South Devon Newsletter January 2011

SOUTH DEVON HERD BOOK SOCIETY Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ. Tel: 01392 447494 Fax: 01392 447495

www.sdhbs.org.uk

info@sdhbs.org.uk

PATRON: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES

JANUARY 2011 NEWSLETTER CONTENTS: Boxed beef advertising AGM Dinner Spring Show & Sale National Show BCBC Conference; Generation weekend

Next

TB Compensation Bull fertility BLUP run; World Congress Cattle for Sale Queensland floods appeal Diary; And Finally

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Dear Member, A very happy and healthy New Year to you all, and I hope you enjoyed the Christmas festivities despite the much greater workload caused by the atrocious weather.

One positive aspect of the snow and ice must be the many beautiful photographic opportunities. If you have something to share with us, please download it to us; we are always on the lookout for good promotional material.

One of the brightest pieces of news at the beginning of 2011 was the announcement that Mr Hugh Lello from Camborne, Cornwall, has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List for his services to farming. I am sure that everyone who knows Hugh and his Trevassack herd of South Devons, and who have benefited from his wisdom, experience, and kindness will wish to congratulate him on this very well-deserved achievement.

Christmas only just passed, and already we are looking at a deadline for entries for the Spring Show & Sale – Friday 4th February. A schedule is inside and entry forms are available now.

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Preceding the Sale will be the Annual General Meeting, as usual to be held at the Devon Hotel near the Exeter Livestock Centre.

Immediately following the AGM will be the biannual Auction of Promises which has become a fun-filled opportunity to bid for things which are not always readily available, donated by our members and friends. An information sheet is enclosed, and you are invited to take part and support a new fund-raising project!

Because of postal delays, disruption to travel, and sick leave during the run-up to Christmas we were not able to sell all this year’s calendars before the end of December, and so are offering the remainder of the stock at a discounted price now that the New Year has started. Please let Debbie know if you would like to buy one.

Work on the Journal is well underway, and may I remind you that all remaining articles should be submitted by Monday 17th January. There are also a few outstanding advertisements which we look forward to receiving from you shortly.

We look forward to another busy year, ‘quietly going places’!

Caroline

BOXED BEEF If you are retailing your own boxed South Devon beef, you might like to advertise the fact on our website. Just let us know and we will add your contact details to the page http://www.sdhbs.org.uk/south_devon_boxed_beef.html.

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AGM DINNER THE DEVON HOTEL, MATFORD, EXETER Tuesday 22nd March 2011 at 7.30 pm

M E N U Minestrone Soup or

Fan of Melon with Winter Berries ** Carvery with selection of seasonal vegetables ** Double Chocolate Belgian Gateau or

Sharp Lemon Cheesecake with Double Cream ** Tea or coffee with mints £23.50 per person

Please book with SDHBS We have block-booked 37 rooms at the Devon Hotel on the night of 22nd March at a discounted cost of £60 per room. If you would like to reserve a room please let us know – first come, first served, and they are always over-subscribed!

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SPRING SHOW & SALE EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE, MATFORD, EXETER

Wednesday 23rd March 2011

PLEASE NOTE, if the bull you wish to enter are not yet registered as pedigree it is very important that you let Liz know immediately and send in a hair sample in order to DNA test the animal for myostatin in good time!

A. All animals to arrive at the Livestock Centre between 11.00 and 14.00 on Tuesday 22nd March.

B. Our veterinary inspector, Duncan Findlay MRCVS, will be carrying out inspections on all animals at the Centre on Tuesday 22nd March between the hours of 14.00 and 16.00. If animals are not made ready to be inspected during those times the Society reserves the right to refuse entry to the Sale. Any member who has an animal rejected will have their entry fee refunded.

C. All measurements (frame scores) of bulls will be shown at the sale.

EBVs will be published in the catalogue for cattle from Breedplan recorded herds, and will be on display on each pen as applicable. Bulls registered after 1st January 2010 must be DNA tested for myostatin and the result published or otherwise made known in the sale ring.

D. Judging will commence at 08.30 on Tuesday morning and the Sale will commence at midday.

ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2011

(Late entries accepted only at the discretion of the Secretary)

Entry Forms are now available from SDHBS, Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ Tel: 01392 447494, Fax: 01392 447495, e-mail: info@sdhbs.org.uk

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JUDGE: Mr H Lello MBE, Kehelland, Camborne, Cornwall CLASSES BULLS 1.

Bulls from 12 months to 2 ¾ years of age. This class may be divided.

2.

Bulls over the age of 2 ¾ years (for sale only).

FEMALES 1.

Cow of any age, in calf or with calf at foot.

2.

Heifers under the age of 3 years 3 months on the day of sale, with calf at foot or warranted to calve by that age.

3.

Heifers from 1 year 3 months to 2 years 3 months, in calf, running with the bull or not served.

4.

Heifers from 9 months to 15 months of age.

5.

Non halter-broken females (for sale only), classes as for halter-broken.

NOTES 1.

ENTRY FEES: Bulls Females (including calf at foot)

£30 + VAT £30 + VAT

Animals not forward due to illness but with a veterinary certificate will receive a £10 + VAT reimbursement.

The entry fee, pedigree certificate, and organic certificate (where applicable) must be enclosed when returning the completed entry form for each animal.

2.

INSPECTION OF ALL ENTRIES Once at the Sales Centre all bulls will be weighed and all halter broken entries inspected and checked for locomotion, temperament, active infection (eg ringworm, etc), and defects (eg jaws, testicles, hernia, etc) by the veterinary inspector. Those found to be not up to standard will be rejected. No entry thus rejected may be sold through the ring and must be removed from the sale pens.

Halter-broken and non-halter broken females will also be subject to an inspection, with particular attention paid to jaw, legs, locomotion and feet.

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Bulls - Scrotal Circumference: Bulls aged 12-14 months Bulls aged 15-20 months Bulls aged 21-30 months Bulls over 31 months

31 cms 33 cms 35 cms 36 cms

Failure to meet the above measurements will mean automatic rejection from the sale.

3.

DISPERSAL SALES If a member wishes to disperse his/her herd immediately after the Society Sale they may do so provided that it is the whole herd. The cattle are subject to a reduced entry fee of £10 + VAT per animal, which must be enclosed with the entry forms and pedigree certificates and received by the closing date.

4.

JUDGING Animals bred by the judge will have to be placed by another person. The person so nominated by the Society will not enter the ring until all other animals in the class concerned have been placed by the judge. The person nominated will then enter the ring and place the animal concerned.

If a judge enters an animal for any Society Sale it may be SOLD only, but the entry in the catalogue will remain in the appropriate show class. The animal will be paraded in its class but will be removed at the instruction of the steward before judging.

5.

CATALOGUE INFORMATION Up to 50 words of information may be provided by the Vendors for the catalogue. An additional 30 words may be added at a charge of £0.10/word.

EBVs - all Breedplan recording members will have their animals’ EBVs published in the catalogue as appropriate. Caesarean births - members are reminded that they must declare caesarean births for all entries at Society Sales. Herd health declarations – information will be taken from completed Herd Health Declarations submitted to the South Devon office at the same time as the completed entry forms, and will be printed in the sale catalogue.

No other information relating to herd health, or individual animal health status will be published in the catalogue. Vendors may display additional information on the animal pen. The Herd Health Declaration will be displayed on the animal pen.

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6.

TB TESTING All animals are required to have been tested clear of TB within 60 days prior to the Sale date.

7.

AUCTIONEER John Wakeham will conduct the Sale, assisted by a second auctioneer from Kivells.

NATIONAL SHOW OF SOUTH DEVONS If you are planning a visit to the Royal Norfolk Show to support the National Show of South Devons in the last week of June and would like to reserve a 4-berth caravan on the showground, please let us know as soon as possible. Numbers are limited and the first bookings have already been made. The cost will be ÂŁ340 per caravan for the week.

Unique to the Royal Norfolk Show is the Colman Mustard Interbreed Beef Competition - a team competition which includes a commercial element, and which is judged by all the beef breed judges. We hope that our strong pedigree representation will stand us in good stead to be placed in this competition, but in order to do so we will need some strong commercial animals at the show.

Qualifications for teams (and breeds may enter more than one team) are: EITHER 2 cows or heifers from the breed classes, 1 commercial steer or heifer, and 1 pedigree bull, OR 1 cow or heifer from the breed classes, 2 commercial steers or heifers and 1 pedigree bull. Heifers and steers to be under 2 years of age. Cows and bull to be any age. You might like to consider this competition if you are bringing cattle to the National Show.

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BRITISH CATTLE BREEDERS CLUB CONFERENCE 24th/25th January, Telford, Shropshire I understand that there are a few places remaining at this year’s Conference, which is a major annual event for the beef and dairy industries.

For more information, please contact Lesley Lewin, BCBC, 01409 241579, email lesley.lewin@cattlebreeders.org.uk

“NEXT GENERATION WEEKEND” This serves as a reminder to let us know now if you or a member of your family, or your employee, or your employee’s family might be interested in taking part in the ‘Next Generation Weekend’ in September. It is open to all, not just those in Devon, and is intended to bring our younger South Devon enthusiasts together.

Plans are underway to hold this “Next Generation Weekend” at the River Dart Country Park, Ashburton, Devon over the weekend of Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th, and Sunday 25th of September 2011, aimed at encouraging youngsters related to South Devon breeders to get together to share common interests and to experience some vocational training.

The weekend will be open to 16 to 30 year olds, either members in their own right, or related to members from any of our eight regions.

The itinerary will include practical on-farm tuition in stock judging, preparation of cattle for shows and sales, and veterinary advice. There will be a farm walk, and a Saturday night disco, plus the River Dart Adventure activities!

Participants will arrive on the Friday evening and disperse after lunch on Sunday. The price, to include two nights’ accommodation and all activities, will be in the region of £60 to £70.

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COMPENSATION FOR BOVINE TB Payable during January 2011

NON PEDIGREE BOVINE Male Age Up to 3 months Over 3 months up to 6 months Over 6 months up to 9 months Over 9 months up to 12 months Over 12 months up to 16 months Over 16 months up to 20 months 20 months and over Breeding bulls months and over

Compensation due 177 355 474 541 767 876 920 20

1,082**

Female Age Up to 3 months Over 3 months up to 6 months Over 6 months up to 9 months Over 9 months up to 12 months Over 12 months up to 16 months Over 16 months up to 20 months 20 months and over Calved

Compensation due 131 278 388 456 641 773 830 902

PEDIGREE BOVINE Male Age 6 months up to 12 months Over 12 months up to 24 months 24 months and over

Compensation due *

Female Age 6 months up to 12 months Over 12 months up to 24 months 24 months and over (not calved) Calved under 36 months Calved 36 months and over

2,212 2,003

Compensation due 1,114** * 1,311 1,562 1,821

*Compensation to be determined using individual valuation ** Compensation to be determined using previously ascertained market price 9

BULL FERTILITY The influence of the bull on herd fertility is often overlooked with the focus usually being on cow fertility. When cow management and infectious disease control are good, then the limiting factor in herd fertility may be the bull. Infertile bulls (incapable of achieving pregnancies) are thankfully not common, but studies have shown 20% or more of breeding bulls may be classed as subfertile and thus fail to perform optimally. It is said that a fully fertile bull running with groups of 40 or so cows should be able to leave 94% of them pregnant over a nine week period. A subfertile bull might only achieve 78% or fewer which amounts to a considerable financial loss.

Regular assessment of breeding records and bull examination Bull fertility should not be assumed, especially when bulls are being rotated around groups of cows which itself might mask a fertility problem. For a bull to be fully fertile each of the following components must be considered: • Libido (sex drive) and physical fitness • Ability to achieve intromission and deposit semen in the vagina • Production of sufficient quantities of high quality semen • Absence of disease such as BVD or Campylobacter Examples of problems which may influence bull fertility • Lameness caused by injury, laminitis, of foot growth • Obesity or very poor body condition • Structural defects of the reproductive organs • Exposure to particular diseases such as BVD Avoiding losses from bull infertility As part of your health planning you might include all or some of the following: 10

• •

• • • •

•

Test for disease in new bulls and vaccinate as appropriate with guidance from your vet When selecting a new bull check his pedigree as well as his appearance and talk to the breeder about, for example, any need for foot trimming of his relatives Check scrotal size of new bulls; minimum standards apply at Society sales Monitor bull body condition especially prior to the mating period Check for lameness prior to, and during the mating period Ask your vet to routinely examine bulls annually about 2 months before the mating period, which might include an assessment of the semen quality Monitor bull performance during the breeding period by recording service dates (if known) and return dates

If you are unfortunate to have a bull that is subfertile, or worse infertile, the costs can be very high, especially if you lose your tight calving pattern and your bull.

Bulls at Society Sales are covered by NBA Rules which help to negotiate any settlement between buyer and seller if necessary within a defined period of time.

Private sales can also be covered by NBA warranties which can be purchased direct from the NBA – it can be very cheap insurance if you are unfortunate enough to incur a problem with your bull.

A CHRISTMAS CRACKER JOKE FOR YOU Q: What do Auctioneers sell?

A: Lots 11

LATEST BLUP EVALUATION A new evaluation was published at the beginning of January, and an updated Sire Summary which lists the top performing bulls in the national herd is available from the office.

On that list are figures for all recorded traits and for the two indexes. Performance recording herds will have received a copy with their latest Group Evaluation.

WORLD CONGRESS The full itinerary has now been published, and costs are provided for the whole month’s tours, and for sections of it (including travel, accommodation and meals).

Those members who registered an interest with us will be sent details, but if there are others who would like to receive information please could they let us know as soon as possible.

There has been an excellent response from potential delegates, and the Australians are looking to accommodate up to 80 people. That number, however, is a maximum so bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

If you are considering your travel plans to and from Australia, we recommend that you approach Carolyne Cree, Farm Field Tours, who helped organise our 2005 World Congress in the UK. She can help you find suitable flights, with or without stopovers. Carolyne may be contacted by e-mail on carolyne@fieldfarmtours.co.uk or by telephone on 01636 616060.

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CATTLE FOR SALE Advertisers - Please ensure you tell us at the end of the month if you wish to keep your animals on the following list, otherwise they will be removed. Bulls advertised must be pedigree registered; and females must be birth notified or pedigree registered

BULLS Arncliffe Bailey UK122824 400273 Born 26/02/04 Sexton Gallant 49 UK361990 400225 Born 21/03/04 Northwick Conquest 3 UK321645 600254 Born 27/03/04 AI Woodhayes Henry 2 UK361609 600116 Born 12/12/04 Godworthy Gallant 17 UK360143 700251 Born 24/05/05 Z Coton Athos UK283222 200117 Born 06/05/06 Welland Valley Hanbury 12 UK201140 500820 Born 25/06/2006 Albion Earthquake UK221530 600028 Born 28/02/08 Tregondale Starlight 8 UK383061 600684 Born 04/03/08 Billington Arthur UK371751 100270 Born 28/06/08 X Sexton Polaris 10 UK361990 100488 Born 17/08/08 Waterlane Dougal UK260354 600333 Born 29/11/08

Sir John Bell Yorkshire – Region 7

01609 882202

Mr J Virgin Dorset – Region 3

01258 817171

Mr D A Ashcroft Hampshire – Region 4

01420 511011 07966 511868

Drs Dixon Devon – Region 2

01404 823930 Nick Millman – Manager 01404 861457

Mrs N J Meyrick Devon – Region 2 C J Page Oxfordshire – Region 5

07990 970065

Mr O A Reynolds Kent – Region 4

07885 802302

Mr S Wright Norfolk – Region 5

07876 352282/ 01263 761256

M R & R J Rowe Cornwall – Region 1

01579 342407

G K & M A Garrett & Son Devon – Region 2

01837 54348

R R B & S J Harvey Devon – Region 2

01548 830307

Mr O A Reynolds Kent - Region 4

07885 802302 01580 754353

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Waterlane Donald UK260354 400338 Born 22/12/08 Brafferton Trooper 13 UK122117 300216 Born 11/01/2009 Woodbastwick Chester UK220573 100447 Born 20/01/2009 Woodbastwick Tobias UK220573 300456 Born 03/02/2009 Lethytep Commander UK382929 700064 Born 28/02/2009 Ewefields Hanbury 3 UK202600 600269 Born 15/03/09 Waterlane Edward UK260354 100356 Born 23/03/09 Brettles SAS Imperial UK302256 100181 Born 30/03/09 Brettles SAS Intrepid UK302256 500185 Born 06/04/09 Ewefields Hanbury 4 UK202600 200272 Born 06/04/09 Beals Damien UK380645 600350 Born 28/04/2009 Beals Zodiac 3 UK380645 300354 Born 07/05/2009 Cleughside Maximus 2 UK122117 300216 Born 09/05/2009

Mr O A Reynolds Kent – Region 4

07885 802302 01580 754353

Mr J P Harrison Yorkshire – Region 7

01347 838725

Mr N Hood, Heath Farms Norfolk – Region 5

07771 903837

Mr N Hood, Heath Farms Norfolk – Region 5

07771 903837

Mr P Hambly Cornwall – Region 1

01503 200385

Mr T J Warhurst Oxfordshire – Region 5

01608 686238

Mr O A Reynolds Kent – Region 4

01580 754353/ 07885 802302

Mr M Rushbrooke Worcestershire – Region 6

01299 861200/ 07748 305857

Mr M Rushbrooke Worcestershire – Region 6

01299 861200/ 07748 305857

Mr T J Warhurst Oxfordshire – Region 5

01608 686238

M H Coumbe & Son Cornwall – Region 1

01579 370374

M H Coumbe & Son Cornwall – Region 1

01579 370374

c/o Mr J P Harrison for Mrs K Darnbrook Yorkshire – Region 7 01347 838725 07971 699716

FEMALES Bulling & in-calf heifers

Mr R Laity Cornwall – Region 1 14

01736 850020

3 pedigree heifers born 2009 5 pedigree organic bulling heifers 10 pedigree bulling heifers 2 pedigree heifers born 2009 Cows & calves 6 polled yearling heifers 8 in-calf heifers Bulling heifers 5 x second calvers

Mrs N J Meyrick Devon – Region 2 M, A, S & A Williams Cornwall – Region 1 M R & R J Rowe Cornwall – Region 1 Mrs P Pimlott Shropshire – Region 6 L E Walters & Son Devon – Region 2 Mr S Frederick Kent – Region 4 G K & M A Garrett & Son Devon – Region 2 Mr P S Rowe Cornwall – Region 1 Mr D A Ashcroft Hampshire – Region 4

01404 861457 07912 667012 01579 342407 01630 652178 01404 841403 01892 870926/ 07909 531801 01837 54348 01579 347155 01420 511011/ 07966 511868

QUEENSLAND FLOODS DISASTER APPEAL We have all seen the devastation caused by the floods in Queensland, Australia. Not only are there the human problems that have to be dealt with, but also there are the problems farmers are experiencing in trying to keep livestock safe. As has been stated in the media, the area affected is the size of France and Germany put together.

Many of us have friends and relatives in the affected areas but, being the other side of the world, one of the few ways we can make a small difference is to make a contribution to the disaster appeal fund. If you feel that this is something you would like to do, the details on how to make a donation are below: International donations Account name Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal BSB 064 013 Account number 1000 6800 SWIFT Code CTBAAU2S The disaster web page can be found at http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html 15

DIARY 17th 17th 24th/25th 27th February 4th 17th March 22nd 23rd April 19th May 5th 7th 13th 26th 27th 27th June 29th&30th July 18th-21st September 8th 23rd-25th October 4th 8th November 9th December 6th January

Deadline for Journal articles/reports Technical Open Day, Arncliffe, Region 7 British Cattle Breeders Club annual conference Executive Committee meeting Deadline for Sale entries Council meeting Annual General Meeting & Auction of Promises, Exeter Spring Show & Sale, Exeter Livestock Centre Council meeting Breed Promotion Committee meeting Midland Club Sale Truro Club Sale, Hallworthy NBA Beef Expo, Newark South Devon Cattle Breeders Club Sale, Exeter Carlisle Sale NATIONAL SHOW, Royal Norfolk Showground Royal Welsh Show Council meeting ‘Next Generation Weekend’ Autumn Show & Sale, Bristol World Congress begins in Australia World Congress ends Council meeting

AND FINALLY ...

(with apologies to our Yorkshire members!)

When his wife died a Yorkshireman asked the stonemason to carve on her tombstone the words: ‘She was Thine.’ Some weeks later, after the funeral, he went up to the churchyard and, to his annoyance, saw the following words on his wife’s tombstone: ‘She was Thin.’

He rang up the stonemason and complained that an ‘e’ had been left out. The mason apologised and said that he would rectify the mistake as soon as possible. A week later the husband returned to his wife’s grave and read the alteration that had been made: ‘E, she was Thin.’

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