Winter 2017 BLCS Magazine

Limousin WINTER 2017/18

www.limousin.co.uk

the official magazine of the British Limousin Cattle Society

70,000GNS AMPERTAINE MAGNUM LEADS AUTUMN LIMOUSIN BULL TRADE 38,000GNS GRAHAMS NATALIE SMASHES WEANED CALF RECORD

MICHAEL CURSITER ELECTED BLCS CHAIRMAN

2017 LIMOUSIN SALES BREAK THE £6 MILLION MARK

Whinfellpark Lomu

Lenagh Larkhill

Gunnerfleet Lion

Foxhillfarm Jasper

Lowerffrydd Empire

Wilodge Cerberus

The full range of Whinfellpark Stock Bull Semen is available to purchase by contacting Iain Scott 07876 254112 Craig Douglas 07717 291456 enquiries@awjfarms.co.uk For more information, please visit www.whinfellpark.com 01931 711 234 Dolcorsllwyn Fabio

Cover shot: This issue’s cover features a shot taken at the Homebyres herd of Messrs J Logan, Humebyres, Kelso. Thanks to photographer Wayne Hutchinson.

NEXT ISSUE: Coverage in words and pictures from the Spring 2018 Limousin sales held around the UK. Catch up on the latest features, herd profiles and all the ‘news and views’ from British Limousin, the UK’s No.1 Beef Breed.

The usual technical round-up and reports on the Society’s ongoing work including results from the March 2018 EBV & GEBV BLUP run; and updates on progress with the Limousin Breed Improvement Plan.

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 Designed by GHOST Leamington Spa

Limousin Easy calving

Length muscling

It’s the business

& WIDTH

www.limousin.co.uk

Contents

06 News round-up

10-11 Bassingbourn wins AHDB Progressive Herd Award

2017 was another bumper year of performance and achievement for the Limousin breed. The winter issue of the Limousin magazine brings you right up to date with all the latest news from a strong autumn sale round and the ‘major’ winter Primestock season.

In a range of news we highlight: Limousin sales grossing over £6 Million on the year; Orkney’s Michael Cursiter being elected as the BLCS Chairman; Robert Neill crowned as Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year; and the launch of the Society’s new website.

WINTER 2017/18

We take a snap look at the Cambridgeshire based Bassingbourn Herd of Daniel Turner which has been recognised by AHDB with their Progressive Herd Award. The award is based on the level of the herd’s genetic merit and improvement in the 2017 year.

70-77 Herd features focus on Roughley Limousins and Chase Farm, West Mids; and the Glencross Herd of Mark and Catherine Davies, Pembrokeshire; Two features from the West Midlands and Pembrokeshire respectively. We look at the pedigree Roughley herd and its influence on the success of the associated Chase Farm Shop. Moving to Pembrokeshire the Glencross herd of Mark and Catherine Davies is featured where Limousins are “supplying exactly what the market wants”.

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www.limousin.co.uk

SALES Carlisle Oct 17

p78

Stirling Oct 17

p84

Brecon Nov 17

p88

Dungannon Nov 17

p90

Red Ladies Dec 17

p92

52-69 Limousins doing the

34-41

business at the 2017 Winter Primestocks

Technical Corner

Limousin, the Carcase Breed, was once again in fine form at the year ending Winter Primestocks when it secured a hatful of Championships and titles at the ‘majors’ and markets across the UK. Here we feature a special report and pictures section from all of the ‘major’ events.

78-95 Strong Year of Limousin

Another packed Technical Corner takes a look at: the importance and understanding of calving ease; relating sales and performance genetics in 2017; and the leading stock sires for carcase traits and maternal traits, and the leading young bulls for Gestation Length following the November 2017 EBV & GEBV update.

Sales Demand for Limousin cattle continued strongly throughout 2017 with numbers sold, clearance rates, and averages all up on the year. The strong demand saw the year’s sale gross go through the £6 Million mark following the Red Ladies Derby & Weaned Calf Sale. Here we report on all of the Society sales in the period which saw quality in depth, some tremendous averages, and a record price to finish off the year.

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BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

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NEWS

STRONG DEMAND SEES BRITISH LIMOUSIN 2017 SALES GROSS BREAK THE £6 MILLION MARK • Official Society Sales gross £6,311,650 • 100,000gns Ampertaine Mozart tops bull trade • Foxhillfarm Mammamia is the top priced female at 42,000gns

G

ross sales of pedigree Limousin cattle, sold at official British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) auction sales in 2017, increased in the year by over £665,491 to a figure of £6,311,650. The closing fixture of the year, the Red Ladies & Weaned Calf Sale held at Carlisle, saw a gross of £420,000 to push official Limousin sales in the year through the £6 Million mark.

In the course of the 2017, eighteen collective sales held at Carlisle, Stirling, Brecon, Newark, Dungannon, Ballymena and Aberdeen respectively, in addition to Official BLCS Breeders’ Sales, comprising of Production, Reduction & Dispersal Sales, saw 1,523 animals sold in all.

This represented an increase of 78 year on year. Through the year 756 bulls sold to average £5,470.30 whilst the ongoing demand for Limousin females saw 767 sell, predominantly heifers, to average £2,837.14 In welcoming the figures BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said: “There is such a sale demand and momentum for Limousin cattle at the premier pedigree sales, regional sales, off farm, and in store and prime rings right across the UK. At its heart this is driven by commercial producers and their focus on all-round efficiency and profitability.

Across the Society sales during the autumn it was evident that there was a big demand for easy calving genetics, and this is likely to be a continued trend going into the newyear. Added strengths in feed

Ampertaine Mozart, 100,000gns

Foxhillfarm Mammamia, 42,000gns

efficiency, age to slaughter, and the ability to produce high yielding carcases at the target weights and grades required by the market place also position the breed

6 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

extremely well going forward.”

In the last thirteen years, Limousin pedigree sales have grossed over £75 Million (£76,241,924). Whilst the high-end of the trade in 2017

saw 65 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.

In further comment Mr Kerr said: “In what continues to be a challenging time for the industry pedigree Limousin sales in the year have seen an increase in numbers sold, averages, clearance rates and overall gross. Breeders are bringing forward some first quality bulls and females and finding their reward.

Commercial producers are seeing the advantages of market ready genetics and are confidently investing in Limousin as the ‘go to’ breed.

Leading the pedigree Limousin prices in the year was the 100,000gns paid for the January 2016 born bull Ampertaine Mozart from James McKay, Maghera, Co Derry. The highest priced female came in the form of the 42,000gns Foxhillfarm Mammamia from Mile and Melanie Alford, Devon.

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NEWS

MICHAEL CURSITER ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

O

rkney -based breeder Michael Cursiter has been elected as Chairman of the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) following the Society’s Annual General Meeting held in Leamington Spa on 14th September 2017.

He takes over from John Phillips who had served as Chairman for a three year term of office. Mr Cursiter, who has been the Society’s Scottish regional representative on the Council of Management for nine years, becomes the 16th Chairman of the BLCS in its 46 year history.

Michael, together with his wife Ruth, run the Lagas Limousin Herd from their farm in Evie on the island of Orkney, just about as far north as the map of the UK extends to.

He joined the BLCS in 1994 when the pedigree herd was established with the purchase of two Newhouse heifers plus a further two privately from the late Doug Edgar. Laga Farm is a family run business, which as well as the pedigree herd consists of a commercial cattle enterprise, a sizeable sheep flock and a children’s nursery. Of the 1,700 acres of land, which is a mixture of pasture and rough grazing, the family own 700 acres and rent the remaining 1000. The farms current position is a long way from the original 60 acres of Laga which was bought by Michael’s grandfather and father back in 1952.

A well-known Orcadian Michael has held many local office posts over the past 20 years, while nationally he has served as director of NFU Scotland, and Hi-Health Ltd, which was Scotland’s largest and only farmer led cattle health scheme.

On his election to

www.limousin.co.uk

BLCS Chairman Michael Cursiter

Chairman of BLCS Mr Cursiter commented “I am very honoured to have been elected as Chairman of the UK’s leading beef breed Society. Continuing to drive the strong position of the breed and the Society within the industry, I will be working hard with the Council and its members in sustaining and building upon the outstanding achievements of the past three years. In line with the Breed Improvement Plan, further development of the breed and adding value through new breeding technologies as they become available will remain at the heart of the work we do”.

He went onto say “The early results from the feed efficiency project indicate that there is a financial opportunity for

BLCS Vice Chairman Brian Lear

BLCS National Member Jonathan Watson

producers to exploit. I will continue to place emphasis on robust communication and promotion of messages like this to every level of the industry so that this kind of research is translated into real, tangible outcomes for members and commercial producers”.

At the same meeting, Brian Lear, who runs the

Turville Herd at Creslow, Buckinghamshire was elected as the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Vice Chairman.

In addition, Jonathan Watson of the Tweedale Herd, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, becomes a new face to the Council of Management having been elected as a National Representative.

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NEWS

BLCS SHOWCASING ‘FIRSTS’ FOR THE BEEF INDUSTRY AT THE 70TH BRITISH CATTLE BREEDERS CONFERENCE

A

t the time of going to print BLCS Technical Manager Alison Glasgow is preparing to speak at the 2018 British Cattle Breeders’ Conference (BCBC) to be held in late January. Celebrating its 70th Anniversary, Farming and Genetics – lets inspire the next generation is the theme chosen by the current BCBC chairman Andy Dodd with the focus being on practical cattle breeding.

Alison will deliver her presentation ‘Genomics in Beef – Adding Value in the Supply Chain’ which will demonstrate how, in meeting the 10-year plan for breed improvement, the Society and its members are fully engaged in a range of R&D initiatives.

The audience will hear how genomic breeding values for Limousin cattle are being introduced for carcase traits, female fertility and calf survival traits and the wider plans relating to feed intake, animal

health and meat quality.

BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase these ‘firsts’ for the UK beef industry to a wide range of delegates.

The Society takes every

opportunity to demonstrate that the value they can add to the supply chain is tangible and real. Alison’s presentation will outline progress made, some findings along the way and the beef industry’s opportunity to add significant value by exploiting genetic resources at an increased level” Speaking of her invitation onto the conference programme Alison says “I am delighted to have been asked to speak at the upcoming British Cattle Breeders Conference in January 2018. Limousin is the only beef breed delivering genomic breeding values that enable UK producers to trap additional value from their cattle and this programme is designed to highlight such leading edge technology”

LODGE HAMLET THE MOST USED LIMOUSIN SIRE IN 2017 • Limousin registrations increased on the year to 18,811

F

igures released by the British Limousin Cattle Society show that Lodge Hamlet was the most prolific bull in the 2017 year with 545 calves sired by him registered in the British Limousin Cattle Society’s herdbook. In all, and indicative of another strong year for the breed, 18,811 pedigree Limousin calves were registered in 2017, which is up by 268 on the corresponding figures. Ranking second in the year with 322 calves was Ampertaine Gigolo.

Netherhall Jackpot (252) came third with Ampertaine Foreman fourth (178), and

Trueman Jagger fifth (173).

In an interesting statistic a grand total of 1,981 sires

8 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

had calves registered to them in the year with the BLCS. The 2012 born Lodge

Hamlet (please also see page 35) was bred by Ian and Wendy Callion, Bolfornought Farm, Stirling and has been marketed with the Genus ABS breeding company. He is by Saphir and is out of Lodge Violet a daughter of the famous Broadmeadows Cannon who himself ranks second in the list of all time sires with 3049 calves registered to him. With more than a little continuity Ronick Hawk, a Cannon son, still remains the most prolific Limousin bull of all time with 4540 progeny registered to him. Sympa sits third in the all-time list with 2369 calves.

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NEWS

ROBERT NEILL CROWNED FARMERS WEEKLY FARMER OF THE YEAR

S

cottish borders farmer and Limousin breeder Robert Neill of the Uppernisbet Herd was crowned the 2017 Farmers Weekly Awards Farmer of the year at a lavish award ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London at the beginning of October. He collected the award after impressing the judges with his modern beef and arable farm and his commitment to improving performance in every area of the business. A well known and long term Limousin bull buyer Robert runs 300 plus Limousin cross cows at Upper Nisbet Farm, Jedburgh.

The judges recognised Robert for his particular willingness to embrace new technology, which has helped cut costs and increase profits at his 636ha mixed enterprise at Upper Nisbet Farm in Roxburghshire, from where finished cattle are sold all year round. His attitude to improving the data on cattle performance was particularly noted by the judges with Robert and his team knowing just how vital this it is in analysing cow and ration performance.

In a clear example of his forward thinking, not content with monitoring daily liveweight gains by running the cattle through a state of the art crush, he has installed automatic weigh stations at water troughs in the shed. This reduces handling stress and helps with the monitoring of weight gain which in turn ensures cattle are being marketed at the correct specification. The next step is to install cameras above the drinkers which can assess carcase grades automatically. The

use of EID tags has also helped with monitoring performance; Robert is able to improving the analysis of the best bloodlines and then breed replacements with the required characteristics.

Robert is always keen to host visitors to his farm, promoting the breed and British food production tirelessly on a local and regional level. Congratulations are extended to Robert and his team for winning this prestigious award and painting a positive picture of British farming.

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY UNVEILS ITS NEW WEBSITE

I

n another new development, the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) has unveiled its new modernised website. The redesign sees a completely new, simple to use, layout that is in line with the Society’s ongoing modern rebranding.

A modern, flexible website, easy to use, and information rich on all things Limousin is critically important for the organisation. As powerful as social media is the website is still a hub of information visited by members, commercial beef producers, and the industry at large.

Still available on the familiar address of www.limousin.co.uk some changes include:

www.limousin.co.uk

• A ‘mobile’ approach to design ensures that the website is easily viewable and works well on mobile devices, tablets, and of course PC’s.

• Page design and layout that ensures easy reading, simple navigation, and which features eye catching pictures and graphics.

• New and improved levels of navigation ensuring a simple, smooth navigation around the website.

• A ‘less is more’ approach with increased focus on key content and improved search tools.

• Easy to follow links to Taurus, Semenstore and social media.

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NEWS

BASSINGBOURN WINS AHDB BEEF & LAMB PROGRESSIVE HERD AWARD FOR THE LIMOUSIN BREED

T

he Bassingbourn herd, owned by Daniel Turner from Fordham, Cambridgeshire, has been recognised by AHDB Beef & Lamb as the most progressive herd of Limousin cattle based on the herd’s genetic merit and improvement in 2017.

Daniel is the fourth generation to take on the farm. He was previously buying in 1,000 store bullocks a year and saw the Limousin-bred animals returned higher carcase values and his passion for the breed developed from there.

Daniel said: “I set up the herd in late 2010, which initially started as small hobby herd to breed bulls for our 450-head British Friesian x Limousin suckler herd. Soon

the herd numbers increased to 100 pedigree cows, which have been purchased from a number of society sales and herd dispersal or production sales.”

More than 80 bulls from the pedigree herd have been sold to commercial and pedigree buyers. Daniel keeps the best heifers as replacements with other animals going into the commercial herd or sold.

Brassingbourn is a high health herd, running in conjunction with the SAC premium cattle health scheme. Performance recording is relatively new, while birth weights and 100 day weights have been done for a few years, muscle scanning and genotyping were introduced in 2016.

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Haltcliffe Dancer

“We introduced scanning and genotyping to aid with herd improvements,” explains Daniel. “It also serves as a marketing tool for potential sales.” Using genotyping means we can keep better genes within the herd, producing quality bulls for

customers and giving them peace of mind in what they are buying.”

Artificial insemination (AI) has been used for several years to introduce new bloodlines.

Daniel looks for sires with high beef values and good calving values, ultimately aiming to

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NEWS achieve high growth rates in terms of weight gain and muscle depth growth.

When choosing breeding animals, Daniel looks for stock bulls with easy calving traits, high beef value, good feet, locomotion, length, height and not too heavy on the shoulder.

“When choosing cows, calving ease, short gestation and high maternal traits are important.

I am also looking for big cows with a large pelvis for unassisted calving,” explains Daniel.

In 2014, Haltcliffe Dancer was introduced into the herd.

He has been DNA myostatin tested and has been found to carry NT491the gene, which produces animals with double muscling. The characteristics of this gene have already been found in his offspring.

We are crossing Hatcliff Dancer with cows carrying double copies of the F94L gene which provide characteristics that make the animals well-fleshed and easy to calve.

Norfolk team of 3

“We introduced scanning and genotyping to aid with herd improvements...it also serves as a marketing tool for potential sales.”

MARKET SHORTS AUGUST DINGWALL : W J & DD

MacKenzie, Tain, sold a Limousin heifer for the top female price of £1,520 at the markets 14th anniversary show and sale.

BRIDGNORTH : a firm bull trade hit 223p/kg for Limousins.

SELBY : Heifer trade hit 266.5/ kg for a Limousin cross scaling 604kg.

BISHOPS CASTLE : Top gross steer was a Limousin at £1,225, which tipped the scales at 690kg from F T Bedell & Son, Bishops Castle.

DARLINGTON : trade for young bulls reflected the flying prime trade, with a 19 month old Limousin from C Robinson, Stockton on Tees, selling for £1,244. Two year old Limousin steers from GH Watson & Son, Catterick, sold at £1,270.

LANCASTER : Limousin heifers sold to 31,300 from Phoenix Grain, Tarleton.

DALMALLY : Bullocks averaged 251.59p/kg for a 290kg Limousin cross from MacDonald,

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Auchgoyle. Heifers averaged 246.47kg and peaked at 303.90p/ kg for a 408kg Limousin cross from JJ and C McCallum, Strathnafanaig.

CASTLE DOUGLAS : trade topped at £1,355 a head with Limousin bullocks from AJ Sharp & Son, Barscarrow, Sandhead, who shone on the day also seeing £1,330 for another pen of Limousins and top price on weight of 245.5p/kg for Limousin crosses.

FORFAR : Limousins from Nethermyres topped the sale when a 527kg heifer sold for 258p per kg and a 599kg bullock realized 250p and £1,497.50.

STIRLING : Limousin crosses led the price per kg section when bullocks weighing 257kg from Coalheughglen peaked at 295.7p/kg and heifers reached 275.6p/kg for a 254kg pen from Gateside. Young bulls hit tops of245p for a Limousin cross from Welton of Creuchies.

Cattle from Newhouse of Glamis led the cast cow trade at 217.2p for a Limousin cross.

THAINSTONE : Bullocks sold

to 270.6p per kg for a 340kg Limousin, from Bishopstone, Kinellar.

COCKERMOUTH : to price was 229.5p per kg or £1,445.85 for a Limousin steer from Messrs Bowe, Hunday Farm, with the same home also selling the lead priced limousine heifer at £1,307.28.

SEPTEMBER NEWTON STEWART : A

limousin bullock from Sheena Templeton, South Balfern topped the sale when it was knocked down for £1,210.

WIGTON : Heifers reached £1,215 for a Limousin from Messrs Graham, Longcummercattiff.

CARLISLE : Heifers led the trade when a Limousin from JD Faulder, Croft House, Cockermouth and a pair of Limmies from JW Slack & Sons, Newby, Carlisle all sold for £1,350 apiece. Bullocks followed not far behind on £1,345 for a Limousin cross from Messrs

Graham, Cumdivock, Carlisle.

An entry of 228 weanlings peaked at £1,90 for a Limousin cross bull from Messrs Graham, Kirkhouse Dairy, heifers went to £1,015 for Limousins from Messrs Cousin, The Laws.

STIRLING : Bullocks reached £1,320 for a 548kg Limousin from Mafflat and averaged 215.69p/kg. Among the cast cows, Limousin crosses topped at 203.2p from Carlisle and £1,430 from Whitrigghill.

THAINSTONE : store cattle saw bullocks average 223p/ kg having sold to 260.6p for a pair of 376kg Limousins from Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt and £1,515 for a 694kg Limousin from Lower Cushieston, Meikle Wartle. Store heifers levelled at 219.5p having peaked at 359.3p and £1,940 for a pair of 540kg Limousins from Learney Home Farm, Torphins. Orkney and Shetland cattle sold to 256.4p/ kg for a 390kg Limousin bullock from M Delday, Quoybelloch, Deerness.

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Q&A

BLCS PRESIDENT DAVID THOMLINSON

The year in which the Agriculture industry speculated intensely on what the Brexit vote could mean for the United Kingdom’s beef farmers has come to a close. No one can be in any doubt that changes and challenges are on their way for pedigree and commercial farmers alike.

British Limousin Cattle Society Honorary President and well-known auctioneer David Thomlinson looks back on the year and shares some of his thoughts on the breed and Society moving forward.

Firstly, David, 2017 was a great year for you personally what with you being bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement accolade at the Marts the Heart awards. With more than 50 years in the industry it’s a welldeserved tribute, can you tell us what this means to you?

I can sum it up in two words, honoured and humbled. I have been in the job for a very long time and I am a very lucky person to have been recognised for doing something I have thoroughly enjoyed.

While I never had any intention of being an auctioneer, being with farmers and traders at the sharp end of the business and having the privilege of being part of the fantastic countryside community has always been a pleasure. To have been described as an inspirational role model is something very special to me. I was blessed to have had a great mentor at the start of my career in the shape of Mr Richard Harrison and to be regarded in the same way is really wonderful. It is fair to say that one of my greatest pleasures these days is watching the young auctioneers who I have trained blossom into top line salesmen.

2017 was also a big year for the Limousin breed with gross sales figures passing the £6 million mark.

What do you think it is that keeps driving the ongoing demand? And what about the future?

Well firstly it’s remarkable in terms of overall performance and I want to congratulate the Society’s members who continue to raise the performance bar and produce cattle that are so suited to the needs of the modern pedigree and

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commercial market place. I first came into the breed in 1974 attracted by the easy calving and high yield attributes. It is clear that these fundamental basics of the breed are just as important now as they were back then and are the solid foundations on which the sustained demand for the breed right through the industry is built upon. The modern Limousin has the recognition of being the perfect terminal sire and a quality, efficient, easily and cheaply managed suckler cow, quite a unique package.

Farmers have choices, but they will always follow profit and the natural attributes of the Limousin enhanced with continuous improvement adds up to sound economics clearly recognised by producers. There is such an ongoing momentum in the breed with sustained and growing commercial demand I don’t see this changing anytime soon. The suckler men and feeders will always want performance and will always be focused on costs. They want easy calving, easy reared cattle, that grow well, are feed efficient, and go on to hit target grades consistently. For producers finishing cattle, the past few years have been a rollercoaster, from a farmgate price perspective. Major processors and retailers now focus intensely on specification, and consequently, price penalties for cattle falling outside their requirements can be a significant issue. In order to maximise financial returns it is imperative for commercial finishers to produce the type of cattle markets really want. Last year’s performance tells me that the breed is right for the market and is delivering on consistency, performance and profitability, something very attractive to this costconscious industry.

The focus of the Society’s current agenda is based around the 10-year breed improvement programme announced back in 2014. How important do you think this groundbreaking work is in the context of delivering improved profitability to Limousin-based enterprises?

The ambitious schedule of work, market driven and commercially relevant, is indicative of the Society’s purpose and commitment to its core values of breed improvement and investment in the future. I feel that we are starting to catch up with the dairy industry, which has been using breeding strategies for genetic improvement for some time, and that can only be a good thing. Genetic change is already having a significant impact on the commercial sector and the returns and efficiencies experienced by its producers.

The knock on effect of this is already starting to show in Society sales with clear premiums being paid for animals of high genetic merit. Given that financial viability for all Limousin-based enterprises is critically important the breed

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improvement programme is fundamental to the protection and growth of all these businesses now and in the future.

I am sure you will agree that while the British Limousin story is a remarkable one we must never take our eye of the future. We have placed emphasis on being the ‘UK’s Number 1 Beef Breed’, looking ahead how important is it to maintain this position?

It is very important as it goes a long way to demonstrating the breed’s popularity and in the modern industry it shows that the breed performs well economically and is profitable. We can’t deny that there has been some creep into our dominant position over the past few years from native beef breeds, particularly Aberdeen Angus and Hereford, largely the result of demand from consumers. However, we continue to have the all- important critical mass, by some margin, and I think when we consider the challenges in the post-Brexit environment, the ‘carcase breed’ mantle will stand us in good stead,

www.limousin.co.uk

Our platform is very solid. Ask yourself, why do Limousin carcases command a premium on the hook? The answer is a simple one; processors want the yield they deliver. The breeds unique advantage in producing animals with increased weight of prime cuts does not go unnoticed and will ensure that we continue to be the UK’s Number 1 Beef Breed.

A talking point in the industry at the moment is how to reward for meat quality. Do you have any thoughts on this from a Limousin perspective?

I am sure that somewhere down the line it is going to come, but personally I think we are still some way off seeing a pricing structure which will deliver rewards based on a measure of meat quality. After all, the industry does not even have a clear and cohesive definition of what we mean by meat quality as yet. Quality could be many things, more meat per carcase, more yield in the higher priced cuts, carcase size, fat class, shearforce and tenderness. I have no

doubt that when the industry defines its parameters in this regard the science will confirm that from a Limousin perspective we have nothing to fear as our carcases tick all the right boxes.

Finally, as we head towards the 50th anniversary for the breed in the UK is there a message that you would like to finish on?

Almost 50 years…is that all? It’s an amazing story that in almost 50 years since importation the Limousin breed has so firmly become the UK’s number one breed. They are now to the commercial beef producer what the Holsteins are to the dairyman – the ‘first choice’, the benchmark of performance, consistency and profitability. Looking ahead, the forward industry could be a challenging one with the impact of Brexit unknown, success will be achieved by those breeds that work hard on improvement and deliver a profitable carcase. Given that sums the breed up in a nutshell I am still just as excited for the future as I was almost 50 years ago.

Thank you David.

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2016 BCMS FIGURES 27%

GB TOTAL

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-todate, on a day-to-day basis, with news from around the world of British Limousin. The Society’s Facebook page now has 11,774 ‘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 50,000 ‘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.

# 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.

# 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 up-to-date with all the news, as it happens, from the world of the UK’s number one beef breed!

14 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

Limousin

493,623

27%

Aberdeen Angus

310,971

17%

British Blue

222,419

12%

Charolais

207,767

11%

Simmental

159,752

9%

Hereford

145,892

8%

Shorthorn

18,836

1%

286,036

16%

1,845,296

100%

Other Beef Breeds TOTAL

25%

ENGLAND TOTAL

Limousin

286,321

25%

Aberdeen Angus

196,617

17%

British Blue

168,619

15%

Hereford

108,658

9.5%

Charolais

77,327

7%

Simmental

76,086

7%

Shorthorn

8,161

0.5%

Other Beef Breeds TOTAL

207,980

18%

1,129,769

100%

27%

SCOTLAND TOTAL

Limousin

124,635

27%

Aberdeen Angus

91,728

20%

Charolais

86,448

19%

Simmental

74,320

16%

British Blue

20,605

4%

Hereford

9,438

2%

Shorthorn

9,314

2%

49,578

11%

466,066

100%

Other Beef Breeds TOTAL

33%

WALES TOTAL

Limousin

82,667

33%

Charolais

43,992

18%

British Blue

33,195

13%

Hereford

27,796

11%

Aberdeen Angus

22,623

9%

Simmental

9,346

4%

Shorthorn

1,361

1%

28,478

11%

249,458

100%

Other Beef Breeds TOTAL

www.limousin.co.uk

NEWS

FORTHCOMING SHOWS, SALES & EVENTS UP TO DECEMBER 2018 All Sales are Official BLCS Sales unless marked with an asterisk. NB dates correct at the time of going to press.

Monday 22nd – Wednesday 24th January Telford –British Cattle Breeders Conference Friday 26th January Carlisle - Major Reduction Sale from Haltcliffe Limousin* Saturday 3rd February Brecon Sale Sunday 4th – Tuesday 6th February Stirling Bull Sales Monday 12th February Dungannon Sale

Friday 16th & Saturday 17th February Carlisle Bull Sale

Saturday 12th May Brecon Sale

Sunday 21st - Tuesday 23rd October Stirling Sale

Wednesday 28th February Thainstone - Aberdeen Spring Show & Sale

Thursday 17th May Welshpool, North West Midlands & North Wales Breeders Spring Show & Sale*

Saturday 21st April Newark – Limousin Day

Friday 15th June Carlisle Sale

Wednesday 25th April Holsworthy, SW Breeders Spring Show & Sale

Friday 22nd June Exeter, SW Breeders Summer Sale

Friday 4th & Saturday 5th May Carlisle Sale

Saturday 6th October Newark Sale*

Monday 7th May Stirling Bull Sale

Saturday 10th November Brecon Sale Saturday 24th November Welshpool, North West Midlands & North Wales Breeders Autumn Show & Sale* Friday 14th December Carlisle - Red Ladies & Weaned Calf Show & Sale

Friday 19th & Saturday 20th October Carlisle Bull Sale

MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

MATERNAL QUALITIES, SEMEN AND EMBRYOS AVAILABLE

CONFORMATION, DOCILITY, TOP FRENCH GENETICS

DATES TO REMEMBER IN 2018: Lanaud auction sales January 10th and 11th March 7th and 8th June 13rd and 14th

HIROHITO, qualified Espoir in Lanaud

MACK, qualified RJ in Lanaud

LASER, son of HAMAC RJ TOP PRICE GRAND CRU Auction Sale 2017 Buyer: George SMITH - England

GRAND CRU Auction Sale 2017 Buyer: Neil BLENKHORN - England

GRAND CRU Auction Sale 2017 Buyer: Aled EDWARDS – Wales

Paris Show

Beefy type + Easy calving Semen Available

March 1st

Aquitanima in Bordeaux May 8th to 12th

National Show in Chateauroux

September 21st to 23rd

INTERLIM GÉNÉTIQUE SERVICE Pôle de Lanaud - 87220 Boisseuil - FRANCE Tel: 00.335.55.06.46.46 - Fax: 00.335.55.06.46.30 interlim@limousine.org

16 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

LIMACE

www.interlim.com

www.limousin.co.uk

NEWS

LIMOUSIN PAIR WIN BURKE TROPHY AT ROYAL BERKSHIRE SHOW

I

www.limousin.co.uk

been tapped into Limousin Champion spot at Newbury

by Judge Stuart Renton, Duns, Berwickshire. The Requin son out of Dinmore Caprice won the South Wales and Mid-West Limousin Club’s ‘Stars of the Future’ competition at Brecon in August 2016 before coming out top of the shows six-breed cattle Supreme Championship line-up. As with Little Gem, Lionheart has had a very successful summer in the show

ring racking up a string of rosettes. One of many victories, he was Interbreed Beef Champion at the Royal Three Counties Show where Judge Colin Hutchins described him as a “great example of a modern Limousin”.

The Berkshire show also delivered yet more success for the Limousin breed in the commercial section where, as would be expected, Limousin genetics were

very evident throughout the judging session overseen

by Mr D H Plested, Chinnor.

Taking top spot in the keenly contested Commercial Beef Championship was Sally Anna, a February 2016 born Limousin sired heifer from Mr M J Dickens and family, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes. In reserve was Red Jack, a March 2016 Limousin cross steer from Mr G R Fountaine and Son, Beachampton.

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n what was a terrific achievement, two animals from different exhibitors teamed up to win the Blue Riband Burke Trophy for the Limousin breed on the second day of the Royal County of Berkshire show held at Newbury Showground 16/17 September 2017. The Burke Trophy, a highlight at the Royal Show between 1951 and 2009, has since moved around the country to different shows to be presented to the best pair of beef animals – one male and one female – chosen out of all the breed classes at the event.

The beef Judge, Mr Alasdair Houston; a well-known farmer and cattle breeder from the County of Dumfries, placed the Limousin pair as winners of the prestigious award. The team, Brockhurst Littlegem from W J & M Mash Ltd, Chesham and Dinmore Lionheart from Paul Dawes Herefordshire-based Dinmore herd complimented each other well in the ring.

The pair, which had been selected from a strong cohort of Limousin cattle exhibits, are both no strangers to show success; however, winning such a notable accolade is a tremendous credit to the breeders and an important vehicle for promotion of the breed.

Amid triumphs at many county shows over the summer, including Reserve Limousin Champion at Newbury, Littlegem stood as Reserve Female Limousin Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show earlier this year and took first place in her class at the Royal Highland Show back in May. The January 2015 born heifer

by Wilodge Vantastic out of Ronick McAinsie is half-sister to Brockhurst Heavenly who scooped the Limousin Overall Supreme Championship and the Interbreed Championship at the 2016 Great Yorkshire Show.

The April 2015 born bull Dinmore Lionheart, had

Contact: SAC Veterinary Services Greycrook, St Boswells, Roxburghshire, TD6 0EU T: 01835 822456 E: pchs1@btconnect.com www.cattlehealth.co.uk

Leading the way in Agriculture and Rural Research, Education and Consulting

SAC Consulting is a division of SRUC

SRUC is a charity registered in Scotland, No. SC003712

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 17

NEWS

2017 BRITISH LIMOUSIN REGIONAL HERD COMPETITION RESULTS Scottish Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - Henry Savage Extra Large 1st

Shannas

Mr & Mrs J Penny

2

Ronick

Mr R Dick

3rd

Maraiscote

Mr J Nimmo

1st

Spittalton

Mr J Burnett

2

Grahams

R & J Graham

3

Clury

Mr W F Cruickshank

nd

Large

nd rd

Medium 1st

Lodge

Mr & Mrs W & A Callion

2nd

Meadowrig

A Renton HSB Redden Partners

3

Westpit

A & J Gammie

rd

Small

Calf born 2017 1st April onwards

1st

Ritchies

Aileen Ritchie

1st

Grahams Nova

R & J Graham

2

Aultside

Garry Patterson

2nd

Lodge Nina

Mr & Mrs W & A Callion

3rd

Stephick

Stephanie Dick

3

Ronick Nissan

Mr R Dick

nd

Overall Best Herd Lodge

Bull born in 2016 Mr & Mrs W & A Callion

Reserve Overall Best Herd Shannas

rd

Mr & Mrs J Penny

Best Stock Bull

1st

Lodge Mo

Mr & Mrs W & A Callion

2

Aultside Meanmachine

Garry Patterson

Grahams Michael

R & J Graham

nd

3rd

Heifer born in 2016

1st

Rathconville Eugene

Mr R Dick

1st

Lodge Maria

Mr & Mrs W & A Callion

2

Goldies Comet

Mr J Nimmo

2

nd

Stephick Mistique

Stephanie Dick

3

Jalex Itsallgood

A & J Gammie

3

rd

Aultside Mystique

Garry Patterson

nd rd

Calf born 1st Jan to 31 March 2017

Best Cow Family

1st

Meadowrig Nieve

A Renton HSB Redden Partners

1st

Grahams Coffee

R & J Graham

2nd

Westpit Nova

A & J Gammie

2nd

Spittalton Doreen

Mr J Burnett

3

Ronick Nechou

Mr R Dick

3

Shannas Ulreka

Mr & Mrs J Penny

rd

18 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

rd

www.limousin.co.uk

NEWS

North West Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - Glyn Vaughan Best Youngstock

Extra Large st

1

Haltcliffe

Haltcliffe

1st

Haltcliffe

Haltcliffe

2nd

Procters

Procters Farm Ltd

2nd

Procters

Procters Farm Ltd

2

Norman

Mr E & Mrs E Norman

3

Whinfellpark

Messrs Jenkinson

nd

rd

Best Bull under 12 months born pre 1/2/17

Large 1st

Maybe

Mr & Mrs D & R Cornthwaite

1st

Arradfoot Manhattan

Thor Atkinson

2

Tallyrock

Mr A Myerscough

2

Whinfellpark Malteaser

Messrs Jenkinson

3rd

Gallaber

Mr T Sedgwick

3rd

Brontemoor Motogp

JM & SM Priestley

3

Wiggonby

Mr S Bowe

3

Kinniside Mejestic

Mr G & Mrs A Marrs

nd

rd

nd

rd

Best Heifer under 12 months

Medium 1st

Huntershall

Stephen J Nixon

1st

Procters Mfanita

Procters Farm Ltd

2

Raysonhall

Mr & Mrs D Hill

2

Whinfellpark Nerissa

Messrs Jenkinson

3rd

Arradfoot

Thor Atkinson

3rd

Huntershall Navarro

Stephen J Nixon

1st

Impulsive

Steven Wilson

1st

Procters Noble

Procters Farm Ltd

2

Lowflan

Ian Wilson & Carol Wood

2

nd

Haltcliffe Nimo

Haltcliffe

3

Barbondale

MWM & JE Shuttleworth

3

rd

Raysonhall Neptune

Mr & Mrs D Hill

nd

Best Bull under 12 months born after 1/2/17

Small

nd rd

nd

Overall Best Bull under 12 months

Extra Small

Procters Noble

Procters Farm Ltd

1st

Mystyle

W Richardson & Son

2nd

Crajan

C W & J E Johnston

Stock Bull & Progeny

3rd

Valleyview

Miss Gemma Slater

1st

Claragh Franco

Mr E & Mrs E Norman

3

Busk

Mr W Orme

2

Goldies Jurassic

Procters Farm Ltd

Dinmore Jacot

Haltcliffe

rd

Overall Best Herd Haltcliffe

www.limousin.co.uk

nd

3rd Haltcliffe

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 19

NEWS

North East Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - Richard Bartle & Mary Cormack Extra Large 1st

Tomschoice

JM & SP Cooper

2

Cornsay

WI Suddes & Sons

3rd

Elderberry

E Blenkhorn

1st

Scorboro

Messrs JCG Bloom

2

Barkisland

C Lumb

3

Swale

Mr WE Swales

3rd

Rossellie

Peter R Walker & Son

nd

Large

nd rd

Medium 1st

Barrons

Mr W Barron

2

Oddacres

Mr AJ Mason

3

Rachels

D & MLP Woolhouse

1st

Lissett

JH Tennant Ltd

2nd

Hollingreave

Mr S Littlewood

3

Tancredgrange

Barker Farming Partnership

nd rd

Small

rd

Extra Small 1st

Almande

Mr A Morgan & Mr JC Johnson

2

Mountainstorm

Adam Atkins

3rd

Kaprico

Mrs C Stafford

nd

Overall Best Herd Barrons

Mr W Barron

New Entrant Stocksbridge

Mr J Cardwell

Best Stock Bull & Progeny 1st

Gallois

Mr AJ Mason

2nd

Millbrow Icatcher

Peter R Walker & Son

3

Procters General

Messrs JCG Bloom

rd

Heifer Calf born in 2017 1st

Oddacres Nelly

Mr AJ Mason

2

nd

Hollingreave Nora

Mr S Littlewood

3rd

Rossellie Number

Peter R Walker & Son

Bull Calf born in 2017

Best Cow & Heifer Calf

1

Barrons Ninja

Mr W Barron

1st

Steves Jess & Rachels Majesty

D & MLP Woolhouse

2nd

Tomschoice Nobility

JM & SP Cooper

2nd

Hollingreave Isla & Nora

Mr S Littlewood

3

Longhirst Neon

Mr DW Jordon

3

Swale Iflew & Myfly

Mr WE Swales

st

rd

Young Bull born in 2016

rd

Best Cow & Bull Calf

1st

Barrons Mexeco

Mr W Barron

1st

Barrons Julipa & Ninja

Mr W Barron

2

Scorboro Magnum

Messrs JCG Bloom

2

Tomschoice Hottotty & Nobility

JM & SP Cooper

3rd

Longhirst Moses

Mr DW Jordon

3rd

Irlande & Oddacres Norman

Mr AJ Mason

nd

Young Heifer born in 2016

nd

Best Stockbull

1

Queenshead Millie

Mrs PM Varley

1st

Intrepide

E Blenkhorn

2nd

Barrpns Mylassy

Mr W Barron

2nd

Millbrow Icatcher

Peter R Walker & Son

3

Swale Myfly

Mr WE Swales

3

Ballinloan Lush

Mr J Cardwell

st

rd

20 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

rd

www.limousin.co.uk

BVD WITHOUT COMPREHENSIVE

VACCINATION

YOU ARE

EXPOSED Are you exposed to losses of £46.50 per cow per year?1 Along with removal of persistently infected cattle (PIs), strict biosecurity including vaccination protects your herd and your livelihood. Speak to your vet about how to get the cover you need.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT BVDZERO.CO.UK

1. Yarnall and Thrusfield (2017) Vet Record doi: 10.1136/vr.104370 An educational service from Boehringer Ingelheim Limited, Animal Health, makers of Bovela®. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Limited, Animal Health, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YS, UK. Date of preparation: Jul 2017. AHD10227.

Use Medicines Responsibly.

MAKING

BVD HISTORY

NEWS

Northern Ireland Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - William Smith Large 1st

Ampertaine

W J & J McKay

2

Lynderg

Mr J Quail

3rd

Bridgeview

Mr GM McCague

nd

Medium 1st

Trueman

Henry Savage

2nd

Pointhouse

Mr M Diamond

3

Slieve

John & Shane McGeehan

1st

Claragh

Mr J D Rainey

2

Fedneyhouse

Mr TJ Adams

3rd

Larkhill

Mr B McAuley

rd

Small

nd

Extra Small 1st

Gorrycam

Mr S Reel

2nd

Fortfield

Mr C O’Hare

3

Doogary

Oliver Macdonald

rd

Best Stock Bull 1st

Lynderg Jefferson

Mr S McGookin

2nd

Donnelly Hernando

Mr GM McCague

3

Lynderg Hero

Mr J Quail

rd

Bull born in year of competition 1st

Pointhouse Maximus

Mr M Diamond

2

Lynderg Monseigneur

Mr J Quail

3rd

Ampertaine Monty

WJ & J McKay

nd

Heifer under 1 year old 1st

Archies Nefertiti

McKenna Bros

2

Trueman Marianne

Henry Savage

3

Ampertaine Majesty

W J & J McKay

nd rd

Bull born in year before competition year 1st

Ampertaine Magnum

W J & J McKay

2nd

Gorrycam Major

Mr S Reel

3

Ballyhone Major

Mr BT Hall

rd

Heifer under 2 years old 1st

Trueman Lute

Henry Savage

2

nd

Ampertaine Libby

W J & J McKay

3rd

Lynderg Mistress

Mr J Quail

Best Calves by Stockbull born in year of competition 1st

Lynderg Hero

Mr J Quail

2nd

Donnelly Hernando

Mr J M McCague

3

Lynderg Jefferson

Mr S McGookin

rd

22 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

www.limousin.co.uk

NEWS Best Cow Family 1st

Kype Sharon

W J & J McKay

2

Trueman Euphorium

Henry Savage

Haltcliffe Avon

Mr J D Rainey

nd

3rd

Best Group of Calves born in year of competition 1st

Ampertaine

W J & J McKay

2nd

Trueman

Henry Savage

3

Lynderg

Mr J Quail

rd

Best Newcomer

www.limousin.co.uk

1st

Slieve

John & Shane McGeehan

2

nd

Fortfield

Mr C O’Hare

3rd

Doogary

Oliver Macdonald

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 23

NEWS

East Midlands Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - Dyfan James Extra Large 1st

Mereside

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

2nd

Fieldson

J W & M C Fieldson

3

Mcturk

Manby Farms Ltd

1st

Gascoines

Gascoines Group Ltd

2

Brockhurst

W J Mash Ltd

3rd

Bosworth

Mr R Lawrence

rd

Large

nd

Medium 1st

Teviothead

D R & R L Burns

2

Greensons

Greensons Limousins

3

Tredon

Mr S & Mrs M Sarbinowski

1st

Withersdale

Mr DC Wharton

2nd

Plumtree

Paul Cairns

3

Cockleshell

Mr I Pitcher

nd rd

Small

rd

Extra Small 1st

Rempstone

Miss H C Burton

2

Beck

Mr WJ Hickson

3rd

Poppy

James Pearcy

nd

Overall Best Herd Mereside

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

Reserve Overall Best Herd Withersdale

Mr DC Wharton

Best Stock Bull & Progeny 1st

Mereside Hallmark

Gascoines Group Ltd

Mereside Hannibal

Mr I Pitcher

2

nd

3rd

Bull Calf born under 1 year 1st

Mereside Mckay

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

2nd

Gascoines Mrgeorge

Gascoines Group Ltd

3

Fieldson Nani

JW & MC Fieldson

rd

Heifer Calf born under 1 year 1st

Lowgate Nellie

Ian Brown

2

Brockhurst Nova

W J & M Mash Ltd

3rd

Fieldson Natasha

JW & MC Fieldson

nd

Bull 1 to 2 years

Best Cow & Calf

1

Withersdale Mercury

Mr DC Wharton

1st

Mereside Goddess & Mckay

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

2nd

Cockleshell Luckystar

Gascoines Group Ltd

2nd

Mereside Halecia & Tredon Nicole

Mr S & Mrs M Sarbinowski

3

Bassingbourn Malcolm

Mr DF Turner

3

Fieldson Foxy & Nitram

JW & MC Fieldson

st

rd

Heifer 1 to 2 years

rd

Best In-calf Heifer

1st

Cockleshell Minx

Mr I Pitcher

1st

Brockhurst Littlegem

W J & M Mash Ltd

2

Blackfriar Melia

MD & WM Morton

2

Mereside Jessiej

Mr R M Hazard & Sons

3rd

Teviothead Melody

DR & RL Burns

3rd

Gascoines Lotsoffaith

Gascoines Group Ltd

nd

24 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

nd

www.limousin.co.uk

NEWS

North West Midlands & North Wales Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - James Hazard Extra Large 1st

Garyvaughan

Mr CV Lewis

2

Twemlows

WL & JA Forrester

3rd

Winnington

JS & SM Vance

1st

Garmon

Mrs S Lloyd Jones

2nd

Ashledge

AG Kirton & Sons

3

Ashfordhall

Peter Hunt

nd

Large

rd

Medium 1st

Roughley

Walter Smith Farms Ltd

2

Simse

E & J Sims

1st

Pabo

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

2

Myfyrian

G Roberts

3rd

Roseycombe

Mr S J Timms

nd

Small

nd

Extra Small 1st

Temeside

VAS & TVS Corbett

2nd

Millstone

Mr J Oakes

3

Aldan

Mr G W Jones

rd

Champion Small/Medium Herd Roughley

Walter Smith Farms Ltd

Champion Large & Overall Herd Garyvaughan

Mr CV Lewis

Best Stock Bull & Progeny 1st

Overthwaite Ben

Mrs S Lloyd Jones

2nd

Haltcliffe Iceman

A G Kirton & Sons

3

Haltcliffe Janerio

Peter Hunt

rd

Bull Calf born in 2017 1st

Pabo Nightrider

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

2

Garyvaughan Norman

Mr CV Lewis

3rd

Twemlows Newyork

WL & JA Forrester

nd

Heifer Calf born in 2017 1st

Roughley Nancy

Walter Smith Farms Ltd

2nd

Pabo Nickiminaj

Mr WP Hughes & Sons

3

Temeside Nadia

VAS & TVS Corbett

rd

Bull born in 2016 1st

Garyvaughan Max

Mr CV Lewis

2

Temeside Mei

VAS & TVS Corbett

nd

3rd Best Youngstock

Heifer born in 2016 1st

Garyvaughan Modess

Mr CV Lewis

1st

Garyvaughan

Mr CV Lewis

2

Temeside Mercy

VAS & TVS Corbett

2

Twemlows

WL & JA Forrester

Walter Smith Farms Ltd

3rd

Ashledge

G A Kirton & Sons

nd

3

rd

Roughley Mirabelle

www.limousin.co.uk

nd

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 25

NEWS

South Wales & Mid West Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - Peter Kirton Extra Large 1st

Hannem

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

2nd

Mynach

Messrs ED Griffiths

3

Cowin

WDD & C James

1st

Gronw

Mr J & Mrs H Phillips

2

Deri

Mr & Mrs TB Griffiths

3rd

Belgate

Mr MJ Wiliams

rd

Large

nd

Medium 1st

Reddragon

TE & HE Price

2nd

Tierston

Mrs DB Davies

3

Glyncoed

JH Davies & Co

1st

Frogmore

Chris White

2

Calogale

GJ Lee & CM Lloyd

3rd

Whitwood

Mervyn G Yates

rd

Small

nd

Overall Best Herd Hannem

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

Best Stock Bull & Progeny 1st

Twemlows Gerry

Mr MJ Wiliams

2nd

Fasteux

TE & HE Price

3rd

Mynach Invinceble

Messrs ED Griffiths

Bull born February 2017 onwards 1st

Calogale Ninja

GJ Lee & CM Lloyd

2nd

Deri Nico

Mr & Mrs TB Griffiths

3

Wellhouse Note

Mr RD Whittle

3rd

Belgate Nash

Mr MJ Wiliams

rd

Heifer born February 2017 onwards 1st

Deri Nadia

Mr & Mrs TB Griffiths

2nd

Hannem Nickel

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

3

Whitwood Nina

Mervyn G Yates

3rd

Taygreen Nancy

Mr R Jackson

rd

Bull born August 2016 & January 2017 1st

Calogale Napoleon

GJ Lee & CM Lloyd

2nd

Beulah Masterpeice

MJ & JM Price

3

Cowin Mrmacho

WDD & C James

rd

Heifer born August 2016 & January 2017 1st

Calogale Nightingale

GJ Lee & CM Lloyd

2

Frogmore May

Chris White

3rd

Hannem Nifty

Mr M & Mrs S Potter

3

Beulah Mistletoe

MJ & JM Price

nd

rd

Youngstock 1st

Frogmore

Chris White

2

Calogale

GJ Lee & CM Lloyd

3rd

Reddragon

TE & HE Price

nd

26 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

www.limousin.co.uk

NEWS

South West Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - Ian Turner Extra Large 1st

Nealford

JH Neale & Sons

2nd

Killerton

Mr & Mrs PW & SM Greed

3

Sloughpool

Messrs C R & M M Gollop & Sons

1st

Treloweth

AMC Eddy

2

Highridge

G N & L V Dunn

3rd

Stourhead

Mr & Mrs H & JL Parker

rd

Large

nd

Medium 1st

Rochecourt

Lady Bessborough

2nd

Lackham

Wiltshire College

3

Hugginshayes

C J Dare & Son

3rd

Cranscombe

Mr & Mrs N Skelton

1st

Uptonley

Miss Linda Pidsley

2nd

Smithy

AK & JK Smith

3

Timberlands

Mr C Phillips

rd

Small

rd

New Entrant 1st

Lackham

Wiltshire College

2

Spearcey

Mr G French

3rd

Bramble

Mr & Mrs D I & M L Wotton

nd

Overall Best Herd Nealford

JH Neale & Sons

Best Stock Bull & Progeny 1st

Ampertaine Inferno

JH Neale & Sons

2nd

Loosebeare Ipad

CR & MM Gollop & Sons

3

Claragh Jackpot

G N & L V Dunn

rd

Bull Calf born 2017 1st

Nealford Nottingham

JH Neale & Sons

2

Killerton Nick

Mr & Mrs PW & SM Greed

3rd

Holwellbarton Notanyoldbull

D Stevens & Son

nd

Heifer Calf born 2017 1st

Killerton Nova

Mr & Mrs PW & SM Greed

2

Nealford Niki

JH Neale & Sons

3

Sloughpool Natasha

CR & MM Gollop & Sons

nd rd

Bull born in 2016 1st

Nealford Monarch

JH Neale & Sons

2nd

Uptonley Minesagin

Miss Linda Pidsley

3

Josh Maximus

Mr M A & Mrs D Luxton

rd

Heifer born in 2016 1st

Lackham Mayflower

Wiltshire College

2nd

Highridge Mizola

GN & LV Dunn

3rd

Smithy Malibu

AK & JK Smith

www.limousin.co.uk

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 27

NEWS

South East Cattle Breeders Club Herd Competition Results for 2017 Judge : - John Reynolds Large 1st

Castlethorpe

Mr J Stacey

2nd

Applesham

Mr WD Passmore

3

Stratton

Stratton Farms

rd

Medium 1st

Thorndean

Thorndean Farms

2

nd

Wealden

Mr B Baker

3rd

Gotham

Mrs M Davis

1st

Pelham

Mr C Atkins

2

nd

Goscombe

Sarah Jackson

3rd

Woodfield

Ben Maskell/Sarah Lisney

Small

Overall Best Herd Thorndean

Thorndean Farms

Reserve Overall Best Herd Castlethorpe

Mr J Stacey

Best Stock Bull 1st

Tomschoice Hurricane

Mr J Stacey

2nd

Culnagechan Jackdaniels

Mr B Baker

3rd

Mereside Hackett

Thorndean Farms

1 2

nd

3

rd

Wealden Motivator Gotham Mrmoon Stratton Musk

Mr B Baker

1st

Stratton Farms

Mrs M Davis

2nd

Brian Foster

Stratton Farms

3

Derek Southouse

2

nd

3

rd

Thorndean Mumble Wealden Majesty Castlethorpe Moneypenny

Thorndean Farms

1st

Mandy Woolgar

Mr B Baker

2

John Hobden

Mr J Stacey

3rd

nd

Mrs Clutterbuck

Overall Best Herd

Bull born in 2017 1

Thorndean Nigel

Thorndean Farms

2nd

Gotham Nato

Mrs M Davis

3rd

Castlethorpe Nougat

Mr J Stacey

st

rd

Small

Heifer born in 2016 1st

Judge: John Reynolds Large

Bull born in 2016 st

Commercial results

Stratton Farms Reserve Overall Best Herd Brian Foster Best Stockbull

Heifer born in 2017 1st

Wealden Nuliche

Mr B Baker

1st

Thorndean Epic

Mandy Woolgar

2

Thorndean Niceone

Thorndean Farms

2

Gotham Ivanhoe

Brian Foster

3rd

Castlethorpe Nigella

Mr J Stacey

3rd

Gotham Galaxy

Derek Southouse

nd

nd

Best Lim x Steer

Heifer born in 2015 1

Moonleaze Ladylove

Sarah Jackson

1st

John Hobden

2nd

Wealden Laurette

Mr B Baker

2nd

Brian Foster

3

Thorndean Lizzie

Thorndean Farms

3

Owen Piper

st

rd

rd

Best Lim x Heifer

Best Cow & Calf 1st

Thorndean Cw & Neptune

Thorndean Farms

1st

Sarah Jackson

3

Wealden Fuliche & Nuliche

Mr B Baker

2

Mandy Woolgar

2nd

Castlethorpe Euro & Nugget

Mr J Stacey

3rd

rd

28 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

nd

Keel & Hobden

www.limousin.co.uk

SEMENSTORE

EASY TO USE SEMENSTORE OFFERING SERVICE, CHOICE, AND VALUE

F

rom its launch in 2009 Semenstore has quickly developed into the UK’s leading on-line semen site with a solid track record of providing a high level of service to both vendors and customers. Through 2017 the site has seen a sharp increase in sales on the year with a wide range of bulls selling strongly to pedigree, commercial, dairy and export buyers.

From a buyers point of view Semenstore offers an easy to use website where you can browse the bulls available, purchase your requirements easily, and have the semen sent to the designation of your choice. There is a choice of approaching 100 Limousin bulls, with regular new and exciting additions (please see below).

With something for everyone buyers can at a glance select on phenotype, bloodlines, performance figures, specific traits, and of course cost. From a vendors perspective Semenstore provides a professional vehicle to promote, market and sell semen whilst collecting monies at the point of sale and dealing with all of the time consuming admin on vendors behalves. Semenstore is delighted to be able to provide this valuable service and in signing off 2017 would like to take this opportunity to thank all vendors and customers for their support through the year.

FOUR NEW EXCITING ARRIVALS ON SEMENSTORE! Semenstore is delighted to welcome four new exciting additions to its portfolio of bulls available. Here we feature a snapshot look but please go to www.semenstore.co.uk for full details and to drill down on pedigrees, performance figures, and all you need to know.

Foxhillfarm Jupiter Quick Info: £30.00 per straw: available UK mainland only The vendor says: “Foxhillfarm Jupiter was a much admired bull when sold in Carlisle. He is a very exciting prospect with modern lines, tremendous muscling and is full of style and presence.

Everything for today’s market demands. He is leaving very stylish, correct offspring that are full of shape. One of his first heifers can be seen in the progeny picture. The first crop of Jupiter bulls will be heading to Carlisle for the Feb / May bull sales and are showing the same defined muscling and style of their father.

Limited amount of semen for sale so, “when it’s gone it’s gone”!

30 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

www.limousin.co.uk

Whinfellpark Lomu Quick Info: £20.00 per straw: available UK mainland only Whinfellpark Lomu is sired by Lowerffrydd Empire and is out of the Wilodge Cerberus daughter Whinfellpark Femi. The Vendor says: “Lomu comes with an impressive easy calving pedigree which has been followed up by outstanding growth rates, muscle development and overall style. He was awarded the overall Limousin Champion at The Stars of the Future calf show in Stirling in 2016. Whinfellpark Lomu carries two copies of the myostatin gene F94L. He is an exciting prospect for both Pedigree and Commercial breeding and has been used in the field at Whinfellpark throughout summer of 2017. We look forward to seeing his progeny on the ground.”

Lenagh Larkhill Quick Info: £20 per straw: available UK mainland only Lenagh Larkhill was purchased in June 2017 through a private on farm sale in Northern Ireland and is one of only four progeny to be sired by Larkhill Istabraq. The vendor says: “With his breeding, shape and style Lenagh Larkhill offers a massive potential for the future for both Pedigree and Commercial breeders. Larkhill carries two copies of the Q204X gene.”

Gunnerfleet Lion Quick Info: £20 per straw: available UK mainland only Purchased at Carlisle in February 2017 for 22,000gns, Lion is sired by Gunnerfleet Hicks and is out of out of Gunnerfleet Ilocks. The vendor says: “Lion has been described as one of the best bulls to come from the renowned Gunnerfleet herd for many years. With his outstanding shape and style Lion gives an exciting breeding opportunity for both pedigree and commercial breeders alike.”

TOMSCHOICE MILORD LEADS THE BEST SELLERS

T

omschoice Milord, a Kaprico Eravelle son out of Tomschoice Governess, leads the Best Sellers in the period on Semenstore followed by Ampertaine Gigolo and Fenomen. Milord is in the top 1% of the breed for Gestation Length and Calving Value, and within the top 10% for 400 Day Growth. He also

www.limousin.co.uk

carries two copies of the F94L gene. The vendor says: “Tomschoice Milord should be very suitable for using on heifers with a wealth of easy calving sires within his pedigree.” For full details please visit the Semenstore site. Best sellers are ranked on the site by the number of straws sold in the last thirty days.

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 31

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 32 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

www.limousin.co.uk

Tel. 01643 841611

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2017 CATALOGUE OUT NOW Phone: 01759 368588 sales@showtime-supplies.co.uk www.showtime-supplies.co.uk limousin spring 2017.indd 1

www.limousin.co.uk

27/04/2017 17:27:31

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 33

TECHNICAL CORNER

UNDERSTANDING CALVING EASE W

ith the approach of spring and the purchase of new bulls, calving ease is on the minds of many Limousin breeders and their commercial customers. Our most recent – and previous – surveys of Limousin bull buyers and much of the talk at the latter sales in 2017 makes it clear that calving ease is an important selection criteria.

The benefits of easy calving animals are well established and need little repetition here. Cows experiencing easy births are more likely to get back in calf again quickly and calves born without complication experience less health issues later in life, most likely as a result of consuming the colostrum they need at the times they need it. Calves born unassisted also require less intervention in the early days, which reduces time demands, is safer for handlers and better for cows.

Commercial Limousin producers in the UK have EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values) for calving ease at their disposal when selecting stock bulls. These are calculated from calving scores, birth weight and gestation length information collected at birth, as well as recognised correlations with wider traits such as growth and muscling.

One of the features of the Calving Ease EBV is the division of the trait in to direct and maternal components. The direct Calving Ease EBV identifies the genetic contribution of the calf to its own ability to be born unassisted, and the genes for this are inherited equally from the sire and the dam. However, the dam also affects the calving ease of her newborn through her own pelvic size, her ability to relax the pelvis and the ability of her uterus to limit foetal growth to a manageable size. These factors are a result of the cow’s genes (inherited from her sire and dam), not the calf’s and the genetic component is identified by the Maternal Calving Ease EBV. As a consequence, whenever a commercial producer envisions keeping daughters of a sire as replacement heifers, both the direct Calving Ease and Maternal Calving Ease EBVs should be considered. When a producer is selecting bulls to mate to heifers, special attention should be paid to direct Calving Ease, particularly if the heifers will be calving as 2 year olds. Maternal Calving Ease would not be a consideration for a commercial producer choosing a bull as a terminal sire only.

34 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

2016 Bull Buyers Survey – Characteristics of Limousin that Attract Purchase

Calving Ease (CE) The CE EBV indicates the percentage of unassisted calvings that can be anticipated from a sire. Look for animals with more positive EBVs for more unassisted calvings.

For example: A bull with a CE EBV of +1.0% would be expected to give 5% more unassisted calvings than a bull with a CE EBV of -9.0% (the difference between the two is halved, since half of the calves’ genes will come from these sires but half also from their dams).

Maternal Calving Ease (MCE) The MCE EBV indicates how easily a sire’s daughters will calve.

Look for animals with more positive EBVs for more unassisted calvings.

For example: Daughters sired by a bull with a MCE EBV of +2.0% would be expected to have 2% more unassisted calvings than daughters sired by a bull with a MCE of -2.0%.

(As above, the EBVs must be halved when assessing the outcome in the daughters, since they will inherit 50% of their genes from their dams).

www.limousin.co.uk

TECHNICAL CORNER

Calving Ease EBV Supporting Buying Decisions How well Calving Ease EBVs work in a commercial environment is perhaps best demonstrated by calving survey data produced by AI companies. A very current AI bull, Lodge Hamlet, marketed by Genus ABS has a CE EBV of -0.6%, placing him in the Top 15% of the breed. When surveyed by Genus, his calving performance across 287 calves in 140 dairy herds has shown that only 0.3% of his calves were born with assistance.

This is consistent with his EBV prediction and should give producers confidence that EBVs can assist their purchasing decisions.

The Easy Way To Find Them All Limousin EBVs are presented in graphs where the centre line represents breed average. All bars lying to the right are above breed average (superior), and the further to the right, the higher above breed average they are. All bars lying to the left of the line are below breed average (inferior), and the further to the left, the further they are below breed average.

Further notes on the graph: •

There are some traits where selecting extreme animals at either end of the spectrum may not be appropriate. Fat depth would be an example; for many herds, selecting an animal with a fat depth EBVs around the breed average would be more appropriate than, say, Top 1% (more fat) or Bottom 1% (more lean).

•

The Calving Value is an economic index that incorporates both the Calving Ease and Gestation Length EBVs. It identifies the economic value of an animal in terms of gestation length and difficult calvings. It should not be mistaken for the Calving Ease EBV.

www.limousin.co.uk

Lodge Hamlet

Time is Going On...

New technologies are now within our reach that will further improve the quality, volume and type of records that we can include within the EBV calculations. This will further increase their robustness and value as performance predictors. New imaging techniques, new DNA techniques and opportunities to share wider data sets at home and abroad are all being considered at present, and all are aimed at producing Limousin cattle that continue to be easily born and managed at calving time, but with all the growth and carcase qualities that the market requires.

For information on our Limousin 10-Year Breed Improvement Plan, please see our website: www.limousin.co.uk, click on ‘Breed Improvement’

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 35

TECHNICAL CORNER

SALES AND PERFORMANCE GENETICS IN 2017

T

hroughout 2017, animals with high genetic merit for growth, carcase and easy calving traits have been sought by the market.

Consistently across all sales centres, the value of high performance bulls has exceeded that of lower merit and also those that are ‘non-recorded’ (without performance records available). This is reflecting buyers’ continued demand for performance that is delivering their end-market needs.

Results from all premier sales in Brecon, Carlisle, Dungannon and Stirling in the year evidence the following:

Limousin Premier Sales 2017 Beef Value

No. Sold

Gns

70

6980

Top 10%

213

6367

Top 25%

115

5453

Average

99

4845

Below Average

51

4214

Non Recorded

77

4210

Top 1%

The Beef Value: A breeding index combining the Birthweight, Gestation Length, Calving Ease, Growth, Muscle Depth and Fat Depth EBVs relative to their economic value.

This information illustrates that: üü

The majority of Limousin bulls coming to the market have production traits that are in the Top 10% of the breed. For 2017, over 45% of the animals sold fell in to this category.

üü

Distinct premiums are paid for animals of higher genetic merit. In the year, the average for bulls with Beef Values in the Top 1% was over 2135 guineas more than bulls with Beef Values that were average and over 2770 guineas more than bulls that were without performance information. This is a trend that has been established for more than 12 years which would not be apparent if bulls were failing to deliver the performance that buyers expect from them.

It is worth noting that non-recorded bulls (those without performance records) achieved a sale average similar to bulls with EBVs below breed average and comprised around 12% of the total sold. There is clear demand from buyers for the additional information that EBVs provide them with. Survey results from buyers in 2016 would support this:

76% of 286 buyers said that EBVs were very and quite important to them when they purchased a bull

36 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

www.limousin.co.uk

TECHNICAL CORNER For those investing in these genetics, the Limousin breed continues to make exceptional rates of genetic gain year-on-year. This means that the relative genetic merit of bulls within the Top 10% and Top 1% is advancing all the time, ensuring the genetics of the bulls bought today and in the future are always better than those of the past:

Substantial increases in genetic merit for growth within the breed have not been at the expense of calving ease. A marginal increase in birth weight and decrease in calving ease could be anticipated, but they are not proportionate to the growth and carcase gains made. The uniqueness of Limousin as an easy calving yet growthy breed is enhanced year on year.

Limousin-bred dams are numerically greatest of all breeds in the UK*. These trends indicate that year on year, Limousin-bred daughters are easier calving. * Source:AHDB

Ongoing and significant gain is being made in Muscle Depth and all Primal Cuts without a corresponding decline in fat cover. The advent of a new ‘Age to Slaughter’ EBV and GEBV increases opportunity for commercial gain significantly.

Investing in breeding stock on a rising plane of improvement guarantees performance better than the generation before.

The Limousin Society’s 10-year breed improvement plan is focussing investment in key areas such as those above to ensure the genetics of the breed continue to deliver for the commercial market. For assistance with any aspect of our Limousin EBVs, please get in touch with the Society office.

www.limousin.co.uk

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 37

TECHNICAL CORNER

TAURUS LIMOUSIN PERFORMANCE RECORDING

THE UK’S LEADING LIMOUSINS There are many traits that could be used to identify leading Limousin cattle.

The following tables report on bulls and young sires only.

The ‘Top 10’s’ in this issue: • Leading Carcase Trait Stock Sires • Leading Maternal Trait Stock Sires • Leading Gestation Length Young Bulls

To choose your own criteria, please go to www.taurusdata.co.uk, click on ‘Beef Search’ then ‘EBV Search’.

Leading Stock Sires for Carcase Traits

Which Carcase Traits to Choose?

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!

The GEBVs 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).

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

RETAIL VALUE

All of this means that producers of pedigree and commercially-bred Limousin cattle have breeding values at their disposal to identify animals with the genetics to not only perform well for the traditionally-measured traits, such as growth to 400 days of age, 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.

38 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

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

www.limousin.co.uk

TECHNICAL CORNER The following table details the leading Limousin stock bulls for Age to Slaughter GEBV/EBV1 that also meet the following criteria: • • •

All bulls’ breeding values are published on the Limousin database (www.taurusdata.co.uk) All bulls have sired a registered calf within the last three years (since 28 Oct 2014) All bulls’ Carcase Weight and Retail Breeding Values are equal to and above the 2018 Breed Average of 4.7kg and LM27R 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.

1 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.

Breeding Values Slaughter Age (days)

Car. Wt (kg)

Retail Value (points)

Calv. Ease (%)

JF & MB Teague Teague herd Edinburgh

-23.1 (61%)

9.8 (65%)

LM41R (64%)

-7.6 (73%)

RM Adam & Son Newhouse herd Angus

Mrs P Blair Littleinch herd Fife

-22.7 (70%)

34.3 (76%)

LM36R (74%)

-2.1 (80%)

Ronick Luke - UK S1166/00010 DoB: 06/1/1995 No. Calves: 491 Sire: Broadmeadows Cannon

Mr R Dick Ronick herd Stirling

Mr P Edmondson Seathwaite herd Cumbria

-17.9 (61%)

8.7 (64%)

LM43R (63%)

-7.0 (97%)

4

Haltcliffe Blaze - UK 100996/300534 DoB: 04/05/2006 No. Calves: 159 Sire: Sympa

Messrs Ridley Haltcliffe herd Cumbria

Mr & Mrs TB Griffiths Deri herd Carmarthenshire

-11.5 (72%)

21.8 (77%)

LM30R (76%)

-0.2 (82%)

5

Bailea BMW - UK 720297/101149 DoB: 09/06/2006 No. Calves: 183 Sire: 5331 Requin

Mr MT Jones Bailea herd Powys

Mr H Emslie Emslies herd Aberdeenshire

-10.8 (77%)

6.4 (82%)

LM40R (81%)

-3.3 (93%)

Homebyres Vanhee - UK 560248/700432 DoB: 08/05/2004 No Calves: 297 Sire: Balnacraig Supreme

Messrs J Logan Homebyres herd Roxburghshire

Messrs J Logan Homebyres herd Roxburghshire

-9.2 (79%)

14.6 (84%)

LM53R (83%)

-1.6 (97%)

Rocky - 36-15-030-964 DoB: n/a No Calves: 2114 Sire: Jacot

Ms Patureau France

Semen import

-8.9 (79%)

15.8 (83%)

LM39R (82%)

-5.1 (99%)

Greenhaugh Harry - UK 521765/302191 DoB: 10/07/2012 No Calves: 32 Sire: Procters Aviator

K Stewart & Sons Greenhaugh herd Aberdeenshire

Non-Member Owner

-8.6 (63%)

7.9 (69%)

LM32R (68%)

-1.4 (78%)

Netherhall Gilbert - UK 103719/701686 DoB: 15/10/2011 No Calves: 86 Sire: Haltcliffe DJ

Messrs D&M Kelly Netherhall herd Cumbria

JR MacGregor (Dyke) Ltd, Dyke herd Glasgow

-6.3 (56%)

13.4 (61%)

LM38R (60%)

-0.7 (87%)

Goldies Jurassic - UK 581575/501448 DoB: 22/04/2014 No Calves: 39 Sire: Goldies Fortress

Mr BT Goldie Goldies herd Dumfries & Galloway

Procters Farm Ltd Procters herd Clitheroe

-5.7 (64%)

18.8 (71%)

LM35R (69%)

-12.7 (78%)

Bull Name

Bred

Owned

1

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

Mr J Burnett & Sons Spittalton herd Stirling

2

Newhouse Hartley - UK 540209/301069 DoB: 07/07/2012 No Calves: 44 Sire: Rosecroft Duke

3

NEW

6 NEW

7 NEW

8 NEW

9 NEW

10 NEW

www.limousin.co.uk

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

| 39

TECHNICAL CORNER

Leading Stock Sires for Maternal Traits In 2017 the Limousin Society was very pleased to announce completion of a further research project developing new EBVs and GEBVs for Female Fertility and Calf Survival Traits. These differ from EBVs previously available in that they are derived from the records of all commercial Limousin-bred dams recorded in the UK on BCMS, as well as animal DNA in the case of the GEBVs. These larger pools of information have led to breeding values that are significantly more robust than was previously possible, with greater commercial relevance: Age at First Calving: indicates genetic potential for heifers to hold to first service opportunity. Negative values (ie less days) indicate superior genetics for this trait.

Calving Interval: indicates genetic potential for the time that cows take to get back in calf. Look for negative values (ie less days) for cows that get back in calf on time.

Longevity: indicates genetic potential for the relative number of calves born in 6.5 years. Look for positive values for females that are likely to be more productive in the herd for a longer time.

Calf Survival: indicates genetic potential for calves to survive between 3 weeks and 10 months of age. Look for high positives to indicate a higher probability of survival.

The league table below identifies the current Top 10 Maternal Stock Sires according to the following criteria: • • • •

All All All All

bulls bulls bulls bulls

have sired a registered calf within the last three years (since 28 Oct 2014) have the highest Age at First Calving EBV/GEBV recorded in the November 2017 EBV Update with an accuracy greater than or equal to 40% have EBVs/GEBVs above average for Calving Interval, Longevity and Calf Survival also have EBVs/GEBVs above average for 200 Day Milk, Maternal Calving Ease and Beef Value.

Animals are listed by their Age at First Calving breeding value in descending order (shortest to longest). Accuracy values are shown as % alongside each breeding value.

Bull Name

Bred

Owned

Age 1st Calv (days) (pts)

Calv.

Interval (days)

Goldies Innes - UK 581575/701408 DoB: 27/10/2013 No. Calves: 1 Sire: Tigris

Mr BT Goldie Goldies herd Dumfries and Galloway

Mr BT Goldie Goldies herd Dumfries and Galloway

-6.09 (40%)

-5.92 (21%)

0.03 (17%)

-0.02 (29%)

Coachhouse Eebygum - UK 141994/401093 DoB: 30/04/2009 No. Calves: 136 Sire: Coachhouse Virgil

Messrs Heald & Co Coachhouse herd Nottingham

Messrs Heald & Co Coachhouse herd Nottingham

-5.02 (68%)

-5.15 (44%)

0.07 (35%)

0.03 (62%)

Tigris - DE1402624243 DoB: n/a No. Calves: 78 Sire: Titanes

Semen import

Semen import

-3.94 (56%)

-2.22 (24%)

0.02 (16%)

-0.01 (41%)

Cloughhead Gladiator - UK 101983/700790 DoB: 30/05/2011 No. Calves: 62 Sire: Cloughhead Billy

Mr GL Hutton Cloughhead herd Cumbria

DB Davies & Sons Eisteddfa herd Pembs

-2.8 (54%)

-2.8 (33%)

0.00 (32%)

-0.02 (33%)

Utmajeur - 33-30-031-986 DoB: 17/10/2003 No. Calves: 10 Sire: Imprt Mozart

Semen import

Semen import

-2.02 (42%)

-5.29 (22%)

0.00 (20%)

-0.01 (23%)

6

Cloughhead Anchor - UK 101983/600355 DoB: 12/06/2005 No. Calves: 114 Sire: 5941 Saiga

Mr GL Hutton Cloughhead herd Cumbria

Messrs J & JCM Carroll Carsmoor herd Somerset

1.43 (73%)

--6.19 (43%)

0.06 (43%)

-0.01 (46%)

7

Brookhams HijackP - UK 322724/501739 DoB: 28/08/2012 No. Calves: 8 Sire: Tigris

Mr H Curtis & Sons Brookhams herd Bristol

Mr H Curtis & Sons Brookhams herd Bristol

2.62 (40%)

-2.26 (20%)

0.01 (18%)

0.01 (39%)

8

Hollytree Isaac - UK 142357/300215 DoB: 23/05/2013 No. Calves: 1 Sire: Ecran

Mr B Denness Hollytree herd York

Mr B Denness Hollytree herd York

3.16 (40%)

-10.89 (20%)

0.02 (21%)

0.00 (32%)

Anside Loki - UK 522710/200811 DoB: 27/03/2015 No. Calves: 11 Sire: Powerful Irish

Mr & Mrs S Irvine Anside herd Aberdeenshire

Mr & Mrs E Norman Normans herd Cumbria

4.65 (40%)

-0.91 (26%)

-0.01 (25%)

-0.02 (46%)

Killerton Tarvis - UK 366351/100250 DoB: 14/01/2002 No. Calves: 20 Sire: Killerton Paddy

Mr & Mrs P W & S M Greed Killerton herd Devon

Mr B Coad Trelaske Cornwall

4.85 (48%)

-8.91 (35%)

0.01 (36%)

0.00 (45%)

1 NEW

2 NEW

3 NEW

4 NEW

5 NEW

NEW

9 NEW

10 NEW

40 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

Longevity Calf Survival (rel. no. (probability) calves)

www.limousin.co.uk

TECHNICAL CORNER

Leading Young Bulls for Gestation Length The following identifies the current Top 10 Limousin Young Bulls for Gestation Length EBV according to the following criteria: •

All bulls are born since 28 October 2014 (ie are younger than 3 years of age at time of update), are pedigree registered and are performance recorded.

All bulls have the shortest Gestation Length EBV recorded in the November 2017 EBV Update All bulls have Calving Ease EBVs and Beef Values greater than or equal to the 2018 breed average

• •

Animals are listed by their Gestation Length breeding value in descending order (shortest to longest). Accuracy values are shown as % alongside each breeding value.

Bull Name

Bred

Owned

Gest Length (days)

Calv. Ease (%).

Beef Value (pts)

Goldies Nimble - UK 581575/301740 DoB: 30/05/217 Sire: Goldies Juggler

Mr BT Goldie Goldies herd Dumfries and Galloway

Mr BT Goldie Goldies herd Dumfries and Galloway

-7.0 (75%)

-0.4 (60%)

LM52 (63%)

2

Ampertaine Metric - UK 9564385/1127-7 DoB: 22/08/2016 Sire: Ampertaine Jamboree

Messrs WJ & J Mackay Ampertaine herd Co. Derry

Messrs WJ & J Mackay Ampertaine herd Co. Derry

-6.8 (76%)

0.9 (62%)

LM40 (75%)

3

Tomschoice Monty - UK 124148/500388 DoB: 08/05/2016 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

Messrs JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd North Yorks

Mrs DB Davies Tierston herd Pembrokeshire

-6.6 (76%)

-1.2 (66%)

LM42 (72%)

4

Tomschoice Master - UK 124148/200413 DoB: 24/12/2016 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

Messrs JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd North Yorks

Messrs JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd North Yorks

-6.5 (76%)

0.9 (63%)

LM30 (70%)

5

Goldies North - UK 581575/201739 DoB: 30/05/2017 Sire: Goldies Juggler

Mr BT Goldie Goldies herd Dumfries and Galloway

Mr BT Goldie Goldies herd Dumfries and Galloway

-6.2 (75%)

0.0 (61%)

LM43 (63%)

6

Greenhaugh Lusty - UK 521765/602467 DoB: 02/07/2015 No Calves: 3 Sire: Greensons Howlett

Messr K Stewart & Sons Greenhaugh herd Aberdeenshire

Messr K Stewart & Sons Greenhaugh herd Aberdeenshire

-6.2 (73%)

0.1 (64%)

LM32 (68%)

7

Roxburgh Leduc - UK 562106/202225 DoB: 26/11/2015 Sire: Cole Sudden Impact

Mr J Elliot Roxburgh herd Scottish Borders

Mr J Elliot Roxburgh herd Scottish Borders

-6.2 (75%)

-2.5 (54%)

LM39 (73%)

8

Greensons Lazarus - UK 220156/700256 DoB: 23/01/2015 Sire: Greensons Howlett

Greensons Limousins Cambridge

Non Member Owner

-6.0 (73%)

0.0 (57%)

LM29 (75%)

9

McTurk Mumbai - UK 141094/701522 DoB: 03/02/2016 Sire: Greensons Howlett

Manby Farms Ltd McTurk herd Lincolnshire

Manby Farms Ltd McTurk herd Lincolnshire

-6.0 (71%)

-0.5 (62%)

LM30 (72%)

10

Tomschoice Mirage - UK 124148/700390 DoB: 08/10/2016 Sire: Kaprico Eravelle

Messrs JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd North Yorks

Messrs JM & SP Cooper Tomschoice herd North Yorks

-5.8 (75%)

-0.4 (63%)

LM38 (70%)

1 NEW

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

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

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NEWS

BREEDERS’ SALES

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

ROUND-UP

7,000GNS MOONLEAZE HAYLEY LEADS NEWARK AUTUMN BREEDING CATTLE SALE

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Limousin cow and calf pair from the dispersal of the Moonleaze herd of Limousins from the Comer family, Braydon, Swindon, led the trade at the Autumn breeding cattle sale at Newark on Saturday 23 September.

The hammer went down at 7,000gns for the March 2012 born Wilodge Docker daughter Moonleaze Hayley and her Loosebeare Golddust April 2017 born heifer calf at foot Moonleaze Nadine. Out of a Benrish Alfy dam Moonleaze Dropintheocean, and in-calf again to the herds stock bull Golddust she went home with the Cheddar, Somerset based Messrs Counsell Partnership.

At 6,000gns, the next best price was achieved by Loosebeare Golddust himself.

The August 2011 born herd’s stock bull by Gronw Cheeky and out of Loosebeare Cayley, a Rainbow Simon daughter, was sold with a beef value of LM+37. He was knocked down to Gary Sharp of Fristling Hill Farms, Stock, Essex. Gary runs a commercial 1,800 head suckler herd on the farm and came to the sale looking to add to his stock bull group. Golddust was one of two bulls he bought on the day, calving all year round Gary says he is “particularly attracted” to the easy caving attributes of the breed. He has a range of breeds in his female herd and finds the commercial attributes of Limousin’s fit the bill in producing the kind of calves he wants.

Also at 6,000gns was a young bull Moonleaze Marchhare. A Golddust son out of Mooneleaze Eyefull, a Wilodge Classic daughter, he carries a beef value of LM+41 and was knocked down to J and J R Appleyby, South Somercotes, Louth.

Moonleaze Eyefull, out of the Opera daughter Moonleaze Uptowngirl, sold for 5,000gns herself. With a heifer calf by Loosebeare Golddust at foot, and having run with him again she was knocked down to the top priced purchasers Counsell Partners.

Making 5,200gns was Moonleaze Gleam, a May 2011 born cow by Bernish Alfy out of the Goldies Thunder daughter Moonleaze Beauty. She sold with her twin heifers at foot

by Golddust and having run again with the stock bull. She was knocked down to P J Dale, Ripley. Another at 5,000gns was Moonleaze Hawthorn, also

by Alfy but this time out of Moonleaze Cranberry. Another cow with her heifer calf at foot

by Golddust, and also having run with him again, she was the pick of Braydon Farm Partnership, Swindon.

Following on from that at 4,500gns was an in-calf cow, Moonleaze Justaslovely, a Golddust daughter out of a Wilodge Designer daughter.

She sold with a Rainbow Simon sired embryo calf at foot out of Ronick Vienna and having run with Albian Justthejob. She added to the Counsell Partners purchases, as did the in-calf heifer, Moonleaze Limelight. A Loosebeare Golddust daughter out of a Wilodge Classic daughter they took her home for 4,500gns. Having been AI’d to Wilodge Cerberus she too has run with Albian Justthejob.

Moonleaze Hayley, 7000gns

Moonleaze Gleam, 5200gns

Loosebeare Golddust, 6000gns

Moonleaze Marchhare, 6000gns

Overall Averages 1 stock bull £6,300 4 young bulls £3,727.50 36 cows and calves £3,535 8 in-calf cows £2,349.37 2 heifers and calves £2,940 10 in-calf heifers £2,934.75 19 maiden heifers £1,573.89.

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NEWS

7,000GNS SCORBORO MAGNA TOPS THE EAST MIDLANDS LIMOUSIN CLUB SALE AT NEWARK

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t was a day for the boys at the Autumn Limousin Day sale at Newark on Saturday (7 October), held on behalf of the East Midlands Limousin Club, with the pick of the prices paid for bulls.

Topping the day at 7,000gns was the March 2016 born bull Scorboro Magna from Jim Blooms herd, Driffield, East Yorkshire.

By the imported sire Fenomen out of Scorboro Caramel, an Ionesco daughter, Magna was one of the first Fenomen sons from the Bloom family to come forward for sale through the ring.

Having been genotyped for carcase and maternal trait GEBV’s and with an EBV beef value of 55 he generated solid attention ringside as he was knocked down to D A Bailey & Son, Cropper Farm, Ashbourne as a new stock bull for their Rushton Herd. Alan Bailey was clearly delighted to have taken him home, commenting a couple of days after the sale he said “what a tremendous bull he is, such a perfect gentleman, he has settled in very well already”.

Second best of the day at 5,000gns was the two year old Calogale Lord from G J Lee & C M Lloyd all the way from Carmarthenshire, the pre-sale Overall Champion. Described as a big, powerful, muscular bull with tremendous length this Dinmore Goldeneye son is out of Baileys Countess, a Ronick Hawk daughter. Taking him home was the Hamplett family, Booden Grange, Stafford to work with dad Simon’s Petersfield Herd and son Will’s Booden Herd.

Then at 4,900gns was Cockleshell Luckystar from the Gascoine Group Ltd. Bred by Mr Pitcher, Ivy House Farm, Boston, Linconshire this calf is by the Ampertaine Commander son Mereside Hannibal out of Cockleshell Hunice he was knocked down to R G & J R H Holmes, Manor Farm, Ratcliffe on Soar, Notts.

Following him was another local bull this time Gentrys Midnight, bred by Newark auctioneer Paul Gentry, made 3,600gns. This Fieldson Beefy son is out of Gentrys Itsagirl, a Togherdoo Expert daughter. He was sold to Gary Sharp, Fristling Hall Farms, Stock, Essex.

5,200GNS PRICES LEADS QUAISH DISPERSAL SALE

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uctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt hosted a dispersal sale of the Quaish Herd on behalf of Nick & Lisa Hill, Decoy Pool Farm, Nyland, Cheddar, Somerset following their relinquishment of the tenancy on their local authority farm. With the ring at Sedgemoor Auction centre packed to the rafters some solid prices realised for the exceptionally well turned out cattle.

The first cow in the ring

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Quaish Flower was knocked down for 5,200gns with her May born bull calf at foot to Messrs DC & SA Martin of Helston Cornwall. Matching this price was Quaish Iris who sold with the only heifer calf at foot on the day to the Butt family of Shepton Mallet. Also at 5,200gns was the 5 year old incalf cow Quaish Heebeegeebee

by Culnagechan Firestar and out of Quaish Bee. She is due in January to her third calf and was purchased by the Davis

Scorboro Magna, 7,000gns

Leading the female trade at 3,500gns was maiden heifer Blackfriar Melia from Mike and Will Morton. This Gerrygullinane Glen daughter, who had been tapped out as the female champion in the pre-sale show, is out of the Cloughhead Umpire daughter Blackfriar Emelia and sold to A Smith and Son, Selston, Nottinghamshire. The same vendor and buyer combination then saw Blackfriar Misty trade at 3,000gns. This one is also by Glen and is out of the Wilodge Vantastic daughter Goldies Fifi.

Averages 17 bulls £3,150.00 9 cows and calves £1,711.50 24 maiden heifers £1,570.80

Quaish Heebeegeebee, 5,200gns

family of Glanyfer Wales for their Glencross herd.

Two in-calf heifers from the 2017 show team were sold on the day. Quaish Lottie made 5,000gns and Livingthedream

4,500gns. Both were secured

by Mr B Quant of Newton Abbot to found a new pedigree herd. He also took home the only yearling heifer of the day Quaish Magic at 3,000gns.

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

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NEWS

BREEDERS’ SALES

ROUND-UP

4,900GNS ESMORS BLACK MONTGOMERY SECURES TOP PRICE AT NORTH WEST MIDLANDS & NORTH WALES LIMOUSIN CLUB SALE AT WELSHPOOL

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eading up the NW Midlands & North Wales Limousin Club Autumn Show and Sale at Welshpool on Saturday 25th November was the day’s Reserve Champion, Esmors Black Montgomery shown by Esmor Evans which scooped the top bull price of 4,900gns. This 18 month old black son of Knock Glencoe and out of the imported cow Gentille, caught the eye of Messrs Cherry, Newtown, Powys.

Following at 4,500gns was the first of two bulls from Sarkley shown by Messrs Pennie. Sarkley Marlow, a March 2016 born son of the noted Lodge Hamlet and out of the great Jen family at Sarkley. He won first prize in the pre-sale show and was knocked down to Messrs Powell of Newtown.

A further four bulls sold at 4,000gns, the first being Wilodge Marshall offered by the Wilodge Herd, Shifnal, Shropshire.

Marshall, a 1st prize class winner, is a son of Brutus Hashtag and bred from a Procters Cavalier daughter, Wilodge Gaga. He was purchased by WL Hamer of Montgomery.

Following a few lots later at the 4,000gns mark was Seisog Max put forward by Tecwyn Jones. This March 2016 born entry

by Mas du Clo and out of Breizizel, was sold to ST Jones of Aberystwyth.

The pre-sale Overall Champion bull also sold for 4,000gns. Sarkley Muskateer, sired

by Plumtree Fantastic and out of Sarkley Dusk, is a full brother to Sarkley Leanne the

Esmors Black Montgomery, 4,900gns

Seisiog Max, 4,000gns and Seisiog Mint, 3,400gns

Overall Limousin Champion Welsh Winter Fair 2016. Muskateer sold to G & A Leisure Ltd, Newtown.

Sarkley Marlow, 4,500gns

Averages 21 bulls £3342.50 4 heifers £1693.13.

SARKLEY LINZEE SELLS FOR 5,000GNS AT WELSHPOOL

A

lso on Saturday 25th November at Welshpool was an offering of heifers from the Sarkley Herd of EH Pennie & Son, Gwern Yr Ychain, Llandyssil, Montgomery, Powys. Heading up the consignment was Sarkley Linzee, a Dinmore Goldeneye daughter bred from a Haltcliffe Banker cow, Sarkley Duralee. This eye catching heifer was sold for 5,000gns and purchased by Sean Cooney, Co.Caven, Eire.

One of the younger heifers in the consignment, Sarkley Manella, secured the next leading price tag of 3,200gns. This muscly heifer, a Lodge Hamlet daughter, carries style and length and is out of Glangwden Ianella whose pedigree goes back to the great cow Paluche. Manella also travels across the water for N Quinn of Co.Derry, Northern Ireland.

Averages 33 heifers £1858.18

44 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

Sankley Linzee - 5000gns

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BREEDERS’ SALES

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ROUND-UP

LIMOUSIN BULLS LEAD AT THAINSTONE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC WITH 5,800GNS HARESTONE LIMIT AS CHAMPION

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n the pedigree section of the Aberdeen Christmas Classic at Thainstone it was Limousin bulls that took center stage.

Judge W Stewart, Greenfold, Huntly, awarded the coveted overall Pedigree Bull Championship to Harestone Limit from Neil and Stuart Barclay, South Road, Insch. The ET-bred bull, born in November 2015, is by the French-bred Ideal and out of the Goldies Comet daughter Glenrock Impulse, full sister to the 126,000gns Glenrock Illusion. In the post-show sale he sold for 5,800gns to Banff based breeder W J Morrison, Fairburn.

With Limousins setting the best of the averages two other bulls realised 4,800gns. The first was John McIrvine's Whinfellpark Lazzaro. This Lowerffrydd Empire son is out of the Dolcorsllwyn Fabio-sired Whinfellpark Indigo was bred by Messrs Jenkinson and went home to GM Barclay and Son, Laurencekirk. Matching that was Shannas Modem, a second prize winner from John and Margaret Penny, Shannas, Clola. Selling to P A and P Duncan of Northfield, Banff, Modem is by Ampertaine Hitman and out of Shannas Footloose, a Glenturk Astounding daughter. Elrick Magnum, from M Massie, Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, made 4,400gns and sold to B Keir & Son, Ladymill, Alford.

Harestone Limit, 5,800gns

HARRISON & HETHERINGTON Farmstock Auctioneers, Brokers & Valuers

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YOUNG LIMOUSIN

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

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

YOUNG LIMOUSIN BREEDERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT CARLISLE

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he Young Limousin Breeders Club put forward four members to shadow the judge at the show preceding the autumn bull sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday 13 October 2017.

The four lucky participants, Louise Allen, Joseph Mackley, Gemma Slater and Brooks Carey, gained valuable experience from the day’s judge, Mr Duncan Hazard of the Mereside Herd in Lincolnshire. In particular he was able to share the process, format and structure behind the efficiency of judging a large number of bulls over a significant number of classes.

The four young breeders, who split into two pairs, were in the ring observing the process during the course of 18 Limousin classes and four Championships. The group were able to interact with the judge, exhibitors, stewards and spectators, while experiencing what it feels like to be in the spotlight.

Duncan provided an excellent display of efficient judging, which gave the group precious experience in the format of the classes, individual inspection, shortlisting

section and placing decisions.

These important skills are very difficult to learn without first-hand experience, which is relatively hard to come by.

There are very few judging arenas which require as much concentration and stamina as judging the Limousin bulls at one of the premier sales such as that in Carlisle last

46 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

week. Consequently, hats off to the young breeders for their focus throughout the whole event. Doing themselves and the Society proud their conduct was impressive in the ring. Well done to all four young breeders for taking the opportunity to participate in the stimulating experience.

A thank you is extended

to Mr Hazard for his effort in engaging the young members on the day, patiently explaining his decisions for all the classes and after making his Championship selections.

Also, heartfelt gratitude is extended to Neil Lloyd for his mentoring of the young members throughout the day.

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YOUNG LIMOUSIN

YLBC CHAIRPERSON STEPHANIE DICK IN WINNING FORM

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LBC chairperson Stephanie Dick ended 2017 in style by winning at two prestigious events. First up, she took top spot in the Young Stockperson Competition at the LiveScot event at Lanark. Judged separately by Richard and Carol Rettie, the competitors were assessed throughout the day on their showing and dressing skills alongside their overall stockmanship. Stephanie was placed first by both judges independently, a fantastic achievement. Stephanie, well known on the show circuit, describes herself as very competitive, said she “was delighted to have won at LiveScot, it’s a fantastic competition one I am honoured to win, in particular given that both judges placed me as their winner”. Not content with just the win at LiveScot, Stephanie and her team mate Suzie Dunn then went onto secure first place in The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs National Beef Dressing Competition hosted at Dingwall & Highland Mart. Congratulations are extended to Stephanie, a fantastic ambassador for the breed, on her most recent successes, we are sure there will be many more to come!

YOUNG BREEDER AWARDED AT N.I. ANNUAL FARMING AWARDS

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orthern Ireland’s farming industry was in the spotlight on Thursday 19 October as the winners of the annual Farming Life and Danske Bank awards were revealed.

Around 300 industry figures, farmers and politicians attended the black tie event at the La Mon Country House Hotel, in the Castlereagh Hills.

Stepping up onto the stage to receive a Special Award for Commendation as a young farmer for his achievements was Young Limousin Breeders Club member Kile Diamond of the Pointhouse Herd, Carvagh, Coleraine.

Head of Agriculture at Danske Bank, Robert McCullough described the farming industry as the heartbeat of rural Ulster, ‘in the DNA of virtually everyone in the room and is recognized across the world for the quality and integrity of its produce and the innovation of its people’.

It is a tremendous honor for Kile to be recognized with an award at such a high profile event. Despite his young years Kile is already turning into a hardworking ambassador for the breed in Northern Ireland and further afield.

Kile received his award from Martine Lafferty from Farming Life and Rodney Brown from Danske Bank.

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YOUNG LIMOUSIN

YLBC COMPETITION WINNER ANDREW ADAM REPORTS ON HIS RECENT CANADIAN ADVENTURE

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hanks to my involvement with the Young Limousin Breeders Club I had the great privilege of heading out for a three week adventure to Canada in November.

My schedule included attending Farmfair International in Edmonton, one of Canada’s top Agricultural shows and the Canadian Western Agribition, in Regina, Saskatchewan, plus a bit of farm work in between. I spent the time shadowing my Canadian hosts, learning about the different ways they prepare their cattle for the show circuit, observing the different types of Limousin cattle and generally learning about their breeding policies.

After a long flight I was met off the plane at Edmonton by Tessa Verbeek, General Manager of the Canadian Limousin Association and my first family host. I stayed with the Verbeek family at Hillview Limousin’s where Tessa and her husband Colin run a 150 head herd of pure-bred Limousin cows which are a mixture of red, black and full-bloods. They prepare around 30 bulls each year to be sold at the onfarm bull sale on the first Saturday in March. What was evident immediately was that these bulls are being bred to be hardy in sub-zero temperatures; they have the ability to produce a calf that is up and suckling quickly with great legs and feet, being able to walk some distance in Canada is essential.

The Verbeek family had four yearlings heading to Farmfair, two bulls and two heifers and as in the UK they headed in a couple of days ahead of the start of the show in order to settle into the environment. In preparing the cattle for the show on the farm I learnt about how to grow and train the animal’s hair. Cattle were washed twice a day to allow for growth and then blown dry with all the hair facing forwards, which is somewhat different to the styling in the UK. On show day the cattle were all dressed by a team of fitters, they each took a corner at the clipping crate and started combing and gluing up the legs. They focused intensely on the animals legs, given that this

48 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

is the hardest place to grow hair, and with the dressing they were all glued up which added some bone structure to the animal. I was curious as to why the fitters did not glue up the body in the same way as they had done the legs. So when I asked why this was they commented that with the body having so much hair only a comb is needed! I watched the fitters at work as I kept a show stick on the animal’s bellies and if I am honest I am not sure that I would get away with the Canadian tail heads on the Newhouse bulls this February! The bulls and heifers all performed well in the show ring and we were awarded third prize with one of the young bulls. The family was very pleased with this given that the event was the Canadian Limousin National Show and standards in the classes were extremely high.

It was very enjoyable to listen to the Limousin judge give his reasons after each class or division. He seemed to be very forthright in his commentary, stronger than that I have heard from judges in the UK. When comparing two bulls a comment which immediately springs to mind went like this ‘’ first was a power bull with lots of masculinity, a powerful

skull, big footed with big testicles, when he moves he’s just poetry in motion, but the next bull didn’t have so much reach, he lacked body mass and he disappointed on the move, he was a soggy one’’. I have picked up some interesting new phrases for my reason giving next time I am in the ring! While at Farmfair I took part in the showmanship and junior futurity show, it was quite different to what I am used to at home, but still good experience and I was delighted to have been awarded a third place.

One of the highlights of my time at Farmfair was the beef championship on the final day of the show when the champion bull and champion female of any bred can the Supreme Championship and the prize of a Dodge pickup truck. For the first time the Grand Champion Bull, ahead of all other bulls shown this autumn across Canada, was a Limousin. Greenwood Canadian Impact ET from Greenwood Limousin and Nordal Limousin took the accolade. A fair party to rival any of those at home followed in the show barn!

An early observation for me from

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YOUNG LIMOUSIN

my time with the Verbeek family was that I noticed the Canadian Limousin type of beast is somewhat different to that in the UK. Carcase sizes are smaller and deeper and the cattle seem to have a lot more middle about them. I found out that this enables them to store more forage/grass than their UK counterparts, a great positive trait given that they are more likely to be grazing on poorer pastures.

The cattle also did not seem to have the same muscling traits as those in the UK. It was explained to me that this is because the Canadian beef grading system is rewarding more on tenderness, fat level and marbling.

While the grading system in Canada is voluntary, virtually all fed beef carcasses processed commercially are graded and producers receive premiums for carcasses with a high grade.

With Farmfair over, I headed West with my second host family the Kishcan’s, a full pickup and a fully loaded cattle trailer. We travelled 10 hours through a couple of times zones to British Columbia and through the Rocky Mountains onto the edge of the Frazer River. We arrived at Pinnacle View, which was named after the rock formations on the banks of the Frazer River, where Erin Kishcan and her family, along with her father Rob Swaan focus on cattle that are sound, docile, fertile and functional.

The family runs 80 Limousin and Limflex cows and a wood pellet manufacturing company. Whilst staying with the family I was largely working outdoors on their farm, luckily for me temperatures had moved into positive territory. While feeding the stock and general farm work, much of the following week was spent getting the cattle prepared for Agribition.

Erin’s dad, Rob, otherwise known as ‘The Boss’, was fantastic in showing me the Canadian farming systems. The family has a diversified enterprise with a few different businesses’ trading. The wood chipping business is particularly successful and I had a whole new experience driving a wood lorry and pulling a swan neck trailer with a load of cattle. I even came across a few cougars on the camera at night, the mountain lion type! In this part of Canada, they can be a real nuisance chasing cattle. Bears are also a problem as they can knock down fence posts with their paws, or rip bales of fodder open. Thankfully I didn’t bump into any.

After an enjoyable week getting the

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show and sale cattle ready and learning from Rob and Erin it was time to pack up the trailer and head East. With a 22 hour journey and three time zones to cross, this makes a journey to Carlisle sound almost local! A total of six yearlings were loaded onto the trailer and with plenty of hay to keep them full, we set off heading for Agribition in Regina. While at Agribition we stayed in a motel not too far from the show barn and I had some great evenings out largely consisting of a huge amount of cattle chat and line dancing.

Agribition saw another set of fitters move in and I had the chance to observe some more clipping skills. The Pinnacle View cattle did well in the show with a few third prizes and at the Solid Gold Sale the heifer Pinnacles Ever After 12E sold to $5,250, which the family was delighted with. I even had a special moment of my own when I noticed that a Greenwood heifer in the sale had some interesting genetics; she went back to Harvest Olympus, a bull my grandfather Fotheringham had exported back in the

1980’s. She made an impressive $8500.

A bull from Greenwoods won the overall show and this time a $10,000 cheque as the main prize. Five judges pick the winner under spotlights and intense drama; it is a fitting finale which brings Agribition to a conclusion.

Summing up my adventure in a few words is hard to do, in early November I got on the plane at Edinburgh, travelling alone and wondering what the next three weeks had in store for me. Well I can conclude that I have had the trip of a lifetime. I have spent my time with two fantastic families and the wider family of Canadian Limousin breeders opened their hospitality to me. I have followed in the travel paths of both my grandfathers, who have always relayed their memories to me, well I now have my own to tell.

This travel scholarship came about as a result of taking part in the young Limousin breeder’s competitions throughout the year, so I would urge all fellow young breeders to participate; it could be you heading out on the trip of a lifetime sometime soon!

A huge thanks to everyone who made this trip a possibility!

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YOUNG LIMOUSIN

KILE DIAMOND TAKES OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT YLBC YOUNG HANDLERS COMPETITION

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he 2017 Young Limousin Breeders Club Young Handlers Competition took place at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Thursday 7 December on the eve of the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Red Ladies Derby and Weaned Calf Show and Sale. Having been hosted at the Stars of the Future event at Stirling in 2016 the competition returned to Carlisle this year because of the larger selection of calves and the opportunity to stage a preparation section alongside the handling segment.

Judges were Kevin Bates and Sarah Priestley who had the hard task of judging the young breeders on both their handling and preparation skills.

The competition, which is split into three sections, junior, intermediate and senior, saw a great turnout of participants who all delivered a fantastic show of stockmanship ability and potential for the future. A total of 17 young breeders took part which included an impressive eight new entrants.

As usual the competition was very stiff, particularly in the senior class, however winning the Overall Championship was the junior class winner 12-year old Kile Diamond of the Pointhouse Herd.

Kile, who had travelled over from Northern Ireland, took home the BLCS Salver YLBC Championship Cup along with

a bag of goodies.

Sophie Harvey, winner of the senior class was a very worthy Reserve Overall Champion.

Sophie takes home the Beeches Salver and a selection of other prizes. First place in the intermediate class was Brooks Carey, a fantastic reward for Brooks who had made the long trip up to Carlisle from Bristol. Brooks improved on his performance of last year, moving from runner up in the class to winner.

The best newcomer, and the recipient of the Les Wilson Trophy, was Philippa DaleSunley of the Rossbay Herd

near Dumfries. This result is extra special for Philippa, who competed in the junior section, as she was making her debut in the show ring.

The YLBC extend their thanks to Harrison and Hetherington for their help and support in staging the competition at Borderway amid what was a very busy schedule, and to the British Limousin Cattle Society for their sponsorship of prizes.

Gratitude also goes to Kevin Bates and Sarah Priestley who adjudicated the competition brilliantly.

Most importantly the club extends its thanks to the exhibitors from the weaned calf show who loaned their cattle to some competitors.

Without such kindness the event just couldn’t take place, so on behalf of the YLBC, THANK YOU! BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said “The standard of the participants at this event rises every year. The expertise and knowledge of these young stock enthusiasts is to be commended, it is particularly encouraging for the future of the Limousin breed ” Full results are as follows Juniors (up to age 14) 1. Kile Diamond 2. Thomas Callion 3. Phillipa Dale-Sunley Intermediate (age 15 to 18) 1. Brooks Carey 2. Kyle Cruickshank 3. Stephen Dale-Sunley Seniors (age 19 to 28) 1. Sophie Harvey 2. Louise Allan 3. Amy Lindsay & Andrew Weir (joint)

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www.limousin.co.uk

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/

The world of Limousin at your fingertips. Sale and show reports, news pages, catalogues, technical, galleries, blogs, classifieds, online shop, links, archives, young breeders, it’s got the lot.

Visit us at ESPOIR is siring cattle high for skeletal and muscular development.

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BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

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ENGLISH WINTER FAIR

LIMOUSIN SIRED

QUEEN B

RULES TO TAKE THE SUPREME OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE ENGLISH WINTER FAIR

Crossbred Heifer & Overall Supreme Champ Queen B

• Queen B wins the Supreme Overall Championship and sells for £7500 • Dolderwen Mercedes wins the Reserve Supreme Overall Championship and Overall Champion Pedigree titles • Cowin Miky wins Reserve Champion Pedigree title • Jimmy wins Steer Championship • Beau wins Champion Homebred and Fed title • Babes wins the Overall Baby Beef Championship

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S

aturday 18th and Sunday 19th November saw the 2017 English Winter Fair held at Staffordshire County Showground. From a quality show forward, Limousin sired cattle once again dominated the results board in winning many of the major titles on offer.

In front of a sizeable crowd the red heifer Queen B from, Edwards Bros and J M Rowlands, Corwen, Denbighshire lifted the Heifer Championship before moving on to take the Supreme Overall Championship. The Champion animal was tapped out by the joint judges for the day in the shape of Mrs Wendy Pickard, Gaddesby, Leicester and Mr Dai Thomas, Llanwen, Lampeter. Commenting on their Champion Mr Thomas said, “this

www.limousin.co.uk

WINTER FAIRS

heifer came into the ring showing real class, with a level top and demonstrating a huge degree of style she was a worthy winner amid a strong cohort of exhibits”.

In the traditional post-show sale she went onto sell for £7,500 to Joseph Morris Butchers, a Midlands based family business now in its third-generation Bred by the Bowen family Penthryn, Welshpool, the April 2016 born heifer is no stranger to success. In the autumn of 2016 she took the Baby Beef Championship at her first outing at Borderway Agri-Expo and then followed that up with the Reserve Baby Beef title at last year’s Welsh Winter Fair. She is sired by the prolific bull Liscon Bigshow, the main herd sire for the Bowen family, who has bred numerous title winning cattle over the years.

In what was a one-two for Limousins the Reserve Overall Supreme Champion came in the shape of Dolderwen Mercedes from Phil and Sharon Sellers, Linconshire. Mercedes had come all the way through from winning the Champion Purebred Limousin title and the Overall Championship in the Pedigree section.

Bred by G Jones and Co, Builth Wells, she is sired by the Saphir son Lodge Hamlet and is out of the Fieldson Alfy daughter Dolderwen Indulgence.

www.limousin.co.uk

Heifer Limousin Champion & Reserve Supreme Overall Champion Dolderwen Mercedes

“Queen B came into the ring showing real class with a level top and a huge degree of style…she was a worthy winner.”

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ENGLISH WINTER FAIR

Phil and Sharon purchased the April 2016 born heifer from the Brecon sale of show potential cattle back in February 2017 for 3,100gns.

Making it another first and second for Limousin was Cowin Miky who took Reserve Champion spot in the Pedigree section. From I J Phillips, Carmarthenshire the July 2016 born steer, bred by Dyfan and Carol James, also from Carmarthenshire, and is sired by Netherhall Jackpot out of Cowin Indiana.

The Homebred and Fed Championship was won by T A and L C Lyon and Son, Thurlby, Bourne, Lincs with their May 2016 born heifer Beau. This win marked the second successive year that the family lifted this accolade having won with Jasmine in 2016. Beau is sired by the family’s stock bull Ironstone Hornblower, a Rathkeeland Dylan son, who is breeding very well for them.

The Steer Championship was won by Jimmy from Mark and Sarah Harryman, Pickering. The May 2016 born steer, by Keskadale Fame out of a Limousin cross cow was bred by Messrs Richardson of Gatesgarth, Cumbria, and purchased by Mark and Sarah at Cockermouth Market.

In what has proved to be a successful autumn Jimmy came to Stafford on the back of taking the Reserve Champion spot at both the recent Agri-Expo in Carlisle and Countryside Live event in Harrogate. Reserve Steer Champion was also won by a Limousin cross animal in the shape of Highland Lad which was exhibited by Lin Calcraft, Devon. Highland Lad is a February 2016 born steer that was bred by Balfour Bailie, Tankerness, Orkney.

The Baby Beef classes were judged

by Mr J Courts, Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Taking the Heifer and Overall Baby Beef Championship was Babes, exhibited by W Morgan, Powys. Bred by G Lewis, this April 2017 born heifer is another winner sired by the popular AI bull Lodge Hamlet.

Reserve Overall Baby Champion went to the Reserve Heifer Champion, and also a Limousin cross, Miss Lady G who was exhibited by B L and J E Griffiths, Powys.

Also born in April 2017, Lady G was bred

by M B Nash. Â Taking the Championship position in the pedigree Limousin calf section was Trisant Navigator from G and E Jones, Anglesey. The January 2017 born young bull, bred by the Jones family stood first in the Junior Bull class to his stablemate Trisant Never Say Never. He is by Sarkley Herald out of Trisant Elliw. Standing Reserve Champion was the Junior heifer winner Dinmore Naturelle from Paul Dawes, Hereford. Also home-bred, the January 2017 born heifer is by the world record Trueman Jagger and out of Dinmore Elle.

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Baby Beef Champion Babes

Limousin Bull Champion Trisant Navigator

Reserve Pedigree Champion Cowin Miky

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WINTER FAIRS

Exhibitor Bred & Fed Champion Beau

Rounding off an excellent two days for the Limousin breed, in the Royal Smithfield Club National Festival of Meat Competition the Champion Beef Rib came from a Limousin heifer.

Judged blind by Mr John Temple, former Honorary President of the BLCS and of the Roughley Limousin Herd, the winning rib came from I R and A D Wildgoose and Sons, Skarcliffe Hall Farm, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. John placed a carcase from a 17-month old heifer out of a Limousin dam from F Page, Northants, as Reserve Overall Champion Carcase.

Champion Beef Rib

Reserve Champion Crossbred Jimmy

Jonathan Wildgoose, daughter Anna and son Josh. Judge John Temple and Phil Henshaw, Royal Smithfield Club

www.limousin.co.uk

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2017 LIVESCOT

LIMOUSINS CONTINUE WINNING FORM AT

2017 LIVESCOT EVENT • Reserve Overall Supreme Champion

Lakeland Lady Reserve Overall Champion

• Overall Champion & Reserve Steer • Champion Housewife’s Choice • Baby Beef Champion & Reserve • Champion Butcher’s Choice.

• Young Stock Person • Reserve Lightweight Steer • Heavyweight Steer

Swalesmoor Miris Champion Purebred

• Reserve Lightweight Heifer • Best Bred by Exhibitor • Champion Pure Bred

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imousin crosses secured the majority of leading prizes and made the top sale price of £3,900, in a strong prime cattle section at the 2017 LiveScot event, held at Lanark Market on Saturday 25th November.

Judge Harry Brown, of North Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, Peterhead, described the standard throughout as ‘tremendous’ and said he was looking for a balance between “finesse for the show ring, and something that will kill well”.

He found this in his Reserve Overall Champion, a Limousin cross heifer from Andrew Ewing, Drumbretton, Annan, who was showing at the event for the first time, with his 18-month-old Lakeland Lady, a

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595kg daughter of Hollows Finn, out of a Limousin cross dam, which had been placed Champion and Reserve Interbreed at Dumfries Show in August. Bought at a sale in Cockermouth, which Andrew had

been judging and placed her Champion, she was bred by RW & JH Emmott, Wythop Hall, Embleton. She went on to make the top price at the sale, selling at £3,900, also to Anthony Kitson Butchers.

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WINTER FAIRS

In the steer classes, best Overall was No Frills Frazer, a 608kg Limousin cross from James Nisbet, Sorn Mains, Sorn. Sired by

Lodge Hamlet and out of a cross dam, he was bought at Brechin in February this year and stood Reserve Steer Champion at

Rumpy Pumpy Exhibitor Bred Champion

the Royal Highland.

Reserve to that one in the Steer Championship was a home-bred 510kg Limousin cross from Iain Lammie, Longhouse, Cumnock. On its first outing, this one is by Powerhouse Elite and out of the show heifer, Bonnie Lass.

Housewives’ Choice was Wonky Tonky, a 17-month-old Limousin cross heifer by Lodge Hamlet from Dougie McBeath and Sarah Jane Jessop, Lower Greenyards, Bannockburn. Out of the Limousin cross show heifer Oops a Daisy, she went on to sell for the day’s joint second top price of £3,600, to WTS Forsyth and Sons, Peebles.

Limousins were again to the fore in the Baby Calf Championships, won by Gavin Scott, Gateside, Linlithgow, with Do Da, a January-born home-bred daughter of Melbreak Hero, while Reserve went to Robert Graham, Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan, with Grahams Nora, an April-born calf by Kilcor Iceman.

OTHER LIMOUSIN WINNERS:

Bulldozer Reserve Champion Steer

Raysonhall Matilda Reserve Purebred Champion

Butcher’s Choice – D Blair and Son, Littleinch, Balmerino, Fife, with Ruby, a Limousin cross heifer by Anside Hawkeye, out of a Limousin cross dam, bred by Messrs Crichton, Monzie Farms, Crieff. Reserve – Gavin Scott, Gateside, with a 614kg home-bred Limousin cross heifer by Haltcliffe Egidius, out of a Limousin cross dam.

Young Stock Person – Stephanie Dick.

Wonky Tonky Housewifes Choice

Do Da Baby Beef Champion

Reserve Lightweight Steer – Stuart and Lynsey Bett, Newmills, Stirling, with Bebop, a Limousin cross by Soleil.

Heavyweight Steer – James Nisbet, Sorn Mains, Sorn, with No Frills Frazer, a Limousin cross by Lodge Hamlet.

Reserve Lightweight Heifer – Messrs Watson & Work, Mains of Dumbreck, Udny, Ellon, with Our Girl, a Limousin cross heifer by Cowtham Justice.

Grahams Nora Reserve Baby Beef

Our Girl Reserve Lightweight heifer

Best Bred by Exhibitor – Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, with Rumpy Pumpy, a Limousin cross by Powerhouse Italic.

Best Pure Bred – Kedzlie Farm, Blainslie, Galashiels, with Swalesmoor Miris, a 14-monthold Limousin heifer by Dinmore Goldeneye. Reserve – James Nisbet, Sorn Mains, with Mercedes, a 20-month-old Limousin heifer by Liscom Bigshaw.

www.limousin.co.uk

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WELSH WINTER FAIR

LIMOUSIN SIRED HEIFER

“MOUSE” BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN AND WINS SUPREME CHAMPIONSHIP AT WELSH WINTER FAIR

• Supreme Champion and Reserve.

Mouse: WWF Heifer & Overall Champion

• Champion Heifer and Reserve.

• Exhibitor-bred Champion.

• Baby Beef Champion and Reserve.

• Butchers Choice Champion.

• Supreme Champion makes £5,100.

• Reserve Supreme Champion sells for £3,900.

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hat a triumph there was for the Limousin breed and two generations of a Breconshire farming family at this year’s recordbreaking two-day Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

After trying to win the keenly contested Builth Wells supreme cattle championship for many years the dream came true on Tuesday 28th November for Phil Price, his partner Julie Rogers and daughters, Maisie and Ella.

They farm Lower Skynlas, a Powys County Council smallholding at Glasbury-on-Wye, and were showing a Limousin heifer bred by his parents, Bernard and Mary, who farm just a few miles away at Hay-on-Wye. A bout of flu, however, meant Bernard

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was not at the Llanelwedd showground to savour the moment and the tremendous ringside appreciative applause.

That came courtesy of Mouse, a March 2016-born heifer by the family’s stock bull, Bringewood Glen, bought several years ago at a Limousin society Brecon sale and out of a Limousin dam purchased at the Ruthin Show Potentials sale.

Weighing in at 628kg, the fair’s auction sale later drew a £5,100 bid from North Yorkshire butchers, B&T Kitson, who also bought last year’s Supreme Champion – a Limousin-sired steer – for £4,000.

That was not the only major championship success for the Limousins.

Joint judges -- Derbyshire’s Mark Hallam,

from Wetton, near Ashbourne, who judged the heifers, and Richard Taylor, from Ripley, near Derby, the steers – were also united in the choice for the Reserve Supreme placing.

Stepping up for the award at the expense of the Steer Champion was Ice Baby, a home bred Limousin-sired entry from Richard Wright, of Bedlands Gate Farm, Bowers Hill, Somerton, Somerset.

An AI daughter of Brecon based Brian Jones’s Bailea Spunky and out of a Limousin crossbred dam, the May 2016born entry weighed in at 556kg and sold for £3,900 to North Wales butchers, Websters of Rhyl. It also took the ExhibitorBred Award.

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WINTER FAIRS

Another of Mr Wright’s entries, Wee Jimmy, led the steers and weighing in at 518kg was bought by Richard Taylor at £4.40 per kg, with Dark Shot from Neil and Sally Lloyd, Luston, near Leominster, Herefordshire, next in the line but leaving the sale ring unsold. Both were out of Limousin dams.

Justifying their decisions, the judges praised the high standard of the entries before them, stressing that all the meat was in the right places and of the quality being demanded by today’s consumers.

Limousins led the way again in the hotly contested Baby Beef parades, with Little Mix, a home bred entry from Tecwyn Jones, Ty Newydd, Nebo, Llanrwst, Conwy, out in front overall.

By the Colin and Wendy Phillips-bred Powerhouse Elite, who has previously sired no less than three Welsh Winter Fair Supreme Champions, the January 2017born entry is out of a home bred Limousin dam.

Filling the Reserve slot was Buckfast, a John McAlister-bred March 2017 Limousin cross jointly exhibited by Suzie Dunn and Cameron Jackson, from Willowbank Farm, Throsk, Stirling.

Reserve Baby Beef Heifer Champion was Twinkle Toes, a home bred April 2017born Limousin-sired entry from Owen Wyn Williams, Llanfwrog, Holyhead, Anglesey, and runner-up for the Steer Championship was the May 2017-born Brutus Cracker Jack from Dai Brute, Llanfihangel Talyllyn, Brecon.

A special “Butcher’s Choice” line-up saw victory going the way of Hubbabubba, an October 2016 T.C. Whitehead-bred Limousin cross heifer shown by Deiniol Hughes, Plas Newydd, Llanbabo, Rhosgoch, Anglesey.

Judging in the pedigree sections saw the Overall Limousin Championship going to Cothi Missy, a June 2016 born heifer bred

by J.M. Lewis, Pumsaint, sired by Plumtree Deus out of Powerhouse Hella and shown successfully throughout the summer show season by Llanwnnen, Lampeter, exhibitor, Dai Thomas.

Runner-up was the Reserve Heifer Champion, Raysonhall Matilda, an Ampertaine Ivanhoe daughter from James Nisbet, Sorn, Mauchline, Ayrshire, and bred

by Mr and Mrs D. Hill.

Topping the pure Limousin Steers was Buarth Mr Muscle, bred by I.G. Jones, sired

by Haltcliffe Dancer out of Buarth Holly and shown by Graham Ward, Peters Marland, Torrington, Devon.

Cowin Milky Bach, bred by Dyfan and Carol James, Conwyl Elfed, Carmarthen, and sired by Netherhall Jackpot out of Cowin Indiana, took the Reserve Steer title for Ifan Phillips, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire.

www.limousin.co.uk

Cothi Missy Overall Pure Champion

Buckfast Baby Beef Overall Reserve Champion

Hubbabubba Butchers Choice

Little Mix Baby Beef Heifer & Overall Champion

Twinkle Toes Baby Beef Reserve Heifer Champion

Ice Baby Reserve Heifer & Overall Reserve Champion & Exhibitor Bred

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BORDERWAY AGRI-EXPO 2017

BEXY BOO SCARES THE COMPETITION AS LIMOUSIN SIRED CATTLE IN CLEAN SWEEP OF CHAMPIONSHIPS AT BORDERWAY AGRI-EXPO 2017 Bexy Boo Overall Champion

• BEXY BOO wins Overall Championship and Heifer Championship • JON SNOW wins Reserve Overall Championship and Steer Championship • JIMMY wins Reserve Steer Championship • LITTLE MIX wins the Baby Beef Championship • GRAHAMS NOVA wins reserve Baby beef Championship

Baby Beef Champion Little Mix

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imousin sired cattle enjoyed a clean sweep of the top awards at Borderway Agri-Expo on Friday 3rd November. Cattle with Limousin genetics took the Overall and Reserve Championship titles, as well as the Heifer Championship, the Steer Championship and Reserve, and the Baby Beef Championship.

At the conclusion of over seven hours of judging and in front of a considerable crowd, the stylish heifer Bexy Boo from Robert and Leanne Workman, Northern Ireland was tapped out as the Overall Champion by Judge Mr Chris Pennie from the Sarkley Limousin Herd, Montgomery Powys.

Although well-known on the judging circuit, with highlights including the Balmoral Show, Tullamore Show and

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the Royal Highland Show, as well as the Carlisle Limousin Society Bull Sale, this was Mr Pennies’ first role judging at the Agri-Expo event.

In an event where the ring was dominated by Limousin genetics, earlier in the day Bexy had been selected as Overall Heifer Champion by Mr Pennie.

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WINTER FAIRS

The 15-month old heifer, the family’s first Borderway Agri-Expo commercial entry, arrived at Carlisle having won the calf-championship at Allams late last year. When, after some deliberation, the Judge finally made his selection, a clearly overjoyed Workman family could be heard celebrating throughout the entire exhibition hall. A visibly jubilant Leanne described the feeling of winning as “totally unreal”, however, she did add, that “from a young calf I always knew Bexy was something special and it’s brilliant to see her fulfil her potential by winning here today”. Bred at home by Robert and Leanne, Bexy Boo is sired by the noted Limousin bull Wilodge Vantastic and is out of the family’s show cow Gabby. Very popular on the yard at home, she will now go back to Northern Ireland to be retired for breeding.

Chris Pennie was full of praise for his Champion and for the overall show of cattle and said: “I was thrilled to have been invited to judge the cattle classes at Borderway Agri-Expo this year. The calibre of entries has been outstanding all day and the decisions were difficult.

The heifer Bexy Boo came to the ring with style and show presence, as well as natural width, a great top line and excellent conformation. She is the epitome of what the commercial market is looking for at the current time” Placed as Overall Reserve Champion was the Steer Champion from earlier in the day Jon Snow. The Scottish-bred bullock comes from fellow Northern Irish competitors Dermot and Gareth Small. They purchased the September 2016 born bullock for £6,000 at the Thainstone Spectacular from John and Craig Robertson, Logierait Commercials, Newton of Logierait. Sired by the much admired Objat son Calogale Irresistable, his outing at Carlisle was the first since Dermot and Gareth bought him.

The Reserve Steer Champion was the May 2016 born Jimmy from Mark and Sarah Harryman, Pickering. By Keskadale Fame out of a Limousin cross cow Jimmy was bred by Messrs Richardson of Gatesgarth, Cumbria, and purchased by Mark and Sarah at Cockermouth Market.

In what has proved to be a successful autumn so far Jimmy came to Borderway on the back of taking the Reserve Champion spot at the recent Countryside Live event in Harrogate.

Even more success came for Limousins in the Baby Beef Championship where the task of judging fell to a regular face in the show ring Sarah Wareham of Little Tottingworth Farm, near Heathfield in East Sussex. Sarah brought a lifetime of experience in farming and judging to the ring and she has been a very regular

www.limousin.co.uk

exhibitor at Borderway Agri Expo since its inception. In judging the Baby Beef classes, Sarah commented that she “was looking for a stylish animal with plenty potential combined with real show quality and appeal” She found exactly this as she tapped out a home-bred Limousin cross heifer Little Mix from Tecwyn Jones, Llanwrst, Conwy as the Overall Baby Beef Champion. The January 2017 born heifer is by another Objat son Powerhouse Elite, and out of a Limousin cross dam.

Sarah placed Robert and Jean Graham’s April 2017 born heifer Grahams Nova as Reserve Baby Beef Champion. Another home-bred success, this time with a full pedigree, she is by the Fieldson Alfy son Kilcor Iceman who the Graham’s purchased back in 2015 for €28,000 at Roscrea.

Backing up the breed’s dominance as the complete beef breed was the presence of an excellent display of Limousin pedigree and crossbred cattle on the Society’s tradestand which drew a strong crowd of visitors throughout the day. Cattle were kindly provided

by Messrs Jenkinson and Messrs Chappelhow both from Penrith, the Bell family in Appleby, H L Whitfield in Haltwhistle and Thor Atkinson, Ulverston.

Some first-class hospitality was provided by the North West Limousin Club and Michael Cursiter, the recently appointed BLCS Chairman was also on hand to meet with members, breeders and commercial producers.

Baby Beef Reserve Champion Grahams Nova

Jon Snow Overall Reserve and Steer Champion

Steer Reserve Champion Jimmy

Judge Chris Pennie and the Workman Family

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WINTER STOCK FESTIVAL

GARNEDD MODEL WALTZES TO VICTORY AT THE WINTER STOCK FESTIVAL Garned Model, Supreme Commercial Champion

Gascoines MrGeorge, Limousin Champion

Pointhouse Midnight Limousin Reserve Champion

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eturning for its tenth year, the 2017 East of England Winter Stock Festival took place over the 1 and 2 December 2017 at the East of England Showground, Peterborough.

Colin Phillips, highly respected stockman and renowned judge, led the cattle judging. Mr Phillips, who farms in Herefordshire, has achieved great success in the showring and has judged at many of the country’s leading agricultural shows.

In the commercial section he tapped out the Limousin sired heifer Garnedd Model as his Supreme Champion. Weighing in at 564kg the September 2016 born heifer from Beth Wilkinson and Luke and John Smith-Jackson went onto sell for an impressive £6,000 in the traditional postshow sale.

Topping the Baby Beef classes was the Continental Champion Dancing Queen from John Smith- Jackson, who runs the Hightown herd at Haltwhistle, Northumberland. The June 2017 born Limousin cross heifer came to Peterborough with some success under her belt already having been placed second in her class at Borderways Agri-Expo earlier in the Autumn. In what was a one-two for Limousin the Reserve Baby Beef Champion came in the form of the March 2017 born Limousin cross Jazzy Girl from Richard and

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Judy Fountaine, Hill Farm, Beachampton, Milton Keynes.

In the pedigree beef section Colin selected the Limousin heifer Buarth Magic from Ifan Phillips, Camarthenshire as his Champion Pure Bred Beast. September 2016 born she is by Sarkley Goddard out of Buarth Irene.

The Limousin classes saw Gascoines MrGeorge take the honours as Breed Champion. The November 2016 born home-bred bull from the Gascoine Group Ltd, Nottinghamshire, is by Mereside Hallmark out of Gascoines Gabriella.

Bred by the Hazard family at Grantham, Hallmark was purchased at Carlisle for 18,000gns back in February 2014 after winning the Iintermediate and Overall Championship in the pre-sale show. He is by the Objat son Dormeur out of the Vagabond daughter Mereside Enabel.

Reserve Breed Champion was Pointhouse Midnight from Barney O’Kane and Sons, Co Derry, Northern Ireland. The 12-month old heifer is by the Wilodge Vantastic and Bankdale Amber son Plumtree Fantastic and out of the dam Pointhouse Fern.

Rounding off the day for the breed was the Reserve spot in the Duke of Gloucester Pedigree Calf Group of Three Contest which was judged by Dan Bull, Lambourn, Berkshire.

Buarth Magic, Champion Pure Bred

Dancing Queen, Baby Beef Champion

Jazzy Girl, Baby Beef Reserve Champion

www.limousin.co.uk

JIMMY

WINTER FAIRS

COUNTRYSIDE LIVE

IS LIMOUSIN SIRED CHAMPION AT COUNTRYSIDE LIVE Jimmy Reserve Champion

Sexy and I Know It Champion Baby Beef

Toffee Reserve Baby Beef

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he 15th Countryside Live held in Harrogate during October welcome a record number of visitors and marked the start of what turned out to be a successful winter show and sale season for the Limousin breed.

Judged by Chris Stubbs, Northwich, Cheshire the Limousin-sired Champion and the Overall Reserve Supreme Champion was the steer Champion Jimmy from Mark and Sarah Harryman, Pickering, North Yorkshire. The May 2016 born steer, by Keskadale Fame out of a Limousin cross cow was bred by Messrs Richardson of Gatesgarth, Cumbria, and purchased by Mark and Sarah at Cockermouth Market. The autumn proved to be very fruitful for the 18-month old steer, he went onto take the Reserve Champion spot at Borderway Agri-Expo just a fortnight later and then the steer Championship at the English Winter Fair later in November.

www.limousin.co.uk

Beau took the Reserve Champion Heifer spot for the Lyon family, Bourne, Lincolnshire. The home-bred May 2016 born heifer is sired by the family’s stock bull Ironstone Hornblower, a Rathkeeland Dylan son, who is breeding very well for them. As with Jimmy she too went onto further success over the autumn in taking the Homebred and Fed Championship at the English Winter Fair.

Reserve Champion Steer was Maximus, a 12-month-old home bred son of Lodge Hamlet from Phil Price, Glasbury-on-Wye. On what was a great day for the Price family, Phil’s parents Bernard and Mary Price, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, won the Champion Exhibitor Bred with their March 2016 born heifer Mouse. By the family’s stock bull, Bringewood Glen, bought several years ago at a Limousin society Brecon sale and out of a Limousin dam purchased at the Ruthin Show Potentials sale, she too went onto feature

in the winter fare accolades in winning the overall Championship at the Welsh Winter Fare.

Heifers led the way in the baby beef section with the Championship going to Jennifer Hyslop, Ayrshire with Sexy and I know It. Home-bred by the Limousin, Shire Apollo and April 2017 born, it weighed in at 258kg. She came to Harrogate having been champion baby beef at Coylton Show earlier in the year.

Judge John Mellin, Long Preston said that his champion had caught his eye as soon as it entered the ring and was “a real show beast which was very correct on its legs.”

Standing second in the class to the baby beef Champion and then going onto take the Reserve Overall title was Toffee, a home-bred June 2017 born heifer from Taylor Charlton, Penrith. By Emslies Galileo she had won at the Westmorland Show in September.

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AGRIFEST 2017

LIMOUSIN SUCCESS AT AGRIFEST 2017 • Morse Reserve Supreme for Graham Ward

Morse, Reserve Supreme Commercial Champion

• Miss Independent wins Homebred & fed title • Foxhillfarm Nigella Reserve Champion Pedigree Calf • Nealford Monarch Reserve Overall Young Bull Of The Year

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grifest South West took place at Westpoint, Exeter, Devon on Wednesday 8th November 2017. Organised by the National Beef Association South West, the event showcased the breadth and depth of quality livestock breeding and production in the region. The one day event, now in its eighth year welcomed Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex in her role as President of the Devon County Agricultural Association.

Limousin cattle were well represented in the livestock classes and claiming the Reserve Supreme Beef Champion title was Graham Ward of Torrington with Morse. The June 2016 born Limousin sired steer was bought at the Sedgemoor calf sale from Messrs Lewis, Carmarthen and was being shown for the first time.

Lin Calcraft, Honiton took the Bred and Fed Championship with Miss Independent, an 18-month-old Limousin heifer by Swarland Eddie and out of a Limousin cross dam. The Baby Beef championship went to the Alford family with the May 2017 born pedigree Limousin heifer, Foxhillfarm Naomi. By Ampertaine Gigolo out of Foxhillfarm Gracie she had been champion at the Sedgemoor calf show just the previous week. Sarah-Jane Layton from Leominster took the reserve spot with her second placed Limousin-sired heifer, 10-monthold Lady De Beaut who had been reserve champion in the Baby Beef class at Beef Expo and second at the Royal Welsh earlier in the year.

Foxhillfarm Nigella, a six-month-old Limousin heifer by Neuf out Glenrock

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Miss Independent, Champion Home Bred & Fed

Illusion took the Reserve Continental and Reserve Overall Champion Pedigree Calf titles for the Alfords.

Young Continental Bull Of The Year and Reserve Overall Young Bull Of The Year was Nealford Monarch from James Neal, Launceston. By Ampertaine Inferno out of Nealford Goldilocks he was Reserve Male Champion at Royal Cornwall and Inter-Breed Champion at Okehampton and Holsworthy shows earlier in the year. Standing next to him as Reserve Young Continental Bull Of The Year was Loosebear Munster from EW Quick & Sons, Crediton, Devon. The April 2016 born bull is by Adogolan Emperor out of Loosebeare Hissa.

The Society’s stand by the ring was busy all day serving tea and coffee. The Duchess was welcomed onto the stand

by Society staff, Debbie Butcher and

Foxhillfarm Naomi, Supreme Baby Beef Champion

Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex and BLCS Staff

Alison Glasgow and the Limousin South Western Cattle Breeders Club secretary Diane Richards. The group chatted to the Duchess about the sizeable contribution Limousin cattle make to beef production in the UK and her recent 450 mile charity bike ride. Debbie also spoke on the events seminar program about the Society’s Breed Improvement programme and the way in which it set to improve profitability for producers.

www.limousin.co.uk

LIMSALE

THE ALL NEW MOBILE SALE APP

üü All Society sale catalogues available to view on your mobile device üü Filter pages to find catalogued animals meeting your criteria üü Create your own catalogue from saved results

Download the LimSale App The LimSale app is supported by minimum platforms iOS8 Apple, Windows 10 and Android 4.0.3.

For further information contact the British Limousin Cattle Society, info@limousin.co.uk, t elephone 02476 696500

FUTURE CALF SHOW

LIMOUSIN INTERBREED HAT-TRICK AT STIRLING’S 2017

STARS OF THE FUTURE CALF SHOW • Aultside Meanmachine wins overall Senior Interbreed Championship

Aultside Meanmachine

• Grahams Natalie wins overall Junior Interbreed Championship • Grahams Natalie and Grahams Nashville win Pairs Championship

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ow in its eighth year, the Stars of the Future Calf Show, held on Saturday 11 November 2017 at United Auctions, Stirling, saw a fantastic entry of calves across all breeds. In front of a large crowd of spectators, once again, Limousins led the way in the Interbreed accolades. Judge Mr Jim Goldie, Townfoot, Dumfries and Galloway, placed Limousins as the Senior and Junior Interbreed Champions and winners of the Joe Watson Memorial Pairs Competition.

From a strong line up of cattle Mr Goldie placed Aultside Meanmachine from Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith, as the Senior Interbreed.

The August 2016 born Meanmachine is by the 50,000gns Wilodge Cerberus and is out of Spittalton Flush. A Hargill Blaze daughter. In the junior section, Mr Goldie tapped out Grahams Natalie from R & J Graham, Bridge of Allan, Stirling, as the Junior Interbreed Champion. The January 2017 born heifer Natalie is a daughter of the Wilodge Vantastic son Claragh Franco and is out of one the noted Grahams home-bred cow Grahams Coffee. An embryo calf Grahams Natalie is the same way bred as the 40,000gns bull Grahams Lorenzo.

The Graham family went onto make it an illustrious Interbreed hat-trick of titles for the Limousin breed by taking the Joe Watson Continental Pairs Championship.

The Junior Interbreed Champion Grahams

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Grahams Natalie

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WINTER FAIRS

and high priced, bulls and females for the Foxhillfarm herd. Tapped as Reserve Female Champion to the Foxhillfarm heifer was another Wilodge Cerberus offspring from Garry Patterson, the August 2016 born Aultside Mystique.

Onto the juniors and Mr Ridley had tapped out Grahams Natalie as Junior Female Champion and then Overall Junior Champion before she went onto take the Junior Interbreed Championship.

In a one-two for the Graham Family Reserve Overall Junior Limousin Champion, and Junior Male Champion, was the young bull Grahams Nashville.

Standing Reserve to Grahams Natalie in the Junior Female section was another from the Foxhillfarm stable, this time the May 2017 born Foxhillfarm Naomi. Also a progeny of Trueman Jagger her dam is Foxhillfarm Isla, herself no stranger to show success as a youngster. Taking the reserve spot to Grahams Nashville in the Junior Male competition was Foxhillfarm Napoleon an April 2017 bull by Foxhillfarm Jasper out of the 125,000gns Glenrock Illusion.

Foxhillfarm Madonna

Grahams Nashville

OTHER FIRST PRIZED ANIMALS INCLUDE: Bulls born 6 July to 24 August 2016 1st – Aultside Marvel, G Patterson Bulls born 2 September to 15 October 2016 1st - Foxhillfarm Masterbull, M Alford Bulls born 15 November to 13 December 2016 1st - Westpit MacGregor, A & J Gammie Heifers born 2 August to 25 September 2016 1st - Foxhillfarm Madonna, M Alford Heifers born 10 October to 17 November 2016 1st - Burnbank Martini, D & L Graham Bulls born 1 January to 20 January 2017 1st - Grahams Nashville, R & J Graham Natalie teamed up with her stablemate and full embryo brother Grahams Nashville.

In the Limousin judging under the eye of Craig Ridley who runs the noted Haltcliffe pedigree herd at Wigton, Cumbria, Aultside Meanmachine had taken the Senior Male Champion position and then the Senior Overall Championship. Standing Reserve to him in the Senior Male Championship was the 12-month old Ampertaine Gigolo son Westpit MacGregor from A & J Gammie,

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Drumforber, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire.

All the way from Devon, Mike & Melanie Alford, Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, took the Senior Female Championship with Foxhillfarm Madonna who then stood as Reserve in the Overall Senior Championship to Aultside Meanmachine.

The September 2016 born heifer came to Stirling with a fine pedigree. She is sired by the world record 147,000gns Trueman Jagger and out of the Bankdale Alice daughter Bankdale Elizabeth. Bankdale Alice is a prolific breeder of high profile,

Bulls born 13 February to 17 March 2017 1st - Strawfrank Nevada, A Campbell Bulls born 1 April to 6 May 2017 1st - Foxhillfarm Napoleon, M Alford Heifers born 1 January to 18 February 2017 1st - Grahams Natalie, R & J Graham Heifers born 18 March to 27 May 2017 1st - Foxhillfarm Naomi, M Alford

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ALLAMS CHRISTMAS SHOW

LIMOUSINS THE CLEAR BUTCHER'S CHOICE AT ALLAMS Champion Limousin

Ulster Housewifes Champion

Housewifes Reserve Champion

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n Tuesday 28 November Allams Christmas Show and Sale brought down the final curtain with the last livestock event of its kind to be held at the prestigious Balmoral showground in Belfast. Limousin cattle were out in force showcasing the very best commercial beef cattle Northern Ireland has to offer. Judging of the 20 classes and the Bank of Ireland Championships was in the capable hands of Sam Milliken, Killykergan, Coleraine.

The event was attended by buyers from Scotland and the Republic of Ireland plus local meat plants and butchers from all over Northern Ireland which resulted in one of the best trades ever seen at this annual event.

In the pre-sale show Sam awarded the Overall Limousin Breed Championship to the exhibit he had previously selected as his heifer champion. From Ian McCaughern, Rasharkin the smart 600kg 18-month old heifer was knocked down in the post-show sale to Omagh Meats for £2,300. Reserve Breed Champion was the reserve placed heifer Kim K from the JCB Team of Gareth Corrie, Charles Beverland

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and Johnny Neill. Weighing in at 650kg their 14-month old heifer by Carmorn Cantona made £2,500 in the ring when selling for export. Bred by Vincent Lynch this heifer is no stranger to success having won her class at the Balmoral show in the summer. In the steer section the first placed Limousin came from D and A McCrea, Bready. Also selling to Omagh Meats the 620kg steer went through the ring at £1,618. The Reserve Steer was a 590kg beast from Joe McCarragher, Armagh. He went to H Thompson for £1,540.

Limousins led the “Housewives Champion” awards. The winner here was a 560kg all-black heifer from Jack Smyth, Newtownstewart. She had won the Champion County Butchers Heifer of the Show and was snapped up by Stephen Millar of Millar Meats, Irvinestown for £3,500. Reserve Housewives Champion went to Davis Simpson, Aughnacloy, with his 500kg Limousin heifer who was the Reserve Champion County Butchers Heifer. She was knocked down to the judge Sam Milliken for £2,700 who was buying on behalf of Omagh Meats. The

Best of Opposite Sex

Champion County Butchers Bullock of the show and The Best of the Opposite Sex titles were won by Alan Veitch, Lisbellaw with a Limousin steer weighing 560kg and selling for £1,900, again to Omagh Meats. Sam awarded the Reserve Champion County Butchers Bullock award to Gerry Law, Kesh. His bullock went onto make £1,500 when selling to McMaster Meats, Whitehead.

In the calf section a great entry of spectacular calves was topped by a Limousin heifer exhibited by the Doyle Brothers from Kilkeel. Sales of Limousin sired calves was brisk with A Farlow, Garvagh selling a heifer for £1,600 (310kg) and J F Killen, Crossgar a bullock for £1,410 (320kg).

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WINTER FAIRS

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

LIMOUSIN HEIFERS

RED HOT AS SPICY TAKES SUPREME

AT THAINSTONE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

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t was a memorable day for Harry Brown as he scooped his first Championship with a home-bred animal at the Christmas Classic at Thainstone.

Making her show debut the April 2016 born Spicy is among the first crop of prime calves sired by the new stock bull, a Garyvaughan Limousin bull, at Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud.

Spicy weighed in at 620kg and was snapped up for £4,600, or an impressive £7.42 per kg, by the Judges, father and son butcher team, James and Ross Allan of Malcolm Allan, Larbert, Stirling.

Speaking about their Champion and purchase James described her as “tremendous all round with a great top and gigot, very showy and flashy, and that’s what the Christmas Classic is all about” With Alan Hutcheon at the gavel in what would be his last time selling cattle at the Classic ahead of his retirement the Butchers Champion from young brothers Andrew and Reese Simmers was second in the trade stakes. Also on her first outing, their 17-month old heifer Ruby Red, by a Limousin cross stock bull, was bought as a calf at foot with her Limousin cross mother. Crossing the weighbridge at 546kg she was knocked down to Huntly butchers Charles and Gary Raeburn for £3,800 or a solid £6.96 per kg. James Allen described this heifer as “perfect for the modern butchery trade”.

Fetching £3,300 or £5.63 per kg in selling to Alastair Bruce, Fraserburgh, was the Reserve Overall Champion from Murray Rainnie, Loanhead, Aboyne. This 586kg three-quarter Limousin was bred by the McMillian family, Ardberg, Islay and bought at the spring calf show on the island. She too was being shown for the first time, but was a half-sister to Murray’s reserve heifer from 2016 bred in the same place.

Three lots made £3,000 each with the first being the Reserve Butchers

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Overall Champion, Spicy

Champion from Wilson Peters, Monzie, Crieff, who was fresh from his win at LiveScot. Another Limousin cross heifer Tricky Treacle, sired by the privately purchased Anside Hawkeye, had been no stranger to success this year having taken reserve at several shows over the summer.

She scaled 518kg and was snapped up

by Louise Forsyth, buying for the family’s butchers shop in Peebles.

Both the Young Farmers Champions and Reserves matched the £3,000 mark.

The former was from Mark Robertson, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul with a 640kg Limousin cross heifer Mia bred by Gordon Carrol, Edendiach. By a Limousin sire out of a Limousin cross cow Mia was bought for less than half the price in the spring and has done well on the summer circuit. She was knocked down to the Young Farmers Cattle Judge Jamie Scott

of John Scott Meat, Paisley.

Reserve was a heifer from the Keith Commercials team of Richard Davidson, Craig and Jack Hendry, Darren Davidson and Kyle Cooper. Bred

by Brian Harper, Greenwells, she went home for breeding with fellow Keith young farmer Bradley Robertson who is building up his own commercial unit.

The best bullock was a 688kg Powerful Irish son from Darren Irvine, Braehead. Having shown successfully over the summer including coming fourth at the Highland Show he made £1,700 selling to James and Ross Allen.

The prizes kept coming for Harry as he also secured the reserve bullock title with Franz, a Limousin cross bullock bought in the spring from Frazer Leslie, Odinstone. Franz went onto realise almost £1,630.

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FEATURE

LIMOUSINS AT THE CORE OF CHASE FARM SUCCESS

Firmly established in an urban area of the West Midlands the pedigree herd of Roughley Limousins has played an integral part in propelling Chase Farm into the successful diverse business it is today. In this article we look at the enterprise managed by John Temple and Dorinda Dixon in more detail.

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n the period after the war Chase Farm itself had been part of the well-known Midlands based Walter Smith butchery operation, however, in 1980 the farming business became an independent business under the title of Walter Smith Farms Ltd. Still managed by the same executives almost 40 years later, former Walter Smith directors John Smith and John Temple, the enterprise

is barely recognizable from its early days when it sold eggs out of a shed, turkeys at Christmas and potatoes and vegetables on behalf of local farmers.

Throughout the 1980’s under the watchful eye of John and Dorinda Chase Farm started to build the Roughley herd of pedigree Limousin cattle. The herd was established with the purchase of their first pedigree animal at

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FEATURE the Burton Dispersal in 1980 and some key acquisitions from Carlisle. In the early years John and Dorinda were kept very busy showing at premier shows and sales throughout the Midlands and further afield, attaining some degree of success. As the reputation of Roughley Limousin spread they exported semen from a home bred bull, Roughley Ultrabright, to herds in South Africa, Australia and to the noted Wulf family in North America. Ultrabright,

by Circle Maximillian was out of Harvest Orchid, one of the early females the pair had purchased at Carlisle.

In addition to the overseas semen trade embryos made their way to New Zealand and five heifers were exported to South Africa. However, in a sad turn of events for Chase Farm, what looked to be a promising international trade came to an abrupt end with the onset of the BSE crisis in the late 1980’s.

In the years following the

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BSE crisis the farm needed to find some additional income to survive, and so expanding the farm shop seemed a very obvious thing to do. The two Chase Farm directors had considerable experience to bring to the development of a more substantial retail operation and they made an agreement with their old company Walter Smith to give them support in building

a farm shop business. John took the decision to relocate what was then a small outlet to an old dairy building, and crucially, he made the decision to start to sell meat.

Having spent all his working life in the meat trade John knew the principles upon which the success of the Limousin breed had been built would fare very well with his then rapidly expanding

customer base. He believes that these values are as true today as they were when he first became attracted to the breed almost 40 years ago.

He says “Limousins are fundamentally a butcher’s animal with a very good meat yield which consistently meets the demand of the market”.

Having lost half their land to the development of the M6 Toll road at the turn of the

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FEATURE new millennium Chase Farm today consists of just 50 acres, approximately 40 of which is on one side of the Toll road and 10 on the other. In 2008, working in close conjunction with Dorinda, John decided to concentrate more on the pedigree Limousin herd which he had started back in the 1980’s.

Today the pedigree herd consists of around 28 cows largely managed by Dorinda, most of which calve in the spring. The low maintenance requirement of the Limousin calves, particularly at birth, is something Dorinda is particularly attracted to.

Although a few bull calves have been on the larger side, cesareans are infrequent and survival rates very good.

Replacement heifers are retained as required, which means that no cattle are brought into the herd. The real motivator for this is John and Dorinda’s ardent desire to protect the herd’s heath status, so much so, with a degree of sadness, they no longer show any cattle. The herd has been in the SRUC’s premium cattle health scheme for 13-years, having been free of Johnes and BVD for all this time. They are fortunate enough to farm within a ringfenced area which is a great asset to maintaining the high degree of bio-security they insist upon.

The entire cohort of females is served by artificial insemination and John and Dorinda pay particular attention to calving ease EBV’s, gestation length and milk figures when selecting Limousin semen to use on the herd. In recent years they have

“Limousins are fundamentally a butchers animal, with a very good meat yield which consistently meets the demand of the market.” also become very interested in knowing the Myostatin genotype of the sires they are selecting. Both are pleased to hear that the Society has announced the automatic publication of all Myostatin genotypes in 2018.

John says “I very much welcome this initiative; it’s a positive one for the Society and its breeders. I believe that it is important to present Myostatin results for everyone so that we are delivering knowledge and choice into the commercial market place”.

Any cattle, both male and female, not considered good enough for breeding are sold through the farm shop and café which means that the business gets the maximum return from the process of adding

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the value to the carcase itself. Aiming to finish at U+3 grade bulls are slaughtered from 13-months of age while heifers are routinely taken up to 20-months. The cattle go for slaughter to a local abattoir Westwood’s at Chase Terrace, Walsall; a journey of just 40-minutes.

While still trying to support the pedigree sales at Newark when possible, these days’ surplus breeding cattle are increasingly sold privately from the farm. John firmly believes

”Seeing the stock in their working clothes in their home surroundings is a big plus for intending purchasers” Cattle are housed between October and November, depending on the weather conditions when the spring born calves are weaned. The cows are fed on big bale silage with minerals and liquid feed supplements. The bulls, which are kept entire, are fed to appetite on a bought-in blend with a target of them to put on an average of 1.5 to 2.0kg per day. Heifers are over-wintered on ad-lib silage with a small amount of blend to encourage them to develop.

From the spring onwards customers visiting the farm are able to see the cattle grazing in the fields by the café car park. John and Dorinda are proud of the positive signal this sends to their customers of all ages.

In just a few years from its formation Chase Farm Shop had established the standards that customers still recognize today, outstanding meat, beautifully butchered. John says “The choice of Limousin cattle together with traditional butchery skills and a careful on premises maturation process is the reason why our customers keep on coming back”.

Specializing in the supply of cattle for a butchery retail

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FEATURE market requires an unerring eye for selection and attention to detail throughout the production system. John and Dorinda clearly manage to fulfil both these requirements.

Walter Smith enjoyed a close relationship with the farm shop during its early years and over time the businesses have learnt a great deal from each other. Walter Smith, which moved out of private family ownership to a management and director buy out in 2009, have gone onto open shops in large Garden Centre’s using much of the experience they gained from the growth of the retail enterprise at Chase Farm.

In 2015, with his long established association with the breed behind him John was honored by the British Limousin Cattle Society who appointed him their President.

This was a clear tribute to his continuing support for the breed over many years, his expertise, and for the consistently high standards achieved in the Roughley pedigree Limousin herd.

No stranger to success, the herd has just been awarded the title of Champion Small/

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Medium Herd in the 2017 North West Midlands and North Wales Club Herd Competition. While they have won this award before John and Dorinda are delighted to have received this recognition again. However, the real cherry on the cake was their young heifer Roughley Nancy winning the Best Heifer born in 2017 title against some formidable opposition from notable herds. The stylish January born heifer is by the Willodge Tonka son Kaprico Eravelle out of the Ampertain Foreman daughter Roughley Janey.

While there is a lot of history at Chase Farm John and Dorinda are still very much focused on the future and it is clear that the farm and the cattle are at the forefront of their minds. It is their inspiration and hard work over many years which have gone into making both the farm and the retail business successful in their own right.

There is little doubt that the Limousin breed has played a fundamental part in this and will continue to do so in the future.

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FEATURE

LIMOUSIN SUPPLYING

EXACTLY WHAT THE MARKET WANTS Here we feature the Glencross Pedigree herd of Mark and Catherine Davies at Glanyfer, Crosswell, Pembrokeshire

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wo years after they married, Mark and Catherine Davies were fortunate to begin farming in their own rights.

Glanyfer, a 19ha (47 acres)

holding at Crosswell, near Eglwyswrw, in the shadow of Pembrokeshire’s Preseli Hills not far from where they were living, came on to the market in 2003. They put in an offer and bought it.

A one-time dairy farm, given the cost of modernising the facilities and going into milk production was financially out of the question, rearing beef cattle and sheep was the only real viable option.

For Mark, deciding on what breed of cattle to keep, however, was easy – Limousins had been part of Mark’s life while growing up farming with his father and uncle, who had founded the family’s Eisteddfa herd back in the early 1990s.

“My family had kept pedigree Welsh Blacks which they started crossing to a Charolais bull, but calving difficulties led to the introduction of a Limousin

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FEATURE

“Whether you are catering for the commercial or pedigree market as far as we are concerned Limousins tick all the right boxes” from Yorkshire called Middledale James,” says Mark. He added “Given that background there was no other breed for me when we started farming on our own.

To start with we concentrated on rearing commercial cattle, mostly carrying Limousin blood though not registered and selling the calves as stores.”

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Buying a further 21ha (54 acres) in 2006 gave Mark and Catherine the scope to widen their farming activities. Three years later the decision was taken to go into the pedigree side of the industry and so the Glencross herd was born. The prefix comes from Catherine’s maiden name and is not a joined up version of Glanyfer and Crosswell as many believe.

“We bought foundation stock from several leading herds, including Hafodlas, Dinmore, Ardbrack, Cowin, Eisteddfa and Dyfri, mostly at Carlisle breed society sales,” says Mark. “The first bull we used was the Northern Ireland-bred Craigatoke Barty, who has left his mark on the herd, while other bulls used have included Glencross Ifan

by Ironstone Brandy out of Dyfri Fennena.

“Our present stock bull is the November 2011 born Glencross Ioncalo, out of a Fieldson Alfy cross cow Baltracey Gaga by Mas Du Clo who’s first calves look very promising. Our junior sire is Dyke Mozart, who we bought as a 10-month-old at the Dyke herd’s production sale in August 2017 at Carlisle.

“Another home bred bull that has been shown extensively over recent months is the March 2016-born Glencross McMaster, who is by Glencross Incredibull out of Glencross Furious, a Dinmore Ditty daughter.” Outings this year have included the Royal Welsh, Pembrokeshire County and Cardigan Shows, along with the supreme championship at Fishguard Show. He was entered for the society’s November 2017 Brecon show and sale, making 5100gns he went home with DB Davies, Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian, Crymych, Pembs.

“By the spring of 2012 we were up to 60 cows and heifers, again concentrating on the production of quality pure Limousin store cattle rather than the pedigree market, though this side of the business has grown and continues to grow,” says Mark, a former Welsh Agricultural College, Aberystwyth, student.

The system revolves around block calving in April and May, with the cows and calves grazing on grass through the summer and the calves being sold the following January at ages ranging from eight

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FEATURE months to 10 months. He went on: “At last January’s Brecon store sale a heifer calf

by Glencross Ioncalo made £1,250, weighing 270 kg at only five months old this worked out at 474p per kg.”

Talking about developments in the herd mark says “Recent times have seen us retaining more heifer calves as replacements, which enables us to sell older cows with calves. We still have lines dating back to our early purchases. In fact, there were two cows here last year that were 2001 born and had had a calf every year since 2003.

Unfortunately cows do not go on for ever, but it does mean that we now have quite a young herd.”

All the cattle are normally housed by early November, with the cows getting nothing but big baled grass silage, contractor-made in two cuts from the end of June onwards,

fed in ring feeders and from behind a passageway barrier.

Fertiliser use has been cut back, with muck from the loose housing and sandcubicles going on the silage ground. Because of the high stocking rate and mixed grazing calves have access to a creep feed from July onwards.

“In my book the Limousin cattle can supply exactly what the market wants and are capable of achieving excellent prices at a young age, coupled with their easy calving and good growth

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rates they are exactly what we are after. In addition, in our experience they are of a good temperament,” says Mark.

“Our system is all about producing quality calves and allowing others to finish them at a profit. It also means that with our limited acreage we can keep more livestock. If we were to start finishing cattle we would need to double up on our buildings and on top of that there is the labour element. As it stands I am able to manage on my own with help from the family.”

That fits in neatly with Catherine’s away-fromthe-farm position as a departmental head at Ysgol y Preseli, a comprehensive school a few miles away at Crymych, though she would love to be able to spend more time on the farm. Which is a view shared by the follow-on generation, daughters Caryl, who is 14 years old, Sara, 11, and Lowri, eight, all play a part in developing the herd, especially by way of the show ring.

Alongside the cattle the

“In my book the Limousin cattle can supply exactly what the market wants and are capable of achieving excellent prices at a young age, coupled with their easy calving and good growth rates..."

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FEATURE

farm carries a flock of 750 outdoor lambing ewes which utilise 26ha (65 acres) of ground which is also used for silage a mile away. Some 250 improved Tregaron-type Welsh Mountain ewes provide a nucleus for producing breeding rams.

Any not matching up to the high quality specifications Mark self imposes go to Aberfield tups to produce crossbred lambs. Those not needed for flock replacements are sold from May and June onwards, either deadweight or live according to market price levels at the time. Some ewe lambs go off as breeding stock.

“We could go down the route of using a terminal sire but that would mean switching from outdoor lambing and investing in a lambing shed,” adds Mark.

The farm is all grass, apart from a few acres of root

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crops, such as kale or swedes grown for the sheep, with the aim being to re-seed around 15 to 20 acres a year. The installation of a sophisticated closed circuit coloured monitoring system with zoomin and panning facilities some three years ago is also seen as having been a well worthwhile investment, minimising the risk of losing a calf.

“With lambing coinciding with calving life can get pretty hectic in the spring but the investment have been worth every penny,” says Mark.

As well as the redundant dairy buildings the farm came with a mixture of both loose and cubicle housing, hay shed and a modern farmhouse.

Next door was the original dwelling and last year that came onto the market for sale.

It was promptly snapped up by the family, a move which has seen the emergence of a diversification venture by

way of self-catering holiday accommodation. Now fitted out to an exceptional standard the five-bedroomed main house, complete with hot tub, will sleep 12 and an adjoining cottage which caters for two.

On the cards, too, is a third unit.

“With the help of a Facebook page and a marketing company first year interest in the Ty Llwyd and Y Cartws holiday accommodation has been far greater than we anticipated with solid bookings during the summer and through to Christmas,” says Mark.

“As to the future we really need more ground and ideally a bigger farm, but land in this area rarely comes on to the market and when it does there is a hefty price tag at around £12,000 per acre plus” “We could reduce sheep numbers, but I am reluctant to do that. They fit in nicely

with the grazing rotation and by using a mobile handling system are much easier to manage single-handed” “They are also a valuable asset to have given the prevalence of bovine TB. Should you have a breakdown and unable to sell stock then sheep can help pay the bills.

What’s more you can go in and out of sheep fairly swiftly but with cattle it is a much longer-term business” “What is for certain as far as the cattle are concerned is that there will not be a change in breed,” adds Mark.

“In order to make a success of farming with cattle these days you have to have a sound breed, good genetics, the best silage you can make and first-class management”, he adds. “Whether you are catering for the commercial or pedigree market as far as we are concerned Limousins tick all the right boxes.”

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CARLISLE | OCTOBER 2017

CARLISLE

OCT

2017

EASY CALVING BULLS IN BIG DEMAND AS AMPERTAINE MAGNUM LEADS CARLISLE LIMOUSIN SALE AT 70,000GNS • 113 bulls sold, up 20 on the year

• Bulls gross £793,065

• 14 bulls make five figures and over

• Average £7,018.27 (up £914.10 on 2016)

• 5 bulls make 20,000gns and over

• Clearance rate of 77%

• 60% make between 4,000 and 8,000 gns.

• Five bulls sold for export to Spain

Ampertaine Magnum, 70000gns

78 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

www.limousin.co.uk

Sales

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BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

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CARLISLE | OCTOBER 2017

Sarkley Moray, 28000gns

Ballinloan Mountain, 20000gns

Limousin Judge Duncan Hazard

T

he terrific year for British Limousin Cattle Society sales moved into its final period on Saturday 14 October at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, with the annual autumn show and sale of bulls.

A packed ring saw 113 bulls sold to an average of £7,018.27, up on the year by an impressive £914.10 for 20 more bulls sold with a clearance rate of 77% of the 146 bulls forward.

It was a sale that saw something to spark everyone’s attention. While the breeder’s bulls hit some headline prices, once again commercial producers were out in force showing their keen demand the breed. Fourteen bulls made five figures or more, with 35 in all making

80 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

7000gns or more. Some 60% of the bulls forward sold for between 4,000 and 8,000gns, and again highlighted the depth of trade coming from the commercial side of the business.

Commenting on the sale BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said: “There has been a strong demand for Limousin bulls throughout 2017 and it was great to see

that continue at the Society’s October Sale with increased numbers sold and averages well up.

Commercial buyers again underpinned the trade and a feature of the day was the emphasis they were placing on bulls that had good calving figures along with length, shape and good tops. Beef producers are looking for easy calving,

www.limousin.co.uk

Sales easy care cattle that are feed efficient and producing high end suckled calves with tremendous carcase attributes. The Limousin breed is synonymous with these traits and that’s what is driving the continued and increased demand around the UK”.

Leading the way was the 70,000gns Ampertaine Magnum from James McKay, Maghera, Co Derry. This April 2016 born bull by Loosebeare Fantastic, and out of Ampertaine Fancypants, comes from the Kype Sharon family which has bred many top quality cattle including the 38,000gns Ampertaine Foreman and 20,000gns Ampertaine Commander. Fancypants is sired by Ampertaine Abracadabra who is a trait leader in the breed for calving ease and which in turn has influenced the herd. Ampertaine Magnum had stood as the Reserve Intermediate Champion in the pre-sale show on the previous day under the eye of Judge Mr Duncan Hazard, of the noted Mereside herd, Grantham, Lincs. The sale of Ampertaine Magnum at 70,000gns followed hard on the heels of the Society’s May Sale, also at Carlisle, where James McKay sold Ampertaine Mozart for the sale top price of 100,000gns. The 120 cow Ampertaine herd has established a reputation for prolific sales of high quality breeding bulls to both pedigree and commercial buyers.

The herd’s philosophy is to concentrate on bulls that emphasise easy calving, but are modern in type with length, shape, plenty of second thigh, and with good mobility. The Ampertaine herd, whose breeding has an increasingly significant fingerprint on the UK Limousin herdbook, sells around fifty bulls each year with the majority going to commercial producers at 13 to 14 months of age. Purchasing the top priced bull was Ian Handley for his noted Gunnerfleet herd at Chapel Le Dale, Ingleton, Lancashire. Commenting Ian Handley said: “This bull just caught my eye the minute he came into the show ring. He’s what I’d call a typical, modern Limousin bull being of an average size, having terrific length, clean bellied, and with a superior back end. His mobility was exceptional and he carried a real style and sparkle.” The Gunnerfleet herd comprises of 55 breeding females along with 20 recipients for embryo work. Prolific sellers of Limousin bulls, the 70,000gns purchase is an investment by the Handleys aimed at growing the herd to around 80 or 90 in numbers and with the emphasis on quality. “He’s a tremendous bull in himself and his fantastic calving figures encouraged us to just go that little bit further for him. We run very much a working family hill farm and the bull is financed from that. A first priority now will be to collect semen and

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Gorrycam Major, 20000gns

Grahams Michael, 20000gns

to get it on the market to help with the outlay.”

In a remarkable statistic the five leading sale prices on the day all featured Ampertaine breeding either as the sire or dam. Later in the sale James McKay also sold the July 2016 born Ampertaine Morton an Ampertaine Jamboree son out of another Abracadabra daughter, Ampertaine Eve, for 9000gns to the Longhirst herd of JE Jordon & Son, Morpeth, Northumberland.

Selling at 28,000gns was the pre-sale show Intermediate and Reserve Overall Supreme Champion, Sarkley Moray

from Messrs E H Pennie & Sons, Powys.

The April 2016 born calf is one of the first sons to be offered for sale by the 13,000gns Ampertaine Interest. His dam Sarkley Hosanna is a very smart daughter of Sarkley Oriana who was a prolific show winner through 1999 and 2000.

In a half share purchase arrangement he was knocked down to G J Lee & C M Lloyd for their Calogale herd, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire and A H & K J Booth, for their Sevengun herd at Hardwick Hall Farm, Aston, Sheffield. After the show the day earlier Judge Mr Hazard remarked that he was a “quality carcase bull with

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

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CARLISLE | OCTOBER 2017

Haltcliffe Matthew, 16000gns

Sarkley Mercury, 15000gns

good locomotion that had performed particularly well in the ring”. He added that “he could see him doing well in either a pedigree or commercial herd”.

Three bulls sold at 20,000gns, the first being Gorrycam Major from Gorrycam Limousins, Newry, Co Down, Northern Ireland. A bull with style and muscle Major is by Ampertaine Elgin and is out of Gorrycam Dolly. He is maternal brother to Gorrycam Hunter who made 28,000gns at Carlisle back in October 2013. The bloodline has also produced Gorrycam Diana who sold to 18,000gns and the 26,000gns Gorrycam Hazard. He went home to the Liscon herd of J Mulholland, Midtown Farm, Great Orton, Carlisle. As well as a commercial herd the Mulholland family run a traditional butchers shop in Great Orton. They have a 50 year heritage of supplying fresh beef to local residents

82 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

and restaurants and pubs across Cumbria.

Next up at 20,000gns was the June 2016 born Ballinloan Mountain from Stuart Fotheringham, Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross. By the noted Wilodge Cerberus son Ampertaine Foreman, and out of Ballinloan Gaga, he came to Carlisle having been shown successfully over the summer. At the Royal Highland Show he stood as Reserve Overall Beef Breeder Champion, plus he took the Breed Champion spot and Reserve Interbreed Champion at the Perth Show.

This bull was sold to Albert Howie for his Knock herd at Stuartfield, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire with Stuart Fotheringham retaining a half share.

When the hammer went down on this bull it added to what had already been a successful trip to Carlisle for the Fotheringham family. They had

won “The Carlisle Three” Award in the pre-sale show the day earlier with a team consisting of Ballinloan Mountain, Marshmallow and Master, all of whom were sired by Ampertaine Foreman. On the day, the judge Duncan Hazard praised the “impressive balance” throughout the group. In the sale, Ballinloan Marshmallow was knocked down for 7,000gns to Woodman & Son, Haltwhistle, Northumberland while Master made 12,000gns in selling to D R Owen & Son from Tywyn, Gwynedd.

The third bull to make 20,000gns was the June 2016 born Grahams Michael from R & J Graham, Bridge of Allan Stirling, who had been tapped out as the Reserve Junior Champion in the pre-sale show. He was another who came for sale on the back of a successful summer on the show circuit. An embryo calf out of the noted show cow Millbrook Gingerspice, and sired by the well-known sire Ampertaine Elgin he stood as the Limousin Supreme Junior Bull and the overall Supreme Bull at the Royal Highland Show earlier in the year. In a share purchase arrangement he was sold to E W Quick & Sons for their Loosebeare herd in Devon and Messrs Ridley for their Haltcliffe herd in Wigton, Cumbria. Later in the sale the hammer went down at 14,000gns for Grahams Mungo, also from R & J Graham. This May 2016 born bull,

by Kilcor Iceman out of Galipette, was knocked down to T W Roberts, Malthouse Farm, Cardiff.

Next in the pecking order of top prices was a bull from Messrs Ridley in the shape of Haltcliffe Matthew at 16,000gns.

This May 2016 calf is by the French bred Ducasse and is out of Haltcliffe Hello, a Haltcliffe Vermount daughter.

He went home with R S Harker & Son, to their Honeymoor herd at Grayrigg Hall, Grayrigg, Kendal. Of the three lots which made 15,000gns the first in the ring was another one from the Ridley team, Haltcliffe Mike. The March 2016 AI bull was described as a bull with ‘serious muscle’. By Volcano out of Haltcliffe Igls he was knocked own to commercial producers J A Wood & Sons, Ratlinghope, Shrewsbury who have been regular buyers of Haltcliffe bulls over the years .

Also at 15,000gns was another from E H Pennie & Son, Powys in the shape of Sarkley Mercury. The April 2016 born calf, also by Ampertaine Interest, and out of Sarkley Halexine went home with Gary Bell. A first generation farmer Gary runs 165 suckler cows at Haas Side farm in Lockerbie. A firm “commercial man at heart” Limousin was his breed of choice when starting his farming enterprise because, in his own words “he believes they tick all the boxes when it comes

www.limousin.co.uk

Sales Trueman Mozart, 15000gns

Grahams Mungo, 14000gns

Barrons Mexeco, 12000gns

Scorboro Matrix, 10000gns

to producing top quality calves and productive cows”.

The third bull to make 15,000gns was the pre-sale show Supreme Champion Trueman Mozart, who in taking the title followed up his impressive haul at the Royal Ulster Balmoral Show, Belfast earlier this year where he stood Male Champion and Junior Interbreed Champion. The

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May 2016 born embryo calf from Henry Savage & Sons, Co Down, is the first bull by the 147,000gns world record price holder Trueman Jagger which was sold at Carlisle in October 2015. He was knocked down to A Padfield, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Mozart is out of Trueman Honey, herself a past Overall Reserve Supreme Champion at the Balmoral Show. In selecting him as Champion the day before Judge Mr Hazard commented that “he has tremendous width for his age, an impressive top line over the plates and enough muscle where it was needed”.

For the Savages this was their third Supreme Championship at Carlisle within the last two years.

Three bulls made the 12,000gns mark, the first of which being the aforementioned Ballinloan Master from Stephen Fotheringham. Accompanying him at this price mark was Barrons Mexeco from Willie Barron, Durham. By the herd sire Mereside Godolphin, and out of the stylish cow Barrons Echo he went home to the Norman herd of E S & E Norman, Little Orton, Carlisle. Mr Barron sold three bulls in all, all by the 40,000gns Mereside Godolphin to gross a very acceptable 26,800gns. Barrons Mrman sold for 7800gns whilst Barrons Milo made 7000gns.

The third to make the 12,000gns price was Garnedd Max from the Jones family, Betws-Y-Coed, Conwy. By the herd sire Trueman Idol, and out of Garnedd Heulwen, he made the trip north to the island of Orkney with Messrs R & J Johnson for their Hewan herd.

The last lot to come in over five figures at 10,000gns was Scorboro Matrix from Jim Bloom, Decoy Farm, Driffield, East Yorkshire. The March 2016 bull

by Fenomen out of Scorboro Evening

comes from a very good dam line that combines positive EBV’s for calving, growth and docility with correctness and shape. He was bought by the Chatsworth Settlement, Bakewell, Derbyshire. Enjoying a terrific day’s trading the Scorboro herd sold four bulls in all, with all sired by Fenomen, to gross 31,700gns. Other sales from the Scorboro pen saw Scorboro Magnum sell for 9000gns to NP Wilson, Moffat, Dumfriesshire; Scorboro Memphis for 6500gns; and Scorboro Mrbig for 6200gns.

In an interesting first for the breed, the sale at Carlisle attracted some keen interest from a Spanish buyer in attendance, who, with an introduction and assistance from Andrew Ewing, Dumbretton Farms, Dumfries will be taking five bulls back to Spain at a total cost of 24,800gns. With a family history dating back several generations, D. Francisco Hernández Gutiérrez, his son and grandson run a herd of 300 Limousin cows in the Spanish province of Avil on their property Mingoblasco. Developing their herd over the past 30 years the strapline for the enterprise is “GENETICS AND QUALITY; SUCCESS”.

OTHER LEADING PRICES: 9,500gns Wanthwaite Madmax, CR & HM Atkinson, High Howe, Penrith, Cumbria 9,000gns Tomschoice Mozart, B & MJ Nelson, Milnthorpe, Cumbria 9,000gns Scorboro Magnum, NP Wilson, Moffat, Dumfriesshire 9,000gns Kinniside Mobydick, T Laird & Son, Cronberry, Cumnock, Ayrshire 9,000gns Proctors Major, AJ Mason, Skipton, North Yorkshire 9,000gns Homebyres Macadoo, A Renton & H Redden, Berwick upon Tweed 9,000gns Swalesmoor Monty, Mingoblasca SL, Madrid, Spain 9,000gns Ampertaine Morton, JE Jordon & Son, Morpeth, Northumberland 8,500gns Loosebeare Mason, M Cameron, Banavie, Fort William, Inverness

AVERAGES 36 Senior Bulls 41 Intermediate Bulls 36 Junior Bulls 113 Bulls Overall

£5,605.83 £8,183.60 £7,103.54 £7018.27

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STIRLING | OCTOBER 2017

84 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

www.limousin.co.uk

Sales Ronick Mckinley, 11000gns

STIRLING

OCT

2017

84% CLEARANCE AS RONICK MCKINLEY LEADS LIMOUSIN BULLS AT STIRLING TO 11,000GNS • Averages up on the year by £120 to £5,065 for 41 bulls • Bulls gross £207,665 • Clearance rate of 84% • 18 bulls at 5,000gns or more • 44% make between 4,000 and 8,000gns www.limousin.co.uk

Limousin Judge Chris Pennie

T

he April 2016 born Ronick Mckinley from the Dick family, Mains of Throsk Farm, Stirling made 11,000gns to lead the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Sale held at the Stirling Bull Sales on Monday 23 October 2017.

Mckinley is from the herd’s stock sire Wilodge Granville, a Wilodge Vantastic son, and is out of Ronick Grace, who is from one of the families favourite cow lines. Purchased at Carlisle in October 2012 for 7,000gns, Granville’s dam is the Toubib daughter Wilodge Amethyst who shares maternal ancestry with Wilodge

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STIRLING | OCTOBER 2017

Anside Lomnu, 8000gns

Anside Maximus, 8500gns

Whinfellpark Madora, 9000gns

Cerberus. Commenting on achieving the top price Stephanie Dick said “we are delighted with the way today played out, Mckinley has always been one of our favourites in the herd”. She added “While we haven’t taken him on the show circuit, he is smart powerful bull, I have no doubt he will go on to serve his new owner very well”. He was knocked down to noted commercial producers and previous purchasers from the Dick family, D Walker and Sons, Camregan Farm, Girvan, Ayrshire.

Commenting on the sale BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said: “Commercial producers are homing in on the Limousin breed which has focused and worked on carcase traits, maternal traits and feed efficiency. These are the core economic drivers and there has been a recognition of that by commercial producers. While subsidies last, producers are making capital investments in the future of their herds and beef enterprises” he said.

“Stirling today has seen a focus on bulls with good easy calving figures. That has been a key driver at Limousin sales in the last fortnight. This is not a breed of extremes and we’re seeing a very defined type of typical modern Limousin”.

Miss Dick described the show and sale at Stirling as the family’s “best at Stirling in years” and leading the sale was the icing on the cake for the family. Their April 2016 born bull Ronick Moose had taken the crown as Overall Male Champion in the Society’s pre-sale show on Saturday 22 October. He was knocked down to G T & S Coghill, Birsay for 6,200gns. He is also

by Wilodge Granville, but out of Ronick Fallise. In placing him as Champion judge Mr Chris Pennie, of the noted Sarkley Herd, Montgomery, commented that he had “spotted him straight away when he

86 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

Ronick Moose, 6200gns

came through the Intermediate classes”.

He went onto say “I liked his smartness in the ring; he is a powerful clean bull with real class”.Other bulls from the Ronick herd went under the hammer at solid prices.

Ronick Montgomery was knocked down at 8,200gns to regular Stirling buyers L D Carr, Rushden, Northamptonshire. Montgomery came to Stirling with a super pedigree behind him;

by Stephick Hero out of Ronick Glossary he combines Wilodge Cerberus, Ronick Gains and the Janita family. Ronick Maine sold for 6,500gns to Ballintomb Farm, Morayshire. The June 2016 born bull is another by Wilodge Granville but out of Ronick Hainsi.

Selling at 9,000gns, the second leading price was the pre-sale Junior

Champion and Overall Reserve Champion Whinfellpark Madora from Messrs Jenkinson Clifton Moor, Cumbria. The May 2016 born bull is by Lowerffrydd Empire, the October 2010 Supreme Champion at Carlisle, and out of Whinfellpark Genevieve. He was knocked down to W Nelson & Co, West Brackly, Kinross.

The Junior Championship in the pre-sale show was a clean sweep for the Jenkinson stable, with Mr Pennie placing Whinfellpark Midas as Reserve. The April 2016 born bull is by the Overall Champion at Carlisle back in May 2015, Foxhillfarm Jasper, and out of Whinfellpark Harmony. Jasper had numerous victories in the 2015 show season, including being crowned Supreme champion at the Royal Highland

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Sales Whinfellpark Midas, 3800gns

Harestone Luke, 8200gns

Goldies Meg, 3000gns

Ronick Montgomery, 8200gns

Show, Male and Reserve Junior Champion at the Great Yorkshire and the same at the Royal Welsh Show. Midas went home with Matthew Jack, Carriston, Fife for 3,800gns.

Coming in at 8,500gns was the presale Senior Reserve Champion Anside Maximus from Mr and Mrs Irvine, Drummuir, Keith. A Powerful Irish son, Maximus was Reserve Junior Champion at the Scottish Limousin Grand Prix earlier in the year. He was knocked down to D Geddes, Netherton Farm, Aberlour. When the hammer went down on Maximus this consolidated what had also been a sound day for the Irvine family. Earlier in the sale two more Powerful Irish sons made solid prices. Anside Lomnu, a November 2015 born bull out of Hidscales Ertha sold to the Smith family, Fallaw Farm, Inverkeilour, Angus for 8,000gns and the December

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2015 born Anside Lynx out of Anside India went home to R W Cameron & Son, Wester Bonhard for 5,000gns.

The hammer went down at 8,200gns on Harestone Luke from Mr Neil Barclay, Insch. The December 2015 born natural calf is by Crossdykes Hercules out of Clarkton Via. He went home to A Sime & Son, Bruceland, Elgin.

There were plenty of bulls selling between 4,000gns and 7,000gns, further providing evidence of the prevalence of commercial buyers by the ring. At 6,800gns was Shannas Magnum from Mr and Mrs Penny, Peterhead. By Goldies Emperor out of Shannas Flossie he was knocked down to J Buchan, Torrax, Angus. Next up, at 6,600gns was the April 20016 born Maraiscote Meerkat from Mr J Nimmo of Bogside Farm, Wishaw. By

Virginia Andy out of Maraiscote Gopeep he made the journey home with J Innes & Sons, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

A quartet of bulls made a very respectable 6,000gns. The first at this price was the Haltcliffe Vermount son Burnbank Mastermind from Messrs Graham, Mains of Burnbank Farm, Stirling. The February 2016 bull, out of Burnbank Fainsi, was knocked down to J & A Galloway Ltd, Biggar, Lanarkshire. Next at this price was another from Mr Nimmo, Maraiscote Muzz,

by Roundhill Hustle out of Maraiscote Fizz was sold to S Adams, Stranraer. Following this was the April 2016 born Goldies Mazda from Bruce Goldie at Townfoot.

He is by Goldies Fortress out of Goldies Christmas, who is the dam of Goldies Intelligent, the Junior Champion at Stirling back in February 2015. Following on quickly was the next bull in the ring Elrick Magnificant from Mr M J Massie, Mains of Ekrick, Ellion. By Rahoney Geoffrey out of Elrick Dandelion, who has sold bulls into five figures, he was bought by the Scottish Government for their bull stud at Inverness.

The sale saw a small cohort of females come forward. Again solidifying the message about the commercial demand by the ring, eight out of the nine available heifers found a new home. Topping the sale was Goldies Meg from Bruce Goldie at 3,000gns. By Goldies Fortress out of Goldies Foxtrott, she had been tapped out as the Champion female in the pre-sale show the day earlier. He was purchased by Mr and Mrs Irvine for their Anside herd in Drummuir.

AVERAGES: 41 Bulls - £5,065 8 Females - £2,113

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BRECON | NOVEMBER 2017

BRECON

NOV

2017

6,400GNS WELLHOUSE MERRY TAKES THE TOP PRICE AT BRECON LIMOUSIN SALE • 22 bulls average £3856

Wellhouse Merry, 6400gns

• 76% clearance rate

W

ellhouse Merry from Robin and Deborah Whittle, Cilcrug Farm, Trawsmawr, Carmarthen sold for the leading price of 6400gns at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Autumn Show & Sale held at Brecon Livestock Market on Saturday 11th November.

The July 2016 born bull by Chatsworth Jojo and out of Wellhouse Ginny was the youngest on offer on the day. Described as a bull with ‘superb growth and extreme depth of muscling’ Wellhouse Merry carried excellent performance figures across the board. Paying the top price was JIH Jones & Son who run a commercial suckler herd at Erw Gilfach Ltd, Builth Wells.

This end of year fixture saw 22 bulls sell from the 29 forward to average £3856 with both figures very much in line with the corresponding 2016 sale. Four bulls in the day made 5000gns and over.

Selling at 5100gns was Glencross McMaster from Mrs C Davies, Glanyfer, Crosswell, Pembrokeshire. Shown successfully through 2017 this March 2016 born bull is entirely homebred being by Glencross Incredibull and out of Glencross Furious. Purchasing this bull was DB Davies, Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian, Crymych, Pembs.

Killerton Mallachite from Mr & Mrs PW & SM Greed, Columbjohn Farm Ltd, Exeter, Devon made 5000gns when selling to E & HM Jones, Aberbranddu, Pumpsaint, Carmarthenshire. Another bull to have strong performance figures, Malachite is by Loosebeare Exmoor, a Haltcliffe Anzac son, and is out of Killerton Emerald.

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Judge Nick Hill and Champion Nealford Monarch

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Sales Making it a Championship one, two, for the Nealford herd, the April 2016 born Nealford Major lifted the Senior Championship and the Overall Reserve Championship. This bull is a son of Procters Cavalier and is out of the top breeding female Nealford Rapunzel who has previously bred Nealford Impecabull the Signet Beefbreeder Interbreed Champion at the Royal Welsh Show.

Purchasing Nealford Major was DH & A Jenkins, Cathal, Cwrtnewydd, Llanbydder, Ceredigion.

Mynach Malaysia from Messrs ED Griffiths, Cilgyman Fawr, Cwmfelin Mynach, Carmarthenshire sold for 4400gns to TR James & Son, Poston Court, Peterchurch, Hereford. A January 2016 born calf, Mynach Malaysia is by Greenwell Dreamboy and out of the Sable daughter Mynach Himalaya.

From a small sale of females the top price was the 2600gns for the July born first calver Deri Jinja from Mr & Mrs TB Griffiths, Brynderi, Carmarthen, who was sold with her Jinz sired bull calf, Deri Nero, at foot. Deri Jinja is by Dinmore Gameboy and out of Deri Ginger. The purchaser was JJ Butler, Symons Trewen, Whitchurch, Ross-on-Wye.

Glencross McMaster, 5100gns

Killerton Malachite, 5000gns

Nealford Minister, 5000gns

Nealford Major, 4700gns

Earlier, Killerton Mo, another from the Greeds, made 3700gns when selling to SC Jones, Woundale Farm, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Also at 5000gns was Nealford Minister from Mr JH Neale & Son, Wilkie Down, Launceston, Cornwall. April 2016 born this bull is by Glenrock Fortune and is out of Nealford Henella. Nealford Minster was bought by G Morgan for his 75 cow suckler herd at Bronglyn, Llanfynydd, Carmarthen.

Earlier in the sale Nealford Monarch, another from the Neales, made 4700gns when selling to MG Jones, Caeronen, Three Cocks, Brecon. This June 2016 born bull was the first son to be offered at sale by the herd’s 16,000gns stock bull Ampertaine Inferno. Out of Nealford Goldilocks, Nealford Monarch arrived at

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Brecon with a strong show record which included being Breed Champion and Interbreed Champion at Okehampton and Holsworthy Shows respectively.

In the week prior to the sale he had lifted the Continental Bull of the Year Interbreed title at the Agri Fest event held in Exeter. At the pre-sale show at Brecon the judge Nick Hill of the noted Quaish herd, Decoy Pool Farm, Cheddar, Somerset, had tapped out Nealford Monarch as his Junior and Supreme Champion. Commenting Mr Hill said: “I was looking for presence, length, stretch, and a good top line. Excellent locomotion was also very important. This bull had all of that and was a worthy Champion.”

Regular consignors at the Brecon Sale fixture, this was the first pre-sale Championship the Neales had secured.

Nealford Monarch, 4700gns

BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

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DUNGANNON | NOVEMBER 2017

DUNGANNON 2017 NOV

CULNAGECHAN MULLER LEADS DUNGANNON SALE AT 5,000GNS • Bulls clearance rate of 64%

• Female clearance rate of 88%

• 14 bulls sold to average £2721

• 7 females sold to average £1577

T

he Junior Male Champion at the pre-sale show Culnagechan Muller, from Derek Hume, Randalstown, topped the sale prices at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s Autumn Show and Sale staged at Dungannon Mart on Friday 17 November.

Tapped out by Mr Michael Gunn of the Ovaun Limousin Herd, Elphin, Co Rosscommon the home-bred July 2016 born bull is by Iveagh Gilkes and out of Culnagechan Elite. He was knocked down at 5000gns to F & A King, Warrenpoint, Newry. In another example of the strength in the market for Limousin bulls the leading price was notably ahead of that in the corresponding sale last year.

Senior Male Champion in the show, and making the second top price, was Greenvale Mark from William Sherrard, Co Derry. This April 2016 born son of Ampertaine Gigolo was knocked down to A Downard, Markethill, Co Armagh for 3400gns. Annadale Marshmallow, a March 2016 born bull by Ampertaine Foreman and out of the dam Annadale Honey followed that at 3300gns. Home bred by Christopher Murray, Cullyhanna, Newry, Marshmallow, was placed third in his class and was sold to Pat Casey, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh.

Reserve Overall Supreme Champion was Rahoney Malachi bred by H & D McFarland, Trillick, Co Tyrone. Another Ampertaine Gigolo son Malachi had taken the Reserve Overall Male Champion spot and Reserve Intermediate Male Championship. Also born in April 2016, he sold for 3000gns to Niall Wallace, Florencecourt, Enniskillen.

There was a small cohort of females presented through the ring and with a clearance rate of 88% they averaged a very respectable £1,557. The Female Champion in the pre-sale show and then

90 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

Culnagechan Muller, 5000gns

the top priced female through the ring was Kilclass Lullaby, a two-year-old heifer

by Ampertaine Elgin and out of Larkhill Harmony. Bred by Dermot McCusker, Castlewellan, Co Down, Lullaby sold for

2300gns to M & R McGurk, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

Chasing this top female price was an April 2015 born female by Virginia Andy, Drumadarragh Lucy who had stood second in her class in the show. Homebred by N Drennan, Ballyclare she sold for 2100gns to K Minford, Crumlin, Co Antrim.

Reserve Female Champion came from Mr P Campbell, Ballymena in the shape of Spage Neta a May 2017 born Norman Ely daughter. She sold for 1250gns to A Johnston, Dundrod, Co Antrim.

AVERAGES: 14 bulls - £2721 7 females - £1577

Greenvale Mark, 3400gns

Annadale Marshmallow, 3300gns

Rahoney Malachi 3000gns

Kilclass Lullaby, 2300gns

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GOLDIES Goldies James Sold 21,000gns May 16

Goldies Jurassic Sold 20,000gns Oct 15

Goldies Lordoftherings Supreme Champion & top price Stirling Feb 17

Goldies Heifers

Goldies Juggler outstanding retained stock bull

Goldies Jackpot Sold Privately to Tom Bailey Dec 15

For Sale: proven stock bull, pedigree and crossing bulls; a few stock cows & next batch of super heifers available privately includes black & polled. All related to the above animals.

Top 1%, Great conformation, easy calving, TB4 and Johnes Level 1.

Tel: 07712 435 408 / 01387 830105 bruce@goldietownfoot.co.uk www.goldietownfoot.co.uk

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Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries, DG1 4LX

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RED LADIES DERBY AND WEANED CALF SHOW | DECEMBER 2017

RED LADIES 2017 DEC

38,000GNS GRAHAMS NATALIE SMASHES LIMOUSIN WEANED CALF RECORD, 25,000GNS GRAHAMS MALIBU LEADS LIMOUSIN RED LADIES SALE Grahams Natalie, 38000gns

Red Ladies Judge Kim Montgomery

• 48 Red Ladies (+11 on the year) average £4026 • 25,000gns Grahams Malibu tops Red Ladies Trade

Grahams Malibu Overall Champion, 25000gns

• 42 Weaned Heifer Calves average a record £3987 (up by £1657 on the year) • 18 Weaned Bull Calves average £3331 • 38,000gns Grahams Natalie Sets Weaned Calf Record • Eight Animals Sell for Five Figures and More • Sales gross a combined £420,660 92 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

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A

strong year of pedigree Limousin sales closed with a record breaking trade at the Red Ladies Derby and Weaned Calf Show and Sale held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday 8th December 2017.

Very much leading the way was the Grahams herd of Robert and Jean Graham, Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Bridge of Allan, Stirling. Smashing the record for a Limousin Weaned Calf the Grahams herd sold the January 2017 born Grahams Natalie to a sale topping price of 38,000gns and eclipsing the old mark of 10,500gns set in 2016. The record breaking price followed on from earlier in the day when the June 2016 born Grahams Malibu lifted the Red Ladies Sale pre-show Supreme Championship before selling for the top price in that sale of 25,000gns. On a memorable day's trading the Grahams herd sold five animals in all, across the two sales, to gross a fantastic £102,900.

Grahams Natalie is an embryo calf by Claragh Franco and out of the herd’s prolific cow Grahams Coffee making her a full sister to Grahams Lilly who topped the corresponding Red Ladies Sale in 2016 when selling for 32,000gns.

Purchasing the top price was the noted 40 breeding female Wilodge herd based at Lodge Hill Farm, Park Lane, Shifnal, Shropshire. In 2016 the Wilodge herd had also purchased the same way bred bull Grahams Lorenzo for 40,000gns.

Speaking after the sale, Paul Tippetts said: “This is just an exceptional heifer.

We really wanted a female directly from Grahams Coffee to hopefully give us a new, high quality bloodline for the future.

We have been delighted with Grahams Lorenzo and this heifer, Grahams Natalie, just has so much style, class, presence, and breed character.”

The Red Ladies Supreme Champion, Grahams Malibu, sold for 25,000gns to the establishing Nugent herd, Nugent Estate, Portaferry House, Portaferry, Newtownards, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. This heifer is another embryo calf, this time by Ampertaine Elgin and out of the highly noted Milbrook Gingerspice making her a full sister to the 20,000gns Grahams Michael, who sold in October also at Carlisle. Grahams Malibu is the first female to be offered for sale from Milbrook Gingerspice who famously won three consecutive Interbreed Championships at Balmoral’s Royal Ulster Show. Judging the Red Ladies Derby pre-sale show was Kim Montgomery from Ballyrobin Road, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. Commenting on her Champion, Kim said: “My Champion animal is a really top quality Limousin breeding female who is just full of potential for the future.

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Sales Grahams Nashville, 20000gns

Aultside Mystique, 18000gns

She had quality throughout being a very correct heifer, very feminine, with a great carcase and being full of breed character.”

In the bull section of the Weaned Calf sale, Grahams Nashville, made 20,000gns when being bought by PM & L Harris & Son Ltd for their Saltbrook pedigree herd at Alkmonton Old Hall Farm, Alkmonton, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. January 2017 born, Grahams Nashville is another embryo calf and the same way bred as the day’s top price. This calf arrived at Carlisle having recently won the Junior Male Championship and Reserve Junior Championship at the prestigious Stars of the Future Calf Show held in Stirling.

Commenting on the family’s purchase Richard Harris said “We travelled to Carlisle with a particular interest in this young bull, he ticks all the boxes for us. In

12 months or so he will be just ready to serve our cows and heifers, bringing the shape and style we are looking to breed into our herd” Speaking about his consignment at the end of the sale Robert Graham said: “This is the premier Limousin female sale of the year and we always look to try and bring a high standard of animal. Hitting these sale heights creates a positive challenge going forward as we aim for continuous improvement in the herd.”

The Saltbrook herd also purchased the stylish Aultside Mystique for 18,000gns from Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith. This maiden heifer had placed first in class six of the Red Ladies Derby Show. An embryo calf, and August 2016 born, she is by Wilodge Cerberus and out of the Hargill Blaze daughter

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RED LADIES DERBY AND WEANED CALF SHOW | DECEMBER 2017

Glenrock Northern Star, 15000gns

Swalesmoor Nessa, 12000gns

Millbrow Misty, 11000gns

94 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY

Spittalton Flush. Mystique is a full sister to the 55,000gns Aultside Hulk who was sold at Carlisle in May 2014. Speaking about Mystique Richard Harris said “We couldn’t help but notice her in the pre-sale show; she is a cracking heifer and is just right for us” Another from the Weaned Heifer Calf Sale, Glenrock Northernstar from SD Illingworth, Howgillside, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie, made 15,000gns. A March 2017 born heifer, Northernstar had plenty of breeding behind her being by Haltcliffe Doctor and out of Glenrock Fantastic who is a past Reserve Supreme Champion at the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows and is out of the herd matriarch Glenrock Spangle. Purchasing this heifer was W Corrie for his Drumhilla pedigree herd at Drumhilla Farm, Newtownards, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.

Making 12,000gns, and also from the Weaned Heifer Calf Sale, was the May 2017 born Swalesmoor Nessa from Kedzlie Farms Ltd, Kedzlie Farm, Blainsie, Lauderdale. This embryo calf is by the 35,000gns Foxhillfarm Jasper and is out of the 125,000gns world record breaking maiden heifer Glenrock Illusion. This calf was bought by Gary Bell, t/a Haas Side Farm, Lockerbie, for his burgeoning Haassidefarm pedigree herd.

Standing second in her class to the Red Ladies Supreme Champion was the much admired Millbrow Misty from George & Pat Long, Mill Brow, Ambleside, Cumbria.

A June 2016 born Wilodge Vantastic daughter, this heifer is out of Millbrow Tricia described as one of the best breeding females of the Millbrow herd.

Heading to its new home in Wales, this heifer sold for 11,000gns and was bought

by SW Jones for his Perth pedigree herd at Pencefn, Pentir, Bangor, Gwynedd.

The final animal to breach the five figure mark was another from Robert and Jean Graham and in the shape of Grahams Marjorie. This September 2016 born heifer had stood first in Class Seven of the Red Ladies Show and was purchased for 10,000gns by R & A White & Son, Two Thorns Fields Farm, Snake Road, Bamford, Hope Valley for their Ladybowers herd. Grahams Marjorie, an embryo calf, is by Ampertaine Foreman and is the first female to be offered for sale out of the Wilodge Flawless daughter Poolehall Isabella.

A number of animals on the day sold to breeders in the Republic of Ireland.

Included in these was the first prize winner from Class Five of the Red Ladies Show, Melbreak Mambo from first time consignors K&S Williamson, Benburb, Co Tyrone. Originally bred by Mr & Mrs J Callion, Dromore, Co Tyrone, this July 2016 heifer is by the AI sire Lodge Hamlet and

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Sales Melbreak Mambo, 8500gns

Grahams Nova, 5500gns

Larkhill Moneypenny, 5000gns

Millbrow Naomi, 6000gns

Anside Mae Reserve Champion, 4000gns

OTHER PRICES INCLUDED: RED LADIES DERBY Lot 6 Swalesmoor Lioness 5,200gns -T Sinclair, Reaster Farm, Lyth, Wick, Caithness. 3rd in class 1 Lot 58 Larkhill Moneypenny 5,000gns - A Gammie, Drumforber Cottage, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire. 5th in class 7

is out of the Nenuphar daughter Melbreak Jive. Purchasing Melbreak Mambo at 8500gns was Damian Maher, Camblin, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

The weaned heifer calf Dinmore Nefertiti from Paul Dawes, Dinmore Manor, Hereford, made 8000gns when selling to AK & JK Smith, 4 South Park, Jacobstow, Bude, Cornwall. An embryo calf, Nefertiti is a full sister to the world record priced bull Trueman Jagger being by Ampertaine Gigolo and out of Trueman Grazia.

Another to go to the Republic of Ireland was the 7000gns weaned heifer calf Foxhillfarm Naughtybutnice from Mr & Mrs M Alford, Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, Devon. Naughtybutnice is by the French sire Neuf and is out of the show winning Foxhillfarm Izzy a daughter of the prolific

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Bankdale Alice. This January 2017 born heifer was snapped up by John McInerney for his Drummin herd at Clonmoney West, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare.

Following on from their earlier trade in the Red Ladies Sale, George and Pat Long sold their January 2017 born weaned heifer calf Millbrow Naomi for 6500gns.

This January 2017 heifer is another by Wilodge Vantastic and is out of the Sympa daughter Millbrow Faith. Taking this animal home was Esmor Evans for his Esmors herd at Monfa, Gwornaffield Road, Mold, Flintshire.

AVERAGES: 48 Red Ladies 18 Weaned Bull Calves 42 Weaned Heifer Calves

£4026.09 £3330.83 £3986.75

Lot 8 McInnes Limelight 4,500gns - S Moor & Son, Little Coop House Farm, Hawthorn, Seaham, Co.Durham.

Lot 35 Swalesmoor Mim 4,500gns - Emslies Livestock Ltd, Kinknockie, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. 4th in class 5 WEANED CALVES Lot 171 Burnbank Natalie 5,600gns - A Padfield, Brambles, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Lot 140 Grahams Nova 5,500gns - W Richardson & Son, Ghyll House, Dufton, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.

Lot 117 Barrons Ninja 4,700gns - G Scott, Gateside Farm, Linlithgow, W.Lothian.

Lot 145 Collegeland Nancy 4,200gns - J & K Connell, Connell Brothers, Newcastle, Oldcastle, Co.Meath, Eire.

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Mereside

LORENZO

SIRE: JACOT DAM: MERESIDE DAWNMARIE

GERRYGULLINANE GLEN SIRE: MACHERMORE AUGUSTUS DAM: DERRYGULLINANE DAISY

NETHERHALL JACKPOT SIRE: REQUIN DAM: CLOUGHHEAD AINSI

WILODGE GOLDCARD SIRE: WILODGE CERBERUS DAM: SARKLEY BELLOLA

Our Limousin range brings together highly respected bloodlines and breed-leading sires, to deliver our customers with world class genetics.

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