Labour landslide - what does this mean for Farming
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
It is quite hard to believe that we have passed the halfway point in the year, but at least we have seen some sunshine, and everyone has made silage and some hay! Council has had some challenging months but it has been great to get along to some of the shows, especially the Highland which I haven’t visited for a long time.
As we move forward into the second half of the year there is lots to do. Council have been working on our five year strategy and I look forward to sharing it with you soon.
I would like to thank council members and staff for all their hard work and look forward to their continued support.
COUNCIL MEETINGS 2024/25
Dates for upcoming council meetings
17th July
10th September
12th November, AGM
The Farming Press have been reacting to the recent general election result.
Click on the links below for the latest up to date news and views regarding the change of government.
Farmers Weekly Farmers Guardian
The Scottish Farmer Wales Farmer
THE JOURNAL
Following positive feedback on the 2024 Breed Journal, our team are already making plans for the 2025 Journal. We would welcome your stories for possible inclusion in the forthcoming Journal, so if you have news or information that may be of interest to our readers please do get in touch.
Contact us on hello@herefordcattle.org and one of our team will be in touch.
The 2024 Edition is still available for purchase at £15.00 each, covering production costs and postage. Alternatively, a digital version is also accessible online via the website.
NAOMI MOVES ONTO PASTURES NEW
After a short time with the society, Naomi Williams-Roberts has moved on to pastures new. Naomi was pivotal in creating a new look to the journal and creating a different look and feel to the cattle society messaging. We wish her all the success in the future.
For any marketing support please call the office on 01432 272057 or email: hello@herefordcattle.org
CALF INSPECTIONS
In response to the council’s announcement, we’d like to clarify the reintroduction of random calf inspections for our members:
Beginning July/August, random on-farm inspections will occur, focusing on reviewing a bull calf randomly selected from our system. Not every farm will be visited.
Selected farms will receive advance notice to arrange a convenient date and time for inspection.
The inspector will verify:
• Tag numbers
• Date of birth
• Passport details against the details submitted to the society
• The animal’s weight, compared to birth weight Discrepancies in DNA testing or passport details will result in immediate suspension of the animal from our records.
Who will do the inspection? This will be Andy Ryder from Pedigree Services.
Is there a council member present? No.
Is the cost of the inspection covered by the society? Yes the cost is covered by the society. If the inspection is passed, what can a member expect? The results will be published online – we do not issue any additonal paperwork.
If the inspection is failed, then what? When DNA fails (found to be incorrect) we work with the breeder/laboratory to find the correct sire/ dam and will implement the testing of registered animals born six months either side of the one found to be incorrect as per the rules:-
In the case of an animal DNA tested and not matching with either its sire, dam or both:
(i) Its registration will be suspended.
(ii) The breeder shall pay all reasonable costs to determine the animal’s correct parentage.
(iii) Subject to a positive parentage verification being obtained, the subject animal may then be registered and a new certificate issued.
(iv) All calves born within six months either side of the date of birth of the subject animal, to be DNA tested at the breeder’s expense and will include any that have been sold.
(v) In the event of a subsequent calf being found incorrect, all calves born during the 12 months from the date of birth of the original incorrect calf, including any that have been sold, must be tested or cancelled. The DNA fees, plus any other costs incurred, are to be borne by the breeder.
(g) In all events, the council reserves the right at any time to refuse, restrict or terminate the registration of any animal where the DNA result suggests doubt as to the authenticity of its ancestry.
How long will a member have to wait for feedback and in what form will this be given? The results will be published online – we do not issue any additional paperwork – generally the time-scale will be around 6 weeks, more if the sample(s) do not work first time around.
Is there a time scale once selected that the test needs to be completed by? You have 3 months to get your DNA samples into the office for the testing of random calf inspections. If this does not happen, your calf will not be eligible for registration. If there is a genuine reason why the breeder & Andy cannot arrange a date within the specified 3 months the inspection will simply take place at the earliest possible opportunity. If the breeder refuses a visit then the registration of the calf cannot be completed.
The calf – is that for the existing years crop, so we’d be testing autumn 2023/spring 2024? Yes.
Tracey will continue to send hair sample pouches for DNA verification.
For enquiries, contact Tracey at 01432 377520 or tracey.thomas@herefordcattle.org
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
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Annual members who do not pay their subscription by Bank Standing Order are reminded that the fee of £85.00 for the year 2024/25 became due on 1st July 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
20th July Scottish National Show
22nd July Royal Welsh Show
3rd August National Hereford Show
7th September National Poll Show
For a full list of Shows and events visit the event page on our website here
JUDGING POINT SHOWS
Polite reminder
For individuals who have been approached to judge at shows, it’s important to remember that you should not accept to judge more than one point show in the season.
A comprehensive list of judges is accessible on the Hereford Cattle Society website, ordered in area for reference.
Click here for the full list.
CALF MANAGEMENT LETTER
As from July 1st, the calf management letter transitioned to ‘C’.
While this change is not mandatory, it can greatly aid in managing your herd and simplify the process when registering new animals being able to quickly identify a batch or year. Bull calf ideas
Caballero Caesar Chancellor Cabaletta Cartier
Celeste
LINEAR ASSESSMENT
NBDC Update Prices
The NBDC (National Bovine Data Centre), our trusted provider of linear scoring for the society, has announced a price increase. Despite initial hesitancy, the Board of Trustees for NBDC has made the decision in line with rising costs. These changes took effect from 1st April and are aimed at ensuring continued support to the industry.
Prices below are prior to the addition of VAT
1 to 15 inspections, the fee (minimum charge)
£137.98 16 - 100 inspections carried out the fee will be
£9.21 per animal 101st animal inspected up to 150th, the headage fee will reduce to
£5.61 per animal 151st and further animal(s) inspected the headage fee will reduce to £4.58 per animal Each breeding bull classification carried out in conjunction with female classifications £21.00 per bull For a special bull visit, where a single breeding bull alone is classificed
£137.98
Cancellation of scheduled visit less than 3 days notice will incur a costs of £137.98
PLAN AHEAD
Book your linear assessments ahead of time
For those interested in booking a linear assessment appointment with NBDC, please contact Jackie Clarke at 01923 695208. For further information, you can reach Meurig James at 07860438510. Alternatively, you can also get in touch with the Hereford Cattle Society.
Booking well in advance will increase the likelihood of securing a date closer to your preferred schedule.
UK SIRES - EXPORT NEWS
UK Sires was founded in 2001 and the largest fully independent EU-licensed bull stud and semen store in the UK. Having started with just 6 bulls and one 20 litre flask in a garage, the present store now holds over 3 million units of semen.
The core business continues to grow with breeders and bull owners glad of an option to be able to collect semen from their bulls as an insurance policy or as a commercial enterprise to market genetics and earn valuable off-farm income.
Export trade has been vibrant and continues to expand with semen exported to 56 different countries. UK Sires now has a team of 24 involved with either the stud (collection and processing), the store (storage and distribution) or marketing. The UK is the world’s fifth largest exporter of semen (2022 - Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC)) and UK Sires is instrumental to this trade. Over 800,000 units a year are collected and processed from bulls. Some of these are on stud for export collections and some on farm for domestic use only.
Rather than buying bulls directly, UK Sires works with breeders and bull owners to identify sires of interest to different markets and then facilitates the collection and storage of semen to the highest health standards. Exports have
always been key core to the business. Rob Wills, who founded UK Sires, brought with him 10 years of experience in bull semen exports around the world with UK Genetics. Rob has now retired from dayto-day involvement and has passed the mantle on to Hannah Smith, who continues to develop relationships with customers both old and new. Hannah is supported by Maddie Clarke, whose role is to identify exciting bulls that may be of interest to international breeders.
Having the independence, flexibility and experience in worldwide trade from British privately owned bulls, especially from British native breeds like Aberdeen Angus and Hereford, is the heartbeat of the company as it moves forward. In total, UK Sires can offer conventional semen from seven dairy breeds and over 40 beef breeds, with increasing numbers having sexed semen available as well.
With strong domestic markets for both pedigree and beef for the dairy herd, UK Sires is well placed to provide the semen to meet the widest range of needs.
Hannah Smith
Maddie Clarke
SPRING SHOW & SALE
The sun made a much-awaited return on Saturday, April 13th, following a prolonged period of rain – just in time for the Spring Show and Sale of Pedigree Hereford Cattle at Shrewsbury Livestock Market.
Leading the trade was Rempstone 1 Woody S658, fetching an impressive 8,000gns. Bred by M. Ludgate of Thame, Oxford, the top priced bull caught the eye of judge Sally Mitchell, Lanscombe Herefords within the society show. Leading Woody not only to secure first place in his class but moving forward to claim the title of Senior Bull Champion and Grand Male Champion.
Born from Fisher 1 Cherry N431 and sired by Fisher 1 Socrates S509, Woody boasts impressive calving figures, placing him in the top 10% of his category. He was eagerly sought out by new breeder Andrew Thomas, Ffynnon Luan Farm, Maes Y Bont, Llanelli, who is in the initial stages of establishing his own pedigree Hereford herd.
Another success within the Rempstone collection saw offering Rempstone 1 Alcatraz N685 stand as Reserve Junior Male Champion and finish the day selling for 3,900gns. S & E Walker will be taking him home to Preston, Lancashire to join their herd, Hoghton View Herefords.
Rempstone 1 Alcatraz N685 from M LudgateThe Rempstone herd has demonstrated a notable trend, securing the male championship cup, as it returns for the third consecutive occasion.
All animals brought forward from the Rempstone stable garnered rosettes within the ring and achieved an average of 4,900gns.
Across the board, 44 bulls averaged £3,612.00, having cleared at 68 per cent.
Blazing the trail in the female trade, following behind Rempstone 1 Woody S658, Harveybros 1 Crocus Aurora from Father-Daughter team, George, and Sophie Harvey, Balfron, Glasgow who saw the heights of 6,400gns securing the purchase for Vaughan Farms Ltd, Hereford. February-born, the heifer has been racking up the ribbons throughout last year, notably Junior Female Champion at Agri Expo as well as Overall
Junior Champion and Reserve Native Interbreed Champion Stars of the Future.
Her winning streak did not stop at the preChristmas shows. Shortly after she claimed the top spot within her class, she strode into poll position as Grand Female Champion.
From the Crocus line, out of Harveybros 1 Crocus Tiara and sired by Sky High 1 Take-aChance, the time spent on the show circuit paid the breeders dividends as admired from afar, she has found a new home in Leominster, Herefordshire.
Following through the ranks, securing second place within the same class, and joining Aurora on the podium within the Female Championship as reserve was Harveybros 1 Crocus Ariel. With a flurry of excitement, the auction ended with a resounding bid of 5,300gns. The lucky vendors to secure the final bid was Bethan Hutchinson, Billingham, Cleveland.
The last of the offerings from George and Sophie Harvey, Harveybros 1 Crocus WooWoo was tapped out in first place by Mrs Mitchell. Later the gavel dropped on 3,500gns. Leaving the average for the three heifers at 5,066gns.
Continuing to fly the flag for Scotland, breeder Robert Wilson, supported by daughter Lottie and son Henry, saw the hammer fall on 6,300gns for their bull, Romany 1 Avatar FR A22, purchased by Highridge Farm Partners, Oxted, Surrey.
From their Ishbel line, out of Romany 1 Ishbel H12 M33 who’s sire Romany 1 Heavyduty A84 previously stood as Champion at the Royal Highland Show, proving that the winning touch runs within the family as Avatar claimed second within his class on sale day.
From the same home, commanding strong money was Romany 1 Ali-Price FR A41, earning the breeders from Kelso 4,600gns. Romany 1 Ali-Price FR A41 was purchased by HA Colburn & Son from Crickley Barrow near Cheltenham. Both bulls are sired by Fabb 1 Rocco.
Joining the society in 2021, Will Medforth,
Llanrug, Gwynedd, attended previous sales sitting amongst the buyers. It was his establishing year that he attended the SkyHigh reduction sale, hosted at the Society sale purchasing Sky High 1 Miss Staffordshire for the top call of 7,000gns from breeder Boomer Birch and Graham Brindley, Weston Staffordshire.
No stranger to pedigree breeding with rare breed horses and Suffolk sheep at home, Mr. Medforth made his way back to the market hall. This time taking on the role of a seller at his inaugural sale. Sky High 1 Miss Staffordshire, his earlier acquisition, proved her worth by yielding Penryhyn 1 Watchman, Medforths first sale who fetched 5,000gns before he exited the sales ring. He’ll be travelling the short distance from the mart to Craven Arms under the ownership of JH Morris & Son.
JM Cant and Partners presented a formidable entry from the Panmure herd, showcasing exceptional quality that justified the price. Leading the trade for the breeders was Panmure 1 Plum W9, a daughter of the esteemed Panmure 1 Plum L7. Plum L7 had previously secured Female Champion and Reserve Overall
Champion titles at the Royal Highland in 2016. After claiming second place in her class, Plum W9 was sold for 5,800gns to Devonshire based breeder, Gerald Wood of FJ Wood & Sons.
In the male portion, Panmure 1 Apollo lead his class. Previously shown at Agri Expo at the back of 2023 with success, he shares blood with heifer Panmure 1 Plum W9 through grand dam Panmure 1 Plum L7 and is the paternal sister to the heifer. He sold to Mrs R Williamson, Nantwich, Cheshire for 4,900gns.
Next in the money was Studdolph 1 Angela 871. Out of homebred, Studdolph 1 Angela 623 and sired by Vexour 1 Palmer, the October born heifer earned breeder Non Thorne 4,000gns and a second place ribbon within her class.
She has found a home with R Hamilton & I Lammie, Cumnock, East Ayrshire as a foundation female for their newly established Hereford herd.
Also from the Thorne family, Glenvale 1 Hoskins Sotutu came out on top within the Junior Male Championship after winning his class.
Out of Havenfield 1 Lady Lynda, sired by Solpoll 1 Lawman, EL Lewis & Son presented Havenfield
1 Archer through the showring. Tapped out in the red within his class and Reserve in the Senior Male Championship, the Herefordshire bred bull went forward and sealed the deal for 4100gns, selling to H Jackson, Goscombe Farm, Gundleton.
Normanton Herefords from TD & WT Livesey, brought forward a sizeable entry, accumulating to seven bulls, all with great consistency and quality throughout.
Notably class winner, Normanton 1 Availabull A686 inspired spirited bidding concluding at 4,000gns. As a heifer calf, his dam was shown locally with great success as is one of the top performing cows within the herd. Normanton 1 Availabull A686 headed home with purchaser, JE Jones & Son from Montgomery, Powys.
Within the same class, standing third, was Normanton 1 Amorous A693. Paternal brother to Normanton 1 Availabull A686 out of homebred Normanton 1 Jews Ear 33rd, Amorous A693 sold to the Coombs Brothers for 3,600gns.
The Normanton entries averaged 3,187gns.
Breeder, Carolyn Fletcher, Barwise Herefords, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria’s consignment averaged 3,700gns with lots heading to Stratfield Saye Farms, Reading, Berkshire and Weybrook Farm, Basingstoke, Hampshire.
We would like to thank our judge Sally Mitchell from Lanscombe Herefords, as well as the stewards for all giving up your time to ensure the show runs smoothly.
A big thank you to our sponsors for their continued support.
Brown & Co, Caisley Tags, Dunbia, Farmers Guardian and Herdwatch
Heifers – Clearance 67% with an average sale price
£3,533.25
Bulls – Clearance 68% with an average sale price
£3,612.00
Overall average – £3,592.31
CARPENTERS HEIFER TOPS GRASS MASTERS SALE AT £2000
Reaching the top price of £2,000 in the annual Grass Masters Online Sale of Traditional Herefords running from 28 – 30 June was the January 2023-born heifer Carpenters Curly 21st from I & H MacLeod, Malvern, selling to the Cressage herd of JN & MJ Ellis, Shrewsbury. This homebred heifer was sold in-calf to yearling bull Carpenters Lysander, both animals having had recent success winning the Junior Female and Junior Male Championships respectively at the Royal Three Counties Show. Also selling to JN & MJ Ellis at £1,500 was another in-calf heifer from the same herd, the March 2022-born Carpenters Lavender 3rd.
Another purchaser picking up multiple lots was HCS Young Hereford Breeder L Smith from Wakefield, who secured the well-proven herd sire Laxfield Juror for £1,500, along the with in-calf heifer Margarita Countess W291 at £1,100, from the entries forward as part of the full dispersal of the Glansevin herd of M Percival, Suffolk. The same buyer also put in the winning bid of £400 for embryos collected from Llwynobin Maria 1st, the only remaining Original Population female from the Maria family, as part of an important project undertaken by owners S Woods & W Van Beele, Herefordshire, to repopulate this rare line.
Selling at £1,400 from the Hockerwood herd of P & E Lynn, Southwell, was in-calf heifer Hockerwood Venus 14th. Sired by the highly regarded and prolific bull Shefford Monarch and in-calf to the Lynn’s new young herd sire Gavelock Doggett, this heifer travels to R Turner’s Tycarreg herd based in Llanymynech.
Four lots made their way to Aberdeenshire to establish a new herd for P Donald, Inverurie, each selling for £1,000. These comprised the 2021born Kileekie Zephyr Model 3rd with her bull calf at foot sired by Boresisle Jupiter, and maiden
heifer Kileekie China Model 5th, both lots bred and sold by A & S Sykes, Ayrshire, alongside a further two maiden females – Langridge Smartie and Langridge Sashay – bred and sold by F V Cook, Cambridge.
Another purchased from the Glansevin dispersal was the first lot in the sale, Herouldmede Caroline 3rd, picked up by T Robinson for the Rangemoor herd, Buxton, at £1,000. PD in-calf to Laxfield Juror, this good-bodied breeding cow was originally bred by the Woods Van Beele Partnership.
Three embryos collected from P & E Lynn’s donor dam Hockerwood Lucy and sired by the popular AI bull Margarita Sebastian were sold at £250 per embryo to repeat purchaser J Reed, Salisbury.
Grass Masters is an online timed auction of pedigree Traditional Hereford bulls, females, semen and embryos. Presenting genetics which are famed worldwide for their ability to thrive on pasture-based diets, using low inputs to produce a high-yielding, compact beef carcase.
Carpenters Curly 21st tops Grass Masters sale
SHOWS ROUND UP
With the show season in full swing, there have been some impressive turn outs for the breed. For full reports please visit our website here.
Fantastic Display of Hereford Cattle at Balmoral Show
Once again, the Hereford cattle and exhibitors demonstrated a super display of cattle for this year’s Balmoral Show. A total of 59 cattle were entered from 13 different exhibitors. Massive thanks goes out to judge James Ludgate from Rempstone Herefords, Oxfordshire.
Gaining the top prize was Kinglee 1 Victorious from Mr Trevor Andrews, Larne. Born in November 2020, this impressive bull added to his list of prizes which includes champion of the national polled Hereford calf show in September 2021. After coming in first place in the senior bull class, he was tapped out as Supreme Hereford Champion of Balmoral Show 2024.
Second Championship win at Devon for the Wood family
Devon County kicks off the show season for the Southwest, after mopping up the awards last year, exhibitors, FJ Wood and Sons, Morleigh, Devon, return to the ring at Westpoint to take the top spot for the second year running.
Tapped out as breed champion by Cornish breeder, John Williams of Anhay Herefords was Solpoll 1 Pansy T17, bred by John and William McMordie, Ballygowan, Co Down. It is the second championship ribbon earned by the Irish bred, April-20 born cow. Purchased in-calf at the 2022 spring show and sale at 6,200gns, by Danish-bred Moeskaer Mentos, she has a pedigree full of success, with her dam a full sister to Solpoll 1 Lawman. What’s more, her grand dam is a full sister to Solpoll 1 Gilbert, the three times UK sire of the year, having also sired five females of the year.
Rempstone 1 Alpha leads the pack at Shropshire County
Under the steady assessment of judge, Phillip Massey, a Hereford breeder and large animal vet from Lancashire, Rempstone 1 Alpha N688 was called forward as supreme champion at the Shropshire Country Show. Breeder, M Ludgate took the trip up north from their home in Thame, Oxfordshire with the March-23 born bull.
Out of Danish imported dam, Rosenkaer Miss World and sired by Dendor 1 Nairobi, Alpha N688 was previously shown at last year’s Christmas calf show where he received a blue rosette within his class.
Midford 1 Elke secures victory on home turf
Bath-based breeder, Will Awan, entered the ring leaving victorious. Under the watchful gaze of judge Andrew Hughes, from the Coley and Invictus Hereford herds, Midford 1 Elke 1st represented the breed boldly in the Interbreed championship and exited the ring adorned with a plethora of awards; reserve overall interbreed native champion, interbreed junior native heifer champion and interbreed junior champion. Elke 1st is no stranger to an interbreed sash, having stood reserve within the interbreed championship at the North Somerset show earlier in the season.
The fifteen-month-old heifer, out of Bosbury 1 Elke 50 and sired by Grifford 1 Try, started her winning streak taking the red ticket in her class before advancing through the ranks to breed female champion and breed champion.
Severnvale Rogue claims first championship title
Bull, Severnvale Rogue has been on hot pursuit of a championship title for some time. He has garnered a collection of ribbons including numerous reserve male champion titles. It was the Royal Cornwall Show that his aspirations were realised, when under the observation of Judge John Kemp, Auckvale Herefords, Durham, he made the ascension to overall breed champion.
Discover Spartan 1 Victoria’s Secret
Spartan 1 Victoria’s Secret was selected by George Harvey of Harveybros Herefords as supreme and grand female champion at the Royal Highland Show. No stranger to the show ground, Victoria’s Secret has become quite the veteran at the event, advancing her position each year.
Having made his maiden entry to the ring back at Tenbury show in 2023, the years growth has proven a powerful asset to the April ’22-born animal. Bred by Mr E G Mills from Pilning Bristol, Avon, and shown by Thea Woollatt, he is sired by Somerwood Rando and out of homebred Severnvale Hazel 1st.
Severnvale Rogue strikes again at Three Counties
In 2022, she ended the day as reserve junior champion, at the 2023 show she stood as reserve supreme and grand female and this year she gained the ultimate accolade. This September 2020-born female has featured in numerous reports this season alone, standing repeatedly within the winner’s circle.
Duchess is victorious
Severnvale Rogue continues his streak of victories, following his triumph in Cornwall with another prestigious win at the Royal Three Counties show. He secured his second championship title in quick succession under the watchful eye of judge, Mr Mark Moore, Co Tyrone.
Bred by Mr E G Mills from Pilning Bristol, Avon, and shown by Thea Woollatt, the April ’22-born bull, sired by Somerwood Rando, is one of two horned animals presented at the Royal Three Counties show this year. Both stood in favourable positions ending the day with ribbons.
Without discrediting neither the supreme champion nor reserve champion, judge Mark Moore commented on the decision between the two bulls being a ‘tough choice’, with the conclusion tilting in Severnvale Rogues favour due to the older bull having more ‘power’.
Spirits were high and the sun shone down on exhibitors at this year’s Norfolk Show with sixteen herds in attendance battling it out in the heat, to be crowned overall champion.
Judge David Sapsed from Hertfordshire assessed the cattle presented and deliberated over his champion, crowning Porton House 1 Duchess 2nd from Bethan Hutchinson female and overall champion. Duchess was purchased from the society’s Spring sale in 2023 and soon embarked on her show success, coming 1st in her class at the Royal Highland Show and again at Westmorland, later that year. Bred by Paul and Vicky Moyle, she is a March 2022 born female out of Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 978, sired by Dendor 1 Sherlock.
Victoria is no secret to show success
Continuing her winning streak at the Great Yorkshire Show was Spartan 1 Victoria’s Secret, further cementing her dominance in the showring, securing female and overall champion for the third time this season.
Photo taken at Royal Highland Show as Great Yorkshire Show photos not available at time of publication.
NBA BEEF EXPO UPDATE
The National Beef Association’s 2024 Beef Expo took place on Saturday, 27th April, at North West Auctions near Kendal. The event brought together the very best in British cattle in the National Commercial Cattle Show, and the 13 attending breed societies showcased the very best pedigree cattle. With a large trade exhibition and a seminar programme focusing on the future of the beef industry, the 2024 Beef Expo has been hailed a huge success.
A true celebration and exploration of everything the British beef industry has to offer, this year’s event was timed to coincide with British Beef Week. For the first time this event which was very well attended, was free for visitors to attend and Beef farmers travelled the length and breadth of the UK to gather at J36, Crooklands Rural Auction Centre.
The National Commercial Cattle Show, featured over 100 head of cattle with the main commercial classes expertly judged by Northamptonshire farmer Frank Page. Lincolnshire’s Jonathan Lyon was responsible for judging the baby beef and young handlers classes.
This year’s NBA Beef Expo saw a record number of more than 100 trade exhibitors and 13 Breed Societies attend the event, to help highlight
the latest research developments, technology, and innovation in the industry. The Best Breed Society Stand award was presented to Hereford Cattle Society, Datamars was awarded Best Indoor Trade Stand, and Agri Lloyd scooped Best Outdoor Trade Stand.
To packed audiences, the seminars included panellists from the three main political parties, Sir Mark Spencer, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Daniel Zeichner, Shadow Minister for Farming, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs; and Tim Farron, MP and Westmoreland, Furness & Eden Liberal Democrats, discussing farming, food & finance; leading supermarket procurement directors debate how best to build from farm gate to baskets; AHDB hosted a discussion on whether or not suckler cattle can thrive in a subsidy-free landscape; and Farmers Weekly unveiled the insights from their ‘State of the Industry Survey’.
In summing up his seminar, Andrew Meredith, Farmers Weekly Editor, who presented results of the comprehensive survey on the British Beef Industry said, “The Farmers Weekly Survey was completed by over 1100 respondents, with findings showing an industry that is going through rapid and significant change. Many
are scaling up, many are cutting back, and concerns about profitability abound. High prices for finished cattle are welcome but the cashflow needed to get them to that position is a challenge.”
Discussing the day’s successes, NBA Chief Executive, Neil Shand said: “I can only thank everyone, on behalf of the NBA and the organising committee, for coming in great numbers, and I really hope everyone had a great day. We really appreciate all the support we’ve had from stand holders, sponsors, and cattle exhibitors, it makes the whole event worthwhile; thank you, very much. We held the event the last weekend in April, as a one off as it was the only suitable date this year and we will attempt to move the date back towards the end of May in 2026.”
IMPORTS & EXPORTS
Are you considering the import or export of hereford genetics? If so, the society would remind you of the following:-
Breed requirements in respect of imported/ exported genetics (reciprocal arrangement):
1. A certificate of freedom from the following genetic defects is required; hypotrichosis, diluter, idiopathic epilepsy, maple syrup urine disease, mandibulofacial dysostosis & delayed blindness.
2. Should any female be in-calf, the same information as point 1 above will be required in respect of the service sire/s.
3. All genetic imports/exports (live animals, service sires, semen and sires and donor dams of embryos), a SNP DNA profile must be provided (showing parentage verification) together with the test results of the genetic defects, as stated in point 1 above.
With regards to importing genetics, you must also ensure that the registered overseas Hereford Association/Authority of the country you are looking to trade with is registered with DEFRA either on the UK list or EU list of approved third countries, or HCS will not be allowed to accept the genetics in question for entry onto the database.
BEEF MARKETING
The Goal
To create more relevant and impactful messaging in the market, making Hereford stand out as the go-to British beef.
Over the last 6 months our partners Ripple have been busy helping us create a different look and feel for our beef marketing and we just want to share with you some of the things below that have been achieved.
• Established the British Herefords naming and branding strategies
• Created and agreed on all core strategic marketing messaging
• Developed the first British Herefords pitch presentation targeted at processors
• Created a bank of premium video marketing content for the brand
• Commercial Video - https://youtu.be/ fejwHsBPtOA
• Brand Video - https://youtu. be/2Zdwbhth0Ks
• Interview Videos
• Tom McKnight - https://youtu.be/ AvbEoh-9zSE
• John Walker - https://youtu.be/ uWP8GgT24FA
• Edward & Ben Lewis - https://youtu.be/ vB5c6pLAL3Y
• Foundation work on the British Herefords image bank to go to market with
• ‘Hereford people’ imagery
• Created ‘Launching soon’ teaser marketing assets
• Designed and managed the creation of the Britishherefords.com page
• Creation of a digital member signup to help build our database
Benefits for members:
Support DNA testing for pedigree identification and disease services
Updates with the latest developments and research that may affect Hereford Cattle Management and promotion of regular Hereford Cattle Society shows & sales, along with the annual Awards Dinner.
Collects and compiles available performance data on Hereford Cattle
Collaborates with academic research wherever possible
An online database search facility
Annual Breed Journal
Access to premium Beef Schemes
And much more...
Scan the QR Code to vist our new members page
1,357 Members
12 Associations & clubs
Dedicated support
The following 10 candidates are competing to be part of the UKHY team to compete at next years World Hereford Conference in Kansa City.
Iona Smith, age 25
Iona lives in Ayrshire, Scotland and is very active within the agricultural industry. She has a background full of jobs including working at a farm shop, relief milking on a dairy farm and more recently working as a graduate at Davidson and Robertson as a rural chartered surveyor. Currently she is a graduate land manager at Blackhall and Powis.
Her Hereford passion began as a young child growing up with the Milovaig herd, which has regularly exhibited cattle at shows such as The Royal Highland and the Great Yorkshire. This enabled her to gain experience which led to further opportunities helping other herds to show their cattle. Iona joined UKHY in 2016 when it first started and has attended many workshops and events.
She is also currently the Vice Chair of Women in Agriculture Scotland which ‘is a great honour’.
‘I am applying for the World Hereford Conference as I feel I would be the ideal candidate, bringing a wealth of experience professionally and personally’ Iona also says that representing her country would be a privilege and honour.
Isla Soutter, age 23
Isla is no stranger when it comes to working with cattle and has been around them since being a child but started her journey with the Hereford breed in 2016. Prior to this her experience was with Limousin cattle, giving her a broad knowledge of both native and continental breeds.
Isla joined UKHY in 2016 and has attended nearly every workshop, has been to Ireland on the organised trip, participated in the national stock judging competition and represented UKHY at the British Cattle Breeders Conference. Networking and making friends are high on Islas list as she has played rugby at county level and has participated in the young farmers movement.
Isla has a vast knowledge of the industry, completing her university placement at McDonald’s - The Lakes Free Range Egg Company in Cumbria and is now working at ABP Food Group as an agricultural graduate.
Being fortunate enough to attend the last world conference as a team member on the Danish team, has fuelled her desire to attend the next one. She is ‘willing to work hard and contribute all that I have to it. I think my enthusiasm and pride in representing the breed would make me a great UKHY ambassador’.
Ciara Fitzpatrick, age 18
Living in Northern Ireland has given Ciara plenty of opportunities working in the agricultural industry. Last winter she was milking 230 dairy cows locally, and in the summer months she helps with the silage season and other plant machinery tasks. Currently she is in full time education studying geography, chemistry, and biology.
Her family transitioned from a suckler herd to a fattening unit, where Herefords dominated. This led to a pedigree purchase in 2021 and there’s been no looking back. A bull was bought, and Ciara aims to grow the herd to thirty breeding cows, with a selection of bulls and heifers to be offered for sale. ‘I truly believe that Hereford beef can fulfil the needs of the British and Irish consumers and even farther afield’.
Showing has become her new favourite hobby after attending Balmoral show in 2022 and has helped to show breeders cattle, gaining experience, which then led on to her winning champion young handler at the NIHBA calf show in Dungannon, something she is very proud of.
‘I expect the conference to be a once in a lifetime experience, where I can see Hereford breeding and farming in a large-scale operation. As the nature of farming in Northern Ireland is very much small scale and family run even compared to mainland UK and I would welcome opportunity to network with breeders as a part of the UKHY and as an individual’.
Cara Doggett, age 25
Cara originally from New Zealand now lives here in the UK, joining us in the summer of 2022. Her family dairy farm has given her a good understanding of a functional cow, but her real passion is breeding her pedigree Beef Shorthorns back home.
Cara represented New Zealand at the last world Hereford Conference which gave her great experience but also some lifelong friends. This encouraged the move abroad where she has now settled, established her own Maxwell Hereford herd, and has secured a career at a genetics company.
She has many accolades including Allflex Senior Beef Ambassador (NZ) 2019, Royal Welsh all breeds pairs beef young handlers champion 2023, Sedburgh young farmers beef stock judge winner 2024 to her name and is very competitive in the showring.
Outside of the ring she enjoys helping other people prepare their cattle for shows and sales and works her way up and down the country doing this. She also enjoys a game of squash and running.
When asked about the upcoming conference, she said it’s a perfect way to be at the forefront of the breed. ‘ I want to be involved with the UKHY America World Hereford Conference as I want to showcase my skills and knowledge about the Hereford breed, but also showmanship and stockmanship that I have developed since I could walk’.
Ethan Brook, age 23
Archie Roberts, age 18
Studying agriculture at Hartpury college has provided Archie the opportunity to complete his year work placement at Bosbury Herefords. Archie worked with the cattle, assisting with show and sale preparation. He also operated across the other enterprises including hops, arable and cider fruit and is still there on a part time basis whilst he completes his studies.
Being an experienced handler in the show ring paid dividends when his family inherited a small Hereford herd. These now run alongside the existing Saler and Beef Shorthorns. He has showed cattle at a national level and enjoys it very much. Archie aims to expand his new Hereford herd and exhibit at more shows with homebred stock. ‘I believe they are the future for our food production so I would like to see more commercial farmers using them’.
He is currently the vice chairman of the local young farmers club where he has successfully organised multiple charitable fundraising events, including tractor runs and competitions.
‘I believe I would be a good UKHY ambassador as I am level and open minded and have not been brain washed into Herefords due to growing up with different breeds’.
Ethan resides in Mid Glamorgan, Wales and is an active member of UKHY and the Hereford breed, participating in Dyfed and Powys Hereford breeders club. He does this alongside his employer, Bowendu Herefords where he has worked for the last 5 years. Ethan has been helping the herd progress with their breeding, cattle management, and animal husbandry. This passion led him to purchase his foundation cow in 2019, something he is very proud of.
Ethan is a keen member of his local young farmers club, where he likes to compete in as many competitions as possible, including stock judging, bricklaying, woodwork, fencing and more recently the stage production. He also enjoys assisting with the planning of fundraising events such as barn dances.
As Ethan is a new entrant to the agricultural community, he hopes to be able to further his exposure to new ideas and initiatives by seeing and experiencing practices not typical in the South Wales Valleys.
‘If I am lucky enough to be able to represent UKHY I hope to continue to grow my knowledge from some of the world’s leading Hereford breeders. I believe this is a unique opportunity and a journey I would like to be a part of’.
Will Awan, age 23
It would be fair to say Will has accomplished many things during his agricultural journey. Harper Adams played a big role in developing this knowledge, understanding and contacts in the industry and his work placement within his studies rewarded him with a 1st class honours degree in agriculture with animal sciences. He was also a course representative and received the silver award for agricultural student 2021 at the British Farming Awards.
Will is not from a farming background but has worked hard to secure his career and small holding. He currently breeds from 40-50 polled Herefords with his business partner Bob. He also has a keen interest in Exmoor Horn sheep, and both species have exceeded his expectations in the showring, including winning the National Polled Show in 2021 and Supreme Champion at the Christmas Calf Show 2023.
In his spare time, he likes to enjoy live music at events and livestock photography. When asked on his ambitions for the future ‘My focus is on having a consistent herd of strong balanced fertile cows with neat udders, and I hope to continue to use showing to market my herd and to benchmark it against other cattle.
Cattle breeding is my job, my hobby, my social life, and my passion.
Emma Dexter, age 25
From her teens, Emma has thrown herself into agriculture, with her first job as an assistant herdsperson. This fuelled her keenness and embarked on many careers such as general farm worker, arable contractor, and pedigree herdsperson across several Hereford herds. She believes these experiences have given her the growth to become a better cattle person.
Being a mum to Bertie doesn’t leave much spare time, but when she does find time to relax, she likes to explore disused railways, long walks and see friends. As an active member of her local young farmers club, she enjoys organising charity events and competing in stock judging competitions, something she has become very good at.
Participating in UKHY has given her the confidence to apply for this opportunity, having joined in 2017. She has attended workshops, competed in the national stock judging competition, and helped with the first charity ball.
‘The potential opportunity to represent the UK doing something I am so passionate about would give me great incentive to try hard and work above and beyond my comfort zone. I hope to take away knowledge that I can put in to practise here at home’.
Eva Jackson, age 18
Eva is one of our youngest applicants, but her determination and passion is that of her peers. She has experience on a large dairy herd, milking 600 cows, calf rearing and assisting Houghton Herefords with shows and sales. Her family breed polled Herefords under the prefix Eveter, and Eva likes to get involved by helping with maintenance jobs and preparing cattle for the shows.
Eva has been a member of UK Hereford youth since the beginning and has enjoyed attending workshops and participated in young handler events at the National Poll Show and the Christmas calf show, where her skills were judged. These events have helped her to gain experience in cattle dressing and clipping.
Horse riding is a sport she enjoys and started this hobby age 7. ‘I feel many years of riding on many horses has made me a more experienced rider’, something she hopes will stand her in good stead for the upcoming events.
‘In the future I want to continue working with Herefords, through hopefully a job in the genetics industry or working in nutrition. I think Herefords hold a strong position in the future of agriculture where the focus is shifting towards sustainability and lowering carbon footprints’.
Finlay Soutter, age 18
Finlay has a clear passion for cattle. He started helping on the farm alongside his dad at the age of 10 and his enthusiasm has just kept growing. Enjoying nothing more than assisting in cattle welfare with bedding down, husbandry duties and helping to prepare cattle for shows and sales, frequently putting his handling skills to the test.
Joining UKHY from the beginning has enabled him to fully immerse himself in all that the programme has to offer. This includes attending workshops, competing in stock judging competitions where he is regularly placed and communicating with fellow breeders.
‘I feel I have gained communication, leadership, and resilience through these workshops by speaking to everyone there and assisting people that may not come from a farming background that have attended’.
In his spare time, he likes to play hockey, a sport in which he excels at, winning county medals. More recently Finlay has just started his own Simmental herd to broaden his knowledge on cattle breeding.
‘I was eager to apply for the World Hereford Conference as I wish to be a role model, and I feel I would make a great UKHY ambassador.’
FELLOWHILL HEREFORDS HOST ANNUAL UKHY WORKSHOP
Grey skies and mizzle didn’t deter thirty one attendees, parents and supporters to the annual UK Hereford Youth Spring workshop. This year it was kindly hosted by Jimmy and Fiona Hodge of Fellowhill Herefords and supported by the Scottish Hereford Breeders Association. Many had travelled a long distance, some as far as Norther Ireland, Wales and the Southwest.
On arrival guests were provided with hot tea and biscuits, always a good way to start the day, and it certainly impressed our younger members, giving them fuel for the day. As always, the agenda follows a series of workshops which all members must attend. Kicking off the first workshops at 10.30 were clipping an animal for the showring and prepping an animal for showing. These always seem popular across the ages and provides the basic skills required. Our trainers put them through their paces, offering a demonstration first, with the practical work then starting. Everyone was keen to have a go, and many learnt about the correct equipment, techniques used and how to be safe which resulted in some very groomed looking heifers. Meanwhile, across the farm were our ten World Hereford Conference applicants battling it out
to impress the judges. Their agenda differed slightly, and their first challenge was an ice breaker. This is never an easy task but vital, nonetheless. Toilet paper certainly provided a talking point and eased them in. Gavin Tait from AB Europe was in attendance and gave them an in-depth and interesting talk on embryos and artificial insemination, with a deeper look at optimal breeding times.
These workshops took everyone up to lunchtime, where a hearty lunch of hot soup, pork and beef rolls, nibbles and homemade cakes went down well. This is a great opportunity for everyone to have a breather, quick chat and have a go at guess the weight of the bull competition.
Setting the scene for the afternoon’s activities were Paul Westaway and Jimmy Hodge with a demonstration on linear assessment. The rain had dissipated, and the crowds were growing to watch our ten seniors take the reins, each having a small group of the twenty one members. Our future leaders were teaching skills on knot tying and halter safety. Following on in our mock show ring the seniors assisted everyone in leading a heifer to show ring standard.
Finishing up the activities were more tea and biscuits and the long awaited guess the weight of the bull results. We also held a raffle with some very exciting prizes on offer, with a total of £205 raised which will go into the UKHY fund. The day didn’t end there as Jimmy offered a herd walk, many of which took the opportunity to have a leisurely walk looking at quality cattle and winding down. Evening proceedings saw everyone in Kelso chatting over food and our team applicants battling it out to impress the judges further.
For those of us who could stay until the Sunday, we had a very interesting and thought provoking visit to Robert Neill and family of Upper Nisbet Farm, where we had a tractor and trailer tour of the Scottish border countryside. This working commercial farm consisted of 1700 acres producing over 1000 acres of arable, 300 breeding cattle with a Limousin or Belgium Blue bull. The Herefords were starting to play a role in
the future breeding plan, by using a Hereford x Friesian adding docility and making productive cows.
UK Hereford Youth would like to reach out and thank everyone who helped on the day, including hosts, volunteers, parents, breeders, trainers, judges and anyone else. Without your continued support these days wouldn’t happen or be such a success.
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