Recently in East of England Winter Fair Stock Festival Category

A new partnership announced today between the Royal Smithfield Club and the East of England Agricultural Society has secured the future of the Smithfield primestock championships.

The partnership will stage a new, as yet un-named, winter primestock show at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, on 2 and 3 December this year.

The new event will build on the successful East of England Winter Stock Festival, which has grown rapidly in three years to be recognised as one of the premier primestock shows in the UK, explained East of England Agricultural Society chief executive Paul Wallwork.

"The growth of our Winter Stock Festival has been phenomenal and our hosting of last year's Royal Smithfield Primestock championships, following the cancellation of AgriLIVE Smithfield, underlined it's recognition as one of the leading winter events.

"This new agreement, which will see the show housed in the showground's purpose built Exec exhibition centre, will allow the event to move forward significantly and secures the future of the Royal Smithfield Club's championships too."

Primestock classes at the event will include classes for prime cattle and sheep, with the traditional auction sale of exhibits to round the event off, with the event being managed by East of England Agricultural Society agricultural manager Kerry Buttriss.

Speaking on behalf of the Royal Smithfield Club, the Club's secretary Geoff Burgess said the new event would build on the successful relationship between the two organisations which existed as a result of last year's successful show.

"We are looking forward to working with the East of England Agricultural Society to create a new showpiece event in the winter primestock calendar. This new prestigious event should attract entries from across the UK and provide a much needed end of season spectacle for the winter primestock circuit," he added.

As anyone who has followed the trials and tribulations of Smithfield since it left London will appreciate this new partnership is a resounding vote of confidence in the future of the championships and hopefully will lead to a long and lasting partnership between the two organisations.

Trade among the pedigree cattle here at Peterborough was selective, with the Shorthorns the pick of it.

Topping the trade at 3800gns was the pre-sale Shorthorn champion Podehole Broadhooks Boogie, a Podehole Yeti daughter out of Podehole Broadhooks Zoe, a Nevada Warrior daughter.

Selling at 3200gns was Podehole Annie Confetti from the Horrell family. This is by Podehole Yeti and out of Podehole Annie, a Chapelton Everest daughter.

And making 2800gns was Podehole Rosette Blush, a Yeti daughter out of Fingask Rosette Xanthea, an Uppermill Lifton daughter.

At 2000gns was Podehole Rose Claret, another heifer by Yeti from Podehole Scarlet, a Nathan of Quoiggs daughter.

Then at 1800gns was Podehole Genoa Caberet, another Yeti daughter out of Podehole Serenade, another by Nathan.

Here at Peterborough the East of England Winter Stock Festival, which is this year incorporating the Royal Smithfield Club's championships too, judging in both the cattle and sheep has been progressing well this morning, with all the sheep classes placed by Andy Bishop and Liz Vance making strong headway in the cattle too.

The major awards so far have been in the cattle, with the pure bred championships awarded this morning already.

Taking the Continental championship were Richard and Judy Fountaine with Cothi Eyecatcher, a Limousin steer which tipped the scales at 592kg. This one has previously been steer champion at Countryside Live. Reserve to it was Dulands Ebony, a Limousin heifer from Andrew Dickinson which weighed 694kg.

In the Native championship the winner was Galloway steer Super Mario. This one from Mike and Melanie Alford weighed 550kg. Reserve was Michael Read with Lincoln Red heifer Hemingby Bridget which weighed 499.

Taking the pedigree steer championship was the Limousin Cothi Eyecatcher from the Fountaines, while reserve was the Galloway from the Alfords. Then the champion pedigree heifer was Dulands Ebony from Andrew Dickinson, with Witherdale Empress, another Limousin heifer, this time from David Wharton standing reserve.

The purebred championship was then awarded to the Fountaines with Cothi Eyecatcher. Reserve here was the Galloway, Super Mario from Mike and Melanie Alford, Devon.

Just a week ago the winter primestock show scene was rocked by the cancellation of AgriLIVE Smithfield, which had been due to host the Royal Smithfield Club's primestock classes.

And now, just a week later, a temporary home for the championships has been found at November's East of England Winter Stock Festival, Peterborough.

The arrangement will see the Club's championships competed for at the East of England Winter Stock Festival on 12 and 13 November, including the overall cattle and suckled calf championships and the sheep championships.

Explaining the development interim chief executive at East of England Agricultural Society Catherine Pusey said the Society contacted the Royal Smithfield Club after hearing of AgriLIVE's demise.

Speaking on behalf of the Royal Smithfield Club chairman John Campbell said that at an initial meeting last Friday it became clear it would be possible to hold the Club's championships at the event. "This is an arrangement for 2010 which will give all those exhibitors who were planning to attend the show at Stoneleigh an opportunity to compete for the Club's trophies. We are grateful to the generous offer of assistance from the East of England team and look forward to working closely with them to ensure anyone wanting to exhibit can do so."

Entry forms for the East of England Winter Stock Festival are being sent to all those who exhibited at RSC events in recent years and the entry deadline has been extended until Friday 8 October to assist those concerned.

UPDATE: Judges for the classes at Peterborough have been confirmed today (29 September) and they are to stay as they were originally planned to be for the East of England Winter Stock Festival, with Andrew Bishop placing the lambs and Liz Vance placing the cattle.

So, it seems something is set to rise from the ashes of AgriLIVE Smithfield and rather more quickly than some may have expected. Anyone with any desire to see Smithfield survive in future years should support the efforts of the RSC to find a home for the championships this year and where possible get your stock entered. See you there......

Butchers' lamb classes have been added to the line-up for this year's East of England Winter Stock Festival at Peterborough on 12 and 13 November, with sections for both trimmed and untrimmed lambs planned for the event and a total prize pot of more than £2000 on offer.

Judging the new classes will be leading primestock sheep producer Andrew Bishop, a man with an enviable record in primestock competitions, having won every major title in England and Wales last year.

The usual classes for cattle will include purebred native and Continental classes, as well as crossbreds and baby beef classes. Judge for the cattle classes will be Elizabeth Vance, Newton Stewart, 2008 Smithfield winner.


And, as always, Paul Gentry of Newark Livestock Market will be on hand to take care of the sale. For your copy of the schedule email kbuttriss@eastofengland.org.uk

The domination of Phil and Sharon Sellers in this season's primestock show cattle championships and Andrew and Becky Bishop in the sheep championships has got me thinking about whether such exceptional runs of form are a good or bad thing.

Does the continual winning by one exhibitor serve to encourage others to try and beat them or turn potential exhibitors away from events because they don't beleive they have a chance of winning?

I sit fairly firmly in the first camp and strongly beleive that anyone, no matter what they're showing is always able to be beaten provided you put the effort in. Now, obviously in the commercial cattle scene there is the small matter of money too, with many of the top animals often costing a pretty penny (I think my thoughts on this are well enough known).

But overall while the big spenders may have the upper hand when it comes to buying, they still have to feed the cattle right and bring them out in top condition on the day. After all there have been plenty of big money cattle which have never grown into their potential or been overdone - and that's true of the pedigree world too!

When it comes to the sheep lines, there is first and foremost, a darn sight less money floating about, with most of the lambs being homebred, or bought at reasonable store lamb prices. But once again the same skill in feeding is needed to get the lambs to be spot on - particularly in making them handle as pairs.

I sincerely hope the great success enjoyed by both the Sellers and Bishops doesn't deter others from having a go, after all it may just be that next year is your year, or maybe even next week at AgriLIVE Smithfield!

 

Class 1 Native Heifer

Richard and Judy Fountaine's heifer, Lucombe Carro; Res, Paul Barwood and Anita Padfield's heifer, Bambles Lip Gloss.

 

Class 2 Native Steer

Michael and Melanie Alford's Galloway steer, Super Man; Res, Kingham Enterprises's South Devon, Big Bucks.

 

Class 3 Continental heifer

Richard and Judy Fountaine's Limousin, Millington Dinead; res, Paul Barwood and Anita Padfield's Limousin, Withersdale Donna.

 

Class 4 Continental Steer

Mike Dickens's Limousin, Walburn Dave the Rave; res, W Hardy and Sons Limousin, Jericho Desire-A-Bull.

 

Class 5 Native heifer

Brailes Livestock's Angus Cross, Black Diamond. Res, J and W Laight's South Devon Cross, Badger.

 

Class 8  Native Steer

Mike Dickens's Angus cross, Foscote; res, M A and L H Richardson's South Devon Cross, Sidmonds.

 

Class9

Michael and Melanie Alford's British Blue cross, Lady Gaga; res, Phil and Sharon Sellers's British Blue cross, Betty Boop.

 

Class 9a 

Mr M Morris's Miss British Blue cross, Miss Impress; res, Paul Barwood and Anita Padfield's British Blue cross, Twilight.

 

Class 10

Michael and Melanie Alford's British blue steer, Paparatzil; res, Phil and Sharon Sellers's British Blue steer, Dick Turpin.

 

Class 11

Phil and Sharon Sellers's Limousin cross, Rihana; res, Mr M Hallam's Limousin cross, Tip Top.

 

Class 11a Richard and Judy Fountaine's Limousin cross, Real Classy; res, Mr J and

Mrs Wareham's Limousin cross, Roxy.

 

Class 12 Mr D H Plested's Limousin cross steer, Jimmy Mac; res, Miss Nicola Beardsley's Bandit.

 

Class 12a Mike and Jean Dickens's Limousin cross steer, Bisto; res, Phil and Sharon Sellers's steer, Priceless.

 

Class 13 Phil and Sharon Sellers's Charolais cross, Fantasia; res, Collins Framing Enterprise's British Blonde cross, That's My Girl.

 

Class 14 Jason and Sarah Wareham's steer, Diddy Man; res, Brailes Livestock's Four eyes.

 

Champion Continental heifer

Phil and Sharon Sellers's Charolais cross heifer, Fantasia; res, Michael and Jane Alford's Lady Gaga.

 

Champion Continental Steer

Michael and Jane Alford's British Blue cross steer, Paparatzil; res, Mr D H Plested's Limousin cross, Jim.

 

Overall Champion

Phil and Sharon Sellers's Charolais cross heifer, Fantasia; res, Michael and Jane Alford's British Blue cross steer, Paparatzil;

 

(Next page for Saturdays results and pictures)  

 

And the Championship has just been announced. This went to Phil and Sharon Sellers, Derby with their Charolais cross, Fantasia, which came through from class 13 and took the champion continental heifer title.

 

 

 

In reserve was Michael and Melanie Alford, Devon with their British Blue cross steer, Paparatzil. This was winner of class 10 and was champion continental steer.

Back from the lunch breaking and judging of the heifer sired by a pure bred Limousin bull has just finished. Split into two classes it was those heifers under 550kg that were first under the judges scrutiny. But it was yet another success for Phil and Sharon Sellers, Derby with their 530kg Rihana. In reserve Was Tip Top forward by Mr M Hallam.

 

In the second class for those weighing more than 550kgs it was a tough call for judge Stuart Clatworthy. But living up to its name was Real Classy forward by Richard and Judy Fountaine, Milton Keynes, Bucks. This one weighed in at 644kg. Taking the reserve title was Roxy by Mrs S and Mr J Wareham, Heathfield, East Sussex.

 

 

And in the steer classes it was more good news for Mike and Jean Dickens, with another class win, this time in the steer over 600kg sired by a pure bred Limousin. It was his entry, Bisto that took the title weighing in at 690kg. In reserve were Phil and Sharon Sellers with Priceless, who weighed 612kg.

 

For those weighing under 600kgs it was Mr D H Plested, Chinnon, Oxon taking top spot with Jimmy Mac who weighed in at 558kg.  In reserve was Miss N Beardsley, Ashbourne, with Bandit.

The first of the classes sired by a pure bred British Blue Blue has just kicked off. And with some classy stock in the ring for heifers sired by a pure bred British Blue under 600kg the rosette was handed to Michael and Melanie Alford, Devon with 598kg, Lady Gaga. She was shown by Colin Hutchings. In reserve was the 534kg Betty Boop from Phil and Sharon Sellers, Belper, Derby.

 

In the second split of the class for heifers sired by a purebred British Blue bull over 600kg, it was Miss Impress, who certainly lived up her name when she took first place in the class. Impress who weighed in at 686kg was forward by Mr M Morris, Lutterworth, Leics. Reserve in this class was Paul Barwood and Anita Padfield with 634kg Twilight.

 

This time in the spot light in the Steer sired by a pure bred British Blue bull class, was Paparatzil. Another success for Michael and Melanie Alford, this one weighed in at 612kg.

 

Taking the reserve spot was Dick Durbin, from Phil and Sharon Sellers, Belper, Derby.  

The crossbreds are now dominating the ring. Native heifer and native steer judging has just taken place and with only three entries in the native heifer class, it was Brailes Livestock consisting of Rachel Wyllie and Richard Hassale, that took first place with their Angus cross, Black Diamond weighing in at 542kg. In reserve it was J and W Laight with their South Devon cross, Badger weighing 614kg.

 

It was another win for Mike and Jean Dickens in the native steer class. This time it was with his 483kg South Devon cross, Foscote, shown by daughter Emma. In reserve was M A and L H Richardson with Mervin, a South Devon cross, weighing 654kg.

 

Champion heifer and steers classes have just been announced and taking the champion heifer title was Richard and Judy Fountaine with their heifer, Millington Dinead. This April 2008 Limousin was bought from Frank Page, Northampton as a calf and has been shown several times this year including Suffolk Show, Asby and Newark Show. This one who weighed in at 588kg will be retained for breeding by the Fountaines.

 

In reserve was the Limousin, Withersdale Donna forward by Paul Barwood and Anita Padfield.

 

Taking the steer championship title was Superman, a Galloway forward by Michael and Melanie Alford, Cullumpton, Devon. This one which weighed in at 738kg was bought last September from A Waugh, Cumbria. And a good investment he was having already takeb the native steer title at Agri Expo, Carlisle last month. Superman will be shown at Scottish Winter Fair and the Welsh Winter Fair in the coming weeks. 

In reserve was Mike Dickens with his October 2008 born Limousin that weighed in at 470kg.

Continental heifers and steers have just been under the eye of judge Mr S Clatworthy, Somerset. It was another entry by Richard and Judy Fountaine that took first place in the continental heifer class, with Millington Dinead. Pipped to the post again were Paul Barwood and Anita Padfield with their Limousin Withersdale Donna.

 

In the steer class, it was Mike Dickens taking the class trophy with his Limousin steer, the 470kg, Walburn Dave the Rave. In reserve was the 526kg beast, Jericho Desire-A-Bull from W Hardy and Sons.

The first two classes, native steer and native heifer have been judged. Taking first place in Native heifer was a South Devon, forward by Richard and Judy Fountaine, with Lucombe Carro. This one weighed in at 598kg. In reserve was the Lincoln Red, Brambles Lip Gloss from Paul Barwood and Anita Padfield.

 

It was a Galloway taking the first place trophy in the Native steer class for Michael and Melanie Alford. Super Man weighed in at 738kg. In reserve was a South Devon, Big Bucks forward from Kingham Enterprises. This one weighed in at 622kg.

It's still quiet around the show ring here at the East of England Winter Stock Festival, but with judging due to commence in the next few minutes, i'm sure the crowds will soon be flocking to see the quality of cattle on offer- with more than 130 cattle entered.

Keep up to date for all the latest results and pictures which we will bring to you as they happen.

 

Its that time of year when entry forms for the winter fairs are lingering on desks waiting to be filled out. But anyone wanting to exhibit at this year's East of England Winter Stock Festival will need to act quickly as entries close on Monday.

As well as the usual primestock classes the East of England Winter Stock Festival includes sections for pedigree stock too, providing southern and midlands-based breeders with a valuable outlet for quality stock without the expense od travelling to sales centres further north.

Anyone wanting more details should contact Kerry on 01733 234451 or email kbuttriss@eastofengland.org.uk 

 

Following its launch last year this year's East of England Winter Stock Festival is expanded its remit, with a two day event planned for November 13 and 14.

As last year the event will feature a mix of commercial and pedigree cattle classes, with entries for the commercial section hopefully coming from as far afield as last year, says livestock manager Kerry Buttriss. "We are adding extra classes this year, inclucing separate classes for heifers and steers by British Blue and Limousin bulls, classes will also be split by weight and the highly successful baby beef classes will return too."

Tasked with picking the winners in all the commercial classes is Stuart Clatworthy, Somerset, while the pedigree classes for Aberdeen-Angus and Beef Shorthorns will be placed by Willie McLaren jnr, Netherton, Perthshire. Norman Smith, Suffolk, will be in charge of the Charolais classes and judges for the remaining sections have yet to be announced. Selling duties will once again fall to Paul Gentry of Newark Livestock Market. Schedules for the event are available from the organisers - 01733 234451 or email kbuttriss@eastofengland.org.uk

I'm glad to report my favourite heifer Smarty Pants from the Roberts and Hughes partnership have taken the overall Continental heifer championship. Standing reserve was Mr Morris' Limousin cross Cascada.

In the Continental male section Phil and Sharon Sellers have taken the top spot with Chancer, while following through from the same class was Melanie Alford.   

Winning the first of the Continental heifer classes (under 520kg) is Phil and Sharon Sellers with their black heifer Private Dancer. Standing second was Ann Riley's Limousin cross heifer Feem, while Kevin Ludgate's British Blue x heifer Danny took third.

In the second heifer class (over 520kg) M Morris's Limousin cross heifer Cascada took the top spot, while standing second were the Sedgewick family with another Limousin cross Pikachu, while David Plested took third with the British Blue cross.

In the heavy weight heifer class one of my favourite heifers Smarty Pants from Robin Roberts has taken a red ticket. Personally I'm pleased for him, this heifer was robbed of a red ticket at Carlisle last week - so well done!

Standing second was Andrew Geary's British Blue cross heifer Miss Piggy.

Phil Sellers was back to winning ways in the steer class as he took first place with The Chancer, while Melanie Alford stood second with her Limousin x Galloway steer.   

Winner of the baby beef steer class were the Alford family with thier Limousin cross Blue steer, while their daughter took second with a very stylish Charolais cross heifer.

Winner of a strong pedigree Shorthorn heifer class was Sally and Charles Horrell's Pode Hole Joyful, a Chapelton promoter April yearling.

Taking the Charolais championship under judge Adrian Ivory was the Thrunton Trojan son Wesley Conqueror from Wesley Estates. Taking the reserve spot was the female champion Roundshill Cally from J C Bostock.

Winners of the first Continental heifer class was W Hardy and Sons' Limousin heifer Millington Cabouchon, while second prize went to Paul Dawes' Limousin heifer Dinmore Clemody.