To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the British Limousin Cattle Society the South West held an Open Day, kindly hosted by the Neale Family at Wilkie Down Farm, Boyton, Launceston. With everywhere around us needing the rain, we all very much appreciated our visit to the Nealford Herd to see such super cattle which are such a credit to Jack, James & Chris & all the Neales.
The first British Limousin came to Wilkie Down in 1988 with the purchase of a Limousin bull to cross with the dairy cows. Seeing their potential, the Nealford Herd of British Limousins was born. Foundation cows were purchased from the Cockleshell and Roughly herds with later purchases from the Sarkley, Broadmeadows and Exmoor herds. Initially AI was used then the first stockbull purchased – Mereside Earl. His first daughter Nealford Isobel won her class at the ILC in 1994, going on to be Breed Champion at the Royal Cornwall in 1995. Bulls that have been influential on the development of the herd have been Normande Giant, Goldies Goldrush, Scorboro Mallard and Grahams Poncho with his first son Nealford Ambassador receiving Reserve Junior Champion bull at the Royal Show in 2006.
Sires which have impacted on the herd include Haltcliffe Cyclone and Ironstone Duncan. Duncan’s daughter Honey was Breed Champion at Devon County Show and took numerous other local Championships, a real showstopper. Glenrock Fortune and Proctors Cavalier left us with good breeding cows and recently Ampertaine inferno and Loosebeare Master have moved the herd forward again. AI bulls that have created good cow lines include Ronick Matador, Wilodge Vantastic and Ampertaine Foreman. At present the Stock bulls shaping the future are Loosebeare Nelson, Archies Pharoah and Goldies Oh Boy.
The main female lines still link to the foundation cow Cocklesell Simone who bred English Rose & Genevieve. The Nealford Herd show cattle at the Royal Cornwall and select local shows , also supporting the South West Club Sales at Holsworthy and Exeter. Also, regularly selling quality Bulls at the Society Sales at Brecon in May & November and the Carlisles Sales, the majority of Pedigree stock is sold at home, often to repeat customers.
Our South West regional visit was an absolute pleasure, we all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.
The South Western Limousin Cattle Breeders Club thank Jack, Yvonne, James, Chris & Families for welcoming us to Wilkie Down and hosting such a wonderful afternoon. Also the British Limousin Cattle Society, Barnaby Bridgman, John Barker and all helped and came along.
A magnificent line up of bulls greeted us on arrival with 6 Bulls kindly judged by John Barker for the stock judging competition, this was ably won by Rachael Tonkin, and in second place was Graham Hilsdon
Written by The South West Limousin Club
Further images below:
