Recently in Royal Welsh Show Category

We were able to get quite a few pics of the breed champions at this week's Royal Welsh (mostly in the cattle lines). You can view them in the Farmers Weekly galleries at:

http://www.fwi.co.uk/community/photos/royalwelsh2011/default.aspx

In the Native upland interbreed championship, it was a Hill Radnor from the aptly named, Neil and Jean Radnor, The Marsh, Bucknell, that took home the title with a Welsh Mountain shearling ewe from Richard Wyn Lloyd, Cildaugoed, St Asaph, in reserve.

A Bluefaced Leicester ram was awarded the title of Native Lowland Champion. This was the first show outing for the one year old tup having been purchased at Carlisle last October for £400 by Elfyn Owen a'I Feibion, Ffrith Arw, Llanrwst. He was bred by Frank Johnson.

A homebred Ryeland ram from Mr and Mrs D and S Lewis, 3 Picton Close, Narbeth, secured the reserve spot. This one is by Ruslin Champion - a sire bred by the judge, Richard Wear.

In the Continental Championship, it was Charollais ewe, Elmwick Isobel taking the top spot. She is a Sarkley Grand Prix daughter and was put forward by Jennifer Curtis, Paddock View, Wickhamford.

This is the last outing for the ewe this season, having also secured the interbreed title at the Royal Bath and West Show earlier in the summer. She is one of 150 pedigree ewes owned by Ms Curtis, along with 50 commercials.

In reserve was a Rouge ewe from Percy Tait, Broughton Manor, Worcester, shown in the ring by Will Price.

However for his overall interbreed champion, Mr Wear went with his native pick, making it a first ever interbreed win for the Hill Radnor in the Royal Welsh's sheep ring.

This one won supreme interbreed champion at the Staffordshire Show and the breed championship win at the Royal Welsh takes his running total to 19 championship wins for the breed. He is the main stock ram to the Radnor's flock of 130 registered Hill Radnors.

Judge Richard Wear said: "This is a five year old, active ram that has obviously got a lot more years in his life. He is true to type with excellent conformation and walks exceptionally well for an older ram."

Having had a Charollais walk away with the title for four years since 2004, it was a good day for the native breeds. However, the continental breed still shined through, with Ms Curtis's ewe taking the reserve spot.

The Charollais breed has received top honours in the interbreed sheep pairs championship.

Making up the winning team was a homebred ram lamb from Tim Prichard, Castellau Fawr Farm, Llantrisant and a ewe from Charles Sercombe, Sandlands Farm, Melton Mowbray.

The ewe, Dalby Jessica comes from a long line of successes this season having been crowned interbreed sheep at the East of England, Newark and Nottingham and Lincolnshire Shows. She is out of Rutland Lightening and by Rockvilla Father Ted.

It was the ram lamb's first outing, but his dam had won female champion and reserve overall champion at the Royal welsh in 2003. He is already being used at home and has Ai'd 30 ewes.

In reserve were the Southdown pair made up of a homebred ram and ewe put forward by Wakeham-Dawson and Harmer, Mill Laine Farm, Lewes.

* The individual interbreed sheep championship is taking place about 4pm 

Visitors to the Royal Welsh were rewarded with an all Welsh affair in the dairy interbreed championship thought to be the first time in recent years.

All the breed champions were either from Carmarthenshire or Ceredigion, with the eventual win being awarded to S P and S R Davies, Brynhyfryd, Whitland for their Holstein cow, owned jointly with Kevin and Cathy Thomas.

Judge Mike Miller, was torn between the Jersey and Holstein, but eventually chose the black and white. "It was very close indeed, but I feel the black and white was a little bit stronger in the central ligament today. That's the only thing I'd put between them," he said.

Homebred, Castellhyfryd Spirte Rosina is by Cederwall Spirte and out of Castellhyfryd Sepstorm Rosina. She calved twin heifers in May and is currently giving 64 litres a day at 4.3% fat and 3.15% protein.

This was her first outing this year and was Simon and Sian Davies' first big win at the Royal Welsh in 20 years of showing. She will now be heading to the Pembrokeshire Show, Welsh Dairy Event and Dairy Event and Livestock Show.

The Jersey was placed in reserve, with Mr Miller describing her as having "tremendous legs and feet."

Bluegrass Heritages Lovely Lady was put forward by Mr W J P Wilson, Tregibby Farm, Cardigan, and handled by Arwyn Wilson. Bred by Mr and Mrs B Daw, Lady is a Bluegrass Heathers Heritage daughter, out of Bluegrass Jazzman Lady Valentine. This one calved 10 weeks ago and is yielding 44 litres a day.

In the dairy interbreed pairs, the places were reversed, with the Jerseys securing the top spot and Holsteins in reserve.

Joining the Jersey interbreed reserve was Bluegrass Charlies Happiest, also from W J P Wilson. The Holstein pair was made up of the interbreed champion and Ridgefield Goldwyn Cinderella from A H Wilson and Son, Tregibby farm, Cardigan.

However, the Holsteins triumphed in the interbreed heifer championship, with a red Holstein from Sahara Holsteins.

Moorshead Talented Shower Red is by Ladino Park Talent and out of Moorshard Spottie Shower. She was purchased as a calf at Sedgemoor from the Moorshard herd, Somerset and was shown in the ring by Mike Halliwell. Red calved two months ago and is currently giving 35 litres a day.

Taking reserve was the Ayrshire, Haresfoot Napier Punch, a Ardmore Crown Napier daughter, out of Middle Punchs Emerald Blend. This one was exhibited by G R and S Thomas and Son, Tyregwlys Farm, Llanelli.

Commercial classes:

Heifer, 425kg and under

1st: M LL Howatson and son's Limousin cross British Blue, Minnie M;

2nd: I Tudor Edwards' Limousin cross British Blue, Take a Chance on Me

Heifer 426kg and over

1st: Tecwyn Jones' Limousin cross British Blue, Black Beauty;

2nd: Robin and Leri Roberts' Limousin, Look at Me

Senior steer champion (over 426kg)

Tecwyn Jones' Jager Bomb; res, T C Edwards a'I Feibion's Oh Boy

Champion senior commercial animal

Tecwyn Jones' heifer Black Beauty; res, Robin and Leri Roberts' heifer, Look at Me

Baby Beef commercial champion

M LL Howatson and Son's heifer, Minnie M; res, I Tudur Edwards' heifer, Take A Chance on Me

Supreme commercial champion

Tecwyn Jones' heifer Black Beauty; res M LL Howatson and Son's heifer, Minnie M

A Limousin heifer has secured the first interbreed title of the show.

September 2008-born Ironstone Dumandy is homebred by Smiths of Bloxham, Newlands Farm, Banbury, and was handled in the ring by Andrew Bishop.

Dumandy has already won breed champion and supreme champion at this year's Lincoln Show and follows a run of interbreed successes at the show. She also received reserve interbreed champion at last year's Royal Welsh.

This one is by Wilodge Vantastic and out of Bailea Umandy. She is due to calve in September having been served to French bull, Teddy and is one of 500 head farmed by Smiths of Bloxham.

Judge, Jim Bloom pulled forward four breed champions from which to make his final selection. Accompanying the Limousin was the Hereford, Simmental and Charollais breed champions.

However, Mr Bloom said he had no hesitation in selecting his final two. "The Limousin is almost perfect - an outstanding heifer, They don't come along like that very often."

In reserve was the Hereford bull, Normonton 1 Eastern Promise from Livesey Brothers, Lowersfields Mushroom Farm, Packington - a bull Mr Bloom described as 'a perfect example of the breed.'

Promise comes from a run of show successes this season, having won breed champion and interbreed champion at the Three Counties and Stafford Shows, reserve interbreed champion at the Highland Show and breed champion at the Great Yorkshire.

He will be heading to Burwarton Show and the National Show of Poll Hereford Cattle next.

By Normanton 1 Casa Nova and out of Normanton 1 Jews Ear, he is the main stock bull for the family's herd of 50 pedigree cows. They currently have 35 calves sired by him on the ground. He was handled by colleagues, Will Livesey and Phil Jones.

Welsh Pigs

P M Fowlie's gilt, Braemor Daffodil; res, E W and K M Austin's boar, Beechwood Arthur

Any other modern breed

C Beck's gilt, Panorama Beryl 25; res, Bleddyn Beck's boar, Panorama Prince 20

British Saddlebacks

D B and L M Perkins' sow, Gwyndy Babble 7; res, M G W Trumper's sow, Beiliau Silverwings 54th

The Simmentals are the first breed to be judged for overall breed champion. Taking the top honours was a bull from S R Hitchins Boddington Estates.

Homebred, Sterling Viking is by Corskie Principal and out of Sterling Helen's Lyric.

In reserve was J H and V G Wood's cow, Sterling Michelles Verity. This Feb-2007 born cow is by Camus Brandy and out of Popes Nellys Princess.

More breed results are as follows:

British Blues

Mr Matthew Jones' female, Graymar Electra; res, Redhead and Watson's bull, Tweeddale Ebony

British Blondes

Mr R G Davies' bull, Fronfedw Darius; res, David Knight's cow, Doncombe Dreamtime

Charolais

Rupert Taylor's bull, Rumsden Fawkes.

Herefords

Livesey Bros' bull, Normonton 1 Eastern Promise; res, A R Owen's bull, Church Preen Galileo

South Devon

W H D Scott's bull, Grove Wellington 56; res, Mr and Mrs N and E Bunkum's heifer, Tan House Penjenny 4

Welsh Blacks

Richard Hughes' bull, Rafon Huw; res, Mr and Mrs A and E and Caryl Griffiths' heifer, Eirianfa Caryl 3^rd

SHEEP

Welsh Hill Speckled Face Sheep

Cenin Eifion's ram; res Richard Wyn Howatson's ewe

Beulah Speckled Face Sheep

Miss A and E B Jones' ram; res Mr and Mrs Ronald Jones'ram

Border Leicester

E Price's shearling ewe; res, D R and E A Jones'shearling ram

Shropshire

Mrs S Farquhar's maiden shearling ewe; res, Mrs S Farquhar's ram

South Wales Mountain Sheep

Arthur Davies' ram; res, Arthur Davies' ewe

Brecknock Hill Cheviot Sheep

B Thomas' ram; res, Mr Aaron Hughes' ewe lamb

Clun Forest Sheep

C and A Meredith's shearling ewe; res, Rex and Debbie Vincent and Searle's ram

It wouldn't be the Royal Welsh without a bit of rain and we are certainly getting our fair share of drizzle. As usual, a very strong entry of livestock with more than 3,000 sheep forward, 784 beef cattle and just over 900 dairy.

The classes are well under way, and i'll keep you up to date with the individual breed championships and interbreed champs when they happen. It looks like it will be Wednesday before most of the main championships, but the supreme beef class is taking place at about 4pm this afternoon.

From a total of close to 4000 entries the sheep interbreed came down to a climax of just three section champions in the running for the overall title.

And, after a marathon 1.5hr judging stint judge George Hughes found his champion in the Kerry Hill leader, a three shear tup from John, Phillipa, Hannah and Ellie Owens. This one is by a tup the family own in partnership with Howard Jones' Plash flock and was bred in Mr Jones flock and then bought at the breed's Ludlow sale as a shearling.

He is one of the sire team run for the family's 60 ewe flock of Kerry Hills run at home at Shobden, Herefordshire.

Taking the reserve overall title was the Berrichon Du Cher champion, another old tup, this time a two shear from Malcolm and Kathy Yeo's Swincombe flock. This one, which was bought from Builth tup sale as a lamb from Jack Chamberlain, is by a tup bred in the Swincombe flock.

Mr Hughes said the Kerry Hill was everything he wanted in his champion. "He had flesh, length a great fleece and unlike many of those out here today he moved exceptionally well. Overall he was a great show animal."

Taking the reserve in the native upland section was the Northg Country Cheviot tup from Wyn and Siwan Harries, while the reserve in the Continental category was taken by the Blue Texel tup from Dan and Janine Jones.

In the Native Lowland championship the winner was the Jacob shearling ewe from the Phillips family, while reserve was the Clun Forest tup from A L Smith.

It was the turn of the native breeds to dominate in the the interbreed sheep pairs championship here at the Royal Welsh, with all eight of the final short list being native breeds.

Taking the final top spot was the Ryeland duo, both of which came from David Lewis' 35 ewe flock which runs alongside 160 pedigree Dorset ewes and a pedigree herd of Charolais cattle and a commercial suckler herd. This duo were a homebred shearling ram and shearling ewe. They were reserve interbreed pair at the Three Counties show earlier in the year.

Reserve pair were the Poll Dorsets, both of which came from Colin and Tom Clark, Devon. The male in the duo was a Ballytaggart two shear ram which was bought for 900gns when he was champion at the May Fair in 2008. Joining the tup was the female champion, a shearling ewe by another Ballytaggart tup.

Judge Mrs Chilman said the Ryelands were a perfectly matched pair and said there had been nothing in the Continentals on show to tempt her, despite many ringsiders feeling the Rouge pair would have featured in the final line up.

Taking the interbreed pig title here at the Royal Welsh was Large White sow Prestleigh Beryl 17 from Bleddyn and Chris Beck. This January 2009-born sow is by Portbredy Champion Boy 1330 and out of Prestleigh Beryl 9. She pigged in January and was reserve interbreed champion at last year's Three Counties show and breed champion at last year's Royal Welsh.

Reserve interbreed was Saddleback sow Beiliau Dinah 5, a January 2009-born daughter of Beiliau Grand Duke 2 out of Beiliau Dinah 2. This one pigged in November of last year and is currently 12 weeks in pig again. She was forward from Maurice, Martin and Sally Trumper's 15 sow herd.

Taking the interbreed pairs title was the Welsh duo from Mary Jones, with the Middle White pair in reserve from Brian Merry.

After the remainder of the sheep judging was completed here at the Royal Welsh yesterday afternoon, here are the final breed results.

In the Brecknock Hill Cheviots the champion was David Jerman with an aged ram and reserve was Huw Williams with a shearling ewe. Taking the North Country Cheviot title were Wyn and Siwan Harries with an aged ewe.

In the Derbyshire Gritstones the leader was S and P Scrivin and Son with a tup, while reserve was Richard Wyn Howatson with a shearling ewe. The Exmoor Horns were won by T Atkins with a ewe lamb and reserve was Sharon Westwood with a shearling ewe.

Ryeland champion was a shearling ram from D and S Lewis and reserve was N P and E J Morgan with a ewe lamb. Coloured Ryeland champion was Janet Shaw with a shearling ewe, reserve was S R and K L Bradbury with a ram lamb. Dorset Down honours went to Jane McMinn with a ewe lamb and reserve was Rhys Roberts with a shearling ram.

Winning the Wiltshire Horn classes was W D Edwardw with a shearling ram and reserve was Roger Elliot with a shearling ram too. Welsh Mule champion was P A Smith with a ewe lamb and reserve was Aaron Hughes with a ewe lamb. In the Welsh Halfbreds it was a win for R A George with a shearling ewe, reserve was A T Bennett and Son with a ewe lamb.

The AOB Longwool section was won by D Stanhope with a shearling ram, reserve was D Stanhope with a shearling ewe, both were Cotswolds. AOB Pure sheep champion was Ronald Jones with a South Country Cheviot ram, reserve was Ronald again, this time with a shearling ewe.

Bluefaced Leicester champion was D P May with a shearling ewe and reserve was D P May again, this time with a shearling ram. Zwartbles champion was Clay Farm Partnership with a shearling tup. Bleu Du Maine leader was I J and M H Davies with an aged ewe and reserve was the same exhibitor with a shearling ewe. Charollais champion was a shearling ram from Willie and Carol Ingram and R Whittaker, while reserve was a ewe lamb from the Ingrams.

Taking the Beltex title was Paul Tippetts with an aged ewe and reserve was an aged tup from Rob and Sheila Rattray. Blue Texel champion was a ram from Dan and Janine Jones and reserve was D L and B W H Jones with a ewe. Hampshire Down champion was a shearling tup from Jennifer Borsey and reserve was a shearling ewe from Robert Vincent. Shropshire champion was a shearling ewe from Sue Farquhar and reserve was a ram from the same home.

Then in the Butchers lambs class the champion was a pair of Beltex from Michael Owens and reserve was a pair of Beltex crosses from Glyn Owens. And the lamb carcass title was won by Liz Davies with a Beltex and reserve was Gerwyn Davies with another Beltex.

In the Balwen Welsh Mountain judging this morning the championship went to Meinir Jones with an aged ram, reserve was the same exhibitor with a ram lamb.

In the Welsh Hill Speckled Face classes the championship was won by Richard Wyn Howatson with an aged tup and reserve was R T Richards with a shearling ewe.

Jacob champion was an aged ram from D W and S L Harries and reserve was a shearling ewe from G, J D and C L Phillips. Southdown champion was a ewe lamb from Messrs Wakeham-Dawson and Harmer, reserve was the second prize lamb from the same class belonging to Roland Williams.

Taking the Poll Dorset championship were C and T Clarke with a ewe and reserve was a ram from G and E Jones. Oxford Down champion was James Hook with a shearling ewe and reserve here was another shearling ewe from J W and M F S Brown.

Charmoise champion was a shearling ewe from Emyr O Roberts and reserve was a ewe lambs from R M Eglin and Son.

The dairy rings have been busy this morning with all four breeds on show awarding their breed championships, the interbreed championship follows tomorrow.

Champion in the Holsteins was Sahara Holsteins with Bricknell Stormatic Ethel, a fifth calved Comestar Stormatic daughter out of Bricknell Jed Ethel 3. Reserve here was Hefin Wilson with third calver Ridgefield Gibson Cherril, Silk Gibson daughter out of Cherry Crest Aeroline Alison.

In the Ayrshires the winner was Sandyford Clover 10, a K C Roses Chatter daughter out of Sadnyford Clover from Blaze Tomlinson. This is a 2002-born cow. Reserve here was Phillip Reed with Rhos Frumpy, a Gupton Leutenant Commander daughter out of Rhos Mag. She is an August 2006-born third calver.

Taking the Jersey title was Emma Murray with third calver Fourcrosses Centurion Pine, a September 2004-born Sooner Centurian daughter out of Fourcrosses Sambo Pine. Reserve here was E M and E Morgan with Osberton Genevive 21, an August 2002-born cow by Sooner Centurion and out of Osberton Genevive 11.

Dairy Shorthorn champion was M S and E A E Davies with Elkington Gentle, an April 2001-born Horizon Ranger Red daughter out of Greystones Gentle 2. Reserve was another from the same home, this time Elkington Dewdrop 3, another by Ranger Red and this time out of Winbrook Dewdrop 63.

A pair of homebred beasts have taken the top two spots in the commercial cattle here at Builth, with both the champion and reserve bred by their exhibitors - a bit of a change from the big spenders dominating by great to see some hard working breeders rewarded.

Top spot was taken by Tim Bodily with his Limousin sired heifer Peaches. This 582kg heifer is a Vivaldi daughter out of a British Blue cross cow.

Reserve overall was another Limousin, cross, this time the steer champion Mr Dynamite from Emily Jones, He is a Haltcliffe Chico son out of a Blue x Limousin cow and tipped the scales at 508kg.

Baby beef champion was Nessa, a Limousin cross heifer from the Price family. She weighed 400kg.

The overnight rain has cleared here in Builth Wells and we may just be lucky to miss the rain this morning, but the forecast isn't so good for the rest of the day.

Today see's the remaining sheep breed classes judged,and the attention in the cattle rings turns to the dairy breeds, with all the breed classes and interbreed done this morning.

Reporting from today will be a tad delayed though as I have the honour of judging the Southdown classes here this morning, so will be tied up with that for a few hours before I can get back to the computer and bring you the results. Here's hoping for another day of strong classes in all the breeds on show later......

After a long day's judging, here are more of the sheep results from today's judging.

In the pedigree section of the Welsh Mountains the championship went to M N and J H Williams with their aged ram, reserve was J E Jones with their shearling ewe.

The Hill Welsh Mountains were won by Enoc Jenkins with an aged tup, while the reserve was also Mr Jenkins, this time with a shearling ewe.

Taking the South Wales Mountain championship was R D Groucott with a shearling ewe, reserve was S and E Williams with a shearling ram.

Black Welsh Mountain champion was Patricia Laws with a shearling ram, reserve were Will and Sam Workman with a shearling ewe.

Torddu Badger Face Welsh Mountain champion was a shearling tup from G H Jones, reserve was C A and R Joseph with a shearling ewe.

In the Hill Radnors the champion was D C Jones with a shearling ewe and reserve was P M Jones with a ewe lamb.

The Brecknock Hill Cheviot was David Jerman with an aged ram, reserve was Huw Williams with a shearling ewe. Border Leicester champion was D R and E A Jones with a two shear ewe, reserve was Sue Martyn with an aged tup.