Limousin SUMMER 2018
www.limousin.co.uk
the official magazine of the British Limousin Cattle Society
GRAHAMS HEIFERS IN TITLE WINNING FORM AT SUMMER SHOW ‘MAJORS’ BLCS CHAIRMAN REPORTS ON ‘HIGH ACHIEVING’ YEAR
BLCS AND TAURUS WEBSITE REACHES ONE MILLION PAGE VIEWS IN 2018
NEW ABATTOIR DATA REINFORCES LIMOUSIN EBVS LIMOUSIN INCREASES NUMBER OF GENETIC EVALUATIONS
Whinfellpark Lomu
Lenagh Larkhill
Gunnerfleet Lion
Foxhillfarm Jasper
Lowerffrydd Empire
Wilodge Cerberus
The full range of Whinfellpark Stock Bull Semen is available to purchase by contacting Iain Scott 07876 254112 Craig Douglas 07717 291456 enquiries@awjfarms.co.uk For more information, please visit www.whinfellpark.com 01931 711 234 Dolcorsllwyn Fabio
Cover shot: A spectacular view of cattle from the Garnedd herd grazing in harmony with the environment. Thanks to photographer Arvid Jones.
NEXT ISSUE: Coverage in words and pictures from the Autumn Limousin sales held around the UK. Full report and pictorial round-up from all the Winter ‘major’ Primestock shows Technical round-up and reports on the Society’s ongoing work plus the results from the November 2018 EBV and GEBV BLUP run. Catch up on the latest features, herd profiles and all the ‘news and views’ from British Limousin, the UK’s No 1 Beef Breed.
Editor: Iain Kerr British Limousin Cattle Society Ltd, Concorde House, 24 Warwick New Road, Royal Leamington Spa, Warks CV32 5JG Tel: 02476 696500 Fax: 02476 696716 Email: info@limousin.co.uk www.limousin.co.uk
Limousin Easy calving
Length muscling
It’s the business
& WIDTH
Designed by GHOST Leamington Spa
www.limousin.co.uk
Contents
SUMMER 2018
06 News round-up
56-76 Summer Show Reports
This issue come hot on the heels of a summer show season that has seen the Limousin breed rack up a haul of titles at the four ‘major’ shows. Inside you will find a summer show section with full reports and pictures of all the action. The news round-up reports on BLCS Chairman Michael Cursiters’ first annual report to members on another strong year of breed and Society performance. There is news on developments to the Society’s genetic evaluation programme, a Q&A with Adam Watson, Chairman of the North West Breeders Club and other interesting articles. Sadly, we report on the passing of the highly noted breeder Douglas Crighton, former Hon President of the Society and founder of the legendary Broadmeadows herd.
It was a memorable show season for the Limousin breed, with a hatful of Interbreed titles won at the ‘majors’. It proved to be a super summer for the Graham family, Stirling. Their heifer Grahams Niaomi took the Interbreed title at the Royal Highland Show and then Grahams Melody was crowned overall Champion Limousin and Reserve Interbreed Champion in Yorkshire and Builth Wells.
10-13; 18-22; 30-32
Features focus on Hampshire based Strattons Farms, the Garnedd herd of North Wales, plus a look at how AHDB’s strategic farms are improving cow performance with Limousin. The first feature in this issue looks at Strattons Farms, a partnership based exclusively on Limousin genetics. Next up is the Garnedd herd, where farming in partnership with his parents Ken and Elen, Hefin and Catrin Jones demonstrate that sensitive upland farming can go hand in hand with food production and caring for the countryside.
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SALES Carlisle June 18
46-48 Breeders and General Sale round-up
Sales across the UK have seen continued strong demand for Limousin cattle of all classes. Here we feature snapshot reports from sales held at Exeter, Hilltown, Thainstone and Stirling Caledonian. Meanwhile Haltcliffe topped the Society’s June sale at Carlisle (report on page 78)
50-54
Success for Young Limousin Breeders Its been a busy period of activity for the Young Limousin Breeders Club. We report on Northern Ireland’s Kile Diamond success in winning another ‘major’ title at the Royal Highland Show, Matthew Clark excelling at the Great Yorkshire Show and success for the YLBC duo Archie Hill and Elliw Roberts in Wales. We also report from the National Young Stars Show where the Lim-it team took second spot.
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p78
28-35 Technical Corner In the Technical Corner we ask breeders to consider what drives success on farm. We ask, are genetics your most limiting factor? We also share some analysis on the fact that commercial buyers are now matching pedigree buyers for top bulls at Society sales. Finally, we report on a Limousin ‘farm to fork’ practical event where producers got the chance to see first hand how Limousin cattle fit the requirements of commercial production.
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
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NEWS
BLCS CHAIRMAN REFLECTS ON 'HIGH ACHIEVING' LIMOUSIN YEAR IN FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
2
017 was another remarkable year for the British Limousin breed, the Society, and its member’s right across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. In his first report to members as British Limousin Cattle Society Chairman, Michael Cursiter emphasised that it was the continuous momentum for Limousin cattle at the premier pedigree sales, regional sales, off farm, and in store and prime rings around the country that had provided the backdrop to another strong year of performance. Published within the Society’s recently released 2017 Annual Report and Accounts a summary of highlights from Mr Cursiter’s report include: • Society sales in the 2017 year grossing £6.3 million, up by £665,000 on the year • Sale gross, clearances, and averages up on the year. • Pedigree registrations again strong and membership up • Limousin confirmed as the UK’s number one beef breed for the 22nd year in succession. • The long range Limousin breed improvement plan delivered four new maternal genomic breeding values for the commercial sector, a first for the UK beef industry. • Move to Taurus database; a progressive pedigree and performance database. • New modernised Limousin website launched, more responsive, quicker and simple to use. Lim SaleApp developed and launched • A spectacular year of success at the year’s summer ‘Royal’ show
British Limousin Cattle Society Chairman, Michael Cursiter
majors. Pedigree Limousin cattle secured a mighty haul of 22 interbreed wins at the Balmoral, Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh shows combined, eight more than in 2016. Michael says “Though it is fantastic to be able to report such a list of achievements we must not lose sight of the fact that the breed firmly remains a ‘working breed’ taking dead aim at the commercial beef producer and providing a profit” he added “Year on year, and 2017 was no exception, we have terrific shows of bulls and females at Society sales that are full of quality and are suited to every type of market and budget. The demand for bulls in the year strengthened again and there were tremendous clearance rates at sales” Very much a theme of the year was the focus on easy calving, one of the foremost economic traits, and one that the Limousin breed has built its reputation upon. Mr
6 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
Cursiter said “Commercial producers are clearly seeing the advantages of market ready genetics and are confidently investing in Limousin as the ‘go to’ breed, ultimately the all-important factor in the long-term success of the breed” On the theme of looking ahead, the mediumterm could well be a very challenging time for the industry given the uncertainties of the post Brexit environment. As markets change, and they inevitably will, it is crucial that producers have a breed where the genetics to respond to that change are identifiable, measured, available and harnessed. On this point, Mr Cursiter says “Our long range vision is even more relevant given that the industry may experience more volatility in currency, input prices and commodity markets as the nature of our new relationship with Europe and the global market becomes clear” he added. “I will be continuing to work hard with the
Council and the members in sustaining and building on the outstanding achievements of recent years. In line with the Breed improvement Plan, further development of the breed and adding value through new breeding technologies, as they become available, will remain front and centre of the work we do” Mr Cursiter went onto add “What has been clear from my discussion with many members over recent times is that the Society’s move to further increase the accuracy and integrity of its herdbook, which underpins the inherent value of BLCS registered cattle, is very welcome. After an extensive and full review a new inspection process which is robust and fit-forpurpose is now in place”. With the Society’s Byelaws having been updated accordingly to reflect this Mr Cursiter added “Modernising and professionalising the means of inspection is yet another positive move in futureproofing the well-being of the breed and the Society on behalf of all members, I anticipate it will be well received across all sections of the industry”. In his report Mr Cursiter notes that through sustained breed performance allied to strong financial management and good operating practices, fees for core services have remained static or in instances have been reduced over the previous 30 years. On this point he said “Investing in the future of the breed and further investing in the means of ensuring herd book integrity will be a priority and may require additional funding”. He added, “the Council of Management and I remain totally focused on continuing to promote the breed and delivering core services and
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NEWS
BRITISH LIMOUSIN LANDMARKS 1971
2011
1986
2011
First importation of 178 pedigree Limousins arrive at Leith Docks, Edinburgh
BLCS Treasurer Gary Swindlehurst
performance designed to increase all-round integrity and value for breeders, producers and the industry at large” Also in the Annual Report and Accounts, BLCS Hon Treasurer Gary Swindlehurst reported to members on another strong year of financial performance by the Society. As is standard, in the 2017 BLCS Report and Accounts the Society’s income and expenditure is outlined as transparently as possible. A summary of the main points of the 2017 financial year included: • Total income for the period ended 31st December 2017 of £997,819 • Total expenditure was £1,025,695 • Income from birth registration fees totalled £516,212. • Sale commission for the year totalled £62,940, up £5,598 on the year. • The total net movement in funds on the year was £94,272. • A further £62,715 was returned to members in pedigree refunds through the Society’s long standing Breed Improvement incentive. These latest figures increase the total amount returned to members, since the incentive commenced, to £894,215. • The level of funds carried forward in the year is shown £3,093,055 which is up by £94,272. The Chairman’s report was published in advance of the 47th Annual General Meeting of the British Limousin Cattle Society held in September at the Society’s offices in Royal Leamington Spa in mid September.
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Limousin becomes the UK’s leading AI Beef Breed
1996
First-ever British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) figures reveal Limousin as the UK’s most numerical beef breed. Limousin has retained this position each year through to present.
UK all-breeds record for frozen embryos set at on-farm Haltcliffe Sale when two embryos sell for 4,500gns per embryo. A UK all breeds and all centre record average of £6232 is set at Carlisle in May for the 121 bulls sold.
2012
A UK all breeds and all centre record average of £8242 is set at Carlisle in February for the 131 bulls sold.
2001-2011
2012
2004
2012
Limousin-sired BCMS passports average 34% market share over 10 year period Nine bulls sold at the ILC Elite Pedigree Sale average £15,400
2004
Limousin heifer Bailea Umandy, from MT Jones & Son, sells for 50,000gns at Carlisle and sets a new Limousin world record for a pedigree maiden heifer.
2006
Limousin bull Haltcliffe Vermount sells for 100,000gns at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart,Carlisle, for vendors Messrs Ridley, to set an all-beef breeds World, European and British record at auction
2008 President.
British breeder Aled Edwards is elected as World Limousin
2010
Pedigree sales gross £6.36 Million, a record figure. A UK all-breeds centre record average of £6,045 set at Carlisle in February for 176 bulls sold. For the first time, a Limousin bull sale surpasses the £1 Million mark in gross sales.
2010 record mark
Pedigree registrations reach almost 20,000 (19,974), a new
2011
Limousin heifer Bankdale Erin sells for 65,000gns at Borderway Mart,Carlisle, at dispersal sale for Gordon Wilson of the Bankdale herd, to set a World record at auction for a pedigree beef heifer.
Dolcorsllwyn Fabio, from Glyn & Nia Vaughan, is sold for £126,000 setting a new Limousin world record and a UK & European bovine record. Pedigree Limousin cattle sold at official British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) sales break through the £8 Million mark in the year for the first time to set a new all-breeds record sales gross mark of £8,184,303.
2014
The maiden heifer Glenrock Illusion sells for £131,250 and sets a new UK & European all-breeds record for a bovine animal and a new world record for a Limousin animal.
2015
Trueman Jagger from Henry Savage & Sons set a new Limousin world record price, and an allbreeds UK and European record, when selling for £147,000 in October.
2015
A UK and all breeds centre record average of £8709 is set at Carlisle in October for the 85 bulls sold
2017
Ampertaine Mozart, from James McKay, becomes the fifth Limousin animal to sell for six figures when making 100,000gns (£105,000) at the Society’s May Sale held in Carlisle
2018
UK all-breeds record for a frozen embryo is smashed when a mating of Grahams Coffee and Claragh Franco from Robert & Jean Graham sells for 8,000gns at Carlisle.
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
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NEWS
NEW ABATTOIR DATA REINFORCES ROBUST AND INDEPENDENT EBVS FOR LIMOUSIN
T
he Society was delighted to announce in July that, for the first time, the genetic evaluation producing the breed’s Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) includes slaughter records from six new national abattoir groups in its calculations. In 2016, the conclusion of a project in partnership with ABP Food Group, Scotland’s Rural College and the Society saw delivery of the UK’s first genomic breeding values for individual carcase cuts, as well as carcase weight and age to slaughter. This delivered a major goal within the breed’s strategic ten year Breed Improvement Plan, providing both pedigree and commercial sectors with a means of measuring and identifying the high performance genetics for the abattoir traits that are directly rewarded in the market place. This latest move, utilising carcase records from widespread abattoirs in the UK, enhances this work and has been made possible through a partnership between SRUC and AHDB. It will further reinforce the accuracy and independence of some of the key carcase traits, most notably Age to Slaughter, Carcase Weight and Fat Depth. In all, after a thorough cleaning and validation process, 273,397 new Limousin records representing 10,692 Limousin sires have been added to the evaluation. Information from BCMS is used to link these to the existing pool of pedigree information and this huge set of data is used to produce the EBVs. As time goes on, new abattoir records will continue to be added as they are generated, leaving each EBV update stronger than the one before. On the development, Kirsty Moore, SRUC Geneticist said “For Limousin, this new data
This new use of commercial carcase data in the EBV calculations will reinforce the accuracy and independence of some of the key carcase traits, most notably Age to Slaughter, Carcase Weight and Fat Depth.
represents a significant portion of the national slaughter population. All are bred by Limousin sires, but of course the majority of animals are crossbred, so the analysis is designed to account for the effects of the other breeds and hybrid vigour when breeding values are produced. The carcase traits are all moderately heritable – at a very similar level to growth – so there is much to gain by selecting high genetic merit breeding stock. Age to
8 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
Dr Kirsty Moore
Slaughter, in particular, is a key driver for most beef producing enterprises, with a study done at SRUC showing that reducing age at slaughter substantially increases an enterprise’s profitability. It has a high heritability of 63%, which means that around 63% of the variation observed in a group of cattle is under genetic control. Selecting breeding stock with high genetic merit for it makes absolute sense and will deliver direct savings in efficiency” Continues Dr Moore “As a result of the extra data, these EBVs are more robust than we have previously been able to produce and relate directly
to key areas of performance within the commercial sector. This in turn should further stimulate commercial producers to source bulls with favourable carcase trait genetics and trap added value from the Limousin cattle they produce.” On the addition of the new abbatoir data Michael Cursiter, Chairman of the British Limousin Cattle Society said “Producers of Limousinbred cattle now have even sharper tools available to them to select cattle that have the genes to supply an end market. Bolstering the accuracy of the data is a very positive move for all producers. Pricing structures are evolving and it is anticipated they will increasingly favour animals that truly perform in terms of finishing ability and carcase quality. Investment in such technology is part of the Society’s 10 year Breed Improvement Strategy and provides industry with very good reason to incorporate Limousin within their breeding programmes”.
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NEWS
LIMOUSIN INCREASES NUMBER OF GENETIC EVALUATIONS Fantastic data on offer as Society website and online herdbook page views top one million in the year so far...
I
n a move to further strengthen its genetic evaluation service for all producers, the British Limousin Cattle Society has now increased its number of genetic evaluations from three to six each year. This comes hot on the heels of its recent development incorporating the slaughter records from six national processors, reported in July of this year. This important development means that EBV (Estimated Breeding Value) and GEBV (Genomic Estimated Breeding Value) results are as accurate as they can be at any given time. In turn, this enables timely marketing by breeders and, crucially, ensures the information is fully up to date for commercial producers using it in the breeding decisions they need to make. The Limousin Society and its members are committed to genetic improvement for the benefit of commercial producers. The work is part of a larger body of activity all laid out in the Society’s 10 Year Breed Improvement Plan, which aims to provide a nationwide population of Limousin genetics that remain market-ready for all types of commercial producer at any given point in time. Without doubt, as business pressures come in to sharper focus, the interest in Limousin cattle and performance information, through EBVs and GEBVs, on both sides of the sale transaction is intensifying. Providing evidence of this, the Society’s website which hosts its on-line herdbook (www.taurusdata.co.uk) has had well over a remarkable one million page views since the start of the year. Speaking of the increased number of genetic evaluations BLCS Technical Manager Alison Glasgow said “Increasing the frequency of our evaluations is an important development for the Society to bring tangible benefits to pedigree and commercial producers alike. The EBV and GEBV evaluations are now based on the performance records of over 590,000 pedigree cattle and a further 310,00 abattoir records from Limousin-bred cattle beyond that. Providing the most robust and relevant breeding values for the UK in as timely a manner as possible are key principles of the Society and are serving pedigree and commercial producers well”. In addition to the Taurus website, access to performance information at pedigree sales has been made all the more easy with an innovative development by the Society at the turn of the year, the Limsale app. This downloadable app, available to most types of devices, helps users interrogate sale catalogues and find the animals they are looking for. It has proved a very popular marketing and purchasing tool with more than 4,000 catalogue downloads in the past 12 months. The next genetic evaluation update, following the most recent release in September, is scheduled to be published in the first week of November. In 2019 genetic evaluations will then run in January, March, May, July, September and November.
Limousin EBVs in Numbers üü 6 updates of results per annum, involving üü 590,473 pedigree records, üü 310,082 abattoir records üü 6309 genotypes üü Interest from 1Million + website page views üü 4000 LimSale catalogue downloads
To access EBVs and GEBVs through the online herd book, go to www.taurusdata.co.uk. You can then use one of the three options available to search the database by Breeder, by individual animal using Quick Search or by inputting your desired EBV criteria. Further background information on EBVs and GEBVs is also available at www.limousin.co.uk
www.limousin.co.uk
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
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FEATURE Lowgate Hotshot and commercial cows
LIMOUSIN DRIVING
PROFITABILITY AT STRATTONS FARMS
A
n efficient suckler herd with a high value end product and a versatility of market is the utopia for many cattlemen. And, with a herd based exclusively on Limousin genetics it is a scenario which is proving profitable for Hampshire-based Strattons Farms, Kingsclere. The partnership’s 170-cow suckler herd includes a 50cow pedigree herd which produces breeding bulls and replacement heifers for the commercial herd, with new sires sourced from Society sales, explains farm manager, Simon Hill. “The farm used to run a multi breed suckler herd,
but that resulted in variable quality calves and a lack of consistency throughout the selling period. The decision was made to switch to an exclusively Limousin-based herd and it has paid dividends ever since. “We want an easy calving herd with excellent maternal ability and calves which are capable of earning premium prices no matter how we choose to market them. Limousins give us that, with the best heifers retained for breeding, a second draw sold as breeding heifers to other herds and the final selection finished for sale as prime heifers,” explains Mr Hill. “Likewise, our male calves
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FEATURE Strattons Jericho
can be finished as young bulls or steers or equally sold as stores should current policy change. We currently finish all our cattle ourselves, but the demand for Limousin-sired cattle at every stage of the supply chain means we can be flexible should market trends or other factors dictate a need to switch systems,” adds Mr Hill. An added benefit is the premium price available for
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good quality Limousin cull cows, this helps reduce herd depreciation and hence maximise margins. “We prefer a medium build cow which is balanced rather than one with excessive muscle.” The farm’s aim is for efficient production across all its enterprises, With this in mind there has been considerable investment in new buildings and a new handling system, to enable the farm’s stockman
Bill Ferguson to perform most of the daily tasks without help. Assistance and relief stock cover is provided by another estate employee, Nick Waite. “Heifers and new stock bulls are selected based on calving ability. Cows need to be capable of calving themselves and have the necessary maternal instinct and ability to rear their calves to a high standard. To help with this we calve all heifers at two years
old, capitalising on the young heifers’ natural instincts and early fertility,” comments Mr Ferguson. In order to balance the workload, calving takes place in two blocks, with half the herd calved in spring and the other half calved in the autumn. “Both the spring and autumn calving groups calve in tight 10-12 week calving blocks, helping ensure we have similarly aged calves coming through to aid management further through the system. “As well as helping spread the calving workload, having a split calving herd also means we have a consistent supply of cattle coming through. This gives a regular supply of cattle to sell at most times of the year, helping spread cash flow and avoiding resource clashes with peak workloads on the arable enterprise,” explains Mr Hill. Calves are creep fed from two months of age then weaned on a home produced mix containing sugar beet, wheat distillers and rolled barley. “We find this helps capitalise on the high feed conversion rate in young calves and also minimise any growth check at weaning. Bull calves are left entire and finished as
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
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FEATURE bull beef at 14-16 months old being sold live weight through Newark Market. “We have previously sold them on a deadweight basis, but found they weren’t coming to enough money. Now we sell them live weight and find that there is a range of buyers at Newark to ensure there is a customer for every beast we sell. One batch of young bulls sold this summer averaged 667kg live weight and achieved an average price of 211p/kg, meaning they came to £1320 to £1500. “That’s the potential of the growth and conformation of these cattle and it means management has to be exacting to achieve the best possible returns,” Mr Hill adds. Equally, the cattle are an integrated part of the entire 1700-acre estate with straw and barley coming from the arable enterprise with organic matter returned.
Not only do the management team pride themselves on achieving the best they can when marketing stock, they also take pride in competing in regional herd competitions. “It’s a lot harder to win a herd title than it is to win one championship at a show and we learn from the judges who have visited with their searching management questions.” The Strattons team has won 19 titles across the South East Limousin Club, Royal County of Berkshire Agricultural Society
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Bill Ferguson
“We want an easy calving herd with excellent maternal ability and calves which are capable of earning a premium… Limousins give us that”
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FEATURE and the Hampshire Farmers Club competitions, with the latter covering 63,000acres of Hampshire farmland. Alongside the commercial herd, a 50-cow pedigree herd is run with foundation females purchased in 2003 from the Fleethill herd with a view to selling pedigree females and bulls both privately and off farm. “The fact there are pedigree cattle within the main herd means we can also justify relevant and often significant spend on stock bulls,” adds Mr Ferguson. Bulls have been purchased either privately as in the case of Dinmore Levrier, or at Society sales including Maraiscote Geronimo, a Goldies Comet son, purchased at Carlisle for 11,000gns; the 6000gns Lowgate Hotshot and the 6800gns Gascoines Loughton, a son of Mereside Hallmark. Bull management is simple
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as they are given maintenance diet of good quality haylage and rolled barley when housed. And while bulls are not routinely semen tested, they are given a fertility mineral supplement ahead of breeding. Despite the farm being in the South East of England, rainfall can be high as it comes in from the South West. “The ground is
typical Hampshire chalkland with clay cap and flints with the rest of the farm being silty clay loam, therefore, cattle are housed early November and go out at the end of April or early May,” comments Mr Hill. “Cows are fed 1-1.5kg of rolled barley a day throughout the winter as a carrier for the mineral supplements, plus
home produced haylage,” he adds. Health is of major priority across the board with the herd being in the Biobest HiHealth Herdcare scheme. The herd is routinely vaccinated for BVD and Johne’s monitored and never has there been a case of IBR on the farm. “The soil is low in magnesium so high mag mineral tubs are fed, as well as magnesium being added to the water.” Without doubt the high management across the livestock enterprise is testament to the sales achieved throughout the year and the success in various herd competitions and why Strattons Farms has been selected on numerous occasions to host various farm open days and meetings, all of which will no doubt help contribute to a further impressive future for the herd and estate.
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
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NEWS
‘MEDAL OF HONOUR’ FOR HALTCLIFFE’S CRAIG RIDLEY IN FRANCE
O
ne of the most important shows for the Limousin breed in France, the Festival de l’Elevage in Brive, celebrated its 50th anniversary on 25 August 2018. The popular show, which takes place in the centre of the town, has become an annual fixture for many French and foreign breeders alike. This year, the organisers of the show and the municipality of Brive decided to honour an international breeder who has contributed to the promotion of the breed by his presence at the show and at the subsequent auction sales. Craig Ridley of the noted Haltcliffe herd, Wigton, Cumbria, was chosen unanimously by the committee. The town Mayor presented the Medal of Honour to Craig in recognition of the family’s success with the breed over the past 30 plus years.
BLCS MEMBERS ATTEND INTERNATIONAL LIMOUSIN CONGRESS IN COLORADO, USA.
B
ig congratulations to the North American Limousin Foundation, and all the organising team, who laid out a warm welcome as hosts of the 23rd International Limousin Congress (ILC) in Colorado, USA in July 2018. Limousin breeders and enthusiasts from all around the world sampled some fantastic hospitality whilst having the opportunity to see what the breed is doing in America. Included within the
14 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
programme were visits to a number of cattle ranches, including Magness Land and Cattle, Oschner Limousin, Fillmore Ranch, and Running Creek Ranch, which is the largest purebred Limousin operation in North America and one of the largest operations in the United States. Participants were also treated to some of Colorado’s most majestic natural attractions. The world famous Rocky Mountains provide for dramatic
views against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and brilliant blue skies. The ILC prides itself on being an event that not only serves as an opportunity to exchange industry and research knowledge but also one which leaves a memorable experience for delegates. Look out for details of the next event, France 2020, in due course.
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NEWS
FORTHCOMING SHOWS, SALES & EVENTS UP TO DECEMBER 2018 All Sales are Official BLCS Sales unless marked with an asterisk. NB dates correct at the time of going to press. Tuesday 2nd October Thainstone - Annual Show & Sale of Commercial Beef Breeding Cattle* Saturday 6th October Newark Sale* Friday 12th October Hexham – Show & Sale of Limousin Bred Store Cattle* Thursday 18th October Hexham / Bellingham – Sale of Suckled Calves* Friday 19th & Saturday 20th October Carlisle Bull Sale
Sat 20th & Sun 21st October Harrogate – Countryside Live
Saturday 10th November Stirling - Stars of the Future
Sunday 21st – Tuesday 23rd October Stirling Bull Sale
Friday 16th November Dungannon Sale
Sunday 28th October Cornwall Pedigree Beef Calf Show
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th November English Winter Fair, Staffordshire
Friday 2nd November Carlisle – Borderway Agri Expo
Saturday 24th November Lanark – LiveScot
Wednesday 7th November Exeter - Agrifest South West
Saturday 24th November & Sunday 25th
Saturday 10th November Brecon Sale
Welshpool, North West Midlands & North Wales Breeders Autumn Show & Sale*
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NEWS
2017 BCMS FIGURES 26%
GB TOTAL
Limousin news, advertising, and promotion through
facebook and twitter
T
he popularity of the Society’s Facebook and Twitter pages continues to grow as an easy-to-use means of communication and keeping upto-date, on a day-to-day basis, with news from around the world of British Limousin. The Society’s Facebook page now has 13,800 ‘follows’ and is constantly growing. Regular updates keep it fresh and informative. The reach of social media is such that individual posts are attracting up to 50,000 ‘views’ within 48hours of posting! That’s a lot of advertising and getting the Limousin word out!
# Facebook and Twitter are free to use. You can send messages, upload photos and videos for free, and link to websites.
# Facebook and Twitter connect to people from all around the world and the UK. Limousin posts are regularly viewed and commented upon from the USA, Australia, Canada, across Europe, and many more countries worldwide.
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16 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
Limousin
484,497
26%
AA
333,652
18%
British Blue
237,686
13%
Charolais
200,134
11%
Simmental
157,031
8%
Hereford
152,416
8%
Shorthorn
46,722
3%
Stabiliser
24,475
1%
214,868
12%
1,851,481
100%
Other Beef Breeds TOTAL
25%
ENGLAND TOTAL
Limousin
282,276
25%
AA
211,786
19%
British Blue
180,344
16%
Hereford
110,621
10%
Charolais
74,887
7%
Simmental
74,118
7%
Shorthorn
22,003
2%
Stabiliser
16,289
1%
152,955
13%
1,125,279
100%
Other Beef Breeds TOTAL
26%
SCOTLAND TOTAL
Limousin
120,730
26%
AA
95,498
20%
Charolais
83,141
18%
Simmental
73,751
16%
British Blue
22,230
5%
Hereford
10,994
2%
Shorthorn
22,111
4%
Stabiliser
3,380
1%
Other Beef Breeds TOTAL
37,898
8%
469,733
100%
32%
WALES TOTAL
Limousin
81,491
32%
Charolais
42,107
16%
British Blue
35,112
14%
Hereford
30,801
12%
AA
26,368
10%
Simmental
9,162
4%
Shorthorn
2,608
1%
Stabiliser
4,806
2%
Other Beef Breeds TOTAL
24,014
9%
256,469
100%
www.limousin.co.uk
NEWS
The legendary Broadmeadows Cannon
T
Broadmeadows Ainsi
DOUGLAS CRIGHTON BROADMEADOWS
he British Limousin Cattle Society is extremely sad to report on the passing of the highly noted breeder, and former BLCS Hon President, Douglas Crighton. Douglas leaves an indelible mark on the history of the Limousin breed and the Society primarily through the legendary Broadmeadows herd and prefix. Douglas founded the Broadmeadows herd in Berwickshire in 1979, having brought Broadmeadows Farm, in 1978 “as a relaxing diversification” from his Edinburgh building and property company. A good pastoral farm beside the River Blackadder, a Tweed tributary, it needed stock. He did his research on all the popular breeds at the time, native and Continental, choosing Limousin because of its economic food conversion and the ease at which he could market commercial cattle, and also Belted Galloways. In 1981 Douglas purchased Fieldhouse Reta from Jim Dewhirst’s dispersal. Reta won the 1983 Royal Show Reserve Female Championship, as well as producing the 1993 Champion, Broadmeadows Didi. Didi maintained the family tradition by producing the 1995 Royal Highland Champion Broadmeadows Idylle, whose sire was the home-bred Broadmeadows Cannon. Cannon had topped the October 1988 Carlisle Limousin sale at 8,000gns (perhaps a relatively modest 20,000gns in today’s money). Owned by David Dick of the noted Ronick herd, Broadmeadows Cannon went on to be a legendary bull in the Limousin breed and through AI he sired well over 3,000 pedigree calves. Despite the fame of Cannon, it was the depth of breeding in female lines reflected in the eventual dispersal that set
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Douglas so high in the Limousin Hall of Fame. Cannons dam, Broadmeadows Ainsi, a daughter of Tanhill Rumpus, was sold for 8,200gns also to David Dick in 1988. She won many championships, including the 1991 Royal Show Individual Beef. Her dam, Broameadows Tansy, had won the 1988 Royal and Royal Highland Limousin Championships. By the time Douglas decided to cut back his workload in 1995 by dispersing the herd, he had probably made one of the most formative impressions on the breed that has yet been achieved. In those sixteen years, he took Supreme Championships at the Royal Highland (three in all), The Royal Show, Great Yorkshire, Lim 2000, Perth and Carlisle Bull Sales and a Red Ladies Day. In addition, Broadmeadows took eleven Reserve Supremes and three beef Championships at these events as well as numerous Supremes at Scottish county and major shows. It is worth adding that eight Supremes also went the way of the Belties! When the Broadmeadows herd was dispersed in 1995 the overall average of £5,724.92 for 65 head, with 44 females averaging £7,156, set a new and long standing Limousin record. Douglas had a huge involvement with the BLCS and stretching well beyond the herd’s dispersal. He served on the BLCS Council in the Society’s early years and at the time of the Society offices being built at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. He acted as the Society’s Treasurer and at a time when the Society’s capital reserves were growing and careful financial management was required. Those sound financial policies have served the Society well through to the present day. During 2003-2006 Douglas held further office fittingly as the
BLCS Hon President. In 2004, when the BLCS hosted the World Limousin Congress in the UK, Douglas and his wife Elma were the perfect breed figureheads and hosts to welcome Limousin breeders from all parts of the globe. Outwith cattle Douglas was a rugby fanatic who in his early days played for the mighty Watsonians. To his eternal frustration he also sat on the Scotland international bench nine times without ever making his debut! From the editor: Douglas had a great sense of perspective and judgement but also knew when to cut to the chase and how to get things done. During his years as President I had the pleasure and privilege of travelling a lot of miles with Douglas and Elma representing the Society. They were great times. Douglas was fantastic company, knowledgeable, inquisitive, highly sociable, and with a tremendously infectious sense of fun and humour. In my early days with the Society he was a huge help and always had time for a word and with some clear and ready advice. I know that he made this same time available for young breeders who he was always keen to involve and encourage. In 2004, a standout memory, he and Elma worked so hard in helping to organise and host the 2004 World Limousin Congress. The spectacular evening held at the Scottish Museum in Edinburgh, with Douglas resplendent in his ‘tartan troosers’, is still referred to today by people in attendance from around the world. Douglas Crighton and Broadmeadows are rightly legendary names within British Limousin and the UK pedigree livestock sector. He will be sadly missed but leaves a legacy of great memories and fantastic achievements.
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
| 17
FEATURE
LIMOUSINS IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT Pedigree Limousins are thriving on more than 2,230 feet high mountain grazing in Snowdonia, highlighting that sensitive upland farming can go hand in hand with food production and caring for the countryside
18 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
F
arming in partnership with his parents Ken and Elen, Hefin Jones and his wife, Catrin, run the prizewinning Garnedd herd at Bryn Ddraenen Farm, a 32ha (82 acres) National Trust tenanted holding on the Ysbyty Ifan estate near Betwsy-Coed. The third generation to farm the beef and sheep upland unit, Hefin is a firm believer that given a different approach present day support schemes could be better tailored to reduce much of the
friction between the farming industry and environmental bodies. In all the family farms five sites across Betws-y-Coed, Bethesda and Anglesey, each one having a role to play in the overall farming system. Hefin says “There are 32ha (80 acres) of owned ground where my parents live and we have a further 68ha (170 acres) of lowland on Anglesey which is used for grazing, as well as growing root crops and wholecrop,�
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FEATURE “My grandparents arrived here by motorbike and sidecar in the 1950s, coming from a non-farming background with 17 ewes and no cattle, eventually taking on the 343ha (850 acres) of Carneddau Dafydd, the third highest peak in Wales at 1,044 metres (3,425 feet) 12 miles away near Capel Curig”. The ground there is totally unimproved, being managed entirely by the presence of the cattle and sheep, with ewes and lambs kept mostly on the open top and the cattle within walled ground a little lower down. “At the time we opted for Limousins primarily because of easy calving and our first purchases, two heifers from Andy Holliday’s Eden herd at Penrith, arrived on the farm back in 1998, two years after the start of the BSE crisis and a growing awareness that adopting a specialised selfcontained breeding policy was a better option than keeping crossbreds. “A further six heifers came from Neil Vance and his Shropshire-based Winnington herd, with descendants from both herds still with us today. A bull that has done very well for us was the French-bred Attirant, while lately we have been using the Northern
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Ireland-bred Trueman Idol, an Ampertaine Elgin son out of a Wilodge Vantastic daughter we bought in Carlisle for 17,000gns” Recently we have bought another bull from Southern Ireland, Ernevalley Jaguar, for his more maternal lines and are well pleased with the first of his calves now on the ground” As well as supporting Society sales the family sells a lot of pedigree stock from home which gives prospective buyers the opportunity of seeing them in their working clothes. Hefin is proud to say that temperament is not a problem as they have bred out any lines that might not have been as quiet as you would like. He says “Now customers are amazed at how quiet they are” Alongside selling breeding stock the family have been successful in the specialist store sales, including attracting the top price of 4,600gns for Garnedd Model, a four and a half-month-old heifer at a Ruthin sale of show potentials. By Trueman Idol and out of the Bremore Djerk daughter, Garnedd Joy, the buyers were Leyburn, Yorkshire-based Messrs Wilkinson and SmithJackson. Hefin says “Idol is a very easy
Young stockbull, Garnedd Monty
calving bull that we have been using on our heifers. While the calves appear small at birth, within six weeks they start to really fill out. We are selling semen from him and as more people find out how easy he is for calving, together with the quality of the calves, demand is growing month by month” He added “He is producing some excellent show calves, with £12,000 being our top price for a bull calf in his first crop” “We have kept a homebred bull, Garnedd Monty, for breeding. He is out of a very consistent cow line and
his first crop of calves is very impressive. He will be getting a lot of cows in the next round” “Garnedd Junior, an embryo calf, was used on the heifers and then sold on to a local high quality beef producer. We wish we had kept him after seeing his calves and how they develop with time. Maybe one day we can buy him back,” says Hefin. He added “It is nice to see the cattle we sell do well in shows when they have been done up like Garnedd Model and this year Garnedd Nicola is looking smart.
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
| 19
FEATURE
Milk is very important for the Jones’ and they look to keep heifers from their best milky cow lines, with herd replacements being fed on silage alone, believing that they make much better cows by not having been concentrate fed as youngsters. The cows are half autumn and half spring calving, with the autumn calvers going up the highest grazings after weaning in May and June. They all come down as they calve in a tight pattern from September onwards. Winter feed for the cows is based around big baled grass silage and up to 25 acres of wholecrop fed as an ad-lib mixture from behind feed passageway barriers. Shedding consists of both cubicles and loose housing and slatted flooring. “Keeping only the cows that perform well has always been high on our agenda, which enables us to breed from our best cow families and while we are very happy with the herd we will be continuing to drive our breeding approach forward,” says Hefin. The herd lies within a low risk TB area and is part of the SRUC PCHS (Premium Cattle Health Scheme). From the start of 2018 to the end of July they have sold 35 bulls for
“I need a cow that can provide a higher output… the Limousin does just that.” breeding, with many happy customers coming back repeated times. The family may not have the biggest bull at the day of sale but they seem to thrive for farmers and become very honest bulls. With regard to the females in the herd, Hefin says “Above all the cows must work hard on this farm with much of our land being of low quality, but, we believe we find the true breeding cow by working them hard and making them earn their place within the herd” “As far as the sheep are concerned, as with the cattle, we stopped keeping crossbred ewes six years ago and today the main flock is all pure Welsh Mountain, with half being put to a Bluefaced Leicester tup to produce Welsh Mules,” says Hefin. Ram lambs are sold deadweight from mid-August onwards averaging 21kg at O and R gradings, while ewe lambs are marketed through the store sales, hopefully with everything gone by Christmas. Over the years the family
20 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
have improved their ewes but still take care to ensure that they have a ewe that can do well on the mountain without the need for any concentrates. They lost a fair few crossbred ewes six years ago when a snap snowstorm in April hit the Carneddau Mountains, convincing them that under their conditions they were
not getting lambs to finish much earlier than the Welsh Mountains because they lacked hardiness. Basically, they want a ewe that has a big engine, but is not oversized, so she can still eat a lot of vegetation and turn it into milk, along with a wide back end for easy lambing. Hefin says “No way do
Ken, Caleb, Hefin, Gwern and Catrin
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FEATURE
we want a large ewe that needs to eat a lot just to feed herself rather than her lambs. That means having to buy in concentrates to supplementary feed” Every ewe is inspected when she comes off the mountain and graded according to the quality and condition of her lamb, with the better types going to Welsh Mountain tups. That is their way of performance testing and introducing better traits into the flock. Ewe lambs go to the mountain in March or April depending on the weather, with the ewes and their lambs following on after lambing outdoors. “We easily get seven or more lamb crops per ewe and even had one with twins at 12 years old, highlighting just how efficient the breed can be,” says Hefin.
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“We used to lamb on the mountain but have had to change policy because of environmental scheme restrictions. It has led to a significant pressure on the land at home,” says Hefin. He believes more flexibility in the way individual farm schemes are set up is needed in order to accommodate the differences in conditions between mountains and the changing seasonality of the weather. “There are good things and there are bad things about environmental schemes. The capital works element has
been of considerable benefit, creating work in rural areas and keeping a lot of families living in the surrounding areas,” he adds. But when it comes to managing the land in the uplands Hefin feels that the restrictions placed on stocking levels have largely been incorrectly assessed. “Not every mountain is the same, yet there is one rule for everyone. On our mountain we
are having to take the sheep down too early, meaning there can be far too much vegetation left behind which in turn is not good for the mountain. It is getting harder to farm in the uplands and there is little doubt that the environment will be part of future policies”. Hefin hopes
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
| 21
FEATURE
when the next round of environmental schemes is finalised they can be less rigid and involve greater cooperation with farmers on the way individual mountains are managed. He says “Care for the environment and farming can go together instead of the tendency to work apart or even against each other.” The family has been involved with environmentally-based development initiatives for many years, ranging from Snowdonia National Park and National Trust-inspired projects to the Welsh Government’s Tir Gofal and Glastir land management schemes, with on-farm work over the past decade including building stone walls, laying hedges, shutting off streamside corridors and restoring traditional buildings. Perhaps proving most significant of all is that while the farm supports a wide range of habitats and species,
eight of the 17 remaining pairs of Twites left in Wales are to be found on the upland grazings. A small brown bird of the finch family and similar in size and shape to the linnet, it has bred in the uplands of Britain for over 8,000 years but numbers have nosedived in recent times to no more than 100 breeding pairs, mostly to be found in the Pennines of northern England. So why is it to be found on the Jones family’s upland ground? “Because of the cattle,” says Hefin. “Research findings tell us that they thrive best on ground grazed by cattle – something not normally present at such a high altitude as ours” “We summer most of our pedigree cows and heifers on our mountain land between May and October and what a good job they are doing, showing that cattle can be kept on the uplands alongside
sheep and managing habitat for the benefit of the environment” he adds. Looking to the future Hefin is hoping there will be a thriving industry for Caleb, his one yearold son to follow on should he want to. As to his own farming future current stocking levels are largely balanced with both cattle and sheep numbers likely to remain the same. But one thing that will not be changing is his
commitment to Limousins. “Cattle are needed on the hills and the way I look at it is that no matter what breed of cow I keep on our ground they will have to be housed during the winter, so I need a cow that can provide a higher output,” says Hefin. “The Limousin does that. She is easy to calve, suckles well, has good growth rates – and is doing a very good job for us.”
Farm at Garnedd Dafydd, Snowdonia
22 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
www.limousin.co.uk
MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
MATERNAL QUALITIES, SEMEN AND EMBRYOS AVAILABLE
CONFORMATION, DOCILITY, TOP FRENCH GENETICS
DATES TO REMEMBER IN 2018/2019: Lanaud bulls Auction Sales 2018, November 14th and 15th 2019, January 9th and 10th 2019, March 13rd and 14th 2019, June 12th and 13rd
JAC RCV
(Gaec Jenty / Gaec Camus Père et Fils)
MACK RJ (by EDEILWEISS RRE VS) Beefy type + Easy calving Semen Available
Buyer: E. BLENKHORN & Son / James H. TENNANT Ltd - England
Females of Lanaud Auction Sale 2019, Thursday June 13rd
Grand Cru Auction Sale
2018, Saturday September 22rd
Agrimax Auction Sale in Metz 2018, October 24th to 26th
SIA Paris Show (Porte de Versailles)
2019, Thursday February 28
th
INTERLIM GÉNÉTIQUE SERVICE Pôle de Lanaud - 87220 Boisseuil - FRANCE Tel: 00.335.55.06.46.46 - Fax: 00.335.55.06.46.30 interlim@limousine.org
JANIE (Gaec Aucomte) Buyer: Leslie HOOD - Northern Ireland
MINA
Lanaud Auction Sale June 2018 Buyer: PA & PM EARLEY - England
www.interlim.com
GOLDIES
Goldies Heifers
Wilodge L.J. Semen for sale
Goldies Juggleroutstanding progeny available
Goldies Black ManhattenChampion Stirling Feb 2018
Heifers from the same lines as the above for sale privately - come and take your pick! BRED TO BREED! Bulls for pedigree and crossing and a few stock cows also available. Easy calving, top 1%, great conformation, TB4 and Johnes Level 1. Tel: 07712 435 408 / 01387 830105 bruce@goldietownfoot.co.uk www.goldietownfoot.co.uk
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Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries, DG1 4LX
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
| 23
NEWS
MANBY GRANGE HOSTS FANTASTIC 100-YEAR CELEBRATIONS
G
range Farm in Manby on the outskirts of Louth, Lincolnshire hosted around 150 guests on Saturday 9th June in celebration of 100 years of the Lowry family farming. On what was a day full of sunshine and warm memories guests were treated to presentations by BLCS Technical Manager Alison Glasgow and Westpoint Vets Peter Moore, a trailer ride around the farm, a laser clay pigeon shoot, stockjudging and some light refreshments, which included an array of fabulous cupcakes. To top it all off, as the afternoon drew to a close the bar opened, and the celebrations really began. The Late Graham Lowry, described as a ‘legend’ by many, grew up on the farm which had been managed by his parents and older brother until they passed away. Graham and his wife Barbara came back to the farm, and in 1995, their shared passion for the Limousin breed led them into setting up their own suckler pedigree herd, Manbygrange. No stranger to the breed, Graham had worked for 30 years as stockman to the McTurk herd at Thorganby for the Milligan-Manby family. A quarter of a century on and the farm is now managed by
24 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
Graham’s youngest daughter Emma and husband Mark. The farm is a closed herd, currently with 30 suckler cows, many with a background of the Mas Du Clo breeding among others. Speaking to her guests as the festivities got underway Emma recalled the farming history of the Lowry family and she paid a heartfelt tribute to the local people who have supported the family going back many years and continue to do so today. She went onto talk about her own move to the farm nearly five years ago with husband Mark and children Billy and Amy. She thanked her children for the sacrifices they make, the kind many farming families on limited budgets are all too aware off. Emma was proud to say that the farming legacy looks set to continue, she recalled how, Billy, a ‘cattle man’ through and through, comes in from school and heads straight out onto the farm and Amy never complains about the 5am starts to the day. In summing up on behalf of her family Emma said “We give thanks to be given a chance to farm and to follow our passion. You only really borrow a piece of land for a short time but at Manby we want to make a legacy for the future as well” A super day was had by everyone who attended.
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NEWS
SUCCESSFUL LIMOUSIN OPEN DAYS AT ALAGILS AND BRONTEMOOR
D
espite the summer having being characterised by high temperatures and lack of rainfall the downpours which hit the north of Scotland during the Scottish Limousin Club’s open day at the Alagils Herd on Sunday 12th August didn’t spoil the enjoyment. Alasdair and Gill Macnab welcomed around 150 people to take a look at their Alagils Limousin herd on their farm, Kildun, just outside Dingwall. The herd, which was formed in 2003, is based on elite genetics, with the foundation being embryos from leading show cow Broadmeadows Jiji, a daughter of the legendary Broadmeadows Cannon out of Broadmeadows Didi. Alasdair and Gill’s aim has always been to breed commercially relevant cattle based on a solid female foundation of deep pedigreed, correct, proven female lines. This policy has created a female base in the herd which is correct and carries exceptional performance and breed character throughout. The high performance genetics working throughout the herd were highlighted in a talk through the day by Alison Glasgow, BLCS Technical Manager. The policy of genetic improvement in the herd was outlined, and the high proportion of animals in the herd with key economic traits such as Age to Slaughter and Retail Value in the Top 10% and Top 1% of the breed. Early show and sale successes for the herd included Alagils Umax, a Nestor son out of Jiji, which was champion at Perth bull sales in 2004 and sold for 9000gns having also been Champion at Black Isle in the same year. Then in 2006 Alagils Ainsi, another Jiji daughter, was placed first in a class of 16 heifers at the Royal Highland, as well as winning at Nairn, Black Isle and Grantown shows. Ainsi was also shown in 2010, standing third at the
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Highland, as well as Interbreed Champion at Nairn, Black Isle and Grantown. More recent success came in the shape of Alagils Jambon who topped the May 2016 Limousin Society sale at Carlisle at 28,000gns when selling to Eric and Elaine Norman, Little Orton. Sired by the Cogent AI sire Netherhall Gallant, himself a son of the 72,000gns Haltcliffe DJ, Jambon is out of Alagils Gillie, herself a daughter of the herd’s foundation cow Alagils Ainsi. Guests took part in stock judging with input from the Young Limousin Breeders Club and listened to further technical talks from Ian Anderson, nutrionist with Harbro and John Cowan, Manager of the Scottish Government Bull Stud. Despite the weather deteriorating later in the day guests enthusiastically boarded the trailer for a herd tour. A hearty barbeque with Limousin sourced sausages and burgers from local butchers John M Munro Ltd rounded the day off.
Alasdair and Gill extend their thanks to all who helped make the day a success. It was then the turn of the Priestly family who run the Brontemoor Herd at Cracrop Farm, Brampton, Cumbria to host the North West Limousin Breeders Club open day on Sunday 19th August. Another large turnout of guests enjoyed taking part in stockjudging classes and taking a look around the farm and cattle, in the usual style on the back of a trailer. One of the foremost names in the breed, the Brontemoor Herd was established over 30 years ago across the Pennines in Yorkshire with the first Limousin bull purchased from Jim Bloom of the Scorboro herd. Located in Cumbria since 2011 Cracrop Farm is now farmed by three generations of the Priestley Family, grandfather Michael, who is a former President of the BLCS; son and daughterin-law Steven and Ruth; and grandchildren Sarah and
Richard. The herd consisting of 90 pedigree and 20 commercial Limousin cows, has enjoyed much success, most recently at the May BLCS sale in Carlisle where a homebred bull Brontemoor Laidlaw sold for 11,000gns. Sires of the current calf crop include Powerhouse Elite, Mereside Lorenzo, Lodge Hamlet, the homebred Brontemoor Max and Loosebeare Handsome, bought in Carlisle in 2014 for 10,000 guineas. The enviable uniformity throughout the cow herd stood out on the day, with the quality of the calves and first-calved heifers in particular appealing to all. A heartfelt thank you is extended to everyone who made these open days a success. Events like these are not only a great excuse for breeders to get together and enjoy social activities but also a fantastic showcase for the breed to a wider audience and a valuable opportunity to learn from each other.
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
| 25
Q&A NEWS
WITH
ADAM WATSON NORTH WEST LIMOUSIN BREEDERS CLUB CHAIRMAN
As the UK heads towards Brexit and the industry continues to debate its long term future, British Limousin Cattle Society Member and Chairman of the North West Limousin Breeders Club Adam Watson is playing his part in steering the conversations. Recently appointed to the National Beef Association (NBA) Board and sitting on the Red Tractor Board as the National Sheep Association’s representative Adam is also busy farming Saunders Close, a hill farm in Brampton. We caught up with Adam at this year's Highland Show to find out his thoughts on the industry and its future.
Adam firstly thanks very much for spending some time with me. Can you tell me a bit about your farming history and your connection to the Limousin breed?
So I think it’s fair to say that you believe the NBA has an important role to play in steering debates in industry as we move into the post-brexit world.
My family and I are lucky enough to be owners of a hill farm extending to 1,500 acres in Brampton, a Cumbrian town just nine miles east of Carlisle. As well as 40 Limousin cows, we run around 1,000 breeding ewes in three flocks. The largest is a commercial Swaledale flock which we cross to the Bluefaced Leicester in order to produce North of England Mules, we have a pure bred Swaledale group for our replacements and rams, plus a small flock of Blueface Leicester’s. We have been keeping Limousin cattle since 1992 and run our herd on a commercial basis, it’s a typical upland sucker herd. We sell our bulls and surplus heifers at Carlisle, where we have achieved some respectable prices. Most recently, at Carlisle in February this year we secured 11,000gns for Saunders Master, a Wilodge Inspector bull out of one of our prolific dam lines Saunders Classylassie.
As if you are not busy enough Adam, you also now sit on the Beef and Lamb Red Tractor Board. Again, with Brexit in mind do you think we may well see more beef (and lamb) being imported into the UK? How important is the Red Tractor marque to the industry?
Congratulations on your appointment to the National Beef Association Board. What is your motivation for being involved? First and foremost the industry needs a voice. Protecting the rights of farmers, their produce and the retention of the UK as a competitive food producer on a global stage hasn’t been as important as it is now for decades. Beef faces a challenge to maintain its share of the domestic retail meat market and producers face the challenge of a more open trade environment. The NBA is fighting this challenge, beating the drum for beef producers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at the heart of government and devolved administrations. With a passion for the future and particularly the survival of upland farming, which I believe is the heartland of beef production, I am honoured to serve in any way I can. Many farming businesses have already been lost; I can’t just stand by and watch as we lose even more. It is also very important to me that I give back to the industry I am so enthusiastic about. Playing my part in making sure that the industry is heading in the right direction for future generations is a strong motivator for me.
26 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
Yes I do, particularly given the uncertainties around regulation once the UK leaves the European Union. The NBA is in a position to help direct the course of future regulation and improve existing legislation. In the post Brexit environment discussions around hormone treated beef entering the UK, the maintenance of animal welfare standards, food labelling and traceability will all be on the agenda, they already are.
Without doubt the Red Tractor logo is a crucial tool. We know that brexit has brought the future of UK food and farming in to sharp focus and with the outcome of trade deals and tariffs yet to be decided, I agree that it is possible that domestic produce could come under pressure from cheap imported food on the supermarket shelves. Differentiating UK product from an import in terms of its production standards and origin seems imperative to me. I believe that the reassurance a marque such as Red Tractor brings to consumers through its rigorous checks can’t be underestimated. The Red Tractor is the only guarantee that a product labelled as British is British right through the chain. In addition, Red Tractor food is associated with quality, safety and traceability across the world, and I think that it will be a real feather to the cap of UK exports as international trade agreements are struck in the coming years. Markets are opening up and I believe we must be in a position to take advantage of that.
Do you think domestic consumers have enough awareness of it? No I don’t, not at all, which is a challenge given that it is the most widely used assurance logo in the UK grocery market. There is clearly a job to do in educating consumers. The focus of raising awareness
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NEWS must be about the standards behind the marque as I believe consumers will be more likely to buy a Red Tractor product over an alternative if they understood more about the standards behind it. I am particularly keen on educating the next generation; many children have no connection to food production at all, let alone know what standards are or what they stand for. While this is a long-range strategy, without it we will have a cohort of consumers who have no loyalty to British agriculture and as such will be reluctant to pay a higher price for its produce. Industry collaboration in education across the board is the key.
What about supermarkets. Not all the major players, in particular I am thinking of Sainsbury’s, are using the red tractor logo on their products – what do you make of this? It is clearly very disappointing. I am proud of the logo and believe it is the right tool to communicate to consumers both the good standards that farmers follow and the origin of the food. While Sainsbury’s may be using the standards as the backbone of their UK sourcing policy, it is frustrating that their customers have no means of recognising it on pack. It makes it more difficult, or maybe even impossible, for consumers who want to buy British to distinguish between beef and lamb of British origin and that which has been imported. I think it is inevitable that many consumers will take home beef or lamb believing it to be British, when it may not be, that’s not a great position to be in.
The last decade has seen stagnant productivity across UK agriculture. What do you think about Defra’s new policy framework, which aims to address this, particularly in relation to the upland areas you are so familiar with? Raising a family, food production and food security is something I can’t help but think about. We know that globally pressure on food supplies is increasing with population numbers rising at the same time that production of some food is being jeopardised by the impacts of climate change, such as more frequent and intense droughts and floods. The value of thriving agriculture businesses to rural economies and communities is huge. I think that it is crucial that the government develops a policy framework to support productive thriving farming businesses across the entire agriculture sector. We must get the best out of every piece of land. I am particularly encouraged that Defra reflects the specific challenges of farming in the uplands, where livestock farming is dominant. Without a viable farming industry in these areas there would not be the people or food production. Upland communities are close-nit; they work together allowing many traditional farming techniques to be passed through the generations, preserving important parts of our national heritage. Lastly we must never forget that most of the maintenance of the well-loved upland environment, the internationally recognised tourist areas and historical features is done by livestock farmers. Careful farming, which also delivers a financial incentive, is essential to maintain this and conserve natural habitats, ecosystems and biodiversity.
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Semenstore is a practical one-stop Limousin semen shop for vendors and buyers. Semenstore features:-
• On-line semen purchasing
• Export and domestic
• Automated service
• Competitive pricing
• Payment collection • Professional marketing • Semen for all markets
and costs
• Unique offers & packages • One-stop Limousin semen shop
www.semenstore.co.uk 28 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
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SEMENSTORE
AMPERTAINE BULLS LEAD THE BEST SELLERS Bulls carrying the Ampertaine prefix lead the Best Sellers list in the latest period on Semenstore. Leading the pack is Ampertaine Foreman who is described by his breeder as the best bull he has ever bred. Sold in February 2012 at Carlisle for 38,000gns Foreman is the top priced son of the 50,000gns Wilodge Cerberus and out of the Sympa daughter Ampertaine Bathsheba herself a full sister to the mother of Ampertaine Commander. Foreman has a Beef Value in the top 1% of recorded Limousins as are his 400 day growth and muscle depth figures. In addition, he is in the Top 10% for calving value, above average for milk and is a non-carrier of protoporphyria gene (NN). Following Foreman is Ampertaine Gigolo, sire of the £147,000 world record priced Limousin bull Trueman Jagger who was sold at Carlisle in October 2015. By Ampertaine Commander and out of the Ronick gains cow Ampertaine Crystal, Gigolo, who weighed 765kg at just 400 days, is described by his vendor as “a fast growing bull”. He is in the Ampertaine Gigolo
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Ampertaine Foreman
top 1% of recorded animals for 200 and 400 day weight, and has top 1% Beef Value. The vendor says “Ampertaine Gigolo has everything you want in a Limousin bull: enormous width right from the back through to his front, exceptional volume, and powerful strength without losing any of his elegance and
style. Standing on four very good legs, he is exceptionally square on his plates and very clean right through”. Third place goes to Ampertaine Inferno, the Ampertaine Elgin son out of Kype Tiffany a Cloughhead Lord daughter. Purchased at Carlisle in May 2015 for
16,000gns the vendor says “Inferno has extreme muscling and great top which he is passing on to his progeny” For full details of these bulls and others please visit the Semenstore site. Best sellers are ranked on the site by the number of straws sold in the last thirty days.
Ampertaine Inferno
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FEATURE
STRATEGIC FARMS LOOK TO
IMPROVE COW PERFORMANCE WITH LIMOUSIN
Ensuring beef and lamb farms around the country are continually improving efficiency and productivity is the main aim of AHDB’s Strategic Farm network. Set up in late 2017, the project now involves 12 beef and lamb farms across England all looking to make improvements to their enterprises with the help of AHDB’s knowledge exchange team and consultants.
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FEATURE
T
wo of the farmers have Limousin cattle and both are looking to make improvements to areas including grassland management, productivity, breeding and herd health. Over the next two years, both farms have committed to implement changes and track their progress against objectives. Farming Limousin cattle in Country Durham is David Monkhouse. David has both sheep and beef, with a herd of 80 pure and cross Limousin, Shorthorn and Parthenais cows and four bulls. David’s main aim when he joined the strategic network was to use the opportunity to experiment with new technologies on the farm in order to enhance current practices. Working with TruTest, AHDB installed weighing facilities on all of the strategic farms to encourage the practice of regularly weighing cattle to monitor performance, growth weights, sucker cow efficiency and raise questions around diet. “I’d not needed to weigh the cattle before as we tend to sell young stock as stores and therefore sell by head. I’ve kept an eye on how they are growing, but you can only tell
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so much by eye so I knew we’d get a more accurate picture of how they were doing if we started to regularly record their weights,” explains David. “Our bulls and heifers are kept separately, with bulls fed on ad-lib and heifers on a silagebased rotation. When we weighed in January, the bulls were averaging around 1.54kg per day, but the heifers were only growing at 0.69kg per day” David noticed the discrepancy and discussed
David Monkhouse
Edward Dean
the problem with his consultant. He realised that having the heifers in one large group meant there
wasn’t enough feed space available for all to feed at the same time, meaning the less dominant animals were not meeting target growth rates. “We split the groups up in January and took the 12 biggest heifers to another shed. This increased their feed space and gave them the opportunity to improve their daily live weight gain. When we re-weighed in March, they were hitting target growth rates of 0.94kg per day,” explains David. Now growth rates are tracked, David has been able to address his target of reducing his calving age to two years of age. This has advantages for suckler producers including increased cow productivity over their lifetime and reduces the number of stock on farm,
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FEATURE therefore reducing the resource requirement to feed and house stock. “When we weighed the heifers that were due to bull in spring 2018, we realised they were already at 90 per cent of mature cow weight and so should have been calving rather than just going to the bull at two years of age. Weighing the younger heifers has allowed selection of better-performing heifers to be kept as future replacements that will calve successfully at two years of age. “Weighing equipment has given us more control of our heifer rearing programme and helped us to track progress of our growth rates rather than just making assumptions as to how the herd is doing. We’ll now continue to monitor the weights and it’s something I’m looking to now implement for our sheep enterprise,” explains David.
Farming 154 ha in Kirkhouse, Cumbria, Edward Dean has a beef and sheep enterprise, with a flock of 300 Texel ewes and a herd of 130 Limousin and Limousincross suckler cows. Also on farm are four Limousin bulls, one of which, Copperhurst Ike, was bought earlier this year. Focusing mainly on his suckler enterprise, Edward is looking to make sure he is utilising his grassland and breeding replacements with good genetics in order to maintain high herd health and produce animals that hit target specification. “We’ve now held two events on our farm to open up the discussion about what we’re implementing with other local producers. We’re focused on making sure we continue to improve the overall performance of the herd in the most efficient way possible, and by putting clear targets in place, we’re
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confident we can do this.” Edward’s father ran the farm as a dairy enterprise until 2001, when foot and mouth ended dairy production. A decision was made to then change the focus to beef production and now Edward sells his young stock as stores at 12 months through the local auction market. “One of the areas we are focused on improving is breeding our own replacements. I’ve always struggled to buy in quality replacements with high health statuses. To do this we’ve recently purchased a new bull, selected on his maternal estimated breeding values (EBVs).” “We’ve bred three quarter cross Limousin replacements in the past but we’ve found them to be shortish of milk, which has impacted on calf growth rates. Our new bull has easy calving traits, as well as positive milk traits, so we’re
hoping that resolves the issue this year. He’s got a good temperament too and is easy to handle, which is an added bonus.” Over the last five years, Edward has also been using Artificial Insemination (AI) to breed more replacements. As a strategic farmer he’s now got the opportunity to look at improving conception rates by installing heat detection software. This is something which is often used within the dairy industry, but less so in the suckler industry and will help ensure cows are served at the optimum time. Each Strategic Farm will be holding free autumn events covering suckler cow nutrition, with a look at how the strategic farms have implemented new practices to meet objectives. Event dates will be released in the coming months and can be found at: www.beefandlamb. ahdb.org.uk/events
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LIMOUSIN
GIVING YOU THE
‘EXTRA’ VALUE Commercial beef producers continue to look for all-round, added value, easy keep cattle that meet the market, and consistently deliver in performance and profit. Limousin females give you all of this along with the Limousin ‘Extra’.
CALVING EASE
The Limousin breed remains the calving ease leader. Performance and genetic trends show that, as a whole, the Limousin breed has increased its growth at weaning and yearling age whilst maintaining its advantage in calving ease. As we know, a dead born calf does not weigh much at weaning! Where’s the extra? • Calve easily and calve alone • Easy calving heifers • Easy calving means more live calves and less management Ease of calving is a critical priority in well-muscled beef breeds. 91% of surveyed Limousin customers recorded no calving problems at all with the added comment of the important management benefit this was. Even more extra? • Easy calving, breed back quickly to the bull • Lighter birth weights-vigorous fast growing calves • Calving percentage of over 95% in purebreds
LONGEVITY
Longevity is an inherent and profitable strength of the Limousin breed. With Limousin cattle you are guaranteed a long life of regular, consistent, quality production. Records compiled by the Society show that crossbred Limousin females will on average produce at least 10 calves. It is not unusual for purebreds to calve naturally at 15-20 years of age. Where’s the extra? • Long lasting females minimise annual replacement rates • Medium size females that are easy keepers typically have a long productive life-span • Good cull cow price after a long productive life High productivity and exceptional longevity reduces the culling rate. A low replacement rate reduces cost, allows for a more rigorous selection of heifers and an increase in quality.
REPRODUCTION
Limousin females are consistent annual calvers. Heifers can be got in calf early in their first breeding season. Females breed back early in their second breeding season, and thereafter. Where’s the extra? • • • •
Breed back to the bull quickly, year on year Good fertility with high recorded calving percentages High conception rates and the ability to conceive when required Easy calving aids reproductive efficiency
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TECHNICAL CORNER
ARE GENETICS YOUR MOST LIMITING FACTOR?
I
ts time to be honest! Key performance drivers in breeding and finishing enterprises have significant time, money and emotion invested in them and, by and large, both pedigree and commercial sectors have become quite good at exploiting them and, in many instances, individuals are outstanding at it. Disease management, tight calving patterns, animal husbandry, nutrition, grassland management, marketing strategy, health planning, feeding methods, silage quality, handling system and the housing system; all impact on the key drivers of performance – the Physical Data opposite – in most beef enterprises. Every daily task, every bit of planning and every penny spent probably focuses around some or all of them to greater or lesser degrees. When things go well, we look within them to consider what worked. When things aren’t going so well, we will find one or more to blame. Often the answers to success or otherwise in a herd do indeed lie within these activities. But have you considered that genetics may be your limiting factor? The response cattle can make to changes and improvements in all areas of their management and environment are determined by their genetics. Significant cash can be invested in all the latest kit, but if the genetics of the cattle aren’t fit for what is expected of them, the exercise will not yield the anticipated return. When we consider the key performance indicators above, it may be surprising how many have genetics as a common denominator: Extract from The Farm Manage ment Handbook 2017/18, SAC Consulti ng
No. Calves Weaned Liveweight gain
Finishing period
So this is the bit where we need to get honest.
Calving period
No. Calves Sold Finished
Genetics of the Bull, Cow and Calf
Sale Weight
Feed Costs
Herd Life of Cows
Dead Weight Weaning Weight
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When you select your breeding stock, do you invest the same amount of time, energy and thought as you would when you are buying a new hay bob? If the answer is even a mildly uncomfortable one, the news is great - there is a whole new untapped reservoir of enterprise performance waiting for you to exploit! The point is a serious one; as a sector, we have become very adept at gaining every inch of advantage from good management and husbandry. We have not been so good at using the significant and powerful resource that is our genetics. The gains to be made from using the right genetics are significant. Previous articles in this publication have highlighted differences in animal returns of £150 and more, simply through the use
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TECHNICAL CORNER of animals equipped to do the job expected of them. So which traits will move you fastest? Typically, the production traits such as growth and carcase traits have moderately good heritabilities. This means that more of the performance we see is under genetic control and it makes it easier to breed for those characteristics, since a greater proportion of a calf’s performance is passed from its sire and dam. If the answer to poor performance in your enterprise lies within these traits, it is relatively easy
“As a sector, we have become very adept at gaining every inch of advantage from good management and husbandry. We have not been so good at using the significant and powerful resource that is our genetics” to address them through selection of animals with good growth and carcase trait breeding values. The fertility traits (eg Age at First Calving, Calving Interval) would typically have lower heritabilities and response to breeding decisions will not be as instantly apparent
200 Day Weight EBV 400 Day Weight EBV Age at Slaughter GEBV 200 Day Milk of Dam
as it is with traits that have higher heritability. However, this does not mean they should be overlooked. Quite the opposite in fact; if your enterprise performance is affected by such an issue, breeding to correct it could take some time. So protecting your genetics from the outset
Calving Interval GEBV Age 1st Calving GEBV Mat. Calving Ease EBV Scrotal Size EBV Calving EBVs Calf Survival GEBV
Calving period
Liveweight gain
Age at Slaughter GEBV Carcase Weight GEBV Fat Depth EBV 400 Day Growth EBV
No. Calves Weaned
No. Calves Sold Finished
Finishing period
Genetics of the Bull, Cow and Calf Feed Intake EBVs (available 2019)
Feed Costs
Sale Weight
Herd Life of Cows
Longevity GEBV Calving Interval GEBV Age 1st Calving GEBV Calving EBVs
– again through selection of the right animals - is crucial to long term avoidance of the problem. For all Limousin cattle, breeding values are in place that support the selection decisions that have to be made around our identified enterprise drivers:
Calving EBVs Calf Survival GEBV
200 Day Weight EBV 400 Day Weight EBV 200 Day Milk of Dam
Dead Weight Weaning Weight
Carcase Weight GEBV 400 Day Weight EBV 200 Day Milk of Dam EBV
200 Day Weight EBV 400 Day Weight EBV 200 Day Milk of Dam
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TECHNICAL CORNER Sufficient gains will not be made on the strength of breed alone. Whilst breeds naturally differentiate themselves in different areas, returns to enterprises will be limited if the decision-making stops at that level. There is variation for all traits in all breeds. Making change within an enterprise is about selecting the animals within a breed that will pass on the genetics that you need to their offspring. Limousin has invested significantly in recent years in
genetic improvement and the tools available to commercial producers to find the best stock. The breed is fully engaged in a 10-year plan to use new and emerging techniques and technologies that will enable all sector players to identify the genetics they need. Markets are constantly changing and the aim is to position the breed so it can respond to change quickly with the know-how and animals in place to deliver performance in the areas
“The Limousin breed is fully engaged in a 10-year plan to use new and emerging techniques and technologies that will enable all sector players to identify the genetics they need”
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where its needed. Commercial producers can capitalise on that now and start addressing their enterprise gaps. Whether buying at the upcoming Autumn sales or directly off farm, animals are being presented with accurate breeding values in the top percentiles of the breed. These breeding values use the large industry sets of data now available to us as well as information from the animal DNA. Investment of your time and energy in finding which of them are suited to you will yield returns that are greater and last longer than that hay bob. If you would like assistance in using breeding values or any wider information in sourcing breeding stock, please get in touch with the Limousin office any time.
“...(sale) animals are being presented with accurate breeding values in the top percentiles of the breed. Investment of your time and energy in finding which of them are suited to you will yield returns...”.
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TECHNICAL CORNER
COMMERCIAL BUYERS MATCHING PEDIGREE BUYERS FOR TOP BULLS
S
ales around all centres for Limousin cattle have been strong so far this year. From the early store sales, featured elsewhere in this publication, to the pedigree sales in the main Spring and early Summer seasons, price has held well reflecting demand for the breed and confidence in its fit in the market place. As we head in to the Autumn sales season, some early analysis of what has occurred around pedigree bull sales already in the year reveals that commercial buyers are in many cases out-bidding their pedigree counterparts to secure the very best animals they can. At the February and May bull sales in Carlisle and Stirling, 462 bulls sold to average 5400 guineas. Where it gets interesting is that of the top 30 bulls from Carlisle and top 20 from Stirling (50 in total) selling to 20000 guineas, more than half of them headed to commercial homes for use on crossbred cows. This indicates the confidence buyers have in the breed and underlines the importance they place on sourcing the very best they can. This principle is also reflected in the relationship that is emerging for the year between the genetic merit of the bulls and price: Beef Value
No. Sold
Average Price (Gns)
40
7330
Top 10%
111
6669
Top 25%
84
5572
Breed Average
103
4156
Below Average
69
3522
Top 1%
This information illustrates that: • Distinct premiums are paid for animals of higher genetic merit. In the year so far, the average for bulls with Beef Values in the Top 1% is 3174 guineas more than bulls with
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Of the top 50 bulls selling to 20,000 guineas “...52% headed to commercial homes for use on crossbred cows” Beef Values that are average. This is a trend that has been apparent for more than 12 years now, which would not be the case if bulls were failing to deliver the performance that buyers expect from them. • A large proportion of Limousin bulls coming to the market have production traits that are in the Top 10% of the breed. So far for the year, over 37% of the animals sold have fallen in to this category.
It is worth noting that non-recorded bulls (those without performance records) achieved a sale average similar to bulls with EBVs below breed average and comprised around 12% of the total sold. There is clear demand from buyers for the additional information that EBVs provide them with as they invest in their enterprises. Through its own 10 year plan of investment, the Society and its members are committed to providing the market with this information and using all available new technologies to accelerate and grow the returns that genetics can bring. For assistance at any time in using EBVs and the more recent GEBVs in your herd, please get in touch with the Limousin office.
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TECHNICAL CORNER
HANDS ON FOR COMMERCIAL LIMOUSIN PRODUCERS AT ‘FARM TO FORK’ EVENT
O
n the 15 August the British Limousin Cattle Society held its first ‘farm to fork’ demonstration courtesy of AHDB and Dunbia Sawley. Led by Steve Powdrill, AHDB’s Technical Manager it was a practical and educational event which gave the commercial producers attending the opportunity to handle live animals and make assessment of fat cover, conformation using the EUROP grid and carcase weight, before inspecting the same animals on the hook in the chillers after having ‘walked’ the slaughter line. The group also had the chance to view the cutting room where product is packed and processed for a range of retailers. On the day there was plenty of opportunity to discuss
various market requirements and the factors affecting killing out percentages and dressing specifications. The pros and cons of the EUROP grid classification system was a hot topic and in the classroom ahead of entering the factory the group learnt that a carcase classifying R4L now suits approximately 85% of the market. With the stark reality that well over half of the carcase is now finding its way into the mincer, including more round cuts, one of the key messages to come out of the day was that producers need to keep their focus on the high value cuts, in particular the width, depth and length of loin. Currently, Limousin is the only breed in the UK offering producers the ability to make robust predictions of generic
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merit for a range of carcase traits which includes one based around the weight of the six primal cuts, fillet, striploin, rump, silverside, topside and knuckle. Using these ground breaking Genomic Breeding Values, producers of pedigree and commercially bred Limousin cattle now have the tools at their disposal to identify
animals with the genetics to not only perform well for the traditionally-measured traits, such as growth, but that will also go onto perform well through to slaughter and will help increase the proportion of all higher-value cuts simultaneously. Events of this kind are a fantastic opportunity to practically demonstrate just
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TECHNICAL CORNER how important the BLCS Breed Improvement Plan, and its commitment to drive market ready genetics forward really is; particularly given the uncertain time for the sector. The commercial end of the business is crucial for the success of the breed and with the adoption of new carcase classification technologies in the future very likely, the cattle with the genetics to convert food efficiently reach slaughter weights earliest and crucially, deliver more valuable carcases, will be in the greatest demand, just as they already are. Of the day BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said “Engagement with commercial producers on this level is a valuable activity for the Society given that they underpin the success of the Society’s pedigree members” he added “Our 10 year breed improvement plan is all about ensuring that users of Limousin cattle capture the optimum value from the genetics they are using in ways that haven’t been possible before, the evidence provided by events such as this confirm just how important this is now and in the future”
Fit for the Future? AHDB’s Technical Manager Steve Powdrill shares his thoughts
So Steve, firstly, are we fit for the future? With a lifetime in the industry I have seen many challenges; on the whole, I am still optimistic about the future for beef production. We have a strong demand at home and new markets are opening up all the time. However, producers must take note of the changing dynamics of the market place at home and overseas and there is no doubt that those that do and focus on producing the type of finished cattle the market place really want do have the brightest future.
And what does the market really want? The beef producer’s ultimate customer is the person who eats their meat. Latest market research shows that they want tender, juicy and tasty meat that is not too fatty. Price and value for money is also very important. Above all they are looking for a consistent product that gives them the same satisfying experience every time they buy, cook and eat it. However, for farmers their direct customer is the buyer at either a livestock market or abattoir, and they are looking for animals that are quick and easy to process, hit the correct carcase classification for conformation, fat and at the right weight.
How does this translate at the sharp end? Many abattoirs now require smaller and lighter carcases than they once did, driven mainly by changes in the structure of society and consumer preferences. The average number of people per household is decreasing and the requirement for meals that take less time to cook is increasing, consequently consumers are showing a preference towards smaller cuts. Retailers also require carcases to be a particular size and weight for portion control so that cuts can be packaged and displayed consistently.
What does this mean for producers? Well there isn’t a one size fits all answer, producers should identify markets for cattle that can be finished efficiently on their system before breeding and/or buying them in. Consequently, cattle can be bred and finished according to the market requirement. In breeding decisions, I am a firm believer that the use of Estimated Breeding Values can have a major impact on profitability, particularly when using those for growth and carcase attributes, Genomic Estimated Breeding Values go one step further. Having the tools to identify high genetic merit breeding stock for the traits that are driving the payment grid means that producers can hit processors targets more efficiently with their finished stock. In a nutshell, good genetics are the building blocks for all efficient beef production and will be the foundation for success in the future.
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TECHNICAL CORNER The producers also learnt about the substantial cost to the supply chain from delivering over-fat cattle onto the market. Not only is there an extra cost to the farmer he gets penalised for it on the payment grid as well, plus, the cost to the abattoir, which is trimming the fat off, and in some cases mincing valuable cuts, is significant. The effect of liver fluke was highlighted; again an issue to affect both sides of the supply chain. It has an impact on the daily live weight gain of the animal but also renders many livers unfit for human consumption, which is lost revenue to the industry. Of the event Steve Powdrill said “AHDB has been running these popular ‘farm to fork’
events for more than 10 years. They are a valuable education tool for all sections of the supply chain, for primary producers, they help them understand the importance of sending livestock to slaughter at the right time and the implications for not doing so”. He added “It is part of the wider Farm Excellence Platform, which is based on farmer to farmer learning and is a core component of AHDB’s new approach to knowledge exchange and research” The Society received very positive feedback from the participants on the day and extends a huge thank you to the staff at AHDB and Dunbia for accommodating the group brilliantly.
“We would like to thank the British Limousin Cattle Society for giving us the opportunity to take part in the visit to the Dunbia abattoir in Sawley. We not only found it very interesting but very informative in understanding the industry requirements from best practices administering medicines to the importance of animal welfare and the ideal conformation to meet industry requirements. We would highly recommend this visit to anyone who gets the opportunity” Richard and James Wilson, Birkby Farms Ltd, Scholes, Cleckheaton.
“My dad and I found the day really interesting. To see the finished cattle before and after and to see how they were graded was great; it is something neither of us had seen before. It was also brilliant to hear about all the work the AHDB is doing on behalf of the industry” Scott Marston, School Hill Farm, Askwith, Nr Otley
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Bailey’s Limousins Introducing
Our New
Stock Bull -
Goldies Jackpot S3104
Semen available from Progressive Genetics T:1 850 20 20 50 and Munster AI T: +353 224 3228 Tom Bailey +353 87 255 3195 Email: tom@bgh.ie UK Distribution contact: Owain Llyr Livestock - Owain Llyr 0044 7970 481 956 Northern Ireland Distribution contact: Progressive Genetics, Bernard McKenna m: 0044 7494 422137
TECHNICAL CORNER
TAURUS LIMOUSIN PERFORMANCE RECORDING
THE UK’S LEADING LIMOUSINS There are many traits that could be used to identify leading Limousin cattle. The following tables report on bulls and young sires only.
The ‘Top 10’s’ in this issue: • Leading Carcase Trait Stock Sires • Leading Maternal Trait Stock Sires • Leading Gestation Length Young Bulls
To choose your own criteria, please go to www.taurusdata.co.uk, click on ‘Beef Search’ then ‘EBV Search’.
Based on Breeding Value update 01/09/18
Leading Stock Sires for Carcase Traits
Which Carcase Traits to Choose? It is important to note that the new breeding values for the six primal cuts are adjusted to a standard carcase weight of 350kgs… •
In other words, animals with high GEBVs for these traits are animals with the genetics to produce higher weights of prime cut as a proportion of a 350kg carcase.
•
The Carcase Weight breeding values will identify animals with the genetics to produce heavier carcase weights.
•
And Age at Slaughter will identify the animals that get there quickly!
The GEBVs available for Limousin cover a range of eight Carcase Traits (Carcase Weight, Age at Slaughter and six primal cuts) and are based on weekly downloads of VIA measurements from Limousin-bred cattle in five of ABP Food Group’s abattoirs in combination with individual animal DNA. A Retail Yield index is also produced; this is an economically weighted index comprising the breeding values of the six primal cuts (Fillet, Striploin, Rump, Silverside, Topside and Knuckle).
FILLET GEBV/EBV (KG) STRIPLOIN GEBV/EBV (KG) RUMP GEBV/EBV (KG) SILVERSIDE GEBV/EBV (KG) TOPSIDE GEBV/EBV (KG) KNUCKLE GEBV/EBV (KG)
RETAIL VALUE
All of this means that producers of pedigree and commercially-bred Limousin cattle have breeding values at their disposal to identify animals with the genetics to not only perform well for the traditionally-measured traits, such as growth to 400 days of age, but that will also go on and perform well through to slaughter. Irrespective of end market, the value of stock that can do this is considerable.
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All three elements in combination are therefore important to most types of beef enterprise
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TECHNICAL CORNER The following table details the leading Limousin stock bulls for Age to Slaughter GEBV/EBV1 that also meet the following criteria: • • All bulls’ breeding values are published on the Limousin database (www.taurusdata.co.uk) • All bulls have sired a registered calf within the last three years (since 1st September 2015) • All bulls’ Carcase Weight and Retail Breeding Values are equal to and above the 2018 Breed Average of 4.7kg and LM27R respectively. Animals are listed by their Age at Slaughter breeding value in descending order. The Calving Ease EBV for each animal is included as a point of reference only. Accuracy values are shown as % alongside each breeding value. 1 Carcase Trait EBVs are made available as part of the process that produces the GEBVs. (The GEBVs use information from the animal’s DNA in their calculation. The EBVs do not, but both use the same slaughter records obtained from the abattoir). Where an animal’s accuracy % for the EBVs is greater than 50%, the values are automatically published for that animal on the Limousin database. The way in which both types of value should be interpreted and used is the same.
Details
Bred By
Owned By
SLAUGHTER AGE (DAYS)
CARCASE WT (KG)
RETAIL VALUE INDEX
CALV. EASE (%)
1 NEW
MISCOMBE FRANCE Eartag UK 282277/700472 Date of Birth 01/04/2010 No. Calves 92 Sire Neuf
Buriton Estates Ltd, MISCOMBE herd, Hampshire
C.J. Dare & Son, HUGGINSHAYES herd, Devon
-52 54%
10 75%
32 62%
-3.6 72%
2 NEW
MERESIDE DAYTONA Eartag UK 201316/701104 Date of Birth 25/10/2008 No. Calves 144 Sire Objat
R M Hazard & Sons, MERESIDE herd, Lincolnshire
Messrs Heald & Co, COACHHOUSE herd, Nottinghamshire
-39 75%
13 79%
32 78%
-2.3 91%
3
NEWHOUSE HARTLEY Eartag UK 540209/301069 Date of Birth 07/07/2012 No. Calves 44 Sire Rosecroft Duke
Messrs Robert M Adam And Son, NEWHOUSE herd, Angus
Mrs P Blair, LITTLEINCH herd, Fife
-37 74%
28 79%
36 78%
-2.2 81%
4
WILODGE GEEZER Eartag UK 305117/601022 Date of Birth 15/03/2011 No. Calves 20 Sire Milbrook Tanko
Wilodge, WILODGE herd, Shropshire
Sezincote Farms, SEZINCOTE herd, Gloucestershire
-37 57%
26 83%
37 65%
-4 76%
5 NEW
NEWHOUSE GLAMIS Eartag UK 540209/401021 Date of Birth 23/12/2011 No. Calves 3 Sire Rosecroft Duke
Messrs Robert M Adam And Son, NEWHOUSE herd, Angus
Taylors of Tannadice, CARITY herd, Angus
-35 92%
60 95%
42 94%
-1.5 66%
6 NEW
RACHELS DYNAMITE Eartag UK 142189/500280 Date of Birth 13/04/2008 No. Calves 123 Sire Scorboro Aramis
Messrs D & M L P Woolhouse, RACHELS herd, Humberside
Messrs D & M L P Woolhouse, RACHELS herd, Humberside
-35 65%
26 71%
32 70%
-1.7 90%
7 NEW
GARNEDD FRANK Eartag UK 702544/600578 Date of Birth 14/04/2010 No. Calves 31 Sire Attirant
Messrs K I & E & H IJones, GARNEDD herd, Gwynedd
Non-Member Owner
-31 70%
14 86%
23 77%
-3.6 80%
8 NEW
TRUEMAN JAGGER Eartag UK 9240306/643-6 Date of Birth 21/04/2014 No. Calves 291 Sire Ampertaine Gigolo
Mr H Savage & Sons, TRUEMAN herd, Newry
Messrs Jenkinson, WHINFELLPARK herd, Cumbria
-30 90%
27 92%
34 92%
-19.5 95%
9 NEW
EMSLIES HUNTER Eartag UK 520779/501201 Date of Birth 06/04/2012 No. Calves 20 Sire Emslies Colossus
Mr H Emslie, EMSLIES herd, Aberdeenshire
Messrs R & J Johnston, HEWAN herd, Orkney
-30 72%
22 91%
44 79%
-1.3 65%
10 NEW
AMPERTAINE GIGOLO Eartag UK 9564385/726-5 Date of Birth 16/10/2011 No. Calves 900 Sire Ampertaine Commander
Messrs W J & James McKay, AMPERTAINE herd, Co. Derry
Messrs W J & James McKay, AMPERTAINE herd, Newry
-29 93%
25 95%
39 94%
-4.1 98%
Practical one-stop Limousin semen shop www.semenstore.co.uk
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BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
| 43
TECHNICAL CORNER
Leading Stock Sires for Maternal Traits In 2017 the Limousin Society launched EBVs and GEBVs for Female Fertility and Calf Survival Traits. These differ from EBVs previously available in that they are derived from the records of all commercial Limousin-bred dams recorded in the UK on BCMS, as well as animal DNA in the case of the GEBVs. These larger pools of information have led to breeding values that are significantly more robust than was previously possible, with greater commercial relevance: Age at First Calving: indicates genetic potential for heifers to hold to first service opportunity. Negative values (ie less days) indicate superior genetics for this trait. Calving Interval: indicates genetic potential for the time that cows take to get back in calf. Look for negative values (ie less days) for cows that get back in calf on time. Longevity: indicates genetic potential for the relative number of calves born in 6.5 years. Look for positive values for females that are likely to be more productive in the herd for a longer time. Calf Survival: indicates genetic potential for calves to survive between 3 weeks and 10 months of age. Look for high positives to indicate a higher probability of survival. The league table below identifies the current Top 10 Maternal Stock Sires according to the following criteria: • • • •
All All All All
bulls bulls bulls bulls
have sired a registered calf within the last three years (since 1st September 2015) have the youngest Age at First Calving EBV/GEBV recorded in the September 2018 EBV Update with an accuracy greater than or equal to 40% have EBVs/GEBVs above average for Calving Interval, Longevity and Calf Survival also have EBVs/GEBVs above average for 200 Day Milk, Maternal Calving Ease and Beef Value.
Animals are listed by their Age at First Calving breeding value in descending order (shortest to longest). Accuracy values are shown as % alongside each breeding value.
Details
Bred By
Owned By
AGE FIRST CALV (Days)
CALVING INTERVAL (Days)
LONGEVITY (Rel no. calves)
CALF SURVIVAL (Probability)
1 NEW
WATERLOO HADRIAN Eartag UK 202209/500207 Date of Birth 07/03/2012 No. Calves 7 Sire Chabal
J Corney & Sons, WATERLOO herd, Northamptonshire
J Corney & Sons, WATERLOO herd, Northamptonshire
-3.6 47%
0.3 24%
-0.02 21%
0 37%
2 NEW
KIRKLAND HARRIER Eartag UK 540754/601070 Date of Birth 05/05/2012 No. Calves 1 Sire Newhouse Desperado
Mr T S Kirk, KIRKLAND herd, Campbeltown
H.S MacTier & Son, MOCHRUM herd, Newton Stewart
3.9 42%
1 29%
0.07 29%
-0.01 40%
3 NEW
CHABAL Eartag Date of Birth 24/09/2007 No. Calves 110 Sire Recif
Domaine Des Etangs, France
Mr G.E. Smith, GRANGE herd, Northamptonshire
4.2 70%
-2.8 39%
0 29%
0.02 61%
4 NEW
GOLDIES ENZYME Eartag UK 581575/401034 Date of Birth 17/07/2009 No. Calves 58 Sire Normande Arapaho
Bruce T Goldie, GOLDIES herd, Dumfries
Firm of D W Youngson, YTHANVALE herd, Aberdeenshire
4.4 50%
-0.4 34%
0.08 36%
-0.01 54%
5 NEW
MEADOWRIG LESTER Eartag UK 564413/300099 Date of Birth 06/04/2015 No. Calves 4 Sire Festival
A Renton & HSB Redden Partners, MEADOWRIG herd, Berwick
Non-Member Owner
9.3 51%
-6.4 34%
-0.02 36%
0 33%
6 NEW
OLDHOUSEGREEN HB Eartag UK 160594/400402 Date of Birth 19/04/2012 No. Calves 18 Sire Ampertaine Domino
Brian Taylor, OLDHOUSEGREEN herd, Stoke
Non-Member Owner
10.7 41%
-0.7 26%
0.02 25%
-0.01 31%
7
AMPERTAINE DOMINO Eartag UK 9564385/532-7 Date of Birth 01/10/2008 No. Calves 106 Sire Ambertaine Abracadabra
Messrs W J & James McKay, AMPERTAINE herd, Co Derry
Messrs W J & James McKay, AMPERTAINE herd, Co Derry
14.9 72%
-7.4 47%
0.12 44%
0 54%
8
CARGACLOUGHER IMPRESSIVE Eartag UK 9184398/235-1 Date of Birth 20/06/2013 No. Calves 1 Sire Greenwell Fieldmaster
Mr J McKee, CARGACLOUGHER herd, Co Armagh
Mr J McKee, CARGACLOUGHER herd, Co Armagh
15.1 47%
-4.4 29%
-0.02 27%
-0.01 36%
9 NEW
BRIMS GAINS Eartag UK 500601/602902 Date of Birth 20/02/2011 No. Calves 63 Sire Wilodge Tonka
W & A Oag, BRIMS herd, Thurso
J & M Labbett, LABBETT herd, Hereford & Worcestershire
15.5 68%
3.1 45%
0.01 45%
0 59%
10 NEW
AMPERTAINE FOREMAN Eartag UK 9564385/0652-1 Date of Birth 27/08/2010 No. Calves 1284 Sire Wilodge Cerberus
Messrs W J & James McKay, AMPERTAINE herd, Co Derry
Non-Member Owner
16.1 82%
-0.9 49%
0.07 44%
-0.01 72%
44 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
www.limousin.co.uk
TECHNICAL CORNER
Leading Young Bulls for Gestation Length The following identifies the current Top 10 Limousin Young Bulls for Gestation Length EBV according to the following criteria: •
All bulls are born 1st September 2015 (ie are younger than 3 years of age at time of update), are live, pedigree registered and are performance recorded. All bulls have the shortest Gestation Length EBV recorded in the September 2018 EBV Update All bulls have Calving Ease EBVs and Beef Values greater than or equal to the 2018 breed average
• •
Animals are listed by their Gestation Length breeding value in descending order (shortest to longest). Accuracy values are shown as % alongside each breeding value. Details
Bred By
Owned By
GEST. LENGTH (Days)
BEEF VALUE
CALV. EASE (%)
1
GOLDIES NIMBLE Eartag UK 581575/301740 Date of Birth 30/05/2017 No. Calves 0 Sire GOLDIES JUGGLER
Bruce T Goldie, GOLDIES herd, Dumfries and Galloway
Bruce T Goldie, GOLDIES herd, Dumfries and Galloway
-7.4 76%
LM62 75%
-0.4 63%
2
GOLDIES NIVEN Eartag UK 581575/701779 Date of Birth 13/11/2017 No. Calves 0 Sire GOLDIES JUGGLER
Bruce T Goldie, GOLDIES herd, Dumfries and Galloway
Bruce T Goldie, GOLDIES herd, Dumfries and Galloway
-7.2 75%
LM55 71%
-1.4 63%
3
AMPERTAINE METRIC Eartag UK 9564385/1127-7 Date of Birth 22/08/2016 No. Calves 0 Sire AMPERTAINE JAMBOREE
Messrs W J & James McKay, AMPERTAINE herd, Northern Ireland
Messrs W J & James McKay, AMPERTAINE herd, Northern Ireland
-6.7 76%
LM34 75%
0.3 63%
4
GOLDIES NORTH Eartag UK 581575/201739 Date of Birth 30/05/2017 No. Calves 0 Sire GOLDIES JUGGLER
Bruce T Goldie, GOLDIES herd, Dumfries and Galloway
Bruce T Goldie, GOLDIES herd, Dumfries and Galloway
-6.4 76%
LM43 75%
-0.1 63
5 NEW
AMPERTAINE MAGNUM Eartag UK 9564385/1086-1 Date of Birth 4/10/2016 No. Calves 17 Sire LOOSEBEARE FANTASTIC
Messrs W J & James McKay, AMPERTAINE herd, Northern Ireland
Mr I Handley, GUNNERFLEET herd, Lancashire
-6.3 85%
LM36 78%
-0.3 70%
6
TOMSCHOICE NISSAN Eartag UK 124148/300442 Date of Birth 02/11/2017 No. Calves 0 Sire KAPRICO ERAVELLE
J M & S P Cooper, TOMSCHOICE herd, North Yorkshire
Mr A Glew, WOODBOTTOM herd, West Yorkshire
-6.3 76%
LM30 64%
1.7 64%
7 NEW
MCTURK MUMBAI Eartag UK 141094/701522 Date of Birth 2/3/2016 No. Calves 0 Sire GREENSONS HOWLETT
Manby Farms Ltd, MCTURK herd, Humberside
Non Member Owner
-6.3 71%
LM28 72%
-0.4 62%
8 NEW
ROXBURGH LEDUC Eartag UK 562106/202225 Date of Birth 11/26/2015 No. Calves 0 Sire COLE SUDDEN IMPACT
John Elliot, ROXBURGH herd, Scotland
Non Member Owner
-6.1 75%
LM39 74%
-2 54%
9
TOMSCHOICE MIRAGE Eartag UK 124148/700390 Date of Birth 08/10/2016 No. Calves 0 Sire KAPRICO ERAVELLE
J M & S P Cooper, TOMSCHOICE herd, North Yorkshire
Non-Member Owner
-5.9 75%
LM44 75%
-0.4 64%
10
TOMSCHOICE MONTY Eartag UK 124148/500388 Date of Birth 08/05/2016 No. Calves 12 Sire KAPRICO ERAVELLE
J M & S P Cooper, TOMSCHOICE herd, North Yorkshire
Mrs D B Davies, TIERSTON herd, Dyfed
-5.9 78%
LM41 76%
-1.8 70%
To view pedigree and performance information for all registered Limousins go to www.limousin.co.uk and click on the ‘Taurus Online Herdbook’ button. You can then search by animal, by breeder, by EBVs and by GEBVs.
www.taurusdata.co.uk
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BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
| 45
NEWS
BREEDERS’ SALES & GENERAL ROUND-UP
For full sale reports please visit www.limousin.co.uk
WESTPIT NANDO SELLS IN PRIVATE FIVE FIGURE DEAL
A
ndrew Gammie of the Westpit herd, Drumforber, Laurencekirk has announced the sale of their May 2017 born bull, Westpit Nando, in a five figure private deal to Ronald Dick of the Ronick herd, Stirling. By the Royal Welsh 2015 Overall Male Champion, Dinmore Immense, and out of Brockhurst Holy who goes back to the noted female line of Ronick Mcainsi, he has a LM+47, placing him in the top 1% of the breed. Holy was purchased by the Gammie family at Newark for 5800gns as an in-calf heifer and has also bred Westpit Lowry who sold for 18,000gns to the Maraiscote herd. Commenting on the sale, breeder Andrew Gammie said: “Westpit Nando has always been the pick at home, he has great width, style, moves very well, has a great temperament and also a wonderful pedigree”. He added “His dam Brockhurst Holy is very highly thought of and has been part of the herds flushing programme for some time. I am absolutely delighted to sell him to such a highly thought of and respected herd, I hope he does very Westpit Nando well for his new owners.” Nando had only one show outing this summer, at Keith show, where he was tapped out Breed Champion before going on to be Reserve Interbreed and Reserve Continental Scottish Champion of Champions. It was at this outing that he caught the eye of the Dick family. New owner Ronald Dick said: “Stephanie came home from Keith Show very excited about this young bull she had seen, going back to view him at home privately we had no hesitation
in purchasing the bull as a new stock sire. He is a very eye catching bull, he is correct and has a tremendous width and carcass to him which is complimented by some great blood lines that we can use across the whole herd. He went onto say “We are extremely happy with our purchase of this outstanding young bull who is a credit to the Gammie family; we look forward to the future with him and seeing him progress our herd”
EXETER TRADE TOPS AT 2570GNS
A
good entry of pedigree Limousin cattle for the Summer Sale at Exeter Livestock Centre, Devon, on the 22 June met a selective trade as the effect of very little rain and a shortage of grass and forage became evident. Sold separately, trade topped at 2,570gns for a cow and calf outfit from C R and M M Gollop and Sons, Cullompton, Devon. Sloughpool Eillen, a 2009 born daughter of Lumbylaw Penandpaper was knocked down to L J Bradford,
Higher Park, Iddesleigh, Devon for 1,550gns while her seven-month old bull calf by Loosebeare Ipad made 1,020gns in selling to G French, Dullford, Cullompton. The Gollop family sold other similar outfits to 2,450gns twice. First came Sloughpool Jade, a four year old by Ampertaine Clinton with her eight-month old Loosebeare Ipad bull calf at foot. The purchaser was A S Ball, Treleigh Farm, Bodmin. Making the same money was the next
46 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
lot in the ring, a three year old Sympa granddaughter Sloughpool Loulotte with her Lodge Hamlet heifer calf at foot. This pair was knocked down to A Thomas of New Breach Farm, Cowbridge. Two useful cow and calf outfits from Messrs C and S Partridge of Tiverton sold well. A 2014 born cow by Columbpark Firefox sold with her March born Nealford Imperial steer calf at foot for 1,920gns and a 2015 born cow by the same sire, also with a
Nealford Imperial steer calf at foot made 1,880gns. Both lots went to the same purchaser, P D Rowell and Son, Winscombe, Exeter. David and Russell Stevens of Crediton sold two heifers by Loosebeare George for 1,400gns each to A G Boundy, Trehane Farm, Camelford, Cornwall and two smart heifers by Claragh Jackpot from Gary Dunn of Oakehampton realised 1,200gns each in selling to D W Curtis, Trenant Farm, Liskeard, Cornwall.
www.limousin.co.uk
NEWS
TRUEMAN HERD SECURE TOP PRICES AT LIMOUSIN FEMALE SALE AT HILLTOWN • 84% clearance of 32 females forward
Trueman Lopez, 4,300gns
• Trueman Lopez and her calf tops the sale at 4,300gns • 27 females average £1,939 – up £521 on last year
T
he Northern Irish Limousin Cattle Club held their fourth annual sale of haltered and unhaltered females at Hilltown Mart on Monday 27 August 2018. The sale, this year described as ‘coming of age’, was extremely well supported, a packed sales ring, saw a clearance rate of 84% achieved. Of the 32 females forward, 27 were sold to an average of £1,939 per head, which is up over £500 on the same sale fixture last year. With commercial buyers actively in the market, these results yet again provide more evidence of how Limousin females are fitting into the requirements of commercial enterprises. The top price of 4,300gns went to a home bred cow and calf unit from Henry Savage and Sons, Newry, Co Down. The January 2015 cow Trueman Lopez is by Huntershall Gladiator and out of the dam Trueman Gabrielle. Lopez is also a maternal sister to Trueman Jukebox who was sold in Carlisle for 12,500gns. Her November 2017 born bull calf at foot Trueman Nestor is by Millgate Invest and Lopez came to the sale scanned back in calf to Craigatoke Jack. The pair was purchased by Martin McConville, Rathfriland, Co Down who runs the Glenlimo Limousin herd. Second best price of the sale, 4,000gns, went to another from the Savage stable in the shape of Trueman Melb. A November 2016 born heifer, Melb is by Haltcliffe Vermount and out of the dam Cookstown B1425. Melb is a full sister to Trueman Grazia, dam of the 140,000gns Trueman Jagger. Melb now heads to a new home in Monaghan being purchased by B McCarron, Cloughfin. Next up was Trueman Niamh at 3,000gns. Also from Henry Savage and Sons, Niamh is a January 2017 born heifer by Dauphin, the British Limousin Cattle Society 40th Anniversary National Champion and out of the dam Trueman Euphonium. She was purchased by E Thomas, Penrhyn side, North Wales. Cow and calf unit Trueman Lucille and Trueman Osanna sold for 2,900gns to Mr McKeown, Crossmaglen, Newry. A January 2016 first calving heifer, Lucille is by Ampertaine Elgin and out of the dam Trueman Halo. Her heifer calf Osanna is by the French bull Leo who is a relative new addition to the Savage yard. Lucille has been running with the Savage’s new stock bull, 20,000gns Telfers Munster. Selling for 2,200gns was Archies Iris and her bull calf at foot Archies Nelly from Eddie McKeever, Portglenone, Co Antrim. Iris is by Breconside EXL and out of the dam Aghadolgan Victoria. Nelly, her November 2017 born bull calf is by Archies Jazzyjeff. This unit was purchased by new pedigree breeder Philip Broome who runs the Edenrock herd at Ballynahinch, Co Down. Lynderg Nicole a January 2017 born heifer from Jim Quail, Banbridge, Co Down sold for 2,100gns. Sired by Ocean and out
Trueman Melb, 4,000gns of the dam Lynderg Fay, Nicole was purchased by Malachy McCourt for his Edenross Limousin herd at Rostrevor, Co Down. Ballyrobin Noelle, home bred by Joan Gilliland, Antrim, Co Antrim sold for 2,050gns. A January 2017 born heifer, Noelle was sired by Lowerffrydd Empire and is out of Trueman Niamh, 3,000gns the homebred dam Ballyrobin Ivy who was Junior Champion at the Northern Irish Limousin Championship in 2015. Noelle now heads to her new home with the Artlone Limousin herd of Joshua Arrell, Randalstown, Co Antrim. Speaking about the sale NI Limousin Cattle Club member Jim Scott of the Ardigon herd said “There was a wonderful trade at Hilltown Mart, a super show of cattle came in front of a cohort of pedigree buyers and small commercial farmers with serious faces. The sale, still in its infancy, ‘came of age’ and anything worth its salt found a home very easily”
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BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
| 47
NEWS
BREEDERS’ SALES & GENERAL ROUND-UP
£4000 BABY SHAMBLES LEADS THAINSTONE SPECTACULAR
B
aby Shambles, a Limousin cross heifer from the Munro family of Invercharron, Ardgay, stood Champion at The Spectacular show and sale held in August at Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ Thainstone centre. This 11-month-old homebred heifer, sired by Bailea Cavalier and weighing in at 495kgs, later went on to sell for a sale topping price of £4000 when purchased by David Blair, Littleinch Farm, Balmerino, Newport On Tay. The 2018 sale saw 38 calves forward with 17 heifers cashed in at 4.49p per kg or £1983.75, and 21 bullocks levelling at 4.06p per kg or £1728.42. At the very handy price of £3400, and leading the bullock trade, was Balfour Baillie›s home-bred 17-monthold Limousin cross from Sebay View, Tankerness. This calf, by Trueman Idol and weighing 513kgs, was another selling to David Blair, Littleinch Farm. At £3000 was another from the Munro family in the shape of their 268kg, four-month-old Limousin cross bullock Benjamin sired by Powerhouse Lynx, which was bought by Andrew Anderson, Smallburn Farms. Other leading prices included £2,900 for a home-bred October-2017 born Limousin cross heifer, by Powerhouse Harlequin, from John and Craig Robertson. She sold to Messrs Hopwood, Duckingfield, Manchester. Taking the Championship in the younger calves was the home-bred March 2018-born Limousin cross bullock also from the Robertsons. Another by Powerhouse Harlequin, and weighing in at 291kg, he is out of a British Blue cross Limousin and was knocked down for £2500 to JCB Commercials, NI.
LIMOUSINS DOMINATE AT CALEDONIAN PREMIER SUCKLED CALF SALE
A
strong show of Limousin suckled calves dominated the trade at Caledonian marts Premier Show and Sale of suckled calves at Stirling on Friday 7 September. The top price of £2800 matched last year’s high and was secured by a Limousin heifer from father and son team John and Craig Robertson, who are well known for producing top quality show calves from their 170 cow unit at Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry. Their leader was a nine-month old out of a Limousin cross dam that is herself out of one of the best breeders in the herd who has produced many show winners. On her first outing, the 400kg heifer secured the Reserve Senior title and was knocked down to Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop, Greenyards, Stirling. Close behind at £2600 was the Senior Champion Harry,
48 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
a Limousin cross bullock from the Lairds at Sunnyside and Carbello, Cumnock. Brought out by Alan and Shona Stevenson the 13-month old was bought as a calf at foot along with his Limousin cross mother from John McAlister, West Thomaston. Harry, who tipped the scales at 510kg came to the sale having had a successful summer on the show circuit and was snapped up by the Judge Craig Malone of Pitcairn, Cardenden. The Champion, and next in the trade stakes at £2400, came in the shape of Limousin cross bullock Blue Magoo from Brian Harper, Greenwells, Falkirk. In a first for the fixture, Brian secured his second Supreme Championship in a row. However, in contrast to previous years when Brain’s show stock had been purchased as calves at foot, the 290kg Blue Magoo was bred at home out of a Limousin cross dam.
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Friday Top Livestock Show nd of Cattle & Sheep 2 November BORDERWAY
Friday 2nd November
CARLISLE CA1 2RS
Venue: Borderway Mart, Carlisle CA1 2RS 8.00am - 5.00pm
Official Breed 160 Trade 900 Head Society Calf Shows Exhibits of Livestock including the latest in for Aberdeen Angus, including National Primestock Shows for technology, machinery British Blue, Hereford, • 160 trade stands, breed society stands, machinery stands Beef Shorthorn, demonstrations and Cattle and Sheep and • National Primestock Shows for Cattle and Sheep Simmental breed society stands Breed Societies • Official Breed Society Calf Shows for
Top Livestock Show of Cattle & Sheep
FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING
Aberdeen Angus - British Blue - Hereford - Beef Shorthorn - Simmental • Agri Expo Stocksman of the Year competition - YFC and Open FREE Admission and FREE parking For full details visit our website
www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk
The one day agricultural event not to be missed
t. 01228 406230 | f. 01228 406231 | e. agriexpo@borderway.com
www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk
HARRISON & HETHERINGTON Farmstock Auctioneers, Brokers & Valuers
Forthcoming Limousin Sales at Carlisle FRIDAY 19th & SATURDAY 20th OCTOBER Annual Autumn Show & Sale of 220 Bull Friday 19th – Judging of all classes – 11.00am Saturday 20th – Sale of Bulls 10.30am
FRIDAY 14th DECEMBER
Red Ladies Derby & Weaned Calf Show & Sale Entries Close – Friday 9th November For all other up to date sales and information visit our website harrisonandhetherington.co.uk
01228 406200 harrisonandhetherington.co.uk Borderway Mart, Carlisle CA1 2RS
YOUNG LIMOUSIN
Check out the YLBC Facebook page or www.limousin.co.uk for reports and future events. YOUNG LIMOUSIN BREEDERS http://www.facebook.com/groups/311318061854 CURRENT YLBC OFFICIALS Chairman
Stephanie Dick, Mains of Throsk, Stirling
Vice Chairman
Tom Illingworth, Howgillside, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie
Sponsorship Co-ordinator
John Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Stirling
Hon President
Mrs Kay Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Angus
YLBC Co-ordinator
Natalie Cormack - ylbc@limousin.co.uk
YLBC MEMBERSHIP OFFERS VALUABLE LESSONS
A
t the time of going to print YLBC members are just about to head off on an action packed workshop weekend. Hosted in South West England, first stop on Friday 21 September is a farm to fork demonstration, hosted by AHDB, at ABP’s processing site at Langport, Devon. The following day sees the group head to Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, Devon where the Mike, Melanie and Charlotte Alford are set to host the judging and stewarding part of the workshop weekend. One of Europe’s leading food processors, ABP Food Group provides beef to thousands of customers across the world. This is a super chance to take a look inside a busy factory; hearing about what the market is looking for from the sharp end of the supply chain is a valuable lesson to learn. Onto Foxhillfarm the next day and another opportunity for some valuable learning. Steeped in a long tradition
IRELAND LEAD THE WAY IN THE YOUNG BREEDERS ANGLO IRISH STOCKJUDGING
M
oving around the home nations and Ireland, Saturday 28th July saw the Antrim Show act as host for the final of the 2018 Young Limousin Breeders Anglo Irish Contest. This annual event is one of the highlights of the Young
Limousin Breeders Club (YLBC) calendar, which sees Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland battle it out in ring craft and stock judging events to see who will be crowned champions. Team and individual competitions take place.
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in the pedigree and commercial livestock industries, the Foxhillfarm Limousin herd was established in 2011 with the aim of creating an elite herd based on strong family lines to produce top quality males and females for sale in to pedigree herds. Activities of this kind, particularly those with a commercial element, are what make’s membership of the YLBC a must for any young person with an interest in the breed, from any perspective. Under the heading of ‘Today’s YouthTomorrow’s Breeders’ the YLBC is the foundation around which the UK’s number one beef breed will continue to develop. So if you want to get involved and take part in these kinds of events, and have plenty of fun as well, then please download the YLBC membership form from the BLCS website, email natalie.cormack@btconnect.com or contact the BLCS office on 02476 696500.
Ireland
The competitors arrived and watched the morning showing being judged in the glorious sunshine. The quality of cattle was fantastic
and there was a degree of excitement building as the participants looked forward to a competitive afternoon. There were two classes of
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YOUNG LIMOUSIN
England
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Wales
cattle to judge, with one set of reasons to be given, plus a handling class. Just as the competition was about to get underway the heavens opened and what can only be described as a deluge of rain hit the showground. Undeterred, competitors carried on and judged the class of bulls first and then heifers, handing in some very soggy judging cards. Reasons were then given to the able judging panel of Ian Callion, Phillip Crow and Naomi Gregg. Having taken notes on the heifers competitors were marked for comparison, accuracy, style and ability. With the reason giving well underway, the weather worsened and amid a spectacular thunder storm the decision was taken to cancel the handling section of the competition with cattle, exhibitors and competitor’s safety in mind. When the results came in, it proved to be a super day for the Irish team as they took both the team and individual top spot. The results are as follows Teams 1st – Southern Ireland 2nd – Scotland and England joint 3rd – Northern Ireland Individual 1st – Aiden Kinahan 2nd – Michelle Tarpey and Sarah Armstrong joint Events like these offers young breeders a valuable opportunity for learning and development while having fun at the same time. James Alexander who runs the Jalex Limousin herd
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at Randalstown, Co Antrim hosted a BBQ and social evening at his house in the evening after the competition. After enjoying the hospitality, the teams headed back to their hotels looking forward to
some exciting herd visits the following day. First stop was the renowned Ampertaine herd of Messrs W J and James Mckay at Maghera, Co Derry. James showed the group some top
quality stock, getting the chance to see the families of his top-priced bulls was a delight for everyone. James had a great show of younger calves coming on and it was interesting to hear him talk about the genetics being used through this herd; everyone was trying to pick up some tips! Next up was the Claragh herd of Paul Rainey at Kilrea, Co Derry. Paul had a superb display of quality calves in his fields; they were all a credit to him. Everyone was impressed with his stock; the consensus was that his prize winning heifer Claragh Lily is certainly doing a great job for him! The final visit of the day was to the established Pointhouse herd of Briege, Michael and Kile Diamond at Garvagh, Co Derry. Once again the cattle were outstanding, and the keen interest taken by YLBC member Kile was great to see, knowing every pedigree of every cow is really something. Briege supplied the group with a fabulous lunch, which everyone was grateful for, it topped off what had been a fabulous weekend! Thanks are extended to the many people who made the weekend such a success, including all exhibitors at the show for lending the competitors their cattle. Particular thanks go to Briege Diamond and Christina Loughran for helping the YLBC Chairman Stephanie Dick run the event, the able judges, the herd visit hosts and James and Ruth Alexander.
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YOUNG LIMOUSIN
YOUNG LIMOUSIN BREEDER KILE DIAMOND LIFTS ANOTHER ‘MAJOR’ TITLE
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ompeting for the first time at each ‘major’ show has been a focus of the past year for Young Limousin Breeder Kile Diamond from the Pointhouse Herd in Garvagh, Northern Ireland. In winning the Champion Young Beef Handler at the Yorkshire Show just under a year ago and again at the 150th Balmoral Show just a month ago expectations were high when Kile travelled to Edinburgh to compete in the young handler’s competition at the recent Royal Highland Show. The junior class of 12 were first in the ring. The participants paraded in the show ring taking it in turn to present their animal to Judge Laura Green of Corskie Farm, Moragshire. Laura quizzed the handlers on
Kile Diamond
their animals, asking each to present and show their cattle. As they walked, Laura made her selection and placed Kile in first place. Kile then went head to head against the senior class winner. The Judge asked the handlers to swap cattle and circle the
ring at which point Kile’s new animal spooked and tried to break away. Demonstrating super quick thinking, Kile took control of the heifer, pulling her back in line, at which point she settled well and walked correctly. The handlers switched
back to their own cattle and Laura stepped forward and tapped Kile out as the Overall Beef Young Handler 2018. Speaking after the contest Laura Green said “I felt Kile was handling his animal with too much ease, so I thought I would mix it up a little. Due to his quick thinking and obvious knowledge of cattle handling, he mastered the animal well and then smoothly continued on with the competition. He was a pleasure to judge and it was a delight to watch his skills in action”.
YOUNG LIMOUSIN BREEDER MATTHEW CLARK EXCELS AT GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW Matthew Clark
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Y
oung Limousin breeder Matthew Clark out shone some tough opposition to take the Champion Young Beef Handler 2018 at the recent Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate. Although having won stockjudging classes at various events in the past this success marks his first Championship triumph at a ‘major’ contest. Around 35 young handlers were taking part in the competition, in different age groups, from all over the United Kingdom. Matthew was entered in the senior class for handlers between 17 and 20 years of age and was competing against 11 other young handlers. Matthew had to prepare and groom his animal for showing, a heifer on loan from Richard Priestley of the Brontemoor herd before presenting and showing to the judge Mr T Hayes who had travelled all the way from Victoria, Australia. Mr Hayes asked each young handler questions about the preparations they had undertaken for the class, after confidently answering Matthew was selected as the Overall winner. Matthew works with his parents Andrew and Alison Clarke at Hangram Lane Farm, Ringinglow, Sheffield, where they run the Mayfields Limousin Herd.
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YOUNG LIMOUSIN
LIM-IT TEAM SECURE SECOND PLACE IN 2018 NATIONAL YOUNG STARS SHOW
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he Lim-It team comprising of Emma Rathbone of Specs Limousin, Stoke on Trent, Brooks Carey Brindham herd, Glastonbury, Somerset and Elliw Roberts from Anglesey secured second place in the intensely contested beef competition at the 2018 National Young Stars event held at Three Counties Showground, Malvern on 21st and 22nd August. This great result follows on from the Limmy Lads success of 2016 and the Limousin Leaders fourth spot last year. The event, sponsored by Allflex, now in its fourth year, saw more than 100 young farming enthusiasts between the ages of eight and 24 showcase their skills in cattle, sheep, pig and butchery competitions. One of the highlights of the event is undoubtedly the beef competition and four teams took part this year, including an exchange team from Canada. Over the two days the judging proved to be incredibly close, scored out of a possible 1,000 points less than 130 points separated first and fourth place. With a solid overall score of 802 the Lim-It team were just 74 points behind the overall winners. Analysis of the scorecard indicates that the Lim-It team led the way in the ring craft judging and the speaking skills of Emma Rathbone secured joint top marks in the interview segment of the competition. The event brings the team of three participants together to demonstrate their teamwork and practical skills over six disciplines; clipping and preparation, presentation and promotion, stockjudging (including reasons), ringcraft, interview
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and a skill-a-thon. The teams need to plan and prepare a promotional stand, together with the area for stalling two cattle that they later use to demonstrate their practical skills. The Lim-It stand, very informative and engaging, embraced a very succinct NO-
LIM-IT branding, which was also emblazoned on the teams clothing. The brainchild of Elliw, the message that there is NO-LIM-IT to the breed’s success came across loud and clear. Natalie Cormack YLBC coordinator commented
“these guys ought to be proud of their achievement the effort they have put in to making the stand and getting the cattle ready for the competition is fantastic. It is great to see hardworking ambassadors for the breed doing well” Thanks are extended to Trisant Design for their assistance with design and printing and to Owain and Ffion Roberts, Elliw’s parents, for transporting the cattle for the team to use all the way from Anglesey. The Roberts family runs a commercial herd of Limousin crossed cows on the island.
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YOUNG LIMOUSIN
SUCCESS IN WALES FOR YLBC DUO
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he Beef Interbreed Young Cattle Handlers Competition at the Royal Welsh Show is always an eagerly anticipated event. It always draws a superb cohort of entries from across the breeds, and this year was no exception. Team Limousin came in the shape of Archie Hill from the Quaish Limousin herd in Somerset and Elliw Roberts from Anglesey. Strutting their stuff beautifully in the sunshine judge Mrs Timmis, Baschurch, Shrewsbury had no reservations as tapping them out as Champions.
YLBC MEMBER WILLIAM MOIR HAS THE MAGIC TOUCH
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oung Breeder William Moir, 20, of Fraserburg, Scotland has been having a phenomenal show season over the summer with his heifer Magic Mojo. William, a keen enthusiast in the industry has been a regular on the commercial show circuit for many years and this year was no different. His love of showing and desire to win is what was at the forefront of his mind when he purchase Magic Mojo at just four month old from Jack Smyth. He obviously has an eye for quality, as this heifer, now 14 months of age has been bringing home the red, white and blue ribbons time and time again. Magic is out of a Wilodge Tonka cow and has been tapped out Champion at Turiff and Grantown shows, as well as being the best British Blue sired commercial at the RHS and winning the
commercial section Champion of Champions at Keith show. William intends to continue showing Magic Mojo at the winter shows where he hopes that she can follow in her full sister’s footsteps, Mini Mojo, and pick up a few red tickets for him. Notwithstanding his love of commercial cattle William has recently extended his interest into pedigree stock.
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He has formed the Cairness Limousin herd having purchased 50 pedigree cows from breeder Albert Howie of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. While running a herd of 150 mainly Limousin cross cows William felt that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy the spring calving section of the Knock herd when it came available. William intends to keep their pedigree status and
breed bulls to suit both the pedigree and commercial markets. With a keen eye on the future, William intends to keep on increasing his cow numbers. William, who joined the YLBC around two years ago now and says “he has never looked back”, regularly takes part in the stock judging competitions and greatly enjoyed being a part of the YLBC trip to Balmoral show this year. He said “YLBC has let me make many friends and connections within the breed; it has been exceptional so far having some great laughs with new friends” YLBC Chair Stephanie Dick said “It is absolutely brilliant to see someone as young as William with such ambition; he is a credit to the Club and the breed. I wish him all the best in the future with his new herd”
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LIMOUSIN-SIRED CALVES REQUIRED Limousin or Limousin-cross steer calves required for the Beef Feed Efficiency Programme; an initiative aiming to produce Estimated Breeding Values for traits associated with Feed Efficiency. Ideally calves will be • Dairy or suckler-bred steer calves • In groups of 8-16 head by the same registered (or previously registered) Limousin bull or Limousin AI sire. The bull must be known but need not be identified on the passport. • be aged from 2 weeks up to approximately 7 months old Market prices will be paid for any selected cattle or calves can be provided on a retained ownership arrangement. For more information please contact Natalie Cormack, Project Manager on 07866 934563, natalie. cormack@ahdb.org.uk or Alison Glasgow, Limousin Society on 07885 255621, alison@limousin.co.uk
The programme is funded by DEFRA and AHDB http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/research/geneticselection/genetic-selection-beef/beef-feed-efficiency/
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SHOWS | 2018 ROYAL HIGHLAND
LIMOUSIN HEIFER
GRAHAMS NIAOMI SUPREME INDIVIDUAL INTERBREED CHAMPION
AT 2018 ROYAL HIGHLAND
Grahams Niaomi, Female and Overall Limousin Champion and Supreme Individual Interbreed Champion
• Grahams Niaomi wins Interbreed Championship • Limousin win Beef Pairs Interbreed Championship • Limousin Team of Four take Reserve Interbreed Championship • Limousins take Supreme and Reserve in the Commercial Cattle Championship
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O
n what can only be described as perfect show conditions the stylish heifer Grahams Niaomi came through the field to be crowned with the Interbreed Supreme Championship at the 2018 Royal Highland Show held at Ingliston, Edinburgh in June. On her way through to the title Niaomi had picked up a number of rosettes including the Limousin Overall Supreme Championship on the opening day of the show. Judging the Limousin entries on the first day was Mr Bob Adam of the noted
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SHOWS | 2018 ROYAL HIGHLAND
Foxhillfarm Minesagin, Reserve Junior Female Champion, Reserve Female Champion and Reserve Overall Limousin Champion
Newhouse Herd, Forfar. Bob became the third generation of the Adam family to be gracing the Highland Show with his cattle expertise, following the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Grahams Niaomi had clearly stood out of what was described as an exceptional show of Limousin cattle with a particularly strong line up of female exhibits. As well as the Supreme title she picked up wins as the Limousin Female Champion, Junior Female Champion, Best Overall Junior Animal and Best Animal Bred by Exhibitor. On the Saturday she was also tapped up as the Reserve Interbreed Junior Champion. At the close of the Limousin judging Mr Adam described Niaomi as being a “super stylish heifer”. He said, “what I liked about her was her style right throughout, she has correct muscle in the right places and demonstrates great length”. “There is no doubt that she will go onto make a great cow”, he added. The January 2017 born maiden heifer, brought into the ring by Jennifer Hyslop on behalf of the Graham family of Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Bridge of Allan, Stirling, is by the well-known Claragh Franco and out of Grahams Coffee. This is a mating that needs no introduction; the successful combination has not only produced many show winners and sale toppers up to 40,000gns but recently set a new UK
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all-breeds record price of 8,000gns for an embryo sold at auction. The Royal Highland show was her first outing this season and the Interbreed Championship judging saw Tom Arnott, Haymount, Kelso put the heifer into the Overall Supreme Interbreed Championship top spot. In awarding her the Championship accolade Mr Arnott followed Bob Adam and gave praise to her character and style. He said, “this
Judge Bob Adam
Foxhillfarm Jasper, Limousin Male Champion
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young heifer caught my attention as soon as she came into the ring. She is just a beautiful animal, superbly light and easy on her legs, she looks like she will breed well which, after all, is what it’s all about”. In what transpired to be a day for the ladies in the Limousin judging, Bob Adam placed Foxhillfarm Minesagin as Reserve Junior Female Champion, Reserve Female Champion and Reserve Overall Limousin Champion. Home-bred by Mike and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, Devon, the September 2016 born heifer is by the world-record priced Trueman Jagger and out of Foxhillfarm Justtheone. Both the Graham and Alford family also enjoyed a number of other placing’s with their home-bred females during the afternoons female judging session.
Rahoney Isaac, Reserve Male Champion
Redpaths Nobleman, Junior Bull Champion
"Grahams Niaomi… a beautiful animal, suberbly light and easy on her legs." Tom Arnott, Interbreed judge. The Alfords took a 1-2 in the opening class of the day with their 12-month old heifers. Foxhillfarm Naomi, another Jagger daughter, this time out of Foxhillfarm Isla, took the red rosette ahead of her stablemate Foxhillfarm Nigella, a Neuf daughter out of the well-known dam Glenrock Illusion. Foxhillfarm Natasha, another by Jagger, but out of Foxhillfarm Iola, placed second in the next class when she stood against the Overall Limousin Champion from the Grahams. Then Foxhillfarm Madonna followed to stand second to her stablemate Minesagin in the third class. The September 2016 born heifer Madonna, yet another Trueman Jagger daughter is out of the multi-award winning Bankdale Elizabeth. For the Grahams, their two-year old heifer Grahams Melody was placed first in her class ahead of the smart heifer, Stephick Mistique, from Stephanie Dick, Stirling. No stranger to success Melody won her class at last year’s Royal Highland Show and stood as Reserve Champion, Reserve Female Champion, and Junior Female Champion at last year’s Scottish Limousin Grand Prix held at the Dumfries Show in August. An embryo calf by Ampertaine Elgin, Melody is out of the highly successful Millbrook Gingerspice who made history at the Balmoral Show in 2014 by becoming the first animal to claim the show’s Individual Interbreed crown in three consecutive years. Grahams Melody was also part of the winning Limousin Interbreed Team of Four.
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As the female judging came to a close, Burbank Jojo from D and L Graham, Mains of Burbank, Blair Drummond, shone through the field of older females to take the Best Cow accolade. Jojo, a successful four year old cow, by Wilodge Fastrac out of Burnbank Bindy, took the Supreme Overall Championship at the Scottish Limousin Grand Prix in 2017 to add to an array of other summer show successes. This classy female went on to feature in the winning Team of Four and Pairs Interbreed Championships respectively. As the male judging got under way, it was the Whinfellpark team of Messrs Jenkinson, Cumbria who had something
to smile about. Their January 2014 born bull, Foxhillfarm Jasper came through the field to be tapped out as Overall Male Champion. Bred by Mike and Melanie Alford, Jasper is by Loosebeare Fantastic out of the noted Bankdale Alice. Overall Champion at the Limousin Sale at Carlisle in May 2015 he was purchased for 35,000gns and has had a glittering show career to date. Jasper dominated the 2015 show circuit as a junior bull, being crowned Supreme Champion at the Royal Highland Show, Male and Reserve Junior Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show and the same at the Royal Welsh Show.
Foxhillfarm Jasper and Burnbank Jojo, Interbreed Pairs Champions
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SHOWS | 2018 ROYAL HIGHLAND
As with Jojo, Foxhillfarm Jasper also went onto feature in the winning Pairs and Team of Four Interbreed championships. Reserve Overall Champion rosette in the bull section went to Rahoney Isaac, a March 2013 born bull owned by a UK and South African consortium Meridian Genetics but exhibited by Mr Harry Emslie, Kinknockie, Mintlaw, Peterhead. Sired by Haltcliffe Dancer out of the Tanat Mostyn sired cow Rahoney Velma, Isaac was bred by H and D McFarland, Trillick, Co. Tyrone and purchased by Harry Emslie for 13,000gns at Carlisle in October 2014. Earlier in the judging the Champion Junior Bull came in the shape of Redpaths Nobleman from Redpath Farms, Heiton, Kelso. This April 2017 born home bred bull is by Dinmore Jollygood out of Redpaths Hilary. Taking the Reserve Junior Bull spot was Foxhillfarm Napoleon from the Alford stable. Napoleon, April 2017 born is by the aforementioned Foxhillfarm Jasper and another out of Glenrock Illusion. The Interbreed Pairs Championship on Friday 22 June was keenly contested. Judge Mr Neil Barclay, Banchory gave the top title to the Limousin pair of Foxhillfarm Jasper and Burnbank Jojo. In awarding the pairs win to the Limousin twosome Mr Barclay said “he had been looking for a team with quality and balance throughout and the Limousin duo had fit the bill perfectly�. The following day saw the crowd pleasing Interbreed Team of Four Championship, always a spectacular sight, but even more so this year under the dazzling sunshine. The Limousin lineup added Foxhillfarm Minesagin and Grahams Melody to the winning pairs duo and after a very close contest Judge Tom Arnott tapped out the Limousin team as Reserve Champions.
Burnbank Jojo, Champion Cow
In the always keenly contested Commercial Cattle section it was Mr Dermot Small from Northern Ireland, who took the Overall Female title and then Overall Champion rosette with his July 2017 born heifer Flo Jo, sired by the well-known Trueman Idol. Mr Small has been showing cattle in the UK over 20 years and in recent years has had notable success with Khaleesi, the show-stopping heifer by Swarland Eddie. Flo Jo is following in her footsteps having reigned supreme in the commercial cattle section at the recent Balmoral Show where she won Best Commercial Beef Heifer, Junior Commercial Beef Champion, Supreme Champion Commercial Beef Animal, Best Commercial Animal Bred by an Exhibitor and Reserve in the Overall Interbreed Championship. More Limousin success in the commercial section went to Mr Iain
Flo-Jo, Commercial Champion
Lammie from Cumnock, Ayrshire. Bulldozer, his September 2016 born home-bred steer by Powerhouse Elite won the Championship steer title and then stood as Reserve Overall Champion to Flo Jo. Powerhouse Elite, sired by Objat and out of a Rocky dam is known for his conformation and width throughout his loin, characteristics that have certainly paid off in his commercial progeny.
Interbreed Team of Four Reserve Champions
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SHOWS | 2018 GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW
GRAHAMS MELODY
CROWNED OVERALL CHAMPION LIMOUSIN AT THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW 2018
Grahams Melody, Limousin Supreme Champion and Female Champion
• Grahams Melody wins Reserve Supreme Interbreed Championship • Limousin quartets take top spot in Senior and Junior Interbreed group competitions • Grahams Melody claims Female Limousin Breed Champion title and Overall Limousin Breed Champion • Foxhillfarm Jasper takes Male Limousin Breed Champion title • Foxhillfarm Natasha takes Limousin Junior Breed Champion accolade • Midnight Star wins Commercial Championship 62 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY
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SHOWS | 2018 GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW
I
n what turned out to be outstanding weather conditions, the quality of the cattle exhibited at the Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate on 10th and 11th July proved to be just as impressive and Limousin cattle took a collection of Interbreed titles. The first day of judging saw British Limousin Cattle Society Chairman Michael Cursiter from the Dwarmo Limousin Herd in Evie, Orkney, soak up the sun in the ring as he evaluated the cattle on the morning of the opening day of the show. Grahams Melody firstly scooped the Limousin Female Championship and then the Overall Limousin Breed Championship. Later in the afternoon she then took the reserve spot in the Beef Individual Interbreed Championship when she was put before the judge Mrs Vicky Smith from Crediton, Devon. No stranger to success the two-year old heifer from Robert and Jean Graham of Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Bridge of Allen, Stirling, Melody, currently in calf to Goldies Jackpot, came to Yorkshire on the back of a first place in her class and as a member of the reserve winning Limousin Team of Four at the Royal Highland Show in June. In addition to recent success, she had also done very well through 2017 as a youngster, winning her class at the Highland and standing as Reserve Champion, Reserve Female Champion and Junior Female Champion at the Scottish Limousin Grand Prix held at the Dumfries Show in August last year. An embryo calf by Ampertaine Elgin, Melody is full sister to Grahams Michael, also a winner on the show circuit in 2017, who sold at Carlisle in October 2017 for 20,000gns, and to Grahams Malibu who made 25,000gns last December at the Red Ladies Sale. Foxhillfarm Jasper, Limousin Male Champion
Tomschoice Navarino, Reserve Limousin Male Champion
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Stephick Mistique, Reserve Female and Reserve Overall Limousin Champion
In commenting on her Reserve Champion Mrs Smith said “Melody was turned out beautifully, she oozed quality, style and femininity” she added “it was a tough decision to make, and a very close call between her and the eventual Champion”. Speaking from his home after hearing of Melody’s success Robert Graham said, “The whole team is absolutely delighted to win the Limousin Championship and stand as Reserve Interbreed Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show. It is made extra special after winning the Breed and Interbreed Championship at the Highland Show with her stablemate Grahams Niaomi. Melody, from a youngster has always been a stand out animal, winning her class at both the Highland Show and the Great Yorkshire Show last year at only 11 months of age and then taking Junior Champion and Reserve Overall at the Scottish National Grand Prix”. Mr Graham added, “Melody has tremendous presence and style in the show ring and carries all the attributes to make a tremendous breeding female”. Standing Reserve in the Limousin Championship was the April 2016 born heifer Stephick Mistique from Stephanie Dick, Stirling. Mistique had stood second to Grahams Melody all the way through the judging, first in their class and then as Female Breed Champion. She is by the Rocky son Rathconville Eugene and out of Ronick Voici. Mr Cursiter awarded the Male Limousin Championship to Foxhillfarm Jasper from Messrs Jenkinson, Whinfellpark, Penrith, Cumbria. The January 2014 born bull that was bred by Mike and Melanie Alford of Cullompton, Devon, led the British Limousin Cattle Society sale at Carlisle in May 2015 when he was bought by Messrs Jenkinson for 35,000gns. An embryo
calf, Jasper is by the Wilodge Vantastic son Loosebeare Fantastic and out of the Alford’s noted cow Bankdale Alice. Standing Reserve Male Limousin Champion in Harrogate was a January 2017 born bull from Messrs J M and S P Cooper who run the Tomschoice pedigree herd at Hill Top farm, Dacre, Harrogate, in the shape of Tomschoice Navarino. Home bred, this smart bull that took a red rosette at the Northern Limousin Extravaganza on the opening day of Skipton Auction Mart’s annual two-day breed showcase in early May, is by Kaprico Eravelle and out of Tomschoice Filipa. The Junior Limousin Championship was a 1-2 for the Alford family with Foxhillfarm Natasha taking the top spot ahead of her stablemate Foxhillfarm Naomi. Both young heifers are by Trueman Jagger; Natasha is out of out of Foxhillfarm Iola while Naomi is out of Foxhillfarm Isla. As the morning of the second day of judging got underway the crowd by the cattle ring basked in the sunshine and were treated to a spectacular display of Limousin breeding in the interbreed group competitions. The Junior Group contest came first in a switch to the schedule to accommodate a visit to the cattle judging by HRH the Princess Royal. An outstanding quartet from the Foxhillfarm team, representing the Limousin breed, came into the ring to challenge for the Junior Group honours. Natasha, Naomi, Napoleon and Minesagin, who was Reserve Overall Breed Champion at the recent Highland Show, looked nothing short of breath-taking in the bright sunshine. In tapping this team forward, Judge Mr Donald Biggar of Castle Douglas described it as an “absolutely tremendous foursome” and commented on their “balance, power and mobility”. This is the second year in a row that the
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Junior Group Interbreed Championship has been won by a team made of up of cattle entirely from the Alford family and a clearly delighted Mike Alford took to the microphone. After describing the Great Yorkshire Show as the “best show in the entire country” he said “it was an absolute honour for his family to win at Harrogate again”. In the Senior Interbreed Team competition, the Limousin entry consisted of the two heifers Stephick Mistique and Grahams Melody plus the fouryear old cow Brockhurst Jade from Doug Mash’s Brockhurst herd, based in Buckinghamshire, and the bull Woodroad James from Dougie McBeath and SarahJane Jessop of Stirling. After the royal guest had made her way up the long line of cattle in the ring once again Judge Mr Biggar tapped the Limousin team forward. Adding to his earlier comments he said “both Limousin teams were impossible to get past, they were the stand out winners”. In the always keenly contested Commercial Cattle section it was yet more success for the breed as Limousin’s swept the board. Judged by well-known and highly successful commercial cattle man Blair Dufton of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Mark and Sarah Harryman of Pickering, North Yorkshire took the Overall Female title and then the Overall Champion rosette with their home-bred April 2017 born black-coated heifer Midnight Star on only her second outing. Out of a Limousin cross cow Midnight Star is sired by the Harryman’s stock bull, the Ampertaine Elgin son Craigatoke Jackpot who they purchased for 15,000gns at Carlisle in May 2016.
Overall Reserve spot went to another April 2017 born Limousin cross heifer, this time in the shape of a red-coated beast from S and L Bett of Stirling. This heifer had stood as Reserve to the Overall Champion in the female judging. Taking the Champion Commercial Steer rosette was a 13-month old exhibit from Mike and Melanie Alford.
Junior Interbreed Group Champions
Midnight Star, Overall Commercial Champion
Commercial Reserve Heifer and Overall Reserve Champion
Commercial Beef Steer Champion
Senior Group Interbreed Champions
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SHOWS | 2018 ROYAL WELSH SHOW
GRAHAMS M Grahams Melody, Champion Female, Supreme Limousin Champion and Reserve Interbreed Champion
HITS THE HIGH NOTE AS LIMOUSIN CHAMPION AT THE ROYAL WELSH SHOW 2018
A
s is usual for late July all roads in Wales led to the showground at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells for this year’s Royal Welsh Show over 23 to 26 July. As the show got underway for the last time before the UK leaves the European Union it welcomed some high profile guests. Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths undertook over 40 events at the show, hailing the event as a key moment in the national conversation on the future support for farmers in Wales. The last day of the show saw a surprise visit from Prime Minister Theresa May, who set out the UK Governments plans for a postBrexit farming policy. These visits clearly demonstrate that agriculture maintains its place at the heart of the Royal Welsh show and supporting this livestock entries were very strong. Once again, Limousin cattle presented the largest cohort of any breed on the showground. The weather on day one of the show delivered spectacular sunshine to match the dazzling display of cattle from the
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• Grahams Melody Overall Limousin Champion and Reserve Interbreed Supreme Champion. • Limousin win Team of Five Interbreed Championship • Foxhillfarm Minesagin wins Junior Heifer Interbreed Championship • Limousins win Exhibitor Bred Pairs and Exhibitor Owned Team of Three Interbreed Championships • A pair of Madonna’s, Foxhillfarm and Dinmore, win Interbreed Females of the Future Championship • Limousins take Champion and Reserve titles in the Elite Junior Bull Championship • Limousins dominate commercial classes • Archie Hill and Elliw Roberts win Young Cattle Handlers contest with Limousins
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MELODY
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SHOWS | 2018 ROYAL WELSH SHOW
Limousin breeders who had descended on the mid-Wales countryside. It was left to Mr Gary Swindlehurst, Farm Manager at Procters Farm, Slaidburn, Clitheroe, to sweat it out in the cattle ring as he deliberated over his judgments in the Limousin classes. Having taken the honours as the Best Female exhibit, Mr Swindlehurst tapped out the stylish heifer Grahams Melody from Robert and Jean Graham of Airthrey Kerse Dairy Farm, Bridge of Allan, Stirling as the Supreme Champion Limousin. This marked a splendid achievement for the two-year old heifer that came to Builth Wells having been crowned Overall Champion Limousin and Reserve Interbreed Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show earlier in July. Currently in calf to Goldies Jackpot, and in addition to the triumph at the Yorkshire Show, she also featured in the prizes at this year’s Royal Highland Show and did very well through 2017 as a youngster. An embryo calf by Ampertaine Elgin, Melody is out of the highly successful Millbrook Gingerspice. She is full sister to Grahams Michael, also a winner on the show circuit in 2017, who sold at Carlisle in October 2017 for 20,000gns and to Grahams Malibu who made 25,000gns last December at the Red Ladies Sale. In commenting on his Champion Mr Swindlehurst said “Melody is a sweet, stylish heifer with real presence and she just oozed quality in the ring”. He added “she has the ‘look’, and is correct and well balanced in every way”. Mr Swindlehurst went on to give praise to all the other Limousin exhibitors. Amid what was a stunning display of cattle, he said “Thanks must be given to all the exhibitors for turning their cattle out in such style, there were many tough decisions to make”. Melody’s triumph in Wales rounds off a spectacular summer for the Graham team on the ‘major’ show circuit completing a hat-trick of Breed Championships for the herd. In addition to Melody’s success in Wales, the Graham’s also took the Best Junior Heifer accolade with Grahams Niaomi who was the Breed and Interbreed Champion at the Highland Show earlier in the year. This January 2017 born maiden heifer, by the well-known Claragh Franco and out of Grahams Coffee, will be for sale at Red Ladies Day at Borderway Market, Carlisle in December. Speaking about the latest achievement Robert Graham said “Once again the whole team is absolutely delighted with Melody’s success, I am almost running out of things to say in giving her praise”. He added, “from a youngster she has always been a stand out animal and as Gary saw today, she has tremendous presence and style in the show ring”.
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Foxhillfarm Minesagin, Reserve Female, Reserve Overall and Junior Hiefer Interbreed Champion
“Melody is a sweet stylish heifer with real presence and she just oozed quality in the ring.” Limousin Judge, Mr Gary Swindlehurst Seisiog Ned, Junior Bull Champion and Overall Male Champion
Later on in the afternoon Melody was tapped out as Reserve in the Individual Interbreed Championship when she came before Judge Christine Williams who together with Paul Tippetts runs the Wilodge Limousin Herd at Shifnal, Shropshire. Overall Reserve Champion Limousin went to Foxhillfarm Minesagin who had stood second to Melody in the Overall
Female Championship. Another heifer coming to Wales on the back of success over the summer; Minesagin picked up an array of honours at the Highland show including Reserve Overall Breed Champion plus she was a member of the Junior Group Interbreed winning Team of Four at the Great Yorkshire Show. Home-bred by Mike and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, Devon, the September 2016
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born heifer is by the world-record priced Trueman Jagger and out of Foxhillfarm Justtheone. She went onto claim the Junior Heifer Interbreed Championship on the second day of the show when she came before Judge Gareth James, Tufton. The Alford family had more success in the Limousin judging with their 14-monthold heifer Foxhillfarm Naomi who stood as Reserve Junior Heifer to Grahams Niaomi and took the award for the Best Exhibitor Bred Maiden Heifer born in 2017. Foxhillfarm Naomi, home-bred out of Foxhillfarm Isla, is another young Trueman Jagger daughter to have already dazzled in the show ring, she was tapped out as Reserve Junior Limousin Champion in Harrogate earlier in July. Top male honours in the Limousin judging went to the Best Junior Bull in the shape of Seisiog Ned from Tecwyn Jones. The May 2017 born young bull, by Elite Forever Brill and out of Goldies Infinity, gave Tecwyn his first ever win at Llanelwedd with a homebred pedigree Limousin from his small two-cow herd at Ty Newydd, Nebo. Standing as Overall Reserve Male to Tecwyn’s Ned was the home-bred Pabo Netherhall from Anglesey breeders Peredur and Llyr Hughes. By Netherhall Jackpot, an embryo calf out of Llyr’s Pabo Icemaiden, Netherhall then took his place alongside full brother Pabo Nero to secure the Limousin Pairs title. The red rosettes for the Best Group of Three went to the Alford team of Foxhillfarm Minesagin, Naomi and the April 2017 born Napoleon, a Foxhillfarm Jasper son out of Glenrock Illusion. Napoleon was Reserve Junior Male at Stirling’s 2017 Stars of the Future Calf show and stood as Reserve Junior Bull at the Royal Highland show in May. From a strong base the Limousin breed was again well to the fore in the other Interbreed competitions culminating with taking the red rosettes in the prestigious Team of Five Championship. With Foxhillfarm Jasper from A W Jenkinson Farms at the helm, two heifers from the Foxhillfarm cohort, Minesagin and Madonna teamed up with Grahams Melody and the August 2016 born Dinmore Madonna from Paul Dawes to make an impressive line-up. Judged by Mr R J Irvine of White Cross, Armagh, Northern Ireland the imposing Limousin team came into the ring looking every bit the favourites. Limousins have been victorious in this class at the Royal Welsh every year bar one since 2014. In what can be described as a gladiatorial atmosphere under the intense sunshine, the large crowds gathered to see the Judge tap the Limousin team out as champions and the very popular Welsh Black team into Reserve.
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Pabo Netherhall, Reserve Junior Bull Champion and Reserve Male Champion
Calogale Exhibitor Owned Team of Three Champions
Females of the Future Champions
Calogale Ninja, Reserve Elite Junior Bull
Calogale Nightingale, Best Exhibitor Bred Female owned by breeder in Wales
Dyfri Nolan, Champion Elite Junior Bull
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SHOWS | 2018 ROYAL WELSH SHOW
Limousins triumphed in both Exhibitor Interbreed Team Championships with line-ups from the Foxhillfarm and Calogale stables. Again judged by Mr Irvine from Northern Ireland the winning Exhibitor Bred pair team of Foxhillfarm Madonna and Minesagin made a superbly balanced duo. The sash went to Wales in the Exhibitor Owned Team of Three Championship as Gareth Lee and Catrin Lloyd took the top spot with their threesome home-bred at Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Calogale Nightingale, Majestic and Ninja. More great news followed for Gareth and Catrin, at the Club social gathering in the evening they were presented with the LBV Thomas award for the Best Exhibitor Bred Female, owned by a breeder residing in Wales, for Calogale Nightingale. The January 2017 born heifer, which had come second in her class in the Limousin judging to Grahams Niaomi, is yet another Trueman Jagger daughter, this time out of Trueman Florence. On the final day of the show, Thursday 26 July, Limousins continued to hit the high note, this time in the shape of an impressive duo of Madonna’s. Dinmore Madonna and Foxhillfarm Madonna were triumphant in the Females of the Future Pairs Championship. Dinmore Madonna, a Jagger daughter out of the Sympa daughter Ampertaine Estelle came to The Royal Welsh having taken the Limousin Championship and Beef Interbreed Championship at the recent Royal Three Counties Show. In other successes at the show, the
Edwards family from Home Farm, Cilycwm, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire took first place in the Agri Lloyd Elite Junior Bull Championship with their April 2017 born home bred bull Dyfri Nolan. To be eligible to compete bulls must have a Signet Beef Value or corresponding Breedplan Index greater than the breed average. Home bred, he is by Fenomen out of Dyfri Golud. This is the second year on the trot that Fenomen has sired this Championship winner. Fenomen was imported from France, where his figures placed him in the upper echelons of the breed, after winning at the 2014 National Show in Limoges. He has since worked as the principal stock bull in the joint owner’s herds at Scorboro and Dyfri. He is known as an exceptionally correct and sound bull, with great muscularity and length. Standing Reserve was March 2017 born Calogale Ninja who is the same way bred as his team of three companion Calogale Nightingale, by Trueman Jagger and out of Trueman Florence. In the highly competitive Commercial Championship, as would be expected, Limousin genetics dominated throughout the entire judging session, which was overseen by Mr Colin Soutter, Ashby-dela-Zouch. The majority of the cattle he tapped into winning spot in the classes featured Limousin as either sire or dam. Champion Steer came from Miss Charlotte Alford, Cullompton, Devon in the shape of No Likey, a 13-month old Limousin sired exhibit bred by D E and G Davies. The Champion Heifer red
rosette and eventual Overall Supreme Championship went to Dream Girl, a July 2016 born heifer from the Roberts family of Gaerwen. Bred by Dafydd Lewis, Cwrt y Cadno, she was bought by the Roberts family at the Ruthin Show Potentials Sale last year as is out of a Limousin cross cow, sired by a British Blue In the Baby Beef Championship it was a clean sweep for Limousins. Mr Soutter first tapped out Rambo, a November 2017 born Limousin sired steer, home bred by Tecwyn Jones, as his Champion. An 11-month old Limousin heifer, Scarlet from Morgan and Jones, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire took the Reserve spot. It was fantastic to see a number of Limousin young handlers competing for the Interbreed Young Handler Championship. The breeders of the future, such competitions give them the opportunity to showcase their stockmanship to the fullest. Archie Hill from Cheddar, Somerset and Elliw Roberts from Anglesey were victorious in front of Judge Mrs Carole Rettie from Alloa, Clackmannanshire. Rambo, Champion Baby Beef
Foxhillfarm duo, Exhibitor Bred Pairs Champions
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SHOWS | 2018 ECHT SHOW
MUM’S THE WORD AS
BROCKHURST LUCY
TAKES TOP PRIZE AT SCOTTISH LIMOUSIN GRAND PRIX AT ECHT SHOW
Brockhurst Lucy, Senior and Overall Supreme Limousin Champion, Interbreed Champion and Champion of Champion
T
he sixth Scottish Limousin Grand Prix was held at Echt Show on the 14 July 2018. Attracting the cream of Limousin breeding from Scotland, and the north of England, the popularity of this fast establishing annual event continues to grow. Limousin entries at the show were significantly up on the year with 56 entered for the Grand Prix event, which was judged by the well-known
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stockman Brian Wills of Tannadice, Forfar. As exhibitors and show goers enjoyed glorious sunshine, Mr Wills’ selected the much admired three year old cow Brockhurst Lucy from W J and M Mash, Torrington Farms, Chesham, Buckinghamshire as his Supreme Overall Champion. He had already tapped her out as his Senior Champion earlier in the judging. A Wilodge Vantastic daughter
out of the infamous show and breeding cow Brockhurst Bolshoi she was shown with her heifer calf at foot Brockhurst Oriana. By Hafodlas Domino, Oriana herself went onto be crowned Interbreed Champion Calf. Brought into the ring by Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop of Lower Greenyards Farm, Stirling where she is liveried, Lucy came to the Echt Show having won her class at the recent
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Royal Highland Show, standing second in her class at the Great Yorkshire Show, and as Reserve Female Champion at the Hertfordshire County Show earlier in the year. Confirming a fantastic day for the Mash team, Lucy followed through by winning the Echt Show Individual Interbreed Championship and then the show’s prestigious Champion of Champions title. It turned out to be a fantastic day for Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop, who run the Springsett Limousin herd at Bannockburn, Stirling, standing Reserve Supreme Champion, Reserve Senior Champion and Senior Male Champion was their own Woodroad James. No stranger to success at the Scottish Limousin Grand Prix, this is the second year he is making the headlines having been tapped out as Male Champion last year. An Irish bred bull, by the Sympa son Woodroad Harvey and out of Woodroad Heather, he was purchased at Roscrea Sale in October 2015 and came to Echt on the back of success at the Great Yorkshire Show having been a part of the winning Interbreed Senior Group Limousin team. The McBeath and Jessop team have been a strong supporter of all of the six Scottish Grand Prix’s to date and have won two Overall Supreme Championships including the inaugural staging of the event in 2013. The Reserve Senior Male Champion came in the form of Rahoney Isaac, a March 2013 born bull owned by a UK and South African Consortium Meridian Genetics, but exhibited by Mr Harry Emslie, Kinknock, Peterhead. Sired by Haltcliffe Dancer out of the Tanat Mostyn sired cow Rahoney Velma, Isaac was bred by Northern Irish Limousin breeders H and D McFarland, Trillik, Co Tyrone. Isaac is another exhibit to come to Echt fresh from success on the show circuit this year already; he took the Reserve Champion rosette in the bull section of the Limousin judging at the Royal Highland Show. Last year’s Grand Prix Supreme Champion Burnbank Jojo returned to feature as a prize-winner again this year as she was tapped out as Reserve Senior Female Champion. From the Graham family, Dougie, Lynda, John and James, Mains of Burnbank, Blair Drummond, Jojo, a four-year-old cow by Wilodge Fastrac out of Burnbank Bindy is continuing to add to an already very successful show career. She teamed up with Foxhillfarm Jasper to take the Interbreed Pairs Championship at the Highland Show and was also in the Limousin team that secured the reserve spot in the Interbreed Team of Four Championship at Ingliston in June.
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Woodroad James, Senior Male Champion, Reserve Senior and Reserve Supreme Champion
Taking the Overall Junior Champion title was another from the Graham family, this time in the shape of the October 2016 born heifer Burnbank Martini. Home-bred, by Burnbank Gigolo out of Burnbank Eleanor, she had first taken the Junior Female red rosette ahead of Springsett Maisie from Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop. Also born October 2016 Maisie, by the Reserve Supreme Champion Woodroad James and out of Springsett Gracious, followed the Graham heifer to stand as Overall Reserve Junior Champion. Junior Male Champion was a Lodge Hamlet son in the shape of April 2017 born Anside Nigel. Home-bred by Mr and Mrs S Irvine, Anside Pedigree Livestock, Braehead Farm, Keith, Nigel is out of the Broadmeadows Cannon granddaughter Anside Ianna. Reserve Junior Male Champion was the 12-month old Aultside Nickelback from Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith. Another Lodge Hamlet son, Nickelback is out of the Dinmore Goldcrest daughter Aultside Jazz. To top off a superb day the Champion Team of Three from the Limousin judging from Messrs Mash went onto
Anside Nigel, Junior Male Champion
take the Interbreed Team of Three Championship. Brockhurst Majesty and Brockhurst Jade teamed up with Lucy to strut their stuff as a well-balanced and impressive looking team. April 2016 born Majesty, the youngest in the team, is by Ardglasson Highlander and out Brockhurst Heavenly who was Interbreed Champion and Overall Champion Limousin at the Great Yorkshire Show back in 2016. Jade, born February 2014, also by the herd’s stock bull Hafodlas Domino is out of the French bred cow Evidence. The Reserve Interbreed title went to the leader from the cross cattle section, a 20-month old Limousin cross heifer named Shaniqua from Blair Duffton and Rebeca Stuart of Huntly and Insch. Bought at the Winter Fair in Lanark for £1,500 she was Interbreed Champion at Fettercairn, Reserve at Angus, and second in her class at the Royal Highland Show.
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SHOWS | 2018 NI LIMOUSIN CHAMPIONSHIPS
DEERPARK MAISIE Deerpark Maisie, Supreme Champion, Female Champion and Senior Champion
TAKES SUPREME LIMOUSIN CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
AT THE NI LIMOUSIN CHAMPIONSHIPS
T
he annual Northern Ireland Limousin Championship was held on Saturday 28 July 2018 at the Randox Antrim Show in the beautiful setting of Shanes Castle Estate, Antrim. This year the Limousin judging was in the very capable hands of Ian Callion from the renowned Lodge herd based in Stirling, Scotland. Local breeders and show spectators looked on as the judging got underway at 9.30am, fortunately, the heavy downpours which had been forecast, held off until the afternoon. The Female Champion, Senior Champion and Overall Limousin Champion went to Deerpark Maisie
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bred by Connor and Ryan Mulholland, Craigavon, Co Armagh. This July 2016 born heifer is by Ampertaine Elgin and out of the dam Bernish Icequeen. On the day Maisie was also awarded the Clyde Perpetual Challenge Cup, by the Antrim Agricultural Show Society, for the Overall Champion Limousin and the Bridgeford Saskia Perpetual Trophy, by the Northern Irish Limousin Cattle Club, for Female Champion. Maisie stood third in her class at the Balmoral Show earlier this year. She went onto be tapped out as the Reserve Supreme Beef Champion in the Interbreed Championship when she came before Judge Peter Henshall,
Lockerbie. No stranger to success at the Antrim Show, she won the Junior Championship at last year’s event. Making it a highly successful day for Connor and Ryan, Reserve Supreme Limousin Champion, Reserve Female Champion and Reserve Senior Champion went to Deerpark Missmoneypenny. A two year old Ampertaine Gigolo daughter, out of the dam Ampertaine Isadora, Missmoneypenny stood as Reserve Junior Champion to her stablemate Maisie in 2017. Male Champion and winner of the Derriaghy Perpetual Trophy, awarded by the Northern Irish Limousin Cattle
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SHOWS | 2018 NI LIMOUSIN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Club, was Gunnerfleet Mack from the Crawford Brothers of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh. Bred by Mr Ian Handley at Gunnerfleet Farm, Ingleton, Lancashire, the March 2016 born bull is sired by Plumtree Fantastic and out of Gunnerfleet Isabella. Mack stood first in his class at the Balmoral Show in May. He was purchased by the Crawford Brothers at Carlisle in October 2017 for 5,250gns. Reserve Male Champion, Intermediate Champion and then the winner of the Interbreed Beef Bull Stakes, was Larkhill Nuludo home-bred by Brian and Cahir McAuley, Antrim. This June 2017 born bull is sired by Ludo and out of the home-bred dam Larkhill Ita. Nuludo stood third in his class at this year’s Balmoral Show. Reserve Intermediate Champion was Pointhouse Nintynine bred by Michael and Kile Diamond, Garvagh. This June 2017 born bull is another sired by Plumtree Fantastic, this time out of the dam Ampertaine Ingrid. Nintynine stood second in his class at the Balmoral Show. At the NI Limousin Championships he went onto lift the Junior Bull Interbreed Championship and took Reserve in the Interbreed Beef Bull Stakes. Junior Champion, Deerpark Niceone, was another heifer from Connor and Ryan Mulholland. This August 2017 born female is by Lodge Hamlet and out of the dam Bernish Icequeen. Reserve Junior Champion was Coolderry Nannyberry from Leslie Millen, Coleraine. Born November 2017 she is by Wilodge Goldcard and out of the dam Bambrook Jill. Calf Champion was Clanart Officer home-bred by John Murphy, Brookeborough. This January 2018 born bull calf is sired by Netherall Jackpot and is out of the dam Clanart Helene. Reserve Calf Champion was Pointhouse Olivia, another from Michael and Kile Diamond. Olivia is an April 2018 born daughter of Ampertaine Gigolo and out of the dam Pointhouse Fern. The Interbreed Beef Pairs contest was a clean sweep for the breed, with the Mullholland team taking the red rosette with Maisie and Missmonepenny, ahead of a duo from James Alexander, Randalstown, Co Antrim, in the shape of Jalex Notorious and Jalex Nini. The February 2017 born home-bred young bull Notorious, by Bassingfield Hobama out of Haltcliffe Hester took the Junior Male Championship and then the Overall Male Championship at the Balmoral Show in May. Similarly, paired with Nini, who is a smart 14-month old heifer also by Bassingfield Hobama but this time out of the Ampertaine Cannon daughter Hudscales Gigi, they were victorious
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Deerpark Missmoneypenny, Reserve Supreme, Reserve Female and Reserve Senior Champion
Gunnerfleet Mack, Male Champion
Deerpark Niceone, Junior Champion
Larkhill Nuludo, Reserve Male Champion and Intermediate Champion
Clanart Officer, Calf Champion
in the Exhibitor Bred Limousin Pairs Championship at Balmoral as well. Tapped out as third in Antrim was a home-bred pair from Robert Clyde of Templepatrick in the shape of Clydevalley Mains and Clydevally Nancy. The Commercial Championship, for heifers and steers sired by a Limousin bull, took place after the Limousin pedigree judging. Taking the red rosette for the Overall Commercial Champion was Candy Floss from JCB Commercials, Newtownards, an Elite Icecream daughter. Making it a one-two for JCB Commercials, their heifer Sporty Spice, a Norman Ely daughter was tapped out as Reserve.
Pointhouse Nintynine, Reserve Intermediate Champion
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CARLISLE | JUNE 2018
CARLISLE
JUNE
2018
5,800GNS HALTCLIFFE NORSE LEADS SOLID SUMMER SALE OF BULLS AND FEMALES AT CARLISLE • 86% clearance of the 28 bulls forward
Haltcliffe Norse, 5,800gns
• 6 bulls clear 5,000gns and more • 35 Limousins (24 bulls and 11 females) gross over £120,000 in just over an hour. • 24 bulls average £4,073.12 (up £413.53 year on year)
F
ollowing on from the fantastic sale period of early May, all eyes descended on Carlisle on Friday 15th June for the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) Summer Sale of bulls and females. The solid trade didn’t disappoint at what is traditionally the final sale of the spring/summer season. A superb 86% clearance of the 28 bulls forward resulted in a strong average of £4,073.13, up by over £400 on the corresponding fixture last year. Six bulls cleared 5,000gns or more and, demonstrating the depth in the trade, only five bulls sold for under 3,000gns. In just over an hour over £120,000 changed hands. With commercial buyers at the fore this sale provided yet more evidence of the robust demand for the breed at the sharp end of the trade. Producing carcases fit for market requirements is crucial for commercial beef producers. Over recent years, the BLCS has placed emphasis on meeting these needs, providing Limousin genetics and cattle that meet and surpass their level of expectation in consistency, performance and profitability.
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Goldies Nintendo, 5,600gns
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Sales Arradfoot Newyork, 5,500gns
Haltcliffe Nijinsky, 5,200gns
Arradfoot Newark, 4,800gns
A lot late in the sale secured the top price of the day. January 2017 born Haltcliffe Norse, from the Wigton based Haltcliffe Herd of Craig Ridley sold for 5,800gns. Sired by the Haltcliffe Vermount
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son Haltcliffe Gentry and out of the Cloughhead Umpire daughter Haltcliffe Dasher, he is on his way to Messrs Pearson, Caldbeck, Wigton. On what turned out to be a good day for the Haltcliffe team, the gavel went down at 5,200gns on the next lot in the ring Haltcliffe Nijinsky. This Ampertaine Elgin son, born February 2017, is out of Haltcliffe Jezebelle. He was knocked down to G T and M A Wearmouth, South Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen. The second lead price of the day,
5,600gns, went to the January 2017 born Goldies Nintendo from Bruce Goldie, Mouswald, Dumfries and Galloway. Nintendo is sired by the already mentioned Cloughhead Umpire and out of Goldies Favourite. The Petunia son Cloughhead Umpire has made a considerable mark in both the Haltcliffe Herd and as an AI sire used heavily in the BLCS herdbook. Goldies Nintendo was bought by Messrs Thwaite and Son, Lartington, Barnard Castle. At 5,500gns came Arradfoot Newyork from Thor Atkinson of Newland, Nr Ulverston. Another bull born January 2017, he was described as an exceptionally long calf, with great muscle. Sired by the wellknown Goldies Comet and out of Wilodge Iona, he made his way home with D E and A M Hodgson, Shap, Penrith. Also selling well for Thor at 4,800gns was the last but one bull in the ring Arradfoot Newark. The April 2017 bull, also carrying good muscle and length, is by the easy calving sire Netherhall Jackpot and out of Foxhillfarm Infinity. He was knocked down to Messrs Edmondson, Broughton Beck, Ulverston, Cumbria. Two bulls hit the 5,000gns mark. The first was Procters Nielsen from Procters Farm Ltd, Slaidburn, Nr Clitheroe. This February 2017 born Ronick Hawk son out of Goldies Gracious was knocked down to Messrs Johnson, Oddendale, Shap Penrith. Just two lots later came Longhirst National from the Longhirst Herd of D W Jordan, Morpeth, Northumberland. The March 2017 bull, by the Mas Du Clo son Rachels Ferrari and out of Longhirst Happydays, made his way north of the border with Messrs Allison and Sons of Biggar, Lanarkshire. Following on from the bulls on the day was a tidy cohort of females. With no difficulty attracting buyers, two cow and calf units from Jim and Elaine Pattinson, Kirtlebridge, Lockerbie sold to an average of £2677.50. Both went to T S French, Biggar, Lanarkshire. Nine of the 11 heifers forward made a solid average of £1,995.00. Leading the way at 2,500gns was a 13-month old from the Blair Drummond based Spittalton Herd of J Burnett. Spittalton Neve, by the Requin son Huntershall Jeroniomo and out of Spittalton Eve, was knocked down to T P Wigham for his Hargill Herd at Haltwhistle, Northumberland. Two heifers are destined to travel overseas having been purchased by a repeat buyer based in Spain.
AVERAGES: 24 Bulls 2 Cows with calves at foot 9 Served/Maiden Heifers
£4073.13 £2677.50 £1995.00
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Netherhall JACKPOT Sire: Requin Dam: Cloughhead Ainsi
Pabo NETHERHALL Reserve Male Champion Royal Welsh Show 2018
CHAMPION PAIR
MGS: Saiga
Pabo NIRO Full brother to Pabo Netherhall