New faces bring a buzz to Hereford business…
New faces bring a buzz to Hereford business…
By Jeremy Hunt
RINGSIDE opinion said the Hereford was back in business, at the breed societys spring show and sale at Leominster last weekend.
Renewed confidence emerged from the ranks of the white-faced breed to see bidding at the event reach 1650gns.
Society secretary, David Prothero, said breeders were heartened by the upbeat atmosphere: "The day had a great feel to it. There was a terrific crowd and a buzz that we have not experienced for some time.
"I know most people in this breed, but the ringside was full of new faces who bought both bulls and foundation females. And our launch last autumn of the Premier Hereford Beef Scheme is starting to raise the breeds profile among producers."
Worcs-based breeders Ray and Clive Davies collected the male championship and the days top price of 1650gns with the 24-month-old Westwood Performer (pictured).
He is a son of their senior stock bull, the Irish-bred Oxhill Laurence, and out of one of the herds best cows by Sugwas Benjamin. Performer heads for Derbyshire with the Thorley Bros to join their Dovemount herd.
Noted breeders Richard and Tom Bradstock of Tarrington, Hereford, once again capitalised on the breeding ability of their leading brood cow Free Town Paen who has produced three Royal Show champions.
This time her son Free Town Prince was narrowly pipped into second place in the senior bull class. He realised 1500gns to John Walker, Clifton-on-Teme, Worcs.
That not all the best Herefords came from the midlands was proved by two Lancashire herds. Len Cox of Bolton sold his Masefield 1 Patron by Onondaga 7Y Eclipse to the Bromham herd owned by Mr and Mrs J R Pike and Son, Chippenham at 1600gns.
And Bernard and Barbara Rimmer from Preston saw their Costhorpe-bred Barbern 1 Playboy sell for 1200gns to J Moorhouses Cato herd at Taunton.
New members S and D J Williams of Rhayader, Powys, invested 1400gns in the second prize-winning junior bull Dendor I Ruben from fellow mid-Wales breeder Denis Jones while another from the young entry – Ruckmans 1 Rodney from Gerald Blandfords Herefordshire-based herd – made 1200gns to J Ravenscroft, Malpas, Cheshire.
The Costhorpe herd has accounted for innumerable titles at this event and stood reserve for the male championship with Costhorpe I Reactor, a junior bull bought for 1000gns by D G Jones, who runs the Caehedydd Herefords at Chepstow.
And the heifer title went to the same home when the 14-month-old Costhorpe 1 Laurel changed hands at 1600gns selling to A Dobson of the Ridgewardine herd at Suckley, Herefordshire.
The reserve female title went to Jack and Wynne Henry with the maiden heifer Blakelaw 1 Sprite from their herd in West Yorks. Buyer was the Rother Valley Country Park, Sheffield at 1000gns.
Averages: Seven senior bulls (18-24-months) £1308, five junior bulls (12-18-months) £1035 and 12 heifers (12-18-months) £700. (Russell, Baldwin and Bright.)