The first meeting of the year started with the appointment of new officers, which leads both myself and the Club to thank Michael Fieldson and Roy Taylor for all their time and efforts for the club over the last few years.
February also saw a fantastic achievement for Paul Cairns when he sold Plumtree Deus at Carlisle for 35,000gns, his first bull to be sold at public auction.
In April the sixth Annual Limousin Day sale of pedigree and commercial cattle was held at Newark Livestock Market, with a massive catalogue entry of 621 cattle on the day. Trade was a little back on the previous year although top price was 6,000gns for Cockleshell Delia sired by Winnington Trumps from Pitcher Frams Ltd. Gary Swindlehurst of the Proctors Herd very kindly gave up his time to judge the pre-sale show and had placed her champion on the day. In the bulls, the top two prices were taken by Messrs Heald with Coachhouse Dan, a Haltcliffe Picasso son and Coachhouse Detail a Coachhouse Virgil son. Overall, yet another successful day with this sale going from strength to strength, year-on-year and we look forward to the next one in April.
After the sale the summer shows were soon upon us with breeders from the East Midlands having great success at shows not only within the area but throughout the country. Doug & Harvey Mash of the Brockhurst Herd gained prizes at the Royal Highland and the Royal Welsh, as well as numerous shows in the South of the region. Nicola & Mick Hardy of the Jericho Herd also had good success and supported a lot of the smaller shows throughout the region. Special mention for Alicia Legg who showed Millington Davia on behalf of Nicola & Mick, not only promoting the breed and its great attributes but it was also good to see such a young face within the agricultural industry taking an active role in showing.
October saw the second annual sale at Newark Livestock Market with a catalogue entry this time of 467 head of pedigree and commercial cattle. A similar entry of bulls met a relatively slow trade but understandable for the time of year. A broad selection for all buyers of cows in calf and/or with calf at foot saw a steady but firm trade. It was nice to see yet again breeders from within the East Midlands Club taking both the Male and Female championship in the form of Coachhouse Earl from Messrs Heald and Cockleshell Barbara from Pitcher Farms who achieved the second best price of the day at 4,200gns.
Yet again a huge thanks to Paul Gentry for giving up a lot of time organising the sales and the support he gives to the Club and the members within the East Midlands. Also, many thanks to all at Newark Livestock Market.
This year’s herd competition was kindly judged by Peter Kirton of the Ashledge Herd. Peter travelled the length and breadth of the region visiting 15 herds in five days.
In October, the annual dinner and presentation evening was held at Greetham Valley golf course. A sincere thanks to Ian & Jenna Brown of the Lowgate Herd for all their time and effort in organising a successful evening.
