North West Limousin Breeders Club 2013 Report

The year began with our AGM held at Borderway Mart’s Ring 6 Café.  In early Spring, the club sponsored a number of Limousin-sired shows and sales. Our outdoor activities beginning in May with two stock judging nights arranged for our younger members to practice their skills ahead of the YLBC national competition in June.  Thanks are due to both our hosts, the Sedgewicks (Gallaber Herd) and the Bowes (Wiggonby Herd).  As a result five young breeders travelled to the Cheshire County Show to represent the club, namely Sarah and Richard Priestley, Richard Greenbank, John Grisedale and Chris Pears.

At the end of May, BLCS Technical Manager, Alison Glasgow joined us for a meeting to discuss her new role with the Society and future developments regarding performance recording, in particular new EBVs for carcase traits.  June saw the start of the summer show season and the better weather this year resulted in increased entries for Limousin classes and bumper crowds for most shows which was very welcome after last year’s wash-out.

On a lovely warm and sunny Sunday afternoon in mid-July, we visited David and Rosemary Cornthwaite at Balgray Hill, Lockerbie.  We were taken on a tour of the farm to see their 300-strong commercial herd of mainly Limousin-cross cows suckling Limousin calves together with the Maybe Herd of pedigree Limousins.  The animals looked superb showcased in such a stunning landscape and afterwards we were treated to a barbecue which rounded the afternoon off nicely, offering us a chance to thank David, Rosemary and the team including sponsors for an interesting and enjoyable visit.

On August 4^th we held our Open Stock judging competition which this year was very kindly hosted by Messrs Jenkinson at Whinfellpark, Penrith.  As this is the main fundraising event for the club, Estate Manager Nick Scholefield and the farm staff went to great lengths to ensure a spectacular event.  All their hard work was well rewarded as several hundred people travelled from all parts of the UK for a chance to view the Whinfellpark Herd and an impressive string of stock bulls including the record-breaking 120,000gns Dolcorsllwyn Fabio along with some of his progeny.  A huge thank-you is owed to Messrs Jenkinson for gathering raffle prizes prizes from many local businesses and suppliers and also to Judy Dodd who organised the draw on the day.

The following day judging of the annual herd competition commenced with BLCS Chairman Peter Kirton, ably assisted by his wife Sheila, having the job of judging a total of 17 herds.

In this region, the final agricultural show of the season is the Westmorland County held in September, which plays host to the Club’s Heifer and Bull Derby competitions.  Judge Craig Schofield of the Cheadlewood Herd based in Cheshire selected his heifer champion Fairywater Gabriella, exhibited by Messrs Andrew Ewing, with Ian and Angie Grisedale’s Angiean Henry taking the bull title.

In October, our herd competition judges returned to announce the results at our dinner dance held at the Shap Wells Hotel.  Once again the club rounded off the year by organising some great hospitality on the Society stand at Borderway Agri Expo .  Steadman & Judy Dodd sourced a great selection of both commercial and pedigree cattle for the stand and we are grateful to David Cornthwaite, Messrs Hutton and the Dodds for providing the stock.  We were certainly kept busy all day meeting friends old and new with the day proving to be a huge success.

North West Midlands & North Wales Cattle Breeders Club

Herd Competition Results for 2013

Judge : –  Mr P Kirton