South West Limousin Breeders Club 2013 Report

The 2012 weather and disruption had left everyone with a period of ‘catch-up’, but despite all, it’s been a very busy year in the South West.

Success at the Spring Show and Sale which took place on Wednesday 10^th April with Kivells Auctioneers.  Mr Dudley Luxton kindly judged the Show for us.    Supreme Champion at 4,400gns went to Mark Quick with Loosebeare Greenday. A son of the 11,000gns Haltcliffe Anzac (by Sympa) and out of the Rainbow Simon daughter, Loosebeare Duchess, this September 2011 born bull carries a Beef Value of LM+43. Reserve Champion consigned by Mr & Mrs PW & SM Greed, Killerton Gabriel reached 3,800 gns.  Again September 2011 born, Gabriel is by the Saphir son, Hafodias Auron, and is out of the Nenuphar-sired Killerton Angel.  Selling a further two bulls at the 3,500gns mark were Killerton Gusto and Killerton Gorse.  Champion Female and 2,300gns top price was Rosecroft Gabby from Mr D & Mrs A Wheeler.  June 2011 born, she is by the AI sire, Ulm , and is out of Rosecroft Candy, a Grahams Unbeatable daughter.

Good representation of the Breed at the three County Shows in the South West were well attended. Results are to be found in the Show Section of the Studbook.

Michael and Melanie Alford  achieved extremely well with Foxhillfarm Gracie in the South West and Nationally!

The Club’s novice classes at the one day shows within the region were won by:

North Devon Show            Mr N Skelton

Frome Cheese Show          Archie Hill

The Ed Down Cup which we award to the Exhibitor who has won most points in the South West Shows was won by Patrick and Sheila Greed.

On Sunday 23^rd June, 30 members were warmly welcomed by Bart and Mary at Dinmore Estate, Herefordshire.  We were shown around the pedigree and commercial cattleas well as the magnificent equestrian side.

In July we held our Summer Show & Sale at Bristol with McCartneys Auctioneers.  This being the last Sale we can hold at Bristol, Colin Lewis from the Garyvaughen Herd kindly judged.  Supreme Champion was awarded to D & A Wheeler   for Rosecroft Hero, Reserve Champion went to Mr P Greed  with Killerton Greta.

The female section was well supported and topped at 2,700gns for the 2005-born cow Bapton Aster, from D & A Wheeler. Sired by Rombalds Triumph and out of Bapton Ladylove, she sold suckling her spring-born Rodeo-sired heifer calf Rosecroft Ivory.  The Female Champion, Killerton Greta, sold to 2,000gns an in-calf heifer, she is by Hafodlas Auron and out of a homebred cow by Lowabbey United and was exhibited by PW & SM Greed,. A second-calving cow, Stourhead Eleanor, from H & JL Parker, sired by Killerton Chicago and out of Stourhead Bridget, sold for the same figure with her bull calf at foot.

Penhallow Farm Ltd held their Dispersal Sale for the Ardevora Herd of grade register and commercial Limousins which topped at 3,250gns for Chytodden Fancyabull, an Objat grandson,  three-year-old bull, bred by Geoff and Carolyn Hollow  Autumn calvers with calves at foot topping at £2,370; spring calvers with calves to £2,020; served heifers to £1,450 and yearling heifers to £900.

Thank you to everyone who supported the South West Club’s Shows and Sales at Holsworthy and at Bristol.

The Herd Competition took place in August, having 20 farms to be judged within the South West region.  Mr & Mrs Roger Hazard from the Mereside Herd kindly travelled to us to judge the Competition.  On Sunday 15^th September  we held our AGM at Launceston when Roger and Sue kindly came down again to present the Herd Competition results with more than 70 members attending.   We then drove to Jack Neale’s to visit the Nealford Herd,  being their 25^th Anniversary of breeding Limousins.  Despite the weather, we had a thoroughly enjoyable day. Our Thanks go to all the Neale Family for their preparation and kind hospitality.

Officers continued as last year although we lose three members of the committee, Colin Hutchings, David Wheeler and Bill Harper, we thank them for their help and support and wish them well.  We welcome three new committee members: Chris Neale, Carolyn Hollow and Jo Smith.

As we come to the end of the Christmas Shows we would like to commend everyone who took part in the Winter Shows locally and nationally, especially  to Mr Richard Wright, Somerton for gaining the Supreme Champion at the Welsh Winter Fair!  In our region, the Club sponsored the Best Steer or Heifer sired by Limousin, bred and fed by Exhibitor at Truro Christmas Show which was won by Mr Rick Cobbledick, Sedgemoor Winter Fair awarded to Mr Daryl Checker and Exeter Christmas Primestock Show to Jess Maynard who also won the Championship!

The South West Club convey its Thanks and Appreciation to Everyone’s support, be it Breeders, Members, Society, Auctioneers, Judges, Sponsors  and all those unmentioned.

Finally, thank you to the Society for inviting the Regional Chairman and Secretaries  to the New Offices at Leamington Spa on Thursday 28^th November.   Unfortunately, Chairman Geoff Hollow was unable to attend,  so Secretary Diane Richards took the trip to Warwickshire. She found the Offices very smart indeed, but key was the opportunity to meet BLCS Council, Staff and fellow regional Chairmen and Secretaries which I’m sure will be of benefit to us all.

South West Limousin Cattle Breeders Club

Herd Competition Results for 2013

Judge : Roger Hazard