Hereford breed journal 2021 by UK Herefords

Hereford BREED JOURNAL 2021

Alpha Building, London Road, Nantwich, CW5 7JW

01270 616681

Learn more at WWW.ABSGLOBAL.COM/UK or talk to your Genus ABS representative today.

Premier Collection Hereford Sires Hean 1 ROSCOE Normanton 1 LAERTES

Fisher 1 RANCHER

Wirruna MATTY M288

Alderoak 1 NORRIS

Solpoll 1 SPIKE

GENUS BEEF CALVING SURVEY ON DAIRY COWS ONLY GENUS BEEF CALVING SURVEY ON DAIRY COWS ONLY GENUS BEEF CALVING SUR 70 BSI 81

lving Ease (heifers) lving Ease (cows)

70 BSI BSI 130

100 BSI

Calving Ease (heifers) Calving Ease (cows)

Calf Quality

4.9%

282 days

129

PROVEN 100 BSISTATISTIC

100 282 days Gestation Length 59% Calf Quality

52%

Calf Survivability

Calving6.5% Ease (heifers) Calving3.2% Ease (cows)

1.5%

Gestation Length 100

station Length lf Quality

lf Survivability

GENUS ABS BREED AV. ®

Wirunna Katnook K74

5.0% Calf Survivability

3.6%

PROOF 130 BSI 70 BSI RELIABILITY

Calvings 139 70 Herds 60 129 Reliability

GENUS ABS PROVEN BREED AV. 100 BSISTATISTIC

4.9% 1.5% 282 days

100

6.5% 3.2% 282 days 59%

52%

5.0%

3.6%

BeefAdvantage™ £0.1 BeefAdvantage™ £0.10 Be

GENUS BEEF CALVING SURVEY ON DAIRY COWS ONLY GENUS BEEF CALVING SURVEY ON DAIRY COWS ONLY GENUS BEEF CALVING SUR 70 BSI

lving Ease (cows)

GENUS ABS BREED AV.

70 BSI BSI 130

100 BSI 81

lving Ease (heifers)

Calving Ease (heifers) Calving Ease (cows)

Calf Quality

282 days

129

PROVEN

100 282 days Gestation Length 59% Calf Quality

52%

Calf Survivability

100 BSISTATISTIC Calving6.5% Ease (heifers)

4.9%

Calving3.2% Ease (cows)

1.5%

Gestation Length 100

station Length lf Quality 82

lf Survivability

5.0% Calf Survivability

3.6%

GENUS ABS PROVEN BREED AV. 100 BSISTATISTIC

PROOF 130 BSI 70 BSI RELIABILITY

Calvings 139 70 Herds 60 129 Reliability

6.5%

4.9%

3.2%

1.5% 282 days

100

282 days 59%

52%

5.0%

3.6%

BeefAdvantage™ £0.1 BeefAdvantage™ £0.10 Be

CONTENTS | 1

Contents Society news

Features 12

From the breed secretary

At home with the president

An unusual presidential year

Herefords fit extensive NZ system

Director of operation appointed

Herefords aid NZ style dairy system

New look for society

Council 2021-2023

Sires of the Future

Shand reflects on 2020

World Hereford Conference

UKHY team represents in New Zealand

Overseas

224

Sales

Performance figures at heart of Hean herd

102

Owens kicks of breeding career

110

Herefords over continentals

158

Herefords suit Appleby Farms

169

Forging a future in Herefords

182

Easy care Herefords fit in at Fellowhills

192

Herefords impress in commercial set-up

198

Half a century of breeding

214

Association and clubs

Kilvrough dispersal leads Autumn Day

Greenyards sale breaks records

128

Auckvale heifer excites at Designer Genes

148

Hereford Beef

Midlands and East Anglia Hereford Breeders’ Association

Powys Hereford Breeders’ Club

Dyfed Hereford Breeders’ Club

108

National Hereford Club

120

Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association (West Midlands)

126

Increasing demand for Hereford Beef

Dunbia focuses on sustainability

Thinking wider of beef sustainability

North of England Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association

143

Hereford performs for Dovecote

Traditional Hereford Breeders’ Club

168

Lockdown demands local beef

South of England Hereford Breeders’ Association 173

Herefords fit the bill for meat wholesaler

Scottish Hereford Breeders’ Association

Herefords at heart of local butchery

Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association 207

Official publication of Hereford Cattle Society Hereford House, 3 Offa Street, Hereford, HR1 2LL

01432 272057 hello@herefordcattle.org www.herefordcattle.org

Editor: Laura Bowyer

179

2â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; SOCIETY NEWS

Society staff

Paul Sneyd

David Deakin

Laura Bowyer

Beverley Turner

Tracey Thomas

Director of operations

Breed secretary

Marketing manager

Finance officer

Registrations officer

paul.sneyd@ herefordcattle.org

david.deakin@ herefordcattle.org

laura.bowyer@ herefordcattle.org

beverley.turner@ herefordcattle.org

tracey.thomas@ herefordcattle.org

SOCIETY NEWS | 3

From the secretary by David Deakin At the beginning of 2020 there was much excitement surrounding the imminent World Hereford Conference held in the scenic country of New Zealand. The United Kingdom would be well represented with a group of almost 30 delegates in attendance. The conference lived up to all expectations with an excellent mix of informative lectures, country reports and on farm visits. Everything was well organised and kept to a strict timetable, made easier with a dedicated conference app. An integral part of the UK delegation was the society sponsored UK Hereford Youth (UKHY) team of four, ably supported by UKHY coordinator Emma Smith. The team performed admirably and conducted themselves with a high degree of professionalism. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Larry Feeney, long serving breed secretary of the Irish Hereford Breed Society Ltd on being elected as the new world secretary general for the ensuing four years. Larry will bring his own inimitable style to the honoured position and replaces Uruguayan Jose ‘Pepe’ Bonica, whom I would like to thank for his pragmatic and measured advice over many years. As I write, we are in the midst of a global pandemic, the like of which has not been witnessed for approximately 100 years. It is almost a year to the day since we first heard the word Covid-19 and at that time it seemed as though it was someone

David Deakin

else’s concern, on the other side of the world. Little did we know the devastating effect it would have on people’s health and everyday life. The overriding theme, on reading the area association and club reports included in this journal, is that members have missed catching up with one another at summer shows and other events. It has made breeders appreciate that while it's important from a business perspective to do well with show entries, the camaraderie among like-minded people is what has been missed the most by exhibitors and spectators.

I’m pleased to report that our membership continues to grow, despite the lack of events over the past 12 months. Summer shows in particular are very important in providing a shop window with which to promote our breed to farmers looking to commence a pedigree herd or to those wishing to purchase a new stock sire. It’s equally pleasing to report that during the same period the Hereford Cattle Society recorded its highest number of pedigree registrations in over 30 years. The use of the Hereford sire in the commercial sector also remains

4 | SOCIETY NEWS

strong, following record increases of Hereford sired calves in recent years.

engagement rate with each social media platform.

The lack of events has enabled society staff to tackle a myriad of administrative tasks, which in a normal year time would not allow. We have modernised and updated many items including; the society’s bylaws, membership pack, zootechnical certificates, switched to a cloudbased accountancy package and introduced a health and a safety policy with particular relevance to containing Covid-19. I would like to thank society staff for undertaking an ever-demanding workload, especially during these unprecedented times, to ensure the society continues unabated.

An exciting project council presided over during the latter part of 2020 was branding the society, a first in its long history and one which will provide the society with a modern, bold and commercially focused appearance. An easy option for the sub-committee involved, was to play it safe when it came to selecting a breed logo and design concept. This would undoubtedly have pleased the masses, but by being different, the Hereford Cattle Society is making a statement and standing out from a crowded marketplace. We have been pleased with the feedback received on the branding exercise from members in the UK and overseas, meat processors and even from our competitors.

The restrictions in movement of people has resulted in council members meeting up remotely, with regular Zoom meetings becoming the norm. Notwithstanding digital meetings being challenging at times, they have added a new dimension to council communication. Although they will not replace the preferred method of meeting face to face, they will be utilised for single subject meetings, keeping business on track and assist in making decisions more timely. Going forward council will meet monthly over Zoom to keep abreast of the society’s activities. Council members have initiated and supported some significant projects, most notably the introduction of a Hereford Beef PR marketing campaign. This has resulted in greater exposure of Hereford Beef to consumers through social media, press releases in distinguished publications and a more streamlined Hereford Beef website. During a 12 month marketing campaign, we have seen a five-fold increase in Instagram followers, a four-fold increase in Facebook followers and most importantly an above average

Council has also introduced a new ruling to safeguard the integrity of the breed’s ancestry database with the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) testing of all first-time calvers, as from 1 July 2020. This will result in all pedigree Hereford progeny being fully parentage verified in a relatively short space of time. The additional SNP testing will also speed up the implementation of another council initiative, to commence with single-step genomically enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBVs). The success or otherwise of GEBVs will be based on robust phenotypical data recorded by members on-farm, so it is imperative that breeders embrace performance recording, a uniquely free service to society members. The national lockdowns have certainly impacted on consumer eating habits. During the first lockdown, processors experienced a carcase imbalance issue, as consumers purchased huge quantities of mince. However, since

those early days in March and April, shoppers have since begun to purchase a wide range of products, which has seen demand surge and beef prices increase to reflect this new found popularity. AHDB’s rallying cry, ‘Stay home and celebrate #steaknight’ and other similar campaigns have assisted in keeping beef in vogue, as more people are using their disposable income to cook good quality, nutritious, traceable British beef. I’m confident that after the pandemic has subsided, the general public will continue to cook at home with quality branded beef, such as Hereford, and utilise their recently established skills developed during lockdown. With a Brexit deal now concluded, we can look forward to 2021, with the Hereford Cattle Society well placed to address most, if not all, the major issues facing the beef industry. We have a breed that thrives on a grass and forage-based diet and one which will meet the expectations of environmentally conscious processors, retailers and consumers. Over the next few years, council members will adopt a two-pronged approach; continuing with Hereford Beef marketing, while simultaneously conduct an evidence-based project to highlight the breed’s ability to produce beef sustainably. On behalf on the Hereford Cattle Society, it just remains for me to wish the out-going council members well in their future involvement with the breed and to welcome four new firsttime members of council. It is worth stating that all council members give up their time voluntarily and the demands placed upon them seem to increase exponentially as each council term commences.

SOCIETY NEWS | 5

6 | SOCIETY NEWS

An unusual presidential year by Mark Roberts When I was a boy, the arrival of a new breed journal was a much anticipated and momentous event. The pristine new volume was studied and its contents absorbed. On virtually the first page was the president’s report and I must say it is still a wonder to me that this year I have been given the honour of writing this piece. In those days it was entitled ‘homes of the breed’ and it pictured a doyen of the breed, the president, standing in front of his stately home, often surveying a group of Hereford cows. The reason I mention this memory of mine, is because not only have I been the owner of a ‘home of the breed’ this year but so have we all. We’ve been at home with our breed during this most peculiar of years, socially distancing from the crowds and receiving the therapy that life on the farm gives so freely. The pandemic has meant we have all spent more time at home, devoid of summer shows, events and trips and for most of us this has resulted in more time with our cattle. For Maddy and me, the farm has been a much-valued place of calm and safety. Maddy works in Hereford County Hospital and for us both there has been no better way to leave behind our concerns than a simple walk around our herd or grooming young stock in preparation to sell.

Mark Roberts

We have been delighted by the number of passers-by who stop and photograph our bulls, cows and calves. Even more than this I hope we will all have been ambassadors for the breed, to locals, passers-by and staycationers. We, and I hope many of you, have also been able to supply cattle from home, to those requiring them when market sales have been almost non-existent. This year started so well. We visited our daughter and her family in North Carolina, and took the opportunity to meet Hereford breeders there, and were delighted to visit them and receive their warm welcome as kindred spirits. The World Hereford Conference and tours filled a month which we will never forget. I will not go into length

here, but suffice to say New Zealand is a wonderful place, its people most welcoming, its farmers committed, hard-working, astute and so friendly. To visit as president of the Hereford Cattle Society was a huge privilege, and it made me yearn for the day when we can return that hospitality and host a World Conference here in the UK. Not only have there been some highs even this year but there have been some terrible lows and sadnesses. In October I was shocked and distraught to hear of the tragic accident that took the life of Tom Manns. He was such a cheerful, and enthusiastic stockman and showman and I will hugely miss his company, friendship and advice in the future. In December the horrific reality of

SOCIETY NEWSâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;7

the pandemic was brought right into our group with the death of John Vaughan from Covid-19. He was a genuine pioneer of the breed in the late seventies and eighties. He was skilled in so many areas; he had an eye for cattle qualities, was a great showman, and selected bloodlines from home and abroad. He also was a great encouragement to new and young breeders and his humour made him memorable to all he met. He had many friends in livestock farming and will be greatly missed and appreciated for his contribution to our breed in particular. Following this unique year, I want to mention and thank the staff who have kept our society and its business as on track as possible. Bev and Tracey have worked both in Hereford and from home to maintain records, help the members

and control the finances. Laura has worked on marketing, the branding exercise, breed promotion and a revamped website among many other things. She has kept our breed in front of potential buyers by working with the media and social media. The whole team has worked through these difficult days and taken the opportunity to progress tasks which in normal times are lower priority but still important to our overall development as a society. Most of all I want to take this opportunity to show my appreciation for David Deakin and his time leading the team and helping the council deal with a myriad of issues. He has led with transparent integrity, committed to achieving a successful future for the society and has put that to the fore when considering his own position. His personal situation

changed in 2020 and it is with regret he decided to step down from the top position and work in a part-time capacity from a date in 2021 under a new director of operations. We have made every effort to appoint a new team leader who will compliment and develop the abilities already present at Hereford House. Therefore, we welcome Paul Sneyd, a man with great leadership ability, drive and enthusiasm, who will join in early 2021. The future is very exciting and as so many have said, 2021 offers hope of better times and a return to some kind of normality. The year 2020 was testing and will not be forgotten. Some parts of it have been good for us. We hopefully value each other more highly, not taking a meeting with friends and colleagues for granted. Life is short but it is there for us to grasp, give and grow.

The Hereford Beef Scheme

Proud to Support the Hereford Cattle Society. For further information contact:Kate Sutton Cattle Procurement Manager,

Dovecote Park Ltd Tel: 01977 623331 or email: kate.sutton@dovecotepark.co.uk

8 | SOCIETY NEWS

Director of operations appointed with the consumer and further develop a brand that is sustainable for generations to come.

Paul Sneyd has been appointed as the new director of operations of the Hereford Cattle Society and will take on the role of running Hereford House and the management of the society. Having worked across a number of agricultural and horticultural businesses, Paul has spent the last two years working for Jupiter Group managing its grower portfolio and running a project in India. Prior to that, he spent eight years in a senior management role in Haygrove Growing Systems within Haygrove Ltd which is a farming business supplying the best retailers in the UK, Europe, South Africa and China with berries all-year-round. Originally from Staffordshire, Paul spent most of his childhood growing up and working on a dairy farm. On leaving home, he joined the Fleet Air Arm in the Royal Navy, where he trained and worked as an air engineer for five years. Following this, he studied agricultural marketing and business studies at Harper Adams where he met his wife, Sarah, and together they live with their two children in rural Herefordshire. Away from work, Paul is passionate about sport, particularly rugby and is an avid supporter of Luctonians Rugby Club, Leominster, Herefordshire. Paul said: “I am looking forward to getting my teeth into this role which has such scope and I relish the opportunity to work with an

Paul Sneyd

ambitious council and the wider membership, to grow and develop the society and Hereford cattle brand. “With my experience, passion for agriculture and this chance to work with a world-renowned brand, there is real opportunity to progress and further enhance the great work already achieved alongside the team. Along with my personality and ability to communicate at all levels, my life’s experience in farming communities and agricultural businesses gives me a great foothold for the role I am taking on.” Having worked at senior management level, he has developed a wealth of experience with an impressive track record of delivering step change, in both financial and sales performance, along with building premium brands. Paul also believes in these challenging times, the Hereford Beef brand can strengthen its connection

Paul continues: “My priorities moving forward are to maintain the integrity of the herd book and breed along with developing and using new technologies to enable us to continue to do this. I hope to reach a wider audience with both the Hereford Beef brand and product and at the same time addressing the negative press that seems to be directed towards the beef industry. “As we move into a changing landscape for farmers and the industry, it is imperative we continue to build a more profitable and sustainable industry, developing on the latest technologies in science and genetics. We must also make sure our communications and connections with the end consumer are strong and clear. “There will always be challenges but I believe our industry has always done, and will continue to do, great things which must be celebrated. There is a massive opportunity to develop a sustainable future for the industry and at the forefront of that should be the next generation of cattle breeders. “With that in mind, I am also keen to ensure the society continues to support and develop UK Hereford Youth, so succession planning is strong within the society and industry.”

SOCIETY NEWS | 9

New look for society Hereford Cattle Society has launched its new identity, including a unique logo and improved website. With a striking, modern brand, the Hereford Cattle Society is setting itself apart, as it looks to the future as a proactive organisation, with an ever-increasing membership. Phil Allman, chairman of the Hereford Cattle Society, says: “We are excited to finally be able to launch our new brand and website to our members, stakeholders and the wider industry. “We now have an identifiable brand which is easily recognisable and resonates with our society aims. We are very proud of our rich history, being one of the oldest native beef breeds in the UK, but we appreciate the need to look to the future and are actively working to prepare and strengthen ourselves for whatever challenges Brexit and beyond may bring. “We were keen to include a nod to the grazing ability of the breed in our new identity. As a natural grazing animal, the Hereford can also play an important role in sequestrating carbon while also helping to build soil fertility, capture carbon dioxide and encourage wildlife.” All of these factors also play a vital part in telling the sustainability story to consumers. But there is more to sustainability than limiting carbon emissions and promoting sequestration, explains Phil.

“You have to take a holistic approach when it comes to sustainability, it’s more than just a buzz-word. We need to consider the planet, people and profit. Our breed meets a myriad of needs in this respect. “For one, we are producing animals which are docile and easily managed and this really does create a better and safer environment for people to work in.” Phil explains that increasingly producers are turning to the Hereford for financial reasons. This is reflected in the society and breed’s sustained growth witnessed over the past 10 years or so, with the number of active breeders and both pedigree and commercial calf registrations all on the up.

He says: “Time and again we are hearing that Herefords generate a greater margin than their continental counterparts. Perhaps they don’t always make the highest price per head, but in any business, it’s not about turnover, but left over, and people are increasingly recognising this. “Not only does this show the Hereford Cattle Society is going in the right direction with the breed gaining more and more momentum, but it also shows how commercially relevant and popular Herefords have become once again. Visit our new website and you can read more.” For more information on the Hereford breed visit www.herefordcattle.org.

10 | HEREFORD BEEF

Increasing demand for Hereford Beef Since November 2019, Storm Communications have been working on behalf of the society to promote Hereford Beef. Over the past year, the society has developed new marketing initiatives and escalated promotional activity in a bid to increase the throughput of Hereford Beef in the supply chain, grow consumer demand and put Hereford Beef on the menu of modern diners. Storm Communications, a specialist food and drink public relations agency with traditional media and social media expertise, has been used to carry out this work. The agency ran a coordinated campaign which has transformed Hereford Beef’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as boosting brand awareness with consumers through targeted media relations tactics. Elinor Tyler, head of consumer marketing at Storm, says: “With 79 per cent of the population signed up to Facebook and 47 per cent of the UK using Instagram, it was clear a digitally-led campaign was an opportunity to tap into. While Instagram in particular is a destination for ‘foodies’, we also know that retailers have kept pace with social media trends and expect suppliers to do the same.” Although Hereford Beef already

had these channels in place, over the past year Storm has created fresh, engaging content, including inspiring and modern recipes, and eye-catching graphics designed to further connect with Hereford Beef’s follower base and entice new followers with a new and contemporary look. To underpin this new content, strategic advertising was also put in place across both platforms to ensure content reached a highly targeted audience of those who would engage with the messaging.

Elinor continues: “By boosting social media content with advertising spend, we have been able to make the breed feel relevant and a necessary part of consumers’ diets, in turn driving consumers to retailers that stock Hereford Beef. “In tandem with improving the social media feeds, we started working with food influencers on Instagram, who have large followings and are perceived as relevant and trusted personalities within the food sector. Collaborating with eight well-aligned influencers to create a series of

HEREFORD BEEF | 11

recipes using Hereford Beef meant we were able to expand our reach and tap into their loyal fan base, with the idea that they would also be interested in following our channels and, ultimately, choose Hereford Beef. “While other cattle societies have a social media presence, the Hereford Cattle Society has been one of the first to implement a purely consumer-focused strategy as a way to elevate public awareness and access an effectively open opportunity that ensures Hereford Beef is the breed which shoppers become most familiar with. In turn, this will then result in an increased demand for the breed at a farmlevel. “The social media activation has been a huge success, with thousands of new followers on

both channels. Furthermore, the social media advertising campaign reached 3.5 million people, with 250,000 interacting with our pages. We are continuing to build the content on these channels further, to ensure the Hereford Beef Facebook and Instagram pages are still a place of inspiration, breed knowledge and retail drivers, helping to achieve our overarching aim of brand awareness,” says Elinor. Alongside social media activity, Storm also implemented a media relations campaign. National newspapers, consumer magazines and online news sites were targeted with Hereford Beef recipes and competitions, to communicate key messaging and seasonally appropriate pitches. Elinor says: “For the trade media, we contributed to relevant features

throughout the year by providing comment from society chairman, Philip Allman, as well as engaging with publications which target retailers, to encourage them to stock Hereford Beef. “This resulted in coverage in top tier titles such as The Grocer, BBC Good Food, Good Housekeeping, The Sunday Mirror and Country Living, reaching an audience of over 82 million. “We are delighted that the total combined reach of the Hereford Beef social media and public relations campaign over the last year was in excess of 85 million, demonstrating the success of our new marketing initiatives. Through increasing brand awareness and the demand for Hereford Beef, the benefits will be reaped by all involved.”

12 | FEATURE

At home with the president

Mark and Maddy Roberts run the Bromley herd

FEATURE | 13

Re-printed by kind permission of Farmers Guardian

Society president, Mark Roberts, was unable to carry out the usual presidential activities due to Covid-19. Katie Jones catches up with him at home. Following a five-year term on the Hereford Cattle Society’s council, Herefordshire farmer, Mark Roberts, was announced as the society’s new president in January 2020. This summer should have seen him and his wife, Maddy, visit shows and events around the UK meeting fellow breed enthusiasts and helping to promote the breed. However, he is in no doubt that despite the difficult year, farming has remained a constant. He says: “There is still beef and cattle to be sold, and that has continued. Farming has just got to keep going. “We have sold half a dozen young bulls privately during the period of lockdown. We are pleased that sales have remained steady despite the circumstances. It shows that there is a ready market for Herefords.” Mark and Maddy farm at Bromley Court in Hoarwithy, Herefordshire, along with their eldest son, Doug. The 190 hectares (470 acres) is home to a herd of 40 pedigree Hereford cows, 25 Hereford sired sucklers plus followers. The cattle side of the business is run alongside broiler chickens and nearly 40ha (100 acres) of cider apple orchards. The farm grows 80ha (200 acres) of crops, mostly cereals, and 10ha (25 acres) of maize for the cattle. The

14 | FEATURE

Cows calve, in the main, during the spring but Mark has started up a small autumn calving group. This he says meets the needs of breeding bull buyers who come to him throughout the year.

The Bromley herd consists of 40 pedigree cows

remainder is grassland, the majority of which is permanent pasture. Mark explains his association with the Hereford breed began with his father, who kept a herd of 80 British Polled

the background of the farm. I initially thought it was going to be a hobby but the herd quickly grew.” He explains the foundation females were purchased from Gerald

“Sales have been good this year, and last year’s crop of bulls have now all been sold bar one” Hereford cows. This strain, developed from a one-off outcross with a Galloway in the 1950s, were very sought after for suckler and dairy herds in the 1970s but failed to get international recognition and were somewhat marginalised in the 1980s.

Blandford, Ernie College and Pete Cobley as well as from Lowerhope, Forde Abbey and Solpoll. Most of these cattle carried a fair amount of Costhorpe bloodlines, which he says he had always admired for their consistent quality.

He explains: “When Maddy and I got married and started farming here ourselves there was not much money in the beef cattle. “At that stage we tried sheep, and also had a single suckled Simmental cross herd, which worked nicely.” However in the early 2000s they started to look once more at the Hereford breed when some friends asked for help in buying some cattle. Mark says: “I went along to look at some stock, and we ended up buying a few in 2005 to restart the Bromley poll herd. They are part of

The farm is also home to 140,000 chickens

He adds: “It also means we can calve some heifers at two and a half, rather than two. This is good if we have a heifer we would really like to breed from, but perhaps is not strong enough to be put to the bull early. It allows us some more flexibility.” Mark says decisions about the potential breeding attributes of bull calves start early on. Usually about a third of the calves will be castrated and sold via Dunbia. In a normal year Bromley breeding stock will be sold via society sales and privately. Mark says: “We have worked hard at building up a good reputation in the local area for bulls. “We normally show cattle at our local shows; Kington, Monmouth, and the Three Counties. We do not travel miles for shows as we are trying to show our stock off to local farmers.” He adds about half of the bulls go into dairy herds, although trade locally is more limited due to there

FEATURE | 15

being fewer dairy herds in the immediate area. “Sales have been good this year, and last year’s crop of bulls have now all been sold bar one. I really like the look of this one and the idea would have been to show him this year ahead of a sale later on.” Castrated males are sold mostly through Dunbia, along with some females not deemed suitable for breeding, and progeny from the Holstein cross Hereford cows.

in the herd currently, they are quite different from each other but are both doing what we want. “Our home-bred bull, Tendulkar, is big for his breed. I like my cattle strong, but we also use another stock bull Barbern 1 Rockafella bought from Bernard Rimmer, which produces a different type of calf.” Cattle are housed during the winter, and ground work for a new shed has just begun to provide additional space.

Mark adds as part of his role as society president he has been keen to work hard at increasing the premium around Hereford sired beef.

Mark says: “We used to out-winter, but the farm in places is quite sandy and cattle can quickly make a mess if it turns wet.

He says: “The council has faced up to, and is addressing the need to, promote our breed and its qualities to increase market share and premium value.

“Also I find that if we can bring cattle in early, usually in October, the land is in better condition to turn them back out sooner after calving in March time.

“We need to see ourselves as a brand to be able to command improved prices. We have got to do the work to get to that position.”

“We have probably been a little unbalanced in the past in terms of the amount of grazing we have compared to our housing. We need to get the balance right otherwise we are either understocked for summer grazing, or over-stocked during the housed period.”

He is also keen to promote the sustainable attributes of the breed, and says he admires how the cattle have a low requirement for vet and medicine interventions. “One thing we really need to get a handle on now is the sustainability and the low maintenance requirements that are associated with the breed. They are able to look after themselves to a large extent.” When making breeding decisions Mark says he is focusing on what his buyers wants and he aims to produce a commercial type rather than a ‘show’ type. He uses his two stock bulls and also does some ET work to bring in genetics from across the UK and beyond which he admires. He says: “We have two stock bulls

Cows calve mainly in the spring

Farm facts • MooCall collars are used to detect heats • The four poultry sheds can house up to 140,000 birds. The chickens are sold to Avara Foods. • The cider apples orchards, some of which were planted in the 1970s, produce apples destined for Bulmers cider. • A group of dairy cross Hereford heifers have been AI’d to Wagyu. These will either be sold as calved heifers with calves at foot, or the calves will be retained to see how they perform. • As well as Mark, Maddy and Doug, the farm employs two full-time members of staff; a manager for the poultry unit, and a tractor driver. • Mark and Maddy represented UK Hereford breeders at the World Hereford Conference in New Zealand early this year.

16 | FEATURE

days old, are fed using wheat grown on the farm. Mark adds: “Half of the muck from the poultry unit is sold, and the rest used on our arable and grassland. “We try to be as integrated as possible.” Mark says he remains confident about the livestock side of the business. “I am confident about the way ahead for a quality product. Welfare is going to continue to be important so there may be changes to the poultry side of the business.” MooCall collars are used to detect heats

He adds the additional winter accommodation could allow them the opportunity to increase cattle numbers in the future. As far as possible cattle feed is produced on farm. Rations for the growing and fattening cattle, along with feed for the cows, is based on the farm’s own straw, maize and grass silage. “We make a bit of baled grass silage, which is mostly fed to the young cattle. We just buy in minerals, calf feed, and protein in the form of a

The farm is 190 hectares (470 acres)

molasses carrier, which is poured onto the straw or silage. “We do not have a diet feeder, but perhaps when we have the extra shed space and numbers increase up we could go down that route so we can mix diets more accurately.” The integration of the livestock with the arable side of the business carries through into the poultry business. The broilers, which enter the sheds at a day old and are finished at 38

He adds that he does not see the number of poultry reared on the site get any less, but it could increase if the focus moves towards lower stocking densities and slower growth. He adds the cider apple industry, which saw a tremendous period of growth in the early 2000s, has seen a slight dip recently as drinking habits have changed. “We have taken a few of the older orchards out now, and we may look at another enterprise to replace this in the future.”

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 17

Find your nearest association or club Dyfed Hereford Breeders’ Club Secretary: Liz Roderick, The Bank Farm, Scurlage Castle, Scurlage, Reynoldston, Gower, Swansea, SA3 1BA tombankfarm@aol.com Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association (West Midlands) Chairman: David Makin, Stocks House Farm, Wellington, Herefordshire, HR4 8AZ adzorherefords@googlemail.com Midlands and East Anglia Hereford Breeders’ Association Secretary: Peter Moyes, Lodge Farm, Welford Road, Thornby, Northampton, NN6 8SL petermoyes@btinternet.com North of England Hereford Breeders’ Association Secretary: Jackie Cooper, Pollards Farm, Howick Cross Lane, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0NS nehbasecretary@gmail.com Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association Secretary: Mark Moore, 51 Glassdrummond Road, Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, N Ireland, BT69 6DE mark-moore@hotmail.co.uk North Wales HBA/Clwb Henffordd Gogledd Cymru Secretary: Audrey Morgan, Fardre Farm, St George, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 9RT morganfardre@btconnect.com Powys Hereford Breeders’ Club Secretary: Glenn Pritchard, The Sidings, Railway Goods Yard, Station Houses, Tir-Phil, New Tredegar, Caerphilly, NP24 6ES gpritcharf@gmail.com Scottish Hereford Breeders’ Association Secretary: Margaret Galbraith, Millmoor Farm, Sandilands, Lanark, ML11 9TW margaret.stewart123@btinternet.com South of England Hereford Breeders’ Association Secretary: Nick Williams, 3 Trindledown Cottages, North Standen Road, Hungerford, RG17 0QY sehbasecretary@gmail.com South Western Hereford Association Secretary: Angela Kerslake, Nicholashayne Farm, Nicholashayne, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9QY southwestherefordassoc@gmail.com Traditional Hereford Breeders’ Club Secretary: David Fenton, Honour Farm, St Michaels, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6TJ davidfenton@honournaturalfoods.co.uk

18â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; SOCIETY NEWS

Council 2021-2023 Following the election which concluded in November 2020, many council members remained in their roles of representing their areas. We catch up with these continuing members and their new colleagues.

What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term? Having been on council for a good time, I can say we did more in the last term than all the others put together. If I had to highlight one thing that I am particularly pleased about, it would be the good working relationship we have developed with Dunbia and the attempt to increase the market for finished cattle and Hereford sired Phil Allman

beef. The work we have done with Storm, Dunbia, Liz Genever and

Phil Allman Chairman West Midlands pjallman2@gmail.com 07860 824703 How many terms have you been on council for?

Dovecote Park is the best thing we can do for our members in terms of increasing consumer awareness of our beef product. There are nearly 200,000 Hereford sired calves born each year, so we need to find a market for them. Only 50,000 Hereford sired

When I farmed in Scotland, I

progeny go through beef schemes

represented the Scottish area on

so there is room for growth.

council for one term, and I am now

Advertising Hereford cattle is fine,

in my fourth term for the West

but we need to pull from the other

Midlands.

end too.

Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? Although not a pleasant day for me, when we dispersed our Greenyards herd, the cattle were liked and appreciated so much that people paid good money for them. The sale was a vindication of my judgement and values in breeding cattle. I have purchased back some Greenyards cattle and look forward to building my numbers back up again. Is there an animal which stays in your mind from the last three years? At our sale Greenyards 1 Truelove M314 cow set a new female centre record at Hereford market. Truelove is just a truly outstanding cow in the breed in my opinion. Thoughts for the future We need to increase the awareness and demand of Hereford Beef and work to secure more outlets for our product which we know is of such high quality. At the same time, we will continue in the advancements we have made in DNA and genomics and look forward to the adoption of genomically enhanced estimated breeding values.

SOCIETY NEWS | 19

Mark Roberts President West Midlands mark@bromleycourt.com 07980 834266 How many terms have you been on council for? This will be my third term on council. Tell us a bit about your herd You can read about our Bromley herd elsewhere in this journal. What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term? There have been many good things achieved but for me the top one is the establishment of a fund for spending on promotion from a producer levy on cattle killed in England. It has expanded our ambition to promote the brand and build on our good reputation.

Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? My highlights of the last three years both occurred in 2019. The Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association went as a group to the society open day at Netherhall Herefords, Cumbria at the invitation of David and Maggie Kelly. While north, we also visited the Barwise herd with Carolyn Fletcher as our host. We all had a fantastic, educational and inspiring time. That same summer we showed at the Royal Welsh and had a really good social time and watched Herefords winning and doing very well in various interbreed competitions.

including Auckvale 1 Curly 1725R, Shraden 1 Alice P809, Hollyvale 1 June 3rd, and Moralee 1 Kylie KS S3. I just can’t chose a winner. Thoughts for the future

Is there an animal which stays in your mind from the last three years?

The future is both bright and

I have a shortlist of favourite cattle

Hereford House to deliver.

Tim Livesey

of environmentally responsible farming, which I believe presents Herefords with great opportunities.

Midlands and East Anglia tlivesey@liveseybros.co.uk 07710 386329 How many terms have you been on council for? This term is my fifth term. What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term? Transparency on spending. Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? Tim Livesey

Mark Roberts

A greater consumer awareness

exciting. We have so much potential as a breed and a team at

Is there an animal which stays in your mind from the last three years? Yes, my dog which unfortunately died earlier this year. Thoughts for the future The future for the Hereford is bright, but only if we all pull together and develop a strategy which enables us to make the most of both the ever-changing consumer demands and the intrinsic qualities which are embedded within our genetic base.

20 | SOCIETY NEWS

Philip Vincent Midlands and East Anglia philiprjvincent@hotmail.com 07771 697866 How many terms have you been on council for? This will be my second term on council representing my area Midlands and East Anglia and it is an honour to do so. What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term? We have achieved a lot in the last three years such as the introduction of a marketing campaign and sustainability project to help move the society forward in the right direction.

Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? It would have to be selling cattle to Ireland, France and Denmark in the last few years. Is there an animal which stays in your mind from the last three years? I think a lot of the heifer Pulham Dowager 4th which sold for 8,000gns at the Designer Genes sale in 2018. I still can’t quite believe how much interest and bids we had that day which was truly memorable.

our great breed to the forefront of

British agriculture is in a transition period where we are moving to a greener more sustainable way

cattle breeding in the UK due to the

What was your driver to stand for election?

competition four times, NI bull of the year four times and NI female of the year twice.

Tell us a bit about your herd I established Richmount poll Herefords in 2008 with just three females and currently have 14 breeding females, plus followers. I have a passion for home breeding and choose by sight, by what is pleasing to the eye and true to the Hereford breed. What has been your highlight while in the breed?

James Graham Northern Ireland richmountherefords@gmail.com 07984458007

of farming. I believe this will bring

Thoughts for the future

To be a steady hand, positive influencer and an advocate of this great breed.

James Graham

Philip Vincent

Richmount poll Herefords has been the most consistent show team in Northern Ireland for many years, winning numerous county championships and prestigious titles every season. Careful home breeding selections have resulted in winning the NI best small herd

way the Hereford can convert grass to meat.

Tell us something we didn’t know about you My main farm industry is Bramley apple growing in the heart of the famous orchard county of Armagh. I am also an accomplished skier and my indulgent treat is to get away to Europe for the spring snow every year. Thoughts for the future It is vital we see more positivity and better communication from the council, using the diverse skills and expertise of members to get results. Now, more than ever, I would love to see good old-fashioned respect for this mighty breed that is so well placed to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing world we find ourselves in.

SOCIETY NEWS | 21

Council meetings David Smyth

Tuesday 9 February

Northern Ireland

Wednesday 5 May

m5wds@hotmail.com 07808 078117

Tuesday 14 September Tuesday 16 November (preceded by the AGM)

David Smyth

Jackie Cooper North of England jackie.jcrltd@outlook.com 07960 994 376 What was your driver to stand for election? Firstly, I am very passionate about our breed and very aware we are transitioning as an industry into uncertain times, with not only Brexit, but also environmental directives coming to the fore, for many of our British farmers and ultimately Hereford breeders. Secondly, I wanted to represent the North of England and be the voice of the members. Tell us a bit about your herd I established the Rimini herd in 2000 and kept my cattle at my parents’ farm. When I met my husband John, we moved the cattle to his parents’ farm and began breeding the cattle in our own right. The herd has always been constrained by land limitations but in 2017 we purchased our own farm and since then we have gradually increased cow numbers. We concentrate on cattle quality

and not necessarily quantity. We look for good conformation, easy fleshing and good legs and feet, with mobility being a necessity when producing cattle for commercial or pedigree purposes. What has been your highlight while in the breed? There have been many. I like to think that show wins are up there, not just to market our herd but to indicate that we are on the same wavelength as the judge. I think also being elected as the secretary for the NEHBA has been a highlight. I like to think we are keeping members astride of Hereford news as well as providing a social platform to them, with our events, trips and meetings. Tell us something we didn’t know about you

Jackie Cooper

are suited to extensive systems and will be more attractive to the environmentally conscious consumer. The Hereford’s reduced dependency on medicines is not pushed through enough. I believe working with academics

I recently started doing some joinery work on the farm. Not saying I’d win any prizes but it has been, and will continue to be, enjoyable.

is key to the breed’s success and

Thoughts for the future

while holding office. My phone is

I think we face a tough few years in navigating the breed forwards, but I believe the breeds’ traits

always on for any members who

keeping relationships with them is of prime importance. I aim to contribute to all of the above

wish to discuss any issues or suggestions they may have.

22 | SOCIETY NEWS

helped oversee careful financial management and investments of the Hereford Cattle Society. We have made significant inroads into genomic analysis to future-proof the integrity of our breed. The new rebrand also ensures the society reflects its future development in today’s modern market. Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? Allen Massey

Allen Massey North of England amassey.farm@btconnect.com 07917 324471 How many terms have you been on council for? Three terms. What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term? Despite the challenges and uncertainties, council has

Jimmy Hodge Scotland johodge@btconnect.com 07967643129 What was your driver to stand for election? I was asked by several members if I would stand for election, however, it was something I hadn’t considered as I only joined the society in 2016. After thinking about the responsibilities of the task, I felt it would be good to give something back to an industry that, as a breeder of cattle, I have benefitted from over the years. I hope I can bring a little bit of knowledge and experience to my term on council.

On a personal note, it has been encouraging to see sustained demand for breeding bulls while an ever increasing demand for females has been driven by young and new members starting out. Our own herd has seen some successes in the showring in recent years which is always very rewarding. However, as useful the shows are for public engagement, we have tried not to lose sight of our breeding objectives which will remain commercially orientated going forward.

Is there an animal which stays in your mind from the last three years? There are a lot of memorable animals in the show and sale rings from recent years, but I always enjoy seeing animals in their home environment on-farm. We were so impressed with the quality and consistency of stock at Netherhall Herefords that we purchased our next stock bull from them Netherhall 1 Jack P517. So far, we have been very pleased with the calving ease as well as overall body condition and fertility. Thoughts for the future In terms of the future sustainability of the society, we must guarantee we, the elected council, will serve to represent the views of the membership while also actively engaging with the wider beef industry. We must be willing to look at new opportunities and remain open to change, while not losing sight of the breed’s traits which have cemented it as the greatest beef breed on earth.

Tell us a bit about your herd Fellowhills Herefords was started in 2015. The herd now consists of around 30 cows which filled the gap after we sold our pedigree Holstein herd in 2013. Life was too quiet without livestock on the farm. All arable was not for me. What has been your highlight while in the breed? Every calf born alive is a highlight. However, if I have to choose something else it would be Fellowhills’ results in the Scottish Hereford Breeders’ virtual show 2020. We won three classes and two of the animals were homebred. We then went on to win both

Jimmy Hodge

male and female champion. Tell us something we didn’t know about you I was on the Holstein UK judging

SOCIETY NEWS | 23

panel for over 25 years and would

Thoughts for the future

cattle breeders. Nothing stays the

have judged the dairy interbreed

Our challenge for the future is to embrace change. We have an obligation to consider new technology and science to make us all better

same for ever. We have a fantastic

What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term?

to see them onto the lorry after all the blood testing and paperwork. They travelled well and it was nice to hear they all calved without problems.

championship in 2020 at the Royal Highland Show, which has now changed to 2021.

Martin Jenkins

Martin Jenkins South of England martinljenkins@aol.com 07785 388408 How many terms have you been on council for? I am just starting my second term on council.

Michael Clark South of England mikeclarklowesmoor@btinternet. com 07929 637573 How many terms have you been on council for? Two terms – six years. What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term? Hereford Beef marketing on social media has helped to raise awareness of the great quality and taste of Hereford Beef. Consumers will judge the product by taste and value for money.

There are a lot of things council has achieved in the past three years which haven’t been plain sailing. Among others, this has included the updating of technology at Hereford House and the refurbishment of the offices to comply with today’s legal requirements so we can achieve the best rental incomes. The use of the internet to build awareness of the Hereford brand and the new website have also been great achievements. Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? My personal highlight has been the sale and export of twelve in-calf heifers to Belgium. It was a relief

breed of cattle in the Hereford. Can we make it the viable first choice for the commercial beef farmer?

It was also a great privilege to be asked to judge the HCBA herds competition in the association’s 100th year. It was a brilliant couple of weeks, looking at some excellent cattle. During this time I saw the most memorable bull, Hawkesbury 1 Ronaldo, at H Westons and son, Ledbury, Herefordshire. Thoughts for the future I am looking forward to the next term and seeing some of the hard work put into the last three years bear fruit. Now with Covid-19 vaccines rolling out, we can hopefully look forward to seeing each other again later in the year.

Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? The Hereford breed has seen a huge growth in cattle numbers and thus markets. The demand for finished cattle by suppliers and consumers has increased but there is still plenty of room to grow. Thoughts for the future In 2021 and beyond, thoughts have to turn to sustainability, the environment and carbon footprint. By embarking on a sustainability survey, the Hereford breed is leading the way and it is vital all breeders support this innovative approach and eventually act on its findings.

Michael Clark

24 | SOCIETY NEWS

Mike Harris

Mike Harris South West mjharris.remedy@btinternet.com 07974 810806 How many terms have you been on council for? This will be my second term on council.

Jonathan Moorhouse South West moorhouse@lowerprestonfarm. co.uk 07714 104692

What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term?

Is there an animal which stays in your mind from the last three years?

In some respects, my first term on council has been rather a whirlwind, due to the multitude of tasks which have been tackled, but I am especially proud to be involved in the continued modernisation of the society and the way it operates. The new branding exercise is an obvious example of this, but also the move towards SNP testing and genomically enhanced EBVs.

This is obviously one of our own Herefords. One of our bulls that we sold this year, Hilfield Saxon, typifies what a Hereford should be all about, being correct structurally and in its markings, good growth rate off milk and grass and a quiet temperament.

Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? It would have to be the continued success of our own herd based in Dorset. Still relative newcomers to the breed, we have a firm customer base for our breeding stock and have won the South Western Hereford Association competition for medium sized herds in consecutive years.

your Hereford highlight over the last three years? Witnessing the growing popularity of the Hereford in the south west of England.

This will be my fourth.

in your mind from the last three

The change in culture to a more outward looking breed and, in spite of all the challenges, strengthening the financial reserves of the society.

The year 2020 has been difficult in more ways than one. From a farming perspective, and with a very untypical farmer’s optimistic outlook, I hope UK farmers will continue to be as resilient as ever, whatever the outcome of trade talks and the transition away from BPS payments. What is a certainty, is Hereford breeders, with the attributes their stock contain, could not be better placed to face the challenges of the future.

Outside of council, what has been

How many terms have you been on council for?

What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term?

Thoughts for the future

Is there an animal which stays years? Cato 1 Princess Gem 625. Thoughts for the future Let’s go into the future with one united resolve to capture new markets, both at home and abroad.

Jonathan Moorhouse

SOCIETY NEWSâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;25

What was your driver to stand for election? I always thought it would be an honour and privilege to represent the Welsh members on council. Having failed to be elected several years ago, a few persuasive phone calls from various members gave me the nudge I needed to throw my hat into the ring. Tell us a bit about your herd Our Dendor herd of pedigree Aled Jones

Aled Jones

poll Herefords consists of approximately 50 breeding cows and followers. They are run

Wales

commercially in competition with

aledljones@btinternet.com

a flock of ewes for prime lamb

01686 688266

production.

Non Thorne

thrives on its foraging capability, something the logo captures really well.

Wales nonthorne@hotmail.com 07890 781323 How many terms have you been on council for? One term. What do you think is the best thing council achieved in the past term? I think the new logo in conjunction with the new website are great. The logo was designed to be forward thinking, modern, bold, while incorporating a hint of tradition and depicting the foraging ability of the Hereford breed. Sustainability is very much a key word at the moment, and the Hereford is certainly a sustainable breed which

What has been your highlight while in the breed? Winning supreme champion at Montgomeryshire Agricultural Show in Welshpool in 1969 with Gwastad Cedric. I also had the day off school! Tell us something we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about you I won first prize at the National Urdd Eisteddfod in the arts and craft section for the under eights. Thoughts for the future I would like to see existing members guide and inform new members through the minefield that is - genetic defects, herd health schemes and EBVs which seem to have gained more relevance over the last decade.

Outside of council, what has been your Hereford highlight over the last three years? Meeting old friends and making new ones at shows all over the country is always a highlight but I must say judging in Finland in July 2019 was certainly up there. Everyone was so kind and accommodating and the hospitality was second to none. Our short stay was jam-packed with activities, farm tours and dining out. I would never have had the opportunity if not for Hereford cattle. Is there an animal which stays in your mind from the last three years? I have far too many favourites.

Non Thorne

Thoughts for the future I am hoping for a positive and fulfilling 2021. I am looking forward to seeing everyone throughout the year and will continue to promote the best breed of beef cattle in the world.

26 | HEREFORD BEEF

Dunbia focuses on sustainability Sustainability of beef production is an area which has gained momentum in recent times and is quickly becoming a priority for the whole agri-food industry, explains Sarah Haire, head of agriculture at Dunbia. Sarah says: “As a result of government changing agricultural policies, NFU’s net zero ambition and calls from corporate climate action bodies, each part of the beef supply chain is now thinking, ‘how can we become more sustainable and what does that look like?’” In response to this movement, key stakeholders within the country’s beef supply chain united to form the UK Cattle Sustainability Platform (UKCSP), to facilitate collaboration and scale-building between the many diverse sustainability initiatives across the industry. Sustainability is among some of the many considerations consumers make on purchasing a beef product, along with eating quality, price, appearance and animal welfare, she explains. “The importance of sustainability and the need to become more environmentally aware may sound daunting to many farmers, as some may consider the balance between environment, productivity and profitability is not right. However, small changes in breeding practices and management decisions can result in large environmental

footprint reductions, and ones we believe can be easily achieved by the Hereford breed. The Hereford breed is the staple of both of our Co-op and Lidl premium beef ranges, where Hereford Beef sales have seen strong growth in recent weeks. “The next and most important step is for us to demonstrate and prove Hereford Beef’s sustainability within our supply chain,” says Sarah. ”From a processor point of view, becoming ‘more sustainable’ affects all aspects of the supply chain from farm to fork, including packaging, human health and nutrition and the farming supply base. However, as these are considered, high quality, consistent meat products still need to be produced for customers.” The pandemic presented challenges during the initial lockdown where some retailers struggled without online platforms and consumers panic bought, with price and availability playing a big part in sales patterns. But, Covid-19 also provided a positive story for beef and during 2020 the beef market saw a 15.5 per cent increase overall, and premium ranges grew by over 40 per cent in volume over the same period. “Industry and retail marketing campaigns have helped this drive and we hope consumers will continue the pattern, however, we

Sarah Haire

need to ensure we keep meeting their ever changing needs and wants,” says Sarah. “We really believe Hereford Beef can prosper on the back of the drive towards sustainable beef production. To get there, we firstly need to collect the data to allow us to showcase the positive impact ruminant production has on the environment. Once we collect this data from our supply chain, we can then clearly see where effort and investment can be used to tell our story while informing the consumer on the benefits of eating red meat and what sustainable beef production means.” Sarah concludes: “We are pleased to be working with the society on its current sustainability project and hope that together, we can showcase a truly high quality, sustainable beef product to a growing customer base.”

HEREFORD BEEF | 27

AC T I V E LY SOU RC I NG

Quality Cattle

ACROSS THE UK

Building close relationships with farmers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland for over 40 years www.dunbia.com

TO MEET OUR ONGOING WEEKLY REQUIREMENTS WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Farm Assured; ■ Heifers ■ Steers ■ Barren Cows

The UK's largest and most comprehensive auction website. Search by auctioneer, region or sale type.

www.auctionfinder.com

28 | HEREFORD BEEF

Thinking wider on beef sustainability many people and organisations.” To counter the growing concerns about beef, the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef was established in 2010 and brings together a wide range of organisations to develop a common understanding. It has helped the establishment of roundtables in USA, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay and Southern African.

Dr Liz Genever

Recently there has been a lot of debate and discussion about what sustainability means. For sustainable production, social responsibility, economic viability and environmentally sound practices need consideration, explains Dr Liz Genever, who urges producers to view sustainability as more than solely carbon footprint. She explains: “Thinking wider than the UK, beef production is being associated with deforestation in South America to graze cattle or grow crops for cattle, feedlots, high water use, antibiotic growth promoters, methane belching and is thought to be one of the major causes of climate change. Alongside this is the highly publicised concerns about red meat consumption and health. The beef industry is being challenged by

The European Roundtable of Sustainable Beef established some targets around the four priority areas - environment (greenhouse gas emissions), animal medicines, animal health and welfare and farm management, as can be seen in table 1. Consumers of Hereford beef want more information about how their

animals are being raised, especially as they choose to continue to eat red meat after poor press regarding its health and environmental impacts. There is a great requirement to engage the public with the range of nature friendly farming practices that are part of Hereford Beef production, says Liz. Genetics have a role to play in sustainable beef production, via selection of more efficient animals for reproductive, growth rate and meat yield traits, explains Liz. She says: “Work has been carried out on feed efficiency on Hereford cattle in Uruguay, which demonstrates it is possible to select from more feed efficient animals. For example, steers with low residual feed intake (more feed efficient) produced 27 per cent less methane per kg of dry matter intake.

Table 1: European Roundtable for Sustainable Beef targets 1.1 - An intensity reduction of 15% in GHG emissions by 2025, with the aim of setting a future target that recognises the positive role beef production can contribute to mitigating climate change through reduction strategies and sequestration 2.1 - Total usage of antibiotics below 10mg/kg PCU1 by 2023 2.2 - Reductions of 50% in the use of HP-CIAs by 2023 3.1 - Target mortality rates are below 1.5% 3.2 - All animals have access to loose housing (when housed) by 2030 3.3 - All animals are given pain relief (analgesics) for all surgical procedures and for all forms of castration, dehorning and disbudding 4.1 - A reduction in serious accidents on-farm and a reduction in fatalities with an overall target of zero 4.2 - Financially viable farms that have a business plan in place

HEREFORD BEEF | 29

www.nordicstar.co.uk

0800 731 9465

Let’s get straight to the point...

The choice for quality

BVD tag and test: identify PI calves easily and quickly

Tags now come in strips of four, for ease of use

OVER 99% *

Over 4 years

Competitive prices

•

Two piece tagging process keeps it simple

•

Online ordering through your PC or apps, from the Apple or Google stores

• •

Become BVD Red Tractor compliant Great links to the BVDFree systems, giving quick analysis through your vet

* Based on independent research carried out in Holland in 2015.

Lab postage costs included

Replacements ordered by 3pm

•

In house tag printing means fast turnaround of orders and flexibility

•

Experienced team will help with orders and answer queries

•

One stop reporting through www.herdcompanion.co.uk

•

Free Taggers with new orders over 100 tags if required

Phone for up to date prices, which include freepost envelopes for the tissue samples - simply put in the post box.

0800 731 9465

30 | HEREFORD BEEF

“It needs to be confirmed that the terminal and maternal indices are identifying the best animals from a sustainability perspective. This could be a useful area of collaboration for breed societies across the world as the challenge is the same - more beef from less resource.” There is growing interest in regenerative farming, which uses practices to build soil health including reduced cultivations, different grazing techniques and crop selection, she explains. “Within the UK, Hereford cattle are the most used breed for pastureonly systems and will have an important role to play in grazing systems that help damaged and depleted soils. This will sit alongside the need to reduce inputs, such as feed, fertiliser and fuel, to help

systems be financially viable especially as the UK subsidy system evolves.

community around the farms is

“The use of these inputs are the biggest drivers for high carbon footprints, particularly from methane from the animal itself, so need to be the focus of future animal systems. Hereford cattle have a strong track record in these low input, high

which makes handling less risky.

also important. The advantage of Herefords is their laid-back nature

“The Hereford breed is in a very strong position to be a key part of sustainable beef production, with animals that can thrive on grass and forage systems that help to increase

“The Hereford breed is in a very strong position to be a key part of sustainable beef production’’ output systems and this needs to be highlighted to more people.”

the carbon and water stored in

The social element of sustainability is often forgotten, adds Liz, but the wellbeing of the people who are managing the cattle, and the

reduced inputs, which helps to make

soils. They can cope in systems with more financially viable businesses with improved wellbeing,” she concludes.

HELPING IMPROVE HERD HEALTH & PROFITABILITY MEETING BREED SOCIETY REQUIREMENTS BVD, NEOSPOROSIS, IBR, JOHNE’S & LEPTOSPIROSIS TESTING FULL VETERINARY SUPPORT AND ADVICE

ALL THE SUPPORT YOU NEED

The ca�le team at Biobest provide services to Hereford herds throughout the UK and Ireland. We welcome enquiries from new and established breeders.

www.hihealthherdcare.co.uk

HEREFORD BEEF | 31

Hereford performs for Dovecote sales are now sold online rather than in Waitrose shops, and this is something we expect to continue. With more and more shoppers visiting the Waitrose website each week, we’ve continued to communicate the Hereford story online.

It’s fair to say 2020 has been a year like no other, and the case is the same at Dovecote Park, says Karen Howarth, category and marketing manager at Dovecote Park

“We now have an award-winning product in our range, with the Waitrose No. 1 dry aged bone-in sirloin joint winning a three star Great Taste award from the Guild of Fine Food. A total of 12,777 products were entered for the awards this year, with the three-star accolade won by only 205,” says Karen.

Karen explains: “Demand for cattle has been strong, with an increase in volume across prepacked beef in Waitrose, driven by the considerable change in shopper behaviour. There have also been some notable highlights for our Hereford scheme in Waitrose.” The start of lockdown saw shoppers switch to more flexible cuts, such as mince, diced and meatballs, says Karen, as shoppers took to batch cooking their favourite meals in a bid to make the most of their increased free time. Burgers also performed well due to the exceptional weather late spring and early summer, and

“In the pre-pack fixture this is sourced from Hereford cattle which have been dry aged for a minimum of 30 days, with the premium cuts of fillet, sirloin and cote de boeuf all gaining in popularity. The latter continues to be the star performer for Hereford.” There has been a huge increase in

“Almost 20 per cent of all our beef sales are now sold online rather than in Waitrose shops” Waitrose Hereford burger sales increased by 18 per cent in the latest year. “We’ve also seen shoppers look to re-create the restaurant experience at home, and they’ve been trading up to the Waitrose No 1 brand,” says Karen.

the number of shoppers choosing to buy their groceries online, and Waitrose has done a fantastic job to increase the number of delivery slots by almost 250 per cent since the start of lockdown, says Karen. “Almost 20 per cent of all our beef

Waitrose shoppers agree as this product regularly receives five-star reviews on the Waitrose website. “It has sold well for key occasions such as Mother’s Day and Easter, and is featured heavily this Christmas both in store and online,” concludes Karen.

Comments from Great Taste judges: “Really impressive piece of meat. The flavour running all the way through the joint from the crust is exceptional. Cooking it on the bone has kept the meat juicy and tender and the texture is melt in the mouth.” “Flavour is outstanding...best thing we’ve tasted for some time.” “Absolutely exquisite.”

32 | SOCIETY NEWS

Hewer paintings donated The society was kindly donated a collection of oil paintings, originally owned by the famous John Hewer. In 2020, the society was contacted by John Hewer Robinson who wished to make a donation of oil paintings. John is a direct descendant of John Hewer who is a well-known character is the story of the breed and credited for fixing the famous white face to the Hereford in its early beginnings. The paintings represent iconic images of the Hereford cattle bred by the Hewer family and John Hewer in particular. John Hewer Robinson says: “They were passed down the generations and eventually came into my possession.” A significant painting in the collection is that of Cotmore. Although bred by T Jeffries, he was sired by Hewer’s Sovereign. Cotmore was supposed to be one of the finest bulls ever seen, weighed 3920lb and won many prizes. A very similar painting of this bull already hangs in the boardroom at Hereford House. John Hewer certainly made a name for himself but it was also very much a family affair. When John’s father moved from Gloucestershire to Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, he brought with him his two brothers as

Portrait of John Hewer at Vern House. By English School, 1850.

well as his own father then aged 75. In 1855, John Hewer moved to the Vern at Bodenham, Herefordshire in

bull bred by J L Hewer features in the collection and is shown in a barn, presumably at the Vern.

and his son John Lloyd Hewer then

John’s brothers were also involved

became involved. Darling, the first

in the cattle business. Robert, who

SOCIETY NEWS | 33

is pictured on the Cotmore painting, is described on the piece as ‘one of the most celebrated herdsmen, who fed upwards of 200 winners in different parts of the kingdom’. Doubtless he was advising many of the purchasers of Hewer cattle. James, another brother, is recorded as visiting John at Hampton Lodge and is described as a farmer. Within the collection there is the portrait of John Hewer himself. It is an oil painting presented to him in 1861 and shows him holding a copy of a Hereford herd book. He died at Paradise Villa near the Vern in 1875, aged 88. Francis, a much younger brother, established himself as a butcher in Hereford at the same time as John was making a name for himself in the county. At one time, he had a butchers’ shop at the north end of Broad Street within the city, along which all the cattle would be driven to market. Presumably, any of John’s stock which did not make the grade would find their way to Francis. John says: “Francis was my greatgreat-grandfather who initiated a line of butchers. His son George, started as a fellmonger, dealing in hides, before also acquiring a butchers shop in Madley near Hereford. George’s son John, my grandfather, continued the business in Madley until eventually renting The Old Weir Farm at Kenchester in Herefordshire to be able to have pasture for his stock. “John Hewer’s only son, John Lloyd, was my grandfather’s godfather and he passed the paintings on to my grandfather. Why he did not hand them to one of his children, I do not know. “When I was a child, the collection hung in a small room at The Old Weir, designated ‘the art gallery’. When

Bull standing in landscape by English School, 1870.

Bull standing in stable by HJ Quintin, 1857.

my grandfather was old, his son Berkley, my uncle, took over the farm and the paintings were given pride of place to be shown off to visitors. Sadly, at this time, money was tight and the paintings of Governor and Sovereign were sold.

paintings to me. I understand that he

“My uncle, in his will, bequeathed the

appreciated.”

felt that I would take responsibility for them. I believe that I have now found the best home for them with the Hereford Cattle Society where they can be cared for and

34 | SOCIETY NEWS

The Hereford prize ox. Bred by John Hewer, fed by John Thomas Smith, Postland, Lincs. By J Miles, 1837.

Hereford bull in brick barn owner seated to the left, by HJ Quintin, 1844.

Lady Byron at 11 years old, by Old Chance, dam Fatrumps. Bred by John Hewer. By HJ Quintin, 1846.

SOCIETY NEWS | 35

Sires of the Future tops at 6,500gns Dendor 1 Sugar Ray from DE, ED and AL Jones led the inaugural sale, purchased by rugby referee Nigel Owens. Dendor 1 Sugar Ray from DE, ED and AL Jones, Caersws, Powys led the trade at the Hereford Cattle Society’s inaugural Sires of the Future sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre. Selling for 6,500gns, it headed to Carmarthenshire to join international rugby referee Nigel Owen’s newly established Mairwen herd. This 16 month old bull is the first Dendor 1 Nairobi son to be sold at public auction, which stood supreme champion at the 2018 National Poll Show. Its dam, Dendor 1 Ruby 17th, bred the 2018 female of the year, and is a SMH Euro 30E daughter. Appleridge 1 Rollo from Martin Jenkins, Berkeley, Gloucestershire realised 4,200gns, and heads back to Gloucestershire with Allan Timbrell, Cirencester to join the Thames herd. Sired by one of Appleridge’s most successful herd sires, Lowesmoor 1 Kilkenny, it is out of a home-bred female, sired by Romany 1 Galaxy A84 G5. This bull holds a super set of EBVs, with 400 day weight, terminal and selfreplacing indices lying in the top 10 per cent of the breed.

Dendor 1 Sugar Ray from DE, ED and AL Jones sold for 6,500gns

Appleridge 1 Rolo from M Jenkins sold for 4,200gns

36 | SOCIETY NEWS

Changing hands to VB Collins, Llangattock Lingoed, Monmouthshire at 3,800gns was Bromley 1 Othello, consigned by Society president Mark Roberts and wife Maddy from Hoarwithy, Herefordshire. This striking 21 month bull was the heaviest on the day weighing in at 1,038kg and has 400 and 600 day weight figures in the top 10 per cent of the breed, with terminal and self-replacing indices in the top five per cent. Havenfield 1 Schooner from EL Lewis and son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire, who have been in the breed for nearly 200 years, sold for 3,000gns to commercial suckler man, Andrew Lloyd, Walton, Radnorshire. Born in October 2018, it is by the Australian bull Mawarra Mustang and is a maternal brother to Havenfield 1 Rufus which sold for 6,400gns at the Society’s spring show and sale in Hereford in 2019. All of the growth figures for this bull lie in the top five per cent of the breed, with a selfreplacing index in the top 10 per cent. Making the trip south from Glasgow was Harveybros 1 Stan-The-Man from George and Sophie Harvey, which also sold for 3,000gns to Michael Clark to add to the Gloucestershire-based Lowesmoor herd. Qualifying as a superior carcase sire, this September 2018-born bull is by the famous Normanton 1 Laertes, which was so successful on the 2016 summer show circuit, taking the interbreed titles at both the Royal Highland and Royal Welsh. It is out of Harveybros 1 Crocus N5, a daughter of the Danish sire Venture Night Time 7055. Breed secretary David Deakin said: “It was good to see over 60 per cent of bulls finding homes with commercial farmers. This was the first Sires of the Future sale and, considering how poor the weather has been, it drew a good crowd, which we can only build on.” Auctioneers: Halls

Bromley 1 Othello from M and M Roberts sold for 3,800gns

Havenfield 1 Schooner from EL Lewis and son sold for 3,000gns

SOCIETY NEWS | 37

38 | SOCIETY NEWS

Shand reflects on 2020 the pandemic, and use it to our advantage,” he says.

After an unusual year in so many ways, National Beef Association CEO Neil Shand reflects on how the beef industry has been affected and also looks to the future. Regardless of what happens as we leave the EU, the challenges facing the UK beef industry are huge, says Neil Shand, CEO of the National Beef Association. He says: “Beef producers are faced with the end of BPS and the introduction of environmental payments, of which we know so little, but have been promised so much. This seismic shift comes at a time when the pressure on the beef industry to reduce emissions is increasing, and, like it or not, change will be driven through beef production.” The year 2020 has been a remarkable one, Neil continues. “Who would have thought this time last year we would be faced with all these difficulties? Covid-19 has, and will continue to be, a challenge. The resulting implications for the beef industry have been in many ways dramatic,” he says. Although there were some initial drops in farm gate price at the end of March and over Easter, the beef

“The future of the beef industry can be equally as bright as the present, as long as we are able and willing to adapt to change, which will come quickly.” According to AHDB data, the biggest concerns among those eating less or no beef at all are the environment and animal welfare.

Neil Shand

trade blossomed and prices rallied as the demand for UK beef soared. There have been several drivers for this explains Neil, although the main factor is undoubtedly the closure of the food service sector for much of the year, which has put the brakes on imported beef. All major supermarkets promoted certain cuts of the carcase over the early summer months, and at a time when everyone was at home, the sun was shining and the barbecues were out and cheaper steaks were a big hit. There has also been a surge in consumer knowledge and people are increasingly aware and interested in where their beef comes from. “We have a huge opportunity as an industry to grab this customer engagement and the wave of wartime-like patriotism which has emerged in the midst of

Neil comments: “Such is the current environmental focus on the beef industry, it is surely in our best interests to find a way to answer and overcome the stigma of eating beef which is felt by some consumers, but we are not helped by the popular press and media. It is also becoming apparent that in some influential quarters, diet and diet choice appear to be playing a greater political role than would generally be considered balanced. It’s imperative that this does not become a major problem.” The immediate challenges will all be linked to the environment, and there is room for most beef producers to improve their carbon footprint, he says, and with the focus of future support payments centred around public money for public goods, these schemes will almost certainly be largely results based. He says: “We understand that although they will include welfare and health-based incentives, there is no doubt the environment

SOCIETY NEWS | 39

and carbon emissions will play a large part. Advances in genetics, improvement in grasses, and reduction or eradication of primary diseases in cattle in the last quarter of a century have been immense, and all these add further benefits to the beef production cycle. “As an industry, we need more suckled calf producers, whatever their breed of choice, to buy and use elite genetics. Recent AHDB data suggests nearly a third of all breeding bulls used in England are cross-bred, have no EBVs, and therefore no way to measure performance or apply improvements.” In the autumn, the NBA received a rough ride from some producers

with certain elements of its proposal to combat the perceived problems of beef industry emissions. In spite of this, Neil says reducing the age of finished cattle at slaughter remains the single biggest win the industry can have.

shift to feed-lot systems, simply

He says: “A three month reduction in age at slaughter gives as much as a 20 per cent decrease in emissions from beef production, while allowing for an increase in suckler numbers and a corresponding decrease in the quantity of imported beef. The adoption of a mixture of improved genetics, lifting feed conversion ratios, disease reduction, and better feed and grass qualities will all lead to cattle being fit for slaughter younger. It is not a proposal to

Commercial beef producers are the

a drive to increase efficiency and productivity to the benefit of all. “National Beef Association and the Hereford Cattle Society have significant mutual interests. main stay of our industry who are your customers and our members. It is these beef producers who feed and clothe their families on the profits of their business who will need to face and adapt to change in the coming years. As an industry we must unite. It’s not my problem, their problem, his or her problem; it’s everyone’s collective opportunity, and the opportunities are immense.”

NBA - DEFENDING OUR INDUSTRY The Courier.co.uk

WHOLESALER SAYS HUMAN ERROR TO BLAME FOR RELABELLING CASE. Food service footprint.com

BOOKER UNDER FIRE FOR ‘RELABELLING’ BEEF. The Grocer.co.uk

The Leamington Courier

THE NATIONAL BEEF ASSOCIATION CALLED OUT THE WHOLESALER THIS WEEK AFTER IT FOUND ORIGINAL LABELS ON CERTAIN URUGUAYAN BEEF PRODUCTS HAD BEEN COVERED WITH A BOOKER LABEL TO EXTEND THE BEST-BEFORE DATE FROM MARCH 2021 TO JULY 2021.

THE BRITISH NATIONAL BEEF ASSOCIATION (NBA), WHICH HAS INVESTIGATED THE MATTER, SAID THE ‘ERRORS’ HAD BEEN REPEATED AND DESCRIBED THE COMPANY’S EXCUSE AS ‘LIP SERVICE’.

FULL MEMBERSHIP FROM £75.00 - INCLUDES WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS, QUARTERLY MAGAZINE AND FREE ENTRY TO NBA EVENTS. For NBA membership Enquiries please contact 01434 601005 or karen@nationalbeefassociation.com

NBA Advert_A5_01_21.indd 1

21/01/2021 12:54

40 | SOCIETY NEWS

UK reports growth at World Conference With Herefords and Hereford-crosses making up 27 per cent of New Zealand’s suckler herd, Queenstown was a worthy destination of the 18th World Hereford Conference in March 2020. Herefords in the UK have seen a resurgence in recent times, Laura Bowyer, marketing manager at the

Hereford Cattle Society told the conference’s international delegates.

almost 90 per cent increase over the last decade.”

In 2020, there are over 1,000 active breeders across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which has increased by nearly 60 per cent over the last 10 years, she said.

Not only does this show the Hereford Cattle Society is going in the right direction and the breed is gaining more and more momentum, but it also shows how commercially relevant and popular Herefords have become once again in the UK.

“Over 9,000 pedigree calves are now registered each year, which is up nearly 50 per cent compared to 10 years ago. Looking at the equally important commercial numbers, over 185,000 Hereford sired progeny are now registered each year in the UK, including those on cross-bred suckler and dairy systems. This is an

The number of branded Hereford Beef carcases which went through the system in 2019, saw an increase of over 350 per cent, compared to 10 years ago, added Laura. Since the last World Hereford

SOCIETY NEWS | 41

What happens at the World Hereford Conference? Every four years, Hereford associations from around the world gather to share knowledge and further their understanding of the breed, breeding technologies and developments in the international beef industry which may affect their long-term breeding objectives. Laura Bowyer presented the UK report

Conference in Montevideo, Uruguay in 2016, the Hereford breed has witnessed a string of price records in the UK. “In autumn 2017, a record average price at a Society sale was set for heifers of just over £3,600. “Spring 2018 saw a record average price at Hereford market for bulls of over £4,300, with a joint top of £8,200,” she said. At the dispersal sale of Phil and Alison Allman’s Greenyards herd in January 2020, five year old cow Greenyards 1 Truelove M314 sold for a female centre record at Hereford market of £10,700. The Designer Genes sale is a privately-run pedigree Hereford sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre and in December 2018 a new public sale price record for a poll bull of £13,650 was set. The Society is also working towards more robust genetic analyses, in the form of genomics, and follows its move from microsatellite to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) testing. The benefits of SNP testing include sire discovery without the requirement of the dam, future genomic evaluations and early decisions on animal’s destinies, traceability and food integrity, Laura explained. The success of any future move to producing genomically enhanced

These countries included some of the largest beef producing nations in the world, such as USA, Australia, Canada and Argentina; Uruguay which has the largest population of Herefords in the world and those less well-known for beef production, such as Kazakhstan, Finland and Switzerland. New Zealand Herefords offered a EBVs will be dependent on the quality and quantity of the performance recorded data. “We are encouraging breeders to embrace Breedplan, a free service to our members, and help the Society move forward with this technology.

20 day itinerary, consisting of two consecutive tours in the North Island before the conference week in Queenstown, and two tours in the South Island afterwards. The conference attracted an international line-up of speakers, with a focus on the environment, sustainable beef production and the messages which need to be communicated to combat the anti-meat eating campaign as the general public’s eating habits begin to change. A total of 23 studs were visited over the period, showcasing some of the best Hereford genetics New Zealand has to offer. premium product has." Laura said: “At the end of 2019, the society’s council appointed the services of a reputable Londonbased food PR and marketing agency, to work to raise the profile of Hereford beef, via both traditional print and online methods.

“Hereford Beef has been in vogue over the past 18 months picking up a number of national awards” Hereford Beef has been in vogue over the past 18 months picking up a number of national awards, which is very encouraging and perfectly reflects its quality," she said. “However, much work is still to be done in promoting Hereford Beef to the public, this is essential in order to provide existing and potential stockists of Hereford Beef with the confidence that consumers recognise our brand. Quality has never been an issue for Hereford beef but its recognition as a

"We have an animal that is both prolific and efficient at turning forage into a high-quality source of protein, along with the associated health benefits of eating beef higher in omega 3 than that produced from a grain-based diet. As a natural grazing animal, the Hereford can also play an important role in sequestrating carbon by utilising a mainly grass-based diet, as this would help to build soil fertility, capture carbon dioxide and encourage wildlife.”

42 | SOCIETY NEWS

President’s blog Together with wife Maddy, society president Mark Roberts kept those at home upto-date with all the action from the World Hereford Conference in New Zealand via his president’s blog. We look back at the story of their trip.

I’m sure the North Islanders would be grateful.

28 February - Boldly going

It is striking to note this herd has an annual on-farm yearling sale of 100 bulls at a time, averaging NZ$3,400(£1,784), demonstrating what a healthy British Friesian/ Jersey dairy sector can do for the Hereford breed.

We will be ‘boldly going’ to a place we haven’t been before... We are firstly joining John and Helen Whitlow and then many other Hereford enthusiasts from the UK and beyond on the Boehringer Ingelheim World Hereford Conference in New Zealand.

Tour starts tomorrow, so our excitement grows. We look forward to gathering in Auckland tonight.

4 March - Thriving under drought After the worst drought for 30 years, having had no rain since the beginning of November, David and Sue Henderson’s Craigmore Herefords situated two hours south of Auckland are still looking strong and healthy.

We wish more of you could have joined this trip of a lifetime, but someone has to look after the cattle at home.

3 March - Leaping to the other side Did 29 February really happen? It’s a rare date to enjoy and for us it was swallowed up in the black hole of a long-haul flight. We left on 28 February, arrived on 1 March, and that precious day in between disappeared in a haze of discomfort trying to sleep in an upright position. We have recovered our composure by the sea on the Coromandel coast. It’s beautiful but dry everywhere. If we bring some of our rain with us,

The North Island had been hit by drought

4 March - Typically understated Another lovely welcome from a typically understated New Zealand family farm at Bushy Downs. The farm was cut out of nothing around 90 years ago, in an area which was totally uninhabited, being wooded with volcanic rocky outcrops littering grassland. A beautiful cross-section of both poll and horned cattle were penned around the farmstead, with breeding details for each group, pinned to the fence. When the sun appeared strongly in the afternoon, the visiting group started to look more like a bonanza appreciation society convention. Thanks to the Port family for tea and superb homemade scones and jam before the onward trip to Rotorua.

SOCIETY NEWS | 43

Cattle at Bushy Downs

Enjoying cattle at Bushy Downs

5 March - A Maori greeting Since our first day, we have been royally entertained and informed on our trip south through the North Island. We went to the Charwell herd of Peter and Penny Davies. This herd was originally from the South Island but moved to a lakeside location at Rotoehu, with land rising up to 400 meters (1,312ft). Again, we had a lovely reception and the cattle impressed us. One stock bull was 12 years old and unusually for New Zealand, heifers calved at 30 rather than 24 months. Yet again, they hold an annual onfarm sale where roughly half the yearling bulls are put up and sold. This lakeside site has to be very careful about fertiliser run-off, and the environmental impact that may cause, similar to NVZ regulations in the UK.

That Thursday evening in Rotorua, the Maori heart of New Zealand, we had the traditional welcome, entertainment, feast and viewing of the hot water geysers in great style. We had terrific fun and got picked on to get involved in the dances.

6 March - Three well-known stations Kairuru, Koanui, and Otapawa are herds known well in the UK and the next two days would let us visit all three influential studs. Today took us to Kevin, Jane, Jeffrey and Nicola McDonald’s Kairuru herd. This was the last herd which the youth team would visit with us for some time, and a great way to go out. Nicola is a Danish-trained vet, who has married into this already successful team, so we saw no hint of limp or strain in this well-fleshed, heavy-milking herd. That night we were treated to a

UK delegates who joined the pre-conference tour

Kairuru Herefords

succulent fillet steak dinner in St George’s restaurant, Hastings, prepared by one of Hasting’s leading chefs, who only uses Hereford Beef. He spoke to us of its qualities, saying, it never lets him down.

7 March – All the trimmings Next was Koanui, an upland farm rather like Bushy Downs, and probably the largest herd we have seen with 800 cows and still increasing. The Chesterman family, led by Fred and Chris, certainly know the meaning of hard work. The view from their hilltop walk was breathtaking. Gerald Blandford was most impressed with this strong herd. From there we drove up into the east coast hills to visit the Otapawa stud. Donald and Marlene, heads of the Robbie family, have visited the UK several times and will be known to many of you.

44 | SOCIETY NEWS

that time to mature. Fond farewells and presentations were well-received, including a birthday sing-song for 15 year old Ella, a keen and prize winning stock woman. The in-calf heifer bunch was one of the finest we have seen and three strong-looking 18 month old bulls in the first paddock were admired by all.

Bulls at Koanui

This farm is open to backpackers, with tour trails and accommodation provided. We were treated to a right royal roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, in their immaculately cleaned out sheep-shearing shed. We received five-star hospitality complete with wine and the local Tui beer. After this, Stuart, Maria, Douglas and Dara gave us a tour of the cattle. We admired all ages of stock, including embryo donor cows. Some UK qualified embryos were offered to us, and they represent genetics not otherwise available. Back at the hotel in Masterton, we were treated to another buffet banquet. The outdoor pool facilities were refreshing at the end of a hot day, but proved rather too bracing for some at 7am the next morning.

8 March - Words and wineries Almost a Sunday morning lie-in followed by a leisurely breakfast then a short run to Te Taumata Herefords belonging to Jim, Alistair and Eileen McWilliam, against a backdrop of mountains. The first cattle we met, at the side of the drive, were Te Taumata Foundation 14684 and Te Taumata Force, both by NJW Hometown 10Y. After viewing them, we knew we were in for a treat. Jim and Alistair McCowan and their families calve their heifers at three years old, as they feel they are then better equipped within this varied environment to raise good calves. The hilly terrain, dry summers, and hard winters mean the cattle need

Delegates were impressed by Te Taumata bulls

Another treat was then in store for us at Poppies Winery in Martinborough. We had a tasting of five main wines they produce, from a dry rose, 2018 Riesling, Pinot Grigio and an absolutely gorgeous Pinot Noir, which we were told needs time to mature if you are to taste the depths of her true character. Sounds like the wife.

9 March – Making Queenstown home We arrived in Queenstown this afternoon, which we were to make home for the next few days while the main business of the conference takes place. This afternoon we attended the welcoming reception of the conference, with another traditional Maori performance. Here we saw many faces who joined the proceedings at this stage. We spent time mingling with different country’s breeders, with a drink in-hand.

Wine tasting was enjoyed at Poppies Winery

SOCIETY NEWS | 45

Australia, New Zealand, USA and Uruguay, gave thought-provoking presentations on the topics of grassland management, genotype, and the growing emphasis on Breedplan recording linked with genomic information to improve the accuracy of our predictive values.

Chris and Phil Caunter at the welcoming reception

10 March – A feast fit for kings Tuesday and Thursday were full conference days, for those wanting to learn more about Breedplan, genomics, pasture management, and the current challenges to our breed. This morning each representative country gave a report their developments. Each country had eight minutes to present and most told a similar tale of branding

That evening we boarded the TSS Earnsclaw and cruised across Queenstown’s iconic Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak. Here, we gathered in an impressive shearing pavilion and country by country, offered our gifts of appreciation to the New Zealand association. Afterwards we poured into The Colonel’s homestead, which lay host the gala dinner. Here we faced endless tables of beautiful buffet food and golly we ate well that night.

and quality improvements and competition from other breeds for market share. We had very positive feedback from other countries that Laura Bowyer’s presentation was one of the strongest, due to her clear delivery and emphasis on future growth.

11 March - Another memorable day

The speakers from Tuesday afternoon onwards, drawn from a range of countries including

We journeyed out from Queenstown, north east to Clutha, through mountains, into drier, wine-growing

Mark Roberts presented a gift to NZ Herefords

TSS Earnslaw

Rosemary Blandford (left) with Edward and Carol Lewis

John Kemp (centre) with Gareth and Pat Jones

46 | SOCIETY NEWS

regions and on to fertile valleys of vines and cherry trees. Over bridges of crystal clear, turquoise glacial water, we sped onwards and upwards to the stud of Locharburn Herefords, home of Geoff and Joyce Brown. Here, we enjoyed a display of ultrasound scanning for eye muscle area and intra-muscular fat, together with back-fat depth. The scanner compared three heifers of the same weight, demonstrating why one would come out with a much higher quality meat yield, shown by measurements in these three areas. After delicious home-made cakes and coffee, we were given an ear tag and head collar technology demonstration, before taking a stroll round the cattle. The afternoon consisted of a trip further up into the mountains, to Earnscleugh Station, home of Alistair, Duncan, and Amanda Campbell. This high, exposed 21,000ha (5,1892 acres) station experiences hot dry summers and cold winters, with rainfall of up to 12,000mm (473in). Today the Campbells farm pure Merino sheep, with an amazing show of fleeces for us to see the length and quality of wool fibre. Some fleeces fetch thousands of dollars. They also farm Angus and composite cattle alongside their Herefords. The ground would not lend itself to cultivation, with rocky outcrops abound.

Maddy Roberts (left) with Amelia Bonica of Uruguay

After a deliciously succulent steak sandwich, made from 40-day hung Hereford Beef, we were given a talk by a chef of a local hotel, who had prepared the steaks. We then moved to the shearing shed and heard of the latest research findings on grazing management from Dr Jason Rowntree, and on animal behaviour from Professor Pablo Gregorini from South America. Another memorable, picturesque day.

12 March – A day back in the classroom Today the emphasis was on modern challenges to farming such as methane emissions and the common perception that beef breeds are to blame for carbon emissions. The growth of vegetarianism and veganism, and the myths some celebrities are helping to purport was combatted with evidence of how important animals are in land management.

Speakers presented in Earnscleugh’s shearing shed

In New Zealand 60 to 70 per cent of the islands’ area is mountainous and impossible to cultivate. Much discussion ensued on how we manage these modern problems.

13 March - Good time at Wanaka After a night out on the town it was an early start for 200 or so conference delegates as we loaded onto coaches at 7:30am to set off on a 60 mile winding inland route through the valleys towards Wanaka. On arrival, we were struck by how similar the sideshows and attractions were to our UK agricultural shows, with delineated sections for horses and show jumping, cattle lines, foodies, rural crafts and children’s play areas. Wanaka is a relatively small rural show, but the number of Hereford cattle forward was considerably increased in order to provide a similar range of young heifers with which the Hereford youth teams could compete. At the show we felt the whole UK team displayed their abilities in the show ring to the absolute maximum. Their supporters and other country observers all congratulated them. Of course, we must say a special congratulations to James Ludgate who stood second overall in the handling class. Throughout the whole

SOCIETY NEWS | 47

day, they displayed determination and good spirit in all they did, so we came away very proud of their efforts.

14 March – A spectacular voyage We left Queenstown for the last time. Our bags were loaded onto coaches while we went down to the harbour to board boats to take us down the length of Lake Wakatipu. It was a spectacular voyage and after about an hour we alighted at the shoreline of Mount Nicholas station. This was one of the highlights of our whole time in New Zealand. Imagine a broad valley rising up to an upland plateau, with wooded side valleys rising up to the snow line. We met the owners and had a glorious sun drenched picnic in a 81ha (200ac) gathering paddock on the plateau. It was absolutely amazing and so impressive both as a commercial venture and a scene to take your breath away. We left the station and travelled through beautiful mountainous country to a Te Anau Lakeside Hotel. This was our first post-conference evening dinner together and we were a much larger group on this tour with many New Zealanders joining the visitors to their country.

A good morning at Monymusk

15 March – Remarkable display Today we visited two herds. Firstly, the Monymusk herd of Chris and Jayne Douglas where we saw noticeably some strong and dark cattle, many sharing the Monymusk Gallant genes. Next was the Waiau herd where the King family were very welcoming to this huge group and put on a great lunch including a barbecue and we loved their mainly horned herd of Herefords. It was from this herd that the cattle shown by our youth team came and they looked very well. That evening we arrived at the

Waiting to cross Lake Wakatipu to Mount Nicholas Station

southernmost city of Invercargill. This was the night of the dinner at the Bill Richard Transport World museum. It was truly amazing and beyond my ability to do it justice. I recommend you Google it as the museum is remarkable and home to upwards of 100 Ford and Dodge vans, cars, tractors, and motorbikes.

16 March - Three herds, one day We were bound for the famous Waikaka Hereford stud, run by Laurie and Sharon Patterson and their family. We were greeted by a strong showing of 200 cattle, with good temperament and all-round production ability. Laurie is chair of Hereford Prime, so there is strong evidence of intramuscular fat in his herd. The first rain of the trip did not dampen our enthusiasm, on what was an inspiring bunch of cattle, and a lovely little display of collector’s items in their own mini museum. Following this were visits to Robert Kane’s beef, sheep and dairy farm in West Otago, and then secondly to Limehills stud, home of Gray Pannett and family. Both men had been our guides in the North Island so those on that tour were pleased to see their farms.

48 | SOCIETY NEWS

After that we joined two other buses which had taken the scenic route via Oamaru, and learnt about the little blue penguins which go into the bay to roost. You can watch them in the evenings, but sadly there was precious little time as we had the next farm to visit in the Waitiki district. We visited Merrylea, home of the McKercher family which runs 260 cows alongside 2,000 breeding ewes on 720ha (1,779ac) of rolling to hill country in Cave, south Canterbury. Philip Caunter thanked the Pannett family on delegates’ behalves

Robert and his wife Mary-Anne show great farming versatility, with a mixed farm of Angus, Hereford and son Luke and wife Nicole heading up the dairy enterprise. The final visit of the day was to Limehills, where Gray and Robyn Pannett, and daughters Madison and Evie, run 8,000 cross-bred sheep and 1,200 cattle, 350 of which are Hereford stud cows. The family served drinks and scones while we meandered our way through some well-grown strong-looking bulls and heifers, which they had brought down off the hills that morning. Their emphasis is on breeding cattle that thrive in commercial operations. They also run an extensive AI programme, sourcing top genetics both from New Zealand and internationally.

18 March – A storm brewing After this, we travelled on up through the Otago province, through Pleasant Point, Temuka, and Winchester towns and towards Orari Gorge Herefords, home of Rosa, Graham, Robert and Alex Peacock. It wasn’t until today the storm we had sensed brewing in the rest of the world broke on us. It was so upsetting to hear on the buses outside the farmstead of the Peacock family that a conference member had tested positive for Covid-19. Everything changed in that moment. But still, the wonderful home at Orari Gorge was opened to us, although was filled with

the inevitable tension of worry concerning onward journeys. We had a stroll through the Peacocks' grounds and were bowled over by the beautiful rose and vegetable gardens below the preserved farmhouse and ‘futter’ or ‘feed house’ of their ancestors, the Tripp family, who settled in these hills in the 1850s. We were treated to a wonderful supper courtesy of the Peacock family. Gerald Blandford gave a vote of thanks to his old friends, remembering the time they had farmed in the UK. It was so sad that their prepared hospitality was not as appreciated as it should have been, due to the very shocking change to our final days. We spent our last day in the beautiful, but earthquake damaged, city of Christchurch, which was a relaxing end to a fabulous conference period. All who attended must surely give their thanks, respect and admiration to the NZ Hereford Association, which so ably and generously hosted this wonderful conference. It was an extraordinary time that will dominate my memory of 2020.

17 March - Journeying through Otago country At 6:30am we left the city of Dunedin with a population of 130,000 and headed east to the Otago Hill Country, to view a 250 cow pedigree operation and 500 commercial cattle at Stoneburn commercial stud, where the bacon and eggs were the best yet.

Gerald Blandford thanked the Peacock family

SOCIETY NEWS | 49

Bonica passes the reins Outgoing World Hereford Council secretary general Jose (Pepe) Bonica of Uruguay, recently attended his last World Hereford Conference, as delegates elected Larry Feeney of Ireland as the incoming secretary general. During his eight year, two term tenure, which began 1 Jan 2013, Pepe has attended council meetings in Canada, Uruguay and New Zealand. He comments: “There is always something to learn from others.” As a leader and life-long learner, Pepe is a huge proponent of faceto-face meetings, noting the value that stems from people meeting and shaking hands. Conversations and comaraderie draws Pepe to Hereford events around the world. Pepe insists Hereford breeders must stick together to achieve results. He points out there are many global challenges cattle producers must address, primarily animal welfare concerns and finding ways to relate with people who live in cities. In regards to addressing animal welfare, Bonica says Hereford breeders can universally promote the breed’s disposition and good temperament. “You can allow your grandchildren to play with a Hereford bull without a handler with no fear at all,” he notes. “That’s something you don’t know the price of until you become a grandfather.”

For Hereford breeders worldwide, Pepe has two challenges. He says: “Within your farm, you have to learn to study and to be updated with all new technologies. Outside your farm, you have to tell your story to people in the cities — it’s your responsibility.” Pepe’s perspectives stem from his world travels and his background living in both rural and urban communities. He grew up on his family’s farm until he was six years old before moving to a local town for elementary school. He then ventured to Uruguay’s capital city, Montevideo, to finish secondary studies and to attend university, where he studied agronomy. Out of college he was offered a job on a rice farm, a commodity in which he had no experience. Following his dad’s recommendation, he gave large-scale rice farming a shot and has been working in rice and cattle production ever since. As the second smallest country in South America, Uruguay has one of the strongest agricultural markets on the continent. It is also home to many passionate cattlemen. In Uruguay, ‘cattle’ does not refer to just any breed. “When I say cattle, I mean Hereford,” Pepe clarifies. “Hereford is the main breed in my country — it is extremely popular.” The Hereford Uruguay organisation is supported by about 500 members,

Jose ‘Pepe’ Bonica

representing 10,000 animals per year. “The Hereford success in my country relies on the people,” Pepe says. “We like to say, ‘No breed is better than its breeders.” Pepe believes this motto holds true for Hereford breeders worldwide and is confident in the breed’s continued growth. He hopes he contributed to this success during his time as secretary general and is thankful for the opportunities he was provided during his service. “I’m very glad to say I have no regrets on what the Hereford breed has provided for me, and I hope I was able to give something in return,” he reflects. “I have been blessed with many friends within the Hereford family, and I hope to always keep those friendships, at least in my heart.”

50 | SOCIETY NEWS

UK team shines at World Conference Probably the first international Hereford youth competition of its kind, the young breeders’ competition at the World Hereford Conference was considered a great success by all involved. Emma Smith, UK Hereford Youth co-ordinator, takes us through her diary as she accompanied the UK team. 7 March – Registration day Registrations began at 12pm and all teams were signed in officially. They received a custom-made rucksack

which contained many goodies and a clip board with the itinerary for the week. The first team event was go-karting. Suffice to say there was some aggressive driving, but a great way to break the ice and not too formal. This was followed by laser quest which saw a few red faces and puffed out members, resulting in an all-girl Swedish team winning the first day’s challenge. We boarded the bus at 2pm and had a two hour drive down to Te Anau. While on this bus the team captains introduced themselves and their team mates and here UK team leader Ryan Coates did a great job. At 6pm, the teams received an official welcome and formal introductions from all the key people running the programme. Team captains had to pick their heifer draw and presentation order, plus all teams were informed of the presentation topic. The evening concluded with a takeaway dinner by the lake as the competitors started to network.

8 March – Module day

Emma Smith

Breakfast was at 6am, with a departure time of 6.45am. Today was module day and the first real test of the team competence. We arrived at Waiau stud at 9am, and had the pleasure of a farm tour in the morning, which in New Zealand consists of a large quantity of 4x4s and plenty of off-roading.

Waiau has 500 breeding cows (predominately horned), 5,000 ewes and 600 deer roaming on mountainous topography of 5,500 acres (2,226 hectares). What a sight to behold and an interesting and formative snapshot of their farming practices. A barbecue lunch was served with Hereford steaks galore, so nobody went hungry. Replenishment over, it was now down to some serious stuff module tests. These were made up of animal health, genetics, fencing, agribusiness and butchery/carcase identification, with each module taking 40 minutes to complete. For the first module, competitors were presented with some facts and figures around lice, ticks and fluke, drench application and the discussions around anthelmintic resistance. They had to complete a questionnaire on all the above topics and work out application rates and the correct applicators. The second module involved selecting five out of the 15 heifers which did not fit the selection criteria for breeding. This decision had to be aided by general eye and EBV data. Next, the team had to finish off some ready-made fencing. At this point in the afternoon, it was raining very heavily. Posts were already in the ground, they just had to apply wire, tension it and use the correct insulators, copying an already finished fence alongside them.

SOCIETY NEWS | 51

On a particularly wet day, the team participated in a fencing challenge

Presented with worksheets and an armful of data, they then had to calculate winter feed rationing for a specific amount of cattle while calculating the dry matter content. Finally, two team members had to prepare a brisket as demonstrated by a qualified butcher. They had to identify all cuts of beef and write a 500 word essay on the benefits of grass-fed beef. At 4pm we left Waiau and headed back to Te Anau for a quick shower and change in preparation for the quiz evening and dinner. This was a semi-formal event and uniforms were to be worn. The quiz had 10 rounds including topics on the breed, general knowledge, animal health plus more common categories. One team member was then selected for a quick buzzer round. Matthew volunteered for this and gained a creditable second, which was a great achievement.

9 March - Stock judging day Another early start with breakfast at

6am and departure by 7am. Today we travelled to the Monymusk stud where teams had a farm tour and competed in stock judging. On arrival we were greeted by friendly faces and an array of national flags. After a quick health and safety talk, we then rode in 4x4s for yet another thrilling journey across the South Island countryside. This farm comprised of 270 Hereford cows, including 60 heifers. On average they sell 45 bulls a year predominately as sweeper bulls into dairy herds but their top price is NZ$72,000 (£37,930). Similarly to yesterday’s farm, they had their own sale ring, complete with toilets, food facilities and a bar. Upon returning, competitors got straight to stock judging. This was carried out on a rota system with the team staying together but the results were marked individually and there was no discussion throughout the eight minute allowance. Classes to judge were yearling heifers, calved heifers, two year old bulls,

Getting to meet the locals

Romney breeding rams, Suffolk cross Texel rams and a shorn fleece. In line with the draw, James was first to compete. Reasons were given in the sale ring to an audience of coordinators and judges plus their fellow peers who had already delivered their reasons. All four team mates followed the UK-style of reason giving. Soon we were back on the bus and heading for Queenstown. Once settled into another youth hostel, we went to the official welcome reception for the conference. It was here that we saw the delegates from the UK, and it was nice to see some familiar faces. We enjoyed a haka with drinks and nibbles. Again, this was another networking opportunity with our members talking with lots of people from across the Hereford world.

10 March – Presentation day Breakfast was slightly later today at 7.30am, and it was team UK’s turn to get up early and prepare

52 | SOCIETY NEWS

The team travlled throughout the South Island

for all the other teams. Teams were slightly apprehensive today as it was presentation day and were tasked to respond to ‘If you were in a position of authority and power, how would you bridge the gap between urban and rural communities?’ Matthew came into his own on this subject and was the most experienced one in pulling it together. They used PowerPoint for their delivery and each member had a sub-heading to tackle. Their time allowance was 10 minutes which if exceeded, was not included in the overall marks. The team’s presentation was passionate and very patriotic. They didn’t go over time and delivered it confidently. The USA team won this challenge, with New Zealand in second place, followed by Denmark and then our UK team. After the announcement of the results, teams had a free afternoon. That evening, we attended the gala dinner on the other side of Lake Wakatipu, reached via paddlesteamer TSS Earnslaw.

11th March – Lochaburn stud Lochaburn stud was formed in 1923 and currently farms 1,800ha (4,448 acres). Enterprises include 600

Hereford cattle with 1,600 Merino ewes and 400 Blackfaces. Haven and Vern bloodlines were purchased in 1972 to form the herd. We had the opportunity to walk among cows and calves plus a selection of young bulls. There was a scanning demonstration and a discussion on tissue sampling units. On leaving this stud we headed off to Wanaka where the teams were expected down at the showground by 6pm. Each team had the task of preparing beds for their selected stud which were arriving in the morning. This was followed by a barbecue supper and a few games.

12 March - Wanaka Show clipping competition We had another 7.30am breakfast, with the heifers arriving on the showground by 9am. The team made their way down to the showground by 8.30am to help the Waiau stud unload their cattle and equipment. The clipping competition was scheduled for 4pm with the team having to clip one heifer with another used as a practice run. Jamie and Nicole King, owners of the cattle, were so

Ryan at Wanaka Show

impressed with the style of clipping, our youngsters were asked to prepare the whole show team, which meant washing, drying and clipping. Once this was finished, the team cleaned and tidied their workspace in preparation for the main competition and were the only team to do this. Not many bystanders agreed with our style of clipping but at the training weekend in January the team decided to stick to the basic UK-style, and this is what they did. Each team member took on a section of the heifer, which were blended together at the end. A justification to the judges was next, led by Matthew, explaining the clipping style to all breeders and fellow competitors, including points on depth, length and waste.

13 March – Wanaka Show and young handler’s competition I did not see the team this morning as they were up early and at the showground by 6.30 am for the usual routine jobs of tidying up cattle, tidying up the lines, feeding and watering took place. The young handler’s competition started at 10am so they had plenty of time to prepare the heifers for showing.

SOCIETY NEWS | 53

First in the ring was Sophie, followed by James, Ryan and then Matthew. Today was set to be the hottest day by far. The judging took a similar format to ours, with each walking a loop of the showring and then an individual assessment, although there was no discussion between the judge and competitor. The showring was lined with supporters and four heats of nine competitors were ready to strut their stuff. Sophie came in and did a sterling job. At this stage of the competition it was unclear on the judge’s approach and unfortunately Sophie did not qualify for the next round. James came in with his usual cool, calm and collected style of showing which paid dividends as he was selected for the next heat. The bar had been set for the remaining members, but neither Matthew or Ryan made the final cut, so it was down to James to fly the UK flag and that he did, placing reserve overall, making him second best in

The teams at Wanaka Show

James Ludgate came second in the handling competition

the world. When he was tapped out there was a massive cheer from the crowd.

However, celebrations continued into the evening where we had a final dinner and wind down, before teams

“I am happy to report the UK team did the UK proud and most definitely put us on the map” The rest of the day moved along with the team assisting in all the showing of their stud. At 2pm we received the results and unfortunately, we weren’t in the running to win.

said their goodbyes. I am happy to report the UK team did the UK proud and most definitely put us on the map.

54 | SOCIETY NEWS

Team talks

We catch up with the team to hear more about the members’ experiences while travelling across the world. Ryan Coates (team leader) The chance to go to New Zealand was a fantastic opportunity to tick off the bucket list while also being able to represent the society and the UK, says Ryan Coates. He says: “I also wanted to use the trip as an educational one, not only for possible new genetics but also to learn about different grazing methods including how they utilise winter fodder crops which could then potentially be used on our own farm. “I knew it would also be a great way of meeting similar aged Hereford breeders from youth programmes across the world, to get future contacts but also to try and leave with friendships.” The application process was good fun and was enjoyed by all, says Ryan. “We met up several times throughout the summer seeing the majority of UK Hereford Youth members from Kent right the way up to Kelso. I especially enjoyed the weekend at Romany Herefords. Robert and the rest of the Wilson family, along with the judges and Emma Smith made the day light hearted but with a serious twist.”

first day, reigning supreme on the pool table with James, winning the boat race and even finishing a seriously hot day’s showing with a swim and cool off in Lake Wanaka. “It was a week full of jokes and laughter but with the serious side of stockmanship and it really was a trip of a lifetime. I must give a big shout out to Becs Paterson and her team for organising a brilliant week and keeping the banter flowing. We all left with friendships that’ll last a lifetime.” While in New Zealand, Ryan was looking forward to seeing a different style of farming. He says: “The difference between the North and South Island was staggering. We saw the rolling stations of the more populated North Island and the big hill stations of the South Island, across to the flats of the Canterbury plains. There was such contrast from mainly sheep and beef on the North to the South Island’s more dairy climate with the help of irrigation on the dry flats for the arable farms and big grass growing dairy farms.

Also taking time to enjoy the conference’s tours, Ryan says the youth competition was the highlight of his time in New Zealand.

“This is all done with zero subsidies and I’m sure is something we can all learn from. Seeing how great the cattle and sheep looked from a low input system shows it can be done when everyone is working to achieve the same thing.”

“We had a great time, including getting to know everyone on the

Reflecting on the farms he saw, Ryan says: “It doesn’t matter if you

Ryan Coates

have a 20 hectare paddock or a one hectare flat halfway up a hill, soil structure can be improved and with it the crop yield. “The trip definitely changed my outlook on the management of our own herd, especially with the grazing regimes and herd health being at the fore front of the operation. It was also clear inputs don’t have to be high to run a successful farming business.” Ryan encourages future applicants and says: “If you are thinking of applying in the future, 100 per cent go for it. It will be one of the best things you will do and will never regret it.” He adds: “On a final note, I would like to thank all of the sponsors who made this trip possible for us. We made memories to last a lifetime.”

SOCIETY NEWS | 55

James Ludgate Reflecting on his experience, James Ludgate describes the trip as a true adventure. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 team members have not been able to share their experiences from the World Hereford Conference, and for that they are sorry, he says. James says: “World Hereford Conferences are great opportunities to learn new ways of looking at agriculture, but probably more importantly making new contacts. I believe the most important part of my time out there was the people I met. “New Zealand agriculture is very interesting, with beautiful farms with a fantastic climate, which makes everything grow and not stop growing. It is proper farming country with proper farmers farming that country. Livestock numbers are formidable and benefit from the export trade which used to extend to most of the world, but more recently is

nearly completely focussed on China. Trees, dairy, lamb, beef, the Chinese take it all, and New Zealand agriculture has benefitted greatly from China’s growing appetite.” The World Hereford Conference in New Zealand was organised far greater than any he has been to before, comments James, being conducted with the utmost professionalism but with the wonderful laid back New Zealand charm. “The youth competition was fantastic. A challenging itinerary set over five days that brought the best out in every competitor. The highlight for me was manging to secure the reserve champion young handler of the world sash. Much to many people’s astonishment, for once I manged not to come second to Ryan Coates,” says James. James says he would appeal to all members of UK Hereford Youth to put themselves forward at any opportunity for travel bursaries.

the first being it would be a once in a lifetime experience. “Where else would you manage to get so many people in one place with the passion for the same breed from all over the world?” she asks. “The friends I have made since being in New Zealand from all ages and all different cultures has been wonderful.” Sophie Harvey

Sophie Harvey There were many reasons Sophie Harvey applied for to be in the UK Herreford Youth team, she explains,

James Ludgate

“The life lessons learnt and contacts you meet will influence your whole life. I cannot stress more how important it is to put yourself out there and seize every opportunity that comes your way, especially travel bursaries from the Hereford Cattle Society.” He says: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who made this happen. Thank you to the sponsors, the membership, the Hereford Cattle Society and everyone involved in any way.”

going to be. There were always going to be some upset applicants that didn’t get to go,” she says. “The trip definitely helped better my skills for my job, as I work with show and sale bulls, and have taken away some things from the training days and from being out in New Zealand.”

The second reason was to learn different ways of doing what she already knew, from stockjudging to cattle dressing.

Sophie explains she learnt a lot about the differences between UK and New Zealand, especially their fencing style, which she describes as the most bizarre thing she’s ever seen.

“I learnt new skills and improved my existing ones, mainly during the selection process. The selection process wasn’t easy, it never was

“Obviously getting to meet new people was the biggest highlight but I will never forget swimming in Lake Wanaka after the youth

56 | SOCIETY NEWS

competition was finished. It was such a hot day and the views surrounding the show and the lake were just breath taking. “Getting to look round so many farms was a pleasure. The way they farm is down to the climate they have. There is no need to bring cattle in for winter, having low and high ground, which unlike the UK can all be fertilised meaning they

utilise all the ground they can. “Each farm had its own sale ring which is totally different from the UK. One thing that amazed me were the shearing sheds. The set up on every farm was different, but all had similar ideas.” Sophie encourages all youth members to apply for future bursaries.

When the details for the young breeder’s competition were announced, Matthew says he just felt he had to throw his hat into the ring. He says: “The finale at Romany Herefords was intense but it was clear that it had been meticulously planned and extremely well executed by all of those involved.”

Matthew Rollason

Matthew Rollason Matthew Rollason really started to catch the travel bug as a student on winning the Dennis Jones Bursary to attend the 2016 World Hereford Conference in Uruguay and then in the following year travelling to Victoria, Australia to work for the renowned Mawarra Hereford stud. As for many young farmers, Matthew describes New Zealand as having long been the agricultural Mecca of the world, and says he was no different in his desire to visit one day. He says: “I really wanted to learn about New Zealand Hereford genetics, how they differed to other countries I’d been to, and how I could use this knowledge to develop my career back in the UK.”

While in New Zealand, Matthew says he learnt a great deal about himself, especially working in such a dynamic team, each with strong characters and opinions. Each member brought different skill sets exercised throughout the competition and he says he is very proud about the way in which the team came together to promote the United Kingdom, particularly the pub quiz, he adds. Matthew comments: “As Hereford breeders, we are fortunate our breed really is a global one. We have made so many new friends and contacts from all over the world, many of whom I’m sure we will share a beer or two with in the years to come, once the Covid-19 pandemic is a distant memory.” Working as a graduate agriculture manager for Dunbia, Matthew describes the trip as incredibly useful to learn about the country’s red meat industry.

She says: “We all had so much fun at the training days, selection process and the trip itself. On a personal note, I’d like to thank the Hereford Cattle Society for the bursary. It was an honour to represent the UK in New Zealand and getting to go there with my team mates, James, Ryan and Matthew. A special mention must also go to Emma Smith for looking after us all.”

He says: “As a maritime climate well-suited to growing grass, New Zealand’s farming philosophy is all about low output. Most beef cattle are Hereford or Angus-sired and derived from the dairy herd which predominantly comprises smaller breeds such as Jersey and Friesian. This means the average dressed carcase weight is approximately 250kg, which is much lighter than the UK where this figure is around 350kg, owing to our stronger emphasis on Holstein genetics and the beef suckler herd. This shows that above all else, genetics and environment are some of the biggest driving and limiting, factors influencing beef producers globally.” In a message to future applicants, Matthew says: “If you are passionate about Hereford cattle and global travel and want to enhance your professional skills and career development then I cannot stress enough, how great an opportunity this is and must be grasped with both hands. Make sure you put your full weight behind your application, present yourself as a passionate and enthusiastic young person who can be trusted as an ambassador for the UK.”

SOCIETY NEWS | 57

Addressing beef production mistruths Dr Jason Rowntree tackled some of the problems in modern beef production at the World Hereford Conference. Claims that a world without ruminant livestock and diets free of red meat will reverse climate change are scientifically wrong. That was the message from Dr Jason Rowntree, associate professor in animal science at Michigan State University who addressed the World Hereford Conference in Queenstown and tackled some of the issues associated with the now perceived environmental benefits of eating a plant-based diet. Jason said: “Common sense has been missing in debates about the role of livestock and climate change. Managed properly, grassfed ruminants, such as Herefords, can enhance and improve the environment by increasing organic matter, microbial activity and biodiversity while sequestering carbon in the soil.” The nutritional density of red meat is also forgotten, he explained. He said: “For instance, it would take three cups of quinoa totalling 670 calories to get the same amount of protein as a 3oz serving of beef at only 170 calories. Comparing apples to pears is difficult leaving

Professor Dorian Garrick, chief scientist and director at the AL Rae Centre, Massey University, New Zealand also discussed the challenges the livestock industry has in front of it at the conference. He referred to a quote from Jack Bobo, the CEO of Futurity, a food foresight company, and said ‘people have never cared more but known less about how their food is produced’. Dr Jason Rowntree

the subject open to statistical miscalculations and casting a misleading light onto beef. Jason went on to state one billion of the world’s poorest people directly depend on grazing livestock for their livelihoods. These ruminants are being unfairly pinpointed as the source of greenhouse gases, he said, but the industry needs to get better at counteracting these claims.

Dorian said: “These days, people are buying the process, not just the product. At the same time, we must produce almost as much food in the next 30 years as we did in the last 2,000.” Highlighting the challenge the industry has in front of it, Dorian suggested the industry’s message to those working within it should now be ‘if you’re not farming for sustainable prosperity, you need to do something else’.

He said: “If all livestock in the US were eliminated and every American followed a vegan diet, greenhouse emissions would only reduce by 2.6 per cent, or 0.36 per cent globally.

Bringing the bigger picture back to the seed stock producer, he asked delegates to have the goal to breed genetics which fit environmental requirements.

“It’s a drop in the bucket and, at the same time, this would lead to an increase in use of synthetic fertiliser, a nutrient-deficient diet and increased soil erosion.

He said: “Pedigree cattle have to represent the improvement nucleus that includes the parents which will breed the next generation.

“Livestock farmers already have answers to many of the accusations being levelled by critics, they just need to package their responses better.

“Breeders must have a goal and a list of traits which define that goal. New technologies or experts need to be found in order to address desired traits which don’t currently have EBVs.”

58 | FEATURE

Herefords fit extensive NZ system

FEATURE | 59

Hosting one of the harshest terrains in the South Island of New Zealand, Mount Nicholas Station is also home to possibly the country’s largest herd of Hereford cattle. Spanning 40,470 hectares (100,000 acres) and three mountain ranges, Mount Nicholas Station operates at scale. The landscape it tough, and so are the people who run it and the livestock which occupy its rocky terrain. Although only a half hour trip by boat across Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown, getting to Mount Nicholas by road takes three hours longer, making the station a secluded spot. Also looking after a young family, Kate Cocks who previously worked in agri-banking, now farms the operation with husband Jack. The whole of the station is pasture, and varies in quality as it makes its way up the steep hillsides which line the station. It is home to 900 purebred Hereford cows, a breed which Kate says thrives in this landscape, with very little input. A total head of 2,300 pure Herefords roam the extensive landscape almost unnoticed, blending into the long, sandy coloured tussocks and areas of gorse. Mount Nicholas has one of the largest herds of the red bodied, white faced cattle in New Zealand where 27 per cent of the national suckler herd are either Hereford or Hereford cross. The pastures which line the basin and extend uphill are a mix of cocksfoot and red and white clover

60 | FEATURE

Sheep Merinos thrive at altitude, and Mount Nicholas is home to 29,000 of them, with wool production being at the centre of the operation. Ewes are shorn before lambing and only cull ewes will be shorn twice in 12 months. Shearing takes from the start of September to mid-October and all-in-all is a solid month’s work, spread over this time. A purpose built six stand shearing shed is used for the job and a shearing gang contracted in. Wool is sold to Icebreaker, which is a New Zealand premium brand of activewear made from Merino, which can also be found in the UK, and to Reda in Italy who specialise in production of fine Merino fabrics. Each year, the sheep are crutched and shorn and younger sheep are drenched monthly. Other sheep are also regularly drenched as Merinos are incredibly susceptible

to internal parasites at all ages. Breeding rams receive a drench capsule pre-tupping. When mustering sheep downhill to the yards, Kate and the team camp out for nine days in tin huts, with eight of these structures dotted around the property. Overnight, sheep can be held in paddocks of 405ha (2,000ac). These huts were originally built when the first Scottish settlers were seeing 30 per cent losses in their flock which led to 130km (80 miles) of snow fencing being erected to keep their sheep alive. These days, the flock sees a four per cent mortality rate, with Kate adding that she would like that to be lower. “We get good money for our lambs. We take them through the winter, shear $25 (£12) of wool off them and sell them to a fattener for NZ$90 (£44) before they cut their teeth. A flock of 12,000 wethers are run purely for their fleece and their ability to graze areas too harsh for a lambing ewe,” explains Kate.

with an amount of Timothy and Fog, and what Kate describe as ‘old English grasses’. The station is home to some familiar plant species, which travelled to the island with some of the early settlers from Scotland and, as such, gorse, broom and bracken are plentiful. Not thankful for these imported pests, approximately $50,000 per annum (£24,000 pa) is spent on gorse and broom control which are both treated as noxious weeds in New Zealand. Ground runs from 320m to 2,000m and while there is plenty of water at the tops of the hills where the sheep will venture, the cattle will stay on the flat. “We need a hard breed to handle our harsh environment, to do it year after year without complaining. This is why the Hereford suits our system,” explains Kate. A lot of jobs have to be carried out in-house due to the isolated location, but remoteness and a harsh landscape also bring opportunities and the family have been able to diversify into a tourism and hunting business, making the most of its natural capital. Kate and Jack’s operating company which owns the stock and machinery, is now in an equity partnership with stock managers Phil and Tish McMurray. This company leases the property from Kate’s parents, Robert and Linda Butson. The family has now occupied the property for 45 years and has purchased Hereford bulls from the same stud for the past 35 years.

Robert Butson, Kate Cocks, Henry Williamson and Kate's Children

Kate says: “There were Galloways here when the property was purchased, but Herefords were always the breed we favoured. Ever since, we have been using the same line of bulls from the Wairepo stud of Henry and Gabby Williamson.

FEATURE | 61

They need to be tough here and we have always been happy with the bulls they produce.” Henry took over the stud from its previous owners, the Cockburn family, and here the cattle are bred

perhaps more significantly, a pack of 30 dogs. Kate says: “Dogs are essential to our work, especially with the sheep. We use the shorthair collies to work silently on the mountainsides while

Farm facts • 40,470 hectares (100,000 acres) – all pasture • Three mountain ranges, running from 320m to 2,000m

“We need a hard breed to handle our harsh environment, to do it year after year without complaining”

• 5-10O˚C in the winter day temperature, (-5˚C at night) • 24-30˚C summer day temperature (10-18˚C at night) • 2,300 pure-bred Hereford cattle

from horned genetics, aiming to breed high country cattle. Henry adds: “I favour horned Herefords because they do well, lay down fat and get in-calf. I am trying to maintain what has been done at the stud before and so I am breeding for fertility and durability.” Considering the scale of the system at Mount Nicholas, labour is kept to a minimum, with just family members, stock managers, two young shepherds, a cook, a handyman and

the New Zealand Huntaways are loud and used for making noise and moving animals.” Horses are made use of for all cattle work, with Kate saying motorbikes are too loud and not well suited to the terrain. Sheep work can is carried out on horseback or the team will go out on foot. There is also a stone public road which runs through the middle of the station which improves access. However, the sheer scale of the

Delegates travelled across the station in 4x4 buses

– 900 cows • 29,000 Merino sheep producing an 18 micron wool • 30 working dogs • 2,833ha (7,000ac) of native Mountain Beech woodland • 200km of fencing, all of which is checked by foot or horse • 20 horses including brood mares and stallion

62 | FEATURE

place with one bull used per 40 females. Mature females are mated on extensive river flats spread over hundreds of hectares at the same bull to cow ratio. Bulls last six or seven years at Mount Nicholas and Kate says she is looking for agility and conformation from her sires. She says: “We look at the animal first, and then we look at its EBVS. They must be up on their feet. We are farming vey extensively here so our bulls have to cover a lot of country. We don’t use any AI, it is all kept as simple as possible.” The system is extensive at Mount Nicholas

Mount Nicholas property means during the autumn sheep muster, a helicopter is enlisted for three

are kept each year to feed into the 900 cow herd. Like Hereford cows around the world, they have great

“Bulls last six or seven years at Mount Nicholas and Kate says she is looking for agility and conformation from her sires” days to carry the shepherds and their dogs to the other side of the property. Some of the dogs love the ride, and others aren’t quite as keen, Kate says. Walkie talkies are used to communicate during this operation. Moving cattle requires other means as Kate explains. She says: “When we wean at the end of May, we truck all the calves home otherwise it is a 25km walk. Young cattle are pretty wild when they come home as they have had very little exposure to people or fences until this point. Following this, the cows head up to high altitude, native pasture for the winter months.” Cows weigh around 600kg and carry good condition. Around 170 heifers

longevity, and are culled at about 10 years old, but they would keep going, says Kate. Coloured tags are used to show the animal’s birth year, making culls more easily identifiable. Spending 365 days of the year outside, 25 hectares (62ac) of lucerne hay is grown for young cattle and bulls. In addition, 12 to 15ha (30 to 37ac) of the flat paddocks is reseeded each year via a kale crop which is strip grazed by weaned steer calves. The farm also spreads 600 tonnes of super sulphur via plane each year. First calved heifers are rotated around the flat paddocks which lay at the feet of the steep inclines. It is here that mating also takes

They have an 85 per cent pregnancy rate. Kate quips scanning ‘doesn’t make any more calves’, however they do scan 120 culls and approximately 150 other cows annually to increase selling options and ensure they haven’t got a fertility issue. Calving starts on 1 October and takes the family until January. Cows are brought down from the high native winter country to the mid altitude ground in the later part of August in preparation for this period. Kate says it is hard to get the bull out of the cows and as such, the calving period is lengthened, but this can have its benefits if the weather isn’t in their favour. Younger cattle are drenched with a combination product three times when they are young. These young cattle can be between 180kg and 250kg at weaning, so quite mixed, and it also at this point that heifers and steers are split. The yards at the back of the property where the breeding cattle are mainly run can hold up to 900 cows and calves and here they are collected for weaning and castration. A further set of yards near the homestead are used to process fattening stock.

FEATURE | 63

‘Marking’ takes place at the end of February or early March, which involves, castration, dehorning, tagging and drenching. The team camps in a back-country hut near the cattle yards for the week while this is undertaken. The dehorning of calves has now edged into the public eye and so all calves receive anaesthetic before the procedure can take place.

disease, in part due to having very few neighbours, with three sides of the farm not adjoining other cattle. BVD, TB, Johne’s, and more recently mycoplasma bovis, are the some of the biggest disease challenges in New Zealand, but luckily none of these are an issue among the herd at Mount Nicholas.

TB testing takes place every three years but Mount Nicholas has always remained clear. Electronic identification in cattle is compulsory, says Kate, and it is likely to come into place with the sheep in the future. It is admirable to see a small group of people thrive in an environment with such unique challenges, running

Kate says: “It takes a little bit more time, and you might finish that evening a couple of hours later, but you are only going to go back to the hut to drink beer.

“On just grass, the Herefords are gaining 1.5kg per day. We sold some stores which were doing 2.5kg per day on some real rocket fuel”

“More and more, you need a social licence to farm and to sell a product to the general public. You need to reassure them you are looking after the animals’ welfare.”

Mycoplasma bovis, has emerged in New Zealand in recent years, as it has in many parts of western Europe including the UK, and has taken a hold in the past 12 months. It was thought to have entered the country via dairy embryos, says Kate. However New Zealand is taking a stringent approach, with the aim of eradication, and any herd found to have a case is culled, with only the standard beef price given as compensation, which now sits at NZ$4/kg (£1.95/kg).

All bull calves are castrated and fattened on-farm at 24 to 30 months of age, killing out at 340kg carcase weight. Heifers not destined for their own herd are are sold at 16 months of age, mainly going for breeding. Kate says: “On just grass, the Herefords are gaining 1.5kg per day. We sold some stores which were doing 2.5kg per day on some real rocket fuel. We could sell our heifers three or four times over, such is the demand for pure-bred Hereford breeding stock. “We have 10 year contracts with our Merino wool. I would love to have this with the beef, but instead we are working only two or three months in advance at best, and generally just on week to week pricing. Some contracts with overseas supermarkets are available however these usually require a regular, monthly supply which we cannot provide due to our climate and growing season.” The herd experiences very little

Inside a back-country hut

a set-up of great scale with quality stock. But after the abandonment of subsidies in the 1980s, a lot of farmers in New Zealand went bankrupt, explains Kate. The remaining farmers had to became cost conscious, and the scale of operations increased at that point. Kate advises: “You need to spend time on big picture things, focus on what you are good at and keep it simple.”

64 | SOCIETY NEWS

Thoughts from Feeney The first secretary of the Irish Hereford Breed Society with 40 years experience, Larry Feeney was appointed as world secretary general of the World Hereford Council while in New Zealand, March 2020. We catch up with him. What is your experience within the Irish Hereford Breed Society? I have worked with the Irish Hereford Breed Society now for 40 years man and boy, experiencing the ebb and flow of the breed as market influences varied over time. These are very often influenced by health issues which come to the fore for a period of time then fade as new issues take their place. Agricultural research projects also influence changes in emphasis and in production systems. One of the major influences on the Hereford breed was the adoption by the EU in the 1970s of the EU animal carcase grading system. It seems clear now, with hindsight, that the adoption by the EU of a beef grading system favourable to continental or French cattle breeds was a major political coup at the time, placing British

Larry Feeney (left) and outgoing WHC president Jose ‘Pepe’ Bonica

breeds including the Hereford, at a disadvantage. Thankfully given the success of the Certified Hereford Beef programmes in Ireland and the UK, the Hereford’s fantastic eating quality, taste and flavour has brought the breed back up to its rightful place in the minds and hearts of the consumer. Irish Hereford breeders are a resilient lot who work extremely hard at their chosen profession and are committed to the breed. They make what they do seem so easy that new entrants to the breed can be quite surprised at the level of commitment and dedication required to become successful breeders. The friendships and camaraderie built up among

members is a joy to behold and experience. When I first joined Irish Herefords there was a much closer alliance with the Hereford Herd Book Society as it was then known, but we have always had an excellent working relationship with the UK. It has been my good fortune to have, over the years, the opportunity to visit Hereford House and become friends with the staff, visit various shows and herds and get to know many UK Hereford breeders. I have attended a number of European Hereford events hosted by UK breeders. I have had the opportunity to attend all the various World

SOCIETY NEWS | 65

Hereford events since Cape Town in 1992, which took place under the watchful eye of Jimmy Basson and Hans Koster. Jimmy Basson’s daughter Alexandra and husband John currently run the successful Ervie herd in Scotland. The Koster family who operate Vicedale Herefords in South Africa are still prominent at World Hereford Conference level with Hinner, Heiko and Este van MarieKoster representing South African Herefords at the most recent event in New Zealand. While it was an onerous task to host the European Hereford Conference here in Ireland in 2005, it was a real pleasure for me to welcome from across Europe and beyond so many new and familiar faces whom I had previously met at various Hereford events elsewhere and who ensured a successful event in Ireland. Being a founder member and first secretary of Irish Hereford Prime is a source of pride and sense of achievement given the success of the brand from its humble beginnings in 1997. Hereford Prime as a global brand for Hereford beef was floated at the World Hereford Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 1996.

Why did you stand for the position of world secretary general? For some time in advance of the conference I had a number of approaches from various member countries asking if I would consider putting my name forward for the position. I thought about it for a number of months and talked to my family about it before deciding to put my name forward. Having attended conferences across the world I was aware of the opportunities to learn from the experiences of others and

how the interchange of ideas and technology could be beneficial to the breed worldwide. From an administrative point of view, I could see that the constitution as written at an earlier conference in Dublin almost 60 years ago could benefit from updating to fit today’s world. I felt that perhaps I could influence some changes.

What does it mean to you to have been appointed? It is a great honour to be appointed to such a prestigious position within the World Hereford Council representing the Hereford breed which has such a profile historically and continues to be one of the world’s foremost beef breeds. Very few beef breeds are produced across the five continents in such varying climates and so successfully as the Hereford. The challenges vary greatly due to climate, the financial and political state of the country, market demands and distance from markets if an exporting country. The challenges faced are so different that it behoves each country to mould the Hereford and its marketing programme to fit the conditions available. The range of genetics within the breed make this possible. The appointment is also a vote of confidence by one’s peers which I hope is not misplaced.

What do you wish to achieve during your term? I guess the development and expansion of a youth element at world level would be high on the wish list. The large group attending the event in New Zealand added a new vitality to the proceedings and were outstanding ambassadors for the countries they represented and for the Hereford breed. It is in these young Hereford enthusiasts we place our hopes and trust for the

future of the breed. These young people are in general more highly educated and have greater access to computers and science than the current or previous generations so will have many advantages as a result. With that, they will have new challenges provided by technology, by politics and the world order. The advancement of a World Hereford Evaluation Project, if it can be achieved, would be high on the list. A similar project was undertaken following the World Hereford Conference in Australia in 2004. A considerable budget was provided with each participating country contributing to the funding. Issues with animal identity numbers and computing capacity identified then, should be ironed out going forward. Advancements in genomics have created a whole new perspective and information source which should ensure better outcomes. A review of the World Hereford Council constitution was required and needs updating. There was a lack of continuity from one conference to the next in that committees formed at a World Hereford Conference meeting were required to be disbanded at the end of a conference. This issue among others has been addressed in the revised constitution under the chairmanship of New Zealand’s World Hereford Council chairman Philip Shepherd since March 2020 and will be for ratification by member countries early in 2021. Communication or sharing of information between countries could and can be improved. Countries in which Herefords are not as numerous as others lack the resources of countries with the larger Hereford population and do not have the same access to information and technology.

66â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; SOCIETY NEWS

What challenges face the breed at a global level? The buzz words now are climate change and carbon emissions among other things and are all issues in which the beef cow in particular is seen as public enemy number one. These issues provide challenges in relation to production, perception and promotion. An increasing world population provides challenges in relation to food production, whether that be in agriculture, as we know it, or through new technologies in products or artificial means of production. Changing eating

World Hereford Council country delegates

patterns in Europe, particularly the move towards veganism while other countries which have an increasing affluent society consuming more meat will provide uncertainty for several years to come.

would have us believe the world is

What opportunities face the Hereford?

quantities of grass produced

The Hereford has shown itself to be a resilient breed over the past 200 years and has the capability to adapt to changes in production, market conditions and its capacity to handle climate as diverse as the subtropical regions of Brazil and the colder climates of Canada or Kazakhstan. While some media

over populated with cattle there are vast areas of poorly stocked or underutilized grassland unsuited to arable production which can be used to provide increasing beef to feed the world. Current research indicates that as currently computed dairy/beef i.e. Hereford cross dairy has a lower carbon footprint than beef from the beef herd. This currently favours systems in Ireland, the UK and New Zealand in which the Hereford sire is widely used across the dairy herd.

FEATURE | 67

CATTLE BREEDING SERVICES PROVEN IVP SYSTEMS WITHIN THE UK

Donor livery service

Embryo transfer

In-Vitro Embryo Production (IVP)

Embryo import + export storage

On-farm semen collection + freezing

Traditional MOET/ Flushing

AB Europe offers cattle breeders a wide range of assisted breeding and associated services, enabling clients to accelerate their herd merit and profitability. AB Europe’s highly qualified team of experienced cattle vets, embryologists and technicians work alongside farmers to provide quality on-farm, laboratory and livery operated services. Our IVP technology allows us to deliver the following benefits: • Reduced handling

• Cost effective

• Reduced semen requirements

• Increased flexibility

• Weekly / fortnightly collections • Ability to collect from donors from four weeks post calving • Reduced requirement for stimulation and hormones

cattle@abreeds.co.uk

01875 614500

www.abreeds.co.uk

68 | FEATURE

Midlands and East Anglia HEREFORD BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION

PUTTING TOP QUALITY HEREFORDS ON THE MAP

BEDFORDSHIRE 1 Margaret Bates, ‘Battlebrook’ (DH) Brook House, Grange Farm, Wrestlingworth, Sandy, Beds SG19 2HE. Tel: 01767 631639. Email: margaretbates6@btinternet.com 2 Jim Speirs, (P) ‘Pepperstock’ Pepsal End Farm, Pepperstock, Luton, Bed. LU1 4LH. 07979463480 Email: speirs77@btinternet.com BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 3 D. & A. Briggs, ‘Blackwell’ (P), Blackwell Farm, Latimer, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1 TN. Tel: 01494 762190. Email: farm@davidbriggs.com 4 Sarah Cowle ‘High Hedges’ 15, Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 4BW. Tel: 01296658310/07770666887. Email: high-hedgesquainton@outlook.com 5 I. C. Markham & EA Gough ‘Glenmore & Glengough’ (P), Glenmore Farm, Bullington End Road, Castlethorpe, Milton Keynes, MK19 7ER. Tel: 01908 511169/07778180730. Email: ian.markham@btconnect.com. 6 TGR Williams & Son. ‘Alanbrook’, Highlands 95 Weston Road, Olney, Bucks MK46 5AA. Tel: 07831529406. Email: alan@awolney.co.uk. CAMBRIDGESHIRE 7 Daniel Fabb & Helen Parr, ‘The Fabb Herd’ Wilsons Orchard Farm, Fenside Road, Warboys, Cambs PE28 2TY. Tel: 07584035080. Email: helen@fabbherd.com. Web: www.fabbherd.co.uk 8 Karen Froud ‘Oldwest’, 13 Hill Row, Haddenham, Ely, Cambs CB6 3TQ. Tel:07787576798. Email: p_kfroud@hotmail.com. DERBYSHIRE 9 D. J. Deaville, Alderville (P) Model Home Farm, New Road, Alderwasley, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 2SQ. Tel: 01629822402/824070 Mob: 07999527108. Email: alderville@w3z.co.uk 1 0 D.D. Rowley & Partners, ‘Hollowseal’ (P), Hollows Farm, Sandy Lane, Netherseal, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE12 8BU. Tel: 01827 373293/07724743611. Email; carol@ hollowsealherefords.co.uk Web: hollowsealherefords.co.uk 1 1 A & S. Stevenson & Sons, ‘Alvian’ (P), Carr Farm, Carr Lane, Brackenfield, Alfreton, Derbys DE55 6DG. Tel: 01773 836124/07891832195. Email: krisI23@hotmail.com ESSEX 1 2 Reydon Cattle Company ‘Reydon’ (P), Hereford House, Main Road, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8DR. Tel: 01268767175/07858378501. Email: luigimunday@gmail.com. HERTFORDSHIRE 1 3 Mrs. L. Jackson, ‘Sparkwood’ Woodrow Farm, Wigginton, Tring, Herts HP23 6HT. Tel: 01442 823005. Email: lesleyjackson1@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.sparkwoodherefords.co.uk LEICESTERSHIRE 1 4 P. Cobley, ‘Kinglee’ (P), Stanton Farm, Broughton Road, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, LE9 4JA. Tel: 01455 272810107738 110102. Email: pete.cobley@cobleytransport.co.uk 1 5 TD. & WT Livesey, ‘Normanton’ (P), Manor Farm, The Hollow, Normanton Le Heath, Leics LE67 2TJ. Tel: 01530 264683/07710386329. Email: tlivesey@liveseybros.co.uk 1 6 Newtoncroft Farms, ‘Newtoncroft’ Croft Farm, Newton Harcourt, Leicester, LE8 9FH. Tel: 01162 259387 Email: ncf450@btinternet.com. LINCOLNSHIRE 1 7 SA & VJ Elwess, ‘Elwess’ (H) Manor Farm, Common Lane, Heapham, Gainsborough, Lincs DN21 5XB. Tel: 01427 838208. Simon: 07825446321. Victoria: 07764740540. Email: simon@elwess.com. victoria: elwess@hotmail.com. Web: www.elwessherefords.co.uk. NORFOLK 1 8 Chris Blaxell, ‘Bittern Herefords’ White Lodge Farm, Southrepps Road, Antingham, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 0NW. Tel: 07768 171979. Email: chris@bitternherefords.co.uk. 1 9 Norman Farming Partnership, ‘Hickling Herefords’ Poplar Farm, Sutton Road, Hickling, Norfolk NR12 0AS. Tel: 07584564976. Email:robert@normanfarmingpartnership.co.uk 2 0 Philip & Laura Vincent, ‘Pulham’ (H & P). White House Farm, Coles Common, Pulham Market, Diss, Norfolk IP21 4XT. Tel: 01379 676906 Philip 07771697866, Laura 07767838208. Web: www.pulhamherefords.co.uk Email: philiprjvincent@hotmail.com / laura363@btinternet.com 2 1 Jonathan Wells & Partner, ‘Wellhart Herefords’, Lethbridge House, Rogers Farm, Norwich Road, Costessey, Norwich, NR5 0LB. Tel: 07703126768. Email: leisa_highash@dsl.pipex.com. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 2 2 RN & MA Borwick ‘Mara’ (H), No1 Preston Lodge Farm, Preston Deanery, Northampton NN7 2DS. Tel: 01604870246/07886030801. Email: bobborwick@maraherefords.co.uk. Web: www.maraherefords.co.uk 2 3 Thornby Farms - Miss AE. Barlow, ‘Thornby’ (P), Thornby House, Thornby, Northampton, NN6 8SJ. Tel: 01604740295. Email: thornbyfarms@btinternet.com Peter Moyes - 07767 353205. Email: petermoyes@btinternet.com 2 4 RG. Westaway & Son, ‘Clipston’ (H), Grasslands Farm, Clipston, Market Harborough, Leic’s LE16 9RY. Tel: 01858 525385. Email: rose.westaway@btinternet.com. Web: www.clipstonherefords.co.uk

11 9

35 38

24 23

33 36 34 26 31 37 28

16 14

7 8

1 6

4 13 3

2 12

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 2 5 JW & R Johnson, ‘Real’ (P), 110 Bridle Road, Burton Joyce, Nottingham, NG14 5FP. Tel: 01159 313184 Web: www.Realpollherefords.co.uk Email: realpollherefords@hotmail.com. OXFORDSHIRE 2 6 P. T. English, ‘Churchlands Estate’ (P), Churchlands, Appletree Road, Chipping Warden, Banbury, Oxon OX17 1LN. Tel: 01295 660571 07788616447. Email:estate@philiptenglish Web: www.churchlandsherefords.com 2 7 M.J. Ludgate, ‘Rempstone’ (P), Scotsgrove Farm, Scotsgrove, Thame, Oxon OX9 3RX. Tel: 07725558051. Email:jludgate@outlook.com. Web: rempstoneherefords.co.uk. 2 8 Megan Trinder, Islip (P) Manor Farm, Islip, Kidlington, Oxon OX5 2SQ. Tel: 07768816637. Email:megantrinder@hotmail.co.uk. Web:www.islipherefords.co.uk. RUTLAND 2 9 JWE & SL Bevin, ‘Shorne Hill’, ‘Shipleyhill’, Shorne Hill, Brooke, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8DB. Tel: 07860819554 Email: Williambevin@hotmail.co.uk SUFFOLK 3 0 Owen Smith Farming, ‘Clement’ (H). Briar Cottage, School Lane, Bromeswell, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2PX. Tel: 01394460408 and 07885 594143. Email: owensmithfarming@live.com. WARWICKSHIRE 3 1 Monica Brown, ‘Happy Herefords’, Herberts Farm, Saddledon Street, Tysoe, Warwickshire CV35 0SH. Tel: 07770770976. Email: info@happyherefords.co.uk. 3 2 D. & E. Colledge, ‘Hawkesbury’ (P), Grove Farm, Parrotts Grove, Aldermans Green Road, Coventry, CV2 1NR. Tel: 02476 313806. Email: ernie@forktrucks.fsnet.co.uk 3 3 P.E. & K.J. Dicken, ‘Jacobean’ (P), 121, Darley Green Road, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands B93 8PU. Tel: 01564 7764711 07817587010. Email: katybick@hotmail.com 3 4 Nick & Lucy Holdsworth, ‘Pebworth’ Little Meadows Farm, Pebworth, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 8XE. Tel: 01789 721972/07894074041 Email: nlholdsworth99@gmail.com 3 5 CM & MD Jones, ‘Maxstoke Herefords’ (P), Mill Farm, Maxstoke, Coleshill, Warwickshire B46 2QA. Tel: 01675462183. Email: millfarm@btconnect.com. Web: www.maxstokeherefords.co.uk 3 6 RP. Mann, ‘Spinney’ (H), Hill Farm, Ufton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV33 9PP. Tel: 01926 612208/07739280645. Email: goldlinestud@btconnect.com 3 7 Mike & Caroline Shaw, ‘Thorneysure Herefords’ Wharf Farm, Darlingscote Road, Ilmington, Nr Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4JA. Tel: 01608 682556/968486823. Email: thorneysure@gmail.com.

Hon. Secretary: Peter Moyes, Lodge Farm, Welford Road, Thornby, Northampton NN6 8SL. Tel: 07767 353205 E m a i l : petermoyes@btinternet.com www.meahba.co.uk

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 69

Midlands and East Anglia Association Meet the chairman – Michael Church How long have you been area chairman for? I was elected chairman in 1989, equalling a total of 31 years. How many members does your club have? We currently have 94 members including six juniors. Our association has always made the effort to encourage young members to join, many of whom are now full members with their own herds. Fondest memory while chairman Due to the length of my chairmanship, I hope you will allow me to have more than one fond memory. Firstly, being asked to be one of the host farms for the European Hereford Conference in 1993, which attracted breeders from all the main Hereford breeding countries of Europe, giving many of our members the opportunity to meet them. At that time, we did not have the six day rule, so we were able to invite members from the whole area to bring cattle, which they did. It was a great event supported by many members. Secondly, Tim Livesey came to a committee meeting and said 2014 was the 100th year of Ashby Show. In a rash moment at one of the show’s meetings he offered to get 100 Hereford cattle to the show. Again, our members supported us and we stalled 104. Thirdly, it has to be 2020, when our association was so proud to see three of our young members selected to attend the World Conference in New Zealand with Ryan Coates and James Ludgate representing the UK, and Isla Soutter joining the Danish team. What is great about your club? The enthusiasm, support and friendship of our members towards the whole association who always readily attend the events which we organise.

Tell us a bit about your own herd My own involvement with the breed has seen a major change since 2012. For 40 years, I was the farms manager for AG Wright and son (Farms) Ltd, retiring in 2006. In 2002, we were able to purchase the Badlingham Farm, from the late Lionel Broad, which included his Herefords to join our cattle. Robert Clarke, stockman, came too. In the next four years we enjoyed many successful shows. On my retirement in 2006, the pedigree herd had increased to 400 animals. In 2012, the herd had been reduced to 113, and a dispersal sale was organised. I managed to purchase two heifer calves, beginning Oldwest Herefords and we now have nine breeding females. What event did you really miss in 2020? On a personal note, not being able to attend the National Hereford Show at Tenbury has to be my greatest disappointment. I have been present at every show, since the first in 1983, either as an exhibitor or show organiser. What do you think is important for your club to do moving forward? We have had a very successful association for many years, with many new functions and competitions organised, in no small way due to the hard work of our secretary, Alan Pittam with the cooperation of members. Alan and his wife Joy, have both reached the age when they are no longer able to attend shows, so they have retired after 16 years. I intend to stand down also at the 2021 AGM, so the way forward will be in the hands of a new chairman and secretary. What do you think is important the breed does moving forward? I have seen so many changes in the type and confirmation of Hereford cattle during my many years with the breed, many of which I have not agreed with. However, I think the type and

Michael Church

quality of today’s animals are a great improvement, the standard of which we must maintain. Never forgetting that the Hereford is bred to be a beef animal, not just for show ring entertainment. Hereford Cattle Society has led these changes with the various beef marketing schemes. I look forward to further promotion of the breed’s attributes. The new website is a great example of this. Any closing remarks? I would like to take this opportunity to thank the two secretaries of the Midlands and East Anglia Association who I have had the pleasure of working with over my period as chairman, both who have made the position so easy. Firstly, the late Ted Hewitson, who became secretary when the association was formed in the 1950s. Ted was wanting to retire for many years, but no successor would volunteer. The association was so fortunate when Alan Pittam offered to take over the secretary’s position in January 2006, who together, with his wife Joy, has worked tirelessly for the benefit of our members and promoting the association. Thank you, Alan and Joy. If you are interested in joining the association, please visit www.meahba.co.uk or contact secretary Peter Moyes on 07767 353205 or petermoyes@btinternet.com.

70 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

SPEIRS FARMS LTD

PEDIGREE POLLED CATTLE

Rockafella 1 Trevor Pepperstock 1 Rebellious Herd Sires: Pepperstock 1 Rebellious Kinglee 1 Romeo, Rockafella 1 Trevor AI Sires: Kinglee 1 Hero, SMH King Size 87K Panmure 1 Nugget, Romany 1 Distiller

For Sale: Bulls, Maiden Heifers, In-calf Heifers Pepperstock 1 Tremendous

THERE’S NO STOCK LIKE PEPPERSTOCK Jim Speirs : 07979 463480 / 01582 450962

TB 4/BVD free

Pepsal End Farm, Pepperstock, Luton, Beds, LU14LH

DAVID COPE – ARTIST –

SPINNEY HEREFORDS and

UFTON POLLED HEREFORDS EST.1972

CURRENT STOCK BULLS Riverrock Super Star Normanton 1 Perky Normanton 1 Sydney Spinney Ballybunion

Super Star and Perky leaving excellent stock. Visitors welcome Haven Lamborghini

Herefordshire based artist specialising in animals and landscapes using a layered blend of colours to achieve a unique contemporary style

Commissions and prints available

@davidcopeart – www.davidcopeart.co.uk davidcopeart@gmail.com or 07759 176998

R P Mann Ufton Hill Farm,Ufton Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV33 9PL 01926 612208 / 07739 280645 e-mail goldlinestud@btconnect.com

Clipston Herefords

FEATURE | 71

Stock Bull Solpoll 1 True Grit at 13 months BW 44 400 DW 676 SUP Carcase Sire by Henry dam Stella M2

Clipston 1 Tiara D9 at 8 months by Clipston 1 Viscount Dam Clipston 1 Tiara Many thanks to all of our customers

R & R Westaway

Grasslands Farm, Clipston Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9RY Tel: 018585 25385 Mob: 07712443684 Email: rose.westaway@btinternet.com

72 | WORLD CONFERENCE

CLEMENT PEDIGREE HEREFORDS

LOOKING TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE QUALITY, FRIENDLY, WELL HANDLED HEREFORD CATTLE ALWAYS AVAILABLE

OWEN SMITH FARMING Briar Cottage, School Lane, Bromeswell, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2PX TEL: 01394 460408 MOB: 07885 594143 OR EMAIL: owensmithfarming@live.com

ALDERVILLE HEREFORDS

Est. 1969

Above one of our present stock bulls Alderville 1 Destroyer, Sire: Days Calibre, Dam: Alderville 1 Dione by Aldersley 1 Edgar. Members of the HiHealth Herdcare Scheme Many thanks to all our customers in the past year.

D. J. Deaville, Model Home Farm, Alderwasley, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 2SQ

Tel: 01629 822402/824070

David Mob. 07999 527108

Email: alderville@w3z.co.uk

FEATURE | 73

SPARTAN

Br e dt oYi e l d i nt heFi e l d

Vi s i t o r sal ways we l c o me S p a r t a n1Re dHotMi s t

St o c kf o r s al e

S p a r t a n1Pl u m

S ol p ol l1Pe r f e c t i on S e n i orHe r dS i r e S e me na v a l i a b l e

S C&GLHa r t wr i g ht , Gr ov eFa r m, Mi l t onHi l l , Ab i n g don , Ox f or ds hi r e , OX1 44 DP He r dMa n a g e rLu k eMu r p hy07 3 4 1 4 4 07 6 6s p a r t a n . he r e f or ds 1 3 @g ma i l . c om

74 | FEATURE

FEATURE | 75 CHURCHLANDS-HEREFORDS.COM

CHURCHLANDS ESTATE 1 REMITAL SUPERDUTY

The Churchlands Herd has just ﬁnished celebrating its 50th anniversary The Churchlands Herd

As a result of modern breeding, assessment techniques and traditional showing activities, the herd today boasts a string of national show awards. It is owned and founded by Philip English and his mentor and ‘guardian angel’ was Oscar Colburn who of course founded the Polled Hereford Breed. That friendship inspired him to use Oscar Colburn’s genetic guidelines. The genetics have been drawn internationally from Canada, USA, Australia and Denmark. They have pursued ease of calving, high milking volume, weight gain and the herd has produced an overall Polled female champion 2004 and overall male champion in 2006 and 2007.

Churchlands Genetics – Semen & Embryos

Nurtured in the heart of our beautiful, rural Oxfordshire estate, the Churchlands Herd goes from strength-to-strength with each and every generation of showstopping Herefords.

We have semen available from Churchlands Estate 1 Batavia (overall male champion in 2006 and 2007) and six younger bulls 14 to 24 months immediately available for sale carrying outstanding genetics. For more information, please visit the Hereford Cattle Semen page on our website www.churchlands-herefords.com or call us on 07831 446421. Embryos are also available and can be purchased on a contract basis.

Hereford

Genetics

SILVER ACCREDITATION

Churchlands, Chipping Warden, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX17 1LN Telephone: +44 (0)7831 446421 email: patochairman@philiptenglish.com

76 | FEATURE

Lockdown demands local beef

Jeremy Buxton runs Eves Hill Herefords. Credit: Archant/Denise Bradley

FEATURE | 77

Re-printed by kind permission of Eastern Daily Press

Norfolk cattle farmer says demand for his beef boxes has ‘shot through the roof’ during lockdown – potentially fast-tracking the growth of the business by five years. Jeremy Buxton of Eves Hill Farm near Reepham, Norfolk has seen a massive surge in demand for homegrown meat via his Norfolk Beef Company box scheme, which has helped to offset the losses from the farm’s campsite made as a result of Covid-19. Jeremy, who left a TV presenting career with Eurosport in Paris to set up his Eves Hill pedigree Hereford herd, says the Covid-19 crisis proved the value of having diverse revenue streams – and has prompted him to find new ways to bolster his business model and maintain the momentum for future growth. “There is so much positivity to be drawn from all of this,” he says. “The main positive element is the way people have been shopping.” He has started a new partnership with Sharrington Strawberries to include local fruit in his beef boxes, adding value for customers and increasing the marketing exposure for both companies. And he has even taken on a new member of staff, a 15 year old trainee who is due to start a full-time apprenticeship in June. He says more time has been freed up to focus on future diversification ideas, including producing free range eggs and selling animal hides.

78 | FEATURE

“We already had the Norfolk Beef Company selling beef to people’s homes and, of course, demand has just shot through the roof. That has just been fantastic, we cannot keep up with demand. Every box is sold to new customers, so our customer base is expanding. “It would have grown anyway but this period has been a springboard which has fast-tracked us forward by possibly five years. The big question is, when this is all over, can we retain those customers? “That is our responsibility as farmers and we have got to do our job well to retain their loyalty by offering them something of value and, again, it comes back to education, educating customers about where their food comes from and to keep banging home all the messages around Red Tractor and things like that. “The steps we have taken to retain customers has also forced our hand a little bit in terms of our business

Catching up with Jeremy Following the article printed in the Eastern Daily Press in May 2020, Laura Bowyer catches up with Jeremy Buxton to see how things have developed. After living in Paris furthering his broadcasting career, Jeremy Buxton has returned to his home county of Norfolk to take on the family farm. Here, 40 pedigree Hereford females reside on a pasture-based system across 250 acres of the family’s own ground and an additional 100 acres of rented grassland. Jeremy comments: “I am farming full time now. It’s in my blood. I got

model. That is why we have started adding value to the beef boxes with Sharrington strawberries. And we are looking for other partners to make our boxes more attractive and make our customers feel valued.

it would have been a lot more

“In times like this, I’ve almost forgotten about the farming side of things and really honed in on the business model and how we do things. You are always marketing, but when times get hard you’ve got to market even harder to push your product and get your business name out there.

forward that reinforces the idea that

“To use a sporting analogy, when protecting your business, attack is the best form of defence. We have taken an aggressive approach to it and rather than retracting everything we are going to expand and go for it.

difficult. If we had just a single diversification in the camp site, then it would have been a lot more difficult – but fortunately we have multiple diversifications and going we should keep diversifying, more revenue streams.” Future plans include pairing the livestock operation with a free-range egg venture, bringing chickens onto paddocks after they have been grazed by the cattle. Jeremy also hopes to extract full value from his animals by launching a hides business. “At the moment, when our animals go to slaughter we get the meat back but there is a lot more we

“What the last two or three months has made me acutely aware of is that if we hadn’t had such a diverse and robust business model with different revenue streams then

could take back,” he says. “There is a

the city living and travel urges out of my system and I am now ready for a new challenge, driving the farm forward.”

towards a 100 per cent grass-fed system and adopting a regenerative farming system.

Some of the farm’s arable ground has been put into five year herbal leys for mob grazing, and cattle are now integrated into the arable rotation and overwintered on winter cover crops. He says: “We are trying to improve and rest soils by mob grazing, moving cattle daily and reducing costs by not having them inside. We are taking advantage of herbal leys, more grass and an extended grazing season. I am working to make sure soils can cope with either drought or heavy rainfalls.” Jeremy is making a conscious move

big market for these beautiful hides. I have found a tanner in Bury St Edmunds, so we will take them back and sell those. It makes sense.”

He explains: “We are looking at regenerative farming in a bid to reduce costs, produce a better nutrient dense food and help climate change. We want to be price makers, not price takers, and we are trying to create a system which allows that. Regenerative farming sells itself, as does grassfed beef. “In the past we have talked about sustainable farming, but why would you sustain bad practice, bad soils and grassland? We are working to improve these things through no till. I don’t feel I need to be certified organic, but this may take us in that general direction.”

FEATURE | 79

Each year, 13 or 14 cattle are killed for their own boxed beef scheme which is constantly growing. Pedigree and pure Herefords are run together, as Jeremy only registers what he deems fit for breeding.

area’s most wealthy residents to

lot of barbecue products through

those living on council estates.

this outlet, and some campers will

The Norfolk Beef Company has been developed over the past six years and has seen steady growth. Word-of-mouth takes charge in terms of marketing and has created a solid foundation. Jeremy provides a 5kg and 10kg box or bespoke boxes to fit customers’ individual requirements.

“There’s so much to say about Hereford Beef. The cattle do so well on a grass-based system.

Selling 10kg boxes at £110 and 5kg boxes at £55, Jeremy says there is scope to increase this price as their following builds, which is currently made up of some of the

He adds: “We like that we feed local

take a beef box home with them.

people from all walks of life, who all

Jeremy comments: “There’s so

love our beef.”

much to say about Hereford Beef.

A big asset to Jeremy’s operation is location, being just down the road from an abattoir, which he says reduces food miles and stress on

The cattle do so well on a grassbased system. There is also the rich history behind the product, with it being a native breed, and

the animals.

I think it is becoming much more

“We are very lucky to have it,” he

are doing for their eating quality,

comments.

recognised. They suit what we temperament, ease of handling and

Having developed a camp site on-

great mothering ability. They are

farm, they are also able to move a

fantastic animals.”

LOWER HURST POLL HEREFORDS Established in 1989

100% grass fed organic herd in the Peak District

SAC Premium Health Scheme

Lower Hurst Farm, Hartington, Derbyshire SK17 0HJ Tel: 01298 84900 AndrewSebire@lowerhurstfarm.co.uk Tel: 01298 84293

80 | FEATURE

Est 1970

A & S G Stevenson & Sons

Your source of premier world class genetics from the foothills of the Derbyshire Peak District

Eight sires represented in 2020’s superb calf crop including some of the first exciting calves from Nordbæk Norseman!

Carr Farm, Carr Lane, Brackenfield, Alfreton, Derbyshire. DE55 6DG Kris: 07891 832195 / 01773 836124 * kris123_@hotmail.com * Visitors Always Welcome * Quality Stock Usually for Sale *

Sarabande Herefords FABBL

Est 1971

Easy calving

Stock Bull:

Great growth rates

Fisher 1 Midas (pictured)

Bulls and heifers usually for sale. PAM NOEL & ROBERT SNELLING, Long Meadow, Shurlock Row, Reading, Berkshire RG10 0PL Mobile: 07976 692543

FEATURE | 81

NORMANTON HEREFORDS BREEDING

CHAMPIONS

SINCE

T HE RE ' S

ST OP P I N G

F E MALES

BUL L S

V I S I T OR S

2003

A L W A Y S

U S

F OR

S A LE

W EL OM E

MANOR FARM, THE HOLLOW, NORMANTON LE HEATH, LEICESTERSHIRE, LE 7 2T W LI ESE : 07791917382 WLI ESE @LI ESE BROS.CO.UK C SOUTTER: 079 81 3 1

82 | HEREFORD BEEF

Herefords fit the bill for meat wholesaler Now shifting 40 to 50 Hereford hindquarters each week, we catch up with James Ludgate at his family’s meat wholesale business to find out how their premium beef offering has developed. With a family history steeped in the poultry and feather supply business, Thame, Oxfordshire-based meat wholesaler TW Ludgate and son prides itself on provenance and quality in everything it does. As such, and with a customer base of butchers, farm shops and other high-end outlets across the home counties, the company has developed a keen focus on premium brands, particularly in the beef it sells. The most recent of these, is the firm’s three year old TWL Hereford Prime range of both hanging beef and boned-out cuts. Since launching the brand in 2017 the Ludgate family has seen demand for its premium Hereford beef range rocket, with about 40 per cent of its beef customers choosing the TWL Hereford range over other beef, explains James Ludgate. “The last few years have seen a dramatic shift in the beef trade, with

James Ludgate works in his family business TW Ludgate

both major retailers and high street butchers switching to lighter carcase weights which in turn lead to smaller cuts. This has been driven by a number of factors, but most notably a demand from consumers for smaller joints and a more consistent eating experience,” he explains. Allied to this switch to smaller cuts and lighter carcases is a drive towards beef with higher levels of marbling, to provide high quality meat which delivers the eating experience consumers are looking for. “We had established a premium range based on heavier continental cattle some 15 to 20 years ago, selling that as TWL Prime. But the market has since shifted and we saw an opportunity to capitalise on that and provide a product with greater provenance.

“As Hereford breeders ourselves we knew the quality of the product would be right, so we chose that as the basis for the premium range,” says James. “We do pride ourselves on supplying a quality end product, so the number one criteria for the TWL Premium Hereford range is marbling, nothing comes above that for this range and it delivers every time for our customers.” James explains that in establishing the new range, the family firm worked with meat processors Dunbia at Cardington and continues to do so today. “They understood what we were trying to achieve and have enabled us to develop the range of both hanging beef and pre-packed primals and joints.” Where hanging beef is required it is

HEREFORD BEEF | 83

to reflect the high quality of the product and the assurance it offers them.” And while historically other breeds have been favoured for premium ranges, James says the Hereford range supplied under the TWL Hereford Premium label is well regarded by both butchers and their customers. “Hereford may not be the first choice for some consumers, but it comes with a great story and is a little different to the usual premium offerings.” TWL Hereford Prime range

sourced as pistola hindquarters, a standard hindquarter with the ribs left on. To maintain consistency and quality, all beef for the range comes from carcases weighing between 300kg and 360kg, grading O+4L to R4L and sired by registered Hereford bulls. “It doesn’t matter if the beef is dairy-bred or from suckler herds, so long as it is well-marbled, as we know it will deliver the taste and tenderness we require. Having started with 12 hindquarters a week, we now source about 40 to 50 hindquarters a week from Dunbia, which are then aged and boned out to make boxed beef.” All beef for the range is matured for 12 days on the bone, with further maturation taking place in vacuum packs according to customer requirements. “Every pack carries our Hereford premium labelling and is fully traceable back to the beast it came from,” he adds. “We pay a 15p/kg premium over the standard grid price for all the Hereford sired beef we purchase for the range and in turn charge a premium price to our customers

Working alongside his father, Michael, mother, Annette and brother, Sam, as well as a staff of about 20, James says 2020 has been a year of ups and downs in the meat wholesale business. “Covid-19 has seen unprecedented demand from many of our customers as they have seen a surge in trade due to the first lockdown and customers looking for premium meat to eat at home instead of eating out. “As we don’t deal with any catering trade we have been insulated from the ups and downs in that sector. Demand, particularly early in the first lockdown, was akin to Christmas week every week and it has been great to see the butchers and farm shops we supply reap the rewards for the service and quality produce they offer.”

Facts: • Launched the TWL Hereford range in 2017 and now represents 40 per cent of beef sales • Number one criteria for Hereford beef range is marbling • Runs 40 pedigree Hereford cows under the Rempstone prefix • Supplies 1,000 tonnes of beef a year across all beef ranges

from Dunbia, Cardington, the firm deals with a range of beef suppliers across the UK, each best placed to supply specific cuts or primals and on a weekly basis moves about 15 tonnes of beef per week and just shy of 1,000 tonnes a year. “Different suppliers and even different abattoirs within a group tend to have specialisms and we source beef from across the UK to suit the needs of our customers and the range they want to offer in their shops.” Away from the meat business the family also farms 81 hectares (200 acres) at Scotsgrove Farm in Thame in its own right. Here they keep a 40 cow herd of pedigree Herefords alongside recipients for embryo work and both pedigree

Indeed, such has been the surge in sales through independent outlets in 2020 that James says the family have gained a number of new customers during the course of the year as other wholesalers haven’t been able to maintain either volume or quality of supply. On the other end of the supply chain James says outside of its Hereford range which is sourced exclusively

Hereford Beef is well marbled

84 | HEREFORD BEEF

and commercial sheep, with James taking a leading role in these enterprises. The herd is run alongside another passion of James’, pedigree Beltex sheep, of which the farm is home to 100 ewes. “We’ve been breeding Herefords for about 15 years now and have sold to a high of 7,000gns for Rempstone 1 Even Money back in 2018 at the society’s main spring show and sale.” Recent years have also seen the herd support the Designer Genes sale at Shrewsbury, offering top drawer consignments since the sale’s inception five years ago. In the main though bulls tend to be sold from home, with about 12 sold each year to both dairy and suckler herds in the locality, with the trade predominantly to suckler herds as the number of dairy herds has declined in the area. “The herd is split across spring and autumn calving to give a spread of ages in the bulls available for sale. Many might suggest that calving a herd our size in one season would be more efficient, but that would mean we may not have any bulls available at some points in the year and we could lose customers as a result,” he explains. A respected judge and stockman in his own right, James had the honour of judging the National Show in Denmark, as well as other UK-based shows and was a member of the UK Hereford Youth team at the World Hereford Conference, New Zealand in March 2020. “Being part of both these international events was a great honour and opened my eyes to the potential of Herefords and Hereford Beef across the world. The New Zealand visit was a particular eye opener and one that enabled me to bring home many ideas for both

Rempstone 1 Even Money sold for 7,000gns

the farm and butchery businesses,” adds James. With an eye firmly on the future of both his own pedigree herd and the meat business James says the breed is well placed for the future so long as breeders pay close attention to the messages coming from the processing and retailing sector. The beef industry is changing and while carcase size has reduced in recent years, James believes it is likely to reduce again in the coming years. He says: “We must all be aware of what the market wants. Personal preferences and fashion are great, but they won’t always help produce the correct end product for the consumer. Lighter carcases with increased marbling will be the future of the sector for a good while to come. “Eating quality must be maintained and even improved, with more consistency needed across the industry to ensure consumers keep coming back for more. Beef is regarded as a premium product so when you’re producing the top end

it has to be faultless.” James says breeders must continue to focus on easy fleshing cattle with the softness of flesh the breed is renowned for. Looking to the future he has aspirations of installing a dry aging chiller at the family’s wholesale unit to add more value to the range on offer. “The aim is to increase the product range on offer and add more premium products to help our customers and ourselves remain at the forefront of the sector.” But he is cautions against thinking premium ranges can be conjured up for every sector. “Without a doubt beef is the outright leader in premium ranges and other sectors struggle to replicate this success. Pork and chicken can do it to an extent, but it is coming from a low base, so the premium is always limited. Conversely, lamb is seen by many as an expensive protein already, so premium ranges tend to put it beyond the reach of many consumers,” he adds.

FEATURE | 85

Thornby 1 Ratitae sired by

Moeskaer Keno 1452. Dam

Thornby 1 Martha. DOB 16/04/2018

Nick & Lucy Holdsworth Little Meadows Farm, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XE 07894074041 nlholdsworth99@gmail.com

86 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

BUTLEY HEREFORDS 100% HORNED BREEDING

Two more promising prospects by Laxﬁeld Elvis (Champion Suffolk 2015).

BUTLEY ENDOR

UK226752 600574

Dam: Laxﬁeld Diadem 124th. A female line consistently successful for Rowington, Mara and Laxﬁeld.

BUTLEY BLOSSOM 3rd

UK226752 600518

Dam: Laxﬁeld Blossom 6th. One of the most successful lines for Badlingham herd.

Both calves carry traditional blood through their dams. Diadem 124th sired by Lower Eaton Commander*. Blossom 6th sired by Laxﬁeld Harvest*. Breeding stock usually available from some of the best horned and traditional female lines.

Your satisfaction is our aim. Visitors always welcome.

D.C. Smith and Sons, Banters Barn Farm, Boyton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3LW Tel: 07971 694912 or 01394 411270 www.butleyherefords.co.uk

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES | 87

De-horned & Polled Bulls, Females, Semen & Embryos For Sale Pulham Pansy 15th

National Hereford Club Virtual Show Female Champion 2020

Kilvrough 1 Ruby

purchased at the Kilvrough dispersal sale daughter of

Dendor 1 Ruby 29th Female of the Year 2018

Winners of the Midlands & East Anglia Herd Competition 2018 & 2019 Philip & Laura Vincent 01379 676906

www.pulhamherefords.co.uk

Philip - 07771 697866 philiprjvincent@hotmail.com Laura - 07767 838208 laura363@btinternet.com

SAC Elite Health Herd

White House Farm Coles Common Pulham Market Diss IP21 4XT

Thank you to Owen & Finley, Anglesey, for purchasing a Pulham Starter Herd

88 | SOCIETY NEWS

Make cow weights work for you Dr Brad Crook explains mature cow weight EBVs and how they can add to a system. The weight of mature cows in a commercial beef enterprise has a considerable influence on a herd’s profitability, says Dr Brad Crook, genetic research and development manager at Agricultural Business Research Institute, Australia. Mature cow weight can affect both ends of an animal’s profit margin in the form of cow feed requirements and cull values, he explains. He says: “In general, lighter cows tend to eat less and consequently have lower feed requirements, so are less expensive to maintain. “When it comes to the end of females’ productive lives, the major influencer in the value of cull cows in a commercial herd will be live weight. Consequently, heavier cows may provide higher returns when being sold as culls.”

Achieving an appropriate balance between cow feed requirements and cull values is an important consideration for beef producers, Brad says. To harness these weights and their effect on a business, ABRI produce a mature cow weight EBV and is an estimate of the genetic differences between cows’ live weight at five years of age, expressed in kilogrammes. Animals with higher, more positive mature cow weight EBVs would be expected to produce progeny with a higher mature weight than animals with a lower EBV. Brad explains: “The optimal mature cow weight EBV for an individual herd will depend on its breeding objectives. If a breeder is looking to decrease the mature weight of their cows, a lower mature cow weight EBV will be sought. On the other hand, if a breeder is looking to increase returns from the sale of cull cows, they may look for higher mature cow weight EBVs. “Breeders looking to maintain the

How to begin Breedplan recording? In order to begin performance recording, a Breedplan membership pack must be requested from the society. Hereford Cattle Society is the only UK beef breed society to provide this service to members free of charge, so take advantage of this data analysis and harness the improvements it could bring to your herd. Request your Breedplan pack from beverley.turner@herefordcattle.org

Dr Brad Crook

mature size of their breeding cows, while maximising the growth of their progeny may look for moderate mature cow weight EBVs.”

Recording mature cow weights Mature cow weight EBVs are calculated from live weights. Breedplan will only analyse the weight of a mature cow if it has a calf with a valid 200 day weight recorded between 80 to 330 days of age and within two weeks of taking the cow’s mature weight. Brad says: “In practice, it is recommended you collect the mature weight of a cow at the same time as recording the 200 day weight of its calf. Weights should be recorded to the nearest kilogramme.” As with all weights, mature cow weight should be recorded using appropriate and accurate scales. Do

SOCIETY NEWS | 89

not guess or estimate mature cow weights or use measuring tapes.

is older than this, none of its mature weights will be analysed.”

“Either weigh the cows using appropriate scales or don’t record mature cow weights,” says Brad.

It is essential correct management group information is recorded with mature cow weight performance. Management groups work slightly differently for mature cow weights, explains Brad.

Breedplan can analyse up to four mature cow weights for each cow, taken throughout its life. Rather than trying to work-out whether a cow has had four weights taken previously, it is recommended all cows are weighed when taking calf 200 day weights and Breedplan will sort out which weights can be analysed. For Herefords, Breedplan will only analyse a mature cow weight if the cow is older than 2.4 years of age (870 days) at weighing. Brad says: “Breedplan will only analyse the mature cow weight performance of a cow if its first valid mature weight has been taken before six years of age. If the female

“If no management group information is defined for a set of mature cow weights, the Breedplan analysis will use the management groups submitted with the 200 day weights of its calves. “Therefore, if you have correctly recorded the management group information with the 200 day weight performance of your calves, then you only need to assign a different management group to a cow which has experienced an effect on its weight different to that experienced by its calf. For example, if the cow was injured or unwell or has been

supplementary fed.” If both the mature cow weights and calves’ 200 day weights are submitted without management group information, the Breedplan analysis will assume all cows and calves have been run under similar management conditions. Brad adds: “There is also the option to submit cow condition scores with mature cow weight information. While cow condition scores are not currently included in the Breedplan analysis, they may be used in the calculation of mature cow weight EBVs in the future.”

Submitting weights Mature cow weight information can be submitted to the Hereford Cattle Society online or by emailing tracey.thomas@ herefordcattle.org.

Herefords in Wales

90 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

North Wales Hereford Club

www.welshherefords.co.uk 2

Secretary: Mrs. Audrey Morgan, Fardre Farm, St George, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 9RT Email: morganfardre@btconnect. com

Quarter Park, Martletwy, Pembs suejames18S@gmail.com 07779 917185

34. A John LAX

Groes Faen Bach, Holywell, Flintshire 07789 797639

Lacques Fawr, Llanstephan, Carmarthen anthonyjohnlax@hotmail.co.uk 01267 241244

2. M Lewis SALBRI

Salbri, Amlwch, Ynys Mon hereford@salbriherefords.co.uk 01407 710565 07769 653063

35. S Lewis ROSEHILL (P)

3. G & E Mathews CARNEDDAU

Johnston, Pembrokeshire simon.lewis@homecall.co.uk 07723 339774

1 Tyn y Coed, Gwydyr, Llanrwst eilldh.h@wernvets.co.uk

36. R Morgan SANCLER

4. GH Morgan FARDRE (P)

Fardre Farm, Abergele, Conwy morganfardre@btconnect.com 01745 833012 07712 861867 Cefn du lsaf, Gaerwen, Ynys Mon manonangharad@hotmail.com 07796 508322 01248 422692

6. HOGIA BRYN AWEL (P)

47 44 39

46 42 40 43 30 36 34 31 35 33 32 45

Bryn Awel, Holyhead, Anglesey 01407 720445 07771 538698

Powys Hereford Breeders Club Secretary: Mr. Glenn Pritchard, The Sidings, Station Houses, TirPhil, New Tredegar NP24 6ES 07903 021680 gpritcharf@gmail.com

7. HJ Cole LORD HARVEY’S (P) Glenllwyd, Brecon harveysherefords@gmail.com 01874 636674

8. VB Collins KATHLEA (P)

The Paddocks, Upper Kathlea, Abergavenny

9. A & G Crow RHYDRI (P)

Pantglas Farm, Rudry, Caerphilly gillian@crowmarketing.co.uk 02920 747720

10. A Davies GELLL (P)

15. PE Holtrop GLYN (P)

Glyn Farm, Painscastle, Builth Wells peterholtrop@btinternet.com 01497 851622

24. T Small CAMLAIS (P)

17 Llys Pencrug, Llandeilo, Carmarthen toby.small@breconbeacons.org

25. L Smith BWLLFA (P)

17. WS Jones & Son TYN-Y-COED (P)

26. KTJ Vater & LJ Garratt VATER

CrossFoot Farm, Clyro, Herefordshire crossfootherefords@eral.net 01497 820145

Bwllfa Farm, Cwmdare, Aberdare lukeandwilliam@yahoo.co.uk 01685 870990

Tyn-y-Coed Farm, Bonvilston, Cardiﬀ hello@tyn-y-coed-lodge.com 01446 781256

C/O JCA Vater & Son, Mill Farm, Abergavenny lindagarratt@brooksplace.wanadoo. co.uk 01873 840562

18. DE ED & AL Jones DENDOR (P)

27. IT Williams SCALDING (P)

Gwastadgoed, Caersws, Powys dendorherefords@btinternet.com 01686 688266 07974 416527

19. C Lewis & P Parﬁt HIRFYNYDD

Nantyronnen, Sennybridge, Brecon 01874 636677

21. L & A Price TYNLLYNE (P)

Dollys Farm, Llanidloes evansdollys@pc-q.net 01686 412694

Tynllyne, Llanigon, Hay on Wye tynllyne@outlook.com 01497 847342

13. DL Gatehouse CAECOTTRELL

22. T Pritchard BERTHLLWYD (P)

Glyntywarach, Babel, Llandovery barrygoodall63@googlemail.com 01550 720649

16. PH James CROSSFOOT

20. JD Phillips ONNEN

14. FG Goodall GLENROSE (P)

7 13

17 23

11. I Davies CREINOG (P)

Cae Cotterall, Llangorse, Brecon brynlygatehouse@yahooco.uk 01874 658302

11 20

41 38

Gelli Farm, Hirwaun, Aberdare alungwynd@hotmail.com 01685 811705

12. JH Evans & Son BWLCHLLYN (P)

15 28 16 21 27

26 8 19 22 10 37 25 29

Rhys-y-pwllau Farm, Seven Sisters, Neath cerysannlewis@outlook.com 01634 701321

Meity lsaf, Trecastle, Brecon iwandaviesmeity@hotmail.com 01874 638889

The Estate Oﬃce, Saundersfoot, Pembs david.burnhill@hean-castle-estate. com 01834 813538 07483 150253

33. EJT James CLEDDAU (P)

1. GM Graham GAZANNA (P)

5. H, D & CL Owen BODWYN (P)

32. The Hean Castle Estate HEAN (P)

Springﬁeld, Hirwaun Rd, Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taﬀ gpritcharf@gmail.com 01685 814582

23. G & S Pryce ANROCH (P)

48 Cardiﬀ Rd, Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan pryce48@hotmail.com 02920 515090

Scalding, Llyswen, Brecon ivorthomaswilliams@gmail.com 01982 560208

28. TDR Williams WINDYCREEK (P) Plaswarren, Clyro, Herefordshire 01497 851642

Dyfed Hereford Breeders Club

Secretary: Mrs. Liz Roderick, Bank Farm, Scurlage Castle, Scurlage, Reynoldston, Gower, SA3 1BA 01792 390389 tombankfarm@aol.com

29. L & L Bowen BOWENDU (P) Tydu Farm Nelson Treharris adam@bowencontracting.co.uk 07973 932773 01443 450314

Pentre Farm, St Clears, Carmarthen 07866 047174

37. LD & LL Powell BRYNHEATH (P) Rhos Farm, Penpedaorheol, Mid Glamorgan. rhosplastics@aol.com 07769 219379

38. E Radcliﬀ KILVROUGH (P)

Anderson Lane, Southgate, Swansea 01792 232377

39. E Rees TREFOCHLYD (P)

Trefochlyd Farm, Croesgoch, Pembs euros@trefochlydpolledherefords. co.uk 07817 995903

40. OEM Jones & EM Roberts CYNIN

Penparc Farm, Llangynin, Carmarthenshire elizabethmroberts@outlook.com 01994 231460 07813 902380

41. TDJ Roderick BRANGWYN (P)

The Bank Farm, Scurlage Castle, Gower tombankfarm@aol.com 01792 390389

42. DC Smith & Son LAXFIELD

Blaenﬀynnon, Talog, Carmartheshire s.701smith@btinternet.com 01994 484765 07966 053606

43. AJ, AE & MG Thomas PREMIER (P) Clyncemaes Farmhouse, Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire premierpolledherefords@gmail.com 07809 622168

44. G Thomas CHURCH VIEW (P) Church View, Mathry, Pembs glynn_thomas@btinternet.com 07811 356145

45. TG, El & EN Thorne STUDDOLPH GLENVALE ASHDALE (P) Studdolph Hall, Milford Haven, Pembs. ionwy.thorne@hotmail.co.uk 01437 890240

46. J Twose BECA (P)

Bethesda, Narberth, Pembs dafgibbs8@gmall.com

Maenhir Farm, Login, Carmarthenshire. josephtwose@ hotmail.co.uk 07870 269738

31. Messrs Griﬃths PENRHIWGOCH

47. R Welch FALCONDALE (P)

30. D Gibby SARN (P)

Penrhiwgoch, Ferryside, Carmarthenshire ferrycabin@aol.com 01267 267044 07807 774336

Bryneinon Fm, Pumsaint, Carmarthenshire. bryneinon@aol. com 01558 650200

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 91

Powys Hereford Breeders' Club Meet the chairman – Tommy Williams How long have you been area chairman for? I have been chairman for 31 years. How many members does your club have? We have 40 plus members. Fondest memory while chairman? Our team winning the national stock judging competition out of a record entry of over 25 teams and being chair to the club for the past 31 years. What is great about your club? We are very welcoming and all equal. Tell us a bit about your own herd The Windycreek herd was started by accident in 1965 having bought 10 Herefords for £900 to replace a suckler herd. Over the years, we then bred to meet commercial demands and all cattle are reared in natural conditions on home-mixed rations.

The herd is currently running at just over 100 head, with a bull purchased every three to four years. Fondest memory while in the breed The 1980s when we were selling upwards of 20 bulls per year. Why are you passionate about Hereford cattle? As I tell a lot of people, ‘I don’t keep Herefords, they keep me’. What event did you really miss in 2020? Our Powys Club’s annual outings especially the Sunday lunch and presentation. What did your club do differently in 2020? We set up a Facebook page and kept in contact via telephone. What do you think is important for your club to do moving forward? Keep doing what we have done for the past 40 years as it seems to be working.

Tommy Williams

What do you think is important the breed does moving forward? We need to continue promoting the doing ability of the Hereford breed off grass and little, if any, concentrates. Contact club secretary Glenn Pritchard for more details on Powys Hereford Breeders’ Club on 07903 021680 or gpritcharf@gmail.com.

Laertes reserve in S4C competition There was much excitement around Welsh TV channel S4C’s beef champion of champions as Normanton 1 Laertes from the Livesey family took the reserve beef title. The televised competition was held in place of the 2020 Royal Welsh Show and reflected on a number of prominent show winners, before

finding each section’s champion of

of Studdolph Herefords, Milford

champions.

Haven, Pembrokeshire, who did a

Having won the Royal Welsh

tremendous job of informing viewers

interbreed in Builth Wells in 2016,

of the qualities of the Hereford breed.

Laertes has been admired by

Taking 34.5 per cent of the public

Hereford enthusiasts and those from

vote, Laertes lost out to the Welsh-

other breeds ever since.

bred Limousin bull Rhonllwyn Vandal,

Co-hosting the programme was

which took the interbreed title in

Welsh council member Non Thorne

2008.

92 | HEREFORD BEEF

Herefords at heart of local butchery Machynlleth-based butcher and policy director for the National Craft Butchers, William Lloyd Williams MBE, is passionate about small abattoirs and native breeds. He tells us a bit about his time in the butchery trade. I have been involved with farming, slaughtering and butchery for nearly half a century. In fact, 1 August 2020 saw me celebrate running the business for 40 years. During those four decades, lots of changes have happened in agriculture and meat-eating habits. Our family business, of which I am third generation, has always prided itself on using local livestock with cattle being predominantly indigenous breeds including Herefords, Welsh Blacks and Shorthorn. In the 1930s there were around 30,000 small abattoirs in the UK, today there are less than 250 which is quite frightening. We run an abattoir alongside the shop, like many butchers once did, and the two are just 500 yards apart. Actually, I think it’s 147 steps from one to the other, so when people talk about food miles, I am not sure

William Lloyd Williams runs a butchers’ shop and abattoir in Machynlleth, Powys

how small a carbon footprint they want. When supermarkets opened, local communities lost their butcher, baker, candlestick maker and a lot of local shops closed. However, I have fought to keep my shop in Machynlleth, Powys open, despite losing the three others we used to run in the area. We have however seen an increase in trade during this Covid period, as larger facilities were slashing throughput because of social distancing in the cutting rooms. During the pandemic, our shop has helped to feed the nation and this is something I am proud of. It was difficult when it first happened as

we adjusted to the new rules, but now things are going well. The best bit though is seeing the younger generation coming into the shop who we have been trying to attract for years. Trends in meat consumption have changed over the years and with the emergence of continental breeds from the 1970s onwards, our native breeds became somewhat lost, with supermarkets wanting lean, heavy beef carcases and the word ‘fat’ became outlawed by dieticians. We have always supported native breeds here. My father ‘Billo’ was definitely a Welsh Black man and I like the Welsh Black, but a field full of Hereford cattle all grazing the same

HEREFORD BEEF | 93

way is such a picture and is the

carcase being nice and compact

reason I keep them myself. They are

and has marbled joints and steaks,

happy to live outdoors all year round

ideal for a traditional butcher. It

and their docile temperament allows

allows me to hang and mature

easy handling and, of course, they

carcases for up to six weeks. Like a

are a native breed.

port, the longer it hangs the better

I have purchased Hereford cattle at

it tastes. It looks good, tastes good

the Royal Welsh Winter Fair for the past 30 years. In fact, 2020 was the

and by golly it does you good. During Covid-19 younger shoppers have

first year I did not since the show’s

liked the taste of Hereford beef and

inception. In 2019, I bought the

are now asking for it.

“During the pandemic, our shop has helped to feed the nation and this something I am proud of ” native and Hereford champion in the auction at £2.75/kg, a steer called Beefbox from Tom and Di Harrison and Steven O’Kane and Helen Morgan. Beefbox was what I call a modern-type Hereford and killed out at a -U4L.

Now, here’s a question for you, when I’m asked to judge beef classes at a show, what am I looking for? Or, what am I supposed to look for? Shape,

I like people and being with people all day, and I like to think that I’m good with them, but there’s nothing better once the shop is shut, to go out to the fields around Cwm Dyfi and see my Hereford heifers. They give me the time to get my head together for another business day. You’d never think I was a slaughterman, the way I nambypamby my animals. My cattle are always glad to see me and they never ask for something a little bigger, a little less fat, where’s it from or one a bit smaller. My Herefords are genuinely glad to see me.

size, top line, colour, light bone? Yes, they come into consideration, but my customers want to have flavour

The Hereford produces the right size

stick at something long enough, it often does a full circle and now the importance of taste has come back into fashion. People talk about selling a story these days, well we’ve been doing that for the past four decades.

and taste. It’s funny how if you

For more information on the National Craft Butchers, visit www.nationalcraftbutchers.co.uk.

JOIN THE PREMIUM CATTLE HEALTH SCHEME Disease Control for • • • • •

BVD, Johne’s Disease, IBR, Leptospirosis and Neospora Remove costly disease from your stock Provide health assurance for your customers Safeguard the health status of your herd CHeCS Bovine TB Herd Accreditation programme At the forefront of animal health. A leading scheme with nationwide coverage and competitive prices. fb.com/SRUCVets

@SRUCVets SRUC Veterinary Services Greycrook, St Boswells, Roxburghshire, TD6 0EQ T: 01835 822456 / E: pchs1@btconnect.com / www.cattlehealth.co.uk

SRUC is a charity registered in Scotland: SC003712

94 | FEATURE

Herefords aid NZ style dairy system

FEATURE | 95

Hereford sweeper bulls with superior estimated breeding values (EBVs) are adding value to the beef rearing enterprise at a Pembrokeshire dairy farm, which keeps grazed grass at the heart of its system. Calving 1,150 cows in nine weeks is an ambitious undertaking but as one of the earlier adopters of grassbased block calving milk production, Chris James has had two decades to refine the system. Chris converted the two herds at Stackpole Home Farm and Stackpole Quay to spring-calving in 1999. Until then, the estate had been run as a typical mixed farm since the family took it on in 1980, with dairying at its core. The soil is free draining limestone and red sandstone and the farm is coastal so benefits from a maritime climate. “It’s the ideal grassland farm for extended grazing because of its free draining soils and extended growth,’’ says Chris, who farms with his son, George. The principal aim is to produce as much milk as possible from grass in the grazing season and to outwinter on deferred grazing or forage crops. Since 2010, beef production has added a new dimension to the business; the family bought a former beef farm with purposebuilt facilities at nearby Warren and now rear all beef calves to sell as stores. Around 700 calves are reared annually and 350 of these are beef animals. “We run the beef enterprise as an

96 | FEATURE

target of 300kg. To detect heats, tail heads are painted on 1 April and any animals that haven’t exhibited heat in the first three weeks are checked by a vet and observed daily. All AI is done in-house by Chris, George and trained members of staff. Heifers are served to a dairy bull for the first four weeks and after that first service they run with Hereford stock bulls. Chris (right) and George James farm 640ha in Pembrokeshire

extension of the system we have for our dairy herd, to the same grazing principles,’’ Chris explains. Initially, the breeding policy was to select continental beef sires to

weren’t best suited to the system. The emphasis has now switched to native breed sires, leading to the Hereford and Aberdeen Angus becoming the breeds of choice.

“It is how well trained your AI operators are, how much straw you use in the calving sheds to prevent uterine infections, how easy calving your bulls are, how good your post-calving protocols are’’ produce progeny from the herd of New Zealand-bred Friesians and Jersey-cross cows but the offspring

With the mature weight of the cow type in the herd averaging 550kg, heifers are served at 15 months at a

The farm is home to a 50-point rotary and 40-point swingover herringbone parlour

Some sexed semen has been used this year to reduce the number of dairy bull calves born. Cows are inseminated once to a dairy sire from 25 April followed by Hereford or Aberdeen Angus straws. Hereford bulls are used to sweep up cows that haven’t caught to service; an average of 1.6 straws are used per conception. Fertility has been exceptional this year with a submission rate of 94 per cent in the first three weeks and a non-return rate of 65 per cent to first service. Good fertility, says Chris, relies on a matrix of doing everything well. “It is how well trained your AI operators are, how much straw you

FEATURE | 97

use in the calving sheds to prevent uterine infections, how easy calving your bulls are, how good your postcalving protocols are.’’ Nine Hereford stock bulls were bought at the Hereford Cattle Society’s Sires of the Future sale in Shrewsbury in February. All were bought solely off EBV figures, says Chris. “We are always keen to know their breeding and ancestry and to have very accurate EBVs for calving ease. We wanted the bulls to have good performance indices but focused heavily on calving ease scores because in a block calving system ease of calving in very important, so they have to have high accuracy EBVs for calving ease. “If we wanted thumping calves we would breed to a double-muscled breed like the Limousin. You have got to have easy calving animals on small dairy cows and the Hereford is giving us that.” All bulls must be poll, and Chris says it is one less job. And they are purchased young, at around a year old, because bulls can’t be heavy if they are serving heifers from smaller dairy breeds. “A lot of the bulls that are reared for the market are too strong for us, we like to buy them young and to only feed them forage, not concentrates, so they reach their full potential size and weight gradually,’’ Chris adds. Incoming bulls are quarantined for eight weeks as the herd at Stackpole is BVD free; all are sourced from CHECS-accredited high health status herds. The Hereford bull produces stock which are easy to manage, says Chris, being good to handle and train to graze behind an electric fence. The dairy herd is dried off

throughout December, starting with the low yielders, and housed or out-wintered on kale. Calving gets underway on 1 February and in 2020 70 per cent of the herd calved in the first three weeks, and all within nine weeks. Depending on the weather, fresh calvers are mostly turned out to grass after their first milking, to grass covers of between 2,600 – 3,000kg dry matter (DM)/ hectare(ha). “Calves receive three litres of colostrum within 12 hours of birth. Herefords are such vigorous sucklers that they all seem to suckle their mothers well but we like to drench the calves with colostrum as soon as they are born,’’ says Chris. “When we start calving, the calves from the first cycle of dairy AI are quite sleepy but by the time we get halfway through and the Herefords start to arrive it is all we can do to catch them in the mornings.’’

Farm facts • 640 hectares (1,581 acres) across five sites – 40 per cent owned • Two milking parlours: 50 point rotary and 40 point swingover herringbone • Nine full time staff • 1,150 milking cows yielding an annual average of 5,500 litres/ cow at 4.8 per cent butterfat and 4 per cent protein • Milk sold to Dairy Partners • 350 heifer replacements reared annually eating 2kg of concentrates. After weaning they remain housed for up to two weeks, to allow them to settle, and are then turned out to grass if the weather allows, mostly in midApril when they are aged 10 weeks or older. At grass, concentrates are

“The Hereford stamps its progeny well. You always know when a calf is a Hereford cross’’ He says: “The Hereford stamps its progeny well. You always know when a calf is a Hereford cross.’’ Cleanliness is the single most important element of calf rearing, he adds. “You need good husbandry and protocols, it is about being organised because in a block calving system once you start you can’t change course.’’ Bull calves are castrated by applying rubber rings at birth and all calves are vaccinated for blackleg. Cows’ milk is fed for the first three weeks of life after which rearing is on a once-a-day milk replacer system. Weaning is at 80kg, when calves are

fed through a snacker. Growth in the first five months is important, says George. “We try to get as much growth as we can in the first five months, we aim for an average daily liveweight gain of 0.8kg from birth, from the beef and the dairy replacements.’’ Youngstock are weighed monthly and this flags up any health issues, he points out. “It also allows us to group animals evenly, we don’t want small cattle grazing with big cattle.’’ Youngstock are run in groups of 120, grazing a fresh block every two days, George explains. “The system we have for rotational

98 | FEATURE

Nine bulls were purchased at Sires of the Future 2020

grazing is the most efficient way of using our grass, it is where native breeds like the Hereford do so well.’ “The skill with rearing calves at that age is to get the right quality grass in front of them, to turn them into covers of 2,800kgDM/ha every time they have a fresh break.’’ To achieve this, grass is measured

are not there, they are fed up to 2kg of concentrates a head. We have to turn a proportion out in late January, to make way for the next season’s calves.’’ Those that have hit target weights are turned out to forage crops – 16 hectares (40 acres) of kale have been planted this year – or onto deferred grazing.

“The Hereford is particularly good at converting those crops into growth’’ weekly with a rising plate meter. This is vital because with so many groups on the rearing platform, recording is needed to manage grass and to budget feed. Grouping according to size is also important at housing. Cattle are housed from November to late January, in groups according to weight. The lighter groups are fed cake if needed to maintain growth rates, with the quantity dictated by how they have grown, says George. “We like to house at 200kg, if they

to the animal in remote regions like west Wales,’’ says Chris. “People talk about conformation but time and time again our buyers are surprised at the size of our stores because our cow type is small.’’ The stores are easy finishing because they have been produced by a grazing-type cow, he says, adding, they are good foragers, like their cows. The Hereford will remain the James’ bull of choice going forward.

“The Hereford is particularly good at converting those crops into growth,’’ says George.

“Our breeding gives us a very good grazing animal and when crossed with a native breed like the Hereford we get very easy to manage beef crosses,’’ says Chris.

After those crops have been consumed, the cattle are turned out to grass on 48 hour grazing breaks in their second season.

“One of the most enjoyable aspects of the job is selecting the bulls and rearing the calves and watching them grow on our farm.’’

In that second summer and through the autumn, the cattle are sold as stores at local markets, at a target weight of 520kg at 18 months for steers and 500kg for heifers.

The future for producing beef in grassland systems is good, he believes.

“We sell most of the cattle as stores because it doesn’t pay to drive feed

He says: “The consumer is appreciating the grass-fed animal, hopefully the market will allow us to differentiate more in the future.’’

SALES | 99

Kilvrough dispersal leads Autumn Day The Kilvrough dispersal led Halls’ Autumn Hereford Day and featured some wellknown animals. The dispersal of the Kilvrough herd of pedigree Herefords on behalf of Elizabeth Radcliffe, Gower, Swansea led the trade at the Autumn Hereford Day, at Shrewsbury Auction, with females realising over 5,000gns on three occasions. Top of the money was Dendor 1 Ruby 29th with the gavel going down at 5,500gns, and travels back over the Welsh border with L and L Bowen, Nelson, Glamorgan to join their Bowendu herd. Bred by DE, ED and AL Jones, Caersws, Powys, this four-year-old cow was the 2018 female of the year and was part of the winning Fitzhugh pair at the Royal Welsh in the same year. Another show star, Kilvrough 1 Myrtle, changed hands at 5,200gns to Russell and Angela Howells, Gower, Swansea. This October 2017-born female stood reserve champion at the Royal Welsh last year as well as exhibitor-bred champion and part of the winning group of three. It is by Dorepoll 1 579 Knighthood and out of Dendor 1 Myrtle 12th. It sold with its fivemonth bull calf at-foot.

Dendor 1 Ruby 29th from E Radcliffe sold for 5,500gns

Kilvrough 1 Myrtle from E Radcliffe sold for 5,200gns

100 | SALES

At the same money was Kilvrough 1 Ruby, a 21-month-old female purchased by PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Market, Norfolk. It is out of the day’s top price animal and by Bakgard 1 Keno, the 2017 Royal Welsh breed champion. Kilvrough 1 Joyful 3rd went at a bid of 3,800gns, purchased in equal shares between EL Lewis and son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire and PRJ and LR Vincent. This September 2018-born female is by Solpoll 1 Dynamite and out of another Dendor cow. Making 3,600gns was Kilvrough 1 Keepsake 3rd, which went home with R Lewis and Codd, Pembrokeshire. It is by the 2016 Royal Welsh and Royal Highland interbreed champion, Normanton 1 Laertes.

Kilvrough 1 Ruby from E Radcliffe sold for 5,200gns

Females hit 2,900gns on three occasions, the one being Kilvrough 1 Keepsake 04, which rugby referee Nigel Owens secured in an online bid before officiating the Heineken Champions Cup final. Elsewhere in the sale, the first lot through the ring Thames 1 Jed Vanity 905 from A and S Timbrell, Cirencester, Gloucestershire sold at 4,800gns to Ryan Coates, Newton Harcourt, Leicestershire. It sold with its heifer calf at foot and confirmed in-calf to Appleridge 1 Rolo.

Thames 1 Jed Vanity 905 from and A and S Timbrell sold for 4,800gns

DE, ED and AL Jones sold Dendor 1 Jennefer 21st, realising 3,500gns, also to R Lewis and Codd. This March 2019-born heifer is another Keno daughter, and a maternal granddaughter of three-time UK Hereford sire of the year, Solpoll 1 Gilbert.

Averages: 25 females, £2,513 Auctioneers: Halls

Dendor 1 Jennefer 21st from DE, ED and AL Jones sold for 3,500gns

Gwasadgoed,Llanwnog,Caersws,Powys,SY17 5NZ : Dendor Poll Herefords, www.dendor.co.uk

07974 416527— 01686 688266

dendorherefords@btinternet.com

FEATURE | 101

102 | FEATURE

Performance figures at heart of Hean herd

FEATURE | 103

Consideration for the rural environment and future generations underpins the proud ethos of the Hean Castle Estate’s diverse commercial interests. Hereford cattle are at the heart of its cattle operation, which is backed by performance recording. There is a common theme running through the enterprises under the commercial umbrella of the Hean Castle Estate near Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire. High standards are applied to its holiday parks, property portfolio, beach centre, holiday cottages and forestry and firewood business - and to its farm. The Home Farm had for decades produced milk, originally from a Dairy Shorthorn herd and latterly from Holstein Friesians, but in 2014 the economics of running a 120-cow herd forced a choice. “As was the case with many smaller herds, we either had to invest in new facilities and increase cow numbers or exit milk production,’’ recalls estate trustee David Lewis, whose family have been custodians of the estate for five generations. Six years on and high demand for breeding stock and an expanding beef finishing enterprise validate the decision to switch to suckler beef production. Mr Lewis credits the Hereford breed as a reason for this success. “When we were researching cattle breeds, one of the factors we

104 | FEATURE

“When David started to apply EBVs and numbers to the job, that’s when things really started to take shape.’’ Mr Burnhill does not hail from a family of farmers, his father was an accountant and his mother a school teacher. “They encouraged me to do whatever job made me happy, as long as I did it well. I have always worked with cattle,’’ he says. David Burnhill manages the Hean herd

needed to consider was a desire to protect our estate brand,’’ he says. “We wanted a native breed and one that was low input, so the Hereford was the perfect choice. We initially bought from local breeders, including the Laxfield and Studdolph herds, and have grown from there.’’

retired. The Yorkshireman had previously managed an Aberdeen Angus herd in Northern England. He brought a razor-sharp knowledge of pedigree beef breeding, applying his understanding of EBVs and performance recording to developing the herd.

“We wanted a native breed and one that was low input, so the Hereford was the perfect choice’’ To accommodate the new herd, the estate has invested in a substantial new building with straw-bedded loose housing and handling facilities, with dedicated calving and bull pens. “It was a significant investment but if we were going to do it, we wanted to do it right, not just for this generation but for future ones,’’ says Mr Lewis.

“We did make some good decisions in those early days and some errors of judgement. We have continued to breed from the good lines and the errors have left the herd,’’ says Mr Lewis.

A key ambition was to minimise labour requirements - the new facilities allow the herd to be run with just two staff; David Burnhill and his assistant. Mr Burnhill joined the workforce a year after the herd was established when John Phillips, who had managed the dairy herd for many years and had taken on responsibility for the beef herd,

The herd consists of 80 breeding females

His focus is on breeding good breed types and it is a bonus if they also perform well in the showring, he says. “I want good looks and high health status, as well as the most appropriate EBVs. The Hereford has a lovely temperament and has that milkiness that make the cows exceptional mothers.’’ He says: “I like animals with thicker tops - pointy shoulders belong in the dairy herd.” For that reason, some genetics have been sourced from the Australian Wirruna herd. The result is cattle with great width, thickness and style, but most importantly of similar ‘type’, says Mr Burnhill. “Netherhall 1 Oz Daffy has bred very well for us, as have Wirruna Daffy,

FEATURE | 105

Wirruna Katnook, Solpoll 1 Kentucky Kid and Solpoll 1 Pounder.’’ Normanton 1 Nuclear has also been used successfully with progeny including current stock bull, Hean 1 Rebel, who was shown with success at the 2019 Royal Welsh Show. Sires are initially selected by eye or bloodline, which is followed by scrutiny of their EBVs. The aim is easy calving and low birth weight, alongside good growth figures. “You have to go a bit negative on calving to get performance, but not too much,’’ Mr Burnhill suggests. “If we can gain another 50kg of weight by using a specific bull it has got to be considered, it is about striking a happy medium between looks and performance.’’ Calves are weaned at nine months, using nose flaps which Mr Burnhill says ‘take the stress out of the job’. Ultrasound scanning is undertaken annually to assess carcase quality and produce the relevant EBVs. The extensive use of EBVs has meant that cattle are fit for slaughter off grass as early as 18 months, with steers averaging 320kg deadweight. Cattle are sold to Dunbia on the Hereford scheme and through direct sales too, to the newly established ‘Copper Hog’ butcher’s shop in Tenby. The estate currently supplies the business with one animal a month, but is hoping to increase this as the business gains traction.

initially seen as a bonus with the central focus on producing finished cattle. However pedigree sales and showing help to spread the Hean name and ‘adds a bit of fun to the job’, as Mr Lewis describes. “It is a shop window, which is an important consideration in a crowded marketplace. It is important that the herd establishes a reputation for high quality stock, to enable us to compete with some of the longer established household names,” he says. The herd first tasted major success in the showring with Hean 1 Noble at the 2017 Hereford autumn show and sale where it was placed reserve

• 486 hectares (1,200 acres) total estate size • 400 acres in-hand • 80 pedigree Hereford cows • Herd is mostly spring calving • Set stock grazing • Winter tack grazing for 700 ewes with sales to other pedigree herds. Stock bulls include Roscoe’s sire, Romany 1 Nailer. His females are now coming through and already making their mark with a daughter winning

“It is about striking a happy medium between looks and performance’’ junior male champion. In 2019, further success followed when the herd was placed twice in breed classes at the Royal Welsh Show on its first visit. Due to demand and some good genetic choices, bull sales are increasing. Notable among these sales is the purchase by Genus ABS of Hean 1 Roscoe in 2019, together

“The animals are slaughtered locally in Haverfordwest and we supply the butcher with a copy of the pedigree certificate and the management report from our software. These give the customer all the information about the animal, it is a great marketing tool for the rest of the estate too,’’ says Mr Lewis. The sale of breeding bulls was

Farm facts

Hean 1 Takoda

the breed championship at St Clears Show in 2019. Another stock bull is Panmure 1 Pedro, who sired Hean 1 Sedgely which was placed second at Agri Expo 2019, and Northern Irish-bred Solpoll 1 Superduty, was purchased in the spring of 2020.

106 | FEATURE

The Estate overlooks the coast

“Solpoll bloodlines have bred well for us, and we are excited to see what Superduty will bring to the herd,” says Mr Burnhill. A number of embryo transfers have been completed to maximise the impact of existing leading cow families within the herd.

to October and set-stocked. The farm hasn’t gone down the route of rotational grazing because a balance needs to be struck with other considerations. “A lot of the grazing is on historic parkland, it has to look good aesthetically as well as be efficient,’’

“We are heading towards being as self-sufficient as possible,’’ says Mr Lewis’’ All bulls are purchased privately to protect the high health status of the Hean herd, which is accredited free of BVD and IBR and is at the lowest level of risk for Johne’s. Calves are vaccinated for ringworm, blackleg, pneumonia and leptospirosis and the females for BVD. Adult cattle are vaccinated for IBR and BVD. Bulls run with the cows for 12 weeks but the ambition is to tighten the calving period. Calving got underway on 14 March in 2020 and finished in mid-June but the hope is to reduce this by two weeks in 2021. The cattle are at grass from April

Mr Lewis explains. The farm has now established a rotation where older leys are removed, and winter wheat is grown for wholecrop to provide an important source of winter feed for finishing cattle and autumn calvers. This year it will provide bedding too as the quality of the 17-acre crop was so good it was combined to provide grain for crimping and straw for bedding. Reseeding is concentrated on growing grass leys with a heavy clover content which helps put an early finish on the cattle, removing the need for those animals to be

housed for a second winter. “We are heading towards being as self-sufficient as possible,’’ says Mr Lewis. The ambition is to grow numbers in the 80 cow herd to 150 by retaining home-bred heifers, to improve output and to continue the mission of minimising costs within the business. “We have got 400 acres in-hand, and when we get to the point of being fully stocked and producing all our own feed and bedding, we will be happy,’’ says Mr Lewis. “The herd is never going to be the most profitable enterprise on the estate but we have always been an agricultural estate and hope to be for many more years.’’ Running the herd with the sole intention of supplying good quality beef would in itself be a sound business proposition. But, he adds: “Breeding quality livestock is a good fit for the ethos of the Hean Castle Estate, the name is synonymous with high quality, and we are well on course to achieving this with the herd.’’

FEATURE | 107

108 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Dyfed Hereford Breeders’ Meet the chairman – Euros Rees How long have you been area chairman for? Usually the chairperson stands for two years but due to the pandemic we were unable to hold our AGM or any events, so it was decided I would stay on and pass on the baton in 2021, in my third year. Tell us a bit about your club Our club is going from strength to strength, as is the Hereford breed in general. Dyfed Hereford Breeders’ Club recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2020. We had a great evening celebrating with a number of the founding members present and many of who are still very active within the club. How many members does your club have? We have seen membership rise every year for the past few years. Currently we have about 50 members. I think the rise in numbers is partly due to the increase in the popularity of the Hereford breed and also due to our members hard work at hosting successful events we have organised, attendance at local shows and our social media page. Fondest memory as chairman My fondest memory was being part of the organising team who set up the multi breed Christmas calf show in 2019. We wanted to organise a calf show here in South West Wales and got together with a few different breeds. It was a great success with good numbers of excellent quality Herefords on show. We attracted many spectators who enjoyed the showing, mince pies and warm mulled wine we supplied. Hopefully in 2021 the calf show can return.

What is great about your club? We are very lucky to have a hardworking secretary and treasurers and also very active members who are always keen and ready to help. The club has a wide range of Hereford breeders from large herds to small and newcomers to the breed to herds established many decades ago. Tell us a bit about your own herd I established the Trefochlyd herd of Herefords in 2011 purchasing some foundation cows from Studdolph and Glenvale herds. Further heifers were purchased from Dendor and more were added from Panmure, Lowesmoor, Laxfield and Merlinstone herds. To begin with I used artificial insemination using top bulls but when the time came to look for my first stock bull, I went back to the Dendor herd after seeing some very impressive bulls there by Solpoll 1 Gilbert. I would have been happy to go home with a son of this famous sire, so when I was given the opportunity to give Gilbert a new home, I jumped at the chance. Now, the Trefochlyd herd is about 25 cows with followers coming through. The emphasis has always been on quality rather than quantity. The current stock bull is Solpoll 1 Playboy. Fondest memory while in the breed My fondest memory of being in the breed was hosting the Dyfed Hereford Breeders’ Club AGM and herd visit. I welcomed the members to the farm which is situated near the coast of West Wales, close to St Davids. Why are you passionate about Hereford cattle? After keeping and working with continental cattle for many years, it’s no surprise I wanted to keep a more docile and

Euros Rees

easily managed breed. The Hereford was the obvious choice. It’s nice to go out to the field where the cows seem glad to see you. The breed has made real strides to modernise and improve, making it an all-round breed for suckler herds, dairy units and cattle for the store market. What event did you really miss in 2020? It’s been strange not attending the local shows this year. I particularly missed Pembrokeshire County Show. It’s a three day show so it’s hard work for the exhibitors but we get to see so many different people from past customers, friends and neighbours, tourists visiting Pembrokeshire and hopefully new customers too. The Hereford breed seems to be increasing in numbers every year at the county show, so it’s a real delight to see large classes and to see the cattle lines full of Herefords. If there any breeders in Dyfed or South Wales interested in joining the club, please contact club secretary Liz Roderick on 01792 390389 or tombank@aol.com.

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 109

British Polled tops Dyfed virtual show A British Polled cow from the Thorne family was selected as champion in the Dyfed virtual show. From one of the stalwarts of the British Polled strain, Ashdale 3 Queen 509 from TG, EI and EN Thorne, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire was named champion of the Dyfed Hereford Breeders’ Club virtual show, judged by Clive and Tom Davies of the well-known Herefordshire-based Westwood Herefords. This six year old cow is out of a home-bred British Polled cow, and by Bosa 1 Hereward bred by Gerald Blandford, Bosbury, Herefordshire. Clive commented: “It has a very smart heifer calf at-foot and has a super top line, is great on its legs and is wonderful in the udder.” Leading the senior bull calf class was Brangwyn 1 Sparticus from TDJ Roderick, Scurlage, Glamorgan. March 2019-born, this young male is out of a home-bred cow and by Harveybros 1 Norman. It was back to the Thorne family to find the junior bull class winner, with April 2019-born bull Glenvale 1 Duke taking first place. It is a Lowesmoor 1 Nasser son and out of a Bosa 1 Arnold sired, home-bred female. Thornes’ Ashdale British Polled herd also produced the first placed senior heifer in the form of Ashdale 3 Queen 684. This May 2018-born female is by a Dendor 1 Ledley son, which is by Solpoll 1 Gilbert, the three times sire of the year.

Ashdale 3 Queen 509 from TG, EI and EN Thorne

Pat and Mansell Thomas and Antonia Flynn, Foelgastell, Carmarthenshire won the junior heifer class with Graig-yr-Afon 1 Matilda. April 2019born, it is by Barwise 1 Lekhwair, which is a son of the great Barwise 1 Wellington. Its dam is Charmily 1 Maria, bred by GJ Thomas, Newcastle

Emlyn, which itself is out of Fisher 1 Cherry J356 and by the Danish-bred Bondes i Hubert. E James of Cleddau Herefords, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire was victorious in the young handlers’ competition.

Results Champion, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Ashdale 3 Queen 509 Senior bull, 1st, TDJ Roderick, Brangwyn 1 Sparticus; 2nd, E James, Cleddau 1 Percy Junior bull, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Glenvale 1 Duke; 2nd, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Glenvale 1 Daniel; 3rd, TDJ Roderick, Brangwyn 1 Thunder Senior heifer, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Ashdale Queen 684; 2nd, Griffiths family, Penrhiwgoch BM Dowager 33; 3rd, E Rees, Trefochlyd

1 Gemini 8th Junior heifer, 1st, Graig-yr-Afon 1 Matilda, Pat and Mansell Thomas and Antonia Flynn; 2nd, E James, Cleddau 1 Amethyst Stephanie; 3rd, E James, Cleddau 1 Miss Millie Cow with calf at foot, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Ashdale 3 Queen 509; 2nd, TDJ Roderick, Brangwyn 1 Lancia; 3rd, Pat and Mansel Thomas and Antonia Flynn, Jacobean Willow 052 Young handlers, E James, Cleddau Herefords

110 | FEATURE

Owens kicks off breeding career

Nigel Owens farms in Carmarthenshire

FEATURE | 111

Now drawing to the end of his rugby refereeing career, Nigel Owens is busy developing his own farm in west Wales, with pedigree Hereford cattle at the core of his operation. There are many things Nigel Owens can claim to his name; the record number of rugby test matches refereed, an MBE, being a household name in a profession where few are, patron of many valued charities and now the Mairwen herd of pedigree Herefords he keeps at his holding in the Gwendraeth valley, Carmarthenshire. Despite having an exciting career, taking him all over the world, mixing with rugby greats and officiating some of the most memorable sporting moments, Nigel says his first love has always been farming. When Nigel was small, the family broke-in horses, often with Nigel on their backs on his grandparents' smallholding in Mynyddcerrig near Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire. He says: “I also spent a lot of time helping at Tyrgarn Farm, which was just behind my grandparents’, and grew up with the late Dewi Morgan and his family. This is where I really fell in love with farming.” After working on his uncle’s dairy farm nearby in his teenage years, Nigel went to Gelli Aur College, Llandeilo to study a Youth Training Scheme qualification in agriculture, while also working on local dairy farm, the Wern in Drefach. From the age of 16, he was also progressing in his refereeing at a grass-roots level, although it wasn’t always the

112 | FEATURE

position he occupied on the pitch. Nigel explains how he took up the role of referee. He says: “We were playing rugby at school, Ysgol Maes Yr Yrfa, and I was playing fullback. We hadn’t won a match all season, and after two tries by our side, we had a conversion to take. Now I thought this was going to be my moment of glory, and I said to my mate who was the captain that I would take the kick. It was right in front of the posts, but the ball ended up more in the direction of the corner flag and because of that, we drew 12-all.

cattle and my grandfather said then that there was no better sight than a field of Herefords grazing. That has always stayed in my mind. There was also a Hereford bull on my uncle’s dairy farm which we used to sit on as children as it was just so docile.” Of course, with a man who is so synonymous with Wales, some patriots may question his bovine choice.

But, why was he drawn to Hereford cattle?

He explains with a smile: “I was at the Winter Fair in Builth and headed to the Hereford stand, and the Welsh Blacks were opposite. As I passed, someone stopped me and told me as a Welshman I should be keeping a Welsh breed. I explained to them, firstly, Herefords are red like the dragon of Wales, and also Hereford used to be in Wales before the English took it, so actually it is a Welsh breed.”

Nigel says: “I remember when I was a young boy, my grandparents took me for a drive and we passed some

Nigel says he had always planned to have his own smallholding and after saving up and badgering the owner

“My school teacher the late John Beynon, who was a great man said, ‘Nigel, why don’t you go and ref or something’, and that’s what I did. It all went from there.”

Dendor 1 Sugar Ray was purchased at Sires of the Future sale

of the ground his house adjoins, he secured five hectares (13 acres) in the summer of 2018, which was followed by the opportunity to purchase 6ha (15ac) down the road in early 2019. A few months later, an opportunity arose to purchase a small holding just two miles up the road, consisting of 60 acres, traditional farmhouse and out-buildings. Nigel explains: “Nothing had been done to improve the farm for the past 30 years, so a huge amount of work has been carried out. I have done fencing, drainage, a lot of work on the land as well as building a new shed to house the cattle up there. It’s been a lot of hard work and cost to get things up to speed and is still an ongoing project. “Even on the ground next to my house, I have done groundsworks, put a drive in, reseeded some of the ground, put up two sheds and fenced the whole lot,” he explains.

FEATURE | 113

Greenyards 1 Hannah L272 was purchased at Phil and Alison Allman's dispersal sale

It was on his return from Japan following the 2019 World Cup when Nigel kicked-off into the Hereford breed. With a string of influential herd dispersal sales in late 2019 and into 2020, including Rodbaston, Greenyards, and Kilvrough, Nigel was able to make some quality purchases in a much quicker time than anticipated.

what makes a good animal. I will weed out the lesser quality animals and breed from the best as I go along.”

he took advantage of the few cattle grazing on his recently purchased ground and made a good quantity of haylage that summer.

He says his Mairwen prefix took some consideration, and was his mother’s middle name, adding he isn’t one to name something without a meaning.

Joining the bull team, Dendor 1 Sugar Ray was purchased at the inaugural Sires of the Future sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre and topped the sale at 6,500gns. Nigel says he was purchased for his colour

Following his first cattle purchases,

His first purchases came in the form of four heifers from the Rodbaston dispersal sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre and horned bull, Creuddyn Goliath, from his cousin Gwyndaf Davies, based near Lampeter, Ceredigion. Not long after, he purchased four more animals from Robin Quinn’s Brechfa herd, Nantgaredig, Carmarthensire and from Alun Richards’ Cellynnen herd, near Llandovery. He says: “Things have happened quicker than I had anticipated. It will take a while for me to understand

Nigel now has 25 breeding females

114 | FEATURE

Some significant dispersal sales in 2019 and 2020 allowed the herd to grow

and markings and because he came from a quality home. He has some calves on the ground to him, as well as Creuddyn Goliath, Netherhall 1 Oz Daffy M024 and Normanton 1 Laertes.

In terms of calving pattern, he is still trying to decide what is the best system to suit him. However, he says he enjoys calving, and has been heard to say he finds it more nerve-wracking than refereeing a test match.

“Things have happened quicker than I had anticipated” He has had 12 calves this year, nine of which are bulls. He is pleased to have already sold his first bull which is due to leave the farm in January and was originally purchased as a calf to a cow he purchased at a sale.

The Mairwen herd was established in 2019

He says: “Seeing a calf born gives me great satisfaction. I was perhaps trying to do too much before and now I try and leave them to get on with it. “I have cameras in the shed so I

can keep an eye on things. I was in Belfast not so long ago with a cow calving at home, and so I was watching her on my phone. She had the best calf I have bred yet, by Normanton 1 Laertes, and because of where I was, I named him Ulster.” Moving forward, Nigel would like to sell off-farm but is also keen to sell some at public auction, and thinks he may also end up in the show ring. He says: “I am doing this by myself but my dad, my father-in-law and my partner Barrie are all really helpful. “When I started planning, I wanted to sell the beef, which we know is of

FEATURE | 115

such high quality, and use my name to help promote it but when I started looking at it, my attention turned to pedigree breeding. “When I retire from refereeing at the end of this season, I will have more time to work with the cattle. I enjoy refereeing still but I just need more time at home now. This pandemic has meant I have travelled less and so I have been able to put more time into things here. When I get the race and crush sorted it will make things even easier.” Away from his own holding, Nigel says he feels strongly about working to protect the reputation of the farming industry. He says: “Farming is getting a bad name and a lot of the information and images the public are being fed are from overseas factory farms. Things need to change. The Hereford can play a part in generating sustainability stories as it is a native breed and very good at producing

quality beef, from very little. “Personally, I don’t want to overstock the ground here. It will have to have some fertiliser but I am not going to push it. I am on the Welsh Government’s Glastir scheme, and have carried out coppicing and fencing and left trees in the corners of fields. I collect rainwater to use for washing and I have spread some bio-solids. I am just being sensible really. I have had to plough up some of the ground as it was full of rushes but I am trying to overseed where I can, to avoid releasing carbon into the atmosphere. “I am also going to start working with a local school to educate the children about where their food comes from.” Nigel is also the current president of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, after a five year stint as president of the Wales Federation.

Nigel Owens and his partner Barrie farm in the Gwendraeth valley, Carmarthenshire

Farm facts • 36 hectares (90 acres) owned, and a further 8ha (20ac) rented • 14 cows- 12 with calves at-foot • 11 heifers • 2 stock bulls • 1 young bull • Member of SAC’s premium health scheme • Beginning to look at performance recording He comments: “I got so much from being a member of YFC, it is now my time to give something back and also highlight the work of the farming community to the wider public. I also want to try and open the movement up a bit, and encourage those who don’t have a farming background to join.”

116 | SHOWS

Queen crowned in Dyfed calf show The Thorne family's Ashdale 3 Queen 770 led the Dyfed virtual calf show. Ashdale 3 Queen 770 from TG, EI and EN Thorne, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire was crowned champion in the Dyfed Hereford Breeders’ virtual Christmas calf show, as judged by Bernard Llewelyn, Carreg Cennen Longhorns, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. This June 2020-born British Polled heifer is by Vexour 1 Palmer, which goes back to the famed Panmure 1 Henry and is out of a home-bred dam.

Ashdale 3 Queen 770 from TG, EI and EN Thorne

Bernard described the young female as a ‘very pleasing heifer, with a leg in each corner’. He commented the calf had ‘tremendous width behind for a heifer of this age’. In the most senior heifer class, it was again the Thorne family who came to the fore, this time with Studdolph 1 Barbie 733. This female is by Netherhall 1 OZ Daffy M024, which is full of Wirruna breeding from the Locke family, New South Wales. Trefochlyd 1 Ariel 12th B3 from Euros Rees, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire won the heifer born January to February class. Born in February 2020, it is by Solpoll 1 Playboy, a

Studdolph 1 Barbie 733 from TG, EI and EN Thorne

SHOWS | 117

Functional fertile Bulls and Heifers Guaranteed Breedplan Performance Recorded HiHealth herdcare • Cattle Health Scheme

Maenhir, Login, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, SA34 0XE Tel: 07870269738 Email: josepht wose@hotmail.co.uk

Visitors always welcome

118 | SHOWS

Panmure 1 Henry son, and out of a home-bred Barwise 1 Wellington daughter. Normanton 1 Laertes daughter Beca 1 Tinkerbell from Joseph Twose, Whitland, Carmarthenshire headed up the March 2020 heifer class. Its dam is Black Hall 1 Portia which is by Auckvale Jim Lad 1220J. It was back to the Thorne family for the April 2020-born heifer class ticket winner, Glenvale 1 Doris 752. Out of a home-bred dam, it is a Lowesmoor 1 Nasser daughter.

Glenvale 1 Doris 752 from TG, EI and EN Thorne

The most senior bull calf class was led by Ashdale 3 Ellis, by Netherhall 1 Jack P602, another Australianbred sire. It is out of a home-bred dam, sired by Dendor 1 Ledley, a son of the three times UK sire of the year Solpoll 1 Gilbert. Euros Rees took the top spot in the bull born after May class with Trefochlyd 1 VaVaVoom. Another Solpoll 1 Playboy son, it is out of Lowesmoor 1 Niki 937. Eifion James won the youngest handlers’ class while Catrin Morris won the under 16s.

Glenvale 1 Eddy-the-Eagle from TG, EI and EN Thorne

Results Champion, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Ashdale 3 Queen 770 Heifer born November to December 2019, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Studdolph 1 Barbie 733; 2nd, E James, Cleddau 1 Miss Millie Heifer born January to February 2020, E Rees, 1st Trefochlyd 1 Ariel 12th B3; 2nd, E James, Cleddau 1 Amethyst Stephanie March 2020-born heifer, 1st, J Twose, Beca 1 Tinkerbell; 2nd DM Thomas, Graig-yr-Afon Bonnie; 3rd, DM Thomas, Graig-yr-Afon Amelia

April 2020-born heifer, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Glenvale 1 Doris 752; 2nd, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Studdolph 1 Barbie 754; 3rd, DM Thomas, Graig-yr-Afon 1 Mitzy Heifer born after May, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Ashdale 3 Queen 770; 2nd, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Glenvale 1 Poly 764; 3rd, J Twose, Beca 1 Toffee Bull born January to February 2020, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Ashdale 3 Ellis Bull born March to April 2020, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne, Glenvale

1 Eddy the Eagle; 2nd, E Rees, Trefochlyd 1 Tyco; 3rd J Twose, Beca 1 Tornado Bull born after May, 1st E Rees, Trefochlyd 1 VaVaVoom; 2nd, TDJ Roderick, Brangwyn 1 Tesla Best pair, 1st, TG, EI and EN Thorne; 2nd, J Twose; 3rd E Rees Young handler under 10 years, Eifion James Young handler under 16 years, Catrin Morris

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 119

The passing of David Edwards by Clive Davies David (Dai) Edwards always lived and farmed in the Cilycwm area of Carmarthenshire. He passed-on on 3 December at 89 years of age. He and his wife Joan built up a strong reputation for their Llandovery Hereford herd during the 1970s. Indeed, the much-admired Llandovery Emblem made quite a statement. Offered at the November sale in 1972 where it stood reserve champion but failed to make its

Llandovery Emblem

reserve. It privately sold to New Zealand for £1,200 but failed the export health tests.

The family commenced using

Making a re-appearance at the following January sale, and in being awarded first prize, it sold to a consortium of Irish bidders, assisted by a 50 per cent grant from their government at 3,100gns, the secondhighest price of the sale and nearly equivalent to some £40,000 today.

pedigree herd took over. David and

That day, 268 bulls were sold at an average of £636 and the champion made 4,250gns.

Cattle Breeders’ Association’s herd

Limousin bulls on their Herefordtype cows and in the 1980s the Dyfri son Aled have both served as chair of their society and more recently Aled has been honoured with the position of world president. Both have also judged many prestigious events and been great supporters of their local community. Aled judged the Hereford competition in 2004. The Hereford breed is always in their hearts.

120 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

National Hereford Club Meet the chairman – Philip Vincent How long have you been club chairman for? Two and a half years How many members does your club have? We have 75 members. Our club is for the promotion of the horned section of the herd book. Fondest memory while chairman My fondest memory of being chairman has to be our 2019 AGM. We had such a great turnout of members and our new president, Nick Hewer, took a great interest in the club and the breed.

son’s Badlingham herd and Rodney and Rose Westaway of Clipston Herefords. We now have over 100 head grazing around our chicken sheds alongside our free-range hens. Laura tells me we must stop increasing but I am always thinking about where I can put another shed. Fondest memory while in the breed Watching my daughter Beth growing in confidence in young handlers and increasing her interest in the Hereford breed over the last few years. She won her class at the National Hereford Show last year which made me very proud.

“I have missed the National Hereford Show which the club organises. It is such a friendly event” What is great about your club? There is great camaraderie of among our members. Great friendships are formed while all working together with the common interest of developing our wonderful breed. The National Hereford Club has now organised 35 shows having started in the 1980s, established to promote the horned section of the breed and is open to Traditionals, horned and de-horned Hereford cattle. Held at Tenbury Countryside Show, we welcome as many members as possible to join us and exhibit cattle. Tell us a bit about your own herd My wife, Laura, and I started the herd in 2007. I had always wanted a few cows at home and never having had cattle before, we wanted a docile, easy finishing breed which finished off grass. The herd was formed with the purchase of Traditional cows and calves. Following that we made purchases from AG Wrights and

I am passionate about Hereford cattle because they are easy finishing, docile, easy to manage and a pleasure to work with. I’m also passionate about the end product, Hereford Beef, which tastes great. I love selling it direct to our customers and receiving positive feedback.

Philip Vincent

It was great to see people getting involved online and members entering from all over the UK. The online show generated over 500 votes and we were thrilled by the interest and buzz about the virtual judging. We are really hoping this online activity will encourage some first time exhibitors when we can next hold the show at Tenbury.

What event did you really miss in 2020? I have missed the National Hereford Show which the club organises. It is such a friendly event, which so many members work together to put on. I am looking forward to gathering around Andrew Owen and Sharon’s cheeseboard again as soon as we are able.

What do you think is important for your club to do moving forward? I think the club needs to keep embracing the ‘virtual world’. We need to keep supporting our members in the marketing of their cattle. We re-branded the club a couple of years ago and re-designed our website. Our sale room page contains contacts and descriptions of our members herds. The site is then regularly advertised in the Farmers Guardian creating traffic and hopefully enquires for our members.

What did your club do differently this year? The club has embraced technology this year by holding a very successful virtual show with over 200 entries. We would look at repeating this again in 2021 if we are not able to hold our National Show.

For more details on the National Hereford Club, visit www. nationalherefordclub.co.uk or contact secretary Sarah Cook on 07771 333303 or alcroftcattle@ hotmail.co.uk.

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 121

Remembering John Wright by Clive Davies S John L Wright, born in February 1941, was quietly studying Hereford cattle long before he became actively involved. As a pupil of Hereford High School for Boys and a classmate of Bob Powell, wizard stockman and Lewis Thomas, working-life-long team member of Hereford House, given the opportunity, the young John would walk up Blackfriars Street and look-in on the breed sales at Hereford Market. During John’s younger days, the family lived in the Cardiganshire village of Llangrannog from where he attended the local primary school. This certainly introduced him to the culture and language of the principality. Following attending and graduating with a doctorate from Cardiff University, during which time John met his wife Sue, they in due course settled in the Bradford-on-Avon area of Wiltshire, where they remained and raised their children Dan and Becky. John worked at the University of Bath, progressing to senior lecturer in microbiology. He extended his workload by taking on the role of his department’s admissions and student placements tutor. He was highly regarded in all of his associated tasks, well-known for the encouragement and continued contact with students, and the producer of many technical research papers and books. In June 1987, John chose to attend the AGM of the National Hereford Show Club held at the NFU Mutual headquarters at Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Few people there knew of him. In fact, quite possibly the only person who had spoken with him knowingly was Ray Davies of Westwood. Sometime previously, Ray had been judging the Herefords at Cardigan Show. It was an extremely wet day and literally, the only other person observing the judging and being available to speak to between classes was, John Wright. No one else would brave the elements. This proved to be a most fortunate introduction because later during the summer of 1987, John visited the Westwood herd and made arrangements to purchase breeding stock which were retained at the Worcestershire farm. The Lawford herd was established and during a 30 year period developed animals which won breed championship awards, sold genetics to breeding herds in the UK and overseas and brought a great deal of pleasure to John and his extended family. Over the years, John took on judging appointments and on one famed occasion, while officiating at a West Wales event, one astute exhibitor warned other competitors not to criticise the judge in Welsh, because he might well understand what was being said. The benefit of education. But for all of John’s sound breeding progress and the support he brought to many within the breed, not least through the lens of his camera which was a feature of any Hereford breed gathering, John also brought great service to the administration within the breed. He willingly took

John Wright

up the role of secretary of the Show Club, following the retirement of founding officer, Ted Hewitson. John brought his organisational skills to the role and ensured a professional approach. Many reports were penned by secretary John within the breed journal, accompanied with suitable images and not least the one adorning the cover of the 2004 edition. In later years, due to poorer health, affected by diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, John stepped back from his duties but remained enthused and interested in all matters Hereford cattle. He had many other interests; rowing while at school, Bath Rugby, Hereford football, Rotary International, golf, walking and in later years the progress of his two grandchildren, Penny and Jos. John passed away peacefully at home on 22 April 2020 but had given the Hereford breed a great deal. It just shows what can occur from school time visiting or getting soaked at an agricultural show.

122 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Pulham leads online National Show The National Hereford Club held its annual show virtually in 2020 with the assistance of an international judging panel. With more than 200 photographic entries from over 40 exhibitors, the virtual National Hereford Show is believed to be the largest show of the breed in Europe in 2020. Organisers were also pleased the nature of the event allowed entries from Northern Ireland and every other corner of the UK. A public vote contributed 25 per cent of the champion choices, with the remainder of the decision from judges Robert Clarke, Shadwell Estate Aberdeen Angus, Suffolk; Gary McKeirnan, Corlismore Herefords, Ireland and husband and wife team Brent and Anna Fisher of Silverstream Hereford and Charolais stud, New Zealand. Dominating the championships were Philip and Laura Vincent, Pulham Market, Norfolk, with Pulham Pansy 15th being named female champion and winning a Moocall calving sensor. This heifer is no stranger to the National Hereford Show, having been junior female and reserve female champion in 2018. Out of Clipston Pansy R2, it is sired by the successful Irish-bred bull Moyclare Malcom. Judge Gary McKeirnan said: “Pulham Pansy 15th is a lovely sweet feminine

Female champion Pulham Pansy 15th

heifer and is well-marked with nice width. She has a good udder, lovely head and stands to attention.” Haven Lamborghini from breed stalwarts EL Lewis and son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire was a firm favourite in the male section, winning the championship and receiving a Manor Farm Feeds voucher. Stepping up from 2019’s show, where it stood reserve male champion, this six year old bull is out of Haven Splendour 25th and by Haven Cavalier, which was senior male champion at the National Hereford Show 2010. Brent and Anna Fisher commented: “There is so much to like about him. Lamborghini has class, presence and x-factor. He has tremendous length, a superb top line and wonderful depth of rib.” Philip and Laura Vincent had further success with young stock bull ShilohFarm Elite selected as reserve male

champion. Bred by Hugh Murray and his daughter Sarah, the Vincents made Elite their champion when judging Longford Show, Ireland in 2018 which they subsequently purchased. This bull has its first calves on the ground, having been used on cows including the female champion, Pulham Pansy 15th. Gary McKeirnan said: “Elite is very powerful and long, with good bone and backend. He has a great top and stands up very smartly.” Reserve female champion was taken by Philip and Laura Vincent’s Pulham Dowager 2nd, which also won the youngest section of the split cow class. This five year old cow is descended from Haven Dowager 137th, a prolific breeder and paternal grand-dam to Haven Lamborghini. Second place in the class and from the same family was Haven Dowager 177th.

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 123

This SNS Generator 28X daughter particularly impressed Robert Clarke. He said: “She has everything I want to see in a Hereford cow. She is feminine, has great balance and character with a fantastic udder, a worthy champion in any show.” The older section of the split cow class was won by Balleen Pansy 668 from Co Tyrone’s Mark Moore, purchased at nine months old at Tom Brennan’s production sale in 2012. A proven breeder, its daughter Annaghbeg Pansy 2nd was reserve female champion at the NI National Show in 2016, while son Annaghbeg Governor took the NI horned bull of the year title in 2019. Gary McKeirnan described the animal as ‘a big powerful, feminine, deep bodied cow with width and a good udder’. The September 2018 to December 2018 heifer class winner was EL Lewis and son’s Haven Dowager 188th and is another female from this phenomenal family. Bred by two champions, it is sired by Haven Nugget, former UK horned bull of the year, and out of Haven Dowager 169th, which took the horned female of the year title. The January to March 2019-born heifer class saw more success for the Lewis family with Haven Skylark 10th

Male champion Haven Lamborghini

by Mawarra Aftershock taking the top spot. Highhedges Blossom 21-19 from S Cowle, Quainton, Buckinghamshire lead the April 2019 to August 2019 class and is a daughter of Free Town Martyr, the reserve male champion at the National Hereford Show 2016. It is from the Blossom female line which has seen numerous successes at the event. New breeders J Lawrence and son, Glascoed, Monmouthshire took the top honours in the September 2019 to December 2019 heifer class with another member of the Dowager family, Haven Dowager 192nd. It is sired by the 2018 National Hereford Show supreme champion, Mara President.

Hayestone Wyandot T135 from Tony Cork, Codsall Wood, Staffordshire won the youngest heifer class. This May 2020-born heifer is sired by daughter Helen’s home-bred bull, Hayes Phoenix which is a Bowmont Storm son and out of a Dovemount cow. Breed stalwarts the Bradstock family won the September 2018 to December 2018 class with Free Town Solomon, which is sired by Free Town Nostradamus and out of Free Town Peace 8th. The next class up saw another win for Mark Moore, this time with bull Annaghbeg Gladiator, sired by Kilsunny Leyton and out of Mara Blossom 40th, which was bred by Bob and Margaret Borwick and purchased at their reduction sale in 2016. Pulham Tampa, described as ‘a powerful young bull with great length’ took the top spot in the September to December 2019 class. Out of Grianan Orange P752, purchased by the Vincents from Tom and Anslem Fitzgerald, Ireland, it is sired by the show’s 2014 supreme champion, Haven Kermit.

Reserve male champion Shiloh-Farm Elite

The junior bull class was won by another Haven Kermit son, this time in the form of Twilight Riddick from Alan, Linda and Alex Gifford, Holsworthy, Devon. Originally

124 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

purchased by Pulham Herefords, Kermit got to work for the Giffords in 2019. Twilight Riddick is out of Minton Oyster Lass 353, bred by Leake’s Farming Ltd. In summing up their judging, Brent and Anna Fisher said: “It was a real privilege for us to judge the cattle presented to us. The top end cattle were really exceptional and we got excited as we scrolled from picture to picture. The breeders should be really proud of their cattle. It is really heartening to see such great Herefords and it excites us to know there are still many tremendous animals out there.” Philip Vincent, chairman of the National Hereford Club, said: “We would like to thank the judges for

Reserve female champion Pulham Dowager 2nd

their efforts, but particularly for the comprehensive way, in which they commented on their placings. Thanks must also be given to all those

involved with the organisation of the competition and in particular Sarah Cowle for the huge amount of time dedicated to organising the entries.”

Lewis and son, Haven Skylark 10th; 2nd, JW Lewis, Boycefield Glance 16th; 3rd, WR Kemp and sons, Auckvale Curly 1831S.

PRJ and LR Vincent, Shiloh-Farm Elite; 2nd, Messrs Spooner and RA Bradstock and partners, Moyclare Quinlan; 3rd, S Curry, Gurteragh Aristocrat 758.

Results Cow in-calf or with calf at-foot born on or before 31 August 2014, 1st, M Moore, Balleen Pansy 668; 2nd, SA Cowle, Badlingham Curly 124th; 3rd, RWJ and MM Williams, Anhay Mallee 377. Cow in-calf or with calf at-foot born on or between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2017, 1st, PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Dowager 2nd; 2nd, EL Lewis and son, Haven Dowager 177th; 3rd, S Curry, Broughan Fortune. Heifer in-calf or with calf at-foot born on or between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018, 1st, PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Pansy 15th; 2nd, DJ Makin, Adzor Rhianna; 3rd, Norman bros, Leen Margot. Heifer born on or between 1 September and 31 December 2018, 1st, EL Lewis and son, Haven Dowager 188th; 2nd, PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Pansy 20th; 3rd, RA Bradstock and partners, Free Town Pious. Heifer born on or between 1 January and 31 March 2019, 1st, EL

Heifer born on or between 1 April and 31 August 2019, 1st, SA Cowle, Highhedges Blossom 21-19; 2nd, G and W Burleigh, Benaughlin Bridge Girl 7th; 3rd, HM Cork, Hayes Buttercup S122. Heifer born on or between 1 September and 31 December 2019, 1st, J Lawrence, Haven Dowager 192nd; 2nd, PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Tiara 6th; 3rd, Messrs Spooner, Dieulacresse Biddy 53rd. Heifer born on or after 1 January 2020, 1st, AG Cork, Hayestone Wyandot T135; 2nd, JR and HM Whitlow, HighHouse Roulette T88; 3rd, G and T Morton, Nancy Elena. Bull born on or before 31 December 2016, 1st, EL Lewis and son, Haven Lamborghini; 2nd, Murton and Rees, Humber Charles; 3rd, R and N Birchall, Westwood Nightswatch. Bull born on or between 1 January 2017 and 31 August 2018, 1st,

Bull born on or between 1 September and 31 December 2018, 1st, RA Bradstock and partners, Free Town Solomon; 2nd, Messrs Spooner, Dieulacresse Samson; 3rd, EL Lewis and son, Haven Snowdon. Bull born on or between 1 January and 31 August 2019, 1st, M Moore, Annaghbeg Gladiator; 2nd, EL Lewis and son, Haven Sidney; 3rd, Messrs Spooner, Dieulacresse Scott. Bull calf born on or between 1 September and 31 December 2019, 1st, PRJ and LR Vincent, Pulham Tampa; 2nd, Messrs Spooner, Dieulacresse Turbo; 3rd, JR and HM Whitlow, HighHouse T-Rex. Bull calf born on or after 1 January 2020, 1st, AG, LE and AA Gifford, Twilight Riddick; 2nd, S Taylor and D Marsh, Taymar Taylormade; HM Cork, Hayes Tickety Boo.

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 125

HEREFORD CATTLE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION (Regional Association of HCS) PRESIDENT – Richard Bradstock CHAIRMAN

David Makin Tel: 01432 830241/07961033283 Email: adzorherefords@googlemail.com Stocks House Farm, Wellington, Hereford HR4 8AZ

HEREFORDSHIRE

WD Wiggin – PARLIAMENT 0207 2198175

PJ & AC Allman – GREENYARDS 07860 824703 / 07860 308599

P & CJ Williams – CLINWILL

F G Arrowsmith – OAKLEA 01568 797247

WORCESTERSHIRE

G Blandford & Son – BOSA

J Walker – DOCKLOW/HYDE

01531 640209 / 07817707745

01886 821892 / 07974 307566

M Boaz – TURNASTONE

JR Whitlow – HIGHHOUSE

01981 550022 / 07973 523515

01386 793880

R A Bradstock & Ptnrs– FREE TOWN

SHROPSHIRE

01544 267762

01432 890238 / 07734200508

IA Braithwaite – HIGHFIELDS 01299 861275 / 07968 592608

S Budd – DARLING BUDDS 01981 550007 / 07774 926659

RCG & EC Lywood – HEATH HOUSE

EC & MM Everall – ASHLEY MOOR

01547 530149

01568 780266

AR Owen – CHURCH PREEN 01694 771249 / 07971 155597

AGP Goodwin – HONEYBROOK

MJ & HM Timmis – SHRADEN

01568 720331

01939 260261 / 07773 436481

TJ & BM Goodwin (C Powell) – ROUGHMOOR

P & E Williams – ALDEROAK

MF Gray – BUCKENHILL

STAFFORDSHIRE

01743 741755 / 07843 238039

01544 327434 / 07867 800788 01885 483459 / 07909 793455

S Hawkins – BOSBURY

01531 640405 / 07813 796053

Mrs R Hawnt – ASHGROVE 01568 797867

Mrs L Hobson – ELDERSFIELD 01452 840169

GGE Holborow – ROSEMORE 01886 821226 / 07966 130853

F C Jones – UPPER HOUSE 07772 629301 (G Bowen)

DG Knott & Sons – FIELDHOUSE 01568 797835

EL Lewis & Son – HAVEN

01544 318255 / 07974 744660

JW Lewis – BOYCEFIELD

01544 318946 / 07767 863377

DJ Makin – ADZOR

01432 830241 / 07961 033283

Mrs JA Pudge – BLACK HALL

CH Brown & Son – WREKIN VIEW

01432 830361 / 07985 078581

01902 372982

SW Quan & Co – BORDER

C McCreath – LONGRIDGE

01981 570231 / 07714 291362

01785 715050 / 07866 540127

M & M Roberts – BROMLEY

M Whieldon – CLARES

01981 540717 / 07980 834266

01785 823285 / 07730 745584

DC Seaborne (Holme Lacy College) – HOLME LACY

ADJOINING AREA

01432 870808 / 07967 208818

S Coates & I Hart – PARKAPILLA

Mrs CI Snell – PENCOYD

07525 426190

RG & MD Thomas – RISBURY

YOUNG MEMBERS

01989 730444 01568 760443

T Verdin – GARNSTONE 07966 440857

G & R Watkins – HOLLYBUSH 01584 711323

H Weston & Sons Ltd – BOUNDS 01531 660233

B Budd – DARLING BUDDS AW Quan – BORDERLAND 07970 815258 (James)

H, J & A Watkins - HOLLYBUSH 01584 711323

126 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association Meet the chairman – David Makin How long have you been area association chairman for? For 12 months.

quality animals to my herd as I started to build it up. As we commenced showing the cattle, the learning curve was steep and many lessons were learnt. My highlight was receiving best heifer,

How many members does your club have? There are approximately 50 members within our area.

Adzor Peggy Sue, in the HCBA

Fondest memory while chairman The year 2020 has not been without its challenges and searching for fondest memories is one in itself as we have had only three meetings within the restrictions of Covid-19 and no events.

breeders who are happy to

herd competition in 2017. Over the years I have met some inspirational share their experiences. I have in particular been impressed with UK Hereford Youth and its role in shaping and encouraging the next generation that will represent the breed in the future.

“I am passionate about Hereford cattle as my family has resided in the home of the breed, Wellington, all of my life. I find the history fascinating and own the entire library of herd books from 1846” What is great about your association? What makes the Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association great is the people within it. They are dedicated and driven to represent the breed and all of us are proud to be raising our herds within the vicinity of its origin. Tell us a bit about your own herd My own herd, Adzor Herefords, has been established since 2009 and consists of 135 animals, including 50 cows and my two bulls, Haven Rover and newcomer Border Salerno. As I started in 2009, I had the expertise of my wife’s uncle Mick and her cousin Alan Nash of Whartonspool Herefords, who also provided some

Fondest memory while in the breed My fondest memory was winning the stock judging competition at the Royal Three Counties and thrashing my two team mates Phil Allman and Mark Roberts. Why are you passionate about Hereford cattle? I am passionate about Hereford cattle as my family has resided in the home of the

David Makin

What event did you really miss in 2020? This year has been exceedingly frustrating. I, along with many breeders, have missed not being on the showing circuit. One of my favourite events is the Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association calf show as it is always a fabulous way to end a year, with a good competitive atmosphere. We were unfortunately unable to run this in 2020. However, we all look forward to 2021 being a year where we all support as many shows as we can when we return to what is likely to be a new normal. What do you think is important for your club moving forward? Moving forward the association needs to concentrate on increasing its membership and finding ways to motivate people to get involved and champion our wonderful breed, closely working as we always have with the Hereford Cattle Society.

breed, Wellington, all of my life. I find the history fascinating and own the entire library of herd books from 1846. The cattle themselves are gentle all-rounders and there is no sight better than the herd grazing in the fields.

The association welcomes new members. Contact David Makin on 07961 033283 or adzorherefords@googlemail.com or vice-chairman Andrew Whitlow on 07502 614550.

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 127

128 | SALES

Greenyards sale breaks records at Stoneleigh in 2008. The cow was offered while two months in-calf to Greenyards 1 Legend.

Greenyards 1 Truelove M314 sold for 10,200gns

At the dispersal sale of Phil and Alison Allman’s Greenyards herd, a five year old cow led the trade, selling at 10,200gns. Senior cows led the dispersal sale of Greenyards pedigree Herefords on behalf of Phil and Alison Allman, Herefordshire, with bids peaking at 10,200gns for five year old cow Greenyards 1 Truelove M314. This large framed third calver was bought in a shared deal between Sky High Herefords of Graeme Brindley and Boomer Birch and Nick Griffiths of Grifford Herefords, both based in Staffordshire. By Greenyards 1 Henry, which has

been a prevalent sire in the herd, it is out of Greenyards 1 Truelove H169, which was sired by the Canadian bull CCR 57G Stamina. It was a successful show heifer, having taken the reserve supreme and reserve grand female titles at the 2016 Royal Bath and West Show and sold seven months in-calf to Greenyards 1 Poldark. At seven years old, and having had four calves, Greenyards 1 Hannah L272 sold at 5,700gns to Carmarthenshire-based international rugby referee Nigel Owens who has recently started his own pedigree herd under the Mairwen prefix. By Greenyards 1 Flynn, this female is a paternal granddaughter of Greenyards 1 Archie which stood breed champion at the Royal Welsh, Great Yorkshire and Royal Show in 2006 and again

The gavel went down at 5,500gns for the in-calf Greenyards 1 Jubilee L294, sold to an undisclosed buyer. Born in January 2014, this female was champion heifer at the Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association Christmas calf show in 2014. The cow is out of Broatch 1 Jubilee, bred by John Clifford, Malvern, Worcestershire, and was one of the foundation females when the Allmans established the herd while previously farming in Dunblane, Perthshire in 2003. At 12 years old, Greenyards 1 Echo 3rd was the first lot through the ring and was purchased by an undisclosed buyer to a bid of 4,000gns. By twice Royal Show champion Greenyards 1 Archie, this female is out of Dendor 1 Echo 6th and is a full sister to Greenyards 1 Lotty which was Hereford female of the year in 2010. It was another sold in-calf to Greenyards 1 Legend. Nigel Owens also purchased the November 2015-born Greenyards 1 Hannah N369 for 3,700gns, which scanned in-calf to Greenyards 1 Legend. By Greenyards 1 Lamb, a son of the Australian sire Redgate Redford D935, it is out of another home-bred Hannah cow and carries another Legend calf. A call of 3,400gns secured Greenyards 1 Jubilee N385 by JR Williams, South Molton, Devon, who

SALES | 129

runs the Culverhill herd. This female is another out of Broatch 1 Jubilee, which is a daughter of the wellknown Australian bull Doonbiddie Hustler. Going home with the same buyer was Greenyards 1 Mary-Irene N383 at 3,200gns. Four years old, it is another Greenyards 1 Henry daughter and is out of a home-bred Ford Abbey 1 Dartania daughter. Well-known breeders EL Lewis and son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire purchased maiden heifer Greenyards 1 Truelove S481, daughter of the top price, for 3,000gns. By Greenyards 1 Nigel, it is from four home-bred grandparents. Not far behind was Greenyards 1 Truelove S519, a granddaughter of the day’s top price, which sold to an undisclosed buyer at 2,900gns. It is by Greenyards 1 Pontiff. Stock bulls peaked at 2,000gns for Greenyards 1 Poldark, to another undisclosed buyer. By Greenyards

Greenyards 1 Truelove S481 sold for 3,000gns

1 Henry, which is also by a homebred bull, it is out of Greenyards 1 Mary-Irene J206. Greenyards 1 Rascal, a 23 month old bull stayed in the county selling to T Brooke, Docklow, Herefordshire. It is out of

Greenyards 1 Hannah N369, which made 3,700gns earlier in the sale. Young bulls saw a consistent trade with the section topping at 1,550gns on two occassions. At 12 months old, Greenyards 1 Shadow firstly sold to

130 | SALES

Averages: 34 cows (including cow and calf outfits), £2,749.46; 3 stock bulls, £1,820; 18 young bulls, £1,016.46; 21 maiden heifers, £1,750. Auctioneers: Brightwells

TJ and BM Goodwin’s Roughmoor herd, Almeley, Herefordshire before Greenyards 1 Silgo sold to Peter Cobley, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire. Following the live lots, there was also a dispersal of the breeders’ semen and embryo store. In lots of 10 straws, 40 straws of semen of the famous Greenyards 1 Archie was sold, making £380, £420 twice and £500. A lot of two straws of Doonbiddie Hustler, Archie’s Australian sire sold for £1,100 to WT and TD Livesey, Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire. This bull was the grandsire of their 2016 bull of the year, Normanton 1 Laertes which did so well on the show circuit that year. Embryos peaked at £450 for an American-bred Harvie Traveller cross Harvie Miss Firefly 51F mating which sold to the Preston-based Hoghton View herd of S and E Walker. John and William McMordie, Ballygowan, Co Down bought two lots of Dendor 1 Contessa 5th cross Doonbiddie Hustler embroys at £420 and three others of the same mating at £380.

FEATURE | 131

Eldersﬁeld Marsh Court Bridgend Eldersﬁeld Gloucester GL19 4PN

Phone: 01452 840267 Mobile: 07833 259640 / 07876 490194 E-mail: dan@marshcourt.com lorraine@marshcourt.com

Current Stock Bulls — Roughmoor 1 Nelson, Buckenhill 1 Pirlo and Fabb 1 River Xceed

HEREFORD’S LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Matt Gray

07909793455

George Bowen

07772629301

• Owned by a local farming family, the hotel has 24 luxury bedrooms • Award-winning restaurant serving locally sourced food including seasonal produce from the kitchen garden on the family’s Ballingham Hall Farm • Open for coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails, and dinner • Pretty ‘secret’ garden and bar beside the old castle moat • The perfect place for special occasions and intimate weddings • Close to Hereford Cathedral, local shops and places of interest

Call us on 01432 356321 www.castlehse.co.uk Castle House, Castle Street, Hereford HR1 2NW, UK

115893_CastleHouse_SC Journal_A5.indd 2

07/01/2021 16:27

For preparations for dispersals, productions and reductions

132 | SOCIETY NEWS

BROMLEY HEREFORDS Est. 1921

Celebrating 100 years of Herefords at Bromley Court

Mark & Maddy Roberts

Bromley Court, Hoarwithy, Hereford HR2 6QN 01981 540717

07980 834266

mark@bromleycourt.com

Bromley I Othello (born May 2018)

SOLD Shrewsbury Sires of the Future Sale (Feb 2020) 3,800 gns Bromley I Victory (born May 2019)

pictured at 14 months

by Coley I Nelson FOR SALE Shrewsbury (April 2021)

The Farm, Bosbury Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1NW

Office: T: 01531 640405 E: admin@thefarmbosbury.com Sarah Hawkins T: 078137 96053 E: sarah@thefarmbosbury.com

Hawkins Farming hawkins_farming

Young Bulls and Heifers For Sale, Visitors Welcome BioBest HiHealth Herdcare Scheme, BVD & Lepto Accredited, Johnes – Level 1

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES | 133

Tel. 01584711323 / 07596489648

Hollybush Poll Herefords Greg & Ruth Watkins

Pulpits Farm, Little Hereford, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 4AU

Future show prospect: Hollybush 1 Thor Redemption x Daffy!

Helping hand!

Main herd sire: Romany 1 Redemption Solpoll 1 Mustang limited use

Thank you to all of our customers, Visitors are always welcome Bulls and females for sale BVD Accredited;

Member of HiHealth Herdcare Scheme;

Johnes- Level one

Triacre Herefords The Graziers Choice

Quality breeding stock always for Sale Contact: Alan on 07974 081476 or by Email: agrotron61@gmail.com

134 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Reflecting on Westwood Advancer After a successful virtual National Hereford Show in 2020, Harry Hancock looks back on one of the best-known horned bulls in recent times and previous show champion. Soundness comes from correct conformation, with everything present in its true proportion, and from soundness comes longevity. On Wednesday 14 October, four days after his 17th birthday, Westwood Advancer was put down. Advancer was a bull of almost perfect conformation, prompting the late Ted Hewitson to say, ‘there really is nothing wrong with him’. The late Ray Davies, of Westwood fame, was a stickler for correct conformation in his cattle. Advancer represented a tremendous depth of Westwood breeding. Paternal grandmother, Westwood Laura was the 302nd member of the prolific Laura family and dam, Westwood Carrie, was the 55th member of its tribe. Laura was by that great bull Sugwas Benjamin, as was Carrie’s maternal grandmother. Benjamin was by BB Domino 1087 and was probably this bull’s best breeding son. Its dam was by another Canadian bull, Hi Standard Brit Lad 26G, with semen imported just before the highly prepotent,

Westwood Advancer bred by RT Davies and co

Standard Lad 93J. Carrie 55th was by the exceptional bull, Haven Everest, a son of Canadian BP. 55C Britisher 1M out of Haven Acorn 3rd from the renowned Acorn family. Ray Davies died in 1999. His funeral was attended by a huge crowd gathered to mourn the passing of a true cattleman. Advancer was bred by his son, Clive, and has been co-owned by Clive and the Spooner family for the greater part of his life. Advancer’s pedigree is a skilful combination of Canadian breeding with the best of British, without losing any fleshing ability. The sire, Westwood Uplifter, another correct and stylish bull, was reserve male champion at the National Hereford Show 2002 and is by Ervie King Kong, which was Royal Highland Show male champion in 1996 and grandson of Canadian PDHR

Pacesetter 25S, which was a line one bull. King Kong’s dam, Ervie Lisette 37th, was by BB Domino 1087. The Lisette family is one of the foremost in the Ervie herd and Ervie Lisette 37th was closely related to Ervie Lisette 26th, dam of Ervie Flashy which sired King Kong. In 2009 it was decided Advancer could take some time off from his duties as a stock bull in order to pursue a show career. Over the summer, six breed championships were won along with seven interbreed awards, as well as the National Hereford Show championship, before becoming bull of the year. Its interbreed championship at the Three Counties Show was rather special. While a show in the breed’s home area, the interbreed championship had not been

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 135

awarded to a Hereford since 1993. At last, the preponderance of the continentals was broken by a Hereford worthy of the modern age. The late David Bell of Crackley Simmentals and Belted Galloways and interbreed judge at that Three Counties Show said: “Advancer was an excellent Hereford bull; smooth, well-balanced and with great locomotion. What tipped the balance in the bull’s favour was that he was so firm to touch. He was solid muscle with no excess fat.” Jim Barber who judged the interbreed championship at the Shropshire and West Midlands Show in 2009 commented: “The bull is everything the Hereford breed needs; well-muscled but not fat. I am looking for cattle that last and pass on their traits to produce what the commercial market requires.” George Thorne judged Kington Show in the same year and said: “A very tidy bull, firm fleshed with no excess fat and very good on parade.” The last word should be from Clive Davies. He commented: “The best bull associated with Westwood yet.” At Kington Show in 2009, Advancer was best in show with the winner of each section, from horses to poultry, judged by the president of the show who awarded the accolade to Advancer. A fitting end to what had been a terrific year. No matter how good a pedigree or glittering a show career, the mark of an exceptional bull is its progeny. Most of Advancer’s sons were sold to commercial herds where they found a ready market. One early son, Dieulacresse Foremost, sold for 5,500gns at the autumn show and sale of 2010, and was a figure not publicly realised by a horned bull since Wenlock Ralph in 1977.

Another son, Dieulacresse Hector, was sold for export to John O’Connor in Ireland while Dieulacresse Hugh was sold to Norman Bros, for their herd at The Leen. The herd at The Leen was established in 1780 and is the oldest established herd in existence. Dieulacresse Goodenough was always an exceptional calf and when sold to Messers Nash for their Whartonspool herd, a half-share was retained by the Spooner family. Sold again at the Nash’s dispersal sale, it moved on to the famous Clipston herd of Rodney and Rose Westaway, still carrying the half-share of Messers Spooner.

champion at the National Hereford Show. Other sons of Advancer include, Westwood Emulator, which went into the Broadfield herd of MTL Jones, and brothers, Westwood Director and Westwood Executive. Executive did good work over a long period in the Beresford herd of RS Bessant. Director had a distinguished show career, winning championships at the National Hereford, Kington and Newbury shows following its return to the Westwood herd. Altogether, a total of fourteen sons of Advancer were used in pedigree herds.

“Advancer was an excellent Hereford bull; What tipped the balance in the bull’s favour was that he was solid muscle with no excess fat” Among sons at Clipston, Clipston Trident was exported to John O’Connor in Ireland; an interesting acquisition considering he had already bought Advancer’s son, Dieulacresse Hector. Being a grandson of Advancer, Trident brings another cross of Advancer to the breeding programme of the Clouncagh herd. Another son to go to Ireland was Clipston Squire which went to the famous Trillick herd of JJ Farrell. Clipston Top Draw was bought by Bob and Margaret Borwick for their Mara herd. A Top Draw son, Mara President, the National Show champion of 2018, was sold to the Lewis family at The Haven. On his return to Dieulacresse, Goodenough embarked on a brief show career which resulted in being breed champion at the Great Yorkshire Show and senior male

Most of Advancer’s daughters are now breeding cows in the Dieulacresse herd where they have proved invaluable. Daughters include Dieulacresse Dowager 37th, a sister of Goodenough, and Lady Lynda 17th which has already produced four quality calves including its latest son, Scott, which has been retained for use in the herd. The cow's previous son, Royalist, sold for export to Ireland. Royalist, Rossiter and Scott are by Mawarra After Shock from Australia. Using grandsons of Advancer will maintain a certain consanguinity of blood and project the influence of Advancer into the future. The bull has nicked particularly well with the Australian outcross. Fashions may change; but structural soundness, as exemplified by Advancer, will never be out of fashion.

136 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

RISBURY HEREFORDS

Risbury Sovereign, purchased by the O’Connor Family, Co. Limerick Contact Robert Thomas, Risbury Court, Risbury, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0NG 01568 760443/07494 672 139 email: rgmdthomas@btinternet.com

Haven Herefords

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 137

Est 1822

Haven Lamborghini Top 1% Terminal Index Top 5% Self Replacing Index Male Champion NHC Virtual Show 2020 Champion of The World Qualiﬁer

Solpoll 1 Lawman Top 1% Terminal Index Top 1% Self Replacing Index

EST.1822

Haven Kingpin

Sire: GH Adams 144S Bulge 138W th Dam: Haven Splendour 25 Semen sold to Irish Hereford Society’s Breed Improvement Scheme. Photo at 20 months, 910kg

Haven Hotspur Sire : Mawarra Vice Admiral

All photos taken atDam: TheHaven Haven Curly 72summer 2020 nd

UK Semen Available

Senior Male Champion National Horned Show Tenbury 2015 Owned jointly with P.R.J. & L.R. Vincent

Haven Kermit Sire: Haven Cavalier th Dam: Haven Thrush 64

Haven Sidney

(H.Nugget) 2nd Virtual Show Thank you to the Oliver family for the continued support

Supreme Hereford Champion Haven Dowager 192rdNational Haven Dowager 177th Horned Show Tenbury 2014

(M.President) (M.Aft ershock) the breed Self-‐ RShow eplacing 1st Virtual Show He is in the top 1% of 2nd Virtual and Terminal Sire indices. Congratulations to the Cracking President calf OTHER SIRES INCLUDE: Lawrence family. 2020 born.

Haven Skylark 10th (M.Aftershock) 1st Virtual Show

!Horned: Haven Cavalier (Semen for sale), Haven Lamborghini, Mawarra After Shock, Knockmountagh Marshall. !Polled: Romany 1 Lawbreaker, Days Calibre G74.

Thank you to all our customers this always welcome. Thank you tyear. o all our Visitors customers this year. Visitors always welcome. E.L.Lewis & Son E. L. Lewis & Son Edward, Carol and Ben Lewis. The Haven, Dilwyn, Hereford, HR4 8JB Tel: 01544 318255 Mob: 07974744660 Email: edward@havenherefords.co.uk Web: www.havenherefords.co.uk

Edward, Carol and Ben Lewis, The Haven, Dilwyn, Hereford, HR4 8JB Tel: 01544 318255 Mob: 07974744660 Web: www.havenherefords.co.uk Email: edward@havenherefords.co.uk

138 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Vaughan leaves breeding legacy by Clive Davies T John Vaughan was born in January 1943 into a family well-established in Hereford cattle breeding. Upon leaving Hereford’s Cathedral School and studying at Walford Agricultural College in Shropshire, John returned to the family farm in Bodenham and with great skill, ability and thought process, contributed such a great deal to raise the Vaughan family name into the breed’s history books. Parents, Donald and Majorie were from families well-practiced in Hereford cattle raising and undoubtedly their son took-up the baton to become a significant influencer in developing the modern breed features. John was a keen Young Farmers’ Club member and benefitted from meeting with like-minded stock people both locally and during trips away from home. These times much influenced John’s later activities, not least in him encouraging the following generations of YFC members and Hereford cattle breeders. During John’s time serving on the breed’s council, he was one of the forward-looking members assisting in progressing the white-faces’ future. He was also a ring leader in promoting the activities of the Young Hereford Cattle Breeders and the local association. Undoubtedly too, John was a driving force behind the establishment of Circle seven

John Vaughan

Breeders, a consortium of Welsh Border-centred operators which purchased some of the highest priced and influential genetics of their time, studying Herefords at home and overseas. Over a period of some 20 years from the 1970s to the 1990s, the Vaughan cattle took every major accolade within breed circles, other than the supreme championship at the English Royal. The prestigious

January sale was a family specialty. Their grand champions over seven events, Moor Count, Vorn 1 Easter Boy, Vorn 1 Grand Slam and Vorn 1 Jet Lag twice topped at 7,100gns and were just part of the herd’s successes which brought unprecedented achievement in the points awards of herd of the year and sire of the year competitions. The choosing of the sires of these top performers were inspired decisions. Those successful

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 139

bloodlines perpetuate to this day. During the late 1990s after sellingup the Herefordshire operation, John set-up a farming enterprise in Western Australia where his mother’s brother and family had established themselves some years earlier. However, he returned to Bodenham and while caring for his mother, developed the Vorn Texel sheep flock. They too made their mark within their breed, with John becoming a leading exponent of performance data and using the information to great effect in securing impressive business deals. Over some 50 years, John saw his genetic work with the cattle and sheep spread not only to all points within the UK but also to numerous overseas countries through exports. In all that he undertook, he used his great intelligence to lay firm plans

and by all methods available see them to successful fruition. As well as his undoubted skills and achievements through his stockmanship, John was also a keen sports devotee. Football, rugby union and following horse racing would take-up many hours. Indeed, his knowledge of horse pedigrees would put many a cattle breeder to shame about their own charges. He was an accomplished author. Self-publishing, he released three titles. Rampages, a cartoonstyle edition relaying the antics of sheep; Bovine Showbiz, a straightforward account of how best to prepare cattle for exhibition which saw thousands of sales and has been much enjoyed by the experienced and beginner alike, and his final volume, a history of Hereford cattle.

This massive project of some 10 years was completed just days before illness set-in and John being omitted to the Covid ward of Hereford Hospital. Passing there on 4 December, he failed to see the finished article, but undoubtedly within, The Hereford: The Greatest Breed On Earth, John has left behind what will be recognised as possibly the most informative account relating to any subject of the animal kingdom. Probably no other breed of farmed animal could offer such a story, but John, what with his practical knowledge, his wry humour and enthusiasm for a debate about the subject matter, has brought together something that any other possible contender would envy. Through this man’s work at all levels, it is clear he has left his mark. T John Vaughan will always be remembered.

Sales 2021 Tuesday 9 February

Dungannon Farmers’ Mart

Friday 5 March

Borderway Mart, Carlisle

Saturday 10 April

Shrewsbury Auction Centre

Tuesday 20 April

Dungannon Farmers’ Mart

Saturday 9 October

Shrewsbury Auction Centre

Tuesday 7 December Dungannon Farmers’ Mart

herefordcattle.org

140 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

A tribute to Tommy Manns by Helen Thomas For Tommy Manns looking after animals was not a just a job, it was a privilege and a joy. He would often say, ‘looking after livestock is not a job, it is a lifestyle’. He was incredibly passionate about the care and welfare of animals and this was reflected in all he did. Tommy started his farming career at a very young age working alongside his father, Albert, who was stockman for A D Evans at The Stonehouse, Dymock, Gloucestershire. Over the years he gained a wealth of knowledge, working with Hereford cattle, looking after sheep and managing arable land and in 2003 he was awarded a long service bronze medal by the Three Counties Agricultural Society. In 2006, Tommy agreed to join the team at Westons after they had decided to bring their farmland back under their own control and re-establish The Bounds herd and flock. His first task was to stock-proof all the fences and prepare the farm in readiness for livestock. Tommy’s knowledge and expertise were used to help acquire a good, evenly matched herd of Hereford cattle and a flock of 150 Scotch half-bred breeding ewes, the latter making a very long journey down from Scotland to take up residence in Much Marcle, Herefordshire. Charollais and Beltex rams completed the livestock. Several years later, Tommy decided to move away from the Scotch half-bred, establishing instead a Lleyn flock. All

livestock were reared under organic conditions.

Tommy’s care and diligence ensured the farm was always kept to the very highest standards and he worked hard to make sure everything was clean and tidy. His animals deserved the best. His hard work and devotion certainly paid off and Westons were awarded the best small herd award by the Hereford Cattle Breeder’s Association two years in a row. The trophies awarded at various agricultural shows over the years are too numerous to mention. One of Tommy’s happiest memories was undoubtedly when he was asked by Hereford FC to take Hawkesbury 1 Ronaldo to Wembley Stadium for the FA Vase final in 2016. A unique experience. During his time at Westons Tommy mastered the skill of driving and looking after the shire horses. Not only did he drive countless brides to their weddings, he also took the reins on several royal occasions. Tommy was always engaging and helpful, encouraging and keen to help younger members of the farm team, earning their respect. Over the last 10 years, he hosted 189 school visits to the farm and over 4,000 school children benefitted from an informative and happy experience. He also hosted several Open Farm Sundays. There was, of course, more to Tommy than just work. As a young

Tommy Manns

man alongside his brothers, he was part of the tug of war team for the Beauchamp Arms in Dymock. He was very competitive, making sure everyone was match-fit, as he was determined to always bring home the trophy. He played darts and skittles for local teams. He took part in ploughing matches and won the local hedge trimming competitions for many years. He also loved to follow RAC rallies, visit the races as a fan of A P MCoy, and was an ardent supporter of Manchester United. Again, following in his father’s footsteps, he loved his garden, growing both flowers and vegetables. Most importantly, he was a muchloved family man. He was devoted to his wife Rose, his stepchildren Samantha and Oliver, daughter-in-law Bethan and grandchildren Matilda and Oscar. He is missed by all who knew him and his wonderful smile will not be forgotten. In the words of his devoted wife, Rose, ‘rest in peace Tommy, your work is done.’

SOCIETY NEWS | 141

Managing recipients It is vitally important the selection and management of recipients is given the same level of consideration as the donor animals to a successful embryo programme, explains Paddy Buckley, vet at AB Europe. In terms of assisted reproductive technologies, both in-vitro embryo production and multiple ovulation embryo transfer procedures require a considerable number of resources to produce embryos, and the management of the recipient in this process is key. Paddy says: “Before beginning, it is vital to consider which animal the embryo will be transferred into. It is often better to over-estimate the number of recipients required as not all animals may be suitable on the day of transfer.

the uterus for adhesions which may affect the transfer process itself. “We would also recommend scanning them five to six weeks post implanting,” he says.

“Cows are often a safe choice in larger breeds as they will have a good conformation for calving. Second or third calvers are the best to choose from.”

All females selected for a recipient programme should be of a known health status, and ideally screened for diseases such as leptospirosis and BVD, advises Paddy.

Generally, heifers are considered to have a slightly higher pregnancy rate when it comes to any artificial breeding method, however it is important to consider the sire used in the embryo production process and the likelihood of a natural calving.

He adds: “Recipients must be free of disease incidence within the last six months.”

Paddy says: “All females should be cycling regularly, with at least one reference heat prior to entering the programme. Ideally potential recipients should be scanned by your vet.” Vets can check for any ovarian issues which may be visible, along with

When it comes to recipient condition, a body condition score of 2.5 to 3.5 is ideal for transfer and outside of this window, pregnancy rates will decline quite significantly. “Recipients should be managed as a group where possible. Best results are seen where animals have been grouped for at least six weeks prior to transfer, generally indoors. This allows a gently rising plane of nutrition achieved with long fibre forage and concentrate supplementation.

“Mineral and trace elements can play a significant role in the reproductive health of an animal. Where a known deficiency exists, a management programme should already be in place with your vet or nutritionist. If not, we firmly recommend you introduce such a programme,” says Paddy. In some cases, there may not be enough suitable recipients on a unit and some purchases may have to be made. Paddy says: “When buying in, purchasing heifers is often a safer option as they should have no reproductive issues. Also allow your new purchases to settle onto the farm before lining them up for a embryo transfer programme. “Remember, health status is important for your unit as a whole not just for those in the recipient programme. Consider vaccinating and isolating the recipients on arrival.”

142 | FEATURE

NORTH OF ENGLAND HEREFORD BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION President: Mr Bernard Rimmer

Honorary Secretary: Mrs Jackie Cooper, Pollards Farm, Howick Cross Lane, Penwortham, PR1 0NS Tel: 07960 994 376 Email: nehbasecretary@gmail.com Durham

NORTH OF ENGLAND HEREFORD BREEDERS

Mr Harry Elliott

CORNRIGGS HEREFORDS Low Cornriggs Farm, Cowshill, Weardale, Co. Durham DL13 1AQ Tel: 01388 537600 Mobile: 07760 766794 Email: cornriggsfarm@btconnect.com www.cornriggsfarm.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ henry.elliott

Bethan Hutchinson

BETHANFIELD HEREFORDS Field House Farm, Greatham Billingham TS23 3TQ Mobile: 07903 415044 Email: bethan3012@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/ bethanﬁeldherefords

W & R Kemp & Sons

AUCKVALE HEREFORDS Wigdon Walls Farm, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL14 0LN Tel: 01388 603395 Mobile: 07803 692545 Email: wigdonwalls@talktalk.net Web: www.auckvaleherefords.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ auckvaleherefords

Northumberland Jessica Anderson

CHOLLERTON HEREFORDS Chollerton Farm, Chollerton Hexham NE46 4TQ Mobile: 07954 164050 Email: jess.pazzi@hotmail.com

R A Armstrong

FOURSTONES HORNED HEREFORDS East Fourstones, Fourstones, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 5DX Tel: 01434 674242 Email: raarmstrong@onebillinternet. co.uk

Ailsa Dickinson

WANSBECK HEREFORDS Three Farms, Harle Newcastle upon Tyne NE19 1TY Tel: 01830 540278 Mobile: 07506 00768 Email: a.ilsa@hotmail.co.uk

Davie and Kate Dickinson MALLOWBURN HEREFORDS Chattlehope House, Catcleugh Newcastle upon Tyne NE191TY Tel: 07881 379 809 Email: chattlehope@gmail.com

Tom & Di Harrison

MORALEE HERERFORDS The Old Potato House, Eltringham Farm, Mickley, Stocksﬁeld, Northumberland NE43 7DF Di Mobile: 07962 076853 Tom Mobile: 07962 076 854 Email: moraleeherefords@gmail.com www.moraleeherefords.co.uk

North Yorkshire Stephen Tate

BLACKWOOD HEREFORDS White Lodge Farm, Green Lane, Easingwold, York YO61 3ER Tel: 01347 823 190 Mobile: 07964 753079 Email: Stephen@thetates.me.uk www.blackwoodherefords.co.uk

Mark and Gemma Dobson

WHITEHILL HEREFORDS Raikes Farm, Hartlington, Burnsall, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 6BX Tel: 01756 720210 Mobile: 0777 992 0202 Email: whitehillherefords@hotmail.co.uk www.whitehillherefords.co.uk

Bruce & Teresa Storr

MARRICK HEREFORDS East End Farm, Marrick Richmond, N.Yorks, DL11 7LQ Tel: 07770 391532 Email: brucestorr@gmail.com. www.marrickherefords.co.uk

Mr Sam Walton

STOCKLEY HEREFORDS Weaver Dairyhouse Farm, Stocks Hill, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 4EE Tel: 07840 638877 Email: farmersam_123@hotmail.com

West Yorkshire

Mr E Warner & Mrs C Burnell

Hazel Morrison

BARWICK POLL HEREFORDS 12 Abbott Close, Aberford, Leeds LS25 3AZ Tel: 07977 317 506 / 0777 399 4625 Email: christine.burnell@googlemail. com

ST & JE Foster

STONER POLL HEREFORDS Stones Farm, Wainstalls, Halifax, HX2 7UJ Tel: 01422 240573 Mobile: 07399 178888 (Brian) Mobile: 07903 325341 (Lauren) Email: stoner1lauren@hotmail.com

CASTLE PARK HEREFORDS Woodview, 4 Station Road, Helmsley,York YO62 5BZ Mobile: 07881 581072 Email: hazelmorrison11@btinternet. com Facebook/hazelmorrison CALTON POLLED HEREFORDS Newﬁeld Grange, Calton Skipton BD23 4AB newﬁeldgrange2@gmail.com 01729 830175 / 07763 891772

East Yorkshire

AM & SV Soanes,

KIPLINGCOTES HEREFORDS Wallis Grange, Kiplingcotes, Market Weighton,YORK YO43 3LX Sarah Soanes, Tel: 07970416334 or 01430810664 Email: sarahvsoanes@gmail.com Web: kiplingcotesherefords.co.uk

Cumbria

Mrs Carolyn Fletcher

BARWISE HEREFORDS Barwise Hall, Appleby in Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6TD Tel: 01768 353430 Mobile: 07711 415694 Email: info@barwisepedigreecattle. com

Nether Hall Farm Ltd

NETHERHALL HEREFORDS Nether Hall, Mansergh Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2EW Tel: 015242 73927 Mobile: 07808 050030 Email: netherhall@hotmail.co.uk

T K Robinson

POPPLEMIRE HEREFORDS Greaves Farm, Popplemire Lane Old Hutton, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 0NA Tel: 01539 722444 Mobile: 07711 967932 Email: gbbears@hotmail.co.uk

Cheshire

R & R I Shaw

HALLWOOD POLL HEREFORDS Hallwood Farm, Badgers Rake Lane, Ledsham, South Wirral, Cheshire CH66 8PF Tel: 01513 396 762 (Ian) Mobile: 07885 438 993 (Ian) Tel: 01513 471732 (Robert) Mobile: 07774 469 896 (Robert) Email: robertshaw1102@gmail.com

Applications for New Membership welcome! We also offer Junior membership free of charge!

Mr Brian J Boulton

Mr J. B Henry

BLAKELAW POLL HEREFORDS 33 Deep Lane, Clifton, Brighouse, Halifax, West Yorkshire HD6 4HF Tel: 01484 716 544 Mobile: 07860 555 128

Miss Heather Whittaker

COLEY HEREFORDS Coley Walks Farm, Norwood Green, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 8RD Tel: Andrew Hughes 07861 899 646 Mobile: 07811 207 244 (Heather) Email: coleywalks@tiscali.co.uk

South Yorkshire Mr Alan Crooks

WELL HILL HEREFORDS Well Hill Farm, Well Hill Road Greenmoor, Shefﬁeld S35 7DP Tel: 07957 543 646 Email: alancrooks1@live.co.uk

Lancashire

A & P Massey

HOLLYVALE POLL HEREFORDS Hollins Mount Farm, Bury, Lancashire BL9 8AS Tel: 0161 766 3320 Tel: Phil Massey 07878 665309 Allen Massey 07917 324 471 Email: phil_massey@hotmail.co.uk

Mrs Jackie Cooper

RIMINI POLL HEREFORDS Pollards Farm, Howick Cross Lane, Penwortham, PR10NS Mobile: 07960 994 376 Email: mootoyoutoo77@gmail.com

Mr Gary Hall

PINMOOR POLL HEREFORDS Nursery Cottage, Knowsley Park Prescot , L34 4AE Tel: 07710 193 013 Email: gary_hall@ntlworld.com

Mrs E Jackson

EVETER HEREFORDS Lostock Bridge Farm Ulnes Walton Lane, Ulnes Walton, Leyland, Lancs, PR26 8LT Mobile: 07815 790880 Email: eveter@outlook.com

Mr & Mrs B & B A Rimmer

BARBERN POLL HEREFORDS Holmeﬁelds Farm, Off Long Lane, Scorton, Preston, Lancashire PR3 1DB Tel: 01524 792 748 Mobile 0771 425 4564 Email: barbara.rimmer@hotmail.co.uk

Mr Matthew Rollason

NEW DAWN HEREFORDS Mobile: 07794 458798 Email: matthew_rollason96@outlook. com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ newdawnherefords Instagram: newdawnherefords

Maddy Scott

HOLMEFOLD HEREFORDS Holmefold Farm, Tower View Belthorn, Blackburn BB1 2PD Tel: 07462 950 206 Email: maddyscott1997@gmail.com Facebook.com/HolmefoldHerefords

G & MC Shepherd

MOORSIDE POLLED HEREFORDS Moorside House Farm, Woodplumpton Preston, Lancs. PR4 0TB Tel: 07778 191964 Email: ofﬁce@gshepherd.co.uk www.moorsideherefordcattle.com

S & E Walker

HOGHTON VIEW HEREFORDS Lane Side Farm, Blackburn Old Road, Hoghton, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 0SG Tel: 01254 852187 Mob: 07814 056943 Email: steven@hoghtonviewherefords. co.uk Website: www.hoghtonviewherefords. co.uk facebook.com/hoghtonviewherefords / instagram: hoghtonviewherefords

Greater Manchester B & J Ellis

LEO’S PRIDE POLL HEREFORDS Bores Farm, Chorley Road, Worthington, Wigan, WN1 2XJ Mobile: 07967 741 492

Miss Helen Mills

HARTSHEAD HEREFORDS Little Lees Farm, Hartshead Ashton under Lyne OL6 9AA Mobile: 07446 273512 Email: helen-rachel@hotmail.co.uk

N & G Robinson

WHITTLE HEREFORDS Whittle Fold Dairy, Whittle Lane Heywood OL10 2RD Mobiles: 07889 901877, 07800 674585 Email: r_robinson95@yahoo.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/ whittleherefordcattle Website: www.whittlefold.co.uk

Wythenshawe Community Farm

WYTHEN POLL HEREFORDS c/o Allen Massey, Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe Road, Wythenshawe, M23 0AB Tel: 0161 946 0726 Mobile: Allen 07917 324 471

Rebecca and Chris Abbott & Charlotte Crawford CRAWFORD HEREFORDS Moorside Farm, Hobson Moor Road, Mottram, Cheshire SK14 6SG Tel: 07388 034502 Email becabbott@outlook.com www.crawfordherefords.co.uk

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 143

North of England Hereford Breeders' Association Meet the chairman – Phil Massey How long have you been area chairman for? I have been chairman from 2019 to 2021. How many members does your club have? We have 80 full members, 34 junior members and eight associate members. Fondest memory while chairman While Covid-19 has put a dampener on my second year as chairman, my first had some happier memories for the NEHBA and the Hereford breed. In September 2019, the Burke Trophy was presented at Westmorland County Show. The competition was awarded to the Herefords for the first time in many years. It was pleasing on a personal note as the pair was made up of our family’s Hollyvale 1 June 3rd exhibited alongside Pinmoor 1 Raptor, another NEHBA exhibit from the Hall family. What is great about your club? Our association is made up of members spanning a wide range of ages, from families owning herds numbering one animal up to 100 breeding cows and followers, extending from the top edge of England down to Cheshire, all with a desire to promote the Hereford breed. There is a big emphasis on showing in the area with many of our local shows seeing entries topping 15 to 20 exhibits on a regular basis. Our big event for the association, the Great Yorkshire Show, is an excellent shop window for us. Several members favour the commercial route when promoting the Hereford breed. This may involve hosting herd visits attended by national visitors or providing commercial Hereford cattle for

breed stands at livestock events such as NBA Beef Expo. Tell us a bit about your own herd The first animal under my family’s Hollyvale prefix was registered in the year 2000. The first Hollyvale animal to be shown was Hollyvale 1 Rooney, son of Hollyvale 1 Violet, and placed junior champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2006 and was awarded NEHBA bull of the year. In recent years, the pedigree Herefords on the farm have increased to 20 breeding females alongside a handful of commercial crossbred cows. I also have cattle under my own prefix Castle Mount, which started with the purchase of foundation female Kinglee 1 Lilac 314 from Pete Cobley’s herd and was a 21st birthday present from my parents. Fondest memory while in the breed? I have two of these, with one, unsurprisingly, from the showring. In September 2017, we took our only entry that year down to the National Poll Show at Moreton-in-Marsh with mild expectations of a top three placing in his class. Our entry was a homebred bull, Hollyvale 1 Northern Lad which went on to take the male championship and reserve breed championship. That autumn was particularly good as our only entry for the autumn show and sale at Hereford market, Hollyvale 1 Neville, was awarded the male championship. Why are you passionate about Hereford cattle? Through my day job as a vet, I generally work with a range of cattle breeds and the Hereford ticks all the boxes. Most striking is its docility. They are so

Phil Massey

easy to manage and handle and reduce the stress of routine visits. That’s one reason why we went into Herefords as a family from a mixed commercial herd. When speaking to farmers in herd planning situations, the switch to native bred selections and particularly the Hereford is commanly featured. What event did you really miss in 2020? The lack of agricultural shows this year has been a major miss. As a family it provides us with a great opportunity to forget about work back home and socialise with like-minded cattle breeders. Our big event of the year is usually the Great Yorkshire Show and there is such a great buzz about the show from the moment you arrive to throughout the week. A standout part of the show is the people’s choice competition where a team of animals are chosen to represent the breed, along with their handlers, in a themed fancy dress competition. NEHBA have got behind this competition and won the event for the last three years in a great array of colours and outfits. Contact secretary Jackie Cooper on 07960 994376 or nehbasecretary@gmail.com for more information.

144â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

BA R B E R N P O L L E D H E R E F O R D S

Barbern 1 Jackie 522

by Barbern 1 Gargantuan

Bulls and heifers usually for sale Visitors always welcome. Thank you to all our customers Holmefields Farm, Off Long Lane, Scorton, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1DB Tel: 01524 792748 Mobile: 07714 254564 Email: barbara.rimmer@hotmail.co.uk

Mallowburn Herefords From the Northumberland hills

Introducing our new Junior Stock Bull Keenagh Orlando bred by Edwin & Robert Jones, Co Longford, Ireland

Heifers regularly for sale Visitors welcome David & Kate Dickinson Chattlehope House, Catcleugh, Newcastle upon Tyne NE19 1TY email: chattlehope@gmail.com tel: 01830 or 07881 379809

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 145

146 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

North of England wins Duckham award again North of England Hereford Breeders’ Association (NEHBA) won the Thomas Duckham award for the second successive time in 2020. This award is contested by area associations or clubs at the end of each council term and is judged by sitting council members, based on

the applicant’s ability to promote and develop the breed in their region.

use various platforms to achieve

With a strong area association, the application submitted by the NEHBA was the stand-out winner and with it they took the Thomas Duckham award and a cheque for £500 from the Hereford Cattle Society.

calendar of events which we use for

Phil Massey, NEHBA chairman, says: “As an association, we aim to promote the Hereford breed based on its versatility and many members

NEHBA members in the people’s choice competition at the Great Yorkshire Show 2019

this. “We have a generally static promotions and marketing purposes. “NEHBA has a strong and diverse membership, with many young members being active within the association. We also have many female breeders taking the lead within the membership which gives a balance of genders."

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 147

Very latest In DNA Technology

SCIENTIFIC

Globally Recognised as a Leading Laboratory in Genotyping Agricultural and Companion Animals Offering the very latest DNA technology for genomics and parentage verification in: Cattle • Horses • Sheep • Pigs • Dogs • Goats Genotyping for the Genomic enhancement of EBV’s using the Weatherbys Scientific Versa SNP50K ™ and Illumina HD (770K) Bovine microarray Chips. Also Genotyping for: Myostatin • Polled • TH • Three Traits • A1 & A2 Beta Casein BLAD • Breed Assignment And many more- please contact the laboratory for a full list. For further details contact our laboratory at: Weatherbys Scientific , Unit F1, M7 Business Park, Newhall , Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland. W91VX86

Telephone: +353 (0) 45 875521 | mail@weatherbysscientiﬁc.com | www.weatherbysscientiﬁc.com

Pedigree Polled Hereford Cattle

Bulls and females for sale Steven and Lizzie Walker Lane Side Farm | Blackburn Old Road | Hoghton Preston | Lancashire | PR5 0SG 07814056943 01254 852187

www.hoghtonviewherefords.co.uk steven@hoghtonviewherefords.co.uk

148 | SALES

Auckvale excites at Designer Genes Records were broken at this year’s Designer Genes sale with Auckvale Curly 1831S selling for 10,000gns, becoming the highest selling horned female in Europe. Breaking the European record for a horned Hereford female, Auckvale Curly 1831S from W and R Kemp and sons, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, led a tremendous trade at the fifth Designer Genes sale. After a heated bidding war between online and phone bidders, the heifer knocked down to Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland at 10,000gns. The 23 month old horned heifer is sired by Auckvale King-Maker 1265K and bred from the renowned Curly cow family, and was sold in-calf to Ervie Classic S30.

Auckvale Curly 1831S sold for 10,000gns to T and D Harrison

This year’s sale was conducted in an online-only format and saw a total of 13 lots sell to average £6,308.08, clearing at 87 per cent. The female trade averaged at £6,214.09 and is a UK and European Hereford record. Leading the poll female trade was 15 month old Moorside 1 Jane 16th from G and MC Shepherd, Woodplumpton, Lancashire which met a top call of 8,000gns to Linda

Moorside 1 Jane 16th sold for 8,000gns to L Mooney

SALES | 149

Auckvale Dendor 1 Muttley Our Senior Polled Sire

Auckvale females at pasture Pansy 1361L - Typical mature Auckvale female

Janet 1705R

Muttley daughter, sold for 6,000gns W & R Kemp and Sons Wigdon Walls Farm Bishop Auckland Co. Durham, DL14 OLN

www.auckvaleherefords.com & on

Tel: John 07803692545 William 07970721503 Tom 07803692600 wigdonwalls@talktalk.net

Please come and see our herd Superb natural females and bulls ready to work always for sale

150 | SALES

Mooney, Lancashire, and is the first daughter of the 13,000gns Coley 1 Pilot to sell at auction. A pick of the herd lot from Halifaxbased Heather Whittaker’s Coley Herefords also reached 8,000gns, and sold to George Morgan, Abergele, Conwy. The successful purchaser was offered the chance to pick any animal in the herd’s full ownership, including donor cows, herd bulls, embryo calves and embryo pregnancies. Moralee 1 Kylie KS S10 from Tom and Di Harrison realised 6,600gns, and was knocked down to T Vasami, Ffostrasol, Ceredigion. This March 2019-born heifer is a daughter of current UK Hereford sire of the year SMH King Size 87K and out of a Cornriggs 1 Knight Rider daughter.

Moralee 1 Kylie KS S10 sold for 6,600gns to T Vasami

Another entry from Heather Whittaker, 16 month heifer Coley 1 Hasimara 504, saw bids to 6,000gns, and was purchased by new breeder Emma Hodge, Duns, Berwickshire. This heifer was the first daughter born to current UK Hereford bull of the year, Romany 1 Primetime BL P62. The Kemp family also offered March 2018-born Auckvale 1 Janet 1756R and its Dendor 1 Mutley bull calf, which sold to P Martindale, Bolton, Lancashire for 5,900gns. This female is a three-quarter sister to Royal Welsh supreme champion 2019, Auckvale 1 Curly 1725R, which was purchased for 7,300gns at Designer Genes 2018 by L and L Bowen, Nelson, Glamorgan. DE, ED and AL Jones, Caersws, Powys offered October 2018-born female, Dendor 1 Greta 31st, which crosses the Irish sea to Anselm Fitzgerald, Co Westmeath after a closing bid of 5,600gns. Sired

Coley 1 Hasimara 504 sold for 6,000gns to E Hodge

Auckvale 1 Janet 1756R sold for 5,900gns to P Martindale

SALES | 151

152 | SALES

by former Royal Welsh Champion Bakgard Keno 1178 and from the famed Greta line, it sold in-calf to Gouldingpoll 1 Moonshine. At the same money was the final lot of the day, nine month old heifer calf Moorside 1 Julia 4th from G and MC Shepherd which was purchased by Ian Wilkinson, Inchture, Perthshire and is another daughter of the renowned Coley 1 Pilot. M Ludgate, Thame, Oxfordshire consigned Rempstone 1 Curly D561, a January 2020-born daughter of Gouldingpoll 1 Double Decker, which went to Jimmy Hodge, Horndean, Berwickshire at 5,300gns. The first ever daughter of Double Decker to sell from the herd, it is also a granddaughter of Blakesley 1 Kimberley which stood female champion at the National Poll Show in 2016. Two daughters of former sire of

Dendor 1 Greta 31st sold for 5,600gns to Anselm Fitzgerald

the year Barwise 1 Lancer from the well-known Romany herd of JRB Wilson and sons also sold in the sale. April 2019-born heifer Romany 1 Dawn BL S48 was bought

for 5,000gns by A and J Taylor, West Lothian, while September 2019-born Romany 1 Ishbel BL T2 sold for 4,100gns to Bethan Hutchinson, Greatham, County Durham. Fabb 1 Princess Sofia, a March 2019-born daughter of Danishbred Bare Mr Youtube 4Y from DRA Fabb, Warboys, Cambridgeshire changed hands at 3,000gns and joins A and J Taylor’s purchases. Herd sire prospect Moralee 1 Tommy Lad KR T2 from Tom and Di Harrison sold for 5,000gns to Neil Howie, Northumberland. Sired by Cornriggs 1 Knight Rider and out of a King Size daughter, Tommy Lad was the first bull to sell at Designer Genes since Coley 1 Pilot in 2018. Averages: 11 females, £6,214.09; 1 bull, £5,250, 1 pick of the herd, £8,400 Auctioneer: Halls

Moralee 1 Tommy Lad KR T2 sold for 5,000gns to N Howie

Sale management: Dowbiggin Marketing

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES | 153

154 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES | 155

NETHERHALL HEREFORDS “DON’T MAKE IT DIFFICULT, MAKE IT PROFITABLE”

www.netherhall-herefords.co.uk 07808050030

156 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

Oakleaf (H) Horned herd

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILESâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;157

Severnvale Horned Herefords Edward Mills, Severnvale Herefords, Church Farm, Northwick, Pilning, Bristol, BS35 4HE Call: 01454 632309 or 07914 205626

Stock available from our long-established families

Severnvale Valentine

Current herd sires: Somerwood Rondo Westwood Rasputin

Severnvale Venus 8th

Ellen Layzell T: 07713 465218 E: ellenklayzell@gmail.com

Colin Layzell T: 01404 891815 E: colin@colinlayzell.co.uk Current herd sire at Farmlay Herefords

Cows and calves representing the Virtue, Countess, Ceres and Kate families

Farmlay Herefords Bywood Farmhouse, Honiton, Devon, EX14 4 SS

Group of yearling heifers

Stock for sale and visitors welcome

Countess and her calf Farmlay Hector

158 | FEATURE

Herefords over continentals

Andrew and Liz Doble

FEATURE | 159

Former dairy and broiler producers, Andrew and Liz Doble, have applied the lessons of their previous enterprises to growing and finishing Hereford beef. As a result, they’ve achieved better performance than they dared to hope, and found their Herefords out-perform their continentals. It’s well known that the Hereford breed is prized for its ease of management, docility and exceptional tasting beef. But can its growth rates and carcase conformation keep pace with its continental cousins? Well yes, according to Andrew and Liz Doble, who farm crossbred Herefords on a strictly commercial basis, and have started to closely monitor and analyse their livestock’s performance. Farming Herefords alongside continentals, against which they’ve been routinely measured and compared from birth to slaughter, they’ve found the Herefords convincingly exceed the performance of other breeds passing through their Devonshire farm. Surprised themselves with their own findings, they have repeated their analysis on a regular basis and each time have come up with the same result. Whatever way they look at it – whether for growth rates, carcase

160 | FEATURE

Harper Adams and is adding his influence to the business.

Production methods The production cycle begins on 10 April when breeding begins, allowing calving to commence in January. “The first 30 cows are served to a Limousin by AI, as this shows us the heat activity in the cows and whether they’ve cleaned up post calving,” he says. Hereford bulls have been purchased from Jonathan Moorhouse’s Cato herd

grades or ultimately margins – their Hereford-cross beef consistently achieves the best performance on their farm. The Dobles are the third generation at Culmbridge Farm in the village of Hemyock, and have plenty of experience of livestock farming. Producing poultry until 2019 as part of their mixed, 200 acre (81ha) enterprise, they have an inbuilt understanding of measuring growth rates which they historically did on a weekly basis to assess and improve their broilers’ performance. With an added depth of knowledge gained from generations of dairy farming, they place a particular value on the growth and conservation of high-quality grass. As a result, the same two principles – of feeding high quality forage and routinely weighing their stock as it passes through the system – have become central to their business success.

Foundations The 82-head suckler herd laid its foundations in 2007 after the dairy herd’s dispersal. Using beef-bred Holstein dairy cows – sired by either British Blues, Simmentals, Charolais or Limousins and mostly bought from Sedgemoor Auction –

the family began breeding them to produce suckler beef. The cows were put in calf to one of two beef sires, one being Limousin, the other a Hereford, the latter a bull of Cato breeding which was kept back after successfully being used on the dairy herd. Bulls from the two breeds have been run side by side ever since, successfully producing stock which fulfils the demand for a modern beef carcase, as required by their buyer, ABP, in nearby Langport. “We believe a 13-20 month sucklerbred animal at a deadweight of under 400kg fits the specifications of the EUROP grid,” says Andrew. “This means moving the cattle through the system quickly and often enables us to achieve above base price per kilo due to a better grading and condition score on the grid.” However, unwilling to leave progress to chance, the family have bought a weigh crush and the data recording software FarmWorks, from Shearwell Data Ltd. “This shows us which key performance indicators we are hitting and which we are not,” says son, Ryan, who is currently studying for an agri-business degree at

“We then split the remaining cows into two groups, one going to the Limousin stock bull and the other to the Hereford,” he says. “These are pregnancy diagnosed eight weeks after the start of breeding and in-calf cows are separated from the bulls.” The bulls are also swapped after eight weeks, which helps identify any problems with their fertility. Second and subsequent PD sessions are at eight-weekly intervals, before the bulls are removed at the end of August. Calving is mostly complete by the end of April, allowing all cows and heifers to calve indoors where assistance is on hand. “This means complications are picked up, colostrum is seen to be fed and bull calves can be castrated within the first few days of life,” says Andrew. “Any calf not seen to latch on and suck is given colostrum by tube, stripped from its dam. “Calves are weighed by tape at birth which gives us a starting point from which we record daily liveweight gain,” he says. And therein lies the first surprise, which is shown in the analysis of this year’s calf crop. The Herefords had a slight head start from the outset, averaging birthweights of 54.9kg, against 52.7kg for the continentals.

CATO POLL HEREFORDS

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES | 161

Thank you to all those who have bought stock from us in 2020 and congratulations on your commercial successes

Cato 1 Trotsky Born: 20 February 2020

Cato Princess Gem 631 Born: 13 February 2020

JOHNES Level 1 / BVD Free Jonathan Moorhouse Tel: 01984 656292 Mob: 07714 104692 jmoorhouse@catopollherefords.com

John Richmond Tel: 01984 656300 Mob: 07788 292545

162 | FEATURE

Despite the higher birthweights they are also easier calving when compared to the Limousins.

half a kilo of beef rearing nuts.”

The calves of both breeds are kept as a batch of similar-aged animals, mainly due to ease of management.

Silage quality is also high, having been made according to dairy farming principles, with first cut generally achieving a metabolisable energy (ME) of 11.5-12MJ/kg DM.

“This means creep feeding, dehorning and other tasks are easier, but most important, there is noticeably less bullying with more uniform calves,” he says. “We also know there is no difference in how we do things for the two breeds.”

By the time of the next weighing at an average 158 days, the head start gained by the Herefords has further increased. Weights recorded were 287.8kg, compared with the Limousins at 241.4kg, increasing the natives’ lead to 46.4kg.

With turnout usually in April, rotational, paddock grazing ensues, which is said to be central to producing beef from grass. The farm is split into 20 paddocks, ranging from 3-10 acres, each of which is grazed from 1-8 days, where possible allowing a grass wedge to build.

“This tells me the Hereford is better at utilising our spring grass, which is very important for our system,” says Andrew. “It’s an important part of our Brexit-proofing strategy and will help us withstand a price drop, even if it means finishing the Herefords on grass.”

An 18 per cent protein creep is introduced at around one month of age, but is limited to 1.5kg/head. This ensures maximum use is made of grazed grass, the cheapest feed on the farm.

Weaning takes place at around eight to nine months, when a nose-flap is used before the event to stop the calf sucking.

“We don’t like to give them too much creep so the rumen will be adjusted to forage by the time we introduce the winter ration,” he says. “It means the rumen microflora are welladapted to the chopped grass silage they’ll receive over winter, with just

“We find this makes weaning far less stressful; the calves are quieter than their mothers,” says Liz. “There is no growth-check after weaning and there is noticeably less pneumonia when the calves are less stressed.” Weaned calves go on to be weighed monthly through winter housing, with their final weights before

Anything weighing more than 480kg is kept inside on a finishing ration

Farm facts • 82 suckler cows – Holstein x continental, calving in spring • Two stock bulls – Limousin and Hereford • Calves reared on grass with up to 1.5kg/head creep • Wintered on silage plus 0.5kg beef rearing nuts • Finished on silage plus 5-6kg blend • Target to finish at less than 400kg deadweight at 13-20 months • Herefords typically kill out at 50-55%; Limousins at 57-62% • Herefords typically grade R3 to U3/4L; Limousins at R3 up to E1 • DLWG (weaning to slaughter): Hereford, 1.19kg; Limousin, 1.09kg • Herefords on the farm for 37 fewer days than Limousins • Hereford-cross margin £2.88/ day; Limousin-cross £2.65/day • No premium paid for Herefordsired beef

FEATURE | 163

turnout taken at the end of March. “Anything weighing more than 480kg is kept in and put on to our finishing ration of 5-6kg of concentrates along with the silage, for their last few weeks,” says Andrew. “They are also kept out of the worming programme with its 120-day withdrawal as we hope they’ll be ready for sale by June or July.”

this performance, at 1.09kg while the highest performance came from progeny of the Hereford stockbull, Cato 1 Julius, with an average DLWG of 1.19kg.

and steers are up to 400kg. Their fat covers run at 3-4, compared with the Lims, which can achieve E and U grades, but struggle to lay down fat, getting penalties for ones and twos.”

Gradings in the abattoir tell a similar positive story for the Dobles’ Herefords.

The FarmWorks software has also revealed that the Herefords finish in less time than their continental cohorts, beating the Limousin-sired stock by 37 days – a period for which Andrew has calculated a cost.

“People think a Hereford is an O grade, but we’ve found 95 per cent

“People think a Hereford is an O grade, but we’ve found 95 per cent of ours are Rs and Us” Cattle are weighed and selected again in summer, generally coming in for finishing six weeks before sale. The most recent analysis of liveweight gains from weaning to slaughter showed progeny of the Limousin AI sire achieved a daily liveweight gain (DLWG) of 1.01kg. The Limousin stockbull exceeded

of ours are Rs and Us,” says Andrew. Also noting the breed’s ability to lay down fat on a smaller carcase, he adds: “It’s been proven that the best eating comes from the youngest animals and this is what the modern market requires. “Our Hereford-cross heifers tend to have deadweights from 270-340kg,

“We focus on days on the farm – that’s the chicken farmer in me,” he says. “We’ve calculated that each animal costs 65p/day to keep on grass but £2.60/day if they’re on the finishing ration. That means they could cost us up to £96.20/ head more for the extra few weeks – which adds up over 30 or 40 head. “Many producers don’t truly account for this; they produce bigger carcases because they like to receive the big value cheque of £1,500-£1,600 or more for each

164 | FEATURE

animal, whereas ours tend to average £1,100 to £1,400,” he says.

when a lot of your time is lone working,” says Andrew.

“However, I think they’re overlooking the cost of keeping them on the farm for a lifetime of up to 30 months, and ignoring the market trends.”

Although they’re conscious of the lack of a scientific structure behind their figures, they feel increasingly confident that the Hereford suits their grass-based system.

All of this is reflected in the gross margins the Dobles have calculated for each breed. They say that over the entire rearing period, the 2019born crop of Limousins achieved a margin per day of £2.51/£2.65. This compared with £2.75/£2.88 for the Hereford-sired progeny of Cato 1 Julius.

“Going forward our plan is to have more Herefords,” he says. “We’re considering switching the AI to Hereford to see if we can increase the growth rates with a higher genetic merit sire.”

Furthermore, ‘invisible’ benefits with the Hereford are highly valued by the family, ranging from the absence of dehorning (they always choose polled bulls) to the docility of the breed. “You have to keep safety in mind

However, integral to the plan is returning to the Cato herd for stockbulls, having achieved such success with several of these bulls in the past. “We’ve had three bulls now from Jonathan Moorhouse’s Cato herd as they have such good conformation,” he says. “Julius was a bull with an absolutely beautiful temperament

and the latest addition is Cato 1 Stringfellow, purchased earlier this year and selected specifically to help us meet our goals. “We also have 12 more heifers coming from Hereford. They are Holstein x British Blue – a cross we’ve found makes a good suckler cow – but the great attraction is that they’re in calf to the polled Hereford, Romany 1 Lustful, a bull we’ve seen and admired.” Confident of the Hereford’s performance on their farm, they say their records have helped them define their direction. “This was an experiment and until you drive down into the full costings you don’t know what works best on your farm,” he says. “It’s proved to us that our Hereford-cross beef consistently hits the required weight and is bang on target for the market.”

LANSCOMBE HEREFORDS

Lanscombe 1 Solitaire with her Vexour 1 Pantom Bull Calf Basil Bulls and Females Always for Sale

The Mitchell Family

Henley Farm, Buckland, Newton, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7BL (01300) 345565 Chris Mitchell (07889) 389830 lanscombeherefords@icloud.com

Visitors welcome

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILESâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;165

Twilight Horned and Starline Poll Herefords

Barwise 1 Ranulph

Haven Kermit

Twilight Lionheart

Kermit siring really promising stock including National Hereford Club virtual show Best Bull Calf, Twilight Riddick and Twilight Lionheart pictured above Many thanks to all our customers

Sires in use: Haven Kermit, Haven Ricki, Bromley 1 Vegron, Barwise 1 Ranulph Stock always for sale. Visitors welcome

Alan, Linda and Alex Gifford Whitebear Farm, Milton Damerel, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7NZ

Tel: 01409 261284 Mobile: 07799 261634

166 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

OAKLEAF(H) & CASTLEWOOD(P) HEREFORDS MARCUS & DAVID LURY

Castle Farm, Buckland St. Mary, Chard, Somerset. TA20 3JX Tel: 01460 234394 Email: marcus@lury.co.uk

REGISTERED BULLS for DAIRY & SUCKLER HERDS OUR SPECIALITY together with QUALITY FEMALES for PEDIGREE & COMMERCIAL BREEDING (AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR)

MAY / JUNE CALVED COWS & SIRE OF THEIR FORTHCOMING CALVES (Enjoying the last of the grass in Nov 2020)

MANY THANKS TO OUR LONG STANDING & NEW CUSTOMERS, WE APPRECIATE THE BUSINESS & LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN 2021

VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES | 167

Traditional Hereford

Breeders’ Club Promoting the Original Population of Hereford cattle

ADVERTISING • HERD VISITS • DISCUSSION & ADVICE

Membership Secretary Sarah Cook Tel: 01954 232796 Email: sarah@traditionalherefords.net

www.traditionalherefords.org

168 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Traditional Hereford Breeders' Club Meet the chairman – Leslie Cook How long have you been area chairman for? Having been an active member of the club since its inception in 1996, I am now enormously proud to have been chairman of the Traditional Hereford Breeders’ Club for six years. How many members does your club have? The club has around 70 members, normally meets three times a year and incorporates herd visits for the membership to make new contacts and form great friendships while discussing their cattle and beef enterprises.

Tell us a bit about your own herd My daughter Sarah and I run the Albany herd of Herefords in Cambridgeshire, where we also provide a home for the Langridge herd of my second daughter Frances, as well as the Gavelock herd belonging to a near neighbour of ours, Carolyn Redmayne. Third daughter Sophie is also on hand to help on the farm at present, having just completed her degree at Newcastle University. Our own herd comprises 45 breeding Hereford females put to the bull each year, most of which are original population with some also containing Canadian breeding, plus a breeding herd of 20 British White cows and followers. The purpose of the cattle on our

“Club activities were severely curtailed in 2020 but I very much look forward to the time when we can resume promoting our cattle via the show circuit” What is great about your club? Visiting other breeders and seeing their herds has given me so many happy memories during the 25 years of the club’s existence so far and I hope we are successful in our aim to provide a useful port-of-call for anyone interested in using the bloodlines of the original population of Hereford cattle. Why are you passionate about Hereford cattle? My own belief in Herefords comes from a lifetime of working with pedigree and commercial stock, and I have learned the value of productive, predictable, economical cattle which are easily managed.

place is two-fold: to maintain and make productive use of areas of marginal land in the Cambridgeshire Fens, and to produce a prime carcase at a handy weight for our local butcher, which is why the adaptability and finish quality of the Hereford is so ideally suited to our system. What has your area done differently in 2020? Club activities were severely curtailed in 2020 but I very much look forward to the time when we can resume promoting our cattle via the show circuit, which for Traditional Herefords is notably the Royal Welsh Spring Festival, Shropshire County and Royal Three Counties shows.

Leslie Cook

What do you think is important for your club to do moving forward? It is vital both the Traditional Hereford Breeders’ Club and Hereford Cattle Society continue to demonstrate the ease of management and economic advantages of the breed, and that all breeders present a united front to refute the anti-livestock propaganda being circulated in so many quarters. The agricultural events we attend provide us with valuable opportunities to showcase our methods of production to a viewing public who, in many cases may otherwise be disconnected from farming and food production altogether. It provides them with a unique, up-close education on UK livestock which they can’t get anywhere else. For anyone interested in finding out more about Traditional Herefords or joining the club, visit www.traditionalherefords.org or contact membership secretary Sarah Cook on 07771 333303 or alcroftcattle@hotmail.co.uk

FEATURE | 169

Herefords suit Appleby Farms Hereford bulls play an intrinsic part in Appleby Farms’ extensive system, where mobility and easy calving are key. In an enterprise which relies on cows calving easily and within a block calving pattern, sire choice is essential. For Evesham-based dairy farmer Tom Appleby this has traditionally meant using native breed sires on cows not put to dairy sires. “We run a three-way cross 580 cow dairy herd, using Jersey, Norwegian Red and New Zealand Friesian genetics to produce a moderate sized cow capable of producing good volumes of milk from both grazed and conserved forage,” he explains.

“This means the bulls we use can’t result in oversized calves which cause calving difficulties and result in cows taking longer to get back in-calf.” Previously, the organic herd had been using Aberdeen Angus sires, but Tom says calf size was becoming an issue due to the increasing size of the modern Aberdeen Angus. “The premium we were earning for Angus calves was great, but we were seeing issues with calving and the extra premium wasn’t worth it. “As a result, we looked at the other options available and came to the conclusion that Traditional Herefords, with their smaller frame, would be a good option. “For us as a dairy herd having cows in milk and trouble free is the end game and the beef cross calf is very much a by-product of getting the cow back into production. The more

trouble we have at calving, the more likely that cow is to take longer to get back in-calf and that impacts all through the system,” explains Tom who farms 380 hectares (940 acres) with his wife Nicola and parents James and Susan. Milked through a 50:100 New Zealand-style swing over parlour the herd is currently giving 6,000 litres per head on twice a day milking, with 8 per cent milk solids. Having previously run a pedigree Holstein herd, the Appleby family made the switch to a cross-bred herd as a result of moving to organic production. “We went organic about 20 years ago as a way of adding value to the business and it is fair to say pedigree Holsteins aren’t best suited to an organic system. “So, despite my passion for pedigrees, we decided a cross-bred

170 | FEATURE

“We’re a low rainfall area and it makes sense to have cows dry when the farm is dry. It also allows a good work-life balance, giving us some time off over the summer.” The family built a new parlour some five years ago on a green field site which is at the heart of the grazing platform. “This replaced a parlour which was alongside the cattle housing, but at one end of the grazing platform. It made more sense to have the parlour in the middle of the farm than at one end and walk cows to it for the few months they are housed rather than do things the other way around.”

Tom Appleby farms near Evesham

herd on a grass-based system was the best option for the future of the business. It has proven to be

a mile from the parlour.” Autumn calving also suits the farm, with grass growth traditionally

“We went organic about 20 years ago as a way of adding value to the business” a good decision and the herd has developed well over the last 10 years since we made the change.”

strongest in spring and autumn and a summer drought a frequent occurrence.

While most would expect the herd to be spring calving to make the most of grazed grass, the Appleby family run their herd as an autumn calving block due to the requirements of their milk buyers. “The simple fact is that if we weren’t autumn calving we wouldn’t have a milk contract. We start calving in mid-August with the aim of all cows being back in-calf by Christmas. Cows calve at grass and remain grazing until mid-late October depending on the year, before being housed in cubicles which are about

Cows walk significant distances for milking

And this requirement for cows to walk a significant distance each day was another reason for the switch in bull choice. “With cows housed in cubicles from the 1960s, larger framed bulls were struggling to lie in them and this was being compounded by having to walk a mile each way twice a day at milking. “The smaller framed, lighter Traditional Herefords largely sourced from Helen MacLeod’s Carpenters herd and Patrick and Esther Lynn’s Hockerwood herd, find the four miles

FEATURE | 171

a day much easier than some larger breeds,” says Tom. With the use of sexed dairy semen, Tom explains beef breeds will play an ever larger part in the herd’s future. “But we’re in a TB hotspot and have been locked down for the last 12 months, meaning that by the time we go clear, it’s looking like we will have more than 400 head of beef sired cattle on the farm. “With TB likely to be an ongoing issue we need to refine our system and ensure we can manage these beef crosses to the best effect to benefit the business. The current system sees all calves on milk until 12 weeks old and then dairy heifer calves are sent away to a contract rearer who keeps them until the spring before they are due to calve. “Hereford cross calves are run at grass from weaning onwards, being outwintered on grass too,” he says. When not under TB restrictions Tom has an organic rearing customer who takes the first 50 beef sired calves, with the remainder sold at Cirencester Market.

“They don’t make a fortune, but it isn’t our main income and the sooner calves are away the better,” he says. Having been using Traditional Hereford bulls for nearly three years now, Tom believes they fit his system and herd well and have delivered the ease of calving and management he was looking for. “We try to run as simple a system as possible, investing in livestock and land and keeping expenditure on machinery and buildings to a minimum. The cross-bred cows and Hereford bulls are a key component of that system and their ability to thrive off both grazed and conserved forage means they suit the farm.”

Farm facts • 380 hectares (940 acres) • 580 cow autumn calving herd • Three-way cross cows: Jersey, Norwegian Red, New Zealand Friesian • Organic production • Milk sold to McDonalds via Arla • Seven Hereford bulls • 6,000 litres per head average yield Johne’s as well as regularly testing for Neospora. “Our milk is on contract to Arla and goes to supply McDonalds, so herd health is a priority for us to ensure

“Hereford cross calves are run at grass from weaning onwards, being outwintered on grass too” When it comes to herd health the Appleby family vaccinate for BVD, IBR, Leptospirosis and monitor for

Traditional Hereford bulls fits the Applebys' extensive system

we can retain that contract and to keep the need for intervention treatments to a minimum,” says Tom.

172 | FEATURE

THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND

HEREFORD BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

3 2

20 1 15 6 7

4 18

9 10 11

Some of the leading herds in the country are in our area and the undermentioned breeders would be delighted to see you. A prior appointment would be appreciated. BERKSHIRE 1. A.E. Nesbitt Farms Ltd., Titcomb-Cleland (P) Herd, North Standen House, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0QZ. Tel: 07788 412098 Fax: 01488 686832 Email: hello@nesbittfarms.co.uk 2. Mrs. Pam Noel & Mr R. Snelling, Sarabande Herefords, Long Meadow, Shurlock Row, Reading RG10 0PL. Tel: 01189 343323 Mobile: 07976 692543 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 3. D. Briggs, Blackwell (P) Herd, Blackwell Farm, Latimer, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1TN. Tel: 01494 762190. Email: farm@davidbriggs.com DORSET 4. Baybridge Herefords, Lower Breach Farm, West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0LL Tel: 01258 472417 Email: gould121@btinternet.com. GLOUCESTER 5. M.L. & D.J. Jenkins, Appleridge (P) Herd, Appleridge Farm, Hystfield, Stone, Berkeley, Gloucestershire GL13 9LJ. Tel: 01453 511635. Mobile: 07785 388408 Email: martinljenkins@aol.com HAMPSHIRE 6. Mr M. Osmond, Broadgate Herd, Gastons Farm, Five Bells Lane, Nether Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8EN Tel: 07970 484 677 Email: contact@gastonsfarm.com 7. Mr Julian Neagle, Velmore Herd, 1 Velmore Farm Cottages, Bournemouth Road, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, SO53 3HF. Tel: 07736 830536 Email: jneagle@tiscali.co.uk 8 Mr T Yaldren Banjos Poll Hereford: Long Park Farm, Long Park, Crawley, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 2QE 07850024412 longparkfarm@hotmail.com ISLE OF WIGHT 9. Mr & Mrs P Bradley, Crockers & Northwood Herds, Crockers Farm, Cowes Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TP. Tel: 01983 525878. Email: crockerslively@gmail.com 10. M & J Morris, Whitelane Herefords, Apesdown Farm, Rowridge Lane, Calbourne, Isle of Wight, PO30 4HS. Tel: 01983 531234/07791 537890 Email: mikedm.whitelane@gmail.com

11. David Thurman Brambles Herefords: Brambles Farm, Brambles Lane, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, PO40 9SS 07887658816 tthurmandavid@aol.com KENT 12. Mrs. S.I. Purchese, Lynsore (P) Herd, Court Lodge Farm, Manns Hill, Bossingham, Nr. Canterbury, Kent CT4 6EB. Tel: 01227 709330 Email: soniapurchese@yahoo.co.uk 13 Jan Boomaars, Vexour Herd: Hampkins Hill Road, Chiddingstone, Kent, TN8 7BB 01883 653064 07500706695 www.vexour.com mart1nsal@yahoo.co.uk OXFORD 14. S.C & G.L Hartwright Spartan Herd: Grove Farm, Milton Hill, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4DP Luke Murphy: 07341440766 SPARTAN.HEREFORDS13@GMAIL.COM SURREY 15. Nigel, Ann & Tim Metson, Coverwood (P) Herd, The Old Farmhouse, Coverwood Farm, Peaslake Road, Ewhurst, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7NT. Tel: 01306 731101 Email: farm@coverwoodlakes.co.uk 16. B., H. & M. Myers, Boundless (P) Herd, Boundless Farm, Boundless Road, Brook, Nr. Godalming, Surrey GU8 5LF. Tel: 01428 683077. SUSSEX 17. R. Hutchings, Fisher (P) Herd, Fisher Farm, South Mundham, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 1ND. Tel: 01243 262252. Mobile: 07881 944394 18. Nick Wren, Cathedral (P) Herd, Cedars Leggatts Farm, Old Park Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 8AP Tel: 01243 572732 Fax: 01243 576899 Email: Nick@scarterfields.co.uk WILTSHIRE 19. Michael Clark, Lowesmoor (P) Herd, 4 Hyam Cottages, Bristol Road, Malmesbury, SN16 0RA 07929637573 01666823732 mikeclaklowesmoor@btinternet.com 20. Mr & Mrs M G S Gibson, Stitchcombe (P) Herd, Durnsford Mill House, Mildenhall, Marlborough, SN8 2NG. Tel: 07850 859824. Email: hello@grovefarmstitchcombe.co.uk 21. Mr & Mrs J R Pike & Son, Bromham (P) Herd, Durlett Farm, Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2HY. Tel: 01380 850412 22. R Edwards & E Smith Classic Herd: Westfield, 31 Malmesbury Road, Leigh, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 6RH 07772495913 07979496365 premiercattleservices@gmail.com

Nicholas Williams, 3 Trindledown Cottages, North Standen Road, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 0QY. Tel: 07977 135624. Email : sehbasecretary@gmail.com www.southofenglandherefords.co.uk

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 173

South of England Hereford Breeders’ Association Meet the Chairman – Nick Wren How long have you been area chairman for? Four years How many members does your club have? 70 Fondest memory while chairman When the association hosted the National Calf Show at Cirencester cattle market in my first year. It was incredible to watch as we all pulled our own ideas and resources together to make a very successful show which was enjoyed by exhibitors, sponsors and spectators, with a great turnout of cattle. What is great about your club? We are a small friendly club with committed breeders who are looking to take the breed forward. Tell us a bit about your own herd I established the Cathedral herd in 2005, starting with six females and a bull from Barry Myers of the Boundless herd. We currently have 15 breeding females and followers after reducing the numbers several years ago. In 2010 I introduced some different female bloodlines from the Barwise herd which complemented my existing animals. I have used several different bulls over the last 15 years from the Boundless and Hawkesbury herds. I went to Northern Ireland and purchased a bull from the Rosewood herd and our current stock bull is home-bred, Cathedral 1 Archer, which is supported by a great pedigree. Fondest memory while in the breed There are too many memories to mention from my time in the

breed, from the people you meet, to the fun times to be had at the shows. There are also the times when you get put up as champion at a show which stick in your memory because it reassures you that what you are doing is right. The standout memory would be the first time I offloaded our first cows off the lorry and watched them exploring their new fields. Even now when I sit down in the bottom fields watching the cows mooching, I can let everything else that is going on in life disperse and switch off from it. Why are you passionate about Hereford cattle? I think anyone with animals is passionate about what they do in achieving a successful business or herd and ensuring the continuity of a breed they are working with. When I first looked at getting cattle on the farm, I was adamant in getting Herefords, as I had helped show them in my younger days and the passion that Robert, Ann and Ian Shaw of Hallwood Herefords, must have rubbed off on me. Certainly, the traits of the Hereford help in that they are docile and a pleasure to walk among, and are easy calving. What event did you really miss in 2020? Over the last several years due to work commitments I have not had the time to take the cattle showing and I have missed this, not only for the social aspect but as it allows you to keep up with changes in the breed. What has your area done differently this year? This year

Nick Wren

has been very difficult for the association. Many events that were planned were unfortunately put on hold. We hope that a degree of normality will return next year and we look forward to a trip to visit our members on the Isle of Wight. What do you think is important for your club to do moving forward? As an association, it is important for us to get younger members on board and keep them engaged as they are the future of keeping the breed moving forward, but also in helping our association to flourish. Contact secretary Nick Williams 07977 135624 or sehbasecretary@gmail.com for more information about the club.

174 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

POLL HEREFO E R O S RD N Y S L Breeding quality Herefords

Sire used in 2020: Banjo’s 1 Blaze Many thanks to all our buyers. Winners of S.E.H.B.A. small herd competition 1st 2016 2nd 2017 1st 2019 Visitors always welcome

Court Lodge Farm, Bossingham, Canterbury Kent CT4 6EB Tel 01227 709330 Mobile Sonia 07778057902 Email soniapurchese@yahoo.co.uk

Banjos Poll Herefords Long Park Farm, Crawley, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 2QE E-Mail: Longparkfarm@hotmail.com Tony: 07850 024412

Bio Best Hi Health Herd BVD IBR Lepto and Johnes Level 2 Stock for Sale

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES | 175

BOUNDLESS POLL HEREFORDS B. & H. & M.R. Myers

Farm Assured

Breedplan Recording

BSE & TB Free Herd 4 Year Testing Period Member BioBest High-Health Herdcare Scheme BVD Accredited Free Herd

Sires in use

Boundless 1 Magnus and Preston Vexour 1 Percy Heifers and Bulls available for sale Boundless Farm • Boundless Road • Brook • Nr. Godalming • Surrey GU8 5LF • Tel/Fax: (01428) 683077

email: boundlessherefords@btopenworld.com VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME •

STOCK ALWAYS FOR SALE

176 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

CREDITED CHeCS AC HI HEALTH

LOWESMOOR

BREEDPLA N RECORDED

LOWESMOOR 1 KINELLA at 15 months

SIRES: LOWESMOOR 1 RONALDO TI39 SRI 49 REMPSTONE SMOOTH OPERATOR TI38 SRI 45

Michael Clark 07929 637573 Reuben Saunders 07747 612363 Manor Farm, Garsdon, Malmesbury SN16 9NN Email: mikeclarklowesmoor@btinternet.com

APPLERIDGE HEREFORDS

A CL

POLLED HEREFO C I R SS

Pedigree young bulls and breeding females usually for sale. EBV recorded

attle m C me u i m e Pre lth sch a e e b rs H mem

“Penelope”

Bre e Re dplan cor ded

If you want something ‘Classic’ then come visit us! Richard Edwards & Emma Smith Westﬁeld, 31 Malmesbury Road, Leigh, Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 6RH

Martin Jenkins Appleridge Farm, Stone, Berkeley, GL13 9LJ 07785 388408 martinljenkins@aol.com

Richard: 07979 496365 Emma: 07772 495913 Email: premiercattleservices@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook

REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES | 177

FISHER

TOP BREEDING STOCK, EASY CALVING, HIGH CARCASS VALUES

Fisher 1 Profile

P456

EBV TSI+32

Fisher 1 Prospect

P464

EBV TSI+40

Both by Fisher 1 Jaguar - Semen available HCS Bulls & Females for sale

Contact

Reg Hutchings on 07881 944394 or 01243 262252 E-mail: rj_hutchings@yahoo.com

178 | REGIONAL CLUB CHAIRMEN PROFILES

SCOTTISH HEREFORD BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION 1. W Andrew

ARRANVIEW (P&H) Oaklea, Auchincruive, Ayr KA6 5HS Tel: 01292 521067 Mob: 07785 721330

2. PM & NJ Brown

BOSOLOPOLL Clachaig, Kilmory, Isle of Arran KA27 8PG Mob 07703 323 526 Email:dbrown1820@aol.com

3. J A Cameron & Son

BALDINNIE (P) Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Leven, Fife KY9 1EX Tel: 01333 730210 Email: j.cameron@farming.co.uk Web: www.baldinnieherefords.co.uk

13. Kenny Lang

20. S Scott & G Dunbar

WELLHEAD Wellhead Farm, Cleghorn, Lanark ML11 7SW Tel: 01555 870 223 Mob: 07843 605 861 Email: a-lang@btconnect.com

SCOTTBAR Mosslands Farm, Beattock, Dumfriesshire DG10 9PX Mob: 07734 787 033 or 07834 394 128 Email georgemerlin03@gmail.com

14. Messrs Mitchell

21. Ian Skea

BENNACHIE (P) Glenbervie, Dalriach, Kemnay, Inverurie Aberdeenshire AB51 5LP Mob: 07733111493

KNOWEHEAD Knowehead Farm, Sorn, Mauchline, Ayrshire KA5 6JJ Tel: 01290 553646 Email: mitchell.hillbilly@gmail.com

22. D & S Smith & Son

MILOVAIG (P) & TOROVAIG (H) Ballochneil Cottage, Turnberry, Ayrshire KA26 9NE Tel: 01655 331796 Mob: 07710 570944 calum@arn-ltd.com

4. J M Cant & Partners

23. Andrew & Serena Sykes

PANMURE (P) Easter Knox, Arbirlot, Arbroath, Angus DD11 2PZ Tel: 01241 871660 Mob: 07974 705430 Email: easterknox@btinternet.com

5. Philip Close

BALSAR Littleton Farm, Turnberry, Girven KA26 9JS Mob: 07773 463 776 Email: clop20@aol.com

24. Molly Stuart

6. A.J & I.M Dunbar

DRUMBOY (P) Springholm, Drumclog, Strathaven, Lanarkshire Tel: 01357 440544

18 19 10 26 7 13 9 1 28 14 5 22 23

17 27

9. M Galbraith

CRAIGDHU (P) Millmoor Farm, Sandilands, Lanark ML11 9TW Mob: 07706 237524 Email: margaret.stewart123@btinternet.com

10. G & S Harvey

HARVEYBROS (P) 100 Buchanan Street Balfron, Glasgow G63 0TQ Tel: 01360 440504 Mob: 07810 807824 Email: george-harveybros@outlook.com

11. J O Hodge

FELLOWHILLS (P) Horndean, Berwick-Upon-Tweed TD15 1XN Tel: 01289 3826678 Mob: 07967 643129

12. Janice Laird

ST. CLEMENTS WELLS (P) St Clements Wells Farm, Wallyford ,East Lothian EH21 8QN Tel: 01316 692584 Mob: 07850 226994

25. Drew Thomson 15 11

29 20

8. Rockness Livestock

Peter Eccles - ROCKNESS (P) Carlaverock Farm, Tranent, East Lothian Tel: 01875 610266 Mob: 07503 925917 Email: rocknessherefords@icloud.com

GLENLIVET Lettoch Farm, Braes of Glenlivet, Ballindalloch Banffshire AB37 9JQ Tel: 01807 590 242 Email: kelly.lettoch@gmail.com

GREENFORD (P) Greenford, Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire AB51 0HB Tel: 01651 872040 Office: 01651 872888 Mob: 07831 273664 Fax: 01651 872069 Email: sales@grampian-steel.co.uk

7. G and M Dunbar

KILEEKIE (Traditional Horned) Kileekie, Crosshill, Maybole, Ayrshire KA19 7PY Tel: 01655 740510 Mob: 07798 622879 Email: andrew_sykes@msn.com Web: www.kileekie.co.uk

15. David Morrison

North Falaknowe, Coldingham, Eyemouth TD14 5TZ Tel: 01361 840 257 Mob: 07766 406 042 Email: david@jamesbrownandco.com

16. G D Poyser

COXON Cummerton Farm, Pennan New Aberdour Fraserburgh AB43 6JE Tel: 01346561444

Beafield, Sandy, Orkney KW17 2LB Tel: 01857 600339 Email: ladybank@btinternet.com

26. J B Torrance

KNOWETOP (P) Knowetop Farm, Quarter, Hamilton ML3 7XQ Tel: 01698 284268 Mob: 07957 149943

27. W, P & K Wason

SALTIRE (P) Redwells Farm, Kinglassie, Lochgelly, Fife KY5 0UD Tel: 01592 881740 Mob: 07779 591447 Email: saltireherefords@btinternet.com

28. B, E & B Welsh

ROUNDSHAW (H) Roundshaw, Auchinleck, Cumnock, Strathclyde KA18 3JN Tel: 01290 421541 Mob: 07817 289923

29. J R B Wilson & Sons

PITCAIRN (P) 57, Warwick Close, Leuchars, St. Andrews, Fife Tel: 01334 458036 Mob: 07739 550746

ROMANY (P) Cowbog, Kelso, Borders TD5 8EH Tel: 01573 440273 / 01573 440278 Mob: 07980 253496 Email: cowbog@aol.com Web: www.romanyherefords.co.uk

18. Andrew Rennie & Son

30. Harrison & Hetherington Ltd

17. S & H Reaper

RED RIDING (P) Hood Farm, Cambuskenneth, Stirling FK9 5NL Tel: 01786 472786 Mob: 07802 360325

19. F B Sangster

BADENKEP (H) & FS (P) Badenkep Farm, Buchlyvie, Stirling FK8 3NT Tel: 01360 850531 Mob: 07979 093031

Auctioneers Borderway Mart Rosehill, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2RS Email: Heather.P@borderway.com Tel: 01228 640924 Mob: 07714 761311 Web: www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk

“HEALTHY CATTLE IN REAL CATTLE COUNTRY” Anyone will always be welcome

Give a Ring, send an Email, tell us which Airport, Station or Ferry -- we’ll be there! CHAIRMAN: George Harvey, 100 Buchanan Street, Balfron, Glasgow, G63 0TQ Tel: 01360 440504 Mob: 07810 807824 Email: george-harveybros@outlook.com SECRETARY: Margaret Galbraith, Millmoor Farm, Sandilands, Lanark ML11 9TW Mob: 07706 237524 Email: margaret.stewart123@btinternet.com

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 179

Scottish Hereford Breeders' Association Meet the chairman – George Harvey What event did you really miss in 2020? I have missed not only our local shows in and around Stirling but the larger shows too which my daughter Sophie and I attend every year, including the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh shows. We show at all these events and miss very much not only competing but the catch up and camaraderie of other exhibitors. It’s where you can meet and encourage new members and catch up with old pals and learn what others are doing within the breed. How many members does your club have? At present we have around 30 members which has greatly increased in the last

this year, I took it upon myself to try and find candidates. With the help of Margaret Galbraith our secretary, I phoned around the membership asking if they would take on the role, and having a catch-up, but to no avail, except Jimmy Hodge who has been duly elected. My other most memorable experience was the kist party at the Royal Highland Show with the veterans having fun with the young brigade being led in particular by Gavin Dunbar, Beth Hutchinson and Sophie, plus others. This was the best Hereford kist party in my memory. What is great about your club? It is great to witness the new enthusiasm which has been found in the Scottish promotion of Herefords. There is a great variation in the herds found in Scotland, with traditional Herefords in Maybole to large-

“It is great to witness the new enthusiasm which has been found in the Scottish promotion of Herefords” year. Although this has been a difficult time, especially to keep in touch with other breeders, we implemented a newsletter to keep everyone informed of what was going on and held a virtual competition as well as our herd competition. Both were a great success. We also have a new Facebook page and we can update our members there. The 100 Club was also resurrected in order to raise funds and we hope to organise farm visits and maybe get to Balmoral Show in the near future. Fondest memory while chairman During lockdown after learning of our council representatives’ retirement

framed animals in Fife. We have breeders in the Orkneys and would like to promote sales of Hereford bulls in the north of Scotland, with help from our members.

George Harvey

Fondest memory while in the breed Fondest memory was winning the Scottish National Show in Perth in 2019 with Sophie showing as I watched on at the ringside. I get more pleasure watching my family show than I ever did showing myself. All my family were there that day and I will never forget it. It didn’t stop there as Crocus Rose went on to win the heifer interbreed and overall reserve interbreed titles. Crocus Rose then went to the National Poll Show at Moreton-in-Marsh and won breed and interbreed championships.

Tell us a bit about your own herd At the moment we have eight cows and are introducing four heifers. We have three embryos to calve this year with five young heifers upcoming, so the future is bright.

Why are you passionate about Hereford cattle? I am passionate about our native breed because they are a diverse and native breed with tremendous adaptability to all weathers and terrains. The meat is high quality and they make a great cross for both dairy and beef herds, and above all they are a goodnatured animal.

We also keep Galloways and Limousins. We have had many good days but winning the Kings Cup at Royal Smithfield Show with a pure Galloway bullock called Read All About It in 2006 was a particular highlight.

The association warmly welcomes new members. Contact George Harvey on 07810 807824 or secretary Margaret Galbraith on 07706 237524 or margaret. stewart123@btinternet.com.

180 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Harveys head-up online Highland Harveybros 1 Crocus S2 from George and Sophie Harvey, Balfron, Glasgow was selected as any other native champion in the online Royal Highland Show, held in conjunction with the Press and Journal and The Courier. This September 2018-born heifer shares a lot of blood with the 2019 reserve poll female of the year, Harveybros 1 Crocus Rose, both being Normanton 1 Laertes daughters with the shared maternal grand dam of Harveybros 1 Crocus E2. The heifer was also overall senior champion at United Auction’s Stars of the Future calf show in 2019.

Harveybros 1 Crocus S2 at Stars of the Future 2019

Tasked with judging the any other native class after being due to judge the native groups at the 2020 Royal Highland Show, Audrey Anderson of Panmure fame described the heifer as ‘really nice, very straight with a nice bit of bone, level top line and clean underline.’ Audrey also commented that the female moved very well. Reserve in the class was Normanton 1 Sydney from Tim and Will Livesey, Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire. Also September 2018-born, it is another by Laertes and out of Normaton 1 Jurana 7th M612. At the 2019 National Calf Show at Agri Expo, it stood reserve supreme, grand male and senior male champion. Commenting on the young bull, Audrey said: “He was a strong,

Normanton 1 Sydney at National Calf Show 2019

powerful bull with a lot of bone, which I like.

enjoyed the task. It gave competitors

She continued: “When I was asked to judge the online show I wasn’t sure what to expect but I really

really was nothing else. The class

something to focus on when there was also heavily Hereford dominated, which I obviously enjoyed.”

SHOWS | 181

refords

orge & p e H vey Harveybros 1 Crocus S2

Reserve senior female agri expo 2019 Overall senior breed champion 2019 Overall A.O.B Native champion virtual highland show

Harveybros 1 Sugar-Daddy

Sold in a private deal to WHM Warnock to restart their Garton herd after the last Hereford left 20 years ago!

orge: 07810807824

p e: 07984452306

Ema : p e.h veyy@ k. m

182 | FEATURE

Forging a future in Herefords

FEATURE | 183

After buying their first Hereford cows in 2015, the Donaldson family’s system has developed over the last five years and now proves to be one of Scotland’s largest herds. Having previously farmed in Aberdeenshire, followed by a period out of the industry in both England and the Netherlands, Hilary and David Donaldson bought Auchafour Farm, Toward, Argyll and Bute to return to farming. The ex-dairy farm occupies a secluded spot on the picturesque Cowal Peninsular on the west coast of Scotland, with views stretching out over the Clyde estuary. It didn’t remain out of action for long with sons, Jack, 27, and Matt, 23, both seeing the potential of their new home. Being new to the Hereford breed, the Donaldson’s sought advice from established breeders such as George Harvey, Harveybros Herefords, and Reg Hutchings of the Fisher herd who have been great advisors to the family, they say. Jack visited Reg and Sheila Hutchings, West Sussex on two occasions to learn more about the breed and its management, concluding with the family purchasing Fisher 1 Legend. They say gaining knowledge and advice from Reg and Sheila has been invaluable. Matt adds: “Visiting John and Margaret Cameron’s Baldinnie herd in 2015 also really inspired us and cemented our ambitions in what we wanted to achieve with our farm and herd.” Carrying the Brea prefix, which in Gaelic means noble, strong and

184 | FEATURE

best bull calves are kept with the prospect of being sold for breeding while those which do not meet the requirements are sold as stores through United Auctions in Stirling.

David, Hilary and Matt Donaldson and Marie-Louise Kolasinski

virtuous, the Donaldsons now run one of the largest pedigree Hereford herds in Scotland. Both sons take a lead in the business and have been busy shaping their futures in the farming world. The family has carried out a huge amount of work to the infrastructure of the farm including its yard and buildings to make them fit for purpose. Having started with 11 in-calf cows, they then purchased 15 heifers from the Radmore herd in North Yorkshire. But their rate of expansion upped on purchasing 72 females from Karl Oyston, previous chair of Blackpool Football Club, some of which came with calves at-foot and in two and half years, the herd grew to 120 head. Two Hereford stock bulls are currently run, Solpoll 1 Karate Kid and Fisher 1 Legend and there is also

progeny from previous stock bull Coley 1 Hercules in the herd. Spring calving begins at the start of March. Cows are calved inside, and Matt says the first batch of cows and calves are out at grass by midApril, with calving wrapped up by the end of May. Currently, all female calves which meet the performance requirements are retained for breeding. The purpose of this is to create a herd that has been selected on figures, says Matt. “The aim is to breed with heifers that achieved a weight of 450kg at 12 months old, required no assistance in calving, and were up on their feet in under an hour,” he adds. The goal is to breed a hardy yet commercial suckler cow which incurs a low cost and high profit. The

An Angus bull is also used to produce black baldies

With an increasing interest within the market for black baldies, the family has turned to use an Aberdeen Angus bull on some of the Hereford females, creating a well sought after suckler cow and a desirable store animal. Matt says: “We have been very impressed with the Herefords; they look after themselves and keep condition well. I am interested to see how the Aberdeen Angus cross Hereford calves perform with the added aid of hybrid vigor.” Now operating a pedigree herd to go back to a Hereford bull and a commercial herd to go to the Angus, the two groups are run separately on a mob grazing system, across seven four hectare (10 acre) fields, on a three day rotation. The family also aims to make a dry silage in a bid to keep the cattle cleaner in the winter, with silage cut from 36ha (90ac), on both rented and owned ground. Matt says: “We rest fields on 21 day cycles, although we would prefer to operate on a 28 day cycle. We are working towards implementing

FEATURE | 185

electric fencing to divide the paddocks up even further, to allow us to graze the property with maximum efficiency.” Location also poses some logistical challenges at Auchafour Farm, and therefore added costs. Goods come into the area on a ferry, otherwise vehicles take a much longer route around the peninsula’s edge. The family believes it endures cost increases on goods such as straw and feed of £25/tonne compared to those farming further south of the country. Being an ex-dairy farm, cattle are able to utilise the 80 cubicles already on farm, which are bedded with sawdust and rubber mats and used by lighter cows. The Donaldsons record liveweights regularly making 200, 400 and 600 day weight indices available. Some bulls are sold to dairy farmers and are marketed through wordof-mouth. Matt believes there is an increasing demand from dairy farmers for Hereford bulls due to their calving ease, short gestation length and good temperament. Cows are fed silage along with minerals through the winter, while calves are offered silage and chopped straw. Bull

Two stock bulls are currently run

and heifer calves are fed concentrates, with males given 2kg, and females 1kg, of a 16 per cent protein blend in a mixed ration. Weaning is dependent on multiple factors including the weather, available fodder, and the dam’s condition. When choosing their own stock bulls, Matt says he opts for length and frame. He says: “My priority with a stock bull is producing good sized heifers with some shape about them. On heifers we need an easy calving bull, producing a low birth weight calf that will still hit its target weight. We think our choice of stock bulls reflects that and Solpoll 1 Karate Kid

Farm facts • 120 breeding females • 121 hectares (300 acres) owned • Hoggs come on tack from a neighbour, which leave the farm on 1 March each year • The herd is BVD free • TB4 area establish a name as a maternal breeder. We are not trying to breed massive cows and ideally I would like them around the 600 to 700kg mark while weaning 50 per cent of their body weight.

“My priority with a stock bull is producing good sized heifers with some shape about them” runs with our pedigree herd while we use Fisher 1 Legend among our pedigree heifers.”

“My brother and I have been

In the future, the family aims to pull out selected calves to receive better feeding with the ambition of showing.

farm so young. I think it has been an

Matt comments: “I would like to

the way it has always been done.”

extremely lucky to have been given the responsibility of running the advantage as we have been able to do things because its most efficient or cost-effective thing to do, rather than

186 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Cameron crowned in Scottish herd competition John and Margaret Cameron’s Baldinnie herd came out on top in the Scottish herds competition. Having also won the large herd category, Balbuthie-based John and Margaret Cameron’s Baldinnie herd has been announced as the overall winner of the Scottish Hereford Breeders’ Association’s herd competition.

John Cameron of Baldinnie Herefords

Pete and Nicky Brown, Isle of Arran, judged the competition and said it was evident the Camerons’ enthusiasm for the Hereford breed is as strong as ever. Pete said: “The cows were big and, at the same time, of a consistent type throughout. There were all in good condition, healthy and mobile and we were particularly impressed with the spring-born calves, both bulls and heifers. The autumn calving cows were well fleshed but not too

fat. We saw a strong group of bulling heifers to calve around two and a half years of age.” Heading up the small herd section was association secretary Margaret Galbraith’s Craigdhu herd, based in Sandilands. Only established in 2017, it was the smallest herd to be judged. Nicky commented: “We saw a tremendous Romany-bred foundation cow in show condition and breeding consistently with a good 2019 bull calf, 2018 bulling

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 187

heifer and 2017 recently first-calved daughter with a very nice bull calf.” Second in the large herd competition was Jimmy Hodge of Fellowhills Herefords based near Berwick-upon-Tweed, and is another newly established herd. Third place was taken by JRB Wilson and son’s Romany herd, Kelso.

Results (Judge: P and N Brown, Isle of Arran)

JRB Wilson and sons, Romany 1

Stock bull, 1st, William Andrews, Knockmountagh Chief 2; 2nd, Andrew and Serena Sykes, Kileekie Frank; 3rd, Peter Eccles, Moralee 1 Porteous.

partners, Panmure 1 Plum.

Peter Eccles, Tranent and his Rockness herd were placed second in the small herd section, followed by JM Cant and partners, Arbirlot and their Panmure herd.

Bull calf, 1st, JO Hodge, Fellowhills 1 Taliceson; 2nd, Margaret Galbraith, Craigdhu 1 MacDuff; 3rd, George and Sophie Harvey, Harveybros 1 Thomas the Tank.

By Australian sire Yarram Star General W251, Knockmountagh Chief 2 from William Andrews, Arranview Herefords, Auchincruive won the stock bull competition. Being nine and a half years old, Pete described it as a ‘big bull and strong boned’ bull ‘with a good top’ . He said it was ‘well-fleshed with an excellent temperament’.

Heifer calf, 1st, J A Cameron and son, Baldinnie 1 Kay 37th; 2nd, From Jimmy Hodge, February 2020-born Fellowhills 1 Taliceson stood first place in the bull calf competition. By the prolific Gouldingpoll 1 Gold Spice, it is out of Shraden 1 Alice P809 which was purchased for 7,500gns at 2018’s

Lucy N68 T26; 3rd, JM Cant and Small herd, 1st, Margaret Galbraith, Craigdhu; 2nd, Peter Eccles, Rockness; 3rd, JM Cant and partners, Panmure. Large herd, 1st, JA Cameron and son, Baldinnie, 2nd, JO Hodge, Fellowhills; 3rd, JRB Wilson and sons, Romany. Overall herd, JA Cameron and son, Baldinnie. October show and sale at Hereford market, breaking the female centre record at the time. First in the heifer calf class was Baldinnie 1 Kay 37th from JA Cameron and son. Out of a home-bred cow, it is by stock bull Solpoll 1 National.

BALDINNIE POLL HEREFORDS SAC Premium Cattle Health Scheme Bulls and Heifers Always Available

Baldinnie 1 Ruth 17th

Moralee 1 Roland Rat

John and Margaret Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Leven, Fife KY9 1EX. Tel: 01333 730210 • Email: j.cameron@farming.co.uk

MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS

188 | SOCIETY NEWS

Coronavirus in cattle While the Covid-19 pandemic has brought coronaviruses to the forefront of public awareness, vets and stockmen are no strangers to this family of viruses, explains SRUC’s veterinary investigation officer, Eilidh Corr. Coronaviruses can cause disease in a wide range of species and can have a significant impact in livestock due to their highly infectious nature. The two forms of coronavirus disease in cattle mainly affect the intestinal tract, causing diarrhoea, Eilidh Corr says. She explains: “Just like rotavirus and a number of other pathogens, bovine coronavirus is part of the complex of organisms responsible for diarrhoea in calves in the first three weeks of life. Affected calves become depressed, pass profuse milky diarrhoea and dehydration can be so severe that calves die. “There is no specific treatment, but many calves will require oral or intravenous fluids to aid recovery. Disease is best prevented by ensuring good hygiene and calf husbandry, with particular attention to ensuring adequate and timely colostrum intake.” For farms with confirmed problems, vaccinating dams against coronavirus during pregnancy provides protection for calves via

their intake of colostrum and helps to minimise virus shedding and environmental contamination, she explains. Diagnoses in Scotland and other parts of the UK are seasonal, reflecting an increase in infections towards the end of each calving period, as contamination accumulates. In adult cattle, herd outbreaks of diarrhoea occur, usually termed ‘winter dysentery’. Eilidh continues: “Characterised by watery, dark and sometimes bloody diarrhoea, the virus is very infectious and will spread to the entire group rapidly. In some outbreaks mild respiratory signs are also present. While dramatic in appearance, the disease tends to be mild with affected cattle typically eating normally throughout the two to three day course of illness, although a marked milk drop may occur. “Occasionally supportive care such as rehydration is required, but in most cases a full recovery is possible without any treatment.” Reliable testing is available to

confirm the diagnosis and is particularly useful in young calves where several different agents may be involved in the incident, says Eilidh. Veterinary laboratories offer testing and pen-side kits are in use by some vets. She says: “By now we are all familiar with the biosecurity procedures necessary to control spread of coronaviruses between humans. Good biosecurity is also vital in controlling the diseases caused by these viruses in cattle. “Thorough hygiene and rapid isolation of affected calves is essential to prevent spread of coronavirus scour to the rest of the crop. In adult cattle, outbreaks may occur when the virus is introduced to the herd with bought-in animals. “While bovine coronavirus doesn’t infect humans, movements of people on and off farm can also be responsible for spread, so ensuring disinfection of equipment, clothing, footwear and handwashing between holdings is important to protect stock from infection.”

Coronavirus diagnoses in calves, Scotland 2012-2019

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 189

Liveseys relive glory After taking the show rings by storm in 2016, the year 2020 gave Normanton 1 Laertes more time in the limelight. Normanton 1 Laertes claimed yet another title during a summer without shows and was chosen as the top Hereford in the Scottish Farmer’s champions of the decade competition. This competition searched back through each section of the Royal Highland over the last 10 years to find its champion of the decade. The 2016 breed leader, which was two years old at the time, came out on top among the Herefords for father-and-son duo, Tim and William Livesey, from Normantonle-Heath, Leicestershire. This homozygous poll son of Romany 1 Distiller is home-bred and out of Normanton 1 Jews Ear C21 and also landed the interbreed beef honours that year at Ingliston. Prior to that, it stood male champion at Shropshire County and took the top spot at the National Calf Show two years earlier. Later the same year, Laertes was tapped out as interbreed champion at the Royal Welsh, Burwarton and National Poll Show before being named 2016’s Hereford bull of the year. Not only was Laertes successful on the show circuit, but has bred exceptionally well too, with several

Normanton 1 Laertes was interbreed champion at the Royal Highland in 2016

sons selling in excess of £7,000.

per cent of the breed.

A daughter of Laertes, Harveybros 1 Crocus Rose, also won breed champion at the National Poll show 2019, while a son was awarded male champion and reserve overall champion at Agri Expo in 2019.

The Livesey family also won the Royal Highland breed championship with Laertes’ maternal brother, Normanton 1 Eastern Promise in 2011, which Laertes beat to become champion of the decade.

Now at home running with cows, the Livesey family already has 100 calves by the bull which are ‘like peas in a pod’. There are more than 400 Laertes sired calves registered with the Hereford Cattle Society and after a brief stint at Genus ABS, semen has been exported all over the world. As more calves fall on the ground, the sire’s EBVs seem to get better too, which is driving accuracies up and now carries a gestation length and eye muscle area in the top one

Hereford Cattle Society’s chairman, Philip Allman and president, Mark Roberts, joined forces to judge Normanton 1 Laertes as the Hereford to take forward to the overall interbreed championship of the decade. Making the final three alongside Laertes were Coley 1 Pippa 356 from Tom and Di Harrison which won the championship in 2017 and Panmure 1 Blessing G6 from JM Cant and partners which stood champion in 2014.

190 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Hodge heads-up Scottish virtual show The Scottish virtual show saw breed newcomer Jimmy Hodge take the male and female championships. Taking the male champion title in the Scottish virtual show was February 2020-born Fellowhills 1 Taliceson from Jimmy Hodge, Horndean, Berwickshire, which also led the bull calf class. By the popular sire Gouldingpoll 1 Gold Spice, it is out of Shraden 1 Alice P809 which was bred by MJ and HM Timmis, Baschurch, Shropshire and purchased at the 2018 autumn show and sale in Hereford for 7,500gns, a centre record at the time.

Male champion Fellowhills 1 Taliceson from J Hodge

Tasked with judging, society chairman Phil Allman said: “This young bull is a nice, well put together calf, and carries lots of meat. It’s the sort of animal I think the breed should be striving to produce. He is also well-marked and true to type.” Success was seen again for Fellowhills in the female championship, with Romany 1 Ishbel BW R55. This April 2018-born female was bred by JRB Wilson and sons, Kelso and purchased at the 2019 Designer Genes sale for 6,200gns. Phil said: “She was the best of a number of good cows. With such a high standard forward it made my job very difficult.”

Female champion Romany 1 Ishbel BW R55 from J Hodge

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 191

Taking the reserve female championship was Craigdhu 1 Morag from association secretary Margaret Galbraith, Sandiands, Lanarkshire. By Normanton 1 Laertes, it is out of Romany 1 Jane ST M70, which is a daughter of Canadian-bred Spurstow 1 Star Bright Future. John and Margaret Cameron, Balbuthie, Fife secured the reserve male championship with Moralee 1 Roland Rat, bred by Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland. By the 2019 UK sire of the year SMH King Size 87K, it is out of Romany 1 Mink D1 L24, which is by SMH Castro 0001. It also won the bull born before December 2018 class. Harveybros 1 Thomas-The-Tank from George and Sophie Harvey, Balfron, Glasgow took the 2019 bull class. Another Laertes son, this December 2019-born young bull is out of Harveybros 1 Crocus N5, which itself is by the Danish-bred Venture Night Time 7055. The Glasgow-based father and daughter team also saw success in the youngest heifer class with Harveybros 1 Crocus Tiger-Lilly which shares the same sire and paternal grandsire as Thomas-The-Tank. In the 2019-born heifer class it was Inverurie-based Ian Skea’s time to

Results Male champion, JO Hodge, Fellowhills 1 Taliceson; reserve male champion, JA Cameron and son, Moralee 1 Roland Rat Female champion, JO Hodge, Romany 1 Ishbel BW R55; reserve female champion, M Galbraith, Craigdhu 1 Morag Bull born after 1 January 2020, 1st, JO Hodge,Fellowhills 1 Taliceson; 2nd, M Stuart, Glenlivet 1 Hector; 3rd, I Skea, Bennachie 1 Tartan

Navigator K956 N47 Heifer born after 1 January 2020, 1st, G and S Harvey, Harveybros 1 Crocus Tiger-Lilly; 2nd, G and S Harvey, Harveybros 1 Crocus Tequila-Rose; 3rd, DJ Myles, Claymires 1 Precious Heifer born in 2019, 1st, I Skea, Bennachie 1 Amy 4th; 2nd, I Skea, Polinar 1 Zara; 3rd, JO Hodge, Fellowhills 1 Navigate Enoki

Bull born in 2019, G and S Harvey, Harveybros 1 Thomas-the-Tank; 2nd, G and S Harvey, Harveybros 1 Tiesto; 3rd, M Galbraith, Craigdhu 1 MacDuff

Heifer born before 31 December 2018, 1st, JO Hodge, Romany 1 Ishbel BW R55; 2nd, M Galbraith, Craigdhu 1 Morag; 3rd, Kileekie Partnership, Kileekie Snow Model 2nd

Bull born before 31 December 2018, 1st, JA Cameron and son, Moralee 1 Roland Rat; 2nd, G and S Harvey, Harveybros 1 Sugar-Daddy; 3rd, AJ and IM Dunbar, Romany 1

Cow any age, 1st, JO Hodge, Fellowhills 1 RM Ishbel; 2nd, JA Cameron and son, Baldinnie 1 Fly 10th; 3rd, DJ Myles, Bennachie 1 Curly 3rd

shine with Bennachie 1 Amy 4th. By home-bred bull Bennachie 1 Masterman, a Panmure 1 Herman son, it is out of a home-bred dam, sired by Argentinian-bred Leylodge 1 Wizard. Jimmy Hodge was again victorious in the any aged cow class with Fellowhills 1 RM Ishbel. This second calver is by Romany 1 Mayor G34

Reserve female champion Craigdhu 1 Morag from M Galbraith

M41 and out of Romany 1 Ishbel ST M65, which is another Spurstow 1 Star Bright Future daughter. On concluding his judging, Phil said: “It was a honour and a privilege to have been asked to judge this virtual show and I must thank the Scottish Hereford Breeders’ Association for the kind invite.”

Reserve male champion Moralee 1 Roland Rat from JA Cameron and son

192 | FEATURE

Easy-care Herefords fit in at Fellowhills

Jimmy and Fiona Hodge run Fellowhills Herefords

FEATURE | 193

Having only been in the breed a short time, Jimmy and Fiona Hodge of Fellowhills Herefords have quickly made a name for themselves, following a move from dairy to beef. After moving out of dairying back in 2013, Jimmy and Fiona Hodge had planned a slightly easier lifestyle for their retirement, but Jimmy found he missed having livestock, so he chose the Hereford breed to fill that void. Jimmy explains: “After more than 30 years, it was time for me to hang up the clusters. We sold the farm and our Lemington Holstein herd seven years ago and moved 12 miles along the road to Fellowhills Farm, a 450 acre, mainly arable farm.” Initially, the couple had plenty of renovation work to keep them busy, improving the steading and rebuilding the farmhouse with the help of designs from their architect daughter, Kathleen, who is based in London. She’s the eldest of their three daughters, while Claire works in Edinburgh for AHDB and Lorna for the NHS in Forth Valley. Incidentally, the farmhouse won a local award in 2018 for the best conversion in the Scottish Borders. Once the preparation work was done and the scene was set, Jimmy researched cattle breeds to find one that would be easily managed and suit a low-input system. He says: “We took everything into account and decided that the Hereford breed was the one that was ticking the most boxes. Calving ease was a big factor, and

194 | FEATURE

we wanted polled cattle, both from a management and welfare point of view. Temperament is really important and the docility of the Hereford breed makes them very people friendly. “The ability to produce a sought after, quality product was also one of the main reasons we opted for Hereford. What the customer thinks of your product is key. Beef is not a cheap product, so it has to be tasty and sustainable and appeal to the customer.” Purchasing both privately and from sales, from various herds, including

by Holstein UK in the late 1990s.

female category.

“With the dairy, we’re so used to an abundance of technical information and genomics to back up breeding and assist with selection, so it was very different not having that. We stuck to our basic principles of good visual mobility and sound structure, working towards building up a herd of 30 cows.”

Taliceson was also selected as best male calf at the recent Scottish herd competition, where Fellowhills was placed second overall large herd. This young bull is a son of Gouldingpoll 1 Gold Spice, one of a few AI bulls that Jimmy has chosen, based on their ability to match his females. Another sire used is Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks, 2019’s joint poll bull of the year, an accolade received by its breeders Tom and Di Harrison at the society’s annual awards dinner. The current stock bull in use is Fabb 1 Royce, a son of WLL Global Force, bought privately in 2019.

One of the most prominent families that they bought into was the Ishbel line from Romany, with around 10 heifers and calves bought from there. Another worth a mention is Shraden 1 Alice P809, bought at the

“The ability to produce a sought after, quality product was also one of the main reasons we opted for Hereford” Romany, Panmure and Normanton, the Fellowhills herd was founded. Jimmy says he had to constantly remind himself that it was beef, not dairy cattle, that he was buying. Not that he is lacking in cattle breeding experience – the Lemington herd won the Scottish Holstein herd competition several times and Jimmy was awarded a master breeder award

Jimmy gives focus to herd health

autumn spring show and sale in 2017, which set a female price record at Hereford market at the time. This female has become one of the flushing team and son, Fellowhills 1 Taliceson, was male champion at the Scottish Hereford Breeders’ virtual show this summer, while Romany 1 Ishbel BW R55, bought last year at the Designer Genes sale, won the

He explains: “The aim from the start was to produce easy care and easy fleshing cattle, and we bear that in mind with any purchases or when selecting bulls. The saying ‘a live mouse is better than a dead elephant’ is very apt in beef breeding. We look at the figures first and then the animal, but both have to match in appeal. It doesn’t always work out though – it’s very much a learning process.” The 30 breeding cows now mainly calf in the spring and all inside for

FEATURE | 195

196 | FEATURE

Fellowhills placed second in the large herd section of the Scottish herd competition

management purposes, with a few calving early autumn. All progeny have to be commercially viable at Fellowhills, whether pedigree or not. Any bull calves not good enough for breeding are finished at home within 14 months and sold through Stoddarts or ABP. Jimmy adds: “I always take the view that everything’s for sale. We’ve sold quite a few bulls and females privately and managed to sell everything we had available for sale this spring. Now we’re becoming more established, we’re aiming to sell at some sales in the future – we have a December-born bull calf out of a Panmure cow and sired by Romany Navigator, that will hopefully be destined for a future sale.” He also hopes to fit in some showing in the future, which is something the family enjoyed and had plenty success with in the past while breeding Holsteins. In fact, Jimmy was due to judge the dairy interbreed at this year’s Royal Highland Show which is a role he hopes to be able to undertake in 2021 instead. “I’ve always believed showing your cattle is a great way to measure how much progress you are making compared to other

herds and it allows you to see what improvements are needed. I do think it would be helpful for both exhibitors and spectators if beef judges gave reasons for their placings, in the way that dairy judges do. They can be really useful and also allow you to work out what’s important to that particular judge, to help understand their placings.” Another important consideration

Despite planning on taking it easier in his later years, Jimmy has already found himself taking on the role of vice chairman of the Scottish Hereford Breeders’ Association and has recently been appointed to the Hereford Society’s council. And, of course, there’s the arable side of the business to contend with, growing wheat, oilseed rape, winter barley and spring beans.

“We’ve sold quite a few bulls and females privately and managed to sell everything we had available for sale this spring” which has been installed in Jimmy from a life of dairying is herd health. The herd is in the SAC Hi Health scheme and Jimmy says they are very selective when deciding which female lines to breed from. “I think all beef breeds would benefit from a verified classification system, to enable breeders to identify female lines better. There’s really not a lot of type or production information available for beef and I think it would make a huge difference having independent classifiers who understand animal carcases and mobility. Any breed benefits from that type of analysis.”

“Doing nothing was never really an option. We were milking 300 cows at Lemington, with 350 acres of arable, so to go from that to being fully retired would have been unbearable. I do miss a lot of aspects of the dairy, but I’m enjoying the challenge that beef breeding is bringing. My farming philosophy has always been to keep learning and try not to make the same mistake twice. “We’ll continually work at improving the herd, but we’re probably at our ideal number now, for the amount of grassland that we have. Plus, my wife keeps reminding me that this is retirement,” adds Jimmy.

FEATURE | 197

198 | FEATURE

Herefords impress in commercial set-up A chance purchase of a Hereford bull led to impressive results, with the breed now playing a key role both as a suckler cow, and terminal sire at Faith Farms, Montrose. It was a spur of the moment decision that led the Faith family to buy their first Hereford bull at a Stirling sale 10 years ago, but it’s one

that they’ve been glad of ever since. Brothers Robert and Richard Faith farm in partnership with their parents William and Isabel, at Peattie Farm, Inverbervie, in Aberdeenshire. The Faiths made the move from Co Londonderry in Northern Ireland in 2003, trading in a few small farms across the water for this one larger unit, which has allowed them to focus on building an efficient, low input system. The Faiths say: “When we were building up the cattle herd, we went

The black baldy cross is made use of at Faith Farms

to Stirling looking for an Angus bull to go onto continental heifers and ended up coming home with a Hereford. We just really liked the look of that Panmure bull and thought we’d give him a try. “Very quickly, we could see the difference in the calves. We were really impressed with them; they were easy calving, with good growth rates.” That decision paved the way for the system which is now in place today. The suckler herd is made up

FEATURE | 199

of Hereford and Angus crosses, with heifers calving at two years old to the Angus, producing black baldy calves, and the rest to the Hereford. The best of the heifers are kept as replacements and everything else is finished at home. The family says: “The Hereford crosses are perfect suckler cows being easily maintained, great temperaments, plenty of milk and all-round good mothers which calve easily. Compared to our original continental cattle, the cows are now smaller, easier fed, easier handled and more docile, but just as productive. Our calving percentage is the same, but we can carry more cows on our land, so we get more calves per acre. “We are very selective when it comes to heifers being retained in the herd and cull hard anything that’s not producing as it should be.

L-R Robin, Ben, William, Richard, Robert and Oliver Faith

Temperament plays a big part, along

Angus bulls normally needed at any

with length and depth of rib. We’re

one time. However, the lock-down

looking for a good, solid foundation

this spring forced the family into

for a cow.”

a different style of buying, having

Bulls are normally purchased at

turned to online shopping. They

sales, with three Hereford and two

bought Bennachie 1 Rooster from

200 | FEATURE

The family is impressed with their Hereford progeny

Ian Skea, through Aberdeen and Northern Marts, an April 2018-born son of the show-winning £9,000 bull, Bennachie 1 Masterman, which they’re very pleased with. The other purchase was the September 2017-born Richmount 1 Rockafella, the 2019 NI bull of the year, privately from James Graham in Northern Ireland. This three-year-old show winner, sired by Grousehall 1 Premier and out of Richmount 1 Lady Gaga, had stood out to the Faiths in photographs online, so when they heard he was for sale, they grabbed the chance to own him. He was brought over by a haulier and picked up at Stirling by Robert. “With Rockafella, it was a risk for us, buying a bull that we hadn’t actually seen in the flesh, but we were really impressed with him from pictures and thought it was a risk worth taking. It’s certainly paid off; we’re delighted with him at home in the flesh and have recently had 40 heifers scanned in-calf to him, so

we’re really looking forward to seeing the calves off him next spring.

and put back out to set grazing as quickly as the weather will allow.

“Although we’re a commercial herd, we do think that a good bull is always worth its money – a cheap bull can end up very expensive in the long-run. In the time that we’ve

“We do have some back-end calvers, but we’re working towards having everything calve in the spring. The incalf cows are very easily kept through the winter, on home-grown fodder

“With all that’s been going on this year, we’ve been lucky that beef and lamb prices have remained so strong” been buying Hereford bulls, they’ve improved a lot, with better length and growth now. I can’t imagine another breed doing as well for us and producing the same returns on our system.” The majority of the herd (80 per cent) calves in the spring, mainly inside, for management purposes, having been brought in through October and November, depending on the weather. They calve from the beginning of March and are tagged

beet, straw and a bit of silage, with straw-based bedding too. Cows are bolused at the end of the year, which covers them through to the summer, for going back to the bull again. “On the whole, they are very easily calved, with very few assisted. The Black Baldy calves are good, strong, square calves, easily finished and work well in our low input system,” explains the family. Bull calves were previously kept entire, but, again for ease of

FEATURE | 201

Richmount 1 Rockafella, the former NI bull of the year

202 | FEATURE

management, they are now all castrated, and the family say they thrive just as well. Calves are weaned around October and brought inside at that point, to be finished on silage and home-grown cereal mix. “The majority of heifers and bullocks are finished from between 18-24 months, although some bullocks are away as young as 16 months. We aim to get them away as quick as possible, at 350-380kg deadweight, all through McIntosh Donald at Portlethen and they normally average R4 and U4 grades. “Prices are very strong at the moment, with the last batch of six averaging just over £4 per kg or £1,349 per head.” A similar system works with the sheep. Of the 500 Easycare ewes, half are put to Easycare tups for replacements and the rest go to Texel, Texel cross Suffolk and Charollais rams, with those lambs finished at home on minimal concentrates and sold through McIntosh Donald.

The livestock system runs hand in hand with the arable on the farm. Winter barley is crimped in early July, and the Faiths bale and wrap straw for feeding cattle through the winter. They then min-till in kale, for the ewes and lambs, and the ewes also graze on fodder beet. “We’re always looking to make best use of the land that we have and for the farm to be as profitable as possible – and we’re never too proud to make changes accordingly. When we first came here, there was an established pig herd, which we took on and ran for around 13 years. “After making the decision to put the pigs away, we’ve been able to increase the cattle and sheep numbers and with livestock making better returns, we’ve recently reduced our arable acreage from 450 to 300 acres, to enable us to up the numbers further. We’re planning to increase the ewes to 800 and keep a further 50 cows,” says the family. The philosophy at Faith Farms is to be as self-sufficient as possible,

The Faiths say they like cows which are solid

Farm facts • Mixed arable and livestock farm • 700 acres owned and a further 200 rented nearby • 300 acres of arable, growing fodder beet, spring and winter barley and winter wheat • 500 ewes • 200 suckler cows growing all their own cereals, straw and silage, with minimal input and labour costs. Herefords have played a big part in building such a futureproof system which, they hope, will ready them for any volatility that may come with Brexit. “With all that’s been going on this year, we’ve been lucky that beef and lamb prices have remained so strong. Who knows what the coming years will bring, but hopefully by improving efficiency on the farm and cutting back on input costs, we’ve done all we can to be prepared,” they add.

SALES | 203

Ervie bulls reach £3,700 The quality, un-pampered and outwintered rising two year old bulls on offer at the annual spring sale of 50 Ervie Hereford bulls at Mains of Airies, Stranraer on behalf of John Douglas and family did not disappoint once again. Despite snow and poor driving conditions up and down the country at the time, 26 bulls sold to average £2,223. Leading the day’s trade at £3,700 was Ervie Advance 182453, sired by Ervie RL1 Achiever 151966N and

out of Ervie Lisette 121529. Its great depth of body, natural thickness, balanced EBVs and high indices caught the eye of DT Lang and son, Cleghorn, Lanarkshire.

Farming, Berwick-on-Tweed. First son of US-import Ervie RLI Achiever 151973N, this light birthweight bull scored high on milk and growth figures.

Next best at £3,600 was Ervie Advance 182400, purchased by local black baldie producer Robert Parker, Turnberry, Ayrshire. This light birthweight bull was sired by Ervie L1 Achiever 141753 and out of Ervie Laura 121466.

Back for more, Robert Parker bid to £3,200 for Ervie Advance 182515 which is out of Ervie Lisette F1069, a Beltring Ezzard Charles 09 daughter.

Ervie Advance 182417 sold at £3,400 to Home Robertson

Averages: 26 bulls, £2,223 Auctioneers: C and D Auctions

Ervie Advance 182453 sold for £3,700

Ervie Advance 182400 sold for £3,600

Ervie Advance 182417 sold for £3,400

Ervie Advance 182515 sold for £3,200

204 | SALES

Douglas’ cows sell well In August 2020, John Douglas and

were five females at £3,112 a piece,

family of the Ervie herd announced

which sold to Jim Logan, Scottish

the production sale of their cow herd.

Borders who was a volume buyer.

Up for offer were 118 mature

Included in this run was spring

females from three years of age up,

2015-born Ervie L1 Achievement

including many dams and sisters

152016A by Ervie L1 Achiever

of the herd’s top bulls. The sale

121496. Ervie Narcissi 151961 of the

included all of the herd’s imported

same age went in the consignment

line one families and presented

and is by Ervie L1 Achiever

the first opportunity to make

91150I. By the same sire, Ervie L1

purchases of these animals.

Achievement 151992A also headed

Sales were initially carried out

to the Scottish Borders.

by private treaty, and then via an

Joining them was May 2016-

online auction. Leading the money

born Ervie Trudy 162080 by Ervie

L1 Achiever 131601 and out of Roundshaw Trudy 148 bred by B, E and B Welsh, Cumnock, Strathclyde and carries Ervie breeding on both sides of its pedigree. One year younger and also at this price was Ervie Unitarian 172289 and is a Ervie L1 Achiever 141753 daughter. Also purchased by Jim Logan was Ervie Tribute 162059 which changed hands in a private deal at £3,000. It is a May 2016 female by Ervie L1 Achiever 131601. In a closing online bid of £3,000, Ervie Model 162141 sold to Kenny Lang,

Ervie L1 Achievement 12031E sold of £2,500

Ervie Peach 141861 sold for £2,500

Ervie Carol Lily 151939 sold for £2,600

Ervie Narcissi 151961 sold for £3,112

SALES | 205

Lanarkshire. Another four and

it is by a HH Advance 5104R son

£2,500 a head in the online sale.

half year old cow, it is by Ervie L1

and made £2,600.

S and P Hamilton, Wigtownshire purchased Ervie Tribute 401839 online at £2,500.

Achiever 91151H.

Ian Wilkinson, Perthshire was

Heading to Northern Ireland to join

another volume buyer with Ervie

the Annaghbeg herd of M and L

Peach 141861, Ervie L1 Achievement

Moore, Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone was

152031E, Ervie Lisette 172297 and

Ervie Carol Lily 151939. Born a twin,

Ervie Laura 162179 acquired at

Ervie L1 Achievement 151992A sold for £3,112

Averages: 67 cows sold via private treaty, £1,901.49; 31 cows sold online, £2,032.25; 1 stock bull, £6,000.

Ervie L1 Achievement 152016A sold for £3,112

ERVIE LINE ONE

J & J. S. DOUGLAS Mains of Airies, Ervie, Stranraer, Scotland, DG9 0RD

ERVIE HEREFORDS ERVIE HEREFORDS 2021 SPRING 2021 SPRINGBULL BULLSALE SALE Thursday February atat the farm. Thursday11th 11th February the farm. See Seewebsite websiteforfordetails. details.

Selling 50 bulls

(Outwintered, unpampered Operating a herd line-breeding & ready for work.) programme, selecting for high natural yearling performance & Operating uniformity. a herd line-breeding We focus on high-maternal programme, selecting for high economically important traits. natural yearling performance &

uniformity. S aSale l e f efeature a t u r e -- EErvie r v i e Advance A d v a n c e192598 192598

“ T h e“ TEhrev iE e rTv yi ep eT” y p e ”

We focus on high-maternal economically important traits.

www.ervieherefords.co.uk Introducing our straight Line One import from B & D Herefords, Tel. 01776854226 e-mail johndouglas@agriplus.net Tel. 01776854226or or e-mail johndouglas@agriplus.net Kansas, USA. lookforward forwardto to your your enquiry. by appointment. WeWe look enquiry.Visitors Visitorsalways alwayswelcome welcome by appointment.

www.ervieherefords.co.uk Check on ourCheck website for up-to-date information on our sales and breeding cattle throughout the year. on our website for up-to-date information on our sales and breeding cattle throughout the year.

Ervie RL1 Achiever 151966N

206 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

plan Breed ed d Recor

PANMURE

Memb er Hi-He s of alt Schem h e

Thanks to all Enquiries always

of our

welcome

customers

Panmure herd breaking the rules – no social distancing here!! More “Leota” Sons coming soon – “Tango”, “Tonic”, “Tequila” and “Tanqueray” – buy a drink from us!

J.M Cant & Partners

Easter Knox Farm, Arbirlot, Arbroath, Angus DD11 2PZ Audrey:- 01241 871660

Mob:- 07974705430

Email:- easterknox@btinternet.com

A loss at Panmure cottage field was the one Mum

by Audrey Anderson

could see from the house and I often threatened to stop putting cattle

Jessie Cant of Panmure Herefords, my mum, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on 5 September 2020.

in there so I could have a more peaceful life. Mum maintained her interest in the

It was Mum who wanted to go into Herefords to begin with at our family’s Easter Knox home, so in 1969 a Hereford heifer was purchased from dad’s uncle, Alex Cant of Drowndubbs, and it was the beginning of our Panmure herd. In the earlier years, Cheviot Lily was the cow Mum would take in the parade. She was very much involved in all the background work leading up to the shows, including washing white ropes and coats and preparing the all important refreshments on show day. She was always at the shows, keeping everyone on their toes.

Herefords right up until the end. I would take photos and videos on my phone for her to see. Even in lockdown, when I couldn’t visit her in the care home, I would have Facetime calls with her in the afternoon, so she could take a Jessie Cant

At home, Mum was always keeping her eye on the cattle and I would get numerous calls asking if I had been in the cottage field because she thought that something was wrong with some cow or calf. The

look around the fields and see the cattle. Testament to Mum’s love of Herefords was the fact there were always more photographs of cattle than there was of myself or my sister Wilma.

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 207

Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders' Association Meet the chairman – Adrian Irvine How long have you been area chairman for? Two years How many members does your club have? 80 members and growing annually. Fondest memory while chairman Being elected as chairman by a committee of my peers. What is great about your club? The quality and consistency of animals being produced by the members from our region.

Fondest memory while in the breed Winning reserve interbreed beef heifer champion at Armagh Show in 2010 with Pallas 1 Uncas Eva, the only Hereford exhibit amongst 30 continentals. Why are you passionate about Hereford cattle? Docility, docility, docility. This breed has such a quiet nature and a calming influence on you when working with them. Standing there and having to be moved and not climbing up the walls does wonders to your stress levels after a stressful day in the day job.

“Members of our association are missing out on formally celebrating their usual achievements” Tell us a bit about your own herd My wife and I have a small hobby farm of four hectares (10 acres) in the most westerly disadvantaged region of the UK. Our Fingerpost/ Pallas herd was established in 1997 with the purchase of two maiden heifers at the spring sale in Carrickon-Shannon followed quickly by the purchase of a first calved heifer from the Misses McCabes Beaghmore herd. We only keep three cows and from very humble beginnings, aided by specially selected bulls, we have improved the quality of our breeding females and enjoy considerable success in the show and sales rings. It’s always good to be in the position to know that the animals you bring forward for sale are at the top end of those being brought forward by others.

What event did you really miss in 2021? Our annual dinner and presentation of cups. Members of our association are missing out on formally celebrating their usual achievements. What has your area done differently this year? Covid has put a totally different perspective on the way things have had to be organised this year. We were lucky enough to have our premier sale in February before the lockdown and this was a blessing to those who exhibited and sold animals. Our secretary Mark Moore continues to work tirelessly for our association and must be thanked for all he does. Through social media and our website, he has given our members an opportunity to advertise their bulls for sale. Not only is this free to

Adrian Irvine

all our members but they can post photographs and videos of their sale animals which cannot be done through the local newspapers. With all our local shows being cancelled and to give members an opportunity to showcase their stock, we ran a virtual calf show. This consisted of the usual classes up to yearlings and attracted some 30 entries. Our thanks must again go to Mark who had the unenviable task of pulling all this together. What do you think is important for your club to do moving forward? We will continue to promote our breed and it’s never ending qualities, while exploring further outlets for Hereford Beef within our region and further afield to hopefully raise the average sale price of the quality bulls and females brought forward by our region for sale. New members can visit www.herefordni.co.uk or contact secretary Mark Moore on 07966 8766575 or mark-moore@hotmail.co.uk.

208 | SHOWS Visi t spor s and t arr ange d

tors Visi elcome w s lway

tran

NORTHERN IRELAND HEREFORD BREEDERS ASSOCIATION a

THE HOME OF QUALITY HEREFORDS www.herefordni.co.uk

Date for 2021 National Show Saturday 14 June 2021 at Armagh Show SHOW AND SALE DATES 2021 (Dungannon Farmers Mart) Premier show & sale Tuesday 9 February Spring show & sale Tuesday 20 April Winter show & sale Tuesday 7 December

Secretary: Mark Moore, 51 Glassdrummond Road, Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone, BT69 6DE Mob:07966876575 Email: mark-moore@hotmail.co.uk Chairman President Treasurer Adrian Irvine - 07764204410 James Graham - 07984458007 Stephen Baxter - 07752392229

CO.ANTRIM

MOYPOLL HERD

GROVEHILL HERD

MOUNTVIEW HERD

V & M Steele 02825685107 137 Ballywatermoney Road Glarryford Ballymena BT44 9EU

BALLYPALLADY HERD

MONEYCROMOGUE HERD

NANCY HERD

T Andrews 0289334437618 Ballyfore Road Larne BT40 3NF S Cherry 07779036556 77 Ballymartin Road Templepatrick BT39 0BS

J & R Tuft 07891787486 114 Ballinderry Road Upper Ballinderry Lisburn BT28 2NW

DOREPOLL HERD

CO.ARMAGH

JE RI & W Haire 07887675649 02890825215 41 Divis Road Dundrod Crumlin BT29 4UB

BOGHILL HERD

F A & E Kerridge 02894433780 9 Connor Road Parkgate Templepatrick BT39 0DY

UMGOLA HERD

S Baxter 07752392229 02837524606 22 Monaghan Road Armagh BT60 4DA

DRUMATEE HERD

J Conlon 07753471873 02837551488 27 Gossford Road Markethill BT60 1QD

HOCKLEYPOLL HERD

DRUMNAMETHER HERD

ROSELODGE HERD

RICHMOUNT HERD

The Leader Family 02890824899 63 Knockcairn Road Dundrod Crumlin BT29 4UE

PJ Cully 07892408279 11 lough Road Drumnamether Tandragee BT62 2HQ

E McCorry 02894454104 50B Crumlin Road Ballinderry Lisburn BT28 2JZ

J Graham 07984458007 42 Richmount Road Portadown BT62 4JQ

CHARIS HERD

K Greenaway & W Conn 07801844723 23 Derryvinney Road Portadown BT62 1SX

J McMillan 07764533348 17 Garvaghy Hill Potrglenone BT44 8EE

HOLESTONE HERD

Brian Mawhinney 07715033702 21 Strand Road Doagh Ballyclare BT39 0RF

BALLYNACAIRN HERD

John Moore 07511510919 47 Shilanavogy Road Broughshane Ballymena BT42 4PD

SIX MILE HERD

Riverside Farm 07860349913 46 Station Road Doagh Ballyclare BT39 0QT

CORDONUTH HERD

R & J Shaw 02825891462 16 Kellswater Road Randalstown BT41 2PF

DRUMSHANBO HERD

J & G Small 07836701782 23 Creeve Road Randalstown BT41 3LW

HILLTOP HERD

TULLYRAINE HERD

S Forsythe 07725518064 8 Boggle Hill Road Tullyraine Gilford BT63 6IF

DERRYGAVAD HERD

C Halliday 02838852684 07598135648 21 Derrygavad Road Annaghmore Portadown BTT62 1ND

BLACK WATER HERD

W Morrow & Son 07855829420 02838330777 160 Mahon Road Portadown BT62 3SG G & T Morton 07761979806 11A Madden Road Armagh BT60 3LN

SWEET BRIAR HERD

Jenna Hunter 07706873733 20 Derrycughan Road Markethill Co. Armagh BT60 1 RW

BROUGHAN HEREFORDS Shane Curry 86 Ennislare Road Armagh BT60 2PU

FARNALOY HEREFORDS Rebeccah Millikan 76 Farnaloy Road Madden Armagh BT60 3LR

CO.DOWN

LUSKY HERD

AJ Farms 07968754976 57 Saintfield Road Killinchy Newtownards BT23 6RL

WOODVALE HERD

A & A Armour 07748796818 77 Begney Hill Road Dromara Dromore BT25 2AP

LEESSANS HERD

P Auret 07808923894 126 Monlough Road Saintfield BT24 7EP

KILLYGONEY HERD

S & N Heatrick 00353879969640 003534788119 Argonnell Midletown BT60 4HR

G Christie 02897561770 9 Drummond Park Ballynahinch BT24 8GE

GRACELAND HERD

W Connolly 02897511530 17 Pear Tree Road Saintfield BT24 8YB

R & J Irvine 07818888877 02837507005 115 Ballymoyer Road Whitecross BT60 2JN

KINNEGO HERD

C Kerr 07956656588 67 Annesborough Road Kinnego Lurgan BT67 9JD

PEARTREE HERD

CLOUGHREAGH HERD

J Convery 02830837239 11 Chancellors Road Newry BT35 8PR

BALLYNAHINCH HERD

J Coulter 58 Dromara Road Ballynahinch BT24 8JW

SALES | 209 DRUMADONNELL HERD

MAYTOWN HERD

ROUGHAN HERD

GRANSHA HERD

TULLYAH HEREFORDS

TULLYMORE HERD

BOLEY HERD

CO.TYRONE

THORNBANK HERD

Robin Fee 02833744016 14 Drumgooland Road Ballyroney Banbridge BT32 5HB David Gibson 07772108061 27 Slievenaboley Road Dromara Dromore BT25 2EH J Henning 07739611220 02840632020 180 Castlewellan Road Cabra Newry BT34 5EX

GLENMOUNT HERD

J & A Henning 02837507743 07484301681 17 Keadymore Road Mountnorris BT60 2UH

LISOLA HERD

J Martin 07745080388 02897511132 34 Lisdoonan Road Saintfield BT24 7HH

BROOKFIELD HERD

R & P McClenaghan 02890427945 72 Ballymiscaw Road Holywood BT18 9RW

BALLYCRUNE HERD

Dianne McMinn Johnston 07835696101 22 Main Street Bessbrook Co. Down BT35 7DJ Aaron McVerry Tullyah Road Beleeks Newry BT35 7QP

CASTLEPOLL HERD

C & M Beatty & Son 02885557349 49 Leaney Road Castletown Dungannon BT70 1 SL

TIRELUGAN HERD

P Beatty 07789644772 02885556700 15 Tirelugan Road Aughnacloy BT69 6DB

KILLYMONNAN HERD

J Black 02882841961 14 Killyliss Road Fintona BT78 2DL

CANDLEFORD HERD

R Black 02882841746 10 Rodgers Road Tattykeel Omagh BT78 5DD

CLOGHER VALLEY HERD

C McCord 07709390346 271 Ballynahinch Road Annahilt Hillsborough BT26 6BP

I & G Browne 07901856063 47 Screeby Road Fivemiletown BT75 0LF

GRALLAGH HERD

A & T Campbell 07742575680 35 Kittymittan Road Ballinamallard BT94 2FW

R McKnight 07720533711 10 Grallagh Road Rathfriland BT34 3PD

SOLITUDE HERD

KILLYMITTAN HERD

DRUMGOLD HERD

A McMordie 07890042168 BelFast Road Ballygowan Newtownards BT23 6NA

Peter Collins 02887784609 105 Moy Road Dungannon BT71 4DV

SOLPOLL HERD

Ivan Elliott 02886762012 24 Sessiagh Road Cookstown BT80 8SN

J & W McMordie 07866125959 02897528222 Solitude Belfast Road Ballygowan Newtownards BT23 6NA

RIVER-DALE HERD

McMordie Family 07836362029 02897511181 3 Riverdale Lane Saintfield BT24 7JG

BALLYMULLY HERD

KILLYCURRAGHPOLL HERD

AJJ Glasgow 02886751305 Springhill Killycurragh Cookstown

HOLLAND HERD

B & K Holland 07940397088 100 Moneymore Road Cookstown BT80 9UU

LISNAREE HERD

PALLAS HERD

CORRIEWOOD HERD

MULLIN HERD

MONEYDARRAGH HERD

HILLSIDE HERD

GLASSDRUMMOND HERD

TAMNABRADY HERD

MAGHERKNOCK HERD

CULLAMORE HERD

M Murdock 02840631301 25 Shinn Road Newry BT34 1PB J & V Peters 02843770824 07850578060 10 Dundrine Road Castlewellan BT31 9EX J Purdy 02843767169 23 Grove Road Annalong Newry BT34 4XB A Rea 07828489414 02897561084 62 Glassdrumman Road Ballynahinch BT24 8TW D Smyth 07808078117 0289263932 65 Creevytennant Road Ballynahinch BT24 8UJ

CARNEY HILL HERD

J & K Taggart 02891862345 07715906009 34 New Road Carrowdore Newtownads BT22 2HB

BARNBURN HERD

B & G Watson 07990517766 64 Templeburn Road Crossgar BT30 9NG

A & S Irvine 07764204410 02889561735 4 Derryallen Road Trillick BT78 3RZ D Kelly 07802520011 02887752990 7 Dergenagh Road Ballygawley BT70 2JY R A Knipe 07702341681 5 Donnellys Hill Road Benburb Dungannon BT71 7NL D McCrea 22 Ballybeeny Road Bready Strabane BT82 0DF R McKenna 07979522053 5 Aghindarragh Road Augher BT77 0EU

ANNAGHBEG HERD

M & L Moore 07966876575 02885557317 51 Glassdrummond Road Aughnacloy BT69 6DE

CONDUFF HERD

R Morrow 02885557360 39 Rehaghey Road Aughnacloy BT69 6EU

A J Patton 45 Annaghilla Road Roughan Augher BT77 0BS C & R Pogue 07860402673 02837549649 54/58 Milltown Road Benburb Dungannon BT71 7ND H Stewart 22 Cavandarragh Road Castlederg BT81 7NZ

SILVERFORD HERD

R Stewart 11A Bush Road Dungannon BT71 6QG

KIRLISH HERD

K Thompson 15 Kirlish Road Drumquin BT78 4PY

SESSIAGH HERD

N Shaw 07966795243 16A Lisgobban Road Dungannon BT71 7PT

LARGYLEA HEREFORDS

Seamus McGlinchey 92 Largylea Road Galbally Road Dungannon BT70 2NY

BENBURB HEREFORDS

Alan Shaw 17 Lisgobbin Road Dungannon Co Tyrone BT71 7PT

CO.FERMANAGH

BENAUGHLIN HERD

G & W Burleigh 07970430065 02866348414 43 Carran Road Beighy Kinawley BT92 3BG

GLEBE HERD

M & J Doonan 02867751844 Drummons Glebe Roslea BT72 7NU

CORCREEVY HERD

N Hudson 07780912961 8 Raw Road Brookeborough BT94 4GE

NEWTOWNBUTLER HERD

T Mohan 02867737071 Corlatt Newtownbutler BT92 8ER

CORRABACK HERD

R M Richmond 02867748333 Killynick Aghalane Enniskillen BT92 9HJ

LISRACE HERD

D Wilson 02867751666 Lisrace Magheraveely Enniskillen BT92 6PP

KILLYVILLY HEREFORDS

Niall Elliott 16 Cloghtate Road Hilltop Killyvilly Enniskillen BT744AJ

CO.LONDONDERRY BELLSHILL HERD

I & J McFadden 02879469861 07590983899 46A Bellshill Road Castledawson Magherafelt BT45 8HG

BREEGEPOLL HERD

G Workman 10 Movenis Hill Road Garvagh Coleraine BT51 5LZ

210 | SALES

Solpoll leads Feb sale Storm Ciara did not stop trade at Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ February premier show and sale at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart where prices peaked at 4,500gns for a Solpoll-bred bull. Leading the money and the show was Solpoll 1 Rambo from John and William McMordie, Ballygowan, Co Down, after it was tapped out by judge William Smith, Co Meath. At 22 months old, this bull is a son of Moeskaer Upgrade and out of a Panmure 1 Henry sired dam. It has the same breeding as December 2019’s champion and top price bull from the Solpoll stud. Backed by exceptional figures, after spirited bidding from suckler and dairy farmers around the sale ring, it was knocked down to Nigel Patterson for his Mullantine pedigree herd, Portadown. Taking the day’s second top price of 3,000gns was Solpoll 1 Real Thing, again from John and William McMordie. A 23 month old son of NBG 69T The Wonderer 36R 3W, it also stood male champion at last year’s Balmoral Show and was knocked down to Lurgan-based suckler farmers, Felix, John and Jack McStavick.

Solpoll 1 Rambo sold for 4,500gns

Laertes son had several figures in the top five per cent of the breed and sold for 2,300gns to David Hamilton, Rathfriland.

Joining Superman at its new home

At the same price was the youngest bull in the sale, 16 month old Thornbank 1 Superman. A son of previous sale winner and top price bull, Thornbank 1 Mightyman from Hunter Stewart, it sold to join MH Farms, Comber.

Fingerpost AR Grace, was sired by

Travelling across the water, JR Whitlow, Abbots Morton, Worcester purchased Drumatee Rocket for 2,500gns, to join the HighHouse herd. Bred by Markethill-based John Conlon, this 22 month old male was sired by Cill Cormaic Nevada, winner of the best stock bull in the NIHBA herds competition for the last two years. First prize winner in the last bull class was Brookfield 1 Superstar from Roy and Pat McClenaghan, Holywood, Co Down. This 18 month old Normanton 1

Solpoll 1 Real Thing sold for 3,000gns

was the first prize winning female from Adrian and Sandra Irvine. This 17 month old maiden heifer the Irish-bred Allowdale Rambo which sold for 2,100gns. Averages: 8 bulls, £2,567; 3 females, £1,960

SALES | 211

April sale goes online Covid-19 restrictions saw the NIHBA’s April sale go online, rather than at its usual Dungannon venue. According to Mark Moore, secretary of the association, breeders had considerable success in finding customers for bulls. He said: “Many farmers revert to natural service at this time of year, and with one third of all calves sired by a native beef breed, there is currently good demand for Hereford bulls and many successful deals have been struck.”

Drumatee Rocket sold for 2,500gns

3,000gns top at Dungannon In a small turnout of bulls, due to pre-sale deals being concluded, the December sale at Dungannon resulted in an average of £2,415. Auctioneer Trevor Wylie found his top priced animal in the form of John and William McMordie’s Solpoll 1 Show Time. After some fast bidding on this 19 month old bull sired by Solpoll 1 Prime Time, it was knocked down to Valerie McCrea from Stewartstown for use on suckler cows at 3,000gns. Taking the second top price was first time sale exhibitor Jonah Laughlin with his 19 month old entry Mountober 1 Powerful. Sired by Graceland 1 Giovanni, it sold at 2,000gns to G McHahan, Dungannon. Colin McCord sold the youngest bull

December - Solpoll 1 Show Time

forward, the 17 month old Ballycrune 1 Solomon. This Graceland 1 Michael son sold for 1,900gns to Edward Robinson, Dungannon and is the

second Hereford bull added to his dairy herd this season. Average: 6 bulls, £2,415

212 | FEATURE

SOLPOLL   SOLPOLL SOLPOLL

EST. 1953

Promoter 

 



FirstEST. calf1953 Spark sold to EST. 1953   Progressive Genetics Promoter Promoter  Promoter   Outcross pedigree   calf Spark sold First First calf Spark sold to First calf Spark sold to to  Easy calving on heife Progressive Genetics  Progressive Genetics Progressive Genetics   pedigree First crop of sons now Outcross Outcross pedigree Outcross pedigree   Easy for sale calving heifers Easycalving calving on heifers  Easy onon heifers   crop sons now First Firstcrop cropofof ofsons sons now First now for   for forsale sale sale        

   Our stockbull team, homozygous polled, clean middled and easy fleshed Our stockbull team, homozygous polled, clean middled and easy fleshed Our stockbull team, homozygous polled, clean middled and easy ﬂeshed Our stockbull team, homozygous polled, clean middled and easy fleshed Our stockbull team, homozygous polled, clean middled and easy fleshed

Herberry 1 He

Herberry Herbert Herberry He Herberry He Herberry 1111He His full sister stood

His fullsister sisterstood stood His full sister stood His full sister stood His full Female Champion Female Champion Female Champion Female Champion Female Champion Tullamore 2018 with Tullamore 2018 with Tullamore 2018 with Tullamore 2018for with Tullamore 2018 with another selling for another selling   another selling for   another selling for another selling for 7000gns atatDGS 2019 7000gns DGS 2019 7000gns DGS 2019 7000gnsatat atDGS DGS2019 2019  7000gns   First calves are very smart First calves are very   First calves are very   First calves are very First calves are very   and correct smart andcorrect correct   smart and smart and correct  smart and correct               



     Thanks and best wishes to all our customers for cattle, semen & embryos this year  Thanks and best wishes toall allall our customers for cattle, semen& &embryos embryosthis this year Thanks and best wishes to our customers & embryos this year Thanks and best wishes to our customersfor forcattle, cattle, semen semen year 



Thanks and best wishes to all our customers for cattle, semen & embryos this yea

JOHN & WILLIAM MCMORDIE  JOHN &WILLIAM WILLIAM MCMORDIE JOHN & MCMORDIE JOHN & WILLIAM MCMORDIE  SOLITUDE, BALLYGOWAN, NEWTOWNARDS, CO.DOWN, N.IRELAND BT23 6NA

SOLITUDE,BALLYGOWAN, BALLYGOWAN,NEWTOWNARDS, NEWTOWNARDS,CO.DOWN, CO.DOWN,N.IRELAND N.IRELANDBT23 BT236NA 6NA  SOLITUDE, Tel: 028 97528222 John: 07866125959 William: 07891903243 SOLITUDE,Tel: BALLYGOWAN, NEWTOWNARDS, CO.DOWN, N.IRELAND BT23 6NA  Tel:028 02897528222 97528222 John: 07866125959 William: 07891903243    John: 07866125959 William: 07891903243 E-mail: johnmcm@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.solpollherefords.co.uk Tel: 028 97528222  John: 07866125959 William: 07891903243   E-mail:johnmcm@hotmail.co.uk johnmcm@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.solpollherefords.co.uk   Web:  E-mail: www.solpollherefords.co.uk

 E-mail: johnmcm@hotmail.co.uk 

 Web: www.solpollherefords.co.uk

  SOLPOLL SOLPOLL SOLPOLL

FEATURE | 213

  EST.EST. 19531953 EST. 1953

     70% of  females calving 2020-21 by Henry & 70%70% of our of our our females females calving calving 2020-21 2020-21 are are sired are sired sired by Henry by Henry & Upgrade. & Upgrade. Upgrade.  70% of our females calving 2020-21 are sired by Henry & Upgrade.   Henry times Sire theYear Year Upgrade current Sire theYear Year  Henry Henry 3 3times 3 times NINISire NI Sire ofofthe of the Year &&Upgrade & Upgrade current current NINISire NI Sire ofofthe of the Year  Henry 3 times NI Sire of the Year & Upgrade current NI Sire of the Year                   

 

True Gritby byHenry Henry TrueTrue True GritGrit Grit by Henry by Henry Soldfor for£13 £13000 000 toClipston Clipston Herd toto Herd SoldSold Sold for £13 for £13 000 000 to Clipston Clipston Herd Herd

Superduty by Upgrade Superduty Superduty by by Upgrade Superduty byUpgrade Upgrade Sold Hean Castle Estate Sold toHean Hean Castle Estate Sold Sold toto to Hean Castle Castle Estate Estate

Two 999month old bull calves for sale Spring 2021 Two ofofour our month old bull calves for sale Spring 2020 Two Two ofofour our 9 month month old old bull bull calves calves for sale for sale Spring Spring 2020 2020  

 

                              







 Top Gun Top Gun by by Perfection Perfection Trailblazer Trailblazerby byPromoter Promoter Top Top GunGun by Perfection by Perfection Trailblazer Trailblazer by Promoter by Promoter

  JOHN & WILLIAM MCMORDIE  JOHN & WILLIAM &NEWTOWNARDS, WILLIAM MCMORDIE MCMORDIE  SOLITUDE,JOHN BALLYGOWAN, CO.DOWN, N.IRELAND BT23 6NA   

SOLITUDE, SOLITUDE, BALLYGOWAN, BALLYGOWAN, NEWTOWNARDS, NEWTOWNARDS, CO.DOWN, CO.DOWN, N.IRELAND N.IRELAND BT23BT23 6NA6NA Tel: 028 97528222 John: William: 07891903243      07866125959  E-mail: johnmcm@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.solpollherefords.co.uk Tel: 028 Tel: 97528222 028 97528222John: John: 07866125959 William: William: 07891903243 07891903243   07866125959  E-mail: E-mail: johnmcm@hotmail.co.uk johnmcm@hotmail.co.uk Web:Web: www.solpollherefords.co.uk www.solpollherefords.co.uk

214 | FEATURE

Half a century of breeding With over 50 years of pedigree breeding under his belt, Cecil Beatty has a love affair with Hereford cattle which has continued down through generations of his family. Over the past half century, Cecil Beatty, Castletown, Co Tyrone has witnessed many changes in the cattle breeding world; the

introduction of continental breeds being one of them. But as he is keen to point out, the qualities which made Hereford cattle so popular when he started out on his pedigree career remain very much in play today. Cecil comments: “I attended my first pedigree bull sale at Balmoral in 1971. A total of 247 Herefords were entered for the event. The other breeds represented were Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorn and there was not a single continental animal catalogued that day.” Hereford cattle have always been

The Castlepoll herd is currently made up of 21 females

renowned for their ability to produce high quality beef. In addition they are very docile and can be finished very easily off grass and forage. Hereford bulls will always breed stamp their progeny and this ability adds to their saleability as breeding animals. Cecil says: “The various Hereford beef schemes are having a beneficial impact at consumer level but they are also helping to deliver better prices for pedigree breeders as well as cattle finishers.” His first pedigree heifer privately in 1969 from local breeder, George

FEATURE | 215

the needs of commercial suckler and dairy herdowners plus other pedigree breeders. “Currently, we are breeding for improved length, height, width, a level back and good feet. Good temperament and easy calving are other important attributes which we look for. We also want the cattle to be a good colour and well-marked.” Cecil’s first appearance at RUAS Balmoral Show was back in 1983 with young bull, Cumbria 1 Advance Will, which came third in its class and was the family’s new stock bull imported from mainland UK.

L-R Paul, Cecil, Donald and Charlie Beatty

Jamieson. Burnhill Maid was purchased for the princely sum of £37 and the following year, herd mate Burnhill Princess was purchased for £47. Prior to the purchase of the pedigrees, Cecil kept a few suckler cows, which supplemented the income he generated as a builder

silage areas according to our needs.

“The two pedigree heifers were the foundation stock on which my own Braemount herd was built,” he comments. “I transitioned to the name Castlepoll when the breeding focus switched to poll cattle.”

The current Castlepoll herd comprises seven cows, three in-calf heifers and 11 followers.

Cecil’s first bull sale at a Balmoral show and sale saw him receive 350gns (£368) for an animal placed third in its class. He adds: “Back then a new Mini cost £475, so the money for the bull represented a genuine payback on the investment I had made up to that point.” Cecil farms 20 hectares (50 acres), all of which is in one block. His son Donald has worked closely with him in developing the pedigree business over many years. “The farm has been in the family for generations,” Donald says. “It is all in grass and is split into grazing and

“The plan is to get as much growth from grazed grass and forage. We take one large cut of silage each year. All the forage is baled. We are very conscious our customers want to buy breeding stock which will perform well under commercial conditions.”

“We will be calving a total of 10 females in 2021 which will get underway at the end of January,” says Donald. “At one stage we had a total of 20 breeding females in the herd. However, we scaled back to allow us to manage the animals which were in the herd more effectively.” Breeding Hereford cattle which will perform well under commercial conditions is a priority for the entire Beatty family. Castlepoll cows and heifers calve between January and May. “The animals calve indoors but as soon as calves are sucking, they are put out into the fields with their mothers,” Donald explains. “Our focus has always been on breeding quality animals which meet

The Castlepoll prefix has been synonymous with quality breeding for many years. A highlight of Cecil’s showing career to date includes winning both the Hereford male and female championships at Balmoral Show in 2016 under the judgement of Michael Clark, Lowesmoor Herefords, Gloucestershire, and was very much a day enjoyed by all the family. Solpoll 1 Lone Ranger, bred by John and William McMordie, was the young bull in question while Tirelugan Lilly, bred by Cecil’s grandson Paul, was the winning heifer. “Lilly went on to win the overall Hereford championship at that year’s show,” Cecil explains. “We used Lone Ranger in the herd for three years. He was a tremendous young bull. Previously we had won the Hereford junior male championship at Balmoral in 2008 with Castlepoll 1 Bronco sired by stock bull Solpoll 1 Bronco. “We used the bull on the herd for a number of years and had great success with him,” he comments. “The difference between the stock bred then and those available now is immense. The modern Hereford is a much taller and stronger animal.”

216 | FEATURE

The most notable sale success for the Beatty family was notched up by the bull Castlepoll 1 Superstar in 2008 which was selected as the champion at that year’s Roscommon sale. “He was subsequently privately sold to Somerset breeder Marcus Lury of Castlewood Herefords, in a private deal. Marcus had previously seen him on farm with us while judging a Hereford herds competition. He made no secret of his liking for the animal and subsequently made a bid for him which was our best sale price to date. “The even better news is that Superstar was an exemplary breeding animal for Marcus over a number of years. “As a consequence, we take a very commercial approach to the way we manage the animals. Our reputation is everything. We have customers who keep coming back to us time after time. I think this reflects very positively on the quality of the stock we produce.”

So why did the Beatty family go down the road of poll Herefords? “Cattle which are naturally without horns are much easier to manage,” Donald explains. “There is a strong demand for poll bulls and pedigree breeding heifers in Northern Ireland at the present time.” From a breeding perspective, the Beatty family has used AI on occasions in the past, but never embryo transfer. “Artificial insemination has not worked overly well for us in the past,” Donald explains. “We prefer to use natural service. Showing is not a priority for us at the present time. We can sell all the breeding stock which is available from home. This approach allows buyers to see the herd they are buying from in its natural environment. “We won’t sell a young bull for under £2,000 at home. If we think an animal is not good enough, it will be culled.”

He continues: “All the animals are halter trained at weaning. This approach makes the management of the stock so much easier as they get older. “All calves are tested for BVD at birth, as part of mandatory disease eradication programme ongoing in Northern Ireland.” The current Castlepoll stock bull is Mountview 1 Hugo, bred by Co Antrim breeder Trevor Andrews who bought some of his foundation stock from the herd a number of years ago. “The bull is out of a cow bred by Appel 1 Curlie while his sire is Dorepoll 1 579 legacy. Hugo has tremendous height and scope. The first of his calves will be on the ground next January. We are very much looking forward to seeing them.” Cecil has enjoyed a tremendous degree of success with his Hereford cattle over the past five decades. But, at the same time, he has always strived to give something back to the breed and to promote its cause in a generic sense. He was honoured to judge the Hereford section at the 2007 Balmoral Show, which he describes as a day which will live long in my memory. Cecil has also judged at the Royal Highland Show. He served as chairman of the Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association (NIHBA) on nine occasions and was also president for three terms. What’s more, he has served as a NIHBA committee member for over 30 years.

The Castlepoll prefix has been synonymous with quality breeding for many years

He says: “We have hosted NIHBA barbecues on three occasions. I have always strived to be an ambassador for the Hereford breed as I believe it has so much to offer the farming industry here in Northern Ireland and beyond.

FEATURE | 217

“People want to eat quality beef: Hereford cattle meet this requirement in full. Increasingly, consumers also want to know the food they are eating has been produced in ways which actually benefit the environment. Again, Hereford cattle tick this box. The breed’s ability to make excellent use of grass makes it the perfect match for beef production systems in this part of the world and further afield.” Cecil is quick to pay tribute to all those other pedigree Hereford breeders who worked closely with him over many years. Chief among them was the late Sam Douglas, the owner of the Culnagrew herd, and the late George Jamieson, who his first stock was purchased from. Cecil comments: “Sam was a near neighbour and a tremendous friend. He was a source of great

support for me as a fellow Hereford breeder over many years. I have also worked closely with the McMordie family from Co Down, and used a number of their Solpoll bulls over the years.” Cecil is very appreciative of the help and support given to him by the members of his family, including son Donald, daughter Esther and grandson Paul. But he is totally indebted to the support he has always received from his wife Meta. He concludes: “Meta has always been a great help to me. Developing the herd has always been a family affair. It’s great to see son Donald and grandson Paul showing such an interest in the cattle. “And it looks likes the next generation of the Beatty family is showing an interest in Hereford

Farm facts • 20 hectares (50 acres) – all grass • Herd consists of seven cows, three in-calf heifers and 11 followers • Calving between January and May • One cut of silage, all baled • Emphasis on growth from grass and forage breeding. My great grandchildren live very close to me. They are always keen to get up to the farm in order to find out the latest about the cattle. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 51 years and I look forward to continuing to show at local shows and judging where invited.”

Sales 2021 Tuesday 9 February

Dungannon Farmers’ Mart

Friday 5 March

Borderway Mart, Carlisle

Saturday 10 April

Shrewsbury Auction Centre

Tuesday 20 April

Dungannon Farmers’ Mart

Saturday 9 October

Shrewsbury Auction Centre

Tuesday 7 December Dungannon Farmers’ Mart

herefordcattle.org

218 | ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Shaw shines in NI calf show United Feeds calf show 2020 took to the internet, where Alan Shaw took the female championship and William and John Burleigh led the males. March-born Intelagri 1 Lancombe Jag Lucy from Alan Shaw, Benburb, Co Tyrone took the female championship in the Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ United Feeds virtual calf show. Purchased at the Goulding Opportunity sale in October 2019, it is sired by Fisher 1 Jaguar J347 and out of Sky High 1 Lancombe Lucy which sold for 11,000gns at Designer Genes 2017. The show welcomed 40 entries and was judged by a panel of five judges from across the globe including PJ Budler, Texas; Stewart Robbie, New Zealand; John Appelbe, Co Cork; Helen Morgan, Wales and Alan Morrison, Co Fermanagh.

Female champion Intelagri 1 Lancômbe Jag Lucy

by John and William McMordie, Ballygowan, Co Down, Solpoll 1 Top Gun is the son of Solpoll 1 Perfection which stood champion and commanded the top price at the

Champion male came from the youngest class in the form of Benaughlin Fortune 2nd from William and John Burleigh, Kinawley, Co Fermanagh. Sired by stock bull Moyclare Norman purchased from the well renowned herd of Michael Molloy, Co Offaly, it is out of a homebred dam. The reserve male was the class winner of arguably the strongest class of bulls of the show. Bred

Male champion Benaughlin Fortune 2nd

Hereford spring show and sale 2019. Born in August 2019, its dam is from the renowned Starlet family. Following Shaw’s heifer through the

ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS | 219

Results Female champion, Alan Shaw, Intelagri 1 Lancombe Jag Lucy; reserve female champion, Shane Curry, Broughan Holly Male champion, William Burleigh, Benaughlin Fortune 2nd; reserve male champion, John and William McMordie, Solpoll 1 Top Gun Heifer born between 1 January and 31 August 2019, 1st, Alan Shaw, Intelagri Lancome Jag Lucy; 2nd, Lauren Curry, Broughan 1 Holly; 3rd, Nathaniel Shaw, Sessiagh 1 Skye

Reserve female champion Broughan Holly

class and into the reserve female champion spot was Broughan Holly from Shane Curry, Armagh. By Broughan Dyno, it is out of a homebred dam, sired by Grianan King Kong. Elsewhere in the female section, the autumn 2019-born heifer class was taken by John and William McMordie with Solpoll 1 Starlet T4. By Solpoll 1 Promoter, it is out of a home-bred Panmure 1 Henry daughter. Umgola Sabrina 3rd from Stephen Baxter, Armagh claimed the heifer born after 1 January 2020 class. April 2020-born, it is sired by Irish

bull, Mullaghdoo Henrik and out of Clouncagh Sabrina 2, which is also from the other side of the border. From the same home, the autumn 2019 bull class was won by Solpoll 1 Trailblazer and is another Solpoll 1 Promoter son and again out of a Panmure 1 Henry sired dam. Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association thanks its sponsor United Feeds for its continued support. Thanks also go to the judging panel for taking time to carry out their duties and to all who entered the competition.

Heifer born between 1 September and 31 December 2019, 1st, John and William McMordie, Solpoll 1 Starlet T4; 2nd, JE, RI and W Haire, Dorepoll 1 Classic Kim 672 Heifer born from 1 January 2020 onwards, 1st, Stephen Baxter, Umgola Sabrina 3rd; 2nd, Mark and Lawrence Moore, Annaghbeg 1 Holly; 3rd, Raymond and Stuart Pogue, Tullymore 1 Rebecca Bull born between 1 January and 31 August 2019, 1st, John and William McMordie, Solpoll 1 Top Gun; 2nd, Raymond and Stuart Pogue, Tullymore 1 Quigley; 3rd, Mark and Lawrence Moore, Annaghbeg Governor Bull born between 1 September and 31 December 2019, 1st, John and William McMordie, Solpol 1 Trailblazer; 2nd, David Wilson, Lisrace Lumberjack 30th

Reserve male champion Solpoll 1 Top Gun

Bull born from 1 January 2020 onwards, 1st, William Burleigh, Benaughlin Fortune 2nd; 2nd, Shane Curry, Broughan Ice; 3rd, Mark and Lawrence Moore, Annaghbeg Hero

220 | FEATURE

Corraback launches beef boxes For Co Fermanagh’s Richmond family, a beef box offering has tapped into a new income stream. Along the banks of the Shannon Erne canal in Co Fermanagh, the Corraback pedigree and commercial herds of Herefords can be found. Established in 1963 by Mervyn Richmond, the farm’s initial aim was to sell quality pedigree breeding bulls and heifers to other breeders, while animals not meeting breeding requirements were sold through local auction marts. At the same time, the family butchered some of its animals for home consumption, but due to the quality of the product, the decision was made to sell Hereford Beef direct to the public in a venture led by Mervyn’s son Henry and partner Hayley. With this in mind, they launched Corraback Hereford Beef boxes in April 2020 seeing a gap in the market for consumers to buy their produce direct from a traceable, reliable source. Increasing customer convenience, purchasers can have their box delivered to their door with Corraback Herefords offering free local delivery within Co Fermanagh. The Hereford breed is the cattle of choice for this family farm due to its extreme docility, easy calving

Henry Richmond with partner Hayley and daughter Felicity

and management. They are bred to thrive in various climate extremes so in Fermanagh they won’t have many problems. The Hereford dam has excellent mothering ability, providing plenty of protection for their calves. The cattle are impressive forage to meat convertors, maturing early and with good growth weights while providing a high-quality carcase. Their placid nature produces beef that is first class and with natural marbling creates a succulent, tasty, melt in the mouth experience. The beef included in the Corraback beef boxes is tender and beautifully marbled, and will include roasting joints, steaks, mince and burgers and tomahawk steaks have recently been added. The feedback received has been a great boost and consumers are now more concerned about their food’s provenance and quality. Equally, consumers’ carbon footprint concerns can be addressed by

purchasing local meat with low food miles. The Richmond family has a passion for raising the herd on the most natural feed - grass. The cattle are free to roam the lush green pastures within their farm, grazing among the beautiful Lakelands of Co Fermanagh, guaranteeing natural, healthy, delicious beef. In the show ring, the herd is wellregarded, gaining numerous championship awards over the years, most notably at Balmoral Show in 2019 achieving supreme Hereford champion with Corraback Cherry 10th. The family prides itself on producing the highest quality cattle and hopes to continue this line of success over the coming years. Showing cattle is a true passion of Henry and his family which goes hand-in-hand and maintains the quality of their herd and helps to safeguard the breed’s type.

FEATURE | 221

'A natural choice"

ICHMOUN Poll Herefords �2()08

Richmount 1 Rockafella : NIHBA Bull of the Year 2019/20

James & Bradley Graham

Carrick Hill, 42 Richmount Road, Portadown, Co. Armagh, BT62 4JQ Tel: 07984458007 Email: richmountherefords@gmail.com

Bulls and Females usually for sale

222â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; SOCIETY NEWS

Champions bygone For many members and friends of the society, a void was left in 2020 without any shows to attend. Without the usual show pages in this journal, we look back at some of the Royal Show champions of the past.

1880 - Grateful

1890 - Rare Souvereign

1900 - Protector

1910 - Sailor Prince

1920 - Resolute

1930 - Free Town Admiral

SOCIETY NEWS | 223

1950 - Vern Boxer

1960 - Vern Leopold

1970 - Zone Universe

1980 - Westwood Postman

1990 - Louada S56 Voyageur 105W

2000 - Bosa 1 Punch

Hereford Cattle Society hopes for a more active show season in 2021 2009 - Kinglee 1 Dakota

224 | OVERSEAS

UK exports continue Among breeders shipping cattle from UK shores in 2020 were Philip and Laura Vincent, Pulham Market, Norfolk who sent three heifers to France. These included Pulham 1 Dawn 3rd which went to Jean-Francois Protheau, Pulham 1 Stockton received by Justine Laraud and Pulham Saturn, purchased by Stephane Sourtet. As ever, there was a strong trade with the Republic of Ireland. This included cattle from John and William McMordie’s Co Down-based Solpoll herd, with Solpoll 1 Starlet S4 purchased by R McNevin, Co Galway while bulls Solpoll 1 Sonic and Solpoll 1 Spark were consigned to National Cattle Breeding Centre, Co Meath. Netherhall 1 Daffy 22 S059 from David and Maggie Kelly, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria travelled to BOVA AI Brittas, Co Limerick. From Anthony Spooner, Leek, Staffordshire, Dieulacresse Royalist was purchased by J O’Connor, Co Limerick. Joining its new home were female Humber Cherry 11th from RJ Thomas, Leominster, Herefordshire and bull Risbury Sovereign from Robert and Diane Thomas, Leominster.

Pulham 1 Stockton

of Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks KS R12 from Tom and Di Harrison, Mickley, Northumberland to JM Jensen, Denmark. Travelling distance and heading to Agrigene, Australia were 300 straws of Laxfield Jefferson from DC Smith and son, Talog, Carmarthenshire. Still a popular sire, 100 straws of Normanton 1 Laertes semen from Genus were sent to Progresgen SRO, Czech Republic. Cogent shipped five straws of Netherhall 1 Jack P602 to GD Genes Diffusion GMBH, Germany.

Rempstone 1 Bertha N500 from M Ludgate, Thame, Oxfordshire also crossed the Irish Sea, to M Darmody, Co Limerick. Burmill 1 Dowager 21 from Robert Allcock, Shrewsbury, Shropshire joined A Sweetman, Co Tipperary who also purchased Romany 1 Dawn BL S36 from JRB Wilson and sons, Kelso, Scottish Borders. Mullin 1 Roderick R1167 from Des Kelly, Ballygawley, Co Tyrone crossed the border to E Humphreys, Co Monaghan. Semen exports included 51 straws

Solpoll 1 Starlet S4

There was also good trade with Ireland on semen, with AI Services NI sending 550 straws from Lisrace Lackey Boy and Brookfield 1 Romeo to Eurogene AI Services, Co Tipperary. National Cattle Breeding Centre, Co Meath received 100 straws of Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks KS R12 and 21 straws of Panmure 1 Nugget from L and L Bowen, Nelson, Glamorgan. Ray Hunt and Veronica Brennan, Co Tipperary purchased 11 straws of Solpoll 1 Promoter.

OVERSEAS | 225

Associations and clubs around the world World Hereford Council – Secretary General: Larry Feeney Email: irishhereford@gmail.com Website: www.herefords.com

Member countries American Hereford Association

Box 014059, 1501 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Missouri 64108-1222, Mr Jack Ward, Exec. VP. Tel: 1 816 842-3757 Fax: 1 816 842-6931 Email: aha@hereford.org Web: www.hereford.org

Asociacion Argentina Criadores de Hereford Manuel Obarrio 2948, C1425CQB, Buenos Aires, Argentina Executive Director Tel: 54-11-4802-1019 Fax: 54-11-4802-1019 Email: info@hereford.org.ar Web: www.hereford.org.ar

Herefords Australia Ltd.

16 Uralla Road, Locked Bag 7, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia Andrew Donoghue, General Manager Tel: 61-2-6772-1399 Fax: 61-2-6772-1615 Email: info@herefordsaustralia.com.au Web: www.herefordsaustralia.com.au

Associacao Brasileira de Hereford Av. General Osorio 1094, CX Postal 483, Bage - RS - Brasil Fernando Lopa, President Tel: 55-53-32419164 Fax: 55-53-32421332 Email: hereford@braford.com.br Web: www.hereford.com.br

Canadian Hereford Association 5160 Skyline Way N.E., Calgary. Alberta, Canada,T2E 6Vl Mr Stephen Scott Executive Director Tel: 1-403-275-2662 Fax: 1-403-295-1333 Email: gm@hereford.ca Web: www.hereford.ca

Denmark Hereford Association

Skibstedgaard, Kammergårdsvej 30, 7760 Hurup Thy Mr Knud Erichsen, chairman Tel: 45 41132761 Email: hereford@hereford.dk Web: www.hereford.dk

Dutch Hereford Society

Dutch Hereford Society, Zonnenbergen 12, 8111 TC Heeten, Holland. Mr E. Kluinsteker, Secretary, Tel: 06-50965958 E-mail: e.kluinsteker@planet.nl

Animal Breeders Association of Estonia 79005, Keava, Rapla County, Estonia General Manager: Tanel Bulitko Tel: 372-4873-181 Fax: 372-4890-680 Lahte, Voibla K, 60540, Estonia Hereford Director: Mr Aigar Suurmaa Tel: 372-742-1575 Fax: 372-742-2879

Finnish Hereford Society

Aro-Tannerin tila, Nevankuja 115, FIN- 64720 Perälä, Finland Mr Jyri Tanner, President, Tel: +358-6-266 9212 Fax: +358-6-266 9445 E-mail: jyri.tanner@hereford.fi Web: www.hereford.fi/tanner

German Hereford Association

Am Jugendheim 8, 30900 Wedemark, Germany Mr Carsten Schmidt, Managing Director Tel: 49 5130 925021 Fax: 49 5130 925023 Email: info@hereford-deutschland.de Web: www.hereford-germany.de

Hereford Cattle Society (UK)

Hereford House, 3 Offa Street, Hereford, HR1 2LL, England, UK. Mr David Deakin, Secretary Tel: 44-1-432-272057 Email: postroom@herefordcattle.org Web: www.herefordcattle.org

Hungarian Hereford Association

H-7400 Kaposvar, Denesmajor 2, Hungary Dr Istvan Marton, General Manager Tel: 36-82-316-610 Fax: 36-82-510-046 Email: Hereford@axelero.hu

Irish Hereford Breed Society

Harbour Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland Mr Larry Feeney, Secretary Tel: 353-44-9348855 Fax: 353-44-9348949 Email: irishhereford@gmail.com Web: www.irishhereford.com

Kazakhstan Republican Chamber of Hereford Breed Dostyk apt. 30, Street 12, Astana City, 010000 Kazakhstan Chief Manager: Kairova Aida 87019478105 Manager: Lyazzat 87056139536 Phone/fax: + 7 7172 28 44 26 Email: Hereford_kazakhstan@mail.ru

New Zealand Hereford Association Hereford House, Box 503, Feilding, 4704, New Zealand General Manager: Posy Moody Tel: 64-6-323-4484 Fax: 64-6-323-3878 Email: manager@herefords.co.nz Web: www.herefords.co.nz

Norwegian Hereford Association Postboks 4211, 2307 Hamar, Norway Mr Øyvind Utgarden, Chairman Tel: 47 9488 7711 Email: oyvind-u@online.no

South African Hereford Breeders' Society PO. Box 20165, Willows, BFN 9320, South Africa. Web: www.studbook.co.za/society/ hereford Contact: Liezel Grobler Phone: 051 410 0958 Fax: 086 218 8246 E-mail: liezel@studbook.co.za Promotions: Lizette Vermaak Phone: 082 412 2868 Email: Herefords@vodamail.co.za

Swedish Hereford Association

Slättåkra Bårarp 314, 31391 Oskarström, Sweden Magnus Johansson, Chairman Tel: 46 35 69153 Web: www.hereford.nu

Switzerland Hereford Association

IG Swiss Hereford, Interessengemeinschaft Gruben 448, 9103 Schwellbrunn, Switzerland Hans Baumann, Secretary Email: h_baum@bluewin.ch Web: www.swisshereford.ch

Sociedad Criadores de Hereford del Uruguay Mercedes 855 Esc. 605, CP 11.100, Montevideo, Uruguay. www.hereford.org.uy Mr Javier Aznárez Elorza, Secretary, Email: info@hereford.org.uy Phone: 598-2-9087-579 Fax: 598-2-9087-579

Non-member countries Asociacion de Criadores de Hereford de Chile Casilla (PO. Box) 703, Osorno, Chile Mr Fernando Schuck, R, President Tel: 56-64-234388 Fax: 56-64-238408 Email: fschuck@surnetlibre.cl

Czech Republic Hereford Association

Osík 201 Osík u Litomysle 569 67, Czech Republic Mr Jan Kopecký E-mail: kopecky@cschms.cz Web: www.cschms.cz

Association Hereford France

10 Rue de la Fontaine 54170 BAGNEUX, France Pascal BASTIEN, Chairman Jean-François PROTHEAU, International Relations Tel: 00 33 383 528 109 Mobile: 00 33 615 177 610 E-Mail: pascal.bastien@orange.fr Mobile: 00 33 614 037 229 E.Mail: jfprotheau@yahoo.fr Web: www.hereford -france.com

Mexican Hereford Association

Bosque de Yuriria 2701-2, Fracc. Sicomoros, Chihuahua, Chih. 31260, Mexico. Octavio Bermudez, President Tel: 52-410-7493

Hereford Association of Namibia P.O.Box 11172 Klein Windhoek Namibia Web: www.hereford-namibia.com President: Mr Harro Kebbel Club Secretary: Mrs Almut Gruhn Telephone : + 264 62 503727 Email: otongovi@iway.na Marketing & Promotions: Mrs Kate Düvel Telephone: + 264 62 56 0004 Mobile : + 264 (0) 81 124 4652 Email: kate.kurt@afol.com.na

Paraguay Hereford Association

Oficina de Registro Genealogico de la Asociación Rural del Paraguay Ing. Carlos Pedretti Ruta Transchaco Km. 14 ½ Mariano Roque Alonso, Asunción, Paraguay Phone: 011-595-21-754412 E-mail: secretaria@orzarp.org.py

Herd Book Society of Zambia

Hereford Breed Section, PO. Box 50146, Lusaka 15101, Zambia

The Polish Association of Beef Cattle

Breeders and Producers, Ul. Rakowiecka 32, 02 – 532 Warszawa, Poland Tel: 48 22 849 19 10 Fax: 48 22 849 32 32 Email: bydlo@bydlo.com.pl Web: www.bydlo.com.pl

Zimbabwe Hereford Society

PO. Box FM80, Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Mr Phil Rogers, Chairman Tel: 263 9885588 Fax: 263 974 839 Email: 322700@ecoweb.o.zw

226 | OVERSEAS

Irish secretary goes global The Irish Hereford Breed Society is more appreciative than ever to have been able to attend the World Hereford Conference 2020 in Queenstown New Zealand last March. A major part of this conference was the young breeders’ competition and Team Ireland was represented by Eoin Lynch (team leader), Sinead Conry, Michael Barrett and Katie Brady. A major element of the World Hereford Conference is the meeting of the World Hereford Council. Here, global matters are discussed and the incoming secretary general elected, which this term is the Irish Hereford Breed Society’s very own

Irish youth team. L-R Eoin Lynch, Katie Brady, Sinead Conry and Michael Barrett

Photo competition Due to the cancellation of all of the summer shows in Ireland in 2020, the Irish Society teamed up with Irish Hereford Prime to run a photo competition and give breeders the opportunity to get their stock dolled up. The competition was a huge success and the public got involved to choose the winners. The overall winner was Aidan Wrynne of Sratrisaun Herefords, Leitrim with his photo entitled ‘hair of the dog’. A calendar was compiled of the category winning photographs, with all proceeds being donated to the Hooves for Hospice programme. More information on the charity and how to purchase a calendar is available 'Hair of the dog', winner of the photo competition at www.irishereford.com.

OVERSEAS | 227

Larry Feeney, replacing Jose (Pepe) Bonico from Uruguay. The Irish Society is delighted with Larry’s new post and looks forward to future global developments.

Premier autumn Hereford sale The society was fortunate to be able to hold a semi-normal premier autumn sale with just 30 buyers allowed around the sale ring but with no show permitted. The sale was also held online which is a new phenomenon to Hereford pedigree sales. The sale went quite well considering Covid-19 restrictions, the spike in positive cases in Ireland at that time and the time of year in general. The Tullaha herd of the late John Neenan who passed away so suddenly and unexpectedly almost a year ago provided the day’s top price of €4,600. Tullaha Donny selected to represent the herd at last year’s National Calf Show by John himself missed out on that event due to John’s untimely death. The herd, now in the hands of daughter Maura and her husband Tommy, made no mistake in the preparation for the premier sale. This five-star son of Rossmore Nelson Mandela, out of the home-bred Tullaha Stephanie, opened a spirited bidding match until the hammer dropped. This fine bull has moved onto new pastures in neighbouring Tipperary.

National Irish Hereford Calf Show goes virtual The North Leinster Hereford Branch, in conjunction with the Irish Hereford Breed Society and Irish Hereford Prime, ran a very successful virtual calf show this year. The event was the first of its kind for the society

Tullaha Donny at the premier autumn sale

and was very well supported. The society was delighted to have three talented judges on board in the form of Robin Irvine, Nigel Owens and Adam Woods, who took on the tough task of judging some very large classes through photograph only. Commenting on the quality of

the stock, Nigel Owens said: “The animals were a credit to the breeders and some of the classes proved very hard to select a winner. " All three judges executed the task flawlessly which was no easy feat with large entries and are owed great thanks and appreciation.

Class winners Heifer born on or between 1 July and 30 September 2019, Grianan Orange U 877 Heifer born on or between 1 October and 31 December 2019, Grianan Orange U894

Bull born on or between 1 January and 31 March 2020, Hillock Basil Bull calf of the future born on or after 1 April 2020, Clondrina Poll 1 1327

Heifer born on or between 1 January and 31 March 2020, Keenaghpoll 1 Rocket Roxie

Dairy beef index (pedigree genotyped bull born on or between 1 July and 31 December 2019), Moyclare Sam

Heifer calf of the future born from 1 April 2020 onwards, Clonroe Imogen

Commercial Hereford sired calf, male or female, born in 2020, Roxy

Bull born on or between 1 July and 30 September 2019, Moyclare Sam

Hereford/Hereford cross replacement heifer of the future (Hereford sired female born on or between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020), Petra

Bull born on or between 1 October and 31 December 2019, Rathregan Bonanza

228â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;OVERSEAS

Herefords thrive in Irish project Re-produced by kind permission of

been set for the steers.

Irish Farmers Journal

To date, 64 animals have been

Sixty four cattle have been slaughtered off grass on the Irish Farmers Journal Thrive demo farm to date. Declan Marren looks at the slaughter performance.

slaughtered off grass this back

The Thrive programme aims to demonstrate best practice for dairy calf-to-beef systems through the use of higher-genetic merit AI-sired beef calves, combined with a high level of technical efficiency in terms of nutrition and animal health. The Irish Farmers Journal Thrive demonstration farm, located on the farm of John Hally in Cashel, Co Tipperary, sees 140 calves reared each year and brought through to slaughter at between 18 and 21 months of age. The aim on the farm is to draft as many animals off grass at the end of the second grazing season as possible, in order to eliminate what can be a costly indoor winter finishing period. Currently, 2019born stock are being drafted for slaughter. The target for the heifers is to achieve an average carcase weight of 275kg at 19 months, while a target of 300kg at the same age has

end. However, the majority of the remaining animals have now been housed for a short finishing period. Table 1 outlines the slaughter

performance of the animals drafted so far from the farm. While the project is more focused on what individual sires can deliver rather than simply a breed average, with relatively small numbers slaughtered to-date it is too soon to draw any conclusions on individual sire performance.

Tips for finishing indoors The remainder of cattle will be finished out of the shed over the coming weeks. Housing stock and changing the diet is not ideal, as it takes the animal time to adjust to the new environment and nutrition. It can delay slaughter by a week to 10 days. In saying that, assessing the level of finish currently on stock, the majority of animals will be slaughtered in the next four to six weeks. They are currently on first-cut silage, which is 76 DMD, and meal feeding has been maintained at the same level as at grass for all stock apart from the British Blue steers, who have moved up to 5kg concentrate/day. Knowing the feed value of your silage is critical in order to know what level of supplementation is required to maintain performance. Get a representative sample of your silage analysed immediately if you have not yet done so.

Animals need a good environment to be able to thrive. When feeding meal, ensure you have sufficient head space for all stock so they can feed at the same time. Keep silage fresh and clean out old or stale feed at least twice a week. Access to fresh, clean water is critical, especially when feeding concentrates and dry silage. Monitor cattle drinking over the next few days to assess if your supply and infrastructure is satisfactory. If you see animals queueing up at the drinker, waiting for drinkers to fill or pushing each other out of the way to get access to the trough, then there is an issue. Finally, weigh and handle cattle regularly. Early-maturing dairycross animals especially can go over fat in a very short period of time. Regular handling and drafting of animals is important to avoid getting penalised for fat cover in the factory.

OVERSEAS | 229

Table 1: Slaughter performance of Thrive demo farm cattle drafted off grass

Heifers

Steers

Breed

No of animals

Age at slaughter (months)

Slaughter Wt (kg)

Carcase Wt (kg)

Killout %

Price Conforpaid Carcase mation Fat (€/kg) Value (€) score score

% of animals on farm drafted

ADG finishing period

Kg meal finishing

18.7

531

269

50.7%

3.78

1,018

79%

0.90

174

18.8

549

288

52.5%

3.79

1,090

O+

60%

1.17

199

19.0

532

272

51.1%

3.82

1,038

O+

79%

1.00

171

19.2

606

317

52.4%

3.78

1,199

O+

31%

0.91

235

18.6

579

313

54.2%

3.76

1,178

R-

23%

0.90

247

19.0

606

316

52.2%

3.74

1,182

O+

64%

1.04

233

What is interesting to note is that although there are 14 British Blue heifers and 17 British Blue steers on the farm, none have been drafted for slaughter as of yet. Compared to almost 80 per cent of the Hereford and Angus heifers and 60 per cent of Limousin heifers drafted off grass, it does indicate that the British Blue-sired animals are not suited to a grass-based finishing system at such a young age. When we look at the steers, 0 per cent of British Blue, just 23 per cent of the Limousins, 31 per cent of Angus and an impressive 64 per cent of Herefords have been drafted for slaughter off grass. In fact, the Blue steers were that far away from being drafted off grass, they were housed earlier than the rest of the cattle to try to get them finished. We are paying around €100/head (£90/head) more for British Blues as calves, compared to Hereford and Angus-sired calves. This means to overcome the higher purchase price and greater finishing costs, they will need to achieve a much heavier carcase weight.

Finishing period Meal was introduced to finishing stock at grass from 1 August. However, only heifers over 470kg (37 animals) and steers over 490kg (43 animals) had meal introduced at this

stage. The rest started meal feeding on 9 September. A simple four-way mix of barley, maize, soya hulls and distillers has been used this year. The ration has an energy value of 0.95 UFL (1kg of air-dried barley has a UFL of 1) and is 12 per cent protein. Energy is the main component we should focus on for a finishing ration, especially when finishing at pasture, as protein levels are more than plentiful in grass during autumn. Heifers have been offered 3kg/day, while steers were fed 4kg/day at grass. Looking at the breed averages, meal intake during the finishing period is lowest for the Hereford heifers at an average of 171kg, closely followed by the Angus heifers at 174kg, with the Limousin heifers averaging 199kg. The story is mirrored for the steers, with Hereford slightly lower than Angus (233kg and 235kg) and Limousin the higher at 247kg.

Carcase performance Looking at the heifers, the average slaughter weight has been greatest for Limousin heifers at 549kg, compared to 532kg and 531kg for Hereford and Angus heifers respectively. This, alongside a greater kill out percentage, results in a carcase weight of 288kg for the Limousin heifers - 19kg heavier than the Angus and 16kg heavier than the Hereford heifers. All heifers have been slaughtered at a base price of €3.65/kg (£3.29/ kg). In most cases, the full quality assurance payment of 20c/kg (18p/ kg) was paid, apart from a small number of cattle that graded 0- or 4+ where there is an 8c/kg (72p/ kg) deduction. When we take into account the Quality Price System (QPS) adjustment, based on the average carcase conformation grade and fat score, Angus heifers are back -16c/kg (-14p/kg), Hereford are -13c/ kg (-12p/kg) and Limousin are -6c/ kg (-5p/kg). Also, both Hereford and

230 | OVERSEAS

Angus-sired cattle are receiving a 10c/kg (p/kg) breed bonus. This brought the average price/kg paid for heifers to €3.78 (£3.41) for Angus, €3.79 (£3.42) for Limousin and €3.82 (£3.45) for Hereford. This translates to a carcase value of €1,018 (£918) for Angus, €1,038 (£936) for Hereford and €1,090 (£983) for Limousin.

Steers Looking at the steers, the average carcase weight is quite similar across the three breeds, with Limousin at 313kg, Hereford at 316kg and Angus at 317kg. It is interesting to note that the Limousin cattle had the lowest liveweight by 27kg, however due to a higher killing out percentage, it resulted in just a 3kg and 4kg lighter average carcase weight compared to Hereford and Angus steers.

All the steers have been slaughtered at a base price of €3.60/kg (£3.25/kg). The Limousin steers also averaged a grade higher conformation at R- compared to O+ for the other two breeds.

Again, the breed bonus applied

All the steers have been slaughtered at a base price of €3.60/kg. The average adjustment to the QPS for Angus was -12c/kg, for Hereford -14c/kg and for Limousin -4c/kg.

(£3.41) for Angus, leaving an average

for Hereford and Angus cattle, resulting in an average price/kg of €3.74 (£3.37) for Hereford, €3.76 (£3.39) for Limousin and €3.78

carcase value of €1,182 (£1,066), €1,178 (£1,063) and €1,199 (£1,082) respectively.

Top Irish bulls UKbred The top three Hereford AI bulls used in Ireland in the first half of 2020 were all UK-bred and produced 957 calves between them.

Making up this top trio were Solpoll 1 Kentucky Kid and Solpoll 1 Handsome by John and William McMordie, Co Down and Fabb 1 Northern Star by DRA Fabb, Cambridgeshire, all owned by the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC). Such has been the success of these bulls, NCBC has purchased further UK-bred sires in the last year from the Solpoll, Netherhall, Barwise and Fisher herds.

Fabb 1 Northern Star

OVERSEAS | 231

Norwegians hold heifer sale A successful heifer sale was held by the Norwegian Hereford Association Even though Norway was locked down in 2020, the major Hereford event of the year was the auction of 20 heifers with top embryos from Canada in September. Within the regulations, many buyers attended the auction near Hamar with bidders also on the telephone. The Norwegian embryo project is one of the ways used to add new genetics to the Norwegian Hereford population. Canadian genetics were opted for as breeders feel the North Americans have focused on producing functional animals of more moderate size with milk and maternal characteristics. The best combination embryos were sold for £5,700 and an average price of £4,100, and the association was very pleased with the auction. The Norwegian Hereford Association has been running the embryo project for two years and in the spring of 2021, the first results will be seen. It is hoped some of the beef calves at Staur, the Norwegian test station for young bull calves, will later be selected for artificial insemination. The Hereford auction in September was the only physical event TYR (Norwegian Beef Cattle Association) arranged in 2020.

Norwegian Hereford Association photo of the year 2020

The best bull at Staur in 2020 was test winner N 71120 Ohaha PP of Birkeli, sired by USA 43641486 SCC 755T Mahogany C501. It is a bull with high roughage intake and good growth. It has great conformation with good muscle density to provide easy calving processes, good production and good breed characteristics. The association looks forward to following the young bull in further breeding work. The Norwegian Hereford Association

is also working to get its own brand of Hereford steak and is dealing with a large retail chain. Norway is largely grassland and with the Hereford, good quality meat can be produced from grass. Every year, the association has a photo competition and this year’s winner shows Hereford on pasture. The 2020 photo of the year was taken by our secretary Knut Erik Paulsen, who keeps 30 cows in the south of Norway.

232â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;OVERSEAS

Demand for Danish breeding still strong The Hereford year of 2020 started with very high expectations, with the World Hereford Conference in New Zealand welcoming a Danish delegation of 19 members. It was an absolutely fantastic event, set in beautiful country, where many new experiences awaited delegates. The association would like to thank those who hosted the visits and the many Hereford colleagues in New Zealand for their welcoming hospitality. The conference will be remembered for its high technical level, which will definitely give inspiration to future work. The association also expresses its positive expectations for its future cooperation with the new secretary general, Larry Feeney. However, happiness can be short lived, and it was. Unfortunately, the last part of the conference was ruined by the Covid-19 situation and almost all the Danish delegation was called home. Since then, Danish government has not allowed any large events. All the shows have been cancelled

Danish-bred bull, Venture 70X Online 273U

along with other events and the association says it is not really any comfort knowing they share the same fate as many other countries. At the same time, the Danish lockdown meant a considerable reduction in the consumption of quality meat products leading to a considerable drop in meat prices. Denmark has managed to develop the Hereford breed to such a high standard that Danish Herefords are among the best internationally. This position has led to significant exports to many countries in Europe, for example the UK, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Russia and Herefords are far the most exported breed in Denmark.

The Danish consumers are closely watching the international debate on CO2 emission reduction with farming and cattle production very much in focus. Although, consumption of beef is under fire, the effect of the criticism surrounding CO2 emissions is that Danish farmers are removing land from food production by taking it out of cultivation to create natural areas, where biodiversity is the key word. Herefords have a great advantage here which has led to an increase in demand for the breed. Finally, the Danish Hereford Association would like to thank the UK Hereford Cattle Society for its constructive cooperation throughout the past year.

OVERSEAS | 233

234 | OVERSEAS

Hereford still popular in Uruguay Covid-19 brought uncertainties to the Uruguayan beef industry, new markets have developed. Covid-19 arrived in Uruguay in March 2020, as delegates returned from New Zealand after enjoying the World Hereford Conference in Queenstown. This brought many uncertainties to all as well as the Uruguayan beef supply chain. Beef is the main Uruguayan export product, with 75 to 80 per cent of the nation’s production going to foreign markets. Uruguay has 3.5 million inhabitants but more than 12

Grand poll champion bull from La Hormiga, Enrique Olhegui

million head of cattle. International beef trade was depressed in 2020 and beef exports were down 11.5 per cent.

Table 1 – Pedigree registrations

Pedigree registrations

2017

2018

2019

2020

9,882

9,557

9,387

9,779

Table 2 – National bull sales

2017

2018

2019

2020

Hereford (US$/head)

2,818

2,727

3,354

2,996

National average (US$/head)

2,770

2,622

3,229

2,880

Hereford bulls as % of all breeds

Table 3 – Kiyú bull sale

2017

2018

2019

2020

Average bull price (US$/head)

3,857

4,041

3,840

4,038

Top price (US$/head)

8,400

12,120

7,200

15,000

Nevertheless, the association says it was fortunate its main cattle show, the Prado Show, could take place while Palermo Show in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Esteio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, were forced to be suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions. Hereford registrations remain constant through the year, with little variations from previous years due mainly to the weather. Bull sale averages were down in 2020, but Hereford bulls sold to the highest average price compared to all other breeds, as usual. The market share seems to be getting smaller each year and therefore it could be argued if Hereford breeders should sell bulls at a lower price. The Kiyú sale of Hereford bulls tested for residual feed intake sold

OVERSEAS | 235

first, followed by pasture-fed bulls. The sale was a real success with the highest top price of any breed coming from pasture-fed Hereford bulls. A new exciting market has been developed for both pedigree and commercial Hereford breeders as China is demanding young females for future breeding. During 2020, 12,000 heifers were bought for this new market. Some of them have already been shipped and others will leave the country soon. It is expected that 15,000 more heifers will be sold to this new market during 2021, invigorating the demand for Hereford females and making a positive effect on the Uruguayan cattle trade. The Sociedad Criadores de Hereford del Uruguay, with more than 375 members, is responsible for promoting the breed. However marketing is not enough, and science has a main role to play. Genetic evaluations are a key factor in this process and Herefords are leaders within Uruguay, working together with INIA, the National Research Institute, to develop EBVs. From here, the association

Table 4 – Performance data

2017

2018

2019

Total

Total births

10,779

10,417

10,491

411,537

Birth weights

8,868

8,916

8,952

205,379

Calving ease direct

8,876

8,954

8,257

127,251

Weaning weights

8,823

8,991

8,956

320,212

18 month old weights

7,163

6,968

254,795

Rib eye area

6,475

6,310

133,520

Back fat cover

6,474

6,295

133,434

Grand horned champion bull from La Elisa, Walter C Romay at Prado show

will then work with other members counties of Pan American Cattle Evaluation including Argentina,

Canada and the United States, providing a single evaluation to the four countries, purely for the Hereford breed. Every year, Uruguay contributes performance data to this programme as well as genotypes. After each yearly evaluation is performed, genetic values are provided to breeders along with commercial cattlemen. To simplify its use, EBVs are blended in different economic indices according to different production systems.

Grand female champion from La Elisa, Walter C Romay at Prado show

The Uruguayan association hopes 2021 will bring people together again. Meanwhile, they will continue producing the best beef worldwide thanks to our noble breed, the Hereford.

236 | OVERSEAS

France joins World Council At the 2020 World Hereford Conference France joined the World Council. In 2020 the French Hereford Association become a full member of the World Hereford Council at the World Hereford Conference held in New Zealand and will organise the European Hereford Conference in 2022 at Sommet de l’Elevage in Clermont Ferrand, Cournon d’Auvergne, central France. The programme will cover innovation, excellence and the French way of life. During 2020, the association has been phenotyping the herds from leader farms with the partnership of Neogen Europe, based in Scotland. They have joined the evaluation programme Ingenity Beef, and the 2019/2020 results classify the French herd as 6/10 compared to other countries, with good maternal quality and carcase, but room for improvement in growth traits. The French association is now striving to improve its national herd. At Sommet de l’Elevage 2019, members saw ultrasound scanning for fatness and marbling in a demonstration by French firm, IMV Control. The association is now working to develop the uptake of scanning on farms.

Normanton 1 Passionabull, bred by Tim and William Livesey before export to France

The National Hereford Show 2020 was held virtually and judged by Andrew Hughes from the UK, who is well-known for his professionalism and eternal smile. Andrew will join French breeders next year at Sommet de l’Elevage 2021 to judge the live show.

Bulls and heifers from the Romany

Covid-19 did not stop the import of high quality genetics from the UK.

Farmers exported to Rémy Julien,

herd owned by JRB Wilson and sons were received by J François Protheau while the Pulham herd of PRJ and LR Vincent sent animals to Justine Laraud, Stéphane Courtet and J François Protheau. The Reydon herd belonging to John Little based in Belgium.

Virtual show results Champion male, Normanton 1 Passionabull

Heifer, 1st Arnault Kubiaczyk,

Champion female, Reydon 1 Leonara

Protheau, Pulham 1 Dawn; 3rd

Bull, 1st Guillaume Deslandes, Normanton 1 Passionabull; 2nd Jean-François Protheau, Romany 1 Redeemer; 3rd Fabien Bernard, Poker

Peanuts; 2nd Jean-François Justine Laraud, Pin Up Cow with calf at-foot, 1st Rémy Julien, Reydon 1 Leonara; 2nd JeanFrançois Protheau, Mercurey; 3rd Rémy Julien, Reydon Jatleena,

OVERSEAS | 237

German Herefords represent in Berlin There was a strong display of the breed at the National Beef Cattle Show in Berlin. The year 2020 was a remarkable one. For the German Hereford Association, it started pretty normally in January with the National Beef Cattle Show in Berlin, held at the same time as the consumer exhibition, Green Week. In this show there were more than 300 beef cattle presented from seven different breeds. There were 36 Herefords entered, with a strong heifer class which was judged by PJ Budler from Texas, who was impressed by the quality of the German Hereford cattle on show. In the bull class, the victory went to the bull, Hans-Oluf, owned by Monika and Ulrich Spechtmeyer.

Hans-Oluf is a son of Vokslev Eik and also stood as national champion in 2016. In the cow class, the victory went to HKL Toni from Roland Klüber. This five year old cow is a daughter of Gordon Roost 1, and out of SHB Tante. Desiree from Thomas Wick won the heifer class and is a daughter of Dutin and out of HR Dona. In February, there was a sale which saw Hereford bulls average €2,400. In March a group of 13 German Hereford breeders embarked on a once in a lifetime trip to attend the World Hereford Conference in New Zealand. The attendees enjoyed the farm visits during the pre and posttours as well as the conference in Queenstown. It was a tremendous conference and thanks must go to the New Zealand Hereford Association and their breeders.

Hans-Oluf from Monika and Ulrich Spechtmeyer

The AGM and breeder meeting were held in the last weekend of August. Due to Covid-19, the association was unclear if it would take place, but a green light was received from the national authorities. A group of 50 breeders met at the farm of Susanne and Jens Stüven close to Cuxhaven in the north part of Lower Saxony. After a farm and herd visit, members travelled to the beach of the North Sea at Cuxhaven and had a guided walk of the Wadden Seaground. The association’s AGM was held the next day, where all the business took place, including reports and elections and the meeting closed with a report on the World Hereford Conference from chairman Monika Spechtmeyer. The rest of year saw every show cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions and so German breeders look forward to 2021 and hope we can get back to some sort of normal.

Desiree from Thomas Wick

238 | OVERSEAS

Canadians increase marketing Throughout the year, Canadian Hereford Association (CHA) members have tried to remain active and involved while usual events have been cancelled. Canada sent 12 members and staff to the World Hereford Conference in New Zealand in March 2020, and the association says it can’t speak highly enough of the success of the conference and tours. The CHA extends its sincere gratitude to the event organisers and the breeders who welcomed delegates to view their farming operations. In the spring of 2020, the CHA board began a fulsome strategic plan for the association and the breed’s position in the domestic, commercial market. The lockdown certainly has slowed the process, but they are moving forward and using the feedback from commercial cattle producers, feedlots, and the meatpacking sector to shape the direction of the breed in Canada. The aim is for the Hereford to remain a competitive beef breed option in Canada, and there is undoubtedly an opportunity for Herefords to grow market share in Canada. This strategic plan is far-reaching, focusing on increasing commercial engagement, addressing industry perceptions of the breed, and empowering members to fulfill a breed improvement strategy to position the breed in Canada as a vital component in the commercial

2020 Agribition Evolution Series supreme champion bull

cattle industry. The first steps of the strategic plan are being rolled out. The Canadian Hereford Digest has been redesigned, providing a fresh face for the industry and a new marketing campaign has been launched, with television advertisements, print advertising, and social media. The CHA encourages the international Hereford family to follow its activity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and subscribe to the Canadian Hereford Digest. Visit www.hereford. ca to find out how to subscribe. The Canadian Junior Hereford Association has been a pillar of the Hereford breed in Canada since the 1980s. This year marked the first time the National Junior Show could not be held, but that did not

stop the youth. The juniors quickly rallied and rolled out a virtual week of competitions, including art, judging, public speaking, marketing and four separate live cattle shows. Not inhibited by the cost of travel, hundreds of junior members entered the competition in one form or another. Virtual shows took the place of many traditional shows in 2020, and although the virtual events are not the same as live cattle shows, they helped fill the void. Canadian Western Agribition held a virtual show and although it did not attract the same high-volume number of cattle, the quality remained high. The Agribition Evolution Series champion Hereford bull and female were both bred and entered by Remitall West poll Herefords. These

OVERSEAS | 239

2021 Cattleman’s Congress (Oklahoma, USA) champion poll bull and supreme bull, Haroldson’s United 33D 36G

high-quality entries represented the breed against all the other breed champions in the virtual show and were selected as supreme bull and female of the Evolution Series.

Canadian Hereford genetics have had great success in the US market. The Canadian-bred bull, Haroldson’s United 33D 36G, was recently named grand champion polled

bull and selected as the supreme bull over all other breeds at the Cattleman’s Congress in Oklahoma, which took the place of the National Western Stock Show for 2021.

Dutch run successful virtual show In 2020, all calves were given a name beginning with the letter D. The Dutch Hereford Society is happy to still have a relatively stable 130 members, given the legislation surrounding keeping cattle in the Netherlands is getting stricter and more demanding every year. The association started the year with the appointment of two new enthusiastic board members. With this new team, the annual spring meeting, the general members meeting and autumn meeting were planned in a short space of time. It

promised to be an exciting year with some good activities lined-up.

a virtual show was organised,

Also the association appointed a new studbook inspector. After many years of service, Adrie van Gent is succeeded by Christiaan Heijink who will inspect Dutch Herefords from now on, initially with some help.

classes. Winners of each category

After looking forward to a wellplanned year ahead, everything changed and face-to-face meetings could not go ahead due to Covid-19. The annual show could not proceed in the normal way and therefore

who normally don’t get involved in a

attracting 88 Herefords across six were based on 50 per cent judges’ decision and 50 per cent by the membership. The virtual show was a great success with a lot of members participating normal year. Hopefully 2021 will become a year were everything is normal again and meetings can take place.

240 | OVERSEAS

US genetics march forward improvement and research. FY 2020 also marked the first recognition award year for the platinum TPR breeder recognition. From eight states, 13 breeders were recognised with the highest performance award available to members showing their commitment to going above and beyond collecting whole herd phenotypes and genotypes.

The American Hereford Association has had another busy year. The American Hereford Association (AHA) is capitalising on the documented strengths of Hereford genetics to provide new opportunities for cattle producers looking to improve their marketing and management. “As the US cow herd continues to improve in quality, the American Hereford Association is committed to providing more opportunities to market superior genetics,” says AHA executive vice president Jack Ward. “Our focus is to create the opportunity, genetics and the tools our members need to have to support improvement in the industry,” he says. Breeders have made vast strides in genetic improvement. For instance, since 2008 Hereford breeders have improved calving ease by 17 per cent, growth traits by 20 per cent, 86 per cent in ribeye area and 150 per cent in marbling. “It’s time for the industry to 'Come home to Hereford',” Jack says. “We have much to offer the commercial sector.”

Breed improvement The AHA continues to embrace technology to strengthen the core

Jack Ward

foundation of its genetic evaluation to provide the strongest breed improvement tools for its members and for the commercial cattle industry. Fiscal year (FY) 2020 marked a historic year within the area of breed improvement as whole herd total performance records (TPR™) celebrated 20 years of being the backbone of the AHA’s genetic evaluation. Through this robust programme, the AHA has collected a very precise and unbiased set of phenotypes to form and predicts an extremely accurate suite of expected progeny differences (EPDs). The AHA currently has more than 115,000 genotypes in its database, up 28 per cent from last FY. These genotypes aid in improving the accuracy of an animal’s EPDs. With this, the AHA upgraded to the high-density GGP 100K chip to continue to identify key genetic markers of interest for continued

The AHA’s national reference sire programme also celebrates 21 years. More than 420 bulls have been tested through this programme, building on the AHA’s strong inventory of birth-to-harvest phenotypes. Also, in FY 2020 AHA began a research project, collaborating with David Riley PhD, Texas A and M, and Dorian Garrick, PhD Massey University, New Zealand, to identify genetic markers to predict eye pigment. Previous research suggests markers may exist to assist in predicting an animal’s eye pigment. The AHA looks forward to gaining a better understanding of the genetic markers driving pigmentation in the Hereford breed. Reinitiated in 2019, the panAmerican cattle valuation (PACE) genetic evaluation was updated 6 July 2020. This global evaluation includes data from the US, Uruguay and Argentina and is updated on a yearly basis. Conducting a global evaluation like PACE speaks volumes to the technological advancements

OVERSEAS | 241

and the opportunities of extended commerce between all countries involved. The AHA is thankful for the great relationships with our PACE partners and we look forward to making genetic evaluation advancements in the future.

Focus on the female In FY 2020, the AHA added the marker effects model to incorporate the genomic information for sustained cow fertility (SCF), milk (M) and calving ease maternal (CEM) EPDs. This feat was accomplished because of a successful cow herd project that rounded up more than 10,000 female genotypes and the continued effort of breeders who have increased collecting female genotypes in their respective herds. Female genotypes accounted

for 57 per cent of the 25,000 genotypes collected in FY 2020. This is definitely a progressive trend by AHA breeders showing their investment in breed improvement. Adding the genomic component to SCF, M and CEM helps to accurately determine a sire’s maternal contributions earlier in its lifetime, as opposed to waiting for results until it has multiple daughters in production. In fact, genotyping a non-parent animal for M EPD alone provides the equivalent accuracy of a sire with 15 daughters already in production.

incorporates vaccination history, BQA certification and genetic verification components, as well as source and age verification. The Hereford Advantage is a vehicle to get information to buyers while giving producers using the best genetics and proper management techniques a voice in the marketplace.

Adding marketplace value

The programme’s genetic component requires a minimum of 50 per cent Hereford genetics, a bull battery ranking in the top 50 per cent of the breed for the CHB$(Certified Hereford Beef) profit index and transferred ownership.

In response to industry demands for cattle backed by documentation, the Hereford Advantage feeder cattle marketing programme now

“The requirements and components of this programme really help to add value to these cattle to gain confidence from buyers, and we’re

242 | OVERSEAS

Team USA at the young breeders' competition

excited to see this programme grow,” says Trey Befort, AHA director of commercial programmes.

Hereford Feedout programme To provide producers an opportunity to learn more about their genetic merit and to expand marketing avenues, the AHA has partnered with HRC Feed Yards, Scott City, Kansas, to offer the Hereford Feedout programme. Participants in this programme will have the ability to collect valuable carcase and performance data, while gaining first-hand experience in the cattle feeding industry. The information gained from this programme not only helps the participants to improve their genetic quality, but also helps to strengthen the AHA’s genetic evaluation and expected progeny difference accuracies. In

its first year, approximately 300 head, representing producers from eight states, were fed through the programme.

Feeder cattle marketing The AHA is now offering a unique opportunity for Hereford producers to access more marketing outlets for their feeder cattle through a partnership with S= Cattle Co, a cattle-buying business owned and operated by Nolan Stone and based in Eaton, Colorado. AHA field representatives will have the opportunity to locate and source Hereford-based feeder cattle to be marketed through Stone, with the aim to increase marketing avenues for commercial Hereford producers and drive additional value for the breed. Both parties will also help locate backgrounding opportunities for feeder cattle

and will work to organise locations across the country to pull small loads of cattle to get them weaned, vaccinated and sorted into marketable, uniform groups.

Come home to Hereford To mark the beginning of FY 2020, the AHA unveiled its new national advertising campaign, ‘Come home to Hereford’. The campaign’s goal is to promote the advantages of Hereford genetics in the marketplace supported through research showing the economic advantages of the breed.

Allied partners in education The AHA has partnered with industry-leading organisations to provide educational opportunities for members and cattle producers. These partnerships offer the latest

OVERSEAS | 243

information and tools to help operations develop strong animal health and genetic programmes. Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside of North America) has committed to a five year partnership with the AHA to educate cattle producers on the importance of animal health programmes in maximising cattle’s genetic potential. Through the partnership, Merck Animal Health will lead educational sessions at the AHA’s annual membership meeting and conference, as well as at the association’s in-person and online educational opportunities. Similarly, AHA members will now have expanded access to expertise from the Neogen Genomics team to make the best use of the rapidly evolving genomic tools available to them. Educational opportunities for producers will be available at inperson AHA sanctioned conferences and other meetings, as well as via online events and resources.

National Junior Hereford Association

of second place. A highlight was the team’s first place honours in the presentation module of the competition with a speech about bridging the gap between urban and rural populations. The team’s victory earned the opportunity to share their presentation with the 400 attendees at the World Hereford Conference. This global experience is sure to open doors for future networking opportunities with Hereford breeders and junior members from other countries.

Scholarship payouts soar to new heights The scholarship fund is the cornerstone of the HYFA and countless youth are the benefactors of the mission. Scholarship disbursements soared to a whole new level and as HYFA turned the page on FY 2020, scholarships made headlines with an impressive $225,000. This allowed junior members to further their education and to travel abroad and represent the US at the World Hereford Conference.

The future depends on today’s experiences and even amid social distancing guidelines and a global pandemic, Hereford youth continued to take advantage of scholarship and educational opportunities through the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) in 2020.

In addition to the travel scholarships, new in 2020 was the inaugural National Hereford Queen scholarship. This was made possible with a joint fundraising effort between the National Hereford Women and HYFA. Last fall, the first MGM/Merry Family Scholarship was awarded to a student pursuing a veterinary degree.

Young leadership takes global stage

Foundation female nears million-dollar mark

In March, six NJHA members took the journey of a lifetime and travelled to New Zealand to compete in the young breeders’ competition during the 2020 World Hereford Conference. Team USA brought home a third place overall finish, just two points shy

The Hereford breed is rich with history and the lot 1 foundation female that headlines the Mile High Night sale during the National Western Stock Show in Denver is one of HYFA’s long-standing traditions. In January, PCC New Mexico Lady 8170 sold for $70,000 to benefit HYFA.

The Certified Hereford Beef brand is continually growing

Mexico Lady was donated by Pérez Cattle Co, Nara Visa, New Mexico, and when the gavel fell for the last time, the female was purchased by Whitey and Weyman Hunt of Innisfail Farm, Madison, Georgia.

Certified Hereford Beef® brand The year 2020 marked the 25th anniversary of the Certified Hereford Beef® (CHB) brand. The CHB team is proud to celebrate a brand which continues to evolve and accommodate the demands of consumers worldwide. The Certified Hereford Beef Premium programme, introduced to the market in 2017, is currently the fastest growing CHB line with about 10 million pounds being distributed annually. The Premium programme is an upper two-thirds Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Choice and higher quality grade product line. The creation of this line catapulted the brand into the industry and allowed CHB to compete with top brands that dominate the current market.

244 | OVERSEAS

Busy 2020 for NZ Herefords NZ Herefords always knew it would have an incredible year hosting the Boehringer Ingelheim World Hereford Conference in 2020. NZ Herefords council, staff, Hereford Prime and breeders worked together to host 450 visitors from 18 countries at the 2020 World Hereford Conference. They enjoyed showing a large contingent of UK’s Hereford cattle breeders their country, cattle and hospitality. The organising team enjoyed every minute of the conference and tours, which started on 27 February, prior to any Covid-19 cases being identified in New Zealand. Unfortunately for all those who attended the conference, the dark cloud of Covid-19 hung over everyone immediately on leaving Queenstown. It is however, testimony to the breeders the way everyone stayed calm with staff and councillors when there was so much global alarm and fear. The association extends its thanks to UK breeders for travelling the distance to attend the conference and for their understanding, patience and support while the realisation of a global pandemic unfolded. Our aim for the World Hereford Conference was to ensure attendees had a message to take home to their

A traditional welcome to the conference

own business in any country. We interspersed conference sessions with farm visits which challenged us all with science and data, such as scanning animals for carcase traits and deciding what to do with the information. A day was also committed to focusing on the environment and soil quality, which was extremely thought provoking and topical. These important topics made us question what we should be doing for the breed to demonstrate its ability to help to protect the environment and the soils, while still delivering an outstanding product. It was undoubtedly the young breeders' competition which added energy, fun and reassurance that the Hereford breed will continue to prosper in the future. The competitors’ incredible knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm of the breed and farming was regularly commented on.

Like most countries, shortly after the conference, New Zealand went into lockdown which was just prior to the national sale. For the first time in many years this event was unable to be held. Studs with autumn bull sales quickly changed their plans and moved their sales to either an online or hybrid format with limited purchasers’ presence in-line with government restrictions. While Covid-19 marginally affected prices, it is believed the drought and reduced demand from processors due to enforced labour restrictions, had a greater effect. Most breeders were pleased to have clearance at their sales and were realistic 2020 would not be the year records were broken. Spring yearling bull sales were less affected with continued strong demand for yearling bulls with high calving ease, low birth weights and strong growth traits for finishers. During lockdown, the use of Zoom became the new medium

OVERSEASâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;245

of communication and the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s council utilised it to update the NZ Herefords strategic plan and also had a number of governance sessions. NZ Herefords, like UK Herefords, adopted a new brand and are further focusing on their hybrid vigour campaign, Hereford X, which markets the benefits of using a Hereford sire in the commercial beef and dairy sectors. While Hereford Prime has been hit hard by the high-end restaurant closures and the demise of the tourism industry, the association is extremely proud of the latest Beef and Lamb Genetics NZ progeny test carcase trait results. Beef progeny tests compares bulls under New Zealand commercial farming conditions, with steers assessed on their finishing performance and carcase traits, while replacement heifers are tracked for maternal characteristics. Limehills Streaker 150368, Orari Gorge Station

Earsncleugh bulls at the WHC field day

Patton 150051 and Ardo Ajax

Recently the association has been

5014 are listed as three Hereford

on the road with a team from

bulls ranking highly for IMF, EMA

registry and DNA to upskill existing

and rump fat compared to bulls

members and welcome newer

from three other breeds. Limehills

members. The association has a

Streaker ranked first for rump fat,

herd tour planned for March, a youth

rib fat and IMF which are three

development forum in April and

traits previously seen as dominant

a hybrid helmsman national sale

in another breed.

planned for May.

World Hereford Conference organising committee

246â&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; SOCIETY NEWS

Shows and events 2021

Please be aware event dates are subject to Covid-19 restrictions and it is advised the organisers are contacted before travelling. February 3

Stirling bull sale

Stirling, Stirlingshire

01786 473055

Native breed sale

Dungannon, Co Tyrone

02887 722727

Spring show and sale

Carlisle, Cumbria

01228 406230

Hereford spring show and sale

Shrewsbury, Shropshire

01432 272057

Native breed sale

Dungannon, Co Tyrone

02887 722727

Ayr County

Ayr, Ayrshire

08452 011460

9-10

Newark and Notts.

Newark, Nottinghamshire

01636 705796

20-22

Devon County

Exeter, Devon

01392 353700

Surrey County

Guildford, Surrey

01483 890810

27-28

Suffolk County

Ipswich, Suffolk

01473 707110

Native breed sale

Carlisle, Cumbria

01228 406230

29-30

Hertfordshire County

St Albans, Hertfordshire

01582 792626

Northumberland County

Hexham, Northumberland

01434 604216

2-3

Stafford County

Stafford, Staffordshire

01785 258060

NI National

Armagh, Co Armagh

02837 522333

St. Clears YFC Agric. Show

St Clears, Carmarthenshire

07870 390734

22-23

Royal Cheshire County

Knutsford, Cheshire

01565 650200

23-24

Lincolnshire County

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

01522 522900

Ballymena

Ballymena, Co Antrim

07718 478413

Derbyshire County

Elvaston, Derbyshire

01332 793068

Bury County

Bury, Lancashire

07808 777860

Hanbury Countryside

Redditch, Worcestershire

07841 499660

Cranleigh

Cranleigh, Surrey

01483 267771

Newport

Newport, Shropshire

01952 810814

Ashby

Heather Coalville, Leicestershire

01283 229225

Castlewellan

Castlewellan, Co Down

02840 638087

19-22

Royal Welsh

Builth Wells, Powys

01982 553683

Antrim

Antrim, Co Antrim

07899 746542

27-29

New Forest and Hants. County

Brockenhurst, Hampshire

01590 622400

Nantwich and South Cheshire

Nantwich, Cheshire

01270 780306

March 5 April

May

June

July

SOCIETY NEWSâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;247

30-31

Border Union

Kelso, Roxburghshire

01573 224188

North Devon

Barnstaple, Devon

01769 573852

Burwarton

Burwarton, Shropshire

01746 787535

Honiton

Honiton, Devon

01404 41794

Fishguard

Fishguard, Pembrokeshire

07729 359296

6-7

Dumfries

Annan. Dumfries and Galloway

01461 201199

Brecon County

Brecon, Powys

01874 611881

Garstang

Garstang, Lancashire

07867 313346

National Hereford Show

Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire

01584 810818

10-11

Anglesey County

Holyhead, Anglesey

01407 720072

Okehampton

Okehampton, Devon

01837 659965

17-19

Pembrokeshire County

Haverford West, Pembrokeshire

01437 764331

Gillingham and Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury, Dorset

01747 823955

20-21

Denbigh and Flint

Denbigh, Denbighshire

01352 712131

Ashbourne

Ashbourne, Staffordshire

01889 507497

Bedwellty

Nelson, Glamorgan

07984 571656

Melplash

Melplash, Dorset

01308 423337

Bucks County

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

01296 680400

29-30

Edenbridge and Oxted

Lingfield, Surrey

01737 645843

Alresford

Winchester, Hampshire

01962 738748

National Poll Show

Moreton-in-Marsh, Oxfordshire

01608 651908

4-5

Dorset County

Dorchester, Dorset

01305 264249

9-11

Royal Cornwall Show

Wadebridge, Cornwall

01208 812183

Kington

Kington, Herefordshire

01544 340598

Romsey

Romsey, Hampshire

01794 517521

Usk

Usk, Monmouthshire

01291 690889

22-25

Royal Ulster (Balmoral)

Lisburn, Belfast

02890 665225

Autumn show and sale

Carlisle, Cumbria

01228 406230

Hereford autumn show and sale

Shrewsbury, Shropshire

01432 272057

Agri Expo

Carlisle, Cumbria

01228 460230

20-21

English Winter Fair

Stafford, Staffordshire

01785 258060

Royal Ulster Beef and Lamb Championships

Lisburn, Belfast

02890 665225

29-30

Royal Welsh Winter Fair

Builth Wells, Powys

01982 553683

Native breed sale

Dungannon, Co Tyrone

02887 722727

HCBA Christmas calf show

Shrewsbury, Shropshire

01981 540717

August

September

October

November

December

248 | ADVERTISERS' INDEX

Kemp and sons, W and R

Auckvale

149

Layzell and Mills

Farmlay/Severnvale

157

Lewis and son, EL

Haven

137

Livesey, TD and WT

Normanton

133

Lury, M and D

Oakleaf/Castlewood

166

MacGregor Photography

Livestock photographers

201

131

Mann, RP

Spinney/Ufton

127

McMordie, J and W

Solpoll

212

AB Europe

Artificial breeding services

Andersen, HK

Moeskaer (Denmark)

Ascaris

Caterers

Barlow, AE

Thornby

Beaman, AD

Triacre

Bovela

BVD vaccine

Bowen and Gray

Cattle dressing services

67 233

Inside back cover

Bradstock and partners, RA Free Town

Midlands and East Anglia Hereford Breeders’ Association 68

Caisley

Cattle tags

Cameron and son, JA

Baldinnie

187

Cant and partners, JM

Panmure

206

Castle House Hotel

Hotel

131

Clark, MJ

Lowesmoor

176

Cogent Breeding

AI services

Cope, D

Artist

Deaville, DJ

Alderville/Aldersley

Dickinson, D and K

Mallowburn

144

Douglas, J and JS

Ervie

205

Dowbiggin Marketing

Sales management

Dovecote Park

Beef processors

Dunbia

Beef processors

Edwards, R and Smith, E

Classic

English, PT

Churchlands Estate

Fabb, DRA

Fabb

Farmers Guardian

Magazine

Fletcher, CS

Barwise

Genus

AI services

Gifford, AG, LE and AA

Twilight/Starline

165

Graham, J

Richmount

221

Harrison, T and D

Moralee

151

Hartwright, SC and GL

Spartan

South Western Hereford Association

156

Harvey, G and S

Harveybros

181

Thomas, RG and MD

Risbury

136

Hatt, HA

Weybrook

177

Thorne, TG, EI and EN

Studdolph/Ashdale/Glenvale 107

Hawkins, S

Bosbury

132

Traditional HBC

167

Hean Castle

Hean

107

Twose, J

Beca

117

Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association

125

Vincent, PRJ and LR

Pulham

Hi Health Herdcare (Biobest) Health scheme

Wales Clubs

Hobson, AJ and LR

Eldersfield

131

Walker, S and E

Hoghton View

147

Hodge, J

Fellowhills

195

Watkins, G and R

Hollybush

133

Holdsworth, N and L

Pebworth

Weatherby’s Scientific

Laboratory services

147

Hutchings RJ and sons

Fisher

177

Westaway and son, RG

Clipston

Jenkins, M

Appleridge

176

Whittaker, H

Coley

145

Jones, DE, ED and AL

Dendor

101

Wilson and sons, JRB

Romany

197

Kelly, D and M

Netherhall

155

Yaldren, AB

Banjos’s

174

Back cover

153

176

154 Inside front cover

Mitchell, RA

Lanscombe

164

Moorhouse, JD

Cato

161

Myers, B, H and MR

Boundless

175

National Beef Association

Membership body

Newtoncroft Farms

Newtoncroft

North of England Hereford Breeders’ Association

142

Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association

208

Nordic Star

Cattle tags

Owen, AR

Church Preen

Owen Smith Farming

Clement

Purchese, S

Lynsore

174

Rees, E

Trefochlyd

117

Rimmer B and B

Barbern

144

Roberts, M and M

Bromley

132

29 136

SAC Premium Health Scheme Health scheme

Sebire, AF

Lower Hurst

Scottish Hereford Breeders’ Association

178

South of England Hereford Breeders’ Association

172

Smith and sons, DC

Butley

Snelling and Noel

Sarabande

Speirs, J

Pepperstock

Stevenson and son, AG

Alvian



AFTER THE ONE-TWO PUNCH OF PI REMOVAL AND BIOSECURITY, YOU’LL WANT TO KEEP YOUR GUARD UP AGAINST BVD. A DISEASE WITH AN IMPACT OF OVER £40 PER COW PER YEAR1. SPEAK TO YOUR VET ABOUT HOW THE UK’S MARKET LEADING BVD VACCINE2 PROVIDES 12 MONTHS’ PROVEN PROTECTION AGAINST BOTH BVD TYPE 1 AND 2, WITH JUST ONE JAB3. 

When used as part of a comprehensive approach to BVD including culling of PIs and biosecurity.

References: 1. Yarnall and Thrusfield (2017) Vet Record doi: 10.1136/vr.104370 2. Kynetec (2019) BVD sales data by value. Full year 2018 3. For active immunisation of cattle against BVDV-1 and BVDV-2, to prevent the birth of persistently infected calves caused by transplacental infection. Bovela lyophilisate and solvent for suspension for injection for cattle contains modified live BVDV-1, non-cytopathic parent strain KE-9: 104.0– 106.0 TCID50, modified live BVDV-2, non-cytopathic parent strain NY-93: 104.0–106.0 TCID50. UK: POM-V. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. Tel: 01344 746957. Email: vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com. Bovela is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under licence. ©2019 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: Jul 2019. AHD12633. Use Medicines Responsibly.

MakE BVD history

GOULDINGPOLL 1

SIRE: WIRRUNA LEDGER L285

MAWARRA SHOWTIME P277 (PP) SIRE: OAK DOWNS LAWLOIT L75 DAM: MAWARRA MISS TITANIA 054

DAM: WIRRUNA OYSTER GIRL L334

MAWARRA HUGO P190 (H) SIRE: YARRAM UNIQUE F181 DAM: MAWARRA MINERVA 1009

WIRRUNA LENNON L102 SIRE: ALLENDALE ANZAC E114 DAM: WIRRUNA MADAM H55

Cogentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive portfolio of Hereford sires offers the modern day breeder an unrivalled combination of pedigree, performance and power. Influenced by globally respected, polled bloodlines, the range boasts eye-catching phenotype and high-ranking breed indexes. MAWARRA MUSTANG (P)

SIRE: TYCOLAH JOVIAL F77 (P) DAM: DEBARRY TABITHA Y177 (P)

NETHERHALL 1 MATTY S098 SIRE: WIRRUNA MATTY M288 DAM: WIRRUNA VICTORIA G7