British Limousin 50th Anniversary National Herd Competition
- Overall Champion Pedigree Herd – Patrick Greed, Killerton Limousins, Devon
- Reserve Champion Pedigree Herd – James McKay, Ampertaine Limousins, Co Derry
- Overall Champion Commercial Herd – The Mather Family, Devon
- Reserve Champion Commercial Herd – Strattons Farms, Berkshire
As part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations, the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) has been running a National Herd Competition during 2022 which culminated in an Awards Dinner held at Carlisle on Friday 14th October. With both a Commercial and Pedigree section, competition has been keen between herds that had come through the ranks of their regional competitions the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.
The competition was judged by renowned commercial producer Peter Alexander, Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie and former BLCS President Jim Scott of the Ardigon herd, Killyleagh, Co Down who were there on the night to give some much-appreciated comments on each herd and present the awards.
Winning the Overall Pedigree Herd Competition was Patrick Greed who runs the 70-cow Killerton Herd together with his wife Sheila at Columbjohn Farm, Rewe, Exeter, Devon. In presenting the trophy, Jim Scott said: “This was an exceptional herd of females breeding true to Limousin type, very maternal and leaving great calves. There was also a keen eye to bull selection with stock bulls from Maraiscote, Nealford, Foxhillfarm, Meadowrigg, Emslies and Goldies doing a great job. However, my mind was made up when walking through the ‘Fields of Gold’ of tremendous yearling heifers knowing the future of the Limousin breed was in safe hands.”
Reserve Pedigree Herd was James McKay’s Ampertaine Herd based at Kilrea Road, Upperlands, Maghera, Co Derry, N Ireland. Commenting, Jim said: “This herd needs no introduction having produced bulls such as Ampertaine Abracadabra, Commander, Elgin, Foreman and Gigolo which have been so influential in the breed yet are a balance of terminal and maternal traits. And this has all been done by selective use of AI which is, as we all know, no easy task. James McKay truly has a unique talent in bringing pedigrees together.”
Addressing the assembled audience of around 100 guests, Peter Alexander commented: “We were so impressed by what we saw touring the country with Limousin cattle doing a great job across all farming systems, land types and farm sizes.” The Champion Commercial Herd was Edward & Hazel Mather who run 104 purebred Limousin cows at Besshill Farm, Arlington, Barnstaple, Devon. In announcing his winner, Peter said that this was very much a family farm run by a couple and their three children, and it was the overall total Limousin system that was the deciding factor with all replacements homebred, everything finished at home and then either put through their farm shop or sold to ABP. Collecting the trophy on the Mathers’ behalf was South West Club Chairman Patrick Greed who also picked up the Champion Pedigree trophy making it a long but successful return trip from Devon!
Standing Reserve was Strattons Farms, Scarletts Farm, Plastow Green, Headley, Berkshire and it was a delighted Herd Manager Bill Ferguson accepting the award on the night. This is a 120-cow commercial operation run alongside the pedigree Strattons prefix by Bill working together with Farm Manager Simon Hill, stockwoman Laura Bartlett and stockman Nick Waite. Mr Ferguson had a busy day having judged Friday’s pre-sale Carlisle Show of Limousin Bulls where he had put up Spittalton Stag as his Overall Champion, a bull which went on to sell for 19,000gns on the Saturday.
FULL RESULTS
Pedigree Herds
Champion: Killerton – PW & SM Greed – (South West)
Reserve Champion: Ampertaine – Messrs WJ & J McKay (N Ireland)
Other Finalists
Garyvaughan – CV Lewis & Sons (North West Midlands & North Wales)
Barrons – Willy Barron (North East)
Maraiscote – Ian Nimmo (Scotland)
Norman – Norman Farming Co (North West)
Cowin – WD Dyfan & C James (South Wales & Mid-West)
Fieldson – JW & MC Fieldson (East Midlands)
Strattons – Strattons Farms (South East)
Commercial Herds
Champion: Edward & Hazel Mather (South West)
Reserve Champion: Strattons Farms (South East)
Other Finalists
Wyn Williams, Holyhead, Anglesey (North West Midlands & North Wales)
Swinbank Family, Neasham, Darlington (North East)
Messrs William McLaren, Muirhouses, Kirriemuir (Scotland)
Ted Chapman, Helsington, Kendal (North West)
James May, Tardebigge, Bromsgrove (South Wales & Mid-West)
Ivan Lynn, Armoy (Northern Ireland)
Grateful thanks are extended to all entrants, regional Clubs, regional judges, national judges and all supporters of the event.
