BLCS Winter 2016 Magazine

www.limousin.co.uk

LIMOUSIN the official magazine of the british limousin cattle society

WINTER 2016 /17

35,000GNS FOXHILLFARM BULL LEADS AUTUMN BULL SALES GRAHAMS LILLY TOPS ‘RED LADIES’ AT 32,000GNS

2016 BRITISH LIMOUSIN SALES INCREASE TO £5.6 MILLION PABO SETS NEW WEANED CALF RECORD AT 10,000GNS

SWARLAND WINS MOST IMPROVED HERD AWARD

LIMOUSIN SIRED CATTLE DOMINATE WINTER PRIMESTOCKS DAVID THOMLINSON NEW BLCS HON PRESIDENT

JERRY WULF AT 2017 BRITISH CATTLE BREEDERS’ CONFERENCE

A Sensational New Bloodline 2

COPIES OF

F94L

EXCEPTIONAL INDECES BASED ON FRENCH PROGENY

Muscular Development - 119 Skeletal Development - 110 Growth - 115 OVERALL INDEX 120 - top 1%

Fenomen 87-28-891-777

Imported from France to the UK after winning his class at the National Show.

Jointly owned by the Dyfri and Scorboro Herds Correct and sound with great muscularity and length.

A bull of immense power, style and stature. Arguably, the best bull to be imported in the last decade.

SEMEN AVAILABLE

to order online via Semenstore or contact Aled Edwards on the number below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jim Bloom: 01964 550 756 Aled Edwards: 01550 720 464 www.dyfrilimousin.com

www.limousin.co.uk

LIMOUSIN the official magazine of the british limousin cattle society

WINTER 2016 /17

35,000GNS FOXHILLFARM BULL LEADS AUTUMN BULL SALES GRAHAMS LILLY TOPS ‘RED LADIES’ AT 32,000GNS

2016 BRITISH LIMOUSIN SALES INCREASE TO £5.6 MILLION PABO SETS NEW WEANED CALF RECORD AT 10,000GNS

SWARLAND WINS MOST IMPROVED HERD AWARD

LIMOUSIN SIRED CATTLE DOMINATE 2016 WINTER PRIMESTOCKS DAVID THOMLINSON NEW BLCS HON PRESIDENT

JERRY WULF AT 2017 BRITISH CATTLE BREEDERS’ CONFERENCE

Cover Picture: A typical Limousin cow and calf featured for this years BCBC social media.

NEXT ISSUE: Coverage in words and pictures from the 2017 Spring Sales held around the UK Technical round-up and reports on the ongoing work in the Limousin Breed Improvement Plan including: Genomic Progress; Feed Efficiency Project; Carcase Traits update; Maternal Traits Project; and the latest EBV & GEBV BLUP run Features, herd profiles and all the ‘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

www.limousin.co.uk

L I M O U S I N NEWS

CONTENTS WINTER 2016 / 17

56-73 Limousins again dominate

06 News round-up

the Winter Primestock Shows

It’s been another action packed period for the UK’s Number One Beef Breed. Another bumper edition of 104 pages, the largest to date, is brim full of achievement, analysis, and reports from around the four home nations and beyond.

Within this issue we cover: British Limousin sales gross increasing in the year to £5.6 million; strong and deep autumn sales seeing a top price bull at 35,000gns and a maiden heifer at 32,000gns; Limousin sired cattle again dominating the Winter Primestocks; a snapshot report from the British Cattle Breeders’ Conference; Semenstore secures another order to the USA; results from all the British Limousin regional herd competitions.

Once again Limousin sired cattle were in top form when dominating the titles, Championships and catalogues at the 2016 season ending Winter Primestock Shows. Inside there is a full round-up of the Carcase Breed in action and lifting the Supreme titles at the English, Welsh, N Irish, Smithfield, and Borderway ‘majors’.

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47-49, 76-85 Commercial features

focus on Jerry Wulf, Minnesota; the Turville Herd of the Lear family, Bucks; David & William Towler, Clitheroe Three commercial farm features in this issue covering Limousins in the UK & USA. First up we look at Jerry Wulf, Minnesota who finishes over 70,000 head of cattle and sells over 750 breeding bulls each year. Next up is the red and black Turville herd of Brian and Linda Lear, Bucks which is pushing towards 500 cows. The third feature is on the Towler family, Clitheroe, whose commercial enterprise is built around the ease of calving and good growth rates offered by the Limousin breed.

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NEWS

LIMOUSIN

SALES

26-36 2016 British Limousin

Carlisle Oct 16

p86

Stirling Oct 16

p92

Dungannon Oct 16

p96

Brecon Nov 16

p97

Red Ladies Dec 16

p99

86-102

Regional Herd Competitions

Sales Summary

Each year the nine regional Limousin Clubs around the UK conduct herd competitions within their respective areas. Always keenly contested and well supported, this issue of the Limousin magazine carries results and pictures from the 2016 judging.

42-46 2017 British Cattle Breeders Conference & Technical Corner

It’s been another strong sales year for the Limousin breed with the 2016 sales gross increasing to over £5.6 million. The sales section has a complete round-up of all of the sales in the period that saw some terrific top prices, a new record or two along the way, solid averages and more animals sold on the year.

BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr was this year’s Chairman of a vibrant 2017 British Cattle Breeders’ Conference. Held at Telford in January this issue’s Technical Corner provides a snapshot of a programme that featured a mixture of practical and world class speakers. There’s also results from the November 2016 EBV & GEBV update, and a report on the Swarland Herd of A&D Proctor winning the Most Improved Limousin Herd Award.

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LIMOUSIN

L I M O U S I N NEWS

BRITISH LIMOUSIN SALES INCREASE ON THE YEAR TO £5,646,159 • Official Society Sales gross £5,646,159 • Millington Highlight is the top priced animal at 50,000gns • 40,000gns Grahams Lorenzo tops bull trade

G

ross sales of pedigree Limousin cattle, sold at official British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) auction sales in 2016, increased in the year by over £300,000 to a figure of £5.6 million.

Recently released figures show that total pedigree Limousin sales in the year came in at £5,646,159 - up by almost £308,225 on the 2016 figure.

In the course of the 2016, eighteen collective sales were held at Carlisle, Stirling, Brecon, Newark, Dungannon, Ballymena and Aberdeen respectively to gross £3,925,038.

Official BLCS Breeders’ Sales, which comprise of Production, Reduction & Dispersal Sales, grossed a further £1,721,121 on behalf of 20 individual herds. Just under 1,450 animals were sold in all at pedigree Limousin sales in the year.

Commenting, BLCS Chairman John Phillips, Whitland, Carmarthenshire said: “These are terrific figures and reflective of the ongoing demand for the breed and the quality of the cattle being brought forward.

The suckler men and the feeders are looking for performance and efficiency. They want easycalving, cheap-to-keep, easymanaged cattle that are feed efficient, do well and hit the target weights and grades consistently.

Limousins are fitting that bill.”

“These are really positive figures for the Limousin breed.

Commercially cattle that convert food efficiently, hit the ideal slaughter weights at the youngest possible age, and have repeatable,

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Millington Highlight 50,000gns

John Phillips BLCS Chairman

quality carcases consistently hitting the target grades, are very much in demand and finding reward. There has been a significant and long term industry move to sourcing cattle at 15-16 months of age and weighing 350-380kgs and this has put a

focus on medium sized cows producing fast growing calves that are finished at this age and hit the spec. This change in market focus fits the Limousin breed extremely well as a suckler cow and producing first quality calves with top grades, good yield and high killing out percentages. These are the principle factors in the strong performance at the Limousin sales through the year.”

In the last twelve years, Limousin pedigree sales have grossed over £69 Million (£69,930,274). Whilst the high-

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end of the trade in 2016 saw 45 animals in the year make 10,000gns or more, the highest proportion of bulls at the sales were again sold between 2,000gns and 5,000gns.

Leading the pedigree Limousin prices in the year was the fouryear-old Millington Highlight from Millington Limousins, The Grange, Millington, York. The highest priced bull came in the form of the 40,000gns Grahams Lorenzo from Robert and Jean Graham, Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Bridge Of Allan, Stirling.

NEWS

DAVID THOMLINSON APPOINTED AS BLCS HONORARY PRESIDENT

D

avid Thomlinson of Park View, Scaleby, Carlisle, Cumbria has been appointed as the British Limousin Cattle Society’s (BLCS) Honorary President. Serving a two-year term of office, and becoming the Society’s thirteenth Hon President in all, he takes over the reins from John Temple of Chase Farm, Roughley, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands who stepped down at the Society’s AGM in September.

In a long association with the Limousin breed, David Thomlinson has been senior auctioneer at Borderway, Carlisle market where the BLCS hold Premier Society Sales along with numerous other production, reduction and dispersal sales. Starting as an office clerk, he quickly progressed through the ranks and has been with the company Harrison & Hetherington for some 54 years.

At a young age and with ‘limited funds’, David quickly saw that there was huge potential for the Limousin breed after seeing some of the cattle from the first importations in the 1970’s. Managing to get the money together he bought his first old cow and registered his first pedigree calf in 1979 under the Beeches prefix, naming her Beeches Philomena. Working along side his wife Sheila, the herd is still very much active with 50 breeding females run on the 200 acre farm at Scaleby, Carlisle.

David Thomlinson has previously been an elected member of the BLCS Council of Management, a position he held for some nine years. He has also been heavily involved at various industry levels and is presently the Chairman of the NBA (National Beef Association). Previously David has also served as Chairman of the Livestock Auctioneers Association and in 2011 he was awarded the prestigious Blamire medal of honour in recognition of his services to agriculture in the Cumbria region. With his

pedigree auctioneer’s hat on David Thomlinson has presided over many high flying Limousin sales, both pedigree and commercial, and in 2006 he became the first UK auctioneer to sell a bull at six figures when Haltcliffe Vermount sold for the then world record of £105,000.

Speaking of his appointment David Thomlinson said: “I am both delighted and honoured to take on the role of BLCS President. As soon as the breed came into the country I saw huge potential in Limousin both as a terminal sire and as a breeding female. It has been a privilege since then to see at first hand and be involved with the breed’s progression both as a breeder and as an auctioneer.”

When asked about the breeds current position and the challenges ahead for the breed, David replied by saying. “The breed has become firmly established as the UK’s number one due to a combination of its ease of calving,

ease of management, and ability to produce high quality consistent carcases with top killing out percentages and high meat yield.

The breed is investing & working hard to maintain & improve these characteristics along with feed efficiency, gestation length, and milk production of the females, and I have no doubt it will grow its position as the benchmark beef breed.”

In his new position as BLCS Hon President David Thomlinson is looking forward to meeting up with BLCS breeders and buyers at the Spring Sales at Carlisle, Brecon and Newark, as well as the NBA's Beef Expo at Stoneleigh in May.

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LIMOUSIN

MARKET SHORTS

SEPTEMBER

DARLINGTON : Heifer trade was tremendous. Top price was a staggering £1,255 for a strong Limousin from West Barnley Farm, County Durham. Young bulls climbed to £1,100 for a smart, 13 month old Limousin from D Dixon, Middle Heads Farm, County Durham. Top price for cows went for £1,950 for PT Making, William Beck Farm, Chop Gate with a six year old Limousin cow and her four month old Limousin steer calf. Buyer was P&E Ellis, Lisern Farm, Welbury FORFAR : Limousin crosses from Nethermyres led the sale when a 548kg heifer made 256p per kg and a 630kg bullock realised 243p. A 658kg Limmy bullock from Gask made £1,585.

DUMFRIES : A small but good show of prime cattle peaked at 225p per kg for a Limousin bullock from R Neill, Upper Tinwald.

AYR : females hit a top price of £2,100 for a Limousin heifer with bull calf from Baryerrock. 30 bulling heifers were also forward which levelled at £938.66 having peaked at £1,080 for a Limousin from Ladyard.

LANARK : Limousins led the day’s trading at 249p per kg for a Limousin from Oldhill and 257.1p for a heifer from Newtonhead while Limousins from Powflats topped the gross trade at £1,370 with a bullock and £1,345 for a heifer.

QUOYBRAE : Taking the championship as judged by Ian Ross, Ankerville, was a 506kg Limousin bullock from Whitefate, Canisbay which later sold for £1,380. In reserve and selling for £1,360 was a 538kg Limousin bullock from Tresdale, Canisbay.

STIRLING : A Limousin bullock from T Adam & Son, Craigton sold to 242p. Young beef bred bulls averaged 177p and sold to 220p and £1,519 for a Limousin from A MacGregor, Allanfauld.

DINGWALL : Selling for the top prices of 233p and £1,527 were Limousin cross heifers from Bridgend, Dingwall with the first weighing in at 605kg and the latter at 700kg, while bullocks hit 220p and £1,210 for a 550kg Limousin cross fromArdnamurchan Estates.

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

BREEDERS’ SALES & GENERAL EVENT

For full sale reports please visit www.limousin.co.uk

ROUND-UP

Allanfauld Elizabeth & Malibu 6000gns

Allanfauld Latino 10000gns

‘COVER GIRL’ ALLANFAULD LATINO SELLS FOR 10,000GNS TO LEAD THE MAJOR REDUCTION SALES OF THE ALLANFAULD AND BRECONSIDE HERDS • Allanfauld Latino top price at 10,000gns • Eight animals in all make 5000gns or more • Sale grosses £214,809

O

n Friday 30th September a crowd of new and established breeders made their way to Borderway, Carlisle to see the major reduction sales from the Breconside herd of Peter and Merlin Dernie, trading as Breconside Farming Partners, Moffat, Dumfriesshire and the Allanfauld herd on behalf of Archie and John MacGregor (Allanfauld), Kilsyth, Glasgow. The British Limousin Cattle Society Breeders’ Sale with a catalogue entry of 95 pedigree Limousin cattle saw a clearance rate of 88% across the two herds, again confirming the strong and ongoing demand for Limousin females seen in the year to date.

Leading the sale was the ‘catalogue cover’ girl in the form of the stylish and shapely June 2015 born heifer Allanfauld Latino.

Latino, who was purchased as a frozen embryo from Stuart

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and Neil Barclay of Harestone, is sired by Millgate Fame and out of the Mas Du Clo sired cow Millburn Caoimhe. After a flurry of telephone bidding Allanfauld Latino was knocked down for 10,000gns and now heads to the herd of Brass Castle Pedigrees, Stockton on Tees, care of Hughes Brothers, Gary and Joseph who bought the heifer in partnership with Fergal Donnelly. Hughes brothers Gary and Joseph along with Fergal Donnelly have invested in some high profile genetics including seven females purchased at the Red Ladies sale at Borderway, Carlisle in December 2015. In 2016 at the BLCS Breeders’ Sale the night before the February bull sale, the trio purchased three of the top priced heifers with all coming from the Roxburgh herd of John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso.

The second top price selling

for 6,000gns was the seven year old cow Allanfauld Elizabeth who was noted in the catalogue as being possibly the herd’s best cow forward for sale. She is sired by the homebred sire Allanfauld Cracker and out of the dam Allanfauld Tulip. Sold with her January born bull calf at foot Allanfauld Malibu, sired by Knockcroghery Hero, Allanfauld Elizabeth was purchased by Archie MacGregor’s daughter Catherine.

Also at 6000gns was Allanfauld Greta, sired by the Siam son Cappaduff Aaron and out of the dam Allanfauld Varbo. This May 2011 born cow was sold suckling her smart August born bull calf Allanfauld Malky, sired by Sherry Gigolo. Purchasing this outfit were pedigree breeders W. Robertson and Son who run the Fodderletter herd at Ballindalloch, Banffshire.

The major reduction sale from the Breconside herd was being

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held due to changes in staffing arrangements. Established in 2001 after the foot and mouth outbreak the herd had a policy from the outset of breeding sound pedigree cattle for the commercial breeder. Predominantly natural service in the herd has seen considerable success from the stock bull Kaprico Atlas. Used heavily, his first 20 sons sold at BLCS Society Sales at Borderway, Carlisle averaged £5,533 with a high of 8,000gns.

Leading the sale was the herd’s current senior stock bull Foxhillfarm Incredibull which sold for 5000gns. Sired by Guards Boomer and out of the dam Bankdale Elizabeth, Incredibull was the sire of a number of the calves forward in the sale.

The purchaser of Foxhillfarm Incredibull was W Steel & Co, North Cumberhead, Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire.

NEWS

LIMOUSIN

2015 BCMS FIGURES 28%

GB TOTAL SOURCE BCMS

Limousin

486,680 (+2,299)

28%

AA

292,326 (-2,329)

17%

Charolais

213,793 (-923)

12%

British Blue

202,266 (+6,401)

11%

Simmental

160,256 (-2,681)

9%

Other Beef Breeds

400,036 (+21,813)

23%

TOTAL 1,755,357 26%

ENGLAND TOTAL

Limousin

277,625 (+1,684)

26%

AA

183,089 (-5,409)

17%

British Blue

153,650 (+2,302)

15%

Charolais

81,507 (-641)

8%

Simmental

76,289 (-3,660)

7%

Other Beef Breeds

283,439 (-11,556)

27%

TOTAL 1,049,767 28%

LIMOUSIN NEWS, ADVERTISING, AND PROMOTION THROUGH

FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

T

he popularity of the Society’s Facebook and Twitter pages continues to grow as an easy-to-use means of communication and keeping up-to-date, on a day-today basis, with news from around the world of British Limousin. The Society’s Facebook page now has 8,750 ‘likes’ and is constantly growing. Regular updates keep it fresh and informative. The reach of social media is such that individual posts are attracting up to 30,000 ‘views’ within 48hours of posting! That’s a lot of advertising and getting the Limousin word out!

# Facebook and Twitter are free to use. You can send messages, upload photos and videos for free, and link to websites.

SCOTLAND TOTAL

Limousin

126,765 (-246)

28%

AA

89,819 (+882)

19%

Charolais

88,025 (-1,415)

19%

Simmental

74,370 (+1,342)

16%

British Blue

18,013 (+963)

Other Beef Breeds

64,204 (+6,147)

4% 14%

TOTAL 453,523

# Facebook and Twitter connect to people from all around the world and the UK. Limousin posts are regularly viewed and commented upon from the USA, Australia, Canada, across Europe, and many more countries worldwide.

34%

WALES TOTAL

Limousin

82,290 (+411)

34%

Charolais

44,261 (+1,133)

19%

British Blue

30,603 (+3,136)

13%

AA

19,418 (+2,198)

8%

Simmental

9,597 (-363)

4%

Other Beef Breeds

52,393 (+4,110)

TOTAL 227,937

22%

# Facebook and Twitter plays a very important role in getting the latest news, updates, and reminders of all the Society’s forthcoming sales, shows, events, and activitites.

So if you haven’t already why not ‘like’ the Society on Facebook or ‘follow’ us on Twitter. It’s a great way to network news to an ever-growing audience and to keep upto-date with all the news, as it happens, from the world of the UK’s number one beef breed!

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

BREEDERS’ SALES & GENERAL SALES

ROUND-UP

6000GNS MERESIDE FUMOSELLE TOPS THE EAST MIDLANDS LIMOUSIN CLUB SALE AT NEWARK • Cows and calves lead Newark Limousin trade

I

t was ladies day at the Autumn Limousin Day sale at Newark on Saturday (8 October), held on behalf of the East Midlands Limousin Club, with the pick of the prices paid for cows and calves from noted local herds.

Auctioneer Paul Gentry said trade was strong for well bred, correct cows with calves at foot and back in calf again. “There was a real demand for the quality outfits on offer, with the ability to buy three lives in one package once again tempting buyers to bid well.”

Topping the prices at 6000gns was a fourth calver from the Hazard family’s Mereside herd, Grantham. This was Mereside Fumoselle, a daughter of the imported sire Cidre and out of Mereside Umoselle, a Malibu daughter. She sold with a bull calf, Mereside Lennox, at foot by Honeymoor Favourite and was the choice of Andrew Bishop, Eldersfield, Gloucestershire. She has been AI’d to the British Blue sire Attribut De Fond De Bois.

Second best of the day at 4400gns was another from the same home and again a cow and calf outfit. This time it was an imported cow,

Daneuse, which caught the ringside’s attention. Sired by Uniprix, this French bred cow is out of Tendre, a Gabin daughter and sold with her fifth calf at foot, a crossbred bull calf by the Blue sire Embleme Du Pone De Messe, and having being AI to another Blue sire, Toscan Vd Ijzzer.

She was knocked down to the Bowring family, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

The best price in the bulls on offer was a brace of 3800gns calls, with the first coming for Calverton Lad from Richard and Judy Fountaine.

This Etudiant son, which was overall champion in the pre-sale show under judge Stephanie Dick, is out of Withersdale Dido, a Salomon daughter and sold to Ashley Smith, Cullump St Mary, Diss. Then making the same money was Trisant Loosecannon from G and E Jones. This Swarland Eddie son is out of Trisant Ffiffi, a Ronick Hawk daughter and sold to Anita Padfield, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth.

Averages; 20 bulls £2972.86, 51 cows with calves £2178.92, nine in-calf heifers £1967.82, 36 maiden heifers £1284.21, 34 dry cows £1161.79, 20 empty cows £903.62, 12 crossbred cows and calves £1627.94, 78 crossbred in-calf cows £962.81 (Newark Livestock Sales).

5100GNS SARKLEY LORENZO LEADS NW MIDLANDS & NORTH WALES LIMOUSIN CLUB SHOW & SALE

S

arkley Lorenzo, the June 2015 born Ampertaine Commander son from EH Pennie & Son, sold for 5100gns to lead the North West Midlands & North Wales Limousin Club Sale held at Welshpool on Saturday 26th November.

Lorenzo is out of Sarkley Heidi who goes back to the Didi family line. Purchasing the top price was MA Powell, Newtown.

Selling at 5000gns was the first entry to the sale ring, Dafolog Jimmy from DA Thomas.

A Lowerffrydd Easyrider sired calf out of the French bred dam Beaune, Jimmy was sold to WL Hamer, Montgomery.

At 4800gns was Garnedd Llanc from Ken Jones. Llanc is by Elite Hunter and out of

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Garnedd Brenhines. This bull was knocked down to TT Jones & Co, Powys.

Four lots earlier Garnedd Llywarch from the same vendor made 4600gns when selling to Neuaddgoch Farms, Powys. This May 2015 bull is

by Bremore Djerk and out of Garnedd Fame.

The females on offer topped at 1600gns for a maiden heifer shown by WL & JA Forrester.

Twemlows Lauder, a daughter of Twemlows Dynamite and out of a homebred daughter of Wilodge Vantastic. Lauder sold to J Roberts, Conwy.

Averages - 19 bulls £3514.74 and 5 heifers £1400.70

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BREEDERS’ SALES & GENERAL SALES

ROUND-UP

10,000GNS ROMFORD JOLA HEADS THE BREEDERS’ SALE AT CARLISLE • 15 females sell to average £4203.50

NEWS

LIMOUSIN

Romford Jola 10,000gns

A

small but high quality consignment of Limousin females were sold at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Breeders’ Sale held at Borderway, Carlisle on the evening of Friday 14th October from the pedigree herds of Roxburgh, Romford, Swalesmoor and Cowford respectively.

A call of 10,000gns saw the November 2014 born heifer Romford Jola top the sale for the Gordon Brook Estate, Upper Huntlywood Farm, Earlston, Berwickshire. Jola was born by embryo transfer and is sired by the muscle producer Carmorn Copilot and out of Sarkely Ola, who won Champion and Reserve Interbreed at the Royal Welsh Show 2000 as a heifer. Progeny from Sarkley Ola have sold to 25,000gns for Sarkley Dalola, Red Ladies Day Carlisle November 2009.

Romford Jola was described as ‘’a heifer with a great pedigree and explosive muscle” and she now heads to W Richardson & Son for their Mystyle herd, Ghyll House, Dufton, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.

Also heading home with W Richardson & Son was Swalesmoor Isla at 8,500gns from vendors Kedzlie Farms, Blainslie, Lauderdale, Galashiels.

Also born by embryo transfer the September 2013 Swalesmoor Isla was

Swalesmoor Isla 8,500gns

sold as an in calf heifer, having been inseminated by the 140,000gns Trueman Jagger and then having run with Dinmore Goldeneye and Miscombe Holande. Isla is sired by Wilodge Vantastic and is out of another Sarkley bred dam, Sarkley Edajen who was purchased by Kedzlie Farm for 30,000gns at the production sale from the Sarkley herd of Messrs EH Pennie & Son, Llandyssil, Montgomery back in August 2011.

ELLESMERE LIMOUSIN MAJOR REDUCTION SALE TOPS AT 4500GNS

T

he sale of the entire Ellesmere Limousin herd at Welshpool Market took place on Friday 6th January 2017 on behalf of Messrs AHM Lea & Son, Lee Bridges Farm, Ellesmere, Shropshire. What was classed as a major reduction sale was in effect a dispersal of the Ellesmere herd but with the family wishing to retain the Ellesmere prefix for family sentiment. The Lea family have been loyal, long supporters of the Limousin breed having establishing the herd back in 1972.

Heading up the sale was the outfit Ellesmere Ida and her bull calf Monty selling as a combined outfit for 4,500gns to RW & CS Richards, Park Farm, Craswell, Hereford. Ida, a January 2013 born daughter of the sire Uskudar is out of a Brockhurst Marshall bred mother Ellesmere Roxette. She sold with her 10 month old bull calf Ellesmere Monty who is sired

by another French sire Donzenac.

Ellesmere Ida was sold back in calf to the homebred herd sire Ellesmere Hugo, who is sired by the easy calving bull Chytodden Conan. By the close of the sale 61 Ellesmere Limousin animals sold in all to gross £152,955.

Second best price on the day went to another combined outfit in the shape of Ellesmere Givale and Ellesmere Margo who sold

for 3,750gns. First to sell was Givale who is sired by a homebred sire Ellesmere Byron and out of a Goldies Tango sired dam Ellesmere Civale. Sporting top 1% EBV figures for milk and maternal value she sold for 2,700gns to CP Goulding, The Yews, Park Lane, Penely, Nr Wrexham and was back in calf to the homebred sire Ellesmere Hugo. Her April 2016 born heifer calf Ellesmere Margo,

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sired by Ellesmere Hugo, then sold for 1,050gns to JJ Price & Co, The Farm, Glynbrochan, Llanidloes, Powys.

Making the same combined outfit price of 3,750gns was Ellesmere Habrina and Ellesmere Mario. Ellesmere Habrina, sired again by Uskudar and out of the Ellesmere Byron sired dam Ellesmere Esabrina, was sold back in calf to Ellesmere Hugo for 2,150gns to RA Jones, Red Gwenthrew, Sarn, Powys.

Her April 2016 born bull calf Ellesmere Mario, sired by Cowin Fendigeidfran made 1,600gns selling to K&H Griffiths, Carmel, Caernarfon.

AVERAGES: 39 cows served and/or suckling £2492.81 15 served heifers £2117.50 14 maiden heifers £1168.50 3 young bulls £2537.50

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

BREEDERS’ SALES & GENERAL SALES

ROUND-UP

EMSLIE’S SPRING CALVING HEIFER MAKES £5400

H

arry Emslie, Kinockie, Mintlaw enjoyed a strong day’s trading at the annual show and sale of calving heifers held at Thainstone Mart, Aberdeen on 25th October. The Champion single heifer was a Limousin cross, sired by Swarland Eddie, which made £5400 and sold to G Cameron, Newton Cottage, Acharacle. In all Harry sold 38 heifers on the day, a total clearance, to average a cracking £1900.

PRIESTLEY’S CHAMPION AT COCKERMOUTH

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hampion at Cockermouth Mart’s Christmas Show (28th Nov) was JM & SM Priestley, Cracrop Farm, with their Limousin cross heifer weighing 538kg and selling for 440 pence per kilo to £2367.

Purchase was the judge Stephen Wilson Family Butchers.

JC&J WHITE TOP BILLY WHIZZ WINS MIDDLETON IN THIRSK CALF FAIR TEASDALE SUCKLED aking the Overall Commercial Champion at the Thirsk Calf Fair on CALVES AT £3100 13th November was Billy Whizz. Sired

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C&J White, Rigg Farm, Lunedale, Barnard Castle topped a catalogue entry of 753 spring born suckled calves when selling their six month old Limousin heifer for £3100 at H&H’s Middleton in Teesdale mart on 8th November. The top price calf, sired by Keskadale Apollo, was also the day’s Supreme Champion. Purchaser was Mark Harryman, Swainsea Barn Farm, Pickering.

FOUNTAINE’S LIMOUSIN WINS AT THAME

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hame with the Vale of Aylesbury Christmas Primestock Show was judged on 30th November 2016 Mr P Lafferty who awarded the Champion to the Limousin x steer from G R Fountaine & Son. It went on to sell to local suppliers M J Ludgate & Son weighing 680kg at 290p/kg.

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by Ananas it was bought at Hexham Mart from Martyn Archer. Also the Steer Champ at GYAS and the National Limousin Show it was owned and shown by Rachael Mudd & Craig Bentley from Thirsk.

STEVENSONS TAKE THE TOP PRIZE AT WHARFEDALE

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op honours at the Christmas Fatstock Show and Sale on 5th December at Wharfedale, Otley went to Richard Stevenson, Farnley, Otley with a Homebred Limousin Steer sired by Cwmpedran Danzyjones. When sold it weighed 560kg and made 375p/kg or £2100, selling to James Robertshaw of Keelham Farm Shops in Skipton and Thornton, Bradford.

LIMOUSIN CHAMPION AT CARLISLE CHRISTMAS FATSTOCK

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eld on 5th December and won by a homebred Limousin Cross Steer sired

by Garrowby Hurricane. It was sold weighing 730kg @ 265p/kg to reach £1,934.50. It was purchased by the Judges - Messrs Webster of Taylors Farm Shop, Ormskirk, Lancashire.

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

FORTHCOMING SHOWS, SALES & EVENTS UP TO DECEMBER 2017 *All Sales are Official BLCS Sales unless stated otherwise

Friday 17th & Saturday 18th February Carlisle Bull Sale

Tuesday 9th May Northern Limousin Extravaganza & Sale, CCM Skipton*

Wednesday 1st March Thainstone Sale

Wednesday 10th - Saturday 13th May Belfast, Royal Balmoral Show

Saturday 4th March Brecon Sale

Saturday 7th October Newark Club Sale* Friday 13th & Saturday 14th October Carlisle Bull Sale

Saturday 13th May Brecon Sale

Sunday 22nd - Tuesday 24th October Stirling Bull Sale

Thursday 18th May Stoneleigh, Beef Expo

Friday 3rd November Carlisle, Agri Expo

Friday 16th June Carlisle Bull Sale

Saturday 11th November Brecon Sale

Monday 1st May Stirling Bull Sale

Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th June Edinburgh, Royal Highland Show

Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th November Staffordshire, English Winter Fair

Monday 1st May Ballymena Mart, BLCS Show & Sale of Bulls & Females

Friday 23rd June South West Limousin Summer Sale *

Friday 5th May Carlisle, Female Breeders Sale

Monday 24th – Thursday 27th July Powys, Royal Welsh Show

Saturday 1st April Newark Sale Bulls & Females Wednesday 26th April South West Limousin Spring Show and Sale of Pedigree Bull & Females*

Friday 5th & Saturday 6th May Carlisle Bull Sale

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Monday 27th & Tuesday 28th November Powys, Welsh Winter Fair Friday 8th December Red Ladies Derby & Weaned Calf Sale

Monday 28th August Hilltown Female Sale, Northern Ireland*

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MARKET SHORTS NEWTON STEWART : Selling

for the top price of 243.9p per kg were Limousin bullocks from W Gemmell & Son, Holm, Kirkcowan, with bullocks also selling to £1,120 for Limousins from Templeton, 7 South Balfern.

Heifers cashed in to average 206p or £850.05 having hit a top of 243.3p for Limousins from Holm.

OCTOBER

THAINSTONE : Heifer calves averaged 220.2p for a 404kg Limousin cross from Shenval, Ballindalloch. Store heifers averaged 213.8p and sold to 247.8p for a 448kg Limousin cross from Woodlands, Dingwall and £1,280 for a 492kg Limousin cross from Wattern Mains, Watten.

COCKERMOUTH : A Limousin cross heifer from The Powley family, Greenmarsh, secured the overall championship and the lead price of £1,470. A Limousin cross steer from Colt Park, Adlinham, lifted the reserve honours and sold for £1,300.

AYR : Topping the trade at 244.4p per kg was a pen of Limousin bullocks from Nether Ardroscale. Averaging 200.8p or £834.32 heifers peaked at 235.7p for a Limousin from Maxwelston.

CARLISLE : Heifers sold to £1,290 for a Limousin from A Graham, Kirkhouse Dairy, Kirkbean.

WOOLER : Martin Riddell had the top priced Limousin at £1,170, and the top priced Limousin heifer at £1,070. Any other breed champion was a Limousin heifer from RW Telford, Branton Eastside which went on to be sold for £980 to James Mather, Beech bank.

SEDGEMOOR : Steers peaked at 206.5p/kg for a Limousin cross.

DINGWALL : Overall a top of 351.5p per kg was paid for a 202kg Limousin cross bullock from 4 Bualnaluib, Alutbea. Heifers reached 320p for a Limousin cross from Corriebheinn Farms.

NEWS

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AMPERTAINE HERD WIN 2016 ‘CARLISLE THREE’ • Tweeddale place Reserve

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feature once again of the autumn 2016 sales was the ‘Carlisle Three’ award which is held each year at the close of the Championship judging at Carlisle in October. Keeping in line with the reasons it was first established the competition is a special award for the best pen of three home-bred bulls that are fully performance recorded. Winning the 2016 title was James McKay with a team from his Ampertaine herd based at Upperlands, Maghera, Co Derry. Heading up the team was Ampertaine Lieutenant who had earlier secured the Reserve Overall Supreme title.

An Ampertaine Gigolo son with a Beef Value of LM+41 this bull went on to sell for 10,000gns. The winning three was made up by two Ampertaine Elgin sons. The first of these was Ampertaine Luigi who is out of the Sympa sired Ampertaine Filomena. This bull with a Beef Value of LM+25 sold for 3500gns. Completing the team was Ampertaine Lordship who is

out of another Sympa daughter, Ampertaine Cindy. This time featuring a Beef Value of LM+27, Lordshsip was sold for 4500gns.

The prize for winning the Group of Three title saw James McKay take home a magnum of champagne, BLCS engraved whisky tumblers, and £300 in cash.

Lifting the Reserve award was

Jonathan Watson with an entry from his Tweeddale Herd based at Bowsden, Berwick upon Tweed.

Two of the team were sired by Goldies Goldmine. First up was Tweeddale Leonard who had a Beef Value of LM+39 and sold for 3800gns. He was followed by Tweeddale Logan (with a LM+37 Beef Value) who was knocked

down for 3200. Completing the line up was the Foxhillfarm Irishlad son Tweeddale Longfellow who had a Beef Value of LM+46 and sold for 3500gns. The Tweeddale Herd received an engraved Limousin glass tankard and a cash prize of £150. The award was sponsored by the British Limousin Cattle Society and Semenstore.

and weighing 745kg sold for 1,250 EUROS. Five Limousin cross heifers born April 2015 and weighing 401kg on average sold for 850 EUROS each.

Limousin cross heifers from Roger Bayliss.

CARLISLE : Steers averaged 193.6/kg for a Limousin with heifers averaging 197.8p/kg and peaked at 222.3p/kg for a Limousin.

SKIPTON : Selling for £1,390 the 2015 born Limousin cross from Peter Fox, Clitheroe, went home with K Littleworth & Sons, Horncastle.

Messrs Fox also took second and third prize with two 2015 born Limousin cross heifers which later sold to Bolster Moor Farm, Golcar, Huddersfield for £1,370 and £1,320 respectively. Top price in the young bull section was £1,340 for a Limousin cross from Simon Bennett, Silsden Moor.

STIRLING : Judge Will Hamilton of Bee Edge, Picked out a 348kg Limousin cross bullock from Cloquhat Farms as his reserve with this stot going on to lead the bullock section at 301.7p/kg and £1,050.

TIREE : Limousin crosses led most section at 334p for heifers from Mannal, 286p for bullocks from 10 Balevullin and Ruaig, £1,130 for bullocks from Whitehouse and £1,110 for heifers from Haylipol.

MARKET SHORTS STORNOWAY : Top priced

weaned cattle was a 245kg Limousin cross bullock from 11 Garyvard, Isle of Lewis, that topped at 326.5p per kg with a 305kg Limmy cross bullock from 7 Kershader, Isle of Lewis leading the gross trade at £840. Weaned heifers averaged 210.7p and sold to 265p for a 200kg Limousin cross from 23 Laxay, Lochs.

SKIBBEREEN EIRE : Three Limousin bulls born January 2016 and weighing 368kg on average sold to 890 EUROS each.

Limousin cross bullock, January 2015 born and weighing 635kg sold for 1,500 EUROS 2.36/kg.

Limousin cross dry cow May 2008

NOVEMBER

BALMORAL : Limousin bulls met with steady trade topping at 3,200gns paid to J&J Aiken, Dromara. Carnew Linesman is by Plumtree Deus and out of a Sympa dam.

KINGTON : Steers averaged 210p/kg and sold up to 242p/kg for some 17 month old Limousin cross steers from R&SM Watson. Heifers averaged 201p/kg and sold up to 218p/kg for some 18 month old

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

NEW ARRIVALS

The online semen website, www.semenstore. co.uk, has seen three new additions to its Limousin portfolio in recent weeks. Here we give you a flavour of what new bulls are available to purchase.

KARLOS

Quick info : £20.00 per straw; available Europe & Australasia Karlos, who was bred in Germany, is described as a real ‘meat machine' and is homozygous polled. With awesome shape, muscle and power, he is correct and balanced with tremendous width. Karlos has a superb temperament and is a total outcross pedigree. Karlos carries two copies of the F94L myostatin gene and has been tested as a non-carrier for Protoporphyria.

FENOMEN

Quick info : £50.00 per straw; available Europe & Australasia Described as a ‘A Sensational New Bloodline’, Fenomen was imported from France after winning at the 2014 National Show in Limoges. Commenting, the vendors say: “Fenomen is an exceptionally correct and sound bull, with great muscularity and length, he also has impressive power, stature and style.” His French figures place him in the upper echelons of the breed, with indices of 119 for Muscular Development, 110 for Skeletal Development and 115 for growth.

His UK figures are confirming the French statistics with his Beef Value climbing to LM41 on the strength of his first UK progeny. Fenomen carries 2 copies of the F94L gene. Protoporphyria tested negative and non-carrier.

GRANGEFORD JOJO

Quick Info: £20.00 per straw; £20 semen royalty, available Europe Overall Male Champion at the Irish National Limousin show in Tullamore 2015 as an eleven month old calf. That same day he was crowned Reserve Supreme Champion. Jojo is by the noted Ampertaine Elgin and is out of the tremendous cow, Goldies Flojo, who was purchased at the Goldies production sale for 10,500gns in 2012. Described as ‘extremely long, with tremendous width all through, is clean and very correct with a great turn of natural muscle. He has exceptional growth rates, weighing in at 800kgs at 400 days.’ He carries one copy of the F94L gene.

Procters Cavalier progeny in the Jarnagin Herd, USA

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SEMENSTORE SECURES EXPORT ORDER TO TENNESSEE, USA Semenstore has been delighted to facilitate an export order to Bertha and James Jarnagin of Jarnagin Limousins, Tennessee, USA. In 2016 the James’, with a little help from Harry Emslie, imported semen from Procters Cavalier and were subsequently delighted with the progeny which included five bulls and two heifers. Doing a little online browsing for Limousin Sires they came across Semenstore.

Commenting Bertha James said: “The site was very informative and being able to see progeny of some of the sires was very helpful to us.”

“We were attracted to UK Limousin semen because of the heavy muscling which is why we started our Limousin herd in 1985. The Limousin Breed in the United States has moved heavily to black Limflex to the point of losing the muscularity, easy fleshing and rate of growth of the Limousin breed. This in turn makes it extremely hard to find sires that are outcross to Fullblood Limousin genetics in the US. We hope in time that we can encourage Limousin breeders in the US to return to the characteristics of the Limousin Breed.”

In all the James’ chose four Limousin bulls with their order comprising of Procters Duvalier (conventional and female sexed); Bahut (conventional and female sexed); Titanic; and Wilodge Cerberus.

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Semenstore is a practical one-stop Limousin semen shop for vendors and buyers. Semenstore features:-

• On-line semen purchasing

• Export and domestic

• Automated service

• Competitive pricing

• Payment collection • Professional marketing • Semen for all markets

and costs

• Unique offers & packages • One-stop Limousin semen shop

www.semenstore.co.uk

L I M O U S I N NEWS

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ILC IN IRELAND,

WHAT A GREAT ‘CRAIC’!

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big congratulations to President Dan O’Mahony, Society Secretary Paul Sykes, and all of the organising team and members of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society who laid out such a warm welcome and put on such a fantastic 22nd International Limousin Congress in August 2016. Limousin breeders and enthusiasts from all around the world sampled some fantastic hospitality and saw at first hand just why Limousin is Ireland’s Number One Breed and plays such a big part in Irish agriculture and beef production. Included within the programme was highlight visits to the Glasson commercial herd and the Drummin, Ardlea, and Roundhill pedigree herds respectively. Throw in

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IRELAND

2016 International Limousin Congress

a National Pedigree Show and Sale of over 23 classes, and visits to all of the respective regions, and it really was a whirlwind snapshot of the Limousin breed In Ireland. Over the eight days a huge representation of UK delegates and visitors was in attendance and there was a heavy influence of British genetics throughout which was great to see at first hand. Duncan Hazard and Richard Bartle were also up front and centre as the judges at the National Show, whilst BLCS Chairman John Phillips was the judge at the NW Club Calf Show. Here in pictorial form is a reflection of what was a memorable ILC put on by our friends and neighbours in the Irish Limousin Cattle Society.

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NEWS

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LIMOUSIN

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LIMOUSIN

L I M O U S I N NEWS

IRELAND

2016 International Limousin Congress

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LIMOUSIN

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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

L I M O U S I N YOUNG LIMOUSIN

Current YLBC Officials Chairman

Stephanie Dick, Mains of Throsk, Stirling

Vice Chairman

Tom Illingworth, Howgillside, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie

Sponsorship Co-ordinator

John Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Stirling

Hon President

Mrs Kay Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Angus

YLBC Co-ordinator

Natalie Cormack - ylbc@limousin.co.uk

NATIONAL YOUNG YOUNG LIMMY HANDLERS STARS SHINE COMPETITION 2016 BRIGHTLY AT THE WELSH WINTER FAIR

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tars of the Future hosted the YLBC National Young Handlers competition at Stirling Agricultural Centre on Saturday 12th November. As usual the competition was very stiff, particularly in the Senior class, however the eventual winner of the Overall Young Handler came from the Intermediate class (15-18) Stuart Pirie, Chapelpark, Kingussie. Stuart won both the Daranside Memorial Shield and the YLBC Championship Cup along with a £20 voucher from Showtime. Vicky Ilingworth was a very worthy Reserve Overall, qualifying as winner of the Senior class (19-28).

Vicky took home the Beeches Salver and another £20 voucher from Showtime. Winner of the Junior class (up to 14) and the best newcomer (Les Wilson Trophy) was Connor McCallum. Full results are as follows (15 entries):

Juniors 1st Connor McCallum 2nd Jane Lindsay Intermediate 1st Stuart Pirie 2nd Brooks Carey 3rd Alan Lindsay

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Stuart Pirie, Champion Vicky Illingworth, Res Champion

Seniors 1st Vicky Illingworth 2nd Sean Kennedy 3rd Aileen Ritchie

Many thanks to Stars of the Future for their help and support to put on the competition within their busy judging schedule, along with Showtime and British Limousin Cattle Society for their sponsorship of prizes. Thanks also go to Ian Nattress for staying on after the breed classes to adjudicate and finally, and most importantly, to the exhibitors who loaned their cattle for some competitors to take part; Lodge Herd, Spittalton Herd, Corsairtly Herd, Annanview Herd and Grahams Herd - on behalf of YLBC, THANK YOU!

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his year at the Welsh Winter Fair saw our young Limousin stars coming to the fore once again. The Young Handlers Championship was won by the youngest competitor competing on the day, Elliw Wyn Roberts, and reserve was another young breeder, William Nicholls. At just 14, and being her first time competing at the Welsh Winter Fair she lifted top honours. Only days previously, at Anglesey Winter Fair, she was also tapped out champion as well as being Reserve Champion at Countryside Live earlier in the year. Since the age of 6, Elliw has been showing the cattle of fellow young breeder, Elfyn Wyn Jones.

This time she was leading Trisant Made in Chelsea. It is great to see members pulling together and helping our younger members get involved in events.

Out in the open show we also had Young Breeders leading cattle to Championships. Sean

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Kennedy from Ayrshire was at the halter of the overall cattle champion from Blair Duffton.

Sean, 22, is a newer member to the club and recently competed in his first YLBC event at our Young Handlers Championship at Stars of the Future gaining a very respectable 2nd in the senior section. At Ayrshire Young Farmers Calf Rally 2016 Sean was tapped out Champion, alongside having wins at some of his local shows, so he is no stranger to a red ribbon. He has recently started up his own Limousin herd under the “Coalhall” prefix and is patiently awaiting his first three heifers to calve in the spring. Reflecting back on the win at the Welsh Sean said “it was an extremely amazing and overwhelming experience; I didn’t quite realize the enormity of being supreme champion until after it was over.” So congratulations Sean and we wish you all the best for the future with your new herd!

YOUNG LIMOUSIN

LIMOUSIN

WINNING TEAMS AT ILC ANGLO-IRISH

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urther to the previous issue of Limousin please see here the four winning teams at the ILC AngloIrish Young Breeders stock judging held in Kilkenny in August 2016.

1. Republic of Ireland: Shannon and Aidan Kinahan, Owen Hester and Rachel Moloney.

2. Wales: Elfyn Wyn Jones, Angharad Williams, and Lowri Fflur Davies.

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2

3

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3. Scotland: Stephanie Dick, Andrew Adam and William Moir 4. England: Emily Wilson, Danny Escome and Joseph Mackley

PROFILE OF KYLE CRUIKSHANK, 15, OF THE CLURY HERD

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ithin our Young Limousin breeders club we have a lot of talented members that we feel will have a great impact on the future of the beef industry. One of these young rising individuals is Kyle Cruikshank, who is just 15, and has a very keen interest in his father, Walter Cruikshank’s, Clury herd that they run in Grantown on Spey in north Scotland. Kyle is the Stock Judging Convenor in his local young farmers club and has recently done a feature for the Press and Journal magazine which he tells about his great passion for farming as well as for the Limousin breed.

Tell us about your background in agriculture: “I have grown up on the family farm where we have commercial cattle mainly Limousin cross and the Clury herd of pedigree Limousin cattle, which has recently received 2 new additions from France, one of which is mine! When I’m not at school I’m always out helping on the farm in the day to day running’s in my free time. The farm is run by my parents and my Grandpa, I enjoy the showing side of farming, competing in the north show circuit and overwintering at Dingwall.”

What sparked your interest in agriculture?

“Growing up on a farm, I was introduced to agriculture from a very young age and have been out helping my Dad and Grandpa on the farm doing whatever needed done and going to the mart helping out selling the cattle.”

What is the most rewarding thing about working in the farming industry?

“Checking the cows and calves in the summer and seeing how the calves are thriving in the sun, when it actually makes an appearance. Also seeing the calves and bulls being sold, the hard work all becomes worthwhile!”

Where do you see the farming sector in 10 years times?

“The future of farming is looking very uncertain, with the vote to leave the EU and how the subsidies will be cut after 2020. But with modern technology getting better and improving agriculture, there will definitely be some big changes to agriculture within the next 10 years I think some maybe not for the best but we will just have to wait and see what the future holds.”

Kyle is heavily involved in his young farmers at home as well as our Young Breeders Club, he says to new members looking to get involved, not to be shy, just get in touch, come along to events and you won’t regret it! Many friends are made through the opportunities these clubs provide so that some good advice Kyle. It is great to see members getting recognition throughout the farming industry and we wish Kyle all the best for his future with his new French heifer!

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L I M O U S I N YOUNG LIMOUSIN

LIMMY LADS TAKE ON TORONTO’S ROYAL WINTER FAIR

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etween the 3rd and 11th of November 2016, the Limmy Lads, aka Thomas Illingworth, John Graham and Andrew Adam, took up residence at Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to compete against the best Canada had to offer in their annual 4H cattle dressing and handling championships.

The chance to compete was the result of having won the UK’s National Show Stars (Beef Section) back in March at Three Counties Showground.

Thomas, Andrew and John were accompanied in Toronto by Neil Lloyd and Chrissie Long, both members of the National Show Stars organising committee, and Drew Patrick, auctioneer at Hexham and Northern Marts, winner of the National Show Stars (Auctioneering Section).

There was no time wasted in transferring from the plane directly to the RAWF buildings, to meet the calves provided for them by Wellington County 4H group, who also supplied all grooming products and equipment, and crucially, plenty of tips on how to dress cattle – Canadian Style. An end to the first day provided an introduction to tie-outs, which is where all cattle are moved from the shed to outside stalls for overnight, directly under the inter-city rail line. Tie-outs were approx 1.5km from the main shed and served to keep the animals cool and healthy during their stay at RAWF, as the main shed is temperature controlled and too warm for 24 hour accommodation.

Competition at RAWF was characterised by 4.30 am starts to wash and blow dry the two Hereford and one Angus calves, provided. The lads

participated in the RAWF’s opening ceremony, along with the 200+ Canadian competitors, who qualified through regional heats. The opening ceremony was broadcast on national breakfast television and streamed online. All three lads competed in the National Junior Beef showmanship classes, sponsored by Master Feeds. The competition was extremely strong and quick, with only 5 minutes in the ring. The major challenge was getting to grips with setting up the heifers with their hind feet offset, rather than a leg in each corner, as would be expected in the UK. There were three age group sections, which were in turn split into heats. Three from each heat returned for a semi final in each section, before an eventual overall winner of each section and the Showmanship

competition as a whole were selected. The following day saw the same process repeated, but to compete for the National Junior Beef Heifer Show – conformation classes, which took into consideration how the animal was presented. Glue was applied only on the tail head and several coats on the legs. The remainder of the body was brushed forward at a 45 degree angle, instead of combing straight up, as would

be expected in the UK. Oil was applied to the rest of the coat on the body and on the shaved heads. John Graham’s heifer was placed 3rd in its class, while both Thomas and Andrew placed 4th in their respective classes. The Queen’s Guinea auction, held on the evening of Saturday 5th November, auctions the show’s fat stock champions. The champion sold for $13,500, which was lower than last year’s sale price. This sale was followed by the Royal Elite All-Breeds Sale, which was a selected group of bulls, females, pick of heifer crop, pick of a donor cow, guaranteed pregnancies, embryos and semen. A Limousin bull sold for $17,000 while two January 2016 born Angus heifers sold for $14,000 and $11,000 each.

Again, this sale average was

YLBC SUBSCRIPTIONS 2017 2017 Membership subscriptions are now due. The subscription fee is £6 (incl £1 VAT) and should be included with returned membership form which can be found in downloadable from on the website www.limousin.co.uk/young-breeders/ or on Facebook.

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back on previous years.

The lads split up on Sunday 6th, as John took the opportunity to prepare and show Clydesdale horses, through a contact from home, while the others spent the morning touring Toronto’s sites.

The afternoon saw all three help to prepare and show Limousin for the breed classes, courtesy of Rail Line Farms, owned by Paul and Christine Macintyre, along with their son Brad. Brad had won the showmanship competition earlier in the week.

The team were also helped by Mike Geddes, whom Thomas knew from a previous visit to Canada in 2001, and who had also been preparing Clydesdales with John during the morning session.

The remainder of the trip was organised into various farm visits, the first of which was to Erin to visit a butcher’s shop and accompanying restaurant. The next visit was to Gilbrea Farms, owned by Bob Wilson, who runs 100 head of Stabiliser cattle.

The enterprise concentrates exclusively on performance data collection, genetic testing and phenotypic evaluation.

Bob was able to use all the collected information through the Leachman $profit system, which uses specifically adapted BLUP evaluation to equate a profit score for each animal. A most interesting visit was to Posthaven Limousin herd, run by John and Ena Post. This small herd, with just 15 cows, made up of fullbloods, uses predominantly European polled genetics mixed with American full blood genetics. This year the herd has used both Wilodge Goldcard and Ronick Instagram to maintain the conformation of his cattle while still maintaining the polled traits.

This herd has found markets both commercially near home and into the States, while also selling

semen to Germany, Denmark and Posthaven Yellowstone into the UK. The lads were also fortunate to visit Top Meadows Herd, run by Mike Geddes, which Thomas had visited in 2001. Top Meadows runs both full blood French genetics together with both American and Canadian bloodlines. Top Meadows has previously held many on-farm sales and participated at top shows throughout North America.

In the interim, they have added some Australian bloodlines to enhance the black genetics demanded by their customers, and were certainly some of the best black Limousin cows seen on the trip.

The University of Guelph have a new $25m Dairy Research Facility/ Farm, and the Lads were joined by Neil Lloyd and the National Show Stars Dairy team winners to tour the new facility. The cows were fed on a TMR ration, supplemented by a trace element and nutrient gel.

The gel is altered on a daily basis to complement the TMR ration, ensuring that the daily nutrient intake remains constant given the daily difference in the TMR ration.

The shed was temperature controlled, aiming to maintain a constant temperature, whether -10 or +40 degrees outside. The original plans for the shed had included individually altered lighting for each cow, however this aspect was omitted on the basis of cost. The lads agreed that this had been a highlight of the trip.

The group then travelled to Mulmar Vista Farms, which ran 600 hybrid ewes, and a flock of 50 Texel ewes. Sheep farming is not a particularly large sector of the Canadian agricultural industry. It is estimated that there are only 650,000 breeding ewes in the country, and 25% of them are in Ontario. The

differences between UK and North American sheep farming was stark – Bill McCutcheon lambed at 4 different times over the year; November, JanuaryFebruary and May-June. The hybrid breed is a mix of 4 different breeds, and are fed on a maize silage diet. Slaughter weight is approximately 4550kg liveweight. The farm has selected heavily on feet problems since the 1980’s and boasts that it hasn’t had to trim a sheep’s foot since 1992.

The final visit for the day was to Maplestone Farm, owned by Bob and Carolyn Riddler, along with their granddaughter Alexa Avelar, who had been part of the Canadian Team that competed at National Show Stars in the UK in March. Maplestone is renowned in the Shorthorn breed, and would be sure to be able to compete against the best UK Shorthorns. They also bred Clydesdale horses and several different types of pigeons.

The Waterloo Farmers Market and Ontario Livestock Exchange, on the main day of the week for selling cull cows and fat cattle, was the destination for the beginning of the last full day of the trip. Surprisingly, there were only two buyers for over 1000 head of cattle on offer. The large selection of home grown produce is supplied by the local Mennonite and Amish communities. A tour of the surrounding area showed that these were some of the most productive and tidiest farms seen. Depending on the religious denomination, some of the farms had little or no electricity supply, and relied on self generated power and horses for transport and agricultural power. In contrast, the next visit was to Premier Equipment, the largest John Deere dealership in Ontario with its impressive

the british limousin cattle society

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LIMOUSIN

display of machinery, tractors and combines. The last evening before travel home allowed the lads to take in the Dairy Sale of Stars, back at RAWF, which saw 4 month old dairy calves change hands for as much as $154,000. The dairy stall and herd promotions were most impressive, and certainly on a different scale. The day was finished off with a highlight of the trip, a chance to visit and have dinner in the CN Tower to take in the views of Toronto at night as it slowly turns.

Highlights of the trip for the lads were many and definitely included the University of Guelph’s new Dairy facility, and both Top Meadows and Maplestone Farms. The lads all enjoyed the opportunity to see and work with some great cattle, along with the chance to prepare and show them on such a great stage within RAWF in Toronto – although it was a struggle getting to grips with the different way of dressing cattle given so little time to prepare!

Andrew Adam commented “ I enjoyed the whole experience, from National Show Stars right to the end of the brilliant trip to Canada. I particularly liked the black Limousin cows at Top Meadows, and the dairy research farm and how they analyse the cows and seek different ways to feed them”.

Thanks go to Karen Mansfield for her organisation and travel while we were in and around Toronto, the National Show Stars competition for providing this rare opportunity and for all the hard work that goes into the National Show Stars event in Malvern, the British Limousin Cattle Society for sponsoring us at both National Show Stars and helping us with some trip expenses, and Natalie for helping us to organise ourselves to make it all happen.

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

2016 BRITISH LIMOUSIN REGIONAL HERD COMPETITION RESULTS Scottish Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Henry Savage EXTRA LARGE 1st

Ronick

Mr R Dick

2nd

Maraiscote

Mr J Nimmo

3

Shannas

Mr & Mrs J Penny

1st

Spittalton

Mr J Burnett

2

Anside

Mr & Mrs S Irvine

3rd

Grahams

R & J Graham

rd

LARGE

nd

MEDIUM 1st

Lodge

Mr & Mrs W & A Callion

2

Alagils

Gill & Alasdair Macnab

3rd

Strawfrank

Allan Campbell

3

A Renton HSB Redden Partners

Meadowrig

1st

Stephick

Stephanie Dick

CALF BORN 2016 1ST APRIL ONWARDS

2nd

Aultside

Garry Patterson

1st

Grahams Melody

R & J Graham

3rd

Ritchies

Aileen Ritchie

2nd

Maraiscote Martini

Mr J Nimmo

3

Eagleside

Thomas Illingworth

3

Anside Mystique

Mr & Mrs S Irvine

nd

rd

SMALL

rd

OVERALL BEST HERD Spittalton

BULL BORN IN 2015 Mr J Burnett

RESERVE OVERALL BEST HERD Ronick

rd

Mr R Dick

1st

Maraiscote Lothario

Mr J Nimmo

2nd

Westpit Lowrie

A & J Gammie

3

Anside Loki

Mr & Mrs S Irvine

rd

HEIFER BORN IN 2015

BEST STOCK BULL 1st

Powerful Irish

Mr & Mrs S Irvine

1st

Grahams Lilly

R & J Graham

2

Foxhillfarm Impecabull

M J Massie & W F Cruikshank

2

Dinmore Lovely

A & J Gammie

3rd

Goldies Comet

Mr J Nimmo

3rd

Spittalton Limpulse

Mr J Burnett

nd

CALF BORN 1 JAN TO 31 MARCH 2016

nd

BEST COW FAMILY

ST

1st

Lodge Meribel

Mr & Mrs W & A Callion

1st

Ronick Doreen

Mr R Dick

2

Ronick Maiden

Mr R Dick

2

Alagils Ainsi

Alasdair & Gill Macnab

3rd

Meadowrig Maeva

A Renton & HSB Redden Partners

3rd

Spittalton Derry

Mr J Burnett

nd

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LIMOUSIN

nd

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MAKING BVD HISTORY EXPERIENCE THE LIVE VACCINE DIFFERENCE

Now that we’re moving from BVD control to eradication, and with BVD estimated to cost £40 per cow per year1,2, you’ll want a vaccine that is proven to deliver a full 12 months’ prevention of foetal infection after a single injection.

Not only protecting against both types of BVD, but also proven to stimulate both antibody and cellular immunity3.

Ask your vet for more information.

Dual protection made simple References: 1. Stott et al (2010) Vet J 185: 138–143 2. Stott et al (2012) IVJ 65:12 3. Roth (2016) WBC Dublin Proceedings *Proven to prevent the birth of PI calves caused by transplacental infection by BVDV for 12 months when Bovela has been used as recommended in the product label (SPC).

Advice on the use of Bovela or other therapies should be sought from your veterinary surgeon. Bovela lyophilisate and solvent for suspension for injection for cattle contains modifi ed live BVDV-1, non-cytopathic parent strain KE-9: 104.0 –106.0 TCID50, Modifi ed live BVDV-2, non-cytopathic parent strain NY-93: 104.0 –106.0 TCID50. UK: POM-V. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Limited, Vetmedica, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YS, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1344 746959 (sales) or +44 (0)1344 746957 (technical). Email: vetmedica.uk@boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Date of preparation: Jan 2017. AHD9692. Use Medicines Responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible).

L I M O U S I N NEWS

North West Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Ian Turner EXTRA LARGE 1st

Whinfellpark

Messrs Jenkinson

2

Norman

Mr E & Mrs E Norman

1st

Procters

Procters Farm Ltd

2nd

Gunnerfleet

Ian Handley

3

Netherhall

David & Maggie Kelly

nd

LARGE

rd

MEDIUM 1st

Maybe

Mr & Mrs D & R Cornthwaite

2

Gallaber

Mr T Sedgwick

BEST YOUNGSTOCK

3rd

Wiggonby

Mr S Bowe

1st

Procters

Procters Farm Ltd

3

Tallyrock

Mr A Myerscough

2

Whinfellpark

Messrs Jenkinson

3rd

Kinniside

Mr & Mrs G & A Mars

Tallyrock

Mr A Myerscough

nd

rd

SMALL

nd

1

Lowflan

Ian Wilson & Carol Wood

3

2nd

Arradfoot

Thor Atkinson

BEST YOUNG BULL

3rd

Barbondale

MWM & JE Shuttleworth

1st

Whinfellpark Lomu

Messrs Jenkinson

2nd

Brontemoor Laidlaw

JM & SM Priestley

st

EXTRA SMALL

rd

1

Angiean

IK & AM Grisedale

3

Wiggonby Lord

Mr S Bowe

2

Impulsive

Steven Wilson

3

Gunnerfleet Lion

Ian Handley

3rd

Valleyview

Miss Gemma Slater

BEST YOUNG HEIFER

3rd

Dentview

Mr M Slater

1st

Norman Lnora

Mr E & Mrs E Norman

2nd

Maybe Legal

Mr & Mrs D & R Cornthwaite

3

Gunnerfleet Lady

Ian Handley

st nd

OVERALL BEST HERD Procters

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LIMOUSIN

Procters Farm Ltd

rd rd

rd

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LIMOUSIN

North East Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Mary Reynolds EXTRA LARGE 1st

Tomschoice

JM & SP Cooper

2

Longhirst

Mr JW Jordan

3rd

Cornsay

WI Suddes & Sons

1st

Scorboro

Messrs JCG Bloom

2nd

Oddacres

Mr AJ Mason

3

Rachels

D & MLP Woolhouse

nd

LARGE

rd

MEDIUM 1st

Barrons

Mr W Barron

2nd

Swale

Mr WE Swales

3

Rossellie

Peter R Walker & Son

1st

Lissett

JH Tennant Ltd

2

Hollingreave

Mr S Littlewood

3rd

Tancredgrange

Barker Farming Partnership

rd

SMALL

nd

EXTRA SMALL 1st

Kaprico

Mrs C Stafford

2

Queenshead

Mrs PM Varley

3rd

Almande

Mr A Morgan & Mr JC Johnson

nd

OVERALL BEST HERD Scorboro

Messrs JCG Bloom

RESERVE OVERALL BEST HERD Barrons

Mr W Barron

NEW ENTRANT Haneve

Mr JA Murray

BEST STOCK BULL & PROGENY 1st

Procters General

D & MLP Woolhouse

2nd

Spittalton Gigolo

Mr DW Jordan

3

Gallois

Mr AJ Mason

rd

CALF BORN IN 2016 1st

Barrons Maisey

Mr W Barron

2nd

Oddacres Micario

Mr AJ Mason

3

Lissett Monique

JH Tennant Ltd

rd

YOUNG BULL 1st

Haneve Luigi

Mr JA Murray

nd

2

Hollingreave Lesmar

Mr S Littlewood

3rd

Tomschoice Lacoste

JM & SP Cooper

YOUNG HEIFER 1st

Longhirst Lucinda

Mr DW Jordan

2

Kaprico Larch

Mrs C Stafford

3rd

Oddacres Lalique

Mr AJ Mason

nd

BEST STOCKBULL

BEST COW & CALF 1

Queenshead Izzie & Millie

Mrs PM Varley

1st

Fenomen

Messrs JCG Bloom

2

Swale Imwealthy & Lakeman

Mr WE Swales

2nd

Normans Infusion

JH Tennant Ltd

3

Scorboro Georgette & Magnum

Messrs JCG Bloom

3

Homebyres Jamie

Mr W Barron

st nd rd

rd

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

Northern Ireland Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Andrew Proctor LARGE 1st

Ampertaine

W J & J McKay

2

Culnagechan

Mr D Hume

3rd

Millgate

Mr M Loughran

nd

MEDIUM 1st

Trueman

Henry Savage

2

Ballyrobin

Miss J Gilliland

3rd

Shanhill

Mr L Crilly

1st

Claragh

Mr J D Rainey

2nd

Larkhill

Mr B McAuley

3

Derriaghy

D G Green

nd

SMALL

rd

BEST STOCK BULL 1st

Culnagechan

Mr D Hume

2nd

Lynderg

Mr J Quail

3rd

Bridgeview

Mr G M McCague

BULL BORN IN 2016 1st

Millgate Mint

Mr M Loughran

2nd

Gorrycam Major

Mr S Reel

3

Tullyglush Majestic

Mr P J Macdonald

rd

HEIFER BORN IN 2016 1st

Trueman Minogue

Henry Savage

2nd

Gorrycam Molly

Mr S Reel

3

Ampertaine Maple

W J & J McKay

rd

BULL BORN IN 2015 1st

Ampertaine Lewis

W J & J McKay

2nd

Culnagechan Lordmountbatton

Mr D Hume

3

Mcparlands Liteforever

James McParland

rd

HEIFER BORN IN 2015 1st

Culnagechan Lethal

Mr D Hume

2nd

Claragh Lily

Mr J D Rainey

3

Ampertaine Lucilla

W J & J McKay

rd

BEST CALVES BY STOCKBULL 1st

Iveagh Gilkes

Mr D Hume

2nd

Lynderg Hero

Mr J Quail

3

Donnelly Hernando

Mr J M McCague

rd

BEST COW FAMILY 1st

Kype Sharon

W J & J McKay

2

Haltcliffe Avon

Mr J D Rainey

3rd

Trueman Euphorium

Henry Savage

nd

BEST GROUP OF CALVES 1st

Ampertaine

W J & J McKay

2

Gorrycam

Mr S Reel

3rd

Trueman

Henry Savage

nd

BEST NEWCOMER Ballyhone

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Brian Hall

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LIMOUSIN

Commercial results LARGE 1st

Owen Crawford

2

Simon Moore

nd

Douglas McKenzie

3rd SMALL 1st

Mark Doyle

2

Charlie Beverland

nd

3rd

Alexander Ross

BEST BULL CALF 1st

Mark Doyle

2

nd

Alexander Ross

3

rd

Charlie Beverland

BEST HEIFER CALF 1st

Robert Millar

2nd

Charlie Beverland

3

Owen Crawford

rd

BEST GROUP OF CALVES 1st

Mark Doyle

2nd

Simon Moore

3

Alex Ross

rd

LIMOUSIN OF THE YEAR McParlands Liteforever James McParland SHOW TEAM OF THE YEAR Larry Crilly of Shanhill herd GORDON’S BULL FOR THE MOST LIMOUSIN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE YEAR Larry Crilly SASKIA CUP Shanhill Jodie

Larry Crilly

DERRRIAGHY CUP Carnew Legend J & J Aiken VICTOR WOODS TROPHY Kim Steele Nicholson (Young breeder) WATERFORD CRYSTAL GIVEN TO RETIRING SECRETARY HEATHER HUME

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

East Midlands Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Thomas Illingworth EXTRA LARGE 1st

Mereside

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

2

Mcturk

Manby Farms Ltd

3rd

Bassingbourn

Mr D F Turner

1st

Brockhurst

W J Mash Ltd

2

Fieldson

J W & M C Fieldson

3rd

Gascoines

Gascoines Group Ltd

nd

LARGE

nd

MEDIUM 1st

Cockleshell

Mr I Pitcher

2nd

Bosworth

Mr R Lawrence

3

Teviothead

D R & R L Burns

1st

Plumtree

Paul Cairns

2nd

Greensons

Greensons Limousins

3

Bassingfield

John L Crofts

rd

SMALL

rd

EXTRA SMALL 1st

Rempstone

Miss H C Burton

2nd

Lowgate

Ian Brown

3rd

Blackfriar

M D & M W Morton

OVERALL BEST HERD Mereside

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

RESERVE OVERALL BEST HERD Brockhurst

HEIFER CALF BORN UNDER 1 YEAR 1st

Mereside Lucinder

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

2nd

Bassingfield Millijen

John L Crofts

3

Brockhurst Marie

W J & M Mash Ltd

rd

BULL 1 TO 2 YEARS 1st

Gascoines Lumberjack

Gascoines Group Ltd

2nd

Mereside Lionheart

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

3

Fieldson Jammy

J W & M C Fieldson

rd

W J & M Mash Ltd

BEST STOCK BULL & PROGENY 1st

Mereside Hannibal

Mr I Pitcher

2nd

Haltcliffe Dancer

Mr D F Turner

3rd

Honeymoor Favourite

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

HEIFER 1 TO 2 YEARS 1st

Rempstone Ladyempress

Miss H C Burton

2

Mereside Jessiej

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

3rd

Brockhurst Littlegem

W J & M Mash Ltd

nd

BEST COW & CALF

BULL CALF BORN UNDER 1 YEAR 1st

Sarkley Ellajen & Bassingfield Millijen

John L Crofts

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

2nd

Fieldson Florence & Mahrez

J W & M C Fieldson

Hales Farm

rd

3

Twinoaks Hindy & Mandy

J H Duffin & Sons

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1st

Bassingfield Machoman

John L Crofts

2nd

Mereside Longbow

3

Hales Maximus

rd

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NEWS

LIMOUSIN

North West Midlands & North Wales Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Patrick Greed EXTRA LARGE 1st

Garyvaughan

Mr CV Lewis

2nd

Twemlows

WL & JA Forrester

3

Winnington

JS & SM Vance

3

Chatsworth

Chatsworth Settlement

1st

Garmon

Mrs S Lloyd Jones

2nd

Mayfields

AJ Clark

3

Ashledge

AG Kirton & Sons

rd rd

LARGE

rd

MEDIUM 1st

Pabo

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

2nd

Roughley

Walter Smith Farms Ltd

3

Simse

E & J Sims

1st

Myfyrian

G Roberts

2

Kathray

Mr & Mrs RK Bird

3rd

Ternvalley

AJ & SD Heath

3

Temeside

VAS & TVS Corbett

rd

SMALL

nd

rd

HEIFER CALF BORN IN 2016

EXTRA SMALL 1

Hollyash

J & G Burrough

1st

Kathray Mevidile

Mr & Mrs RK Bird

2nd

Aldan

Mr GW Jones

2nd

Garmorn Madonna

Mrs S Lloyd Jones

3

Gorswen

Mr C Roberts

3

Twemlows Margory

WL & JA Forrester

st

rd

BULL BORN IN 2015

CHAMPION SMALL HERD Pabo

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

CHAMPION LARGE & OVERALL HERD Garyvaughan

rd

1st

Pabo Legend

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

2

Simse Lonny

E & J Sims

3rd

Garyvaughan Longtain

Mr CV Lewis

nd

Mr CV Lewis

HEIFER BORN IN 2015

BEST STOCK BULL & PROGENY 1st

Overthwaite Ben

Mrs S Lloyd Jones

1st

Mayfields Lizzie

AJ Clark

2

Idaho

AJ Clark

2

Pabo Lucy

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

3rd

Norman Harvest

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

3rd

Garyvaughan Loreen

Mr CV Lewis

nd

nd

BEST YOUNGSTOCK

BULL CALF BORN IN 2016 1

Pabo Muscle

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

1st

Garyvaughan

Mr CV Lewis

2

Garyvaughan Max

Mr CV Lewis

2nd

Pabo

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

3

Garmorn Myfyr

Mrs S Lloyd Jones

3

Twemlows

WL & JA Forrester

st nd rd

rd

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South Wales & Mid West Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Glyn & Nia Vaughan EXTRA LARGE 1st

Hannem

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

2

Mynach

Messrs ED Griffiths

3rd

Cowin

WDD & C James

1st

Beulah

JM & MJ Price

2

Deri

Mr & Mrs TB Griffiths

3rd

Tynewydd

Mr GM Jenkins

3

Treweryll

A & D Thomas

nd

LARGE

nd

rd

MEDIUM 1st

Reddragon

TE & HE Price

2

Tierston

Mrs DB Davies

3rd

Glyncoed

JH Davies & Co

1st

Frogmore

Chris White

2

Calogale

GJ Lee & CM Lloyd

3rd

Redskins

Mr JV & Mrs K Brown

nd

SMALL

nd

OVERALL BEST HERD Hannem

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

BEST STOCK BULL & PROGENY 1st

Dinmore Harry

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

2nd

Fasteux

TE & HE Price

3

Dinmore Gameboy

Mr & Mrs TB Griffiths

rd

BULL BORN AFTER 1/2/16 1st

Reddragon Magicmike

TE & HE Price

2nd

Beulah Messi

MJ & JM Price

3

Redskins Mohican

Mr JV & Mrs K Brown

rd

HEIFER BORN AFTER 1/2/16 1st

Hannem Mojito

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

2

Beulah Mo

MJ & JM Price

3rd

Cowin Mxcell

WDD & C James

nd

BULL BORN 1/8/15 TO 31/1/16 1st

Tynewydd Mealamu

Mr GM Jenkins

2

Cowin Larryman

WDD & C James

3rd

Beulah Legacy

MJ & JM Price

nd

HEIFER BORN 1/8/15 TO 31/1/16 1st

Frogmore Lovely

Chris White

2nd

Mynach Latvia

Messrs ED Griffiths

3

Hannem Mary

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

3rd

Beulah Lulu

MJ & JM Price

rd

YOUNGSTOCK 1st

Frogmore

Chris White

2

Beulah

MJ & JM Price

3rd

Hannem

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

3

Mynach

Messrs ED Griffiths

nd

rd

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NEWS

LIMOUSIN

South West Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Colin Lewis LARGE 1st

Loosebeare

EW Quick & Sons

nd

2

Nealford

JH Neale & Sons

3rd

Killerton

Mr & Mrs PW & SM Greed

MEDIUM 1st

Stourhead

Mr & Mrs H & JL Parker

2

Treloweth

AMC Eddy

3rd

Chytodden

Mr & Mrs G Hollow

nd

SMALL

BULL CALF BORN 2016 1st

Foxhillfarm Manhattan

Mr & Mrs M Alford

1

Foxhillfarm

Mr & Mrs M Alford

2

Killerton Malachite

Mr & Mrs PW & SM Greed

2nd

Smithy

AK & JK Smith

3rd

Loosebeare Majestic

EW Quick & Sons

3

Woodston

MD & KE Lanfear

HEIFER CALF BORN 2016

st

rd

NEW ENTRANT st

1

Foxhillfarm

2nd

Rochecourt

3

Sidborough

rd

1st

Loosebeare Mia

EW Quick & Sons

Mr & Mrs M Alford

2

Foxhillfarm Mammamia

Mr & Mrs M Alford

Lady Bessborough

3rd

Highridge Mizola

GN & LV Dunn

C&S Partridge

3

Nealford Mcainsi

JH Neale & Sons

EW Quick & Sons

RESERVE OVERALL BEST HERD Foxhillfarm

nd

rd

BULL BORN IN 2015

OVERALL BEST HERD Loosebeare

nd

1st

Foxhillfarm Lordofthering

Mr & Mrs M Alford

2

Loosebeare Luke

EW Quick & Sons

3rd

Killerton Longjohn

Mr & Mrs PW & SM Greed

nd

Mr & Mrs M Alford

HEIFER BORN IN 2015

BEST STOCK BULL & PROGENY 1st

Loosebeare Fantastic

EW Quick & Sons

1st

Foxhillfarm Looksthepart

Mr & Mrs M Alford

2

Ampertaine Inferno

JH Neale & Sons

2

Smithy Lacey

AK & JK Smith

3rd

Loosebeare Ipad

CR & MM Gollop & Sons

3rd

Nealford Ladydi

JH Neale & Sons

nd

nd

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

South East Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2016 Judge: Mary Cormack LARGE 1st

Castlethorpe

Mr J Stacey

2nd

Applesham

Mr WD Passmore

MEDIUM 1st

Gotham

Mrs M Davis

2

Thorndean

Thorndean Farms

3rd

Stratton

Stratton Farms

1st

Pelham

Mr C Atkins

2

Woodfield

Ben Maskell/Sarah Lisney

nd

SMALL

nd

OVERALL BEST HERD Gotham

Mrs M Davis

RESERVE OVERALL BEST HERD Castlethorpe

Mr J Stacey

BEST STOCK BULL 1st

Maraiscote Geronimo

Stratton Farms

2

Tomschoice Hurricane

Mr J Stacey

3rd

Wealden Goldfinger

Mr B Baker

nd

Commercial results Judge: Richard Bartle LARGE

BULL BORN IN 2016 1

Castlethorpe Max

Mr J Stacey

1st

Stratton Farms

2

Wealden Mandrake

Mr B Baker

2nd

Tim Piper

3

Thorndean Musht

Thorndean Farms

3

Brian Foster

st nd rd

rd

SMALL

HEIFER BORN IN 2016 1st

Castlethorpe Money

Mr J Stacey

1st

Mrs Clutterbuck

2nd

Thorndean Mw

Thorndean Farms

2nd

John Hobden

3

Stratton Mango

Stratton Farms

3

Andrew Holt

rd

rd

OVERALL BEST HERD

BULL BORN IN 2015 1st

Thorndean Liquidgold

Thorndean Farms

2nd

Stratton Leo

Stratton Farms

3rd

Gotham Lionheart

Mrs M Davis

HEIFER BORN IN 2014

Stratton Farms RESERVE OVERALL BEST HERD Tim Piper BEST STOCKBULL

1st

Gotham Jessiej

Mrs M Davis

1st

Maraiscote Geronimo

Stratton Farms

2

Wealden Anita

Mr B Baker

2

Haltcliffe Ibis

David Hicks

3rd

Castlethorpe Jazzy

Mr J Stacey

3rd

Brockhurst Houdini

Andrew Holt

nd

nd

BEST LIM X STEER

HEIFER BORN IN 2015 1st

Wealden Lobelia

Ben Maskell & Sarah Lisney

1st

David Hicks

2

Gotham Lightstar

Mrs M Davis

2

Stratton Farms

3rd

Wealden Lorette

Mr B Baker

3rd

nd

BEST COW & CALF

nd

Andrew Holt

BEST LIM X HEIFER

1

Thorndean Cw & Mistress

Thorndean Farms

1st

Mrs Clutterbuck

2

Castlethorpe Harley & Max

Mr J Stacey

2nd

David Hicks

3

Wealden Goldilocks & Mandrake

Mr B Baker

3

Vincent Baker

st nd rd

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NEWS

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LIMOUSIN-SIRED CALVES REQUIRED Limousin or Limousin-cross steer calves required for the Beef Feed Efficiency Programme; an initiative aiming to produce Estimated Breeding Values for traits associated with Feed Efficiency.

Ideally calves will be • Dairy or suckler-bred steer calves • In groups of 8-16 head by the same registered (or previously registered) Limousin bull or Limousin AI sire. The bull must be known but need not be identified on the passport.

• be aged from 2 weeks up to approximately 7 months old Market prices will be paid for any selected cattle or calves can be provided on a retained ownership arrangement. For more information please contact Natalie Cormack, Project Manager on 07866 934563, natalie. cormack@ahdb.org.uk or Alison Glasgow, Limousin Society on 07885 255621, alison@limousin.co.uk

The programme is funded by DEFRA and AHDB http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/research/geneticselection/genetic-selection-beef/beef-feed-efficiency/

Elite Ice Cream Ampertaine Elgin x Emerson.

Roundhill LUnamine 1656 a 7 month old weanling heifer sold for €10,000.

Elite Forever Brill (TVR) Consistently producing heavily muscled pedigree and commercial progeny.

Sire of Price Tag, Supreme Champion Livescot 2015.

2017 Beef Sires Catalogue available KBS Genetic Auction Sale at SIMA Paris 01/03/2017

07970 481 956

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Ivoire PP (Homo Polled) Tigris x Clovis. First progeny are easily born, well muscled, correct and stylish.

Ivoire son pictured above at 7 months old.

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BASCO LIMOUSIN PERFORMANCE RECORDING

L I M O U S I N NEWS

RESULTS FROM THE NOVEMBER 2016 EBV & GEBV UPDATE With the introduction of Genomic Breeding Values (GEBVs) for Carcase Traits, there are many more traits where leading animals in the breed can be identified. The following tables therefore report on sires and young bulls only.

To widen the criteria to females, or to choose your own criteria, please go to www.basco.org, click on ‘Beef Search’ then ‘EBV Search’. You can then select the animal groups and traits you are most interested in.

November 2016 Leading Carcase Traits Sires The GEBVs now available for Limousin cover a range of eight Carcase Traits (Carcase Weight, Age at Slaughter and six primal cuts) and are based on weekly downloads of VIA measurements from Limousin-bred cattle in five of ABP Food Group’s abattoirs in combination with individual animal DNA. A Retail Yield index is also produced; this is an economically weighted index comprising the breeding values of the six primal cuts (Fillet, Striploin, Rump, Silverside, Topside and Knuckle).

The first GEBV evaluation for Limousin – and indeed the first of its kind for any beef breed in the UK – was produced exactly 12 months ago. GEBVs are now produced for over 5000 animals using abattoir measurements in combination with animal DNA to produce breeding values that can be used in exactly the same way as EBVs.

FILLET GEBV/EBV (KG) STRIPLOIN GEBV/EBV (KG) RUMP GEBV/EBV (KG) SILVERSIDE GEBV/EBV (KG) TOPSIDE GEBV/EBV (KG)

RETAIL VALUE

All of this means that producers of pedigree and commercially-bred Limousin cattle now have breeding values at their disposal to identify animals with the genetics to not only perform well to 400 days for the traditionally-measured traits, such as growth, but that will also go on and perform well through to slaughter. Irrespective of end market, the value of stock that can do this is considerable.

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It is important to note that the new breeding values for the six primal cuts are adjusted to a standard carcase weight of 350kgs…

• In other words, animals with high GEBVs for these traits are animals with the genetics to produce higher weights of prime cut as a proportion of a 350kg carcase.

• The Carcase Weight breeding values will identify animals with the genetics to produce heavier carcase weights.

• And Age at Slaughter will identify the animals that get there quickly!

KNUCKLE GEBV/EBV (KG)

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All three elements in combination are therefore important to most types of beef enterprise

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The following table details the leading Limousin bulls for Age to Slaughter GEBV/EBV (see note1) that also meet the following criteria: • • •

The bull’s breeding values are published on the Limousin database (www.basco.org) The bull has sired a calf within the last three years (since 1st February 2014) The bull’s Carcase Weight and Retail Breeding Values are equal to and above the 2017 Breed Average of 4.2kg and LM21R respectively.

Animals are listed by their Age at Slaughter breeding value in descending order. The Calving Ease EBV for each animal is included as a point of reference only. Accuracy values are shown as % alongside each breeding value.

Carcase Trait EBVs are made available as part of the process that produces the GEBVs. (The GEBVs use information from the animal’s DNA in their calculation. The EBVs do not, but both use the same slaughter records obtained from the abattoir). Where an animal’s accuracy % for the EBVs is greater than 50%, the values are automatically published for that animal on the Limousin database. The way in which both types of value should be interpreted and used is the same.

1

BREEDING VALUES

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 NEW

SLAUGHTER AGE (DAYS)

CARCASE WT (KG)

RETAIL VALUE (POINTS)

CALVING EASE (%)

JF & MB Teague Teague herd Edinburgh

-20 (53%)

12 (59%)

LM36R (59%)

-7.0 (73%)

SJ Mitchell Bencraig herd Morayshire

SJ Mitchell Bencraig herd Morayshire

-7 (52%)

11 (57%)

LM30R (57%)

-5.7 (75%)

Bickertonhall Eric - UK 562482/300318 DoB: 06/04/2009 No Calves: 19 Sire: Grahams Unbeatable

JR Hamilton & Sons Bickertonhall herd Lothian

JR Hamilton & Sons Bickertonhall herd Lothian

-6 (80%)

33 (86%)

LM28R (86%)

-4.1 (68%)

Derriaghy Enfield - UK 9041936/0077-5 DoB: 07/06/2009 No Calves: 243 Sire: Broadmeadows Cannon

DG Green Derriaghy herd Co Antrim

Mr H Emslie and Mr & Mrs S Irvine Aberdeenshire

-5 (66%)

12 (71%)

LM34R (70%)

-5.6 (94%)

Bailea BMW - UK 720297/101149 DoB: 09/06/2006 No Calves: 191 Sire: 5331 Requin

Mr MT Jones Bailea herd Powys

Mr H Emslie Emslies herd Aberdeenshire

-4 (68%)

13 (74%)

LM29R (73%)

-3.4 (93%)

Ronick Luke - UK S1166/00010 DoB: 06/01/1995 No Calves: 490 Sire: Broadmeadows Cannon

Mr R Dick Ronick herd Stirling

Mr P Edmondson Seathwaite herd Cumbria

-3 (57%)

15 (61%)

LM36R (61%)

-6.8 (97%)

Livet Drogba - UK 522609/100384 DoB: 04/01/2008 No Calves: 1 Sire: 0473 Rubis

Mr S Duncan Livet herd Aberdeenshire

Mr A Duncan Duncans herd Aberdeenshire

-3 (51%)

4 (60%)

LM28R (59%)

-2.8 (51%)

Mr J Logan Homebyres herd Roxburghshire

-1.0 (63%)

10 (72%)

LM40R (71%)

-3.2 (76%)

BULL NAME

BRED

OWNED

Spittalton General - UK 542794/100525 DoB: 23/02/2011 No Calves: 20 Sire: Wilodge Vantastic

Mr J Burnett & Sons Spittalton herd Stirling

Bencraig Archie - UK 521755/600200 DoB: 04/01/2005 No Calves: 54 Sire: Nenuphar

8

Alagils GT - UK 502062/700162 DoB: 15/02/2011 No Calves: 16 Sire: Tehix

9

Marlepark Edward - UK 583471/301276 DoB: 28/03/2009 No Calves: 20 Sire: Ampertaine Bravo

R K Fisher & Co Marlepark herd Fife

Mr J Thomson Beath herd Fife

0.0 (63%)

30 (71%)

LM25R (70%)

-0.1 (77%)

Newhouse Hartley - UK 540209/301069 DoB: 07/07/2012 No Calves: 40 Sire: Rosecroft Duke

RM Adam & Son Newhouse herd Angus

Mrs P Blair Littleinch herd Fife

1 (54%)

18 (61%)

LM37R (60%)

-1.8 (79%)

NEW

10 NEW

Messrs Macnab Alagils herd Inverness

Further information on Carcase Trait GEBVs can be found in this Magazine and at www.genesure.co.uk.

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

November 2016 Maternal Sires The most recent Limousin EBV (Estimated Breeding Value) update was carried out on 27th October 2016. The following tables list all stock sires and young bulls 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 AGE AT 1ST CALVING 200 DAY MILK WEIGHT MATERNAL CALVING EASE

MATERNAL VALUE

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.

November 2016 Leading Maternal Stock Sires The league table below identifies the current Top 10 Limousin sires according to the following criteria: • • • • • •

All bulls are born on or before 27th October 2013 (ie are older than 3 years of age at time of update) All bulls have a calf registered in the last three years (ie since 27th October 2013) All bulls have the highest Maternal Value recorded in the Nov 2016 EBV Update All bulls have Calving Ease EBVs greater than or equal to the 2017 breed average of -2.2% All bulls have a Beef Value greater than or equal to the 2017 breed average of LM24 All bulls have a 200 Day Milk EBV greater than or equal to the 2017 breed average of -1kg.

BULL NAME

BRED

OWNED

MATER-NAL VALUE (PTS)

CALV. EASE EBV (%)

BEEF VALUE (PTS)

200 DAY MILK EBV (KG)

Haltcliffe Iceman - UK 100996/101225 DoB: 18/04/2013 No. Calves: 45 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

AG Kirton & Sons, Ashledge herd, Bewdley

MV45 (64%)

-1.2 (79%)

LM50 (87%)

0 (60%)

2

Haltcliffe Gunner - UK 100996/701014 DoB: 310/03/2011 No. Calves: 7 Sire:Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

MV39 (61%)

-1.1 (66%)

LM35 (76%)

0 (60%)

3

Kaprico Eravelle - UK106173500054 DoB: 01/07/2009 No. Calves: 159 Sire: Wilodge Tonka

Mrs C Stafford Kaprico herd, Sunderland

JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd, N Yorks

MV38 (81%)

0.5 (93%)

LM44 (96%)

+1 (64%)

4

Ampertaine Domino - UK9564385/532-7 DoB: 01/10/2008 No. Calves: 103 Sire: Ampertaine Abracadabra

WJ & J Mackay Ampertaine herd Co Derry

WJ & J Mackay Ampertaine herd Co Derry

MV34 (69%)

-1.0 (86%)

LM52 (89%)

0 (60%)

5

Greenhaugh Utwo - UK521765200762 DoB: 14/02/03 No. Calves: 50 Sire: Mapleleaf Kickoff

K Stewart & Sons, Greenhaugh herd, Aberdeen

Mr J Rendall Norseman herd, Orkney

MV33 (78%)

-0.1 (86%)

LM35 (93%)

+4 (77%)

6

Copperhurst Ike - UK 183403/500213 DoB: 07/05/2013 No. Calves: 8 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

AR Howarth Copperhurst herd Manchester

AR Howarth Copperhurst herd Manchester

MV33 (51%)

-0.4 (64%)

LM51 (77%)

+1 (46%)

7

Sloughpool Germaine - UK 366818/400494 DoB: 20/06/2011 No. Calves: 6 Sire:Lumbylaw Penandpaper

Messrs Gollop & Sons Sloughpool herd Devon

Messrs Gollop & Sons Sloughpool herd Devon

MV33 (54%)

-1.2 (58%)

LM28 (73%)

+1 (52%)

Haltcliffe Exocet - UK 100996/400850 DoB: 15/06/2009 No. Calves: 22 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Mr KD Harryman Keskadale herd Cumbria

MV32 (61%)

-1.7 (64%)

LM28 (75%)

0 (59%)

Newstart Vindicator - UK 131241/600064 DoB: 14/06/2004 No. Calves: 63 Sire: Ronick Iceman

D&M Cormack Newstart herd N Yorks

Mr DM Williams Llanan herd Dyfed

MV32 (65%)

-2.2 (85%)

LM25 (88%)

+1 (58%)

McTurk Bushbuck - UK 141094/300580 DoB: 23/02/2006 No. Calves: 111 Sire: Silverbird

Manby Farms Ltd McTurk herd Lincolnshire

Non member owner

MV31 (82%)

-0.2 (92%)

LM28 (96%)

+2 (73%)

1

NEW

8 NEW

9 NEW

10 NEW

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NEWS

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November 2016 Leading Maternal Young Bulls The table below identifies the current Top 10 Limousin young bulls according to the following criteria: • • • • •

All bulls are born since 27th October 2013 (ie are younger than 3 years of age at time of update), are pedigree registered and are performance recorded.

All bulls have the highest Maternal Value recorded in the November 2016 EBV Update All bulls have Calving Ease EBVs greater than or equal to the 2017 breed average of -2.2% All bulls have a Beef Value greater than or equal to the 2017 breed average of LM24 All bulls have a 200 Day Milk EBV greater than or equal to the 2017 breed average of -1kg.

BULL NAME

BRED

OWNED

MATER-NAL VALUE (PTS)

CALV. EASE.

BEEF VALUE (PTS)

200 DAY MILK (KG)

1

Ashledge Lennox UK 303330/601592 DoB: 09/05/2015 Sire: Haltcliffe Iceman

AG Kirton & Sons Ashledge herd Worcs

Non member owner

MV33 (42%)

-0.9 (53%)

LM37 (67%)

0 (39%)

2

Copperhurst Lionking UK 183403/600235 DoB: 25/10/2015 Sire: Copperhurst Ike

AR Howarth Copperhurst herd Manchester

AR Howarth Copperhurst herd Manchester

MV29 (41%)

-1.1 (54%)

LM50 (65%)

+2 (37%)

3

Larkhill Mark UK 9063020/0386-6 DoB: 17/03/2016 Sire: Wilodge Tonka

Mr B McAuley Larkhill herd Co Antrim

Mr B McAuley Larkhill herd Co Antrim

MV33 (59%)

-2.1 (66%)

LM41 (72%)

0 (57%)

4

Copperhurst Locknload UK 183403/500234 DoB: 25/10/2015 Sire: Copperhurst Ike

AR Howarth Copperhurst herd Manchester

AR Howarth Copperhurst herd Manchester

MV29 (41%)

-1.1 (54%)

LM51 (65%)

+1 (37%)

McTurk Masvingo UK 141094/501520 DoB: 29/01/2016 Sire: Norman Ely

Manby Farms Ltd McTurk herd Lincolnshire

Manby Farms Ltd McTurk herd Lincolnshire

MV28 (45%)

0.8 (60%)

LM26 (70%)

+1 (36%)

Ashledge Leofric UK 303330/601599 DoB: 30/05/2015 Sire: Haltcliffe Iceman

AG Kirton & Sons Ashledge herd Worcs

AG Kirton & Sons Ashledge herd Worcs

MV28 (41%)

-1.0 (53%)

LM43 (67%)

0 (38%)

Haltcliffe Lucifer UK 100996/201401 DoB: 18/01/2015 Sire: Haltcliffe Gentry

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Non member owner

MV28 (51%)

-1.5 (63%)

LM40 (74%)

+2 (47%)

8

Tomschoice Laureate UK 124148/400324 DoB: 20/01/2015 Sire: Warrenderpark Geronimo

JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd, N Yorks

Mr I Donaldson Newcroft herd Cumbria

MV27 (45%)

-0.6 (57%)

LM24 (72%)

+2 (36%)

9

Annadale Jackel UK 9244515/164-4 DoB: 30/11/2014 Sire: Cloughhead Umpire

Mr C Murray Annadale herd Co Down

Non member owner

MV27 (58%)

-1.3 (66%)

LM24 (71%)

+1 (55%)

Tweeddale Jeeves UK 107511/101613 DoB: 25/06/2014 Sire: Newhouse Cyclone

Mr J Watson Tweeddale herd Northumberland

Mr J Watson Tweeddale herd Northumberland

MV27 (51%)

-1.8 (63%)

LM34 (65%)

0 (45%)

NEW

NEW

5 NEW

6 NEW

7 NEW

NEW

10 NEW

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, by EBVs and by GEBVs.

www.basco.org

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

BRITISH CATTLE BREEDERS CONFERENCE, TELFORD, JANUARY 2017

PRACTICAL INNOVATION – TODAY’S CHALLENGES FOR TOMORROW’S GENERATION

A

fter three full-on days packed with practical cattle breeding discussion, the 2017 British Cattle Breeders Conference (BCBC) also marked the completion of Iain Kerr’s one year term of office as Chairman. In what was the first time that a beef breed Society Chief Executive had been elected to Chair the British Cattle Breeders’ Club in its sixty nine year history, Iain reflected on this and the importance to the industry of the Conference forum: “I’d like to thank the British Cattle Breeders Club (BCBC) for electing me to be the Chairman of the BCBC and the 2017 Conference. It has truly been a great honour to do so and to play a part in the Club’s rich history. In no small measure I think that being in this position was also indicative of the recognition and standing of the British Limousin Cattle Society within the industry at large.

With the future of cattle breeding firmly at heart, the BCBC links a wide spectrum of practical farmers, world class scientists, students and industry influencers. It very much represents an influential and important industry voice, challenging ideas, introducing new science and technologies, and providing the opportunity to stimulate thought, debate and discussion. We had some truly world class speakers throughout the Conference in both the respective beef and dairy days. Within the beef line-up, and from a Limousin perspective, it was a privilege to have Jerry Wulf from Minnesota in attendance. The Wulf name is a legendary one within Limousin circles and US beef production. The inspirational story behind finishing 70,000 cattle and selling some 750 breeding bulls each year was a great way to kick proceedings off and set the tone for the day!”

We all know that both the beef and dairy sectors have been forced over recent years to face up to an unrelenting series of challenges that have hit profitability and threatened to undermine essential structures and sustainability.

But that is nothing to what lies ahead. Because 2017 will be the first time in forty years our

The following is extracts of Iain’s closing remarks after the first full Beef Day of the 2017 British Cattle Breeders’ Conference:

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industry has had to face up to its administrative framework being dismantled, then re-assembled for 2021 – almost certainly without the backstop of assured, annual, direct, baseline, financial support and with a fresh range of trading and competition pressures as well.

There can be no doubt that June 2016’s vote was the most

seismic political and economic event to hit the UK since the end of the Second World War. Or that the post-Brexit livestock and agricultural industry has been given a unique, and perhaps singular, opportunity to install and develop world class UK structures that are integrated, innovative, commercial, productive and profitable.

What a prospect. And before we quail at its immensity we must remind ourselves of the significance of agriculture and its place as a cornerstone of the UK economy: Food production and distribution contributes £85 billion a year to national GDP, supports 3.5 million jobs and provides 62 per cent of the food we eat.

Food and drink is the UK’s biggest single manufacturing industry – greater than cars and aerospace combined - it employs one in eight of our labour force and makes a huge contribution to national economic and political stability too.

We should take firm sight of the fact that cattle breeding and cattle breeders, both beef and dairy, are integral parts of this food and drink industry – a business within that industry that we have responsibility for and must bring a commercial approach to - and are essential to its profitable future.

Our task ahead is to develop more efficient animals, to increase productivity, to grow the UK industry and economy, and to compete against, let alone meet, the challenges facing food production at UK and world level.

We are fortunate we already have a world class science base and our cattle industry is benefiting from advances in DNA technologies, smart farming and precision agriculture, and sees the potential in adopting big data.

Is it possible (if not likely) that adoption of these new sciences and agri-technologies will across the sectors, in the fullness of time have a bigger, and more positive, impact on UK farming than Brexit itself?

This is the biggest opportunity, which we cannot afford to miss, to empower science led policy in agriculture to drive the industry forward and keep it competitive and sustainable. Responsible, peer reviewed science must be embraced, recognized, and fully enabled at a political and

BCBC Chairman Iain Kerr with BCBC President Maurice Bichard, President Elect Mike Coffey, and BCBC Vice Chairman Andy Dodd

“BCBC represents an influential and important industry voice, challenging ideas, introducing new science and technologies, and providing the opportunity to stimulate thought, debate and discussion.” legislative level.

As part of this we require an integrated and positive collaborative approach across the supply chain, and with other allied industries, that pin points market requirements, the need for and positioning of new science and technologies, linkage with environmental needs (incl rural

comms and econ), promotion and marketing of the UK product (and countryside), and building a brand.

For agriculture this has to embrace farmers, scientists, retailers, processors, investors, policy makers, and consumers.

An organized, dynamic, innovative sector will create its own success

and crucially drive the policy framework surrounding it.

Bringing these stakeholders together to establish this shared vision of prioritised needs, and most purposeful investment, is a fundamental challenge and opportunity if a dynamic, inclusive, UK industry is to survive and thrive.

L I M O U S I N NEWS Do we have the structure and vehicle to deliver in the livestock sector and agriculture. How then can this be put in place. Does the well of common sense and pragmatism that exists within agriculture contain enough nutrition for it to give birth to a fully integrated and fully inclusive UK body? Before you answer that I would like you to once again consider the importance of profitable farmers and strong cattle breeding to the UK’s food supply chain and role of research and innovation in achieving this.

I asked a question this morning about drafting in more young people to take the UK livestock industry forward. And after today’s discussions the need and importance to invigorate, educate, and encourage a new generation of highly-skilled young farmers and agri-entrepreneurs is abundantly obvious. I’m delighted to see that we have so many colleges and universities represented here today.

This new generation must be empowered at younger ages to buy in and be hands on in their farming businesses and be involved in the industry at every level as not only farmers, but industry leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs to take beef and dairy production forward.

In closing, we have seen over many years how cattle breeding has greatly benefitted from the dynamic integration of science, new technologies, and innovation.

In this ‘new industry era’ I have no doubt that science and

Jerry Wulf, Minnesota, presenting to Conference on the opening morning of the 2017 BCBC

innovation will never have been more important for farmers now and for future generations and how it relates and responds to a more market driven industry and the challenges of sustainable intensification of livestock and food production, agriculture’s contribution to low carbon economies, health and animal welfare, and consumer demand/ fashion.

It has been a fantastic day with some world class speakers . I hope you have been informed, challenged and inspired, though mindful of the challenges ahead – and leave today, full of ideas, and with the energy, passion and vision to meet the challenges, embrace practical innovation and

BLCS Technical Manager Alison Glasgow hard at work with the journalists covering the Conference.

add value to every level of our great beef and dairy industries.

For further reports, pictures,

papers and talking slides on the 2017 BCBC please visit www. cattlebreeders.org.uk

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONFERENCE ‘BEEF DAY’ Jerry Wulf, Wulfs Cattle, USA: “Data is the basis for change – we have collected and used data for 40 years using EPD’s (EBVs). Increasing accuracy is vital – measuring progeny and using genomics. As producers don’t get too comfortable in the spot you currently occupy. We have to be very astute in the adoption of genetic technologies as they come along”. See full report on pages 47-49.

Wulfs Cattle, USA” “Conference chairman, BLCS’ Iain Kerr, with Jerry Wulf

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NEWS Stuart Roberts: “Without doubt, those that succeed post-Brexit will be those that react fastest”

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Stuart Roberts, Beef Farmer, Hertfordshire: “The Brexit vote was a seismic change for this industry and will be felt for years to come. We need ministers, academics and the supply chain to work together to ensure that what I produce is the right product. In time to come, our supply chain should be regarded as a national asset – it is fundamental to UK society. It will be hard and we will all have to change and work in a way we have never worked before to ensure this happens.”

Dr. Alison van Eenenaam, University of California: Gene editing is the insertion, deletion or replacement of DNA at a specific site in the genome. It enables us to make progress for desirable traits and leave behind undesirable characteristics that would otherwise be propagated at the same time. For example, it is possible to ‘knock out’ horned genes and introduce TB resistant genes in cattle”.

“The great frustration is that the regulatory status of such animals is inconsistent among different regulatory agencies. The science is here now; introduction in to commercial breeding programmes requires a harmonised global approach, which is currently not evident.”

Alison van Eenenaam “there is an urgent need to determine the appropriate regulatory framework for the use of gene editing in animal breeding programmes”.

Meilir Jones, Beef Farmer, Flintshire: Farmers Weekly 'Beef Farmer of the Year' 2015 winner, Meilir farms 250 acres in Flintshire finishing 1350 store cattle annually.

The enterprise uses different technologies to monitor and improve performance and marketing decisions based on the information to create the keenest possible margins. “The beef enterprise had the highest workload, highest capital outlay and least return on investment, so I set out to make a profit of £100/animal through critical analysis of every area of performance. Nowadays, the most important man in growing my business is the bank manager and he needs my enterprise data to know that it is performing”.

Meilir Jones, Gop Farm, Flintshire

What is Smart Farming bringing to UK beef?

Dave Ross outlines the smart farming opportunities for beef farmers

Dave Ross, CEO Agri-EPI Centre, outlined new and emerging technologies relevant to the beef sector. Roll-out of VIA in abattoirs, 3D imaging to predict carcase value on the hoof, weighing technologies to predict animal health prior to clinical signs, sensory technology predicting difficult calvings (“no point getting out of bed for an easy calving”), thermal and satellite-based imagery for grassland management and virtual fencing are included amongst them. Agri-EPI is one of four new Centers for Agricultural Innovation set up under the Govts 2013 Strategy for Agriculture. It is tasked with driving growth and supporting innovative ideas to help farmers become more profitable and sustainable.

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Professor Theo Meuwissen

George Lyon addressing the conference. “Divorces cause lots of emotional and financial pain and much trading of insults. We have already experienced a bit of this over the last 6 months”.

Co-founder of the genomic techniques used in livestock, plant and human science today: “Feed efficiency, slaughter traits and maternal traits are the prize for genomic evaluations in beef”.

There is much overlap here with recent and coming developments offered by the Limousin breed in the UK; Carcase Trait GEBVs available since last year, Female Fertility/Calf Survival GEBVs due for release in 2017 and Feed Efficiency breeding values coming in 2018/9 (Defra’s Beef Feed Efficiency Scheme).

George Lyon, Beef farmer, independent director of AHDB and former MEP: “To quote a colleague, Brexit represents ‘the mother of all divorces’ with the financial and emotional pain that this involves. A few crystal-ball predictions for the beef industry….

• There will be no cliff edge – there will be time to adjust, but…

• It is likely there will be no direct support (England and Wales) • There will be more competition from cheaper imports • Specialist upland beef producers will get ongoing financial support • We will likely see greater divergence between the devolved governments • UK will become a world leader in new breeding techniques • Improving UK farm productivity will be essential” Professor Theo Meuwissen

Iain Kerr,

CEO British Limousin Cattle Society and Conference Chairman, upon closing the event “In this new industry it is my hope that peer reviewed, responsible, science that brings practical value and benefit to agriculture and cattle breeding will be embraced, recognised and fully enabled at a political and legislative level. This is our greatest chance to empower science-led opportunity to drive the industry forward.

But this all requires an integrated approach embracing farmers, scientists, retailers, processors, breed societies, investors, policy makers, consumers. Bringing stakeholders together to establish a shared vision of prioritised needs, and purposeful investment, is perhaps the fundamental challenge if a dynamic and inclusive UK industry is to emerge”.

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Iain Kerr BCBC Conference Chairman, right, pictured with beef farmer Stuart Roberts.

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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN THE BEEF SUPPLY CHAIN FOCUS ON WULF CATTLE, USA

Wulf Cattle is based in Minnesota, USA. It markets around 65,000 Limousin-bred commercial cattle annually (rising to 72,000 head this year) with a further 650 purebred Limousin bulls for breeding.

Jerry Wulf recently visited the UK to speak at the annual conference of the British Cattle Breeders Club and share his knowledge of supply chain development and the use of new and emerging technologies within that. The following is an extract of his paper and the discussion that followed.

Introduction “By way introduction, I have been involved in building an integrated beef production system in the United States for over half a century. Wulf Cattle has operations in Midwestern United States that spans 3 states, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. We started out 60 years ago as a beef cattle feeding company 20 years later adding improved genetics with registered Limousins. The Limousin bulls are used as terminal sires to produce a supply of feeder cattle coming into our finishing operations.

Complimentary crossbreeding, combined with heterosis, results in a supply of cattle that are very predictable, efficient, and yield a high quality carcass.

Continuous improvement with genetics, technology, and good husbandry practices is then leveraged by connecting and sharing information among the segments up and down the beef supply chain through coordinated integration”.

Genetics “Just as the helm of a great ship, genetics steer the whole beef supply chain. We can remove a lot of risk by starting with proven genetics and can much more accurately predict production outcomes and cost.

Without quality genetics as a starting point it is impossible to compete using superior production practices alone. While continuous genetic improvement within a breed population is a must, it can no way replace the huge genetic progress you

Jerry Wulf speaking at this year’s British Cattle Breeders’ Conference

can make in a commercial beef production system by utilizing complementary crossbreeding and heterosis. In our case we use Limousin (Terminal sire) X Angus base cows in beef cow production, and use Limousin X Jersey and Lim-Flex (Limousin X Angus) X Holstein in our commercial dairy cow production”.

“Without quality genetics as a starting point it is impossible to compete using superior production practices alone”

Data Collection “Collecting data is the basis for change and genetic progress. Traits measured in each area of production are: COW/CALF LEVEL TRAITS

STOCKER/FEEDLOT TRAITS

Calving Ease Birth Weight 205 Adjusted Weaning Weight Milking Ability Docility

Average Daily Gain 365 Adjusted Yearling Weight Daily Dry Matter Feed Intake Calculated Feed/Gain Docility

$150 US

$180 US

CARCASE/END PRODUCT TRAITS

Carcase Weight Rib Eye Size Back Fat Depth Marbling $250 US

“The dollar amount shown is an estimated value difference between poor genetic cattle and superior genetic cattle and totals $580/animal between the best and the worst when added together. This is the opportunity to be gained with genetic improvement within each production segment”.

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L I M O U S I N NEWS Genetic Tools

Marbling increased by .37 %

“After measuring and collecting the data it must be analyzed and expressed in a user friendly format. The tool used for over three decades is EBV’s (Estimated Breed Values), in the US we use EPD’s (Expected Progeny Differences), both are built with basically the same formula. EBV’s and EPD’s have been a very effective tool because they remove the bias out of data. They also allow us to compile data ongoing and continue to improve upon a current and existing data base.

As more data is collected, analyzed, and added to the system, the accuracy of the EBV’s increase”.

“The charts below depict the progress made thru genetic selection in the last 2 decades, on a sample of relevant traits.

205 Day Adjusted Weaning Weight ( 22 pound increase)

We were able to increase weaning weight growth, while lowering birth weight.

Rib-eye size (muscle) increased while at the same time we added marbling (% intramuscular fat)”

Genomics

Birth Weight decreased by over 2 pounds

“More recently a whole new world of genetic evaluation has unfolded called Genomics. It has accelerated the whole genetic prediction process. Science has allowed us to map and identify gene markers for a whole host of traits. The way we express the genomic test is through genomic enhanced EPD’s. DNA samples are collected from an animal and sent to a lab for testing. The resulting genomic prediction of the traits are incorporated with the EPD’s that the animal already had, which were derived from progeny testing or the known history of its parents progeny. The resulting genomic enhanced EPD’s have an improved accuracy on the traits measured from live cattle equivalent to having 6 progeny born and tested. On the genomic enhanced carcass traits it is equivalent to having 25 progeny tested. So, we can now speed up the genetic improvement process by 3 to 5 years. In addition we can improve accuracy of EBV’s and EPD’s on a much more vast number of animals that likely would not have gotten progeny tested, thus upping the chances to find the outliers or superior animals by scoping a larger landscape”.

“…genomically enhanced carcass traits are equivalent to having 25 progeny tested. So, we can now speed up the genetic improvement process by 3 to 5 years”.

Rib-Eye size area increased by .15 square inch (Limousin is inherently heavy muscled, so less selection placed on this trait)

Supply Chain Concerns “Before we get into the coordination of the beef supply chain sectors let’s take a look at what each sector is likely driven by when the focus is to increase margin or profitability.

Cow/Calf : • Pounds or Kilos per calf weaned per cow exposed.

• Cow maintenance requirements (How much feed is required) • What can I get paid for my cattle? (real value) Stocker/Finisher: • Cattle Health, Death Loss • Ability to gain • Feed conversion Feed/Gain • Carcass weight (Dressing percent) • What can I get paid for my cattle? (real value)

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NEWS Processor: • Percent Red meat Yield • Quality/Marbling • Discounts for blemishes or outs • What can I get paid for my beef?

Retailer/consumer • • • •

Great eating experience Consistent product size and supply Traceability and safety Good value

Sector Co-ordination “Note within each sector of the beef supply chain, each has a list of concerns that directly affect their sector and is mostly irrelevant to the other sectors of the chain. Although the more each sector of the chain can better understand the other sectors, and what affects their margins, the more astute they will be as to if their request can be met, and at what cost”.

“With that said, note the question, “ what will we get paid?” (in each sector). It is a direct reflection of how well the product we are producing meets or exceeds the expectation of our customer, or even our customer’s customer further up the supply chain. There is an old saying that makes this point the best, “It is better to have what the customer wants, then have to convince them what they need”. If we are consistently meeting or exceeding our customer’s’ needs we deserve to get a premium, if we are coming up short, we may merit a discount”.

“It is better to have what the customer wants, then have to convince them what they need”.

“Following are the simple steps to developing supply chain coordination: 1. Listen to our customer’s needs.

2. Build a consistent supply that fits those needs. (Stay flexible, and change as needed) 3. Agree on a risk and reward payment system that incentivizes this to happen.

4. Total transparency, share information, with each other about your product.

5. Benchmark results, allowing for continued improvement.

Each step is necessary to allow coordinated integration to happen.

Following are a few thoughts I have that make it easier. First, get to know and build a relationship with the other people in the chain, especially the one who pays you for your product. Building a strong relationship requires trust, this is hard to accomplish when there is a third party (middleman) involved in sale transactions. Second is Care!

Care about our customer, and be conscious that the product we are producing fits the needs of the whole supply chain, all the way to the consumer. When we think holistic, we set ourselves up to be better beef producers that are more sustainable. Plus, it is a very good story to tell that resonates well with today’s consumers”.

to only buy and feed cattle of known genetics. We currently market approx. 65,000 head of fed cattle annually. All cattle are given an electronic ID tag and are traceable back to their source of origin. We track and collect data on the cattle as they go through the feedyards and onto harvest. We are able to track and collect on an individual basis both health and carcass data. The processing companies we sell fed cattle to share the carcass data back to us. We then share both health info and carcass data back to the producer of origin. We are also able to share feedyard performance (average daily gain and feed conversion) back to a select group of larger producers that are able to fill whole pens in our feedyards. When consulting with our feeder cattle suppliers, we tell them there are 3 main things that move the needle on margins for us once we have bought their calves. If they want to keep raising the bar on the quality of their cattle, they need to focus on these 3 things: VALUE DIFFERENCE FROM BOTTOM 25% TO TOP 25% Healthy Cattle ( We track % doctored and death loss)

$60 per head

Feed Conversion (Directly related to cost of gain)

$56 per head

Carcass quality and yield ( better the carcass, the more we get paid)

$52 per head

Potential Value Difference Between Top 25% and Bottom 25%

$168 per head

“We then build a data bank history on the respective ranch of origins and purchase their calves using a merit based grid versus market averages. Sharing up to ½ of the genetic advantage we know is in their cattle and creating an incentive for our suppliers to strive for continuous improvement”.

Value of Co-ordinated Integration “In this report we have looked at dollar value differences when comparing inferior to superior cattle. First utilizing genetic improvement, followed with the quantified added value of higher quality cattle to the finisher. While these are all opportunities for potential gain, they are not all cumulative. Though there is overlap in these comparisons, the take home message is keep building better cattle; added value can be achieved by driving cost out or getting paid more for a premium product. It is hard to quantify all the moving pieces in a beef supply chain. My estimate would be in a coordinated versus a more traditional commodity production system there is a range of $100-$150 dollars to be gained both between the cow/calf producer and the finisher, and again between the cattle finisher and the processor”.

In summary, as beef cattle producers: •

• •

•

Information Shared “As stated in the opening introduction paragraph, Wulf Cattle has been a cattle feeding/finishing operation for over 6 decades.

Today, cattle-feeding is still the economic engine that drives our beef company, supported by a strong genetic component. We sell Limousin and Lim-Flex bulls to commercial beef cow ranchers. They use them to cross on their Angus based cows. Dairy Farmers buy Limousin semen to use with artificial insemination to crossbreed on their dairy cows, resulting in a much higher quality beef animal. We then purchase the resulting calves from them to finish in our feedyards, allowing us

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•

Become part of a complete beef supply chain.

Begin with the end in mind (know your target market) Start with superior genetics ( it is the foundation the rest is built on) Generate a genetic and production database (utilize today’s technology, to always improve) Build strong supply chain relationships (transparency is key, share information)

Jerry Wulf “The take home message is keep building better cattle”

If we focus on these areas, I believe we will position ourselves to survive and thrive in a global food protein market that is both competitive and fast growing”.

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LIMOUSIN GENOMIC BREEDING VALUES (GEBVS)

THE VALUE FOR COMMERCIAL CALF PRODUCTION

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t has been exactly 12 months since Limousin brought Genomic Breeding Values (GEBVs) to the beef sector in the UK. Commonplace in the selection programmes of other farming sectors, GEBVs offer robust predictions of genetic merit for traits that have, until now, been difficult to measure and/or difficult to breed for. The result is that Limousin animals can now be reliably selected on a wider range of economic traits than is possible with any other breed, offering unique opportunity to producers of commercial Limousin-bred cattle to reduce costs of production and increase the value of their product.

The following is a focus on producers’ ten most frequently asked questions in relation to GEBVs; their provenance, their use and their value.

1. What is a GEBV? GEBV stands for Genomic Estimated Breeding Value. It is an estimate of genetic merit produced from performance records, pedigree records (purebred and commercial) and information from animal DNA. It is different from a conventional EBV (Estimated Breeding Value) which does not use the information from the DNA.

2. What Traits are Measured Using GEBVs? Carcase Traits: Over the last twelve months, GEBVs have been produced for eight new carcase traits as follows: GEBV

LOOK FOR…

Carcase Weight (kg)

High +ve values for increased carcase weight at slaughter

Age to Slaughter (days)

High –ve values (ie less days) for a quicker finishing time

Fillet (kg)

High + values for increased weight of fillet at slaughter

Striploin (kg)

High + values for increased weight of striploin at slaughter

Rump (kg)

High + values for increased weight of rump at slaughter

Silverside (kg)

High + values for increased weight of silverside at slaughter

Topside (kg)

High + values for increased weight of topside at slaughter

Knuckle (kg)

High + values for increased weight of knuckle at slaughter

The Carcase weight GEBV is adjusted to 600 days of age. All other GEBVs are relative to a carcase weight of 350kg.

• Selecting animals with superior values for these traits will help producers increase carcase weights (if required), decrease slaughter age and increase the proportion of higher-value cuts in the carcase.

• One breeding index is produced called the Retail Index. This is an economically weighted breeding value incorporating each of the six carcase cut traits. Selecting animals with superior retail values will help increase the proportion of all higher-value cuts simultaneously.

• The Carcase Traits GEBVs are calculated from Visual Image Analysis (VIA) records from selected ABP abattoirs, pedigree information using the BCMS database and DNA information from approximately 5000 animals.

• Processors are increasingly use VIA measurements within their price grids. These new GEBVs are the tools that will identify high genetic merit breeding stock for the traits that are driving the payment grid, enabling producers to hit targets with their finished calves.

Maternal Traits: 2017 will see the launch of new three GEBVs for female fertility and one for calf survival. Funded by InnovateUK and BBSRC, these GEBVs are being developed in partnership with SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College).

GEBV

LOOK FOR…

Age at First Calving (days)

High -ve values (ie less days at first successful service) for bulls that will sire daughters more likely to hold to early service

Calving Interval (days)

High –ve values (ie less days between first and second calves) for bulls whose daughters will get back in calf quickly

Longevity (years)

High +ve values for bulls whose daughters will remain in the herd for a long time.

Calf Survival (%)

High +ve values for increased proportions of calves that survive between 3 weeks and 10 months of age

• Whilst the conventional EBVs that exist for the female fertility traits do a good job, the new GEBVs are based on the full BCMS dataset, rather than just the current pedigree data. In other words, they take in to account the performance of all Limousin-bred dams in the country and are considerably more robust than what can be produced from the pedigree data set alone.

• The Calf Survival GEBV is unique to the beef sector and is a leading area of development for the UK. Its introduction offers producers an opportunity to start selecting on genetic merit for a key area of performance that, until now, could only be addressed through management measures.

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L I M O U S I N NEWS 3. What Are the Benefits of GEBVs? Work within the carcase traits project examined the carcase results from nearly 300 Limousin sires who had a minimum of 10 calves each. The difference in value between calves sired by the High GEBV sires compared to the low GEBV sires was £100-£150/calf (source: SRUC). This is money for the taking, when all it involves if selection of the right genetics.

As work on the new Female Fertility and Calf Survival traits progresses, similar information will be released in relation to their financial impact on-the-ground. Keep an eye out in future Magazine issues for updates.

On a more general level, benefits of GEBV technology include: üü DNA, abattoir records and breeding records come from commercial cattle and independent sources: enhancing the accuracy and volume of records generated by pedigree breeders üü Speed: GEBVs can be obtained shortly after a calf is born, thereby enhancing the accuracies of genetic merit predictions much quicker than performance recording alone. üü Improved accuracy: For many traits that have low heritabilities or are particularly difficult or expensive to measure, GEBVs will offer higher levels of accuracy than conventional EBVs. üü All owners of Limousin-bred cattle can gain GEBVs: A significant difference between an EBV and a GEBV is that the former relies on the collection of performance records across groups of animals all managed in the same way. To gain the latter – a GEBV – all that is required is the DNA sample and the identity of the animal. It offers commercial producers significant opportunity in assessing current and future sires and replacement heifers.

4. Why Would I Use Carcase Traits GEBVs? GEBVs are the most accurate predictors of an animal’s performance for traits that are often difficult or impossible to assess by any other means.

This in turn enables producers to select the best animals for producing calves to suit their system and hit their enterprise targets. GEBVs use vast pools of performance information and DNA to build a picture of an animal’s capability and are without doubt the most reliable and consistent method of assessment.

5. How Do I Use the GEBVs? GEBVs are used in exactly the same way as our conventional EBVs. An animal’s values are relative to all others in the breed and can either be visually assessed using a bar chart (typical at breed sales and in sale catalogues) or benchmarked against the current breed percentiles...

Bar Chart with Carcase Trait GEBVs

The centre vertical line represents breed average for all traits. Bars that lie to the right of the line indicate the trait is above breed average, and the further they are to the right, the higher above breed average the traits are. Equally, bars that lie to the left of the centre line indicate the trait is below breed average.

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Comparison to Breed Benchmark

2017 Limousin Benchmark for Carcase Traits BOTTOM

TRAIT

BREED

TOP

1%

10%

25%

AVGE

25%

10%

1%

Carcase Weight (kg)

-7.5

-2.3

0.8

4.2

7.7

10.7

16.0

Slaughter Age (days)

24

16

12

7

2

-3

-11

Fillet (kg)

0.03

0.07

0.09

0.12

0.15

0.17

0.22

Striploin (kg)

0.01

0.14

0.22

0.31

0.4

0.48

0.61

Topside (kg)

0.18

0.43

0.57

0.73

0.9

1.04

1.29

Rump (kg)

0.07

0.21

0.29

0.38

0.46

0.54

0.68

Silverside (kg)

0.14

0.45

0.63

0.83

1.02

1.2

1.51

Knuckle (kg)

0.05

0.18

0.26

0.35

0.44

0.52

0.66

Retail Value

LM1R

LM10R

LM15R

LM21R

LM27R

LM32R

LM41R

Example: A bull with a Slaughter Age GEBV of -1 days would be in the Top 25% of the breed for that trait.

6. Which GEBVs are Most Important?

There is no single answer to this. Depending on your herd’s current level of performance and your ambitions, some traits will be more relevant to you than others. When considering this, it is important to take account of…

• • • • •

The traits that make money (or lose money) Your farm type and system The end market you are aiming for Your cow type The strengths and weaknesses of current stock in hitting your desired targets

With caps on slaughter weight now a normal measure across many abattoirs, many herds find they can hit weight targets satisfactorily. How much more growth is required is probably a function of individual farm circumstance and the speed at which calves can be finished. There is very clear evidence that early slaughtering typically leaves a greater margin than late, and many enterprises have not yet captured the best genetics for this purpose.

7. Is a GEBV Better Than an EBV for selecting animals?

The advantage of GEBVs over EBVs is they can be obtained for traits that are difficult to measure using conventional EBV techniques and they can be obtained earlier in a calf’s life. Both are breeding values, however, that do the same job once they have achieved the same level of accuracy, so they should not be differentiated in this context.

8. Why Do Some Animals With High EBVs for Traditional Traits Have Low GEBVs for similar traits?

The advent of this new technology is informing us more about the genetics of our cattle than we have ever known before. As with all breeding values, there are occasions when they predict what we think we already know about animals and there are occasions when they predict something quite different. The difficulty is what we do with that information; if it is too great a challenge to our thinking, we are unlikely to change from current levels of performance. If it is acknowledged and used in measured steps of development, change will inevitably be brought about.

9. Why Are GEBVs Typically More Accurate than Conventional EBVs? GEBVs use information from the animal’s DNA in their calculation as well as large volumes of performance records than can ever be achieved within the pedigree population alone. EBVs typically rely on significantly smaller amounts of records from within the pedigree population only

10. How Do I Find Out More?

Information on GEBVs is available at www.limousin.co.uk or by contacting Alison Glasgow, BLCS on 02476 696500 or email alison@limousin. co.uk

The investment to develop the new GEBVs has been considerable and will not stop. The Limousin Society has in place a 10-year plan of Breed Improvement to deliver the genetics that will successfully enable producers to quickly respond to changing markets. Never has this been more relevant; in the face of Brexit, it is likely the change will be considerable and that our markets will look very different in the times to come. That time is not so far away and Limousin is positioning itself to continue and grow as the commercial man’s ‘go-to’ breed across all types of enterprise.

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

SWARLAND WINS IMPROVED HERD AWARD FOR THE LIMOUSIN BREED

T

he Swarland herd, owned by A & D Proctor from Morpeth in Northumberland, has been recognised by AHDB Beef & Lamb as the Most Improved Herd of Limousin cattle in England for 2016.

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 the ten UK breeds.

Swarland Old Hall is owned and farmed in partnership by Arthur, Diane and Andrew Proctor.

With 123 hectares of grassland that is situated approximately 400 metres above sea level and with gently sloping, south facing ground, the farm lends itself to livestock breeding.

When the farm was purchased

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30 years ago, Andrew was a young teenager and the Limousin had not long been introduced to the country. Seeing them in local suckler sales, Arthur’s impression of the Limousin breed was that it was stylish with good shape. Their interest in the breed developed and when Andrew finished college in 1994 they decided to establish their own pedigree herd and the first foundation cows were purchased.

One of the most influential cows bought in for the herd was Abbeycowper Essence, purchased with a heifer calf at foot. Her calf, Abbeycowper Ingle, was sired by Rake Terence, a top bull at the time.

In 1996, they purchased their first Limousin bull, Newclose Hamburger, at Carlisle. He was a junior bull sired by Tango.

Hamburger produced numerous quality calves, all with great shape and lovely muscling.

Fairywater Haig - 23,000gns

The following year they purchased Ronick Jawk who was a totally different type to Hamburger. He was the first son of renowned Ronick Hawk and his grandsire was Broadmeadows Cannon, two highly influential sires in the breed. Jawk provided

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a fantastic base to the Swarland herd.

The herd has built gradually, focusing on quality and now has 50 breeding females and 22 heifers. These run alongside a suckler herd of 80 cows and a pedigree Texel flock.

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“Our objective is to retain females that can comfortably produce a bull worth a minimum of 5000gn, the price needed to justify selling through pedigree sales,” Andrew explained.

“The Limousin is a multipurpose animal, providing good conformation for a great carcase, alongside providing replacement females with easeof-calving attributes.”

In 2007 they purchased Hartsideanew Boumsong, sired

by Greenwell Ronick. At this time animals were bought based on their visual appearance and bloodlines as performance figures were relatively new.

This is when they starting to record performance in their herd, using estimated breeding values (EBVs) to monitor development and assist breeding decisions in order to continue to progress forward.

The Carlisle bull sale in February 2011 proved to be a key turning point for the Swardale herd, when Swardale Eddie was placed second to the Junior Champion and was purchased

by James Alexander, for his Jalex Herd. Eddie went on to rank as the number one Limousin bull for semen sales in 2014, producing numerous show champions.

Eddie’s current Beef Value is 40, which is comfortably in the top ten per cent for the breed. On

the back of his success, on-farm sales at Swarland have rocketed.

“The Limousin has fantastic longevity. Our first two bulls were active for over 12 years and one of our foundation cows, Rosanna, produced calves up to the age of 17 years old, one being Swarland Valance, Eddies mum, who is still on the farm today.”

“These days we are starting to prove ourselves as consistent breeders, very few bulls are slaughtered and tend to be sold through Carlisle or privately from home,” Andrew said.

Emslies Black Enigma was purchased in 2010. His sire, Bailea Black BMW has good figures with a Beef Value of 73. Following in his father’s footsteps, Enigma’s calves are

showing fantastic growth rate and muscling. His sons currently average over £7,000. To date, no calves that he has sired have been slaughtered and he is having a massive influence on the herd.

Andrew has seen all performance figures improve within the Swarland herd on the back of BMW genetics being introduced.

In 2014 they purchased Fairywater Haig, Reserve Junior Champion at Carlisle in February of that year, who has a Beef Value of 44 with high accuracy.

“We are excited to see how Haig’s first calves are developing.

He is an easy-calving, wellmuscled bull, not too heavily boned and was used on my heifers last year,” he said.

Andrew is careful to retain the

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easy-calving attributes of the Limousin. Females retained in the herd calve easily, producing vigorous calves who grow well and the cows get back in calf quickly.

Over the years, milk quantity has improved massively, reflected in EBVs. The Swarland cows are long, so Fairywater Haig is used to maintain mature size and thicken up their progeny.

“The modern market doesn’t want big animals, so type and quality is key and we use the growth rate EBVs to refine this point.”

Andrew has a clear passion for the breed with an ambition to become the best in the UK. Thriving on the challenge and loving the social side, he is happy to pursue his own breeding where he can quantify developments through changing EBVs and overall beef index and make small gradual adjustments as and when necessary.

This award gives recognition of his careful breeding choices that he has put into Swarland genetics over the years to provide a quality herd which is blending breed type with high figures.

“The timing is perfect for us as we approach the spring bull sales, we look forward to presenting some of the first high-index sons of Haig for sale.”

Andrew said.

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L I M O U S I N WINTER FAIRS

Sassy Lassy Overall Champion Smithfield 2016

LIMOUSIN HEIFER

SASSY LASSY REIGNS SUPREME AT THE 2016 EAST OF ENGLAND SMITHFIELD FESTIVAL AND SELLS FOR £10,000 • SASSY LASSY WINS THE SUPREME OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Judge Gavin Scott with Supreme Overall Champion and Jennifer Hyslop

• ROMFORD JOLA WINS PURE CONTINENTAL CHAMPION • STEER CHAMPION AND EXHIBITOR BRED AWARD GOES TO RED HOT • RED ALERT WINS THE RESERVE STEER AND RESERVE EXHIBITOR BRED AWARD • BABY BEEF CHAMPION WON BY LIMOUSIN SIRED HEIFER, RIO

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WINTER FAIRS

T

he 2016 East of England Smithfield Festival was held over two days on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th November at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. The Smithfield event, which is carved into the livestock industry history books, was another terrific day for the Limousin breed as it continued its title topping form at the 2016 Winter Primestock shows.

Winning the show’s Supreme Overall Champion, under the watchful eye of wellknown judge for the day Gavin Scott, West Lothian, was the Limousin sired heifer Sassy Lassy from Ayrshire’s Jennifer Hyslop.

Commenting on his Champion, Gavin Scott said, “When she first entered the ring she just had that bit of something special about her.

She had a presence and style, great length and handled well. She was exactly the sort of animal I was looking for and more.”

Brought forward and turned out to perfection by Jennifer Hyslop, Balluskie Farm, Girvan, Ayrshire, the May 2015 born Sassy Lassy weighed in at 592kgs on show day and was bred by John Smith-Jackson, Hightown Farm, Melkridge, Haltwhistle. Sired

by Waindale UFO, she was purchased from Leyburn Market back in March and had already seen success in the show ring this summer. In July she was a winner at the BLCS National Limousin Show and more recently also at Borderway Agri-Expo, Carlisle.

In October she was also Limousin Champion and Reserve Heifer Champion at Countryside Live. Commenting on her Championship win Jennifer Hyslop said: “I’m absolutely over the

LIMOUSIN

Red Alert Res Overall Steer Neil Slack

moon, and very proud and honoured to have won this prestigious award. It really is the title that all exhibitors aim to win.” It’s the first ever time in Smithfield history that the Overall Championship has been won by a brother and sister on separate occasions. Jennifer’s brother Drew won the top honour back in 2013. It is also a first Smithfield Championship for John Smith-Jackson, the breeder of Sassy Lassy, with his cattle having been Reserve Overall on two previous occasions.

After a tremendous couple of days for Jennifer Hyslop and family the Supreme

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Overall Champion Sassy Lassy went on to sell for a mighty £10,000! She was purchased by Alex and Carolyn Paton, Cairnhill Farm, Old Dailly, Girvan for their family-run, multi-award winning butcher’s business.

Earlier on the first day W Richardson & Son, Ghyll House, Dufton, Cumbria clinched the Overall Pure Continental Championship with the pedigree heifer Romford Jola. The November 2014 embryo heifer, sired by Carmorn Copilot and out of Sarkley Ola, was a recent purchase for the Mystyle prefix of W Richardson & Son, Ghyll House, Appleby,

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L I M O U S I N WINTER FAIRS Cumbria with them having paid 10,000gns for her at the BLCS Breeders’ sale at Carlisle in October this year.

The Overall Steer and Exhibitor Bred Championship went to Dickie Wright, Bowers Hill, Somerset with the Limousin sired Red Hot. The August 2015 born steer weighed in at 588kgs on show day and had recently been Reserve Bred and Fed Champion at the previous week’s Beef South West event.

Dickie Wright commented; “This is my first Championship at a Smithfield Festival and I’m very pleased to have won the Kings Cup with my Steer Champion. He’s sired by Bailea Spunkie who has bred very well for me winning numerous other prizes over the last few years. I try and AI all my cows with him as he clicks so well.”

Hot on the heels of the Steer Champion was Neil Slack, Penrith who took the Reserve Overall Steer Championship as well as the Reserve Exhibitor bred titles with his June 2015 born steer Red Alert. This son of the famous show calf producer Rossignol had been Champion Exhibitor Bred at the Countryside Live event.

On the second day of the show, Gavin Scott was back in the ring to judge the Baby Beef Championship which was awarded to Rio, another entry from Neil Slack. The January 2016 born heifer, Rio weighed in at 382kgs and is again sired by Rossignol and out of a homebred Blue x cow. Neil commente, “I’ve had a great show and it’s always an honour winning somewhere like this against the quality of cattle forward. Rio will next head to the English Winter Fair this upcoming weekend and LiveScot thereafter and then I plan to show her next summer.”

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Limousin Pure Champion Romford Jola from W Richardson & Son

Baby Beef Champion Limousin sired heifer Rio from NE Slack

Reserve Overall Baby Beef Champion was also sired by a Limousin sire. Moto, born in February 2016 was bred and exhibited by

the british limousin cattle society

Red Hot Overall Steer Champion Dickie Wright

JL&DA Davies, Clifton Mill Farm, Rugby. Sired

by Brutus Cracker and out of a Blue x Lim cow, Moto weighed 404kgs on show day.

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WINTER FAIRS

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EWF 16 Overall Champion TINKERBELL Mr James May

TINKERBELL

WAVES HER WAND TO TAKE THE SUPREME OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE ENGLISH WINTER FAIR • Tinkerbell wins the Supreme Overall Championship and sells for £4200 • Jasmine wins the Reserve Supreme Overall Championship and Best Bred and Fed titles • Limousin sired cattle win a clean sweep of the major live titles • Elkington Letsparty wins the Purebred Championship • Mr Chuckles wins Steer Championship • Wurzel wins Reserve Steer Championship • Master Monty wins the Overall Baby Beef Championship • Tallulah takes the Reserve Overall Baby Beef Championship • Foxhillfarm win Interbreed Champion and Reserve in the Pedigree Calf Show

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Judge Richard Bartle

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riday 19th & Saturday 20th November saw the English Winter Fair 2016 held at Staffordshire County Showground. From a quality show forward, Limousin sired cattle swept the boards winning all of the major titles on offer.

In front of a big crowd the red heifer Tinkerbell, exhibited by Mr James May, Sheltwood Farm, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, lifted the Heifer Championship before moving on to take the Supreme Overall Championship. Commenting on what was a very popular win, accompanied by a huge cheer from the crowd, Mr May said, “we are all absolutely over the moon to have won this title and it really does mean a lot to the family.”

The Champion animal was tapped out by the joint judges for the day in the shape of the well-known Mr Richard Bartle of the noted Dinmore herd, and Mr David Plested, Chinnon, Oxon. Commenting on their Champion Richard Bartle said, “this heifer is superb, she has such a level full top, clean with no waste and possesses that extra bit of style and class that Limousins are renowned for. The heifer classes were particularly strong with quality in depth throughout.” Weighing in at 615kgs, the May 2015 born Tinkerbell was purchased privately from W Richardson & Son, Appleby, Cumbria. She is sired by the Rossignol son Melbreak Hero and is out of a Lim x Blue cow.

Tinkerbell went on to sell for £4,200 to Messrs B&T Kitson, Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

Previously this heifer had won Commercial Champion at Kington show and had received first in her class at the East of England Smithfield Festival at Peterborough. The May family run a large operation at home taking

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1st prize winning trade stand

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WINTER FAIRS care of a 1400 acre mixed farm, comprising of 170 dairy cows, 600 Texel cross ewes, and finishing around 200 cattle each year. Last year they reached the final three of the Famers Guardian Awards for the best family farm.

The Reserve Overall Supreme Champion was Jasmine from TA & LC Lyon & Son, Thurlby, Bourne, Lincs. Jasmine had come all the way through from winning the Best Bred and Fed Championship and is sired by the family’s stock bull Ironstone Hornblower, a Rathkeeland Dylan son, who is breeding very well for the Lyon family. Out of a Salomon sired heifer, Jasmine is to be retained as a breeding female.

The Baby Beef classes were judged on the second day by Mr Keith Harryman, Newlands, Keswick, Cumbria. Taking the Steer and Overall Baby Beef Championship was Master Monty, exhibited by J A Nicholls, Wetley Rocks, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. Bred by TF & C Robinson, this May 2016 born steer is sired by the popular AI sire Lodge Hamlet.

Reserve Overall Baby Champion went to the Heifer Champion, Tallulah who was exhibited

by Wilkinson, Lawson and Marwood, North Yorkshire. Born in April 2016, Tallulah was bred by BR Lawson & Son. No stranger to success was Mr Frank Page, Lodge Farm, Elkington, Northamptonshire who bred and exhibited Elkington Letsparty, and won the Purebred Championship. The April 2015 born steer is sired by Pembridge Delboy and out of Millington Dusty. At last year’s English Winter Fair Frank Page had won the Carcase Championship with a heifer also sired by Pembridge Delboy.

Steer Champion was won by the Limousin sired May 2015 born steer Mr Chuckles, who was exhibited by Brymore Academy and Clatworthy Family, Somerset.

Reserve Steer Champion was taken by a Limousin cross animal in the shape of Wurzel which was exhibited by J & S Wareham, Heathfield, East Sussex. Wurzel is a June 2015 born steer that was bred by AJ & FM Harrison, Appleby, Cumbria.

It was another tremendous day yet again for the Foxhillfarm herd of Mike and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, Devon in the National Pedigree Calf Show Competition. After winning both Champion and Reserve in the breed section on the first day under judge Mr Chris Pennie, Montgomery, Powys of the noted Sarkley herd, the two Foxhillfarm animals went one further to claim the Interbreed Champion and Reserve titles on day two. The Overall Calf Champion was Foxhillfarm Limitededition, an August 2015 born heifer by Kype Interrogate and out of Bankdale Elizabeth a daughter of the herd’s cornerstone cow Bankdale Alice.

Taking the Reserve Interbreed title was the January 2016 born bull Foxhillfarm Manhattan.

This calf is sired by Guards Boomer and out of the multi-show winning homebred dam Foxhillfarm Gracie.

Commenting, on day one, on his Limousin Champion Foxhillfarm Limitededition, the

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EWF 16 Res Overall Champion JASMINE TA&LC Lyon & Son

EWF 16 Overall Calf Champion FOXHILLFARM LIMITED EDITION

EWF 16 Reserve Calf Champion FOXHILLFARM MANHATTAN

judge Chris Pennie said, “the Champion is a classy heifer, very correct, has a breedy head and is good on her legs. She’s very smart and has got a lot of outlook.”

Rounding off an excellent two days for the Limousin breed, the British Limousin Cattle Society also picked up the award for the best trade stand. Featuring on the stand were three quality young bulls with two coming from the Garyvaughan herd of Colin Lewis, and the third from the Simse herd of Eddie Sims.

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EWF 16 Pure Bred Champion ELKINGTON LETSPARTY Mr Frank Page

Overall Baby Beef EWF 16 MASTER MONTY JA Nicholls

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LIMOUSINS

Baby Beef Champion Black Jack from Ali Jackson

CONTINUE TITLE WINNING FORM AT 2016 LIVESCOT SHOW • Champion Steer and Reserve

Champion Housewife's Choice Take Me Out James Nisbet

• Reserve Supreme Champion • Champion Lightweight Steer and Reserve • Reserve Heavyweight Steer • Champion Pure-bred • Champion Housewife’s Choice Champion Lightweigh Steer and Res Champ Steer The Special One G MacFadzean

• Baby Beef Champion and Reserve • Reserve Champion Butchers

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imousin-bred cattle maintained their form at this year’s LiveScot event, held at Lanark Market, securing multiple top spots and Championships.

Leading the way in the steers, and then going onto take the Reserve Supreme Overall accolade, was Red Alert, a Rossignol son from Neil Slack, Plum Tree House, Newby, Penrith. This 592kg home-bred 17-month-old had stood Reserve Steer at the recent East of England Smithfield Festival and was Champion Home-Bred animal at Countryside Live. His dam, a Limousin cross

by Cloughhead Titanic, was a show heifer herself, winning her class at the Scottish Winter Fair ten years ago.

Reserve in the steers and Champion Lightweight steer, was the home-bred 14-month-old named The Special One, from George and Aileen McFadzean, Woodhead of Mailer, Perth. He is sired by Maraiscote Galaxy a Goldies Comet son purchased by the MacFadzeans at Stirling in 2012 for 9000gns.

Reserve Lightweight Steer was Cammie Boy, an Emslies Galileo-sired 14-month-old from Jim and Catherine McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn.

Another calf that is home-bred, he is also out of a Limousin cross dam.

Lifting the Best Pure-bred title was the Craik family’s 20-month-old steer, from Waterside Farm, Haugh of Urr. Also collecting the Reserve Heavyweight Steer award, and again home bred, this one is by Shian Hijack, a Netherhall Doubleoseven son.

Winning the Housewife’s Choice Championship was a 17-monthold heifer named Take Me Out, from James Nisbet, Sorn Mains Farm, Mauchline, Ayrshire. Bred by John Smith-Jackson, this Shire Apollo daughter, out of a Limousin cross dam, later made £2600 when selling to John Gilmour Butchers, Macmerry, East Lothian.

Limousin-bred calves again dominated the Baby Beef section, with Ali Jackson’s April-born steer, Black Jack, taking the Championship. Bred

by John McAlister, West Thomaston, Stirling, this one is by Easegillhead Exterminator.

Reserve in the Baby Beef was Neil Slack’s home-bred heifer, Rio, a January-born Rossignol daughter, shown by Hannah Brown. Again with a strong season behind her this calf had placed as Baby Beef Champion at the East of England Smithfield Festival.

Rounding off another strong Limousin showing, the Reserve Champion in the Butchers’ Championship was a Limousin-sired steer from J Hodge, Dykes Farm, Auchinleck, Ayrshire.

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Champion Steer & Reserve Supreme Champion Red Alert N Stack

Reserve Baby Beef Rio N Slack

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‘TIP TOP’ WIN FOR DUFFTON AND STEWART AT THE 2016 WELSH WINTER FAIR Tip Top Steer and Overall Champion

Limousin sired cattle sweep the board at Builth Wells and win: • Supreme Champion and Reserve • Champion Steer and Reserve • Champion Heifer and Reserve • Baby Beef Champion and Reserve • Champion Butchers Choice • Supreme Champion sells for £4000 • Reserve Baby Beef sells for £5800

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riginally bred in and bought out of Wales by Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stewart, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, the Limousin sired steer Tip Top returned to the Principality to win the Supreme Overall Championship at the 2016 Welsh Winter Fair held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, on Tuesday 29th November. In doing so Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stewart became the first Scottish exhibitors to win the coveted Welsh Winter Fair title.

Played out in front of huge crowds the 640kgs Tip Top had come through the Limousin sired section on the first day before lifting the Steer Championship and then Supreme Championship in front of joint judges Bryn Lloyd, Garthiaen, Llandrillo, Denbighshire, and Pearse McNamee, Kiltoal, Lifford, Co Donegal.

Commenting on behalf of the men in the middle Bryn Lloyd said: “The steer was an outstanding Champion. He was just full of meat, very correct in every way, a good walker, and just carried so much presence and style.” As they were lifting the title in Wales word filtered through that the Duffton and Stewart partnership were simultaneously lifting the Supreme Championship at Thainstone’s Christmas Classic in Aberdeen with their Limousin sired heifer ‘Oucha Baby’. Quite a day!

Working as a livestock agent for Blackmuir Cattle and Sheep, based in Huntly, Abderdeenshire, Blair Duffton has long shown Primestock cattle in his own right and

the british limousin cattle society

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WINTER FAIRS has been a prolific winner of titles across many of the major and local shows in Scotland. The double win of the Supreme at both the Welsh Winter Fair and at the Christmas Classic on the same day, and with both animals going on to sell for £4000 respectively, all added up to quite a remarkable achievement and one never to be forgotten. Speaking afterwards Mr Duffton, who himself was showing in Aberdeen on the day, said: “I just can’t believe that I’ve been fortunate enough to win both of these titles and including the Welsh Winter Fair which carries such a fantastic reputation.

The standard of stock at that show is so high that you can never go there thinking that you could win”, he said. “I first saw the bullock on Facebook and that he was for sale and decided to go to Brecon Market to have a look.

There were some quality cattle on show and I ended up buying four on the day. Tip Top took my eye straight away and he’s just gone on and kept improving through the year. I’ve shown cattle for many years and to have a day like this is just incredible and makes it all so worthwhile.” Whilst at the Welsh Winter Fair Tip Top was looked after by Stewart & Lynsey Bett, along with Dougie McBeath. In the ring Ayrshire’s Sean Kennedy was on the halter.

As described, and very much a Celtic combination of Scotland and Wales, Tip Top was purchased at the Sale of Show Potentials, Brecon Market, in February by Blair Duffton for £2250 from the breeders Colin & Wendy Phillips, The Batch, Sarnesfield, Weobley, Herefordshire. With a considerable and growing track record of success at the Welsh Winter Fair, this is the second time the Phillips have bred the Supreme Champion and having won it themselves back in 2005. Remarkably the sire of this year’s Champion, Powerhouse Elite, has now sired three of the previous Supreme Champions at the Welsh Winter Fair.

The Phillips, who run 40 crossbred cows and thirty pedigree under the Powerhouse prefix, still have Powerhouse Elite going strong in their herd with the breeding company Cogent having the semen rights.

Come sale time Tip Top led by the kilted Sean Kennedy, went through the ring and sold for £4000 to the regular Welsh Winter Fair buyer Mr Anthony Kitson, a quality butcher from Yorkshire.

It was another fantastic show of Primestock cattle and one that was again dominated

by Limousin sired cattle very much living up to their Carcase Breed moniker. Taking the Reserve Supreme Overall and Heifer Championship was Lincolnshire’s Phil and Sharon Sellers with their 596kgs Limousin sired French Connection. Prolific exhibitors this is the second year in a row, and the fourth time in all, that the husband and wife time have placed Reserve Supreme Overall. Bought privately from Frank Page, Northants, the aptly named heifer was sired by the Page’s stock bull Heathmount Frenchconnection who bred the 2015 Smithfield Festival Champion. Earlier this year French Connection had previously won the Overall Supreme at Southwell Show

LIMOUSIN

French Connection Heifer Champion & Res Overall

Sarkley Leane Pedigree Champion

Cwmlimo Lord Pedigree Reserve Champion

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L I M O U S I N WINTER FAIRS and was first in its class at the English Winter Fair.

Standing Reserve Steer Champion to the Overall Supreme was another from the Sellers in the shape of The Gangster. Weighing in at 584kgs this May 2015 born beast is by the noted Rossignol sire. He was bred by David Jarman, Workington and bought for £4000 at the March calf sale held in Carlisle market. Since then he has been shown very successfully winning classes and titles at both the Countryside Live and English Winter Fair events respectively.

Taking the titles right around the home nations, Northern Ireland got in on the act when the stylish Annie Power lifted the Reserve Heifer Championship for Dermot Small, Kilkeel, Co Down. June 2015 born and weighing 646kgs, this heifer was originally bred

by Andrew Proctor, Morpeth, Northumberland.

Three quarter Limousin bred Annie Power was sired by Swarland Goldfinger which is a son of Swarland Dapper (by Salomon).

The Limousin sired heifer Read All About It from Elfed Williams, Sennybridge, Powys, took the Butchers Choice Award. Another with a show record behind it this heifer, purchased at Ruthin in Feb 2015 where it had placed Champion, had previously won the Baby Beef title at the NBA Expo held at Bakewell, as well as a class at the 2016 National Limousin Show. Bred by Wendy Morgan, the 530kgs September 2015 born heifer was sired by the French bred bull Hedgard.

In a high quality show of calves, and judged

by Richard Bartle, Farm Manager at Dinmore Manor Estate, Hereford, it was another Championship double for Limousin sired calves. Taking the Overall title was January born Brutus Cheekygirl from Dai Brute, Gwndwnwal, Brecon who runs fifty commercial cows alongside his Brutus pedigree herd.

Described by Mr Brute as ‘probably the best calf I have ever bred’, Cheekygirl is by the shapely Cwmlimo Hercules, bought from Lampeter’s Berwyn Hughes, and is out of a Limousin cross dam. In the post-show sale the champion calf went on to sell for £4000.

Commenting, Richard Bartle said: “The Champion calf is outstanding. She has a super top, great depth and width of hindquarter, and carried a tremendous presence in the ring.”

This further judging stint came hard on the heels of Championship judging for Mr Bartle at the recent English Winter Fair.

Taking the Reserve in the Baby Beef section was Bowen & Bowen, Welshpool, Powys with their April 2016 heifer Queen B. This heifer is sired by the highly successful bull Liscon Bigshow who was purchased for 7200gns at a Carlisle sale. Earlier this year, in what was her first outing, Queen B had lifted the Baby Beef Championship at the Borderway Agri Expo at Carlisle. Making the top price of the day, Queen B went on to sell for £5800. This further success followed on from the English Winter Fair where the Steer Champion, Mr Chuckles exhibited by Brymore Academy and Clatworthy Family, had been bred by the Bowens.

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Brutus Cheekygirl Baby Beef Champion

Queen B Baby Beef Res Champion

Annie Power Heifer Res Champion

In the pedigree section the Champion Limousin went to Elfed Williams, Sennybridge, with the Limousin heifer Sarkley Leane. May 2015 born, and bred by EH Pennie & Son, Sarkley Leane is by Plumtree Fantastic and is out of the Rocky daughter Sarkley Dusk.

Taking the Reserve was Cwmlimo Lord from Gwanwyn Rowlands, Bala, Gwynedd. This 608kgs steer is another bred by Berwyn Hughes, Lampeter. Sired by Cwmlimo Eubank it is out of Sannan Duchess, a Glangwden Union daughter.

the british limousin cattle society

The Gangster Res Steer Champion

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LIMOUSIN

JLO STRIKES AGAIN AS LIMOUSINS DOMINATE ALLAMS CHRISTMAS SHOW AND SALE

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he JCB Team of Gareth Corrie, Charles Beverland and Johnny Neill finished 2016 on a high when their Limousin heifer “J-Lo” notched up yet another supreme Championship title at the prestigious Allams Christmas Show & Sale, Belfast. This heifer will go down as one of the most successful in commercial show ring history having scooped championships at Balmoral, the Highland, Borderway Agri Expo and now Allams. She also was tapped out as Reserve Interbreed at Balmoral in May. Aberdeenshire’s Harry Emslie was in the driving seat at Allams and he was hugely impressed with the turn out of cattle presented for judging. He described his outright winner

as ‘a dream to handle with just the right amount of flesh as well as being incredibly stylish in the show ring’. Bidding was brisk for the Supreme Champion with the hammer falling at £3300 to the Morning Star, Belfast.

Limousins continued to dominate through the main awards including the “Housewives Champion”. The winner here was a 560 kgs all-black heifer from Millview Commercials, Benburb. She was snapped up by the Morning Star for £3100. Reserve Housewives Champion went to S & D Bothwell, Killadeas, for their Limousin sired entry which sold to Omagh Meats for £2050.

There was strong demand for Limousin sired heifers for potential breeding stock

Oucha Baby £4000 Supreme Champion from Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart

also with a 550kgs Swarland Eddie daughter from James Alexander selling at £3190 for 550. Alan Veitch realised £3150 for a 500kgs Ironstone Diego daughter.

In the calf section the Championship was won by a smart Limousin heifer from Leanne Workman which was retained for breeding.

Sales for Limousin sired calves was brisk with Geoffrey Murphy, Dromara, selling a pair of youngsters for £1700 (330kgs) and £1520 (290kgs).

Reinforcing the exceptional demand for Limousin sired cattle throughout the sale was the fact that the breed recorded the highest price average for both heifers (£3.78/kg) and steers (£3.26)!

Reece Simmers Bashful was YF Champion £2,600

OUCHA BABY SECURES ‘DREAM DOUBLE’ AT CHRISTMAS CLASSIC!

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t was a day to remember for Aberdeenshire commercial cattle producers Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart, of Huntly and Insch, when they scored a unique double by standing Supreme Champion at the Christmas Classic, at Thainstone and minutes later making history by being the first Scots to win the Supreme Championship at the Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells.

Taking the top title at Thainstone and securing a top price of £4,000 was Oucha Baby, a Limousin cross bred by Graham Henderson, Murrayfield. June 2015 born this 570kgs heifer is by the 32,000gns Huntershall Gladiator and out of a Limousin cross cow. It was purchased by the pair at the Spring Show at Thainstone for 5,1000gns.

The top quality show of haltered primestock and butcher’s cattle was judged by Jim Smith of Wester Campfield, Glassel, who is a regular buyer at Thainstone, and Louise Forsyth of WTS Forsyth & Sons Butchers, in Peebles. Mrs Forsyth who buys primestock at St Boswells every week for her family’s butchers shop, paid the money for the Champion animal.

Keith Young Farmer, Reece Simmers, from Backmuir, achieved the second top price with his 19 month old Limousin cross heifer Bashful which was the YF Champion. Bred by father and son duo, John &

Craig Robertson, Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry, this 630kg beast sold for £3,600 to the judge of the section, Huntly butcher Gary Raeburn of Forbes Raeburn & Sons.

Standing Reserve Overall was the Steer Champion, Trump, from Bertie Paton and daughter and son in law, Wendy & Stuart Hunter from West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch. Their September 2015 born Limousin cross bullock which was bought at the Thainstone Spectacular from Newton of Logierait, weighed in at 578kg. In what was a very involved day for him it was Blair Duffton who paid £2,400 for Trump.

Also at £2,400 was the Butchers’ Champion from Wilson Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff. This was the 634kg I’m A Hero, a September 2015 born Limousin cross bullock, which is the first calf to be shown by the sire Maraiscote Hero. I’m A Hero was bought by David Comrie of David Comrie & Sons Butchers, Perth.

Murray Rainnie, Loanhead, Logie Coldstone, Aboyne was next in the money at £2,394 with his Reserve Heifer to the Supreme Champion.

This March 2015 born Limousin cross was bred by Charlie McMillan, Ardbeg, Islay. Weighing in at 668kg she was purchased by Gordon Cameron, Newton Cottage, Acharacle, Argyll.

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‘THE GANGSTER’

Raspberry Ripple top at Beef South West

IS LIMOUSIN SIRED CHAMPION AT COUNTRYSIDE LIVE • The Gangster takes Overall Reserve Steer & Limousin sired Champion Photo credit Emily Fleur Photography

• Sassy Lassy wins Overall Reserve Heifer and Reserve Limousin sired Champion • Limousin sired Hot Totty wins the Baby Beef Championship • Neil Slack wins Champion Exhibitor Bred

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ountryside Live, held in October at Harrogate, kicked off what was to be a memorable season of winter fairs and Primestock events for the Limousin breed.

Judged by Philip Parrott, Buckinghamshire, the Limousin-sired champion, and the Overall Reserve Steer, was The Gangster from Phil and Sharon Sellers, Lincolnshire. Bought from David Jarman, Workington, Cumbria, after winning the championship at the suckled calf sale at Carlisle in March, it weighed 572kg and is by the noted sire Rossignol.

Sassy Lassy, by the Limousin sire Waindale UFO, took the Reserve Heifer Championship for Jennifer Hyslop, Ayrshire. Bought from John Smith-Jackson at Leyburn in the spring, this heifer had won at the National Limousin show at Carlisle in July.

Neil Slack, Penrith won the Champion Exhibitor Bred with his June 2015 born steer Red Alert. This beast is by the prolific show calf producer Rossignol. All three animals noted were to feature strongly in the winter fairs ahead.

Winning the Baby Beef Championship was Alan, Helen, Richard and Clare Dent, Hexham with their home-bred heifer, Hot Totty. By the Limousin sire Wilodge Goldcard, and out of a home-bred cow, it was making its show ring debut.

Reserve Champion was the second prize winning heifer, Holly, from Eddie and Bunty Morgan, Carmarthenshire. Bought privately from Berwyn Hughes, Lampeter, it was also at its first event.

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RASPBERRY RIPPLE TOP AT BEEF SOUTH WEST • Raspberry Ripple wins Supreme for EDDavies • Cheackers win Homebred & Fed title • Limousin sired Princess wins Baby Beef • Patrick Greed wins young bull title

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d Davies, Ilminster took Supreme Champion in the commercial classes at Beef South West, Westpoint Centre, Exeter, with the appropriately named Raspberry Ripple. This August 2015 born Limousin cross heifer was bought at Brecon in February for £3,000 from breeder PJ & TA Jones, Erwood. It was seen this summer at the Mid Somerset & Mid Devon shows and placed second in its class at Frome.

Winning the highly anticipated home bred and fed championship was Prim & Proper, a Limousin cross heifer from Darrell and Sarah Cheacker, Bristol and led by daughter Julie Daniel. This summer it had been Supreme and Commercial Champion at Chepstow Show and Commercial Champion at Monmouth. The Cheacker family also took the Baby Beef Championship at last year’s show and the Commercial Steer Championship at last year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

Reserve to the heifer was the home bred Glen, an August 2015 born steer from Richard Wright, Somerton, led by Clive Groves. Sired by a Limousin and out of a Limousin cross Blue cow, it was second in its class at this year’s Borderway Agri-Expo, its only other show of the season.

Baby Beef champion went to Princess, a Limousin from Edd and Bunty Morgan, Llandovery, led by stockperson Samantha Jones. Although the couple took Reserve Champion at Harrogate’s Countryside Live with their heifer Holly, it was this animal’s first time out on the show scene.

Michael & Melanie Alford, Cullompton took the pedigree calf championship with Foxhillfarm Montreal a 10 month old bull calf. An embryo calf sired by Guards Boomer, it is out of the multi title winning Foxhillfarm Gracie.

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L I M O U S I N WINTER FAIRS

J-LO HITS THE HIGH NOTE FOR JCB COMMERCIALS AS LIMOUSINS COMPLETE A HAT TRICK OF CHAMPIONSHIPS AT BORDERWAY AGRI-EXPO • J-LO WINS THE HEIFER CHAMPIONSHIP AND OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP OF THIS YEARS BORDERWAY AGRI-EXPO • BILLY WIZZ WINS THE STEER CHAMPIONSHIP • QUEEN B WINS THE BABY BEEF CHAMPIONSHIP

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riday 28th October 2016 saw the 10th Anniversary of the Borderway Agri-Expo at Carlisle. On what was a long day, packed full of the very best cattle from all corners of the UK, the classy heifer J-Lo from JCB Commercials, Northern Ireland took the Overall Supreme Championship. Limousin sired cattle again dominated the day and lifted the Overall Supreme, the Heifer and Steer Championships, and the Baby Beef Championship.

The task of judging for the day came under the watchful eye of Mr Jimmy Mulholland, Great Orton, Carlisle. The Mulholland family butcher shop business has been in operation for just over 50 years. Jimmy runs the business with his wife and hopes a fourth generation of the family might take over one day as one of his three sons is keen to work in Great Orton. Along with his late father, Jimmy has grown up knowing the butchery business all his life.

Outside of the business, Jimmy also farms pedigree cattle and sheep and runs a herd of 35 pedigree Limousin cattle together with a flock of pedigree Texels and Beltex sheep all known under the Liscon prefix. Any surplus cattle and sheep from the farm are sent through the shop. Jimmy has also judged at the Scottish Winter Fair in 2013, English Winter Fair in 2012 and judged the heifer section at the Welsh Winter Fair in 2014.

The Borderway Agri Expo Overall Champion, J-Lo, arrived at Carlisle following a hugely successful summer show season and having won a terrific 2016 double that saw her

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SUPREME CHAMPION - BORDERWAY AGRI-EXPO 2016-JCB COMMERCIALS 'J-LO'

lift the Supreme Championships at both the Royal Ulster Show, Balmoral, and the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston. This classy heifer was also the Reserve Overall Commercial Champion at 2016 National Limousin Show held in July and also at Carlisle. J-Lo, who weighed 659kgs on show day, was originally purchased last winter at Hilltown Mart for £1000. Sired by Norman Ely and out of a Lim x

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dam she was bred by P Fagan.

Jimmy Mulholland was full of praise for his Champion and the overall show of cattle and said: “I’ve judged all over the country and it was by far the hardest task I have ever undertaken. There was one class after another with strength and depth of outstanding cattle right the way through the show. Some classes were really down to the finer points and I was

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Pen of Lodge Hamlet calves on display

splitting hairs. When it came to my Overall Champion she had never put a foot wrong all day. For a heifer to carry that much carcase, her style and locomotion was exceptional.”

Speaking on behalf of JCB Commercials, a delighted Gareth Corrie commented; “J-Lo really is a once in a lifetime heifer. We are over the moon winning the Overall Championship at such a highly regarded event. The AgriExpo is so well run and the quality of cattle on show was second to none. This win really did top what has been a fantastic year for us with J-Lo at all the major shows.”

Steer Champion of the show was Billy Wizz, from Rachel Mudd and Craig Bentley, The Gables, Kepwick, Thirsk. Bred at Carry House, Hexham by Martyn Archer, this red May 2015 born steer was purchased for £2000 at a new Spring 2016 Sale held at Hexham & Northern Marts. Sired by the French bull, Ananas, this steer is out of a Limousin cross cow. Billy Wizz has also seen a very successful summer winning the Steer Championships at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show and also the 2016 National Limousin Show.

Reserve Steer Champion of the show was also won by a Limousin sired animal in the form of Tom Thumb from Jennifer Hyslop, Balluskie Farm, Girvan, Ayrshire. The April 2015 born steer Tom Thumb, bred by exhibitor, is sired by Lodge Hamlet and is out of a Limousin cross dam. Tom Thumb has also seen considerable success on the show circuit this season.

Completing the hat trick of championships for the Limousin breed was the Baby Beef Champion aptly named Queen B, from Bowen & Bowen, Penthryn, Welshpool. The April 2016 born heifer was bred and exhibited by the Bowen family and is sired by the highly successful bull Liscon Bigshow. Used as the main herd sire, Liscon Bigshow has bred numerous title winning cattle for the Bowens over recent years. Queen B was on her first outing along with two other herd mates, both of which gained second prize tickets, with all three being sired by Liscon Bigshow.

They will be shown at the English Winter Fair, followed by the Welsh Winter Fair where they will then be sold. Commenting after the show Luke Bowen said, “we are over the moon and honoured to win such a fantastic quality show

where the cattle are of such a high standard.”

The task of judging the Baby Beef classes was undertaken by Mr Michael Durno of Auchorachan, Glenlivet, who brings with him a lifetime’s experience of showing calves. The 2863 acre hill farm is currently run

by Leslie Durno and his son Michael, farming a 160 strong suckler cow herd which include pedigree cattle and a flock of 600 North Type Blackface ewes. One of the highlights in Michael’s judging career include the Commercial Cattle classes at the Royal Highland Show and the Baby Beef classes at the last Royal Smithfield Show held in London. Michael Durno commented afterwards saying, “I was very impressed with the high standard of calves, every class that came in was full of quality calves beautifully presented. My champion was just what I was looking for in a show calf, she was long with a great top and perfectly balanced, she was very good on her legs and had a beautiful head and wonderful set of alert ears!”

A busy Limousin stand welcomed breeders and customers with some firstclass hospitality provided by the North West Limousin Club. David Thomlinson, the recently appointed BLCS Honorary President was also on hand to meet with members, breeders and commercial producers. The high-quality commercial and pedigree Limousin cattle on display were kindly provided by Thomas & June Hunter Dumfriesshire, Messrs G&JE Bell Appleby, Messrs JM&SM Priestley Brampton, and Messrs Jenkinson Penrith.

Reserve Steer Champion Tom Thumb

OVERALL STEER CHAMPION 'Billy Wizz' Lim x from Mudd & Bentley

OVERALL BABY BEEF CHAMPION-LIMOUSIN HEIFER 'QUEEN B' FROM BOWEN & BOWEN

SUPREME CHAMPION - BORDERWAY AGRI-EXPO 2016-JCB COMMERCIALS 'J-LO'

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L I M O U S I N WINTER FAIRS

LIMOUSINS SHINE AT STIRLING’S 2016 STARS OF THE FUTURE CALF SHOW T • WHINFELLPARK LOMU WINS OVERALL SENIOR INTERBREED CHAMPION

• FOXHILLFARM MAMMAMIA WINS RESERVE OVERALL JUNIOR INTERBREED CHAMPION • FOXHILLFARM WIN THE CONTINENTAL PAIRS INTERBREED TITLE

he Stars of the Future Calf Show, held on Saturday 12th November 2016 at Stirling Market, saw a fantastic entry of 360 calves across all breeds. The Limousin breed shone at the event yet again, in front of a large crowd of spectators, winning two out of the three Interbreed titles and coming Reserve in the other.

The Limousin section was judged by the well-known figure of Mr Ian Nattress, who from a good entry of just under 90 young Limousins placed the powerful and shapely Whinfellpark Lomu from Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor, Penrith, Cumbria as Senior Male Champion and Overall Senior Champion.

November 2015 born Lomu is sired by the 30,000gns Lowerffryd Empire and is out of the Wilodge Cerberus sired cow Whinfellpark Femi.

The junior section judging saw the stylish

January 2016 born Foxhillfarm Mammamia from Mike & Melanie Alford, Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, take the Junior Female and Overall Junior Championships. The January born embryo calf is by the homebred 38,000gns Foxhillfarm Irishlad and is out of the 125,000gns female world record price holder Glenrock Illusion.

Following on after the Limousin judging was the Interbreed Championships under the eye of Mr Phil Halhead, Cockerham, Lancashire.

Limousins very much dominated with Whinfellpark Lomu being awarded the Overall Senior Interbreed Champion Continental for Messrs Jenkinson. Not quite making it the hat-trick of interbreeds, but in a very credible Reserve Overall Junior Interbreed Continental Champion position, was Foxhillfarm Mammamia. Finally, completing what was a fantastic day for the Alford team,

Whinfellpark Lomu

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WINTER FAIRS they were awarded the Interbreed Continental Champion Pairs for Foxhillfarm Manhattan and Foxhillfarm Mammamia.

From the senior sections of the Limousin breed judging, the Reserve Senior Male Championship was awarded to Foxhillfarm Louisvuitton, again from the Alford’s. The August born embryo Louisvuitton is sired by Guards Boomer, who has bred well for the Foxhillfarm herd and is out of the multi show winning Foxhillfarm Gracie. Gracie had a fantastic show season in 2013, winning the triple crown of breed championships at the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh shows.

The Alford team were in the rosettes again under judge for the day Ian Nattress, winning the Senior Female Championship with Foxhillfarm Limitededition. This August born embryo heifer calf is by the show calf producer Kype Interrogate and out of the Bankdale Alice bred daughter, this time in the form of Bankdale Elizabeth.

Reserve Senior Female Champion went to Annanview Lala from Kevin Watret, Annan, Dumfriesshire. The July 2015 born Lala is sired by the 15,000gns Emslies Hendreron and out of Tweeddale Harika, who was purchased by Kevin Watret for 12,000gns at the Tweeddale breeder’s sale in June 2014.

Into the junior sections and winning Junior Female and Overall Female Champion was the aforementioned Foxhillfarm Mammamia from the Alford’s. An incredible day for the team saw them also take the Junior Male and Reserve Overall Junior Championship with Foxhillfarm Manhatten. Manhatten is a January 2016 born embryo full brother to Foxhillfarm Louisvuitton. Both of these embryo calves are sired by Guards Boomer and out of the homebred dam Foxhillfarm Gracie.

Reserve Junior Male Champion went to local breeders R&J Graham, Bridge of Allan, Stirling with Grahams Murphy. The March 2016 born Murphy is sired by the well-known 22,000gns sire Claragh Franco and is out of the French imported dam Cousine. Claragh Franco has certainly been producing the goods for the Grahams, having already produced the 40,000gns Grahams Lorenzo and the 16,000gns Grahams Lizzie so far this year for the herd.

The Reserve Junior Female Championship went to Meadowrig Maeva from Renton & Redden, Clarence House, Tweedmouth, Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland. March born, Maeva is sired by the muscular 23,000gns Fairywater Haig, whose first son at auction sold for 14,000gns at the Society’s Carlisle bull sale in October. The mother of Maeva is the powerful show cow Meadowrig Eva, who herself has seen considerable success showing on numerous outings. Eva was Supreme Limousin Champion on her only outing in 2014 at Berwickshire County Show and won first at 2015 Northumberland Show and Overall Reserve Breed Champion, first at Highland Show, first at Scottish Grandprix at Turriff and Best Exhibitor Bred Animal.

Foxhillfarm Louisvitton

FoxhillFarm Limitededition

Meadowrig Maeva

Annaview Lala

FoxhillFarm Mammamia

Foxhillfarm Manhatten

Grahams Murphy

Judge Mr Phil Halhead with Continental Senior Champion Whinfellpark Lomu

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Other first prized animals include: Class 2 - Bulls born between 2nd October - 27th October 2015 1st - Maraiscote Lexington - Ian Nimmo

Class 9 - Bulls born between 1st April 23rd April 2016 1st - Strawfrank Maverick - A Campbell

Class 5 - Heifers born between 3rd September - 5th November 2015 1st - Grahams Lisette - R&J Graham

Class 11 - Heifers born between 1st February - 29th February 2016 1st - Lodge Meribel - W&A Callion

Class 6 - Heifers born between 11th November - 23rd December 1st - Whinfellpark Ladonna - Messrs Jenkinson

Class 12 - Heifers born between 4th March - 9th May 2016 1st - Lodge Marimba - W&A Callion

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L I M O U S I N NEWS

Pictured at Kitsons Butchers Northallerton shop with all three Winter Fair supreme champions’ trophies in the window are, from left, Oliver Kitson, Anthony Kitson and shop manager Martin Calvert.

KITSONS BUTCHERS PURCHASE A HAT-TRICK OF

UK SUPREME CHAMPIONS N

orth of England butcher Anthony Kitson made history when purchasing the Overall Supreme Champion beef cattle at all three of the country’s principal Christmas primestock shows this year – the English Winter Fair, the Royal Welsh Winter Fair and the Scottish Winter Fair.

It is thought to be the first time that an independent family-run retail butchers has pulled off such a meaty coup, which represented a joint outlay running well into five figures.

The title-winning trio were purchased and fully matured, to maximise both taste and texture in readiness, with a view to the keynote Christmas trade at Kitsons Butchers’ three shops in High Street, Northallerton, Stephenson Way, Stockton-on-Tees, and

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North End, Hutton Rudby.

Speaking prior to Christmas Mr Kitson said: “Our customers in North Yorkshire and Cleveland are in for a real treat. We always try to offer them the best prime quality meat that money can buy at all times of the year, much of it sourced locally, but I wanted to do something really special for Christmas this year by personally attending the country’s flagship festive primestock shows,” “In fact, I went with the express intension of securing all three supreme champions. We pulled it off and we’re proud to shout about it. Absolutely nothing will go to waste and, importantly, we’ll be selling this great British beef at our normal prices. We may well have gone a bit crackers to beef up Christmas, but our customers certainly won’t be paying extra

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for privilege of eating it!” stressed Mr Kitson.

The journey began at the English Winter Fair in Staffordshire, where Mr Kitson bought the title-winning Limousin-sired heifer from Worcestershire breeder James May, of Bromsgrove. It had earlier become commercial champion at Kington Show and also finished first in class at the East of England Smithfield Festival at Peterborough.

The heifer was described by English Winter Fair judges as “superb, clean, with no waste and that extra bit of style and class that Limousins are renowned for.”

Less than a week later, Mr Kitson was at the Scottish Winter Fair at LiveScot in Lanark, where he claimed the supreme champion Charolais-cross home-bred heifer from Perthshire’s Wilson Peters, of Cuilt, near Crieff.

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NEWS Two days later, Mr Kitson hit the road again, hot-footing it down to the Royal Welsh Fair in Builth Wells to claim their overall supreme champion, a Limousinsired steer shown by Scottish breeders Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stewart, from Huntly in Aberdeenshire.

Judges noted: “The steer was an outstanding champion. He was just full of meat, very correct in every way and just carried so much presence and style.”

With a keen eye on his customers and the Christmas trade has Mr Kitson purchased no less than a remarkable 116 first-rate prime cattle for the festive period and new year, the Winter Fair principals among them, at primestock shows and sales from across the country.

“We hang our beef from three to four weeks. It’s like a fine Burgundy wine – it gets better with age, though the secret is to know exactly the right time to serve up specific cuts,” explained Mr Kitson.

Kitsons Butchers is one of the north’s longest established butchers, with roots stretching as far back as 1693 to Batley in West Yorkshire and across many generations. Relocating to the north-east, the family first took over a butcher’s shop in Stocktonon-Tees shop in 1903, with Hutton Rudby following some years later. The Northallerton shop is a more recent addition to the Kitsons’ fold, opening five years ago a stone’s throw from the town’s auction mart. It is managed by Martin Calvert, who has worked for Kitsons for 25 years.

Kitsons Butchers remains a family-run business, with Anthony Kitson at the helm, supported by his mother, Thelma, who still runs the books aged 71, two sons, Henry, aged 25, 24-year-old Oliver, and sister Beverley, the pie-maker in chief. Even Mr Kitson’s six-year daughter Ruby gets stuck in. “She’s our chief taster in charge of quality control!” said Mr Kitson.

As Kitsons Butchers celebrates making history with its landmark triple UK supreme champion beef coup, Mr Kitson also announced that the business is about to undergo one of the most important stages of development in its own long and proud history.

It is being rebranded as Kitson & Sons Butchers, as his two sons, both university graduates, take a more hands-on involvement in the day-to-day running of the expanding operation.

He also unveiled exciting new plans to open a brand-new food hall at Crathorne, near Yarm, adjoining the A19, one of the north’s key arteries – “by far the biggest lifetime investment we have ever made,” according to Mr Kitson.

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Welsh Winter Fair Champion Tip Top

English Winter Fair Overall Champion TINKERBELL

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L I M O U S I N FEATURE

HIGH QUALITY COMMERCIAL ATTRIBUTES OF LIMOUSIN BREED

TICKS ALL THE BOXES FOR THE TURVILLE HERD OF BRIAN AND LINDA LEAR

Guest writer James Hazard profiles the Turville Herd of the Lear family based at Creslow Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and sees the Limousin breed ticking all the boxes as a pedigree herd run on a very commercial basis.

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T

he Turville Herd is located in Creslow, a unique and historic parish nestling in the heart of rural Buckinghamshire.

As you approach the farm it is clear by the size of the farm and cattle buildings that the Lear family do not do things by halves. It is owned and run by Brian Lear and his wife Linda, with family Steven, Adam and Nicola all playing major roles within the operation. A really important part to the day to day management of the herd is Andy Elmes, the stockman who has been with the family for a number of years and whose passion and knowledge for the breed and the individual animals is clear.

Cattle have been grazed on the farm since the 13th Century and were fattened for Henry VIII‘s table at Hampton Court. Some years later in 1799, it was farmed

by John Westcar, who won the highly regarded first ever Royal Smithfield Show, which we still associate with some of the best

Steven and Brian Lear

cattle in the UK. Linda’s father was tenant of the government on the farm for a number of years and then in 1998 Brian and Linda had the chance to purchase the farm and parish which consisted of 930 acres. The

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family now also run three other farms, one a grassland farm with the other two consisting of grass and arable. The farms run by the family now total a sizeable 2700 acres but with the main farm still by far the largest.

FEATURE

The farm had previously been running Angus cross cows and when the first continental cattle importations came into the UK, semen was used from all three breeds, Charolais, Simmental and Limousin. “We decided to try these continental breeds as we couldn’t get the weight gains from native breeds. The heifers just seemed to get fat and you couldn’t push them to produce a bigger carcase,” said Brian.

“It quickly became clear that Limousins were the way to go as they ticked all the boxes and were exactly what we were looking for.”

Numbers of cattle grew very fast on the farm and around the time of suckler cow quotas, slaughter premium etc, cow numbers totalled an impressive 650 cows. Although, when these payments were dropped, this affected things considerably as producers just weren’t getting enough money for what they produced. Brian therefore had to, as he always had done change and move with the times, cut the cow numbers by half nearly overnight and change from selling the majority as store cattle to now looking to finish everything.

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Jerry Wulf and James Hazard with Brian Lear on a visit to the Turville heard

After readdressing things a decision was made to push more towards pure Limousins but to run them on a very commercial basis.

This was when in 1991 the Turville Herd of pedigree Limousins was established. The herd of pedigree cattle grew in numbers rapidly on one of the other farms and the commercial cows were gradually reduced and phased out of the business.

As numbers grew they joined a cattle health scheme in 2003 which they felt was so important as any underlying problems could quickly affect the operation and profitability of the business.

Other clear aims were to

introduce polled genetics as this was a commercial trait, allowing producers to run higher numbers of cattle without the labour-some task of dehorning.

In 2008 Black Limousins were first introduced with polled genetics. Brian commented that, “two bulls were purchased in the UK which were from embryos bought in Canada and we also bought a couple of flushes ourselves. The black genetics brought not only polling but good growth rates and easy fleshing characteristics which married up well with the carcase abilities we had within the herd.” The two bulls were Thornham Vulcan,

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son of SLVL Duchess Olivia and Tamarvalley Bojewyan, a full brother to Boscastle who has been used with success within the Newhouse herd of Messrs Adam in Scotland. Andy added, “They were two good bulls and were more British in type and Thornham Vulcan left us with some very good cows.”

This year the herd have an impressive 330 cows put to the bull, along with 100 heifers to come into the herd. The forward plan is firmly in place to reach the goal of 500 cows. The herd is treated commercially with emphasis on ease of calving, docility and muscle depth and a

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L I M O U S I N FEATURE Ampertaine Impact

keen focus on exactly what the processors require in terms of carcase weight, quality and fat cover. The herd is proud to have had BVD accreditation since 2008 and are now Johnes Level 2 health status. Plans are well underway to be IBR free, with cows being vaccinated for BVD and Lepto.

“If feels great to have a clean herd, although it also makes buying in potential herd sires that little bit harder,” commented Brian. “We make sure that if we are buying a new stock bull that we do our homework and select bulls from clean herds.” Bulls once purchased are put into quarantine and tested before entering the main herd, adding to the army of 17 bulls currently used on the farm. Of these, six are homebred with the plan to keep a further two this year. Brian added, “We plan to breed a few of our own polled bulls to retain and use within the herd.”

One of the questions I’m sure some may well be wondering is why this large scale operation register everything as it’s another added cost. Brian says simply that, “every animal has the potential and when it gets to

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12 months of age we have that option to either sell that animal as a breeding bull or female for a premium.” With numbers growing, the majority of females have been retained but year on year with so many numbers coming into the herd, the team

can be really critical what they keep as replacements. As Brian also states, “we can de-register with the Limousin Society and get £20 back from our £25 original registration charge, therefore even if that animal is destined for slaughter it has cost me £5 for one year which has given me time to see its potential.”

The plan now is to add a little more muscle to the black cows within the herd and part of this they feel is from the use of myostatin double muscle carriers from select bought in bulls.

The farm currently have a bull breeding very well for themselves in the form of Greensons Ibsen, sired by Dolcorsllwyn Fabio and out of a Wildoge Cerberus sired female. He is a heterozygous

Turville Jackflash

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carrier of the nt821 gene and was purchased privately from Guy Green and family in Cambridgeshire. Two other Greensons bulls are doing a good job within the herd, Greensons Gridiron and Faulkner are both producing animals with good performance traits and have the added bonus of being polled.

Brian and Andy are keen to see how their daughters perform as they have left them with some nice looking females that will be coming into the herd this time.

Other purchases in recent years have been made at the Limousin Society’s Premier Sales at Carlisle. Procters Genesis, sired by Haltcliffe Dj and out of a Haltcliffe Vermount daughter is also breeding well within the

FEATURE Ampertaine Jefferson - 20,000gns

herd. A further bull is Iveagh Harry, who is sired by Sympa and out of the Rocky sired dam Carhill Davina which makes him a three-quarter brother to the senior stock bull (Iveagh Gilkes) in the Culnagechan herd of Derek Hume in Ireland. More recently the very well-bred Ampertaine Impact, sired by Ampertaine Elgin and out of the same cow as Ampertaine Commander, has been bought in. In May 2016, Brian pushed hard to secure the purchase of the bull Ampertaine Jefferson for 20,000gns. This bull, the herd’s most expensive purchase to date, is another sired by Ampertaine Elgin and is out of a Wilodge Vantastic sired cow.

When looking to purchase a new stock bull, Brian firstly checks a herd’s health status, the bull must be from a clean herd.

He must be clean shouldered and his performance figures should be good as this will aid them to get an idea of the growth rates of the progeny as well as a number of other key traits including maternal production value. A lot of the bulls that have been purchased over the years have had good maternal production values and this the Lears feel is important when the bull comes to breeding and allows them to be more confident in retaining the females.

“Our aim is to have a lot of polled cows that are easy fleshing and then to use a mix of bulls that carry the myostatin gene and polled traits across them,” added Brian. “We keep around 15-20 bulls to either sell privately off the farm and within those we maybe keep maybe one or two a year to retain and use within the herd as we know the bloodlines and cows families they are out of etc. Some

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Iveagh Harry - 14,000gns

“The pedigree Limousin female does the job for us, forget she’s pedigree as she calves easy, looks after her calf, and produces you a really good quality finished product.” people come to us to buy either a red bull or a black bull, some want a polled bull and therefore that’s why we keep a bit of a selection of types.”

“Calving happens mainly in spring, with the ideal time being from the end of January onwards.

We try to calve as many heifers as possible at 24 months, with heifers being run over the weigh scales to check growth rates for age and assess them by eye. The younger heifers born after April onwards for example run around again until the next year as we don’t do any autumn calving, this allows them to grow on and it helps keep groups of cattle together.” It works well for them having another farm where the maiden heifers go and the later calving cows can stay with them out of the way whilst they get things calved and turned out at the main holding. The cattle from the other farm can then be brought back as by that time some shed room becomes available.

“24 months calving is a must from a commercial point of view” Brian commented that, “when we start to put the heifers in calf some are AI’d for a real short period and then the bulls go in

on 1st April to try and keep the calving window early and as tight as possible. The key to the whole operation is that you have to select your bulls well and aim to get heifers having a 30-35kg born calf. We have a couple of certain bloodlines and we normally try to breed ourselves a bull to keep from these to go on the heifers, as short gestation and calf birth weight is critical. The bulls which we use on the heifers currently are not performance bulls, they are aimed solely at getting a live calf from the heifers. We castrate the majority of the bull calves born out of the heifers and tend to not keep some of the heifer calves born from certain bloodlines as they won’t get the performance and size to keep as a cow within the herd.”

The cows are calved also from the end of January and the bulls go into them on 1st April and they are turned out to grass, weather depending sometime in April. Andy added that, “this year we were full to bursting with 200 calves born and we were desperate to get cattle out.”

Cows are then grazed over the summer months and are kept in groups of 25-30 but that depends on the spread of calving within

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the group. “To try and look after our bulls, if the group have a tight calving pattern we don’t tend to give him any more than 30 in that group but if the calving has been more spread out within a group the bull could maybe manage a few more as the window that cows will be on heat will be slightly longer,” added Brian.

Come autumn time the oldest calves are weaned at around 7 months of age. At the time I visited they had just weaned 100 calves off in one batch, with all calves receiving a vaccination for pneumonia. The cows are brought inside to settle during the weaning process and then after nearly a week are turned out again and are fed depending on what the grass levels are like at the time of year.

For example, if they have grass they will receive complimentary barley straw to eat and if there is not much grass they will be fed hay.

Following on from that when the cows are brought in for the winter they are fed on a ration of grass silage, barley straw and minerals for the early calving cows and then grass silage, a small percentage of maize silage along with barley straw and minerals for the remainder.

Heifers retained for breeding are fed grass silage, wheat and wheat distillers to aid them to keep growing but also to keep them in good condition.

“All the cattle are fed on virtually home produced feed” The only real change this year has been recently, beans are grown on the arable side of the operation and recent prices have made it more appealing to sell them and to buy a protein in to feed the cattle in the form of

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L I M O U S I N FEATURE wheat distillers.

The diet for the all fattening cattle on the farm consists of differing quantities but is based on maize silage, milled wheat, wheat distillers, chopped straw, live yeast, lime flour and molasses.

Calves only have creep feed introduced from mid-June until weaning and that consists of home grown oats, milled wheat, wheat distillers, molasses and minerals. “At the height of creep feeding we are using 4-5 ton of feed in the calves creep feeders a week and therefore cost is critical,” adds Andy.

The farm in 2016 castrated quite a number of bull calves because of the unknown market for young bull meat as a number of the processors gave warnings that they might not want or even deduct hard on young bulls for slaughter next year. Andy commented that, “even though we know the conversion rates are slightly slower for a steer compared with a bull, we will monitor growth rates and will wait and see what the figures say when they are finished and we will compare the two when we get the kill out data and prices.”

Once the cattle are finished the aim for the operation is again quite clear, “the current market requires cattle killing out at 400kgs dead and therefore that’s what we aim to have, a finished animal at,” Brian commented.

Brian outlined that they are currently averaging 14 – 14 ½ months finishing age but are working hard at trying to reduce

that through numerous things, ranging from breeding choices, management and feed etc. He emphasised that you must keep the animal growing and putting on weight, hence the need to creep feed from mid-June until weaning, pushing the cattle early will give you massive advantages in getting that animal finished and off the farm as fast as possible.

“Once calved our aim for that calf is to get that animal to hit 400kgs dead at 13 months of age, as that’s where a business gets maximum gross margin.”

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All the cattle are sold through Thame Farmers Market who have a deadweight department who organise lorry loads of cattle on a weekly basis and also fix the price for them. Bulls are normally sold through this process fortnightly in groups of around 12 bulls and the same deadweight department organise the heifers and cows for the farm.

Many thanks to the Lear family for a very interesting and eye opening visit. The scale of the operation is very impressive but the management and attention to detail was certainly very clear and noticeable.

IZMIR RJ

More than 30 years of experience

LASCAUX RJ

Top price Grand Cru Auction Sale 2016 (sold to Hungary)

December 2016 Lanaud Auction Sale

Top French genetics

Conformation, docility, maternal qualities Dates to remember in 2016/2017

HAMAC RR VS Semen Available

Muscle, finess of bone, milk, easy

Semen and embryos available

Lanaud Auction Sales

LESSIVE

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2016, December 7th and 8th 2017, February 1st and 2nd 2017, April 5th and 6th 2017, June 14th and 15th

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interlim@limousine.org Gilles LEQUEUX : 00 336 88 20 61 57 Sophie MOURNETAS : 00 336 89 49 48 57 Olivier RAMBERT : 00 336 88 20 62 80

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2017, October 28th

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HALTCLIFFE LIMOUSIN

Semen available from several top sires

Annual Heifer Sale Friday 5th May 2017 Maiden and in-calf heifers from quality bloodlines, including daughters and granddaughters from some of the herd’s top cows.

(H & H Auction, Carlisle)

Bulls For Sale Ampertaine Elgin: Semen Available SEMEN ALSO AVAILABLE FROM: Haltcliffe Gentry, Loosebeare Fantastic, Haltcliffe Hitec, Sympa, Haltcliffe Dancer, Haltcliffe Gunner and Cloughhead Umpire

We have a number of quality young Bulls for sale privately - aged from 16 – 24 months, and ready to work.

Contact Craig for Enquiries

Bulls and females always available for sale privately, visitors are always welcome Phone Craig on: (0044) 016974 78619 Email: craig.ridley@btconnect.com

www.haltcliffe-limousin.co.uk the british limousin cattle society

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L I M O U S I N FEATURE

EASY CALVING LIMOUSIN COWS PRODUCING

CALVES WITH GOOD GROWTH RATES FOR TOWLER FAMILY

Feature on the Towler family’s mainly commercial suckler herd at Scriddles Croft Farm, Grindleton, near Clitheroe in Lancashire.

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imousin is the breed of choice for many beef producers looking for a hardy animal that will produce the type of store calf that the market is looking for and the Towlers are no exception. Their business is based on store cattle and finished lamb production, with a 75-cow Limousin herd and 500 Mule and Texel ewes.

Some 150 acres of SDA (Severely Disadvantaged Area) land around the Scriddles Croft steading belongs to the family, but additional grass has to be rented in, mostly on 11-month tenancies. The farm land rises to 1,000 feet above

sea-level and is situated in a very high rainfall area, with a heavy clay soil.

David Towler and his son, William, usually run three stock bulls, to allow multiple groups of cows to be run in the breeding season and reduce the risk of poaching. David adopts a flexible attitude to bull purchases, but he is usually prepared to pay in the region of £5,000.

The current team includes the home-bred Scriddles Ash an April 2005-son of Greenwell Samson a bull purchased in 2002 from Ian Nattress’s herd at Greenwell Farm in Lanchester, County Durham. Samson’s

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dam is Baird Rae, which came from John Baird, Littlehampton, W Sussex. David describes the 11-year old Ash as “very easy calving” and he is therefore often used on the heifers.

The Towler family have always admired the stamp of cattle that are produced at Procters farm near Clitheroe in Lancashire. This led to the purchase of the April 2009-born Procters Enigma, which was bought privately as a yearling. He is by Haltcliffe Vermount and out of Procters Tillergirl.

David singles out one particular animal which is sadly no longer in the herd, but

FEATURE which has made a long-lasting impression. He is the January 2005 Procters Ajax.

“Ajax is by Ionesco and has produced some very good females,” says David. “They are stretchy, without being too large.

When I’m looking for a new bull, I don’t want anything that has been fed too hard, because I would be concerned about whether he would maintain his condition, once he is turned out and starts working.

“It’s good to have figures to go with a potential sire and I mainly focus on calving ease and growth rates,” he comments. “However William has a lot of interest in pedigrees and EBVs and he will spend many hours poring over the catalogues. A bull has to look pleasing to the eye and he must also have a good temperament, particularly as we have to move groups frequently throughout the grazing season.”

Another stock bull which is highly regarded is the 2015 purchase, Redland Inspiration, which was sourced at Skipton auction mart and came from Mark and Helen Lewis of Northlands Farm, Hunsingore, between Harrogate and York. Born in June, 2013, his sire is Eldorado and he is out of Redland Tiffany.

Limousin cows at Scriddles

Croft have to be hardy as they are turned out on the hills over the summer. William has recently returned to work at home after completing a course in agriculture at Askham Bryan College near York and has already made a couple of purchases from noted pedigree herds.

These include the February 2009 Tomschoice Exotic, bred by James and Sarah

Cooper of Hill Top Farm at Dacre, near Harrogate. Exotic, a Ronick Member daughter out of Tomschoice Unity, was accompanied by her January 2016-born calf by Kaprico Eravelle.

Another new addition is Haltcliffe Ida, a daughter of Haltcliffe Gains from Messrs Ridley’s well-respected herd at Hesket Newmarket in Cumbria.

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LIMOUSIN

Born in March 2013, she arrived in calf to Haltcliffe Fencer.

David says: “The herd is kept pure as I always found it quite difficult to source the right type of replacement female, especially since the Holstein started to exert such a heavy influence on the suckler cow industry. I much prefer to breed my own, selecting most of my heifers before they are 12-months old.

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L I M O U S I N FEATURE “I’m looking for an easy-calving female; in fact we have never had a caesarean in the herd and very seldom have to intervene,” says David. “Cows also have to be built to last and will usually achieve an average seven or eight calves over a lifetime; our oldest cow at present is 17 years.”

Like many other herds in the region, the herd is mainly springcalving, with a small group that calve in the autumn. This eases pressure to get heifers in calf and helps with cash flow, by extending the sale period. The cows leave their cubicle housing after calving in early May, weather permitting, with the herd vaccinated against BVD and calves protected against pneumonia at housing.

The main silage cut is taken at the beginning of July and clamp-stored, although a small quantity of second cut is taken on the rented ground. It is mixed with straw, with minerals added, following the annual silage analysis. The region’s soil is high in molybdenum, which locks up copper and has led to a copper bolus being administered annually.

“We’ve recently invested in a tub mixer, to stop the cows

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“Cows also have to be built to last and will usually achieve an average seven or eight calves over a lifetime; our oldest cow at present is 17 years.” selecting out silage and leaving the straw. It seems to be working well, although of course the price of the machine and its running costs have to be taken into account. On occasions when we’re short of silage, we’ve added molasses to the ration. The mixing system gives us greater

control of the diet and the weigh cell allows us to keep a more accurate record of costs.”

Bulls have always been left entire, for faster finishing and to free up space in the buildings.

The spring-born calves are offered creep feed at housing, which is usually in October or

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November, with the majority weaned in January, although well-grown bull calves and some of the heifers may be taken off their dams earlier. The homemixed grower diet contains a 21% protein pellet plus barley, to produce a 14-15% ration. It has replaced the previous 16% protein bought-in concentrate and has given a saving on inputs.

“Our finisher customers are seeking bulls under 12 months, due to the 16-month rule, so we have never gone down the route of castrating male calves,” says David. “This policy also gives us additional summer grazing.

Historically, we haven’t weighed our calves, but we have recently built a new handling system and have plans to install an electronic weighing machine.”

Bull calves are taken to 10-12 months old, while heifers are usually sold at 15-18 months old after a summer at grass, with all the progeny sold at nearby Skipton Auction Mart. Last year, bulls averaged about £1,000, with heifers at £950 this spring.

The father and son team employ no outside help, aside from bringing in a local contractor for silage-making. They are

FEATURE determined to stick with beef cattle production, despite the industry’s many ups and downs over the past few years. David makes light of the challenges that come with the harsh climate and reliance on temporary grazing.

“Some of the fields that we rent on a temporary basis are held over a period of years, but in some cases, landlords prefer to avoid any kind of commitment.

We always keep a look-out for grazing that comes up for rent, but we never attend an auction without a maximum figure in mind, because of course we have to be able to turn a profit.

“If we can find grazing close to the farm, we might be prepared to pay a bit extra, due to the savings on fuel and the reduction in the time it takes to reach our livestock. One key element is controlling the amount of money we spend on other people’s land.

“There have been times when we’ve had to keep heifers inside for a little longer than normal, or when we sell them slightly longer, due to a shortage of grazing. We also sold some ewes with lambs a couple of years ago, but in generally, our system is working well.”

The family bought Scriddles farm in 1969, with a Limousin bull first being purchased in the early 80s. The Limousin continued to play a key role in shaping the business when the farm had to be re-stocked after being classified as a contiguous case and culled during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

It is clear that the breed will

remain for the years to come.

“I believe that my father, William, was one of the first farmers to purchase a Limousin when they were imported into this country,” says David. “He wanted something to use on his dairy heifers and invested in a half-share in a bull with one of his neighbours.

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“Limousin calves are born small but quickly get up on their feet. The cows are hardy and durable and produce calves with good growth rates. In addition, Limousin cull cows always achieve top prices when they are culled. Most importantly, however, our customers like them.”

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L I M O U S I N SALES

CARLISLE

OCTOBER

2016

Foxhillfarm Lordofthering - Overall Champion - 35,000gns

35,000GNS FOXHILLFARM BULL IS ‘LORDOFTHERING’ AT CARLISLE • 93 Bulls sold (up by 8 on the year) for £6104 • Clearance rate of 70% (up by 3% on the year) • 11 Bulls make 10,000gns or more

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oxhillfarm Lordofthering, the pre-sale show Overall Supreme and Junior Champion, swept all before him when selling to the sale top price of 35,000gns at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Autumn Show and Sale of bulls at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Saturday 15th October.

Bred by Michael and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, Devon, Lordofthering is an embryo calf by Guards Boomer and out of the prolific Bankdale Alice whose progeny have now sold to 350,000gns. This bull arrived at Carlisle with a big reputation having been a prolific show winner over the 2016 summer season. Multiple honours included being: Junior and Male Champion at the

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Royal Highland; Reserve Junior Champion at the Royal Welsh; and Junior Champion and Reserve Male Champion at the 2016 National Limousin Show.

At the pre-sale show at Carlisle Foxhillfarm Lordofthering had been placed Junior Champion and Supreme Overall Champion by the judge Charlie Boden of the noted Sportsmans Herd at Mellor Hall Farm, Stockport. Purchasing the top price was the Swalesmoor Herd at Kedzlie Farms Ltd, Kedzlie Farm, Lauderdale, Galashields.

Commenting on his Champion Charlie Boden said: “This was a standout bull who had both presence and style. He had a tremendous backend, great top, was clean,

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LIMOUSIN

Westpit Landlord - 17,000gns

Judge Charlie Boden

had really good length, good legs and walked well. He’s a modern Limousin, very balanced from front to back, and a true breeder’s bull.”

The sale saw the number of bulls sold on the year up by eight and with an increased clearance rate with 70% of the 132 bulls selling. Trade at the sale was very much led by commercial buyers who readily went to five figures for their choice of the quality bulls on offer. Eleven bulls in all made five figures and over. Averages were understandably down on the year with last year’s sale having featured the world record breaking 140,000gns Trueman Jagger.

From the Junior Bull section, which averaged over £7100, the second top price of 17,000gns came in the shape of Westpit Landlord from Andrew Gammie, Drumforber, Aberdeenshire. This shapely May 2015 born calf is the first bull offered at sale by the stock sire Jalex Itsallgoood, a Swarland Eddie son.

Landlord is out of the Fieldson Alfy daughter Westpit Finella. Westpit Landlord was sold to an undisclosed buyer.

From the same class Swarland Larry made 14,000gns when selling for A&D Proctor, Swarland Old Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland.

Larry is one of the first sons to be offered at

Swarland Larry - 14,000gns

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L I M O U S I N SALES sale by the 23,000gns stock bull Fairywater Haig purchased in 2014. A heifer’s calf, Swarland Larry was purchased by the noted commercial breeders Elgan and Emily Jones, Coedmore Hall, Cellan, Lampeter, Dyfed.

Three bulls made 12,000gns. The first of these was Anside Loki from Anside Pedigree Livestock, Brahead Farm, Banffshire. The March 2015 born Loki is the first calf at sale out of the herd sire Powerful Irish. With plenty of breeding behind him, Anside Loki is out of Anside Veronica the dam of the 30,000gns Anside Flint. In the pre-sale show this calf had stood as the Champion of the Senior Section. Off to a pedigree herd, Anside Loki was bought by Eric and Elaine Norman, who run the Norman pedigree herd at Little Orton Farm, Little Orton, Carlisle, Cumbria.

Also at the 12,000gns mark was McParlands Liteforever from James McParland, Beleeks, Newry, Northern Ireland.

Sired by Elite Forever Brill, this May 2015 born calf is out of Brockhurst Eternity a Grahams Samson daughter out of the noted show cow Reseda. Liteforever had himself arrived at Carlisle with a list of show wins in Northern Ireland behind him. Buyer of this bull was TW Bell & Son Ltd, Hilltop Farm, St John-in-theVale, Keswick, Cumbria.

The final bull to make 12,000gns was Arradfoot Lasvegas from Thor Atkinson, Meadow View, Newland, Nr Ulverston.

Lasvegas, who stood second in his class to the Reserve Overall Champion, is by the Irish bred bull Newtown Freeman and is out of Gunnerfleet Fortunas. The shapely June 2015 born Arradfoot Lasvegas was purchased

by GL, JS & A Howells, who run the Shadog pedigree herd at Pentrecwrt, Llandysul, Dyfed.

Another from the Junior section was the 11,000gns sale of Broadhead Lothario from first time vendors Turner Farms Ltd, Honley, Holmfirth. The June 2015 born Lothario is sired by the renowned Rossignol and out of Haltcliffe Fifi, sired by Greenwell Major. A

Anside Loki - Senior Champion - 12,000gns

Arradfoot Lasvegas - 12,000gns

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SALES McFarlands Liteforever - 12,000gns

LIMOUSIN

Ampertaine Lieutenant - Res Junior Champion - 10,000gns

Ballinloan Lazer - 10,000gns

Broadhead Lothario - 11,000gns

Ballinloan Lethal - 10,000gns

Reddings Laird - 10,000gns

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L I M O U S I N SALES Reserve Senior Champion Pabo Legend and Senior Champion Anside Loki

Norman Legacy - 9500gns

Gunnerfleet Longbull - 9000gns

Champion Carlisle Three - Ampertaine Haltcliffe Lineker - 9000gns

Kinniside Login - 9000gns

Intermediate Champion Procters Laval and Reserve Whinfellpark Luvabull

Procters Laval - Intermediate Champion - 9000gns

bull bred for shape, he was purchased by the noted commercial producers J Lee & Sons, Agars Hill Farm, Whitfield, Hexham, Northumberland.

Five further bulls also hit the five figure barrier, all making 10,000gns with two coming from the same vendor. Stuart Fotheringham

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of the Ballinloan herd, Dunkeld, Perth had a tremendous day’s trading with both bulls entered selling for 10,000gns. Both were sired by the herds senior stock bull Ampertaine Foreman and are out of Nebo Dynamite daughters. Firstly, Ballinloan Lazer who had won a first prize at the Royal Highland

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Show this year and also a first and Interbreed Championship at Perth Show, sold to J & J Bannatyne, Drumalbin Farm, Carmichael, Biggar, Lanarkshire for their Whitecastle herd.

The second Ballinloan bull at the same money was Ballinloan Lethal, who had also picked up a first prize at the Royal Highland Show this year. Winner of class seventeen in the pre-sale show at Carlisle, he went on to be sold to D Baillie, Calla, Carnwath, Lanark, Lanarkshire to join their pedigree Calla herd.

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SALES Pabo Legend - 8000gns

Knock Lionelmessi - 8000gns

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OTHER LEADING PRICES 140 Norman Legacy 9,500gns L Forster & Son, West Nubbock Farm, Hexham, Northumberland 172 Gunnerfleet Longbull 9,000gns Denis Cadzow & Co Ltd, Duncrahill Farm House, Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian

Sarkley Laird - 8000gns

195 Procters Laval 9,000gns R & A White & Son, Two Thorns Fields Farm, Snake Road, Bamford, Hope Valley

Foxhillfarm Leon - 5500gns

210 Haltcliffe Lineker 9,000gns JA Wood & Sons, Kinnerton Hall Farm, Ratlinghope, Shrewsbury, Shropshire 256 Kinniside Login 9,000gns T & J Leslie, Quoymore House, Balfour, Orkney The pre-sale show’s Reserve Overall Championship was awarded to Ampertaine Lieutenant from the prolific herd of WJ & J McKay, Upperlands, Maghera, Co Derry.

First in class fifteen, Lieutenant was hot on the heels of the champion Foxhillfarm Lordofthering, following him through as Reserve Junior Champion and then being placed as Reserve Overall Champion of the show. Sired by the fashionable homebred sire Ampertaine Gigolo and out of the Sympa sired dam Ampertaine Hyacinth, Ampertaine Lieutenant was purchased by JH Neale & Son, Boyton, Launceton, Cornwall for their Nealford herd of pedigree females. This represented their second recent bull purchase from the Ampertaine herd.

The last of the four bulls making 10,000gns was Reddings Laird, from vendors NP Wilson, Moffat, Dumfries. This January 2015 born bull

108 Pabo Legend 8,000gns CG Simpson & Sons, Square House Farm, Quebec, Durham, Co.Durham

Lowflan Lee - 5500gns

247 Sarkley Laird

8,000gns RR Jones & Son, Glynhafren Farm, Old Hall, Llanidloes, Powys 279 Knock Lionelmessi 8,000gns Andrew Paton & Co, Craig Farm, Straiton, Maybole, Ayrshire came from the senior section, sired by the homebred stockbull Reddings Elvis, who’s progeny include Reddings Hero who made 8,500gns at Carlisle in February 2014. Out of the Newhouse Castoff sired dam Reddings Fiona, this powerful bull was purchased

by G&W Halliday, Tundergarth, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire.

AVERAGES 22 Senior Bulls 35 Intermediate Bulls 36 Junior Bulls 93 Bulls Overall

Reserve Junior Champion Ampertaine Lieutenant and Junior Champion Foxhillfarm Lordofthering

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£5584.09 £5349.00 £7156.04 £6104.11

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STIRLING

OCTOBER

2016

GOLDIES LANCELOT LEADS STIRLING LIMOUSIN BULLS AT 8500GNS • Averages up on the year by £393 to £4945 for 40 bulls • Clearance rate of 67% • 14 bulls at 5500gns or more • Allanfauld Ludo lifts Overall Championship

T

he May 2015 born Goldies Lancelot from Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries made 8500gns to lead the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Sale held at the Stirling Bull Sales on Monday 17th October 2016.

Lancelot is from the first crop of calves by the herd’s stock sire Foxhillfarm Irishlad offered at sale. He is out of the remarkable and prolific dam Goldies Vitality, described as the ‘backbone of the herd’, and the dam of many leading bulls including Goldies Comet and Goldies Goldfinger. This is the second year in

a row that the Goldies herd has led the October Stirling Sale, following on from the 13,500gns Goldies Jogger in 2015, with both bulls being out of Goldies Vitality. Goldies Lancelot was purchased by Messrs Richardson, Derrycoose Road, Annaghmore, Portadown.

In the pre-sale show judged by Johnny Aitken who runs the Carnew herd at Dromara, Dromore, NI, Goldies Lancelot had placed as Overall Reserve Supreme Champion and Reserve Junior Champion. Further Goldies bulls sold for 6000gns and 4000gns respectively. The Goldies herd also topped the

Goldies Lancelot 8500gns

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SALES offering of females later in the day when the Goldies Fantastic sired heifer Goldies Jackie, November 2014 born, made 5000gns.

Taking the second top bull price of 8200gns was Spittalton Lewis from local breeder Andrew Burnett, Upper Spittalton, Blair Drummond, Stirling. From a big team of bulls the March 2015 born Spittalton Lewis is by Maraiscote Gigolo, a Goldies Comet son, and is out of the Dyfri Tanner sired Spittalton Erica. He was purchased by JA Lambie & Sons, Auchterarder, Perthshire. In all seven Spittalton bulls sold to gross 37,400gns with further prices attained including bulls at 7200gns and 6500gns. On the previous evening at the Scottish Limousin Club AGM and Prizegiving, the Spittalton herd had picked up the award for the best Limousin herd in Scotland.

The sale, driven by commercial producers, saw forty bulls average £4945 up by £393 on the year and with a 67% clearance. Fourteen bulls in all made 5500gns or more. Over seventy two hours 133 Limousin bulls sold between the sales at Stirling and Carlisle respectively which is six more than on the corresponding 2015 sales.

The third top price was the 7200gns Spittalton Liam from Andrew Burnett. This March 2015 born calf is by the Objat son Dinmore Hitman and is out of the homebred Spittalton Faith. Sporting some good performance figures, Spittalton Liam, who had a Beef Value of LM+45, was purchased by MJ Agnew, Little Airies, Kirkcolm, Stranraer.

Lifting the Overall Supreme Championship at the pre-sale show, and also the Junior Championship, was Allanfauld Ludo from Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, Glasgow. The May 2015 born Ludo is the first bull calf offered at sale sired by Knockcroghery Hero who was purchased at the Irish Premier Bull Sale in 2014.

Knockcroghery Hero unfortunately injured himself in 2016 but his stamp on the herd has been evident with this bull and also many of the progeny at the herd’s major sale held in September. Prolific sellers this was the herd’s fourth recent Supreme Championship at the Stirling Limousin Sales. Come sale time Allanfauld Ludo was sold for 7000gns to WJ & P MacKenzie, Hilton Farm, Tain, Ross-shire.

Commenting on his Champion, the pre-sale judge Johnny Aitken said: “This bull was very much my type. He is long, good on his legs, has a great top, lovely fleshing, and a good end.

He just had that quality and is a bull that would suit both a pedigree and a commercial job.”

Also at 7000gns was Anside Looper from Mr & Mrs S Irvine, Braehead Farm, Drummuir.

This April 2015 born calf had stood second in his class to the Supreme Champion. Looper is amongst the first sons presented at sale by the herd’s stock sire Powerful Irish and is out of Normande Bouquet. At Carlisle two days earlier a Powerful Irish son from the Irvines had been Senior Champion and sold for 12,000gns.

Purchasing Anside Looper was A&M Robertson, Ballycurrie Farm, Rothesay, Isle of Bute.

Another from the team of Andrew Burnett,

LIMOUSIN

Spittalton Lewis 8200gns

Spittalton Liam 7200gns

Inter Champion Whinfellpark Legacy & Reserve Anside Lord

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Overall Champion Allanfauld Ludo and Res Goldies Lancelot Presentation

Anside Looper 7000gns

Senior Champ & Reserve

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SALES this time Spittalton Loader, made 6500gns when selling to M&A Lennie, Seaview, Sanday, Orkney. March 2015 born and with a Beef Value of LM+46, Spittalton Loader is a Netherhall Gallant son and is out of another Dyfri Tanner sired cow, Spittalton Beth.

Also at 6500gns was Ballinloan Lorenzo from Stuart Fotheringham, Ballinloan, Dunkeld, Perth. The third youngest bull in the catalogue, the June 2015 Lorenzo is another by the increasingly prolific herd sire Ampertaine Foreman and out of the cow Ballinloan Gertrude, a Millgate Caesar daughter. Buying this young bull with a Beef Value of LM+41, and one of the few to go south on the day, was P Kemp, Derwent House, Consett, Co Durham. Again at Carlisle on the Saturday, Stuart Fotheringham sold two further Ampertaine Foreman sons for 10,000gns respectively.

From the same class as the Champion Bruce Goldie sold the black coated Goldies Black Lark for 6200gns. This polled calf is by the Vantastic son Goldies Fortress and is out Goldies Dutchess and Ampertaine Bravo daughter. Figures were very much a feature of the day and this Goldies bull carried a big Beef Value of LM+57. Goldies Black Lark was bought by G Johnstone & Son, Orton Hall, Great Orton, Carlisle.

Coming in at 6000gns was Grahams Leopard from local breeders Mr & Mrs R&J Graham, Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Stirling.

This March 2015 born bull is by a past Paris Show Champion, Diabolo, and is out of Grahams Coffee a dam whose progeny have sold to 40,000gns and 27,000gns respectively.

This calf was bought by noted commercial producer Peter Alexander, Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie.

The Intermediate Champion came in the shape of Whinfellpark Legacy from the 100 cow herd of Messrs Jenkinson, Clifton Moor, Clifton, Penrith. March 2015 born, Legacy is by the herd’s 120,000gns stock sire Dolcorsllwyn Fabio and is out of Whinfellpark Genevieve. Buyer of this bull was JJB Galbraith & Son, Upper Kinneil, Linlithgow, West Lothian.

Messrs Jenkinson also had the first prize winner in Class 4, Whinfellpark Lifeline, who made the same price of 5800gns when selling to GM Swanson, Quarryside, Castletown, Caithness. April 2015 born, Lifeline is

by Lowerffrydd Empire and is out of the Ultimatum daughter Whinfellpark Blossom.

Standing second in his class to the Overall Reserve Supreme Champion was Glenway Leo from Ian & Avril Murray, Hetton Law, Lowick, Berwick on Tweed. This bull was sold for 5800gns to C McMillan, Ardbeg Farm, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay. Glenway Leo is by the AI sire Loosebeare Fantastic and is out of the Killerton Travis daughter Lourie Diva.

Allanfauld Ludo 7000gns

Glenway Leo 5800gns

Ballinloan Lorenzo 6500gns

McLarens Lord 5500gns

LIMOUSIN

Goldies Jackie 5000gns

Spittalton Loader 6500gns

Goldies Black Lark 6200gns

Spittalton Luke 4500gns

Grahams Leopard 6000gns

Anside Lord 4200gns

Whinfellpark Legacy 5800gns

Overton Jings 3200gns

AVERAGES 40 Bulls ÂŁ4945 Auctioneers: United Auctions

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L I M O U S I N SALES

DUNGANNON 2016

OCTOBER

Overall Champion Pointhouse Leonardo

AIKENS TOP DUNGANNON LIMOUSIN SALE A

red ticket winner from the Carnew herd of Jonathan & Jeremy Aiken, Dromara topped the sales prices at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Autumn Show and Sale staged at Dungannon Mart on October 21st.

Carnew Lexus is a son of the popular Plumtree Deus, out of a Haltcliffe Vermount sired dam. This February 2015 born entry sold for 2900 guineas.

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Judge for the day was Trevor Shortt, who is well known in pedigree and commercial circles throughout the UK and Ireland. He selected as his overall Champion Pointhouse Leonardo from M Diamond, Garvagh. Ampertaine Foreman was behind this well-made bull who changed hands at 2800 guineas.

There was sound demand for the heifers on offer with the Aiken boys back in the lead prices realising 1900 guineas for Carnew

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Lexie. This was a daughter of the noted Lynderg Hero.

Chasing this at 1800 guineas was a youngster from CH Murray, Cullyhanna.

Annadale Lhelen was born in November last year and is sired by Ronick Hawk.

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart

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BRECON

SALES

LIMOUSIN

NOVEMBER

2016

AVERAGES UP AS NEALFORD HERD LEADS BRECON LIMOUSIN SALE WITH TWO BULLS AT 5500GNS • Averages up by £492 to £3909 for 26 bulls

Sen Champion Nealford Loxley J H Neale & Son 5,500gns

• Four more bulls sold on the year • Clearance rate up to 72% • Ten bulls make 4000gns or more • Frogmore lead females at 2300gns Judge Kirree Kermode

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he Nealford herd of JH Neale & Son, Launceston, Cornwall sold two bulls at 5500gns to lead the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Autumn Sale at Brecon market on Saturday 12th November.

First up at the top price was the February 2015 born Nealford Loxley. Full of breeding this powerful bull is an embryo calf by the noted Goldies Comet and is out of Nealford Tracy who is described as the best breeding female in the 80 pedigree cow herd. A prolific breeder Tracy is the dam of the noted Nealford Honey who was an Interbreed winner at the 2014 Royal Welsh Show. Backed up by breeding and performance figures, Nealford

Loxley was purchased by ET&JR Gethin for their Camlas herd at Cwm Cae Bitra, Sarn, Newtown, Powys. Earlier in the day Nealford Loxley had been placed as Senior Champion in the pre-sale show, the herd’s highest show placing to date at Brecon, by the judge Kirree Kermode of the Orrisdale herd, Ballasalla, Isle of Man. The first prize winner in the second class Nealford Lighthouse, again from the Neales, also made 5500gns hen selling to EJ Jenkins, Black Bush, Abbeydore, Hereford. Another strong bull, the March 2015 born Lighthouse is a Procters Cavalier son, the herd’s stock bull purchased from Harry Emslie, Mintlaw,

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Peterhead, and is out of Nealford Daniella.

This autumn fixture at Brecon saw averages up on the year by £492 to £3909 for the 26 bulls sold. There were four more bulls sold on the year with an increased clearance rate finishing at 72%. Trade was again led by commercial producers bidding for a good catalogue of bulls with plenty of depth in the junior classes in particular.

Late in the catalogue the second youngest bull, Loosebeare Lionel from Messrs EW Quick & Sons, Loosebeare Manor, Zeal Monachorum, Crediton, Devon made 5100gns. Again featuring breeding and good figures, this July 2015 born bull is

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L I M O U S I N SALES Nealeford Lighthouse J H Neale & Son 5,500gns

Beulah Luigi Messrs M J Price 4,400gns

Fleethill Liable M J Gray 3,900gns

Loosebeare Lionel from Messrs E W Quick & Sons 5,100gns

Haulfryn Lieutenant Messrs R G Whitley 4,700gns

by Aghadolgan Emperor and is out of Loosebeare Cabeauty, a daughter of the herd’s noted stock sire Rainbow Simon. A full brother to Lionel had previously made 5000gns at Brecon in May 2015. Purchasing Loosebeare Lionel was DT Richards & Son, Llety Brongu Farm, Llangwynwyd, Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan. The Quicks also sold another Aghadolgan Emperor son, Loosebeare Longshot, for 4600gns. This young June 2015 born calf, out of Loosebeare Evoldy, was bought by PL&MC Watkins, Haye on Wye, Hereford.

The Reserve Supreme Champion and Reserve Junior Champion came in the shape of Haulfryn Lieutenant from the 60-cow herd of Messrs Whitley, Spon Farm, Buckley, Clwyd.

This April 2015 born calf, who had also picked up first prize in class four, was the first son at sale from the herd’s French bred bull Harris.

Harris, a Jacot son, was purchased for 12,000 Euros at a KBS Sale in France in 2014. Out of Haulfryn Helen who is by Arthur, another French sire in the herd, Haulfryn Lieutenant was purchased for 4700gns by KM&C Jones, Bradwys, Talgarth, Brecon.

South West of England breeders were very much to the fore at the sale and Mr & Mrs

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PW & SM Greed made 4400gns for Killerton Lotto the Reserve Senior Champion and first prize in class three. Sired by Rosecroft Hero, a Wilodge Cerberus son, and out of Killerton Fortune, the April 2015 born bull carried a Beef Value of LM+35 placing him in the breed’s top 10%. It was a South West buyer who snapped up Killerton Lotto in the shape of R Puddy, Court Farm, Mark Causeway, Somerset.

Also selling at 4400gns was the stylish Beulah Luigi from the 30 cow herd of MJ & JM Price, Penycrug Farm, Builth Wells, Powys. A first prize winner in the last class of the day this calf, got by AI, is by the Requin grandson Ironstone Diego whose progeny have sold up to 20,000gns. Beulah Luigi is out of Greenwell Fay who was bought as a calf at foot from the herd dispersal sale of the Nattress family’s noted Greenwell herd, Co Durham.

Purchasing this bull was AHJ Jones & Son, Glandwr, Talgarth, Brecon.

The Supreme Champion at the pre-sale show was Fleethill Liable from Joe Gray, Great Cellws, Crossgates, Llandrindod Wells, Powys. In what was the first time at a Society sale for the Fleethill herd in some three years this May 2015 born bull made 3900gns when

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Frogmore Jemima Mr Chris White 2,400gns

selling to C&SF Thomas, Hurstley Court, Kinnersley, Hereford. Sired by the 16,000gns Millstone Festin, Fleethill Liable is out of Fleethill Flossie, a Maraiscote Volt daughter.

The Championship win was also a first for the 55 cow Fleethill Herd at the BLCS Brecon Sale. Commenting on her Champion the judge Kirree Kermode said: “This was a very stylish bull, well balanced, and having serious width. He had tremendous mobility and great presence in the ring.”

From a small show of females the Supreme Champion and the top price of 2300gns was Frogmore Jemima from Chris White, Moretonin-Marsh, Gloucestershire. An embryo calf, Frogmore Jemima is by Rainbow Simon and is out of the noted Glenrock Saspirilla, the dam of the 24,000gns Glenrock Ventura. PD’d in calf to Ampertaine Gigolo this August 2014 born heifer was purchased by TS&N Stevens, Manor Farm, Wells, Somerset.

AVERAGES 26 Bulls

13 Females

Auctioneers:

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£3909 £1440 McCartneys

SALES

LIMOUSIN

RED LADIES 2016

DECEMBER

GRAHAMS LILLY TOPS THE TRADE AND SELLS FOR 32,000GNS AT THE LIMOUSIN RED LADIES DAY SHOW AND SALE • Grahams Lilly sells for 32,000gns, a 2016 maiden heifer record

Grahams Lilly - Overall Champion - 32,000gns

• 21 animals sell for 5,000gns and more • 37 Red Ladies average £5364, up by £1097 with 12 more sold • 14 weaned bull calves average £3990, up by £1139 • 45 weaned heifer calves average £2330, up by £104 • 19 More weaned calves sold on the year • Pabo Mrmuscle sets new weaned calf sale record at 10,500gns Judge Harriet Wilson

T

he final Limousin sale of 2016 ended on a record breaking high in what has been another strong year of bull and female sales for the breed. Held on Friday 9th December 2016 at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Annual Red Ladies Derby & Weaned Calf Sale saw a much anticipated catalogue live up to its billing with a quality show of cattle forward.

Averages were up across the board with 37 Red Ladies selling to £5365 up by £1097 on the year. The pedigree weaned calves, born in the 2016 year, saw 59 sell in all, up by 19, with the bull calves averaging £3990, up by £1139.

The top price weaned calf at 10,500gns set a new record mark for the sale of calves.

Leading the way at 32,000gns was the Supreme Champion from the pre-sale show in the shape of the maiden heifer Grahams Lilly from R&J Graham, Airthrey Kerse, Dairy Farm, Stirling. An embryo calf born in May

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2015, Lilly is a full sister to the 40,000gns Grahams Lorenzo (the top price Limousin bull in the year) and the 16,500gns Grahams Lizzie who were both sold at the 2016 Sale of Champions following the National Limousin Show. Grahams Lilly is sired by Claragh Franco and is out of Grahams Coffee, who is a Millington Vascular daughter. In the presale show Grahams Lilly had been awarded the Championship by the judge Miss Harriet Wilson, Whitecross Farm, Stafford, and of the of the noted Haughton herd. This outstanding heifer, and the highest priced maiden sold in the year, was purchased by the ever growing herd of elite females bought this year by W Richardson & Son, Ghyll House, Appleby, Cumbria for the family’s burgeoning Mystyle herd.

It was a terrific day for the fifty cow Grahams herd who sold seven animals in all for a mighty £75,600. Other top prices

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attained included Grahams Lobelia at 10,000gns, the weaned calf Grahams Murphy at 9000gns, and Grahams Lisette at 7000gns.

Commenting, a delighted Robert Graham said; “It’s been a strong sale for the herd and a good follow on with similar breeding to the sale at the National Show in July. We are very much using the top end females in the herd for an embryo programme as the standard of the Limousin breed continues to rise year on year.” Earlier in the week Robert Graham, wearing his Grahams Family Dairy hat, had picked up the individual award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’ at the 2016 Scottish Family Business Awards held in Glasgow.

Taking the second top price of 12,000gns was the first prize winner Dinmore Lunar from Paul Dawes, Dinmore Manor, Herefordshire.

This October 2015 born heifer is the first calf from the homebred sire Dinmore Immense who was Male Champion at the Royal Welsh Show in 2015. Her dam Dinmore Eclipse,

by Haltcliffe Vermount, is a maternal sister to the well- known sire Wilodge Cerberus.

Purchasing this animal was Steven Wilson, The Butcher’s Shop, Corby Hill, Carlisle.

Grahams Lobelia made 10,000gns when selling to new buyer Iain Graham, Rose Castle Farm, Dalton, Carlisle. Again sired by Claragh Franco, this May 2016 born embryo calf is out of the imported dam Cavaliere, who is sired

by Rammadan. Earlier in the sale Mr Graham had also purchased Bangtidy Jadore for 6000gns from Drew Hyslop, Boquhan Home Farm, Kippen, Stirling. This two-year-old

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Dinmore Lunar - 12,000gns

heifer, a first prize in the opening class, is by Dinmore Goldcrest and is out of the 16,500gns Emslies Guerlain the top price at the Emslies Sassy Lassies Sale held in January 2014.

In the weaned calf sale Ian Graham also purchased Burnbank Maggiemay for 9000gns from Dougie and Linda Graham, Mains of

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Burnbank, Stirling.

Taking the Reserve Overall Championship in the pre-sale show was Beachmount Lady from K&C Knox, Whitehill North, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland who sold for 9,100gns to Aileen Ritchie, Whitecairns, Aberdeenshire for her Ritchies herd. Beachmount Lady was born

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SALES Grahams Lobelia - 10,000gns

LIMOUSIN

Beachmount Lady - Reserve Champion - 9100gns

Harestone Ladylike - 8500gns

in February 2015 and is sired by Lowerffrydd Empire and out of the Wilodge Vantastic sired dam Beachmount Favorite. Presently based in Co Fermanagh the Beachmount herd is imminently moving to Kelso, Roxburghshire.

From there Clive Knox said that the plan was to establish a pedigree enterprise and increase the herd size from its present ten cows.

Beachmount Lady, who was also the first prize winner in the second class, was brought to the sale as ‘something really good to help promote the Beachmount herd’. At last year’s Red Ladies Aileen Ritchie had purchased both the Supreme and Reserve Supreme Champions for 24,000gns and 8,000gns respectively.

At 8500gns was the August 2015 born embryo calf Harestone Ladylike from Neil Barclay, South Road, Insch, Aberdeenshire.

Sired by the 32,000gns Millgate Fame this heifer is out of Glenrock Impulse who is a full sister to the world record breaking 125,000gns Glenrock Illusion. Purchasing Harestone Ladylike was Paul Cairns for his Plumtree herd at Hall Farm, Tollerton, Notts.

Two animals made 7000gns. The first of these was the August 2014 born Romford

Jess from the Gordon Brooke Estate, Earlston, Berwickshire. An embryo calf Romford Jess is by Plumtree Fantastic and is out of the Rocky daughter Ampertaine Ecstasy which was purchased privately from James McKay as a foundation female for the herd. Purchasing this heifer was MA Harryman for his Hotshot herd at Swainsea Barn Farm, Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Also at the 7000gns mark was another from R&J Graham in the shape of Grahams Lisette. Yet again by Claragh Franco this young heifer is out of Cavaliere the herd’s top French cow and the mother of the 17,000gns Grahams Gayla. A first prize winner at the 2016 Stars of the Future the November 2015 born Grahams Lissette was purchased

by RF Turner for his Bassingbourn herd at Fordham, Ely, Cambs.

The youngest animal in the Red Ladies catalogue, Lomond Lexie from Andrew Orr, Lomondmuir Farm, Kinross, made 6500gns when selling to Southern Ireland and MD Davis, Castlebrock, Co. Longford.

December 2015 born Lomond Lexie is

by Ampertaine Elgin and out of the Attila daughter Lodge Femme.

Romford Jess - 7000gns

Grahams Lisette - 7000gns

Rahoney Liberty - 6000gns

AVERAGES 37 (+12) Red Ladies

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£5364.93 (+ £1097)

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L I M O U S I N SALES

PABO MRMUSCLE SELLS FOR A WEANED CALF SALE RECORD OF 10,500GNS

Pabo Mrmuscle - 10,500gns

• Pabo Mrmuscle sets new weaned calf sale record at 10,500gns

Burnbank Maggiemay - 9000gns

Grahams Murphy - 9000gns

Procters Mermaid - 8500gns

Procters Mayfly - 8000gns

• 14 weaned bull calves average £3990, up by £1139 • 45 weaned heifer calves average £2330, up by £104 • 19 More weaned calves sold on the year

F

ollowing hard on the heels of the Red Ladies Sale at Carlisle on Friday 9th December was the British Limousin Cattle Society’s sale of Weaned Calves held for animals born in the 2016 year. The strong trade in the Red Ladies continued into the calves with a record top price and averages and numbers sold well up on the 2015 year.

Setting off to a terrific start the first bull calf in the ring Pabo Mrmuscle from WP Hughes & Son, Llanbabo, Rhosgoch, Anglesey made 10,500gns when selling to Gary Bell, Hass Side Farm, Lockerbie for his Haassidefarm herd. Sired by the popular AI sire Lodge Hamlet and out of the Jockey sired dam Derosa Visa, Mrmuscle was judged to be Best Homebred Bull Calf born 2016 in the North West Midlands and North Wales herd competition this year. This January 2016 born calf had also recently stood on the Society’s promotional stand at the Welsh Winter Fair where he had captured much attention.

In all, 59 weaned calves both bulls and heifers sold at the sale which was nineteen more than in 2015. The bull calves averaged £3990, up by £1139 on the year, whilst the forty five heifer calves averaged £2330, up by £104.

Iain Graham, Rose Castle Farm, Dalton, Carlisle, who had purchased in the Red Ladies sale, was back in action to buy Burnbank Maggiemay from D & L Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Blairdrummond, Stirling for 9,000gns. A January 2016 born heifer,

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Maggiemay is sired by Elite Foreverbrill and is out of the dam Burnbank Crystal, sired by Grahams Tycoon. Prolific sellers at this fixture the Burnbank herd had previously topped the Weaned Calf Sale in 2014.

Continuing his fine run from the Red Ladies Sale, R&J Graham, Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Stirling made 9000gns for Grahams Murphy when selling him for 9,000gns to DA Thomson, Thropton, Morpeth, Northumberland. Another sired by the AI sire Claragh Franco, this March 2016 born bull calf is out of another imported French dam Cousine, who is sired

by Toutastis. Grahams Murphy had previously been shown at the 2016 Stars of the Future Calf Show, Stirling where he gained first and Reserve Junior Champion.

Two fine young embryo heifer calves, Procters Mermaid and Procters Mayfly from Procters Farm Ltd, Slaidburn, Nr Clitheroe, Lancashire made 8500gns and 8000gns respectively. Both heifers were snapped up by

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Messrs DG Green & Sons for their Derriaghy pedigree herd at Lisburn, Co. Antrim. The same way bred both heifers are by Haltcliffe Gentry and out of the Objat daughter Glenrock Diamante who was purchased for 15,000gns at the 2014 Glenrock Herd Sale.

Back in the bull calves, and another prolific seller at this fixture, Willie Barron, Morrow Edge Farm, Burnhope, Co Durham made 7500gns when selling Barrons Max. This January 2016 born calf is another by Lodge Hamlet and is out of the Haltcliffe Doctor sired Barrons Icequeen. This calf, with the noted Jacot on both sides of his breeding, was purchased for his Brenig pedigree herd

by Glyn Howatson, Ty Newydd, Nantglyn, Denbigh.

AVERAGES 14 bull calves 45 heifer calves

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£3990 (+ £1139) £2330 (+ £104)

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GOLDIES Goldies James Sold 21,000gns May 16

Goldies Jurassic Sold 20,000gns Oct 15

Goldies Jazz Carlisle 14,000gns Feb 16

Goldies Heifers

Goldies Inchantress Reserve Champ Red Ladies Dec 15

Goldies Jackpot Sold Privately to Tom Bailey Dec 15

For Sale: pedigree and crossing bulls; a few stock cows & next batch of super heifers available privately. All related to the above animals.

Top 1%, Great conformation, easy calving & SAC Health Scheme.

Tel: 07712 435 408 / btgoldie@btinternet.com

01387 830105

Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries, DG1 4LX

www.goldietownfoot.co.uk

the british limousin cattle society

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Netherhall JACKPOT

Sire: Requin Dam: Cloughhead Ainsi

Mereside LORENZO

Wilodge GOLDCARD

Sire: Jacot Dam: Mereside Dawnmarie

Sire: Wilodge Cerberus Dam: Sarkley Bellola

Our continually strengthening Limousin portfolio features breed-leading bulls including these three that all feature in the top 1% for Beef Value and top 5% for Muscle Depth. A globally respected line-up with show-stopping phenotypes and figures to match.

Freephone: 0800 783 7258 www.cogentuk.com