born heifer calf is sired by Wilodge Cerebrus and is out of the French bred dam Famille.

Moving on to the Junior Championships Robineed Jasmine claimed the Championship for Dale Robinson, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh. This stylish young November 2014 born heifer is by the sire Culnagechan Exceptional and is out of the home bred dam Robineed Ellie, A Cloughhead Lord daughter. Clydevalley Jessie, another from the Clydes, took the Reserve Junior spot. July 2014 born this calf is sired by Limo Esso and is out of the home bred dam Clydevalley Bessie.

In the intermediate classes Tullyglush Jackpot bred by Paddy McDonald, 28 Mullan Road, Tynan, Co Armagh took the Intermediate Championship. June 2014 born, Jackpot is a Cloughhead Umpire son out of the homebred dam Tullyglush Fiona.

Carmorn JR bred by Francis McAuley, Toomebridge, took the Reserve Intermediate spot and he is sired by Goldies Hallmark out of the dam Carmorn Angela.

The team of Gareth Corrie and Jonathan Neill took the Overall Commercial Championship with their three quarter bred Limousin heifer Black Ice. This beast, out of a Lim cross cow, was sired by the Wilodge Vantastic son Stephick Flashi who was purchased from the BLCS Stirling Sale in February 2012 for 10,500gns. Black Ice was Reserve Calf Champion at the NI Young Breeders Calf Spectacular in January 2015.

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Limousin Feature

MULL OF GALLOWAY FARM FOCUSED ON

‘EFFICIENCY OF PRODUCTION’ Here we feature the 300 cow suckler herd, and ten strong Limousin bull battery, of the Sloan family’s Mull of Galloway Farm situated in the most southerly point of Scotland.

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here are few Limousin cattle which enjoy life in such a spectacular setting as those on the Sloan family’s Mull of Galloway Farm near Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway.

The farm is situated on the long, narrow peninsula which reaches to the most southerly point of Scotland and from where on a clear day, the story goes, you

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can see six Kingdoms - Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man and Heaven!

Harvey, his wife Angela and his parents, Billy and Morag moved to the farm in 1993 when they were forced out of their fourth generation Ayrshire farm by a compulsory purchase order from the Coal Board, but they have never regretted the move, despite

the remoteness of the new farm.

Three miles long and narrow, the farm runs to 600 acres plus about 50 acres of rough grazing on the cliff tops. The Sloans grow 120 acres of spring barley and oats which are crimped and clamped for cattle feed and cut 160 acres for silage twice. They also rent a further 170 acres of grazing from a neighbour.

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Stocking consists of 300 suckler cows running with ten Limousin bulls and 530 Scotch Mule and Texel cross ewes.

The herd used to be split spring and autumn calving but Harvey is currently trying to tighten the calving period to March, April and May, so he has bought in some extra dairy cross heifers and will cull some of the later calving

Limousin Feature cows later this year.

He said, “Although we keep our best heifers for replacements, I like to keep a bit of dairy blood in the herd for the milk and buy in a few Friesian cross heifers from trusted sources each year.”

All incomers are tested for BVD even if they come from accredited herds and he only buys from Johnes tested farms.

Harvey also said he prefers to source his home-bred replacement heifers from older cows as he believes longevity is an important criteria and likes his cows to have at least seven calves. He said, “I try to avoid Holstein blood in any of the bought-in replacements for this reason.”

He only uses high index bulls with EBV beef values of over 40.

Glenrock Highwayman by Sympa was bought privately from the Illingworth’s and with a beef value of +46 has left some great calves but sadly has hurt his shoulder this spring. He bought Dinmore Fortune by Wilodge Fantastic for 7500gns at Carlisle in 2010 and said he puts a good shape on calves from the more dairy type of cows.

The first crop of calves from the 4800gns Rachels Hercules had just been born and it will be interesting to see how they progress as the bull has an impressive EBV of +50 and +104 for 400 day weight.

Just out with cows for the first time are two Whinfellpark bulls bought at Carlisle in February.

One is a son of the world record breaking 120,000gns Dolcorsllwyn Fabio, so Harvey is excited to see what kind of calves he will leave next year. He also purchased Reddings Ivan which is running with this year’s homebred heifers. Harvey has worked with Reddings bulls in the past with some success and feels that they are reared in a way which suits his system.

The Mull of Galloway system is all about efficiency of production revolving round finishing cattle at target weights in the shortest time possible on a cost efficient feed system. The cattle are all electronically tagged and Angela is building up a database with a good picture of cows and their progeny showing how they are performing. Apart from recording growth rates, the data can be used to identify bloodlines for desirable traits such as longevity,

“The Mull of Galloway system is all about efficiency of production revolving round finishing cattle at target weights in the shortest time possible on a cost efficient feed system.”

Harvey Sloan

growth rates and good feet and ultimately to select replacement heifers.

This has all been made easier this year with a new purposebuilt finishing shed designed by Harvey and built mostly by him and his father. Harvey said, “I have always enjoyed drawing and design and my Dad is a great welder so we have built the vast majority of the steading ourselves also making all our own feed barriers and gates.” When they

arrived at the farm 22 years ago there were just a couple of sheds, now there is housing for all the cows, a lambing shed, a finishing shed and various covered and uncovered silage pits; a total of 13 buildings all designed and built by the Sloans.

The new shed, which was just completed in November for the weaned calves to come into, is split into pens, each of which holds 16 15 month-old cattle, and more when they are younger.

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They are on cushioned slats which keep their feet right, saves a small fortune on straw and the cattle are remarkably clean for a slatted system. The cattle crush and handling system, complete with foot bath, weigh cell and tag reading technology is at one end of the shed and is designed to be operated by one man with only one other needed to move the cattle round.

From weaning they are fed a total mixed ration (TMR) of mostly home-grown products. By the time they are 15 months they are on 3.5kg crimped barley, 1kg molasses, 2.5kg Vitagold and 1kg Harbro 25% blend per head per day plus silage. They also get Harbro Rumitech, a mineral supplement containing yeast which helps feed conversion.

Through the weigh crate Harvey can see the daily weight gains which averaged 1.2kg per head from January to March. This worked out at a cost of £1 per kg live weight, however he reckons it will have improved since then to around 1.4kg daily live weight gain. He said, “I used to turn the calves out for a second summer

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Limousin Feature but last year I kept some bullocks in to finish and they almost doubled the weight gain from May to September from 95kg to 180kg, so from now on they will be kept in the new shed with an aim of finishing them between 17 and 19 months.”

At about 15 months, the best heifers are siphoned off and put to the bull while the rest of the heifers are finished at 340 to 360kg deadweight and the bullocks 380 to 400kg. They are all sold to Stoddart’s at Ayr. Last year 70% of the bullocks and almost as many heifers made U grade with the best returning £2.70 per day according to Stoddart’s weigh line returns.

The key to making money from beef production, according to Harvey is to either finish them heavier or quicker by getting everything right from genetics to housing and feeding. He is delighted with the performance of the Limousin and, after dabbling briefly in other breeds back in Ayrshire said that he would not be tempted by anything else. He said, “Limousin bulls have good libido and the calves have great shape and are easy finished, since starting using them we have never

DINMORE, FORTUNE

“Limousin bulls have good libido and the calves have great shape and are easy finished, since starting using them we have never looked back.”

Gallie Craig - the pointed rock is the most southerly point of Scotland

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Limousin Feature looked back.”

The cows are in-wintered on a diet of silage and they receive some molasses and Vitagold when they calve. Although the Mull of Galloway is in the gulf stream and enjoys a mild climate, there can be some very cold, windy days so the cows are not turned out until May as the ewes and lambs keep on top of the early grass.

Cattle and sheep are grazed together as Harvey believes they complement each other and prevent a build-up of worms.

The sheep enterprise comprises of Scotch Mule ewes which are put to the Texel with some of the progeny retained and crossed with the Suffolk. They lamb inside in February and go straight out to grass with the first of the lambs sold in early May. The majority are away off grass by mid-June and this year by the first week in June, Harvey had sold 560 lambs.

Those which meet the 21kg deadweight specification are sold to Woodhead Brothers and the heavier lambs go through the ring

Rachels Hercules at work

at Ayr or Castle Douglas.

Harvey said, “Out of a recent batch of 320 lambs which went to Woodheads, 104 were E grade and 200 U grade, although the price is back by about £30 per head this year.”

Another enterprise undertaken by the busy Sloan family is an award-winning cafe situated atop the spectacular cliffs at the southernmost point of

their farm. The grass-roofed Gallie Craig Coffee House is so called after the rock which signifies the most southerly point of Scotland and last year celebrated its tenth year in business.

Harvey said, “We used to watch car after car driving down to the point but there was nothing there for all these tourists, so we applied to open a coffee shop and now we have between 30,000

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and 40,000 visitors every year.”

Gallie Craig is run by Angela with three full-time and several part-time staff, while daughters, Sarah (20), and Gemma (18) help out in the holidays. Son, Bryce (14) enjoys helping out on the farm.

Angela said, “Because of the sensitivity of the site, it took a long time to get planning permission, but once we did, Harvey and Billy did most of the work with the help of my family who are builders. We were delighted when, a few years, ago we received a ‘commended’ in the Dynamic Places Green Award.” She went on, “It came as a complete surprise but that year, Harvey was also awarded ‘Individual of the Year.’”

It would certainly not be a surprise to anyone who is prepared to take the time to travel to this beautiful part of Scotland and see the inspiration and work which has gone into both the farm and the cafe to make them both successful enterprises in their own right and the Limousin breed has played a big part in this.

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BROCKWOODLEES LIMOUSINS

PROVIDING QUALITY CATTLE TO THE HIGH STREET BUTCHERS Feature on the finishing enterprise of David Dickinson, Brockwoodlees, near Canonbie, Dumfriesshire.

Alice, David & Joe Dickinson

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pecialising in the supply of quality cattle for the private butcher’s market requires an unerring eye for the selection of stores and attention to detail throughout the production system. David Dickinson manages to fulfil both criteria, with the Limousin a major factor in contributing towards his achievements.

David Dickinson finishes 650-700 cattle a year at Brockwoodlees, a 480-acre, all-grass farm near Canonbie in Dumfriesshire. The majority are purchased as stores, although he also rears and finishes calves from his own 50-cow suckler herd. These are mainly threequarter Limousins or British Blue crosses, calving in May, June and July. The farm also supports a flock of 500 Texel cross Mules, which go back to the Texel or Beltex.

The Dickinsons are very much a farming family, with David’s brother, Robert of High Knipe near Penrith in Cumbria, well-known for topping the local markets, where he sells heifers with calves at foot. Elder brother, Alan, is also based in Cumbria and keeps 16,000 laying hens.

The Dickinsons have been tenants of the Duke of Buccleugh’s estate for 21 years. Prior to their arrival at

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Brockwoodlees, they rented another farm from the estate just a few miles away. However, they were grateful when given the opportunity to move to a farm with more potential and a larger house. David and his wife, Rosie, have three children, Joe, who works at home, Laura and Alice.

The small suckler herd includes two stock bulls, one of which is a pedigree Limousin from the Hunter family’s Low Abbey herd, also in Dumfriesshire. The other is a Belgian Blue cross Blonde.

David does not rear his own female replacements, preferring to buy them in. This allows him to concentrate on his store finishing enterprise.

“I generally buy heifers with calves at foot,” says David. “That way, I can see the type of calf they are going to produce. I am much more concerned about the calf’s conformation than I am about the heifer’s breeding, because the best females don’t

Limousin Feature necessarily produce the best calves.”

The majority of stores are sourced from local auction marts, including Carlisle, Lockerbie, Longtown and Lanark, although some are bought privately on occasion.

The purchase of the right type of store animal at the right price is critical to farm profitability, says David. He is usually looking for animals at around the 17-month mark, but younger cattle are purchased in the spring, so they can spend early summer out at grass.

“Selecting stores is not simply about spotting an animal with good conformation,” he stresses.

“Much more important is the assessment of their potential; the skill lies in being able to envisage how they will look once they are finished.

About one third of the finished cattle go to Cranston’s Quality Butchers (Purveyors of Fine Foods and Meats). It is an awardwinning, meat specialist retailing business with a chain of family butcher shops in Cumbria, as well as two Cumbrian food halls.

The association between supplier

and customer spans almost three decades and David says he has a good working relationship with Roger Cranston, who trusts him to supply exactly what he is looking for.

“The butchers have very specific requirements. They are looking for carcases that grade out at U3 and U4L and much prefer heifers. They like carcases which I would describe as being full of meat. In my opinion, all growing cattle benefit from a store period. The results won’t be as good if they are pushed too hard, a degree of patience is required.”

There is no set rule on weight, he says.

“Individual butchers have

their own ideas about the ideal carcase; Cranston’s likes heifers at no more than 400kgs deadweight. They favour what I call a ‘thick’ type of beast, not too extreme in shape and with plenty of fat cover.

“Another crucial aspect is consistency; butchers tend to build up a regular clientele and these consumers expect the meat to meet their quality standards week in and week out. The meat must also have good colour and look attractive when displayed on the butcher’s counter.

“I accept that I will have to pay slightly over the market average for the type of quality store animal I am looking for. A plain beast will

“The butchers have very specific requirements. They are looking for carcases that grade out at U3 and U4L and much prefer heifers.

They like carcases which I would describe as being full of meat.”

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not achieve the required killing out percentage and I don’t want my customers to start looking elsewhere.”

David also sells at Lanark auction finished cattle sales on a weekly basis and visits Caledonian Marts, Stirling, every fortnight, where he regularly tops the market. Most cattle leave the farm at 22-24 months and to ease cash flow, they are sold 52 weeks of the year.

Fatstock shows act as a shop window for the Dickinson cattle and the family always puts in an appearance at the annual Lawrie and Symington Scottish Limousin Club show and sale. At this year’s event in May, they secured the champion heifer title, with an animal that tipped the scales at 544kgs and went on to sell for 266p/kg. At this particular event, their cattle have taken a red ribbon in nine out of ten outings.

One of the most notable accomplishments came in 2010, when their Limousin heifer took the championship at the Lanark Christmas show and sale. Weighing in at 585kgs, she attracted a record bid of 705p/kg (£4,124.25), having

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been purchased by butchers, W Buchanan and Son of Burnbank, Hamilton. The only other regular fixture in the calendar is a similar show and sale at Caledonian Marts, Stirling.

The meticulous care with which David picks out stores is also applied to the way the cattle are reared. They receive a finishing ration made specifically for the farm. Some of the ingredients are a well-kept secret, but David will say that it contains 60% cereals and has a 12.5% protein analysis.

It has been formulated with the aim of putting “just the right amount” of flesh on the cattle.

David’s view that high fibre is beneficial to the diet means that round bales are preferred for the growing cattle, with the feed value closer to haylage than silage.

They also pick at their straw bedding, which is another source of fibre. The high dry matter forage keeps the dung firmer and the cattle healthier overall, he says. Meanwhile, the cows thrive on pit silage.

Contractors are brought in for silage-making and the neighbours

“When it comes right down to it, (Limousin) is the breed of choice for high quality butchers…” also help out, under a reciprocal arrangement. Some 20-30 acres are ploughed out and reseeded annually, using long-term ryegrass mixtures. Despite having moved to drier land, the prevention of damage to soil structure remains a constant challenge.

“On the other holding, we couldn’t travel on the fields for three to four weeks after heavy rain, while on this farm they are accessible after three or four days. We only take one cut of silage on 120-130 acres each year, normally around July. But that might change this time, as I estimate that spring arrived two to three weeks later than usual.”

David is philosophical about the current downward trend in beef prices.

“Butchers will pay more than the market average for the right type of cattle, but my margins are still a long way below where they need to be. But there is no point

in jumping from one enterprise to another; I believe it’s much better to stick with what you know, as long as it’s working for you.”

“It will be interesting to see what the future holds over the next few years. Suckler cow numbers have declined dramatically, with many producers switching to buying in stores. If this trend continues and people stop breeding cattle, where are all these stores going to come from?”

David freely admits that he has no interest in the pedigree side, but it is clear that his focus and commitment to producing quality beef for a niche market requires an equal level of dedication. And there is no better breed on which to build his business than the Limousin, he says.

“The Limousin is known as the carcase breed and I would agree with that description,” he states.

“When it comes right down to it,

Dickinson indoor cattle

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it is the breed of choice for high quality butchers. It is relatively straightforward to get the right level of cover on a Limousin, whereas it can be more difficult to achieve the correct finish on some other breeds.

“On the whole, I feel I have a good understanding of what the market requires and that means seeking out and buying the best Limousin and Limousin crossbred store cattle that I can find.”

Auctioneer’s Perspective Harrison and Hetherington sales director, Scott Donaldson, acknowledges David’s skill at selecting stores which have the potential to go on to become prime cattle.

“David is a very discerning buyer, who only chooses animals which will suit the top end of the market,” says Scott. “He is a good supporter of trade, both at Carlisle and at Lockerbie.

“It is no surprise that David favours the Limousin; the breed has all the traits required by the quality end of the market; as long as it’s produced correctly. That applies whether it’s smaller carcases for the butcher trade or larger carcases suitable for the supermarkets and wholesalers. Today’s buyers are looking for well-finished cattle and the Limousin more than capable of achieving that goal.”

Limousin Feature

Entries are invited for the

2015 Red Ladies & Weaned Calf Sale 11 December 2015 at Borderway Mart, Carlisle

Entry closing date 6th November

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‘QUALITY COMES FIRST’ IN THE DINMORE LIMOUSIN HERD Firmly established as a high quality and foremost pedigree and commercial cattle enterprise, the Dinmore herd of Paul Dawes, Dinmore Manor Estate, Hereford is set to play host to the British Limousin Cattle Society’s 2015 Open Day due to be held on Saturday 19th September. The pedigree herd, run with a very commercial focus, is home to some of the most notable animals and bloodlines within the Society including Dinmore Elegance, Dinmore Glorious, Dinmore Elle, Wilodge Venelle, Carmorn Voney, and Wilodge Priceless to name but a few. Hot off another highly successful 2015 show season, the herd’s main means of promotion, the Open Day is sure to pull a crowd and is one not to be missed for all Limousin and cattle enthusiasts. Here we look at the Dinmore enterprise in more depth with herd manager Richard Bartle.

T

he Dinmore herd is well known in pedigree circles, but it’s the Limousin breed’s commercial attributes that have kept it at the forefront of the cattle enterprise at Dinmore Manor Estate, Hereford, for the past 15 years.

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The estate – which takes in four farms, across 2600 acres of arable, pasture and woodland – was extensively modernised by Paul Dawes (a keen advocate of the Limousin breed, with business interests in the restaurant world), having been

bought by his father in 1999.

Included in the set-up are almost 1000 breeding ewes – mainly New Zealand Romneys – which are run on an easy-care system, and put to the Beltex, Texel and Charollais tups, with the lambs all sold fat.

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SA N LIM TU D OU SI RD A N Y AY C 19 AT ATT LE th SE DI SO PT N CI EM M ETY BE O R R H

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Limousin Feature But it’s the cattle that are the mainstay of the livestock business, with 60 pedigree cows and a suckler herd of 120 mainly Limousin crosses, plus 400 store cattle which are bought in to be fattened each year (again, mainly Limousins).

Richard Bartle has managed the stock here for eight years, but his experience with Limousins stretches back three decades. As far as he’s concerned, no other breed would work as effectively within the Dinmore system.

“The fat cattle are sold to ABP on a Sainsbury’s contract and are required to be under 416kg deadweight and at least R grade – so we aim for U and E grades and as close to 400kg d/w as possible, at under 24 months.

With the Limousin crosses, we can consistently achieve that – we’re getting most of them away at 17-18 months, but if we wanted to keep them longer, we could. The Limousins have an ability to be finished at any weight or age, depending on your system,” he explained.

Young pedigree bulls that don’t make the grade are fattened and sold through ABP too, reaching 400kg d/w at just 12 months old – ensuring a decent return due to being finished at such a young age.

“For us, the Limousins are easily managed and easily calved, whilst maintaining that allimportant conformation,” added Richard, who says he aims to buy early maturing, finer boned bulls for the commercial herd, to

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“For us, the Limousins are easily managed and easily calved, whilst maintaining that allimportant conformation” ensure easy calving and a higher kill-out percentage.

“Often, the bulls that have been used on the pedigree herd are later used on the commercials too. We try to buy as best quality as possible for the commercial job, as it does make a difference to the quality of the calves,

and the faster you can get the carcases away, the better the premium.”

Within the pedigree herd, the bull that has been the most influential is without doubt Wilodge Tonka, bought for 30,000gns at Carlisle in 2003.

“He made a huge difference to

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the females, leaving them very milky. He was easy calving and left fast growing progeny with a nice amount of bone and good temperaments,” said Richard.

Most of the current herd is based around Tonka, with the majority of the show team being by the Tonka son, Vantastic. But

Limousin Feature Richard says they are always on the lookout for something a bit different, and managed to find that two years ago with the French bull Diamant.

“He was bought on the strength of his progeny, which we saw in France. He is easy calving, with a super temperament and has brought scale into the herd. His figures have almost doubled since we brought him over because his calves have proved so fast growing.”

Diamant looks the part too, taking the Individual Interbreed title at the Royal Welsh last year – one of eight shows that the Dinmore team exhibits at annually. In 2014, they picked up seven champion and reserve tickets and won seven out of eight interbreed titles, with five different animals. This included the prestigious Burke Trophy which was won by Diamant alongside Dinmore Glorious at the Royal Three Counties. Dinmore cattle have taken the Royal Welsh championship twice in the past five years, and stood reserve three times. At the recent 2015 show the herd again performed strongly and won the Male Champion; Reserve Supreme Overall; Reserve Female; Reserve Junior Female; and further Interbreed wins as part of the Team of Five and Fitzhugh Pairs.

“We mainly stick to the same shows, but try to do one different one each year. Show cattle have to be productive too though, so we try to only show younger cattle, under four years if possible,” said Richard.

“There’s no doubt it’s a great way to promote your cattle, and this has definitely been the case with us. Probably our most successful show female has been Dinmore Elegance, and at our production sale three years ago,

her full sister (Dinmore Fabulous) sold for 36,000gns – the herd’s top price to-date,” he added.

The aim is to have a similar production sale every three to four years, and the team are hoping to have another next year, on-farm.

Bulls are regularly sold privately, and occasionally at Carlisle (where the 28,000gns Tonka son, Dinmore Bandit was sold in 2008), but more often at Brecon, which is closer to home.

“Being in a TB 1 area is definitely a disadvantage when selling at Carlisle, as it seems to make a difference to the buyers there. We have a clean health status though, and are very particular about animals that we buy in. We’re BVD accredited, so we vaccinate against that and Blackleg, and test for Johne’s.

Also, all show females are vaccinated against IBR.” With health status in mind, Richard says the same homebred recipients are repeatedly used for carrying embryos, with a sweeper bull used for any recips not in calf. Generally, the best six cow families are flushed annually,

with 40-60 ET calves born each year.

“Flushing is a great tool if used on the right families – it can be expensive, but it’s the best way to accelerate herd improvement.”

Around half the herd calves in the spring and the remainder in the autumn, mainly inside (for management purposes), with all calves receiving selenium and vitamin E at birth, and cows vaccinated with Rotavec six weeks before calving.

“We’ve started using a calving sensor system on the cows, which is very useful for the

embryo calves, but we’ve found it works better on some cows than others, so we wouldn’t totally rely on it,” said Richard.

Without wishing to increase the pedigree numbers, Richard says they are always striving to improve the quality of the herd, although he feels the females are close to where he wants them to be – that being productive, milky, powerful cattle, with good tops and a neat tail head.

See them for yourself, at the Dinmore open day, on Saturday 19th September, following the AGM on the Friday evening.

Diamant Overall Champion & Interbreed Champion RWAS 14

Dinmore Glorious

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Limousin Sales

STRONG DEMAND FOR LIMOUSIN BULLS AS 35,000GNS FOXHILLFARM JASPER LEADS THE MAY SALE AT CARLISLE • Four Foxhillfarm bulls gross £101,850 • 117 bulls average £5728 • 84% clearance rate • Two bulls make 29,000gns and over • 36 bulls make 6,000gns and over • Sale grosses £670,176

Carlisle

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oxhillfarm Jasper from Michael & Melanie Alford, Foxhillfarm, Cullompton, Devon made 35,000gns and led the British Limousin Cattle Society’s May Show & Sale of Bulls held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Saturday 2nd May. Underpinning the commercial confidence in the Limousin breed the sale saw a strong demand right across the catalogue that resulted in an 84% clearance of bulls forward and an average of £5728. Three more bulls were sold on the year with two bulls making 29,000gns and over and 32 in all making 6000gns and over.

The top price bull, Foxhillfarm Jasper, is an embryo calf, is by the Wilodge Vantastic son Loosebeare Fantastic and is out of the herd’s noted cow Bankdale Alice. He was one of a terrific pen of four embryo calves

from the Alfords, all the same way bred, who made 35,000gns, 29,000gns, 19,000gns, and 14,000gns to gross 97,000gns on the day. Along the way Foxhillfarm Jasper was crowned Junior & Overall Supreme Champion at the pre-sale show whilst Foxhillfarm Jupiter (29,000gns) was placed Reserve Overall.

Foxhillfarm Justthejob (14,000ngs) stood second in his class to the Supreme Champion with Foxhillfarm Jackflash (19,000ns) standing second in his class to the Reserve Supreme Champion. Just for good measure, in the small sale of females the Alfords also had the top price at 9000gns with Bankdale Chanel who is by Sarkley Volt and again out of Bankdale Alice. A remarkable sale and according to Melanie Alford ‘a day you can only dream about’! Presiding over the pre-sale show was judge for the day Mr Eric

MAY 2015

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Foxhillfarm Jasper - Overall Champion at Carlisle - 35,000gns

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Limousin Sales

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Foxhillfarm Jupiter - 29,000gns

“He has tremendous width, a real balance of natural power and shape... and has excellent locomotion.”

Foxhillfarm Jackflash 19,000gns

Eric Norman, judge, commenting on his Champion bull Foxhillfarm Jasper Norman who runs the noted Norman Herd at Little Orton Farm, Little Orton, Carlisle.

In what is perhaps a first within the breed Foxhillfarm Jasper is the third Supreme Champion at Carlisle out of the same cow, Bankdale Alice, and following previous wins for Foxhillfarm Impecabull and Bankdale Exfactor respectively. Bankdale Alice was purchased for 15,000gns at the Bankdale Dispersal Sale at Carlisle in July 2011 of Gordon Wilson, Bankdale Farm, Wreay, Carlisle, Cumbria. She is also the mother of the grand slam ‘major’ show winning heifer Foxhillfarm Gracie.

Foxhillfarm Jasper was purchased by Messrs Jenkinson for their noted Whinfellpark pedigree herd at Clifton Moor, Clifton, Penrith.

In a unique arrangement the Alfords have entered, and will show, the bull at the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire, and Royal Welsh Shows through the summer with the bull going to Whinfellpark thereafter. Commenting on his Champion bull the judge Eric Norman said: “This is a real breeders’ bull and was a clear Champion on the day. He’s a very correct bull, full of breed character, and modern in type. He has tremendous width, a real balance of natural power and shape without being extreme, and has excellent locomotion.”

Speaking at Carlisle, Michael & Melanie Alford said that Foxhillfarm Jasper had just been a ‘normal calf’ when young but that as he had gone on he had just started to go away from the other bulls. Noting that he was ‘still growing’ the Alfords said that he was the most naturally powerful bull they had ever bred. In what was only their second outing at Carlisle sales, this was the second May Sale Supreme Champion in consecutive years.

Purchasing Foxhillfarm Jupiter at 29,000gns

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was Stuart Fotheringham for his pedigree Ballinloan herd at Dunkeld, Perth. Foxhillfarm Jackflash at 19,000gns was bought by the commercial producer EA Davies, Pantmaenog, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire. The 14,000gns Foxhillfarm Justthejob went north and to the Knock pedigree herd of AG Howie, West Knock, Stuartfield, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

Northern Irish bulls once again featured strongly through the sale with two selling at 16,000gns and one at 13,000gns.

The first bull at 16,000gns was the first prize winner from class eight, Culnagechan Instructor from Derek Hume, Randalstown, Co Antrim.

November 2013 born, Instructor is got by AI being by the Glenrock Ventura son Ampertaine Elgin and out of Carmorn Velvet a Kype Spartacus daughter. This bull was purchased by Messrs AE Neachell & Son who runs the pedigree Shrubbery herd at Daniels Lane, Aldridge, West Midlands.

Also at 16,000gns, and another Ampertaine Elgin, was Ampertaine Inferno from James McKay, Upperlands, Maghera, Co Derry. This bull who stood third in class thirteen is out of the prolific dam Kype tiffany who has had progeny sell up to 14,000gns. Another bull to

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Ampertaine Inferno 16,000gns

go to a pedigree breeder, the December 2013 born Ampertaine Inferno was purchased by Mr JH Neale & Son for their Nealford pedigree herd at Wilkie Down, Boyton, Launceston, Cornwall.

It was a first class Carlisle sale debut for Mark Stewart, Randalstown, Co Antrim, who sold Lenagh IQ for 13,000gns to the Keskadale herd of KD Harryman, Keskadale Farm, Keswick. This November 2013 born bull had placed as the Intermediate Champion and Overall Reserve Champion in the pre-sale

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Limousin Sales

Culnagechan Instructor 16,000gns

Foxhillfarm Justthejob - 14,000gns

Lenagh IQ - Intermediate Champion and Res Overall - 13,000gns

Gunnerfleet Impressive - Res Intermediate Champion - 10,000gns

Mereside Intense - 10,000gns

show. Got by the AI sire Claragh Franco, a Wilodge Vantastic son, Lenagh IQ is out of the homebred Lenagh Chanel who is a full sister to the mother of the noted females Dinmore Elle and Dinmore Glorious in the Dinmore herd of Paul Dawes.

Gunnerfleet Impressive from Ian Handley, Gunnerfleet Farm, Chapel Le Dale, Ingleton, Lancashire made 10,000gns when selling to the Overthwaite pedigree herd of Mr RS Harker, Overthwaite, Holme, Carnforth, Lancashire. First in class eight this October 2013 born bull had also stood Reserve Intermediate Champion to the Reserve Overall.

With plenty of breeding behind it Gunnerfleet Impressive is the first son to be offered at sale by the herd’s 17,000gns stock bull Maraiscote Graffiti and is out of the cow Goldies Annie who was originally purchased for 11,000gns.

Another Maraiscote Graffiti son, Gunnerfleet Joplin, later made 6500gns when selling to the Anside herd of Anside Pedigree Livestock Ltd, Braehead Farm, Drummuir, By Keith, Banffs, Moray.

From the junior section, Mereside Intense, from RM Hazard & Sons, Saltby Heath Farm, Skillington, Grantham, Lincolnshire also sold for 10,000gns. A first prize winner from class twelve, this bull was purchased by DC & KL Hutchinson, Old Spital Farm, Stainmore Road, Bowes, Barnard Castle for their Beldow pedigree herd. December 2013 born, Mereside Intense is the first son to be sold at public auction by the herd’s 30,000gns sire Honeymoor Favourite, a Haltcliffe Braveheart son. He is out of Mereside Elegance and comes from the same family as the 40,000gns Mereside Godolphin.

At 9200gns was Westside Irvine from S & GA Potter, Westside, Topcliffe, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. This June 2013 born embryo calf is by the 35,000gns sire Plumtree Deus and is out of the French bred Anisette. Westside Irvine, who is a half-brother to the 9000gns Lodge Henri, was purchased by the noted commercial producers Monzie Farms, Cuilt Farm, Monzie, Crieff, Perthshire.

From their 80 cow herd, KI & E & HI Jones, Bryn Ddraenen, Padog, Betws-Y-Coed, Conwy, sold Garnedd Intelligent for 8200gns.

Another first prize winner, from class six, this bull got by AI is by the famous Broadmeadows Cannon son Ronick Hawk and is out of the 2011 born Garnedd Gain, an Overthwaite Ben daughter. Purchasing this September 2013 born bull was TP Wigham, Hargill House, Coanwood, Haltwhistle, Northumberland.

Also at 8200gns was the December 2013 born Loosebeare Ignition from Messrs EW Quick, Loosebeare Manor, Zeal Monachorum, Crediton, Devon. An embryo calf, Ignition is by the noted Ampertaine Foreman and is out of Rainbow Ranii a half-sister to the noted Loosebeare herd sire Rainbow Simon. This bull, which carried a big Beef Value of LM+57 was bought by CR Lowis, Waterside House, Howtown, Penrith. The same vendors also sold the November 2013 born Loosebeare Idiot, a first prize winner in class eleven, for 7200gns. This calf, by Aghadolgan Emperor

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and out of Loosebeare Belicity, was purchased

by A Cooke, Nantyderi Farm, Llantilio, Crossenny, Abergavenny.

From Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, Michael Robertson sold the black coated bull Fodderletter Black Ironik for 8000gns to J Evans & Son, Ffostyll, Talgarth, Brecon. By the 25000gns sire Bailea BMW, this calf is out of the homebred Fodderletter Caprice, a Tunnelby Varmint daughter.

Three bulls made 7000gns. Homebyres Ibsley from Messrs J Logan, Homebyres, Kelso was first to reach this mark with their May 2013 bull which has stood second in the first class of the day. Ibsley is by Lowerffrydd Empire and is out of the Haltcliffe Nijinsky daughter Homebyres Bainsi. Purchasing this bull was WC&D Copland, Nether Collinhirst, Ecclefechan, Lockerbie.

At the same 7000gns mark was Drumduff Ian from Francis Owens, Sixmilecross, Omagh, Co Tyrone. Another calf by Ronick Hawk, this September 2013 born bull is out of the Goldies Oswald sired Drumduff Una. The purchaser was A&H Sim & Son, Rorandle, Monymusk, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

From the same class, class five, the first prize winning bull Goldies Inmate from Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries, also made 7000gns. The September 2013 born Inmate is by the 22,000gns herd sire Hartlaw Excaliber, a Wilodge Tonkason, and is out of the Goldies Terence sired Goldies Cherub.

With a big beef value of LM+58, this bull was purchased by K Stewart & Sons, Cocklarachy, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

OTHER LEADING PRICES 6500gns Millington Invincible to S G Bull Stud, Knocknagael Farm, Inverness 6500gns Haltcliffe Informer to M.A Steele, Pitroddie Farm, Pitroddie, Perth 6400gns Roxburgh Immortal to R Rutherford & Sons, Kingswood Farm, Whitfield, Hexham 6200gns Haltcliffe Impostor to GB Jones Ltd, Fron Bella, Pentrefoelas, Betws-Y-Coed, Gwynedd 6200gns Newhouse Black Ivanhoe to R&S Chesney, 49 Inishargy Road, Kircubbin, Newtownards, County Down 6100gns Honeymoor Impressive to R D Kearton, Wyse Hill Farm, High Startforth, Barnard Castle, County Durham AVERAGES 41 Senior Bulls 48 Intermediate Bulls 28 Junior Bulls 117 Bulls 6 Females

£4873.54 £5265.31 £7771.88 £5727.88 £3867.50

Auctioneer: Harrison & Hetherington Ltd

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Limousin Sales Grahams Black Icon 5,800gns Goldies Indiana 6000gns

Lauder Iain 5,500gns

GRAHAMS BULL TOPS STIRLING LIMOUSINS AT 6,000GNS

Stirling MAY 2015

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• 34 bulls sell to average £3660 • 81% clearance of bulls forward • 5 bulls sell at 5000gns and over

rahams Black Icon, from Mr & Mrs R & J Graham, Bridge of Allan, Stirling sold for 6000gns and led the trade at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s May Sale at Stirling held on Monday 4th May 2015.

The sale was held within the Multibreed Sale hosted by United Auctions.

August 2013 born, the black coated Grahams Black Icon is by Goldies Forever and is out of the dam Saunders Edwina.

Purchasing the top price was Peter Alexander, Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie who runs 1000 Limousin suckler cows and who will be hosting the 2015 Scotland’s Beef Event on May 27th. The same buyer also snapped up the Reserve Supreme Champion, Dyke Ironman, for 5000gns from J R MacGregor Ltd, Dyke Farm, Milton of Campsie, Glasgow.

This bull, September 2013 born, is by the AI sire Virginia Andy and is out of the homebred dam Dyke Estelle. The Grahams herd also sold Grahams Black Intense for 4000gns to WJ Vance & Sons, Low Skeog, Whithorn, Newton Stewart. Another by Goldies Forever, this bull is out of the French bred dam Ulsie.

Following hard on the heels of the breed’s sale at Carlisle on Saturday May 2nd, a further 34 bulls sold to average £3660 with five selling at 5000gns and over. The clearance rate was 81% of the 42 bulls forward. Between the

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Goldies Ivanhoe 5,500gns

Carlisle and Stirling sales 151 Limousin bulls were sold in all to gross just under £795,000.

At 5800gns was Lauder Iain from John & Craig Connell, Wanton Walls, Lauder, Berwickshire. This bull, first in the opening class of the day, is by the Homebyres Vanhee son, Homebyres Eagle, and is out of the sixyear-old cow Bapton Eileen. Buying this bull was Mr R Martyn, Wester Bleaton & Solzarie, Bridge of Cally.

Bruce Goldie enjoyed a solid day’s trading when selling three bulls at over 5000gns. The September 2013 born Goldies Indiana made 5500gns when selling to WT Hendry & Son, Back o’ Muir Farm, Stirling. Standing second in his class to the Reserve Champion, this bull is by the Sympa son Kaprico Gerimander and is out of Goldies Belle, a Ramses daughter.

Also at 5500gns was Goldies Ivanhoe who had stood third in the same class. This bull is another son of Kaprico Gerimander and is out of another Ramses daughter, this time Goldies Bramble. Purchasing this bull was G Brown & Sons, Stoneypath, Dunbar.

The Goldies Herd also had the day’s Overall Supreme Champion in the shape of Goldies Independent, a November 2013 born embryo calf. This bull is sired by the noted Wilodge Tonka and is out of the French bred cow Java who has had previous bulls sell at Stirling

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for 9500gns. Goldies Independent made 5200gns when selling to James Bilsland, Spittal Farm, Croftamie. The pre-sale Limousin judge was John MacGregor from the Allanfauld Herd, Kilsyth, Glasgow.

From the Allanfauld Herd itself, Allanfauld Ignition made 4500gns when selling to the Scottish Government Bull Stud, Knocknagael Farm, Inverness. This June 2013 born bull is by Haltcliffe Underwriter and is out of the Talent sired Tweedside Vixen.

At 4000gns was Ronick Imitate from Mr R Dick, Mains of Throsk, Stirling. A Rathconville Eugene son this bull is out of the Grahams Bonzo sired Ronick Elola. Purchasing Ronick Imitate was W Russell & Son, Bankhead Farm, Carnwath, Lanarkshire.

AVERAGES 34 Bulls Auctioneer: United Auctions

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£3660

Limousin Sales

Culnagechan Iceage 4,300gns

Annadale Indiana 3,900gns

Trueman Image 3,400gns

CULNAGECHAN ICEAGE

Millgate Julia 3,100gns

HITS TOP PRICE 4,300GNS AT BALLYMENA SALE

Ballymena T MAY 2015 • Sale Gross £133,507.50 • 33 Bulls Average 2560gns • Clearance rate 85%, 33 of 39 bulls sold • 23 Females average 1854gns • Female clearance rate of 100%

he British Limousin Cattle Society’s Show & Sale held on Monday 4th May 2015 at Ballymena Livestock Mart saw another solid trade for the breed with 33 bulls finding new homes at a clearance rate of 85% and to an average of £2,688. Females were also in strong demand with all 23 females sold at a clearance rate of 100%, and selling at an average of £1,947, up by £114 on the corresponding sale in 2014. Two females were also sold for export.

Realising the top price of 4,300gns on the day was Culnagechan Iceage bred by D Hume & Sons, Randalstown. This July 2013 born bull stood as Reserve Senior Champion at the pre-sale show judged by local commercial man Kyle McCall, Armagh and his power and style had caught the eyes of local buyers.

This bull is sired by one of the herd’s stock bull Carmorn Copilot and is out of the dam Kype Amy, a Cloughhead Lord daughter.

Weighing 768kgs at 400days, and holding a beef value of LM35, he now heads to the new home of commercial breeder Ross Millar, Newtownstewart.

Gaining the second top price of 3900gns was Annadale Indiana bred by C Murray, Cullyhanna. This October 2013 born bull is sired by Ampertaine Foreman, who sold in

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February 2012 at Carlisle for 38,000gns, and out of the homebred dam Annadale Annabell Indiana was purchased by James Savage, Newtownards.

Next was Trueman Image selling at 3400gns for H Savage & Sons, Altnamackin. This November 2013 bull is sired by Emerson and is out of the dam Hollybank Oprah. He now heads to William Herron, Althmackin, Newry.

Fetching the top price of 3100gns in the females was Millgate Julia bred by M Loughran, Dunamore. This June 2014 born heifer with style and shape was picked as Female Champion and Overall Reserve Supreme Champion in the pre-sale show.

This heifer is sired by Norman Ely and is out of a home bred dam Millgate Gina, a Condor daughter. She now heads to new owner D Miller, Dungiven.

Another Millgate heifer, Millgate Juliet, fetched the second best female price of 2600gns. This was another June 2014 born heifer that had stood in second place to Millgate Julia in her class. She is sired by Millgate Fame and is out of homebred dam Millgate Evette. With a Beef Value of LM38 she now heads to the new home of Steven Wilson, Carlisle, who also purchased another heifer Pointhouse Jane at 2,100gns.

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Limousin Sales

9,500GNS WILODGE JOSKINS LEADS ANOTHER

STRONG LIMOUSIN SALE AT BRECON Champ Lot 61 9500gns Wilodge Joskins

• Two Garyvaughan bulls make 7,000gns • 16 bulls make 4,000gns or more • 34 bulls average £4,200 up by £546 • 85% clearance rate

Brecon MAY 2015

T

he youngest bull in the catalogue, Wilodge Joskins, from Wilodge Limousins, Lodge Hill Farm, Park Lane, Shifnal, made 9,500gns and led a strong trade at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s May Sale held at Brecon Market on Saturday 9th May 2015.

34 of the 40 bulls forward sold to average £4200 up by £546 on the year. The Brecon trade saw 16 bulls make 4000gns or more and continue the strong demand for Limousin bulls that has resulted in 217 bulls being sold in May at Society sales across the United Kingdom January 2014 born, Wilodge Joskins is an embryo calf by the famous Wilodge Vantastic and out of Hazelhead Annie making him a full brother to the noted Wilodge Fastrac. With excellent figures for gestation length, maternal calving ease and growth, Wilodge Joskins who had been crowned the pre-sale show Overall Champion, was purchased by the AI Company Dovea based in Co Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. Judge for the day was Vince Corbett

Lot 23 7000gns GaryVaughan Idle

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from the Temeside pedigree herd.

After the sale, Paul Tippets said: “Wilodge Joskins was always very correct as a calf. We are delighted that this is the first Wilodge bull to go into Southern Ireland and believe that it is the first from a Welsh sale to go over as well.

We are also very pleased with the trade and hope that this will be a help to Welsh pedigree sales in general.”

At 7000gns was Garyvaughan Italy from CV Lewis, Garth Vaughan, Welshpool, Powys.

This October 2013 bull, who stood first in his class, is by Garnedd Gower and is out of the homebred Garyvaughan Cherry, a Nouvelle Prospect daughter. This bull was bought by A Thomas, Llanliggo, Monaughty, Knighton, Powys. Another from the same herd, Garyvaughan Idle also made 7000gns when selling to M Labbett, Church House,

Lot 59 Res Ch 6100gns - Dyfri Icon

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Lot 45 7000gns Garyvaughan Italy

Michalechurch, Knighton, Hereford. This August 2013 born bull is by the herd’s noted stock bull Plumtree Deus and is out of the homebred Garyvaughan Daffodil, another Nouvelle Prospect daughter. The Garyvaughan

Lot 15 5400gns Loosebeare Integrity

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Limousin Sales herd also sold bulls at 4600gns, and 4400gns.

The Reserve Champion bull was another young bull, Dyfri Icon, from Messrs DG & MJ Edwards, Home Farm, Cilycwm, Llandovery.

He made 6100gns when selling to JK Morgan, Sennybridge, Brecon, Powys. Another, got by the AI sire Plumtree Deus, the December 2013 born Dyfri Icon is out of the Jockey daughter Dyfri Afallon, the dam of the 10,000gns Dyfri Fioled. Further bulls from the Dyfri herd were sold for 4000gns and 3200gns.

Two bulls from Messrs EW Quick & Sons, Loosebeare Manor, Zeal Monachorum, Crediton, Devon made 5400gns and 5000gns. At 5400gns was the June 2013 born Loosebeare Integrity who was the day’s Senior Champion. By the herd’s stock bull, Aghadolgan Emperor, he is out of Loosebeare Tara and was purchased by DR Pugh, Lot 60 5200gns Foxhillfarm Jumpinjackflash

Crickie Farm, Llangorse, Brecon. The very next lot, Loosebeare Insult, made 5000gns when selling to KJ Jones, Sunnyside Farm, Narberth, Pembrokeshire. This bull is by the Vantastic son Loosebeare Fantastic and is out of the Rainbow Simon daughter Loosebeare Cabeauty. The Quicks also sold Loosebeare Inspire later in the sale for 4200gns.

In a day for the junior bulls, Foxhillfarm Jumpingjackflash from Michael & Melanie Alford, Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, Devon made 5200gns. This bull, the second youngest in the catalogue, sold to Wiltshire College, Lackham Farm, Chippenham, Wiltshire. The trade followed on from the Carlisle Sale where the Alfords grossed over £101,000 for four bulls bred the same way as their Brecon entry.

Foxhillfarm Jumpingjackflash, January 2014 born, is another embryo calf by Loosebeare Lot 16 5000gns Loosebeare Insult

Fantastic and is out the prolific 15,000gns Bankdale Alice who has bred three Carlisle Sale Champions.

From a small show of females, the Alford’s rising five year old, Sarkley Fadajen, made the female top price of 4350gns. Bred by Messrs Pennie, Sarkley Fadajen is by Sarkley Thunderbolt and is out of Sarkley Adajen, a Haltcliffe Ullswater daughter. Purchasing this female, who was pd’d in-calf to Aghadolgan Emperor, was AE Neachell & Son, Shrubbery Farm, Daniels Lane, Aldridge, Staffs.

AVERAGES 34 Bulls 14 Females

£4200 £2464

Auctioneer: McCartneys

Lot 63 43250gns Sarkley Fadajen

GOLDIES LIMOUSIN Bred to Breed

7 of the last 11 Carlisle Junior Champions have had at least one parent bred in our herd

Top 1%, Great conformation, easy calving & SAC Health Scheme. Incl black and polled Semen from Haltcliffe Doctor, Ampertaine Bravo, Hartlaw

GOLDIES FANDANGO

Excaliber(LM+

GOLDIES BLACK FOREVER

60), Kaprico Germander (LM

Offer for sale privately -

+61) & Foxhillfarm

• Great selection of stock females from COMET and FANDANGO blood lines

Irishlad (+51)

• Quality bulls for pedigree & commercial use Tel: 07712 435 408 / btgoldie@btinternet.com

01387 830105

www.goldietownfoot.co.uk

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Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries, DG1 4LX

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Limousin Sales

8,000GNS NORMAN INVINCIBLE

Norman Invincible 8,000gns

LEADS 100% CLEARANCE OF BULLS AT CARLISLE

Carlisle JUNE 2015

N

• 24 Bulls average £3,959, up by £30 on the year for two more sold • 100% clearance of bulls forward • 11 bulls at 4,000gns and more

orman Invincible from Eric & Elaine Norman, Little Orton Farm, Carlisle sold for the day’s top price of 8000gns at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s end of season summer bull and female sale held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday 12th June.

The September 2013 born Norman Invincible is another by the herd’s prolific stock bull Claragh Franco and is out of the Glangwden Bigboy daughter Norman Glory.

This bull, with natural power and shape, was purchased by Edward Dean who runs the Kirkhouse pedigree herd at Kirkhouse, Brampton, Carlisle. It was ‘more of the same’ for the Normans who at the Society’s sale in February at Carlisle sold seven bulls in all to gross 68,000gns including Franco sons at 22,000gns and 20,000gns respectively.

Two lots later the Normans sold another Claragh Franco son, Norman Ispy for 5000gns to the Cargend herd of B&SE Carter, Cragend Farm, Lancaster. This October 2013 bull is out of the Dyfri Maestro daughter Stacey Shelly.

Continuing a fine run of 2015 Limousin bull sales, this summer sale saw all 24 bulls forward sell to a solid average of £3959, up by £30 on the year for two more bulls sold.

Eleven bulls in all sold for 4000gns or more.

The day’s second top price of 5500gns was paid for one of the younger bulls in the catalogue in the shape of the January 2014 Fairywater Jack from Andrew Ewing, Dumbretton Farms, Annan. This bull is by the herd’s noted 17,000gns stock bull Ironstone Diego, a Wilodge Vantastic son, and is out of Sarkley Ulexie. Sporting some terrific figures this shapely bull was purchased by ML Wilson, Balluskie Farm, Kildonan, Barhill, Girvan.

The fourth bull to make 5000gns or more was Maraiscote Ignite from Ian Nimmo, Bogside Farm, Newmains, Wishaw, Lanark.

December 2013 born Ignite is by yet another

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Vantastic son this time the herd’s famous Goldies Comet. Ignite, out of the Normande Urquhart daughter Maraiscote Dynamite, was bought by RJ Armstrong, Crossfell House, Millburn, Penrith.

The first bull in the ring, Haltcliffe Ivan, made 4500gns for Haltcliffe, Lonning Head, Hesket-New-Market, Wigton. Fully French bred this January 2013 born bull is an AI calf

by Sympa and is out of the noted fifteenyear-old cow Romance. Heading to Wales, this bull was purchased by RW Owen, Geirn, Carmel, Llanerchymedd, Gwynedd. The same buyer also snapped up Crossdykes Iconic for 4000gns from James Common & Son, Crossdykes Farm, Lockerbie. September 2013 born this bull is by Rachels Felix, a Wilodge Vantastic son, and is out of the twelve-year-old cow Crossdykes Una. At 4200gns was McInnes Irreplaceable from Ashley McInnes, Cowick Farm, Thorne Road, Nr Goole. This calf, October 2013 born, is by Strattons Donis and is out of the Vagabond daughter Greenwell Daisy. Purchasing this lot was T&R Quinn & Son, Quarry House Farm, Wilts Hill, Quebec, Co Durham.

Also heading to Co Durham and A Peart & Son, Woodcroft Farm, Bishop Auckland, was Glebepark Iontas from N&E Cruickshank, Cowford Farm, Cleghorn, Lanark. This Irish bred bull, October 2013 born, is by the Sympa sired Haltcliffe Dancer and is out of Glebepark Belinda.

From a small show of females the leading price was the 2000gns paid for Whinfellpark Joyfullness from Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor, Clifton, Penrith. This maiden heifer, born February 2014, is by the herd’s stock bull Dolcorsllwyn Fabio and is out of the Dinmore Bandit sired Whinfellpark Frolic. This heifer was bought by TW Brown, Seaville Cote, Seaville, Silloth, Wigton, Cumbria.

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Fairywater Jack 5,500gns

Norman Ispy 5,000gns

Maraiscote Ignite 5,000gns

OTHER LEADING PRICES 4000gns Garnedd Ieuan to RM Dunlop, Windyedge Farm, Dalry, Ayrshire 4000gns Tomschoice Judge to TW Brown, Seaville Cote, Seaville, Silloth, Wigton, Cumbria AVERAGES 24 bulls 11 females

£3959.38 £1541.59

Auctioneer: Harrison & Hetherington Ltd

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Limousin Sales

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