Renowned Darshams herd sets date

The Darshams herd of Simmental, Charolais and Limousin cattle – one of the UK’s most successful multi-breed pedigree beef herds – is to be dispersed on 18 March at Newark livestock market.

Owned by the Clements family from Stowmarket, Suffolk, the herd has achieved phenomenal success with Simmental cattle over almost two decades, notably with the record-breaking cow Darshams Kit-Kat.

She took breed championships at the Royal, Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire shows last year, and will be offered with her fourth calf at foot.

The family have been great supporters of the beef show circuit where their sportsmanship and professionalism have won acclaim across all breeds.

Albert and Mary Clements and their son Paul were behind many breeding successes and show wins.

Albert, who died last October, had achieved international renown for his pedigree pig herds.

Five years ago the Clements paid a record price of 21,000gns at Perth for the Simmental bull Corrick Kentucky Kid – one of several hefty investments in stock bulls in recent years.

The catalogue will include about 240 head – 130 Simmentals, 100 Charolais and about 10 Limousins.

The sale will be conducted jointly by Newark Cattle Market and United Auctions.