Competitions / Event Reports


February 27, 2024 NBA Appoints Brilliant Young Ambassador to Champion the Future of the UK Beef Industry

The National Beef Association is delighted to confirm the appointment of Annabelle Howell as the first Young Ambassador for the only organisation representing the interests of British beef farmers.

Born and brought up in a livestock farming family and passionately committed to the industry from a very early age, 22-year-old Annabelle joins the NBA both as an inspiration to the next generation of beef farmers, and as an important part of the Association’s Management Team for the future. One of her first roles will be to support the NBA at the UK’s only dedicated event to the British Beef Industry, NBA Beef Expo, being held at North West Auctions, J36, on Saturday 27th April 2024.

Always deeply involved in her family’s 700-head cattle finishing business in Norfolk, Annabelle started her own Charolais pedigree herd at the age of just 15, planning her own breeding strategy and winning multiple young handler championships including Young Stockperson of the Year in 2018. She qualified for the National Charolais Stock judging final in 2016, 2017, and 2019, and was invited to become an officially appointed Charolais Judge at the age of just 22.

Alongside working with her father in cattle production, Annabelle’s career has always revolved around livestock, with early work experience being with United Auctions, Genus, and the British Charolais Cattle Society. Later she worked on a progressive dairy enterprise including calf-rearing and milking 350 cows. Before taking up her new appointment with the NBA, she served as Wagyu Coordinator at ABP York, and currently in livestock procurement for Pickstock Telford.

The appointment of a Young Ambassador is a new milestone and initiative for the NBA, and CEO Neil Shand believes they could not have chosen a better representative for the future of the industry. “Annabelle’s credentials are unique and her professional and personal qualifications are tailormade for this role. She has livestock in her DNA and an astonishing breadth and depth of knowledge and experience covering every aspect from the day-to-day practicalities of farming to the sophisticated science of genetics and breeding, and the economic realities of marketing.

“Most importantly, she brings a deep and genuine passion for livestock and the people who are taking this traditional and essential part of our farming heritage into the future. We all face steep challenges in safeguarding a sustainable future for our industry, and I am absolutely confident that no-one will carry the flag forward more effectively than Annabelle.”

The new post at the NBA will give Annabelle Howell a national platform to champion the industry she loves.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining the NBA and supporting the breeders and farmers who are taking our industry forward in these changing and challenging times. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a positive future for the beef industry, with a growing focus on sustainable farming and breeding better animals to achieve a quality product whilst being more efficient and making a major contribution to cutting carbon and regenerating our environment.

“The NBA is helping to ensure that the UK beef industry continues to play a key part in the future of the country’s food supply and its commitment to a Carbon Net Zero economy, and I am looking forward very much indeed to being part of this fascinating journey.”


August 1, 2023 Charolais Youth Stock Judging Final 2023

The Charolais Youth Stock Judging Final 2023 was a great success thanks to the kindness and hard work of our hosts, Peter and Sheelagh Donger, the Donger family, and their…


August 12, 2022 National Charolais Youth Stockjudging Finals 2022

Whilst last year’s virtual Youth Stockjudging competition was a success, members young and old alike were keen to return to a more traditional in-person format. By kind permission from Major…


November 10, 2021 Virtual Charolais Youth Stockjudging Competition 2021

With many agricultural shows being postponed, or operating with limited attendance, the Society’s regular Charolais Youth Final at the Great Yorkshire Show sadly could not go ahead this year. Instead,…


February 24, 2020 Charolais Youth Regional Stockjudging Qualifiers 2020

South East, South West & Anglia Sunday 26 April 2020, 1pm. At Beanhill Farm, Christian Malford, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4BS. By kind invitation of James & Belinda Kimber More information…


June 5, 2019 2019 Charolais Youth Regional Stock Judging Qualifiers

Wales & Midlands This year’s regional qualifiers began with the Welsh & Midlands qualifier, which was once again held at Welshpool livestock market with the help of Welshpool livestock sales,…


August 23, 2018 National Young Stars Northern Boys

This year’s Charolais team, The Northern Boys – Micheal Dumbreck, Tom Brown and Harry Stobart, who were kindly jointly sponsored by Blyth’s Butchers, arrived at Malvern Three Counties Showground mid-morning,…


August 23, 2018 Charolais Youth Year

South East, Anglia & South West Regional Qualifier There was an early start to the qualifiers this year, as the weekend after Easter saw the first of the regional qualifiers…


April 13, 2018 2018 Charolais Youth

South East, Anglia & South West Regional Qualifier There was an early start to the qualifiers this year, as the weekend after Easter saw the first of the regional qualifiers…


August 24, 2017 The Maclean’s Clean up at the National Young Stars Competition

The Charolais ‘Brothers in Farms’ team consisting Angus, Charlie and Donald Maclean were crowned the beef champions and awarded overall best promotional stand at the National Young Stars competition at…


July 13, 2017 Wales competitors head home with the silverware from the Charolais Youth National Final

With the demise of the Livestock Event at the NEC this year’s Charolais Youth stock judging national final was hosted the Society President Peter Donger and his family on Saturday…


May 22, 2017 2017 Regional Quaifiers

Wales & North Midlands Regional qualifiers for the National Stockjudging competition began on the 28th April with the Welsh and North Midland regional qualifier which this year was held at…


February 1, 2017 Northern Ireland Sweep the Board at the Charolais Youth National Stockjudging Final

52 finalists from throughout the UK came to the Livestock Event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on Wednesday 6 July to compete in the Charolais Youth Stock Judging…


June 7, 2016 Borders, Yorkshire and the North East Charolais Youth Regional Qualifier

It was a beautiful day on Sunday 5th June at Middleton House Farm, Elwick, Hartlepool where the Blyth family kindly hosted the Charolais Youth regional qualifier for the Border, Yorkshire…


June 7, 2016 North East & Central Scotland Charolais Youth Regional Qualifier

The Charolais Youth stockjudging qualifier for the North East & Central Region was held on Sunday 29th May at the Balthayock herd, Perth by kind permission of Major David Walter.…


June 7, 2016 South West Charolais Youth Regional Qualifier

It was a cracking day on Saturday 28 May for the South West Charolais Youth qualifier held at Compact Farm, Worth Matravers, Dorset by kind invitation of Andrew and Beth…


May 26, 2016 Anglia & South East Charolais Youth Regional Qualifier 22 May

We were lucky to have lovely weather for the stockjudging qualifier at Wissington Grove Farm, where John, Jenny and Sacha Rix had kindly agreed to host this year’s regional qualifier.…


May 26, 2016 Charolais Youth Central Scotland Qualifier 22 May

This year’s Central and South Scotland Charolais Youth Qualifier was held on Sunday 22 May at Mid Cambushinnie Farm, Dunblane by kind permission of the Lyle Family. The Lyle family…


May 26, 2016 Northern Ireland Regional Qualifier 21st May

The day’s rain abated and a rainbow marked the beginning of a lovely clear evening at the Northern Ireland stockjudging qualifier and open evening kindly hosted by Will and Eleanor…


April 6, 2016 National Young Stars Competition 2016

The Charismatic Charolais team – Abbie Anderson, Alan Burleigh and Donald Maclean – arrived on Wednesday 23rd March and wasted no time in getting their stand ready and their cattle…


July 13, 2015 Record entry of Young Charolais breeders at stock judging final

A record 57 finalists from 10 UK regions battled it out at the British Charolais Young Breeders’ Stock Judging Competition sponsored by Weatherbys, hosted as part of the annual National Charolais…


July 1, 2015 Charolais Youth Weekend

The Charolais Society is pleased to announce our inaugural Youth Weekend, which will take place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Friday 7th – Sunday 9th August 2015. Everyone will be…


July 1, 2015 Charolais Team at the National Young Show Stars Competition 2015

The Charolais team did the Society proud by being placed fourth in the inaugural National Young Show Stars Competition which was held at the Three Counties Showground on 1 and…


July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – South West

The regional qualifiers began on Saturday 11th April with a trip to Afflington Manor Farm at Corfe Castle for the South West Region, by kind invitation of Andrew & Beth…


July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – South East

Saturday 18 April saw the South East regional qualifier held at Vexour Farm, Chiddingstone, Kent by kind invitation of Jan Boomaars (pictured below presenting the prizes). Congratulations to the competitors…


July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Scotland

May is a busy month for regional qualifiers, beginning with the first of the Scottish days being held on the 17th at Lochend Farm, Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire by kind…


July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Yorkshire & Anglia

Sunday 24 May saw both the Yorkshire and Anglia regions events. The Yorkshire and North East club qualifier was hosted at Alwent Hall, Staindrop Road, Winston, Darlington, Co Durham, by…


July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Northern Ireland

The bank holiday weekend of the 23 and 24 May began with the Northern Ireland Club day which was sponsored by United Feeds. The event was hosted at Brigadoon, Ballnahinch,…


July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – North East & Central Scotland

Finally the North East & Central Scotland stockjudging day was held at Airdlin Farm, Ellon by kind permission of Kevin & Jackie Mallarkey and family on Sunday 31st May. This…


July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Midlands & Wales

On Saturday 30th it was the turn of the Welsh and Midlands regions who hosted a joint event at Tynewydd, Foel, Powys, by kind invitation of Arwel Owen. The day…


July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Border Club

The last weekend in May saw the last of the regional qualifiers for the National Stockjudging Competition take place and it began on Friday 29th in the Borders. The event…


July 5, 2013 Young Charolais Breeders Out In Force At Stock Judging Final

Fifty two finalists from nine UK regions battled it out at the British Charolais Young Breeders’ Stock Judging Competition sponsored by Weatherbys, hosted as part of the inaugural National Charolais…