Taking Stock

Last week's South of England show was a particularly good one for Taking Stock with both regular contributors invoved in bringing forward champions.

For my part I managed to clinch the interbreed sheep title for the second year in a row with a Southdown shearling ram, while Chrissie helped Thorndean Farms to the Limousin breed title with a two year old heifer, Thorndean At Last, sired by Sheelin Nato.

Elsewhere in the beef lines it was the turn of Mortimers Farms' stockman Charlie Maclean to lead out the winner, Charolais cow Mortimers Racey. By Gretnahouse Napoleon and out of homebred cow Mortimers Madonna, Racey was shown with a Mortimers Upstart sired calf at foot and just the week before had stood interbreed champion at the Royal Bath and West.

Unshown since 2002 when she lifted the breed championship at the Highland as a heifer, Racey beat the Angus champion, Andrew Brown's heifer Hawstead Lodge Pamela into reserve.

Pamela, who stood native champion at last week's Suffolk Show, is by Blelack Black Beret and was led out by Kevin Byford.

Females dominated proceedings at last weekend's East of England Show, clinching the overall interbreed beef title, the commercial beef championship, the interbreed sheep championship and the interbreed pig silverware.

Leading the way was Doug Mash's French bred Limousin cow Segala from his family's Brockhurst herd. Imported just over a year a go and shown with her November 2006-born calf at foot, Segala now heads to the Royal and Royal Welsh.

Standing reserve here was the Aberdeen Angus champion, Briston Echo, from Duncan Jeary's 60-cow herd. By Tegnose Pensboy and out of Briston Briarthorn, Echo was also shown with her March-born calf at foot.

Heading up the commercial classes was the Limousin cross heifer Miss Moneypenny from Sennybridge-based Elfed Williams. Brought out by Neil and Sally Lloyd of Black and Blue Show Team, Miss Moneypenny was bred by Andrew Davies and cost Mr Williams £7100.

Among the juniors it was the turn of another Limousin, Ironstone Brandy, from Smtihs of Bloxham's Ironstone herd which led the way. By Unesco, Brandy is out of record price Limousin female Bailea Umandy.

Narrowly pipped into reserve spot was Mike and Jean Dickens' Limousin cross heifer Splash, this one was bred by the Skidmore family.

Charolais cattle captured both the individual and pairs interbreed championships at the rain affected Three Counties Show.

Conditions were so bad that interbreed cattle judging was moved inside, where judge Jim Goldie found himself assessing a Limousin bull he bred.

Having made Shamleys Victoria, an outstandingly well grown Charolais heifer from Mrs Jamilla Robinson's herd at nearby Tenbury Wells, his champion, he called on independent referee Martin Jones to decide whether Goldies Trophy should be reserve champion. The bull he sold to Somerset breeder Colin Hutchings three years ago for 6000gns, was given the nod.

This weekend's sale of Suffolk ram lambs at Edinburgh was dominated by Irish breeders, both buying and selling.

Leading the way for them were leading lights from both Northern Ireland and Eire, with former breed president Harry Stewart, Castlewellan, topping the spending at a whopping 48,000gns for the first of Robbie Wilson's Strathisla entry.

This January born lamb is by homebred tup Strathisla Schumacher and out for a homebred dam which is by Glenhead the McCoy. This dam is full sister to noted sire Strathisla Rock of McCoy who has sold sons to 24,000gns and grandsons to 32,000gns.

Traditionally the breed’s leading sale in terms of prices, this year’s Suffolk fixture at Ingliston didn’t disappoint with no fewer than 11 five figure deals and a top price of 48,000gns.

Paying this figure was northern Irish breeder and former breed president Harry Stewart, Castlewellan. His choice was Robbie Wilson’s first lamb in from his Strathisla pen.

Seaforde breeder Mark Priestley had plenty cause for celebration this evening after his outstanding ram lamb scooped the supreme championship at the Suffolk Sheep Society Northern Ireland Premier show and sale at Ballymena Livestock Mart.

The champion, sired by Birness First Choice, not only caught the eye of judge Neil Benzie, but in the sale ring the exceptional exhibit commanded huge interest before realising the top price of 4000gns.

It proved a highly successful afternoon for the Limestone flock, whose other offering, also bred by Birness First Choice, was knocked down for 1800gns - the second highest price of the day.

Suffolk breeders enjoyed another strong trade at their annual fixture at Shrewsbury last Saturday, when the top price was once again a five figure deal for a Strathisla entry from Robbie Wilson.

However, this one was nearly one fifth of his Edinburgh topping bid of 48,000gns, with the hammer dropping at 10,000gns. Buyers for this lamb, a Glenho Gurka son out of a ewe by Glenhead the McCoy which had stood champion in the pre-sale show under judge John Elliot, were the Stuart family, Davishill.

While the high profile show of pedigree Suffolks on offer at the Northern Counties Society sale at Skipton went ahead as planned on Friday, the sale scheduled for the following day was cancelled when the mart called in a ministry-appointed vet to seek guidance as the national ban on the movement of livestock took immediate effect.

Unaware of the imminent upheaval, Suffolk enthusiasts from across the north and midlands, also joined by exhibitors from Scotland, East Anglia and Wales, lined up for the annual show, with 112 pedigree sheep forward.

A top price of 1600gns secured the champion ewe lamb from Wright Manley’s sixth annual Suffolk sheep sale at Beeston Castle auction, Cheshire, for Denbigh, Wales, vendor Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr flock.

Purchased by Mike Davies and Son’s Safaddan flock from Llangorse, near Brecon, the ewe lamb was one of a trio of champions presented by Mr Evans who also topped the ewe and gimmer classes under the watchful eye of judge Stephen Cobbald who runs the Melford flock at Sudbury, Suffolk.

Next in the price stakes was the reserve champion gimmer from Mr Evans’ that was in-lamb to the 2007 Royal Welsh Interbreed Champion Castlewellan Cruz and made 1000gns to John Gould of Sheen, Buxton.

Castle Douglas-based breeder Jimmy Douglas sold a one-crop daughter of Cairness destiny carrying twins by Cairness Renovator to Alun Williams of Llanrug, Gwynedd for 780gns. He then added 720gns to revenues selling a Perrinpit three crop ewe carrying twins by Thurston Chieftain to AW Jones of Llanfairfechan, Conwy.

It was all change at the Suffolk Sheep Society annual meeting, held in Derbyshire last week.

More than 80 members heard that the Society's commercial director, Robyn Hulme, had resigned from his post of the past four years, due to farming and family commitments.

Robyn, took up the role of commercial director as the Society sought to drive through an agenda of change and set out a revised strategy for the future of the breed. He said: “I believe the SSS has made massive advances in recent years concentrating all its energies on ensuring its members are in a position to meet the needs of their commercial customers.

“The days of a breed society merely offering pedigrees and registrations are well and truly over and I believe that the Suffolks are at the forefront of a new era for breed societies where genetic improvement of members stock will become the main driver.

"The society’s championing of performance recording, gene-marker technology and commercial attributes of the sheep produced by their members will ensure that the Suffolk breed continues to have a long and successful future.”

The meeting also saw Jim Fleming step down after four years in the chair. He is to be replaced by Stephen Cobbald, from the breed’s home county, who was retiring as President of the Society.

Charles Harding, of the Bentley flock, Warwickshire takes the role of President, with Arthur O’Keeffe, of County Cork, Eire stepping in as president elect.

Three new council members were elected namely: Michael Weaver - vice chairman; (West Midlands and Monmouthshire); Ron Greig, (North Scotland) Matt Legge (South East).

Well yesterday was the first time I have been to the Royal Norfolk Show and I have to say I was more than impressed! With more than 600 livestock entered - an amazing result in terms of this year's bluetongue problems - the stock looked great. I'm a beef girl at heart and I have to say that was the best show of beef cattle I've seen this summer.

Taking the silverware home was no stranger to success this year Peter Gooderham and his two year old Limousin heifer Sundale Bon Bon. fresh from her interbreed win at East of England, the Broadmeadows Cannon daughter will now head to the Kent County Show.

Standing reserve to her was the Hereford cow and calf Primrose Gay Maid 1st from B Wyand.

The dairy championships were decided on the Wednesday which means unfortunately we can't bring you any pictures. Leading the way was the Holstein from Robert Paterson's Airfield herd in the hands of Ken Proctor.

Airfield CC Beth is by Calbrett -1HH Champion and out of a homebred cow. Giving 37kg at 112 days into her second lactation, she has currently given 4612kg.

Taking reserve was the Guernsey from Jason and Katharine Salisbury. On Sharnford Marigold's second ever outing, this was the best the couple have ever done int he four years the herd has been established. Running just 30 cows they roduce milk for thier Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses company.