Details of the winning herds in the regional finals of the 2011 National Limousin Pedigree Herd Competition have now been announced by the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS).  The National Limousin Pedigree Herd Competition is a one-off unique event and is being held as part of the British Limousin Cattle Society’s 40th Anniversary promotional programme. Supported and sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, this new event is an extension of the coveted annual herd competitions held annually within the nine Limousin regions around theUnited Kingdom.

The regional competitions, open to all pedigree Limousin herds in the respective areas, saw the appointed judge in each region put forward an overall winning herd.   With regional judging completed through August, the nine winning herds are now going head-to-head in a National Final judge-off to determine the 2011 National Limousin Pedigree Herd Overall Champion.  Currently moving around the UK and judging the National Final is noted breeder, and current Hon BLCS President, Mr Sam Coleman of Glarryford, Ballymena,N. Ireland.

William Sherrard Pfizer, National Final Judge Sam Coleman, Iain Kerr CEO BLCS, Jim Bloom, South East Regional Judge

Commenting on the task at hand Mr Coleman said: “It is a great honour to be judging such a prestigious event and it is clear that the level of competition is of the very highest order.  What I am looking for is a combination of such things as the overall presentation of the herd, the up-and-coming youngstock, the breeding policy, sires used, the breeding females, herd health, and herd successes.  Herd size won’t be the overriding determinant.”

When the final judging is completed, the Overall Winner of the 2011 National Limousin Pedigree Herd Competition will be announced, by Mr Coleman, at a dinner being hosted by the British Limousin Cattle Society and Pfizer Animal Health in Carlisle on Friday 14th October.  The dinner, at the Shepherd’sInn, Borderway Mart, is being held on the evening prior to the Society’s 2011 October Bull Sale at Carlisle.

THE NINE REGIONAL FINALS WINNERS ARE:

East Midlands                               RM Hazard & Sons, Mereside Herd
Judge: Richard Bartle, The cottages,Upper Dinmore, Dinmore,Hereford

Scotland                                       Mr J Nimmo, Maraiscote Herd
Judge: Brian Jones, Bailea, Sennybridge, Brecon, Powys

NW Midlands & N Wales               Messrs KI & E & HI Jones, Garnedd Herd
Judge: John Phillips, Esgerddeugoed, Cwmfelin-Mynach, Whitland, Carmarthenshire

S Wales & Mid West                     ED Griffiths & Co, Mynach Herd
Judge: William Cowx, Hudscales, Hesket New Market,Wigton,Cumbria

South East                                    Buriton Estates Ltd, Miscombe Herd
Judge: Jim Bloom, Scorborough, Driffield,East Yorks

South West                                   Messrs EW Quick & Sons, Loosebeare Herd
Judge: Martin Bull, Warminster, Wiltshire

Northern Ireland                           WJ & J McKay, Ampertaine Herd
Judge: John McInerney, Clonmoney West,NewmarketOn Fergus, Co Clare

North West                                    Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe Herd
Judge: Derek Hulme, Randalstown, Co. Antrim, N.Ireland

North East                                     Messrs JM & SP Cooper, Tomschoice Herd
Judge: Gary Swindlehurst, Procters Farm,Woodhouse Lane, Slaidburn, Nr. Clitheroe, Lancs