July 2017

July 31, 2017 MINSUPS Charolais Championship (NI) cream of Clogher Valley Show

The Northern Ireland Charolais Club was delighted with the large entry of Charolais cattle entered in the MINSUPS Charolais Grand Final at Clogher Valley Show on the 26^th July 2017. The cattle entered came from across the whole of the province with several new breeders exhibiting for the first time in the championship. Qualifiers were picked up across the summer shows in a bid to increase numbers for the Grand Final.

Although it was a very wet day Judging got off to a good start the judge for the championship was Chris Currie. Chris is the new chairman of the British Charolais Cattle Society, he is a Northumberland breeder, who farms at Low Burradon, Thropton.

Our MINSUPS sponsor was represented at all qualifying shows; by local representatives as well as Apryl Biddle (managing director) who attended the launch at Balmoral Show and also attended Clogher Valley show along with Carol Mooney and Tommy McKenna.

MINSUPS Charolais Championship NI Results:

Senior Bull born on or between 1 January 2016 to 31 July 2016
Champion – Mr Robert McWilliams – Stranagone Magic – s. Stranagone Jones
Reserve Champion – Mr H C Stubbs & A A Burleigh – Derryharney Mustang – s. Thrunton Bonjovi

Intermediate Bull born on or between 1 August 2016 to 31 December 2016
Champion – S & A McKenna – Ballyoak Max ET – s. Burradon Talisman
Reserve – Devine Bros – Brownhill Mickeyjoebadger – s. Thrunton Coldermort

Junior Bull born on or after 1^st January 2017
Champion – Mr Robert McWilliams – Stranagone Nugget – s. Stranagone Jones
Reserve – Mr M Ritchie – Brentwood Norman – s. Brentwood Jack

Senior Heifer born on or between 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016
Champion – Mr Jack Smyth – Bessiebell Molly – s. Newhouse Bigal
Reserve – Mr Patrick Kelly – Clogher Maudsicecream – s. Clogher Finn

Intermediate Heifer born on or between 1 July 2016 to 31 December 2016
Champion – Devine Bros – Brownhill Mo – s. Maerdy Fiend
Reserve – Mr J Armstrong – Currins Maddie – s. Goldstar Echo

Junior Heifer born on or after 1 January 2017
Champion – H C Stubbs & A A Burleigh – Derryharney Nancy – s. Goldstar Echo
Reserve – H C Stubbs & A A Burleigh – Derryharney Nellie – s. Goldstar Echo

A Champion and a Reserve Champion was chosen from each of the qualifying classes resulting in a final line up of six top quality Charolais Champions & six Reserve Champions.

The Northern Ireland Charolais club would like to thank our sponsor MINSUPS for their financial support and attendance at all qualifying shows & the Grand Final; to the British Charolais Society for their match funding of the championship. Thanks to the management of Clogher Valley Show for hosting the final and for all their assistance throughout the championship, to all show co-ordinators; qualifying shows and the press for coverage of the MINSUPS qualifiers and the Grand Final.

July 27, 2017 Magny Cours Trip

Charolais National Show and National Calve Show and Sale
at Magny Cours
“The Greatest Charolais event in France this year”
6^th 7^th and 8^th September 2017

Your tour includes:-

• 4 Nights Hotel Accommodation including Continental Breakfast at the 4 star Mercure Hotel just 20 minutes from the Charolais Centre at Magny Cours (Arrive Tuesday 5^th September and depart Saturday 9^th September)
• Coach Transfer from Airport to Hotel
• Transport to and from the show ground each day
• Farm Visits arranged to some excellent local breeders
• Tuesday Evening – Welcome Dinner with the French Charolais Society
• Wednesday Morning – Farm Visit
• Wednesday Afternoon – National Show Judging – Females
• Wednesday Evening – Invitation to the Breeders Dinner
• Thursday Morning – Farm Visit
• Thursday Morning – National Show Judging – Bulls
• Thursday Afternoon – Beef Cattle Show
• Thursday Evening – French Charolais Society Cocktail Party
• Friday morning – National Calf Show
• Friday Afternoon – National Calf Show Auction
• Friday Evening – Last Night Dinner – venue to be arranged
• Saturday transfer from Hotel to Paris CDG for return flights home

A must for the serious Charolais Breeder
Over 300 cattle at the National Show and more than 200 young stock at the National Calf Show

Estimated costing based on 34 * persons on tour

550 Euros per person for Double or Twin Room (GBP – £520)
670 Euros per person for single occupancy (GBP £615)

• The tour cost has been calculated based on 34 persons on tour – there will be an adjustment to cost to cover the coach transport if the numbers are less
• We are hoping to promote the tour in both the UK and Ireland to try and maximise numbers
• The costs do not include flights because the cost varies at the time of booking – however we are happy to help you with on line flight bookings – see flight information below.

• Flight Information from Dublin to Paris and return – Aer Lingus
• 5^th September 2017 Depart Dublin 09.40 arrive Paris CDG 12.25
• 9^th September 2017 Depart Paris CDG 13.05 arrive Dublin 13.50

• Flight Information for Manchester to Paris CDG and return – Air France
• 5^th September 2017 Depart Manchester 0845 arrive Paris CDG 11.15
• 9^th September 2017 Depart Paris CDG 13.10 arrive Manchester 13.35

Pedigree Tours general terms and conditions available upon request or visit our website www.pedigreetours.com

Email paul@pedigreetours.com  Tel. 07730 925756   Pedigree Tours 133 Bargates Leominster Herefordshire HR6 8QS

July 24, 2017 Royal Welsh Show 2017

Royal Welsh Show Results

Supreme & Female Champion
Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Ladyship – s. Barnsford Ferny

Reserve Supreme & Reserve Female Champion
Mr & Mrs A White – Balbithan Iona – s. Chunal Dougie

Male Champion
Boden & Davies Ltd – Goldies Jerry – s. Goldies Formidable

Junior Male Champion & Reserve Male Champion
Kevin Thomas – Moelfre Magic – s. Balmyle Impression

Reserve Junior Male Champion
Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Merlin – s. Barnsford Ferny

Junior Female Champion
Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Maisie – s. Barnsford Ferny

Reserve Junior Female Champion
Mrs SM Corbett & Daughters – Teme Magnolia – s. Shraden Osram

Best Pair
Boden & Davies Ltd

 

Class 420 – Bull, born on or before 31.12.2014
1 – Boden & Davies Ltd – Goldies Jerry – s. Goldies Formidable

 

 

 

July 18, 2017 Charolais bulls provide extra income for flying dairy herd

For more than 30 years Clifthayne Farm at Yarcombe, straddling the counties of Devon and Somerset on the edge of the Blackdown Hills, has been supporting a flying herd of milkers that thrive on the lush grassland that hasn’t seen any artificial fertiliser applied for more than half of that time.

The 430 Holstein Friesian cows graze for as much as the year as possible, with free access to grass or maize silage, and a top-up 20% cake fed to those giving more than 15 litres a day in the parlour. Soya and molasses are added to the mixer wagon before the silage is tipped into double-sided feed troughs in the yard.

But the real financial success of this herd comes from the decision to run 10 pedigree Charolais bulls with the cows – with the natural service resulting in top quality heifer and bull calves that top the sale prices on a regular basis at local Sedgemoor market.

“When my milk price hit rock bottom, at 20ppl, it was the value of the calves that saved me,” says farmer Steve Turner. “It’s probably unusual to use natural service on a herd of this size, but it works perfectly for us.”

Steve and his business partner Diana Turner switched from Simmental to Charolais bulls some years back, and is keen to point out that they’re an ideal cross for the large-framed and lean dairy cows he buys.   “I found the Simmental to have a difficult temperament, so moved to the Charolais, and certainly haven’t been disappointed. They have great temperaments and do a great job, returning me excellent market prices.”

He says he selects a bull with good hind conformation, good feet, a smaller head and smaller shoulder for ease of calving. “The Charolais bull has changed a lot over the past 10 years, and today is a more compact animal, with lighter bone, but one that still retains a great meat to bone ratio. Dairy farmers need to look at them as a way of improving overall farm returns – they grow so fast and efficiently and they’re in big demand at market.”

He admits they still carry a bit of ‘stigma’ for difficult calving’s, but maintains that has never been an issue at Clifthayne Farm, and says they no longer deserve this ‘tag’.   “Last year I had just three caesareans, and none were due to calving difficulties… all three were because of a twisted uterus.”

He says the calves are big, but maintains you need the popular big Holstein Friesian to serve, and adds that correct management of the dry cow is crucial – ensuring she doesn’t get too fat is key.

The calves are kept on their mothers for the first four weeks, to give them the best start, and then go to market. He sells about 300 a year, five or six a week, and regularly tops the market, with his bull calves currently selling for up to £480-£500 a head, and the heifers going to £360-£380.

“A lot of dairy producers just want their calves gone, but if you use a Charolais bull you have a calf worth really good money that can add to your bottom line. Mine is a simple system and works well, and it’s always good to have a second source of income.”

Steve took over the 350-acre all grass farm when his father died, and while cow numbers were as high as 630 at one stage, he has found his current numbers fit his system well. All milk goes to Dairy Crest at Davidstow, for Cathedral City cheese and a baby formula contract.

The cows are milked through a 36:36 side-by-side parlour, and average yields are around 8000 litres/cow. “My yields are gradually increasing, as I buy heifers with better genetics. But it’s a low cost system, with all the cattle, apart from the dry cows, kept in one group and grazed rotationally around 10 large fields that surround the farm.

“I aim to get them out in the spring as early as possible, and keep them out as late as possible into the winter. All-year-round they have an option to come inside at night.”

Grass grows well at Clifthayne Farm, and for 15 years no artificial fertiliser has been added to the fields. Instead he puts his slurry through a separator and uses a contractor to inject it into the soil. The solids left behind are applied on to local land he rents for growing maize, or given to local farmers who grow maize on his behalf.

“There’s a bit of competition now from AD plants, but there’s plenty of maize grown locally and quite a few people around here have gone out of milk production, so that’s taken up the slack.

“Luckily, I have a lot of clamp space here, I’ve only just started on last year’s maize silage, and always aim to have six months feed in stock so I can buy at the most competitive prices. I don’t want to be dependent on price, so having the stock is like having an insurance policy.”

Steve aims to pay between £400 and £450/acre for standing maize, then sends in a contractor to cut, cart and ensile it.

His herd replacement rate is around 20% a year, with heifers again selected by him and bought at Sedgemoor market. He hasn’t got the buildings to rear his own replacements, and pays around £1200 a head for good second-quality heifers. “I can never afford the best!”

Charolais calves provide him with extra income throughout the year, and he says two calves, plus a barren cow, cover the cost of each new heifer he brings into the herd. “I try to keep the age of the milking herd quite young, and weed out for age, mastitis, bad feet or failure to get into calf. But I would never cull a good cow because she was old.”

Key to his natural service is the involvement of a vet who’s able to do good pregnancy testing. Steve’s vet visits the farm every two weeks and checks every cow that has calved in the last four or five months, providing calving dates for his records.

“I source most of my Charolais bulls from the market too,” he says, “occasionally buying one privately.  I think if I worked out the equivalent AI cost I would find natural service a more cost-efficient option.”

This system allows Steve to start at 4am and be finished by 8am, giving him time during the day to enjoy other activities. Son Deane works on the farm, alongside daughter Christina, who milks a couple of times a week, and daughter Rosie who helps with the paperwork. A local girl Kate also helps out with the milking.

“I’m really happy with the way things are going,” he says. “I’m amazed there are not more Charolais bulls being used on dairy cows today – farmers need to look at how the breed has changed. At Sedgemoor there are often only 20 or so Charolais cross calves available, and five or six are mine. They always go for the best prices, and are in big demand.”

Finally, he says that were he to change anything on the farm he would need to employ more labour – perhaps up to two extra staff – and that would have a significant effect on his bottom line.

“You can always make a simple job complicated if you want to…” he adds.

 

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 1 July.

Peter and his wife Sheelagh along with their family run the Seawell herd near Towcester, Northamptonshire and have been breeding Charolais for almost 40 years, registering 100 Charolais calves per year as well as using carefully selected Charolais bulls on a portion of their 250 strong Salers suckler herd. The farm covers 1,750 acres apart from the cattle produces wheat, barley, rape, peas and grass.

The Donger family were excellent hosts and not only did they provide a wonderful venue and four top class pens of cattle to be judged, but kept us well fed and watered with a fabulous roast beef dinner and plenty of liquid refreshment! The day also featured a talk by sponsor Harbro’s Christopher Barclay and Joanna Bailey from joint sponsor NSF was there to help present the prizes.

Master judge and former Society Chairman Andrew Hornall was delighted with the standard of cattle to be judged and as he welcomed the 42 finalists and their families congratulated them on qualifying at the regional competitions which were hosted across the country throughout May and June. “It is fantastic to see such an enthusiastic group of young people from all over the UK and not just from within the Charolais breed. As part of the Charolais Youth programme we welcome anyone aged eight to 26, with an interest in beef farming to come along to our regional qualifiers where you will have the chance not only to qualify for the nationals, but to learn more about stock handling, show preparation, health, nutrition, using EBV’s and how to select the best cattle for profit in today’s competitive beef industry.”

This year it was the Welsh region that came out on top when they secured the junior and senior titles as well as claiming first and second places in the team competition. For only the second time the Fairway trophy for the pairs championship was lifted by a junior team comprising 14 year olds Emma Morgan-Page from Church Stoke, Powys, and Ross Isaac, Meifod, Powys, who was also awarded the Cockerington Perpetual trophy for the Junior championship. The pair managed a combined score of 367 points from judging the four classes of Charolais cattle. The junior runner-up with a tally of 183, just six points shy of the winning score was the 14 year old Ellie Knox from Anglia. Ellie is no stranger to the competition and in partnership with sister Hannah claimed the Fairway Trophy in 2015 when she was just 12.

Taking top spot in the intermediate 15 to 18 year old section and winning the Alwent Perpetual Trophy with 189 points was the 15 year old Jane Lindsay who had travelled down from Bathgate, Scotland for the event. Matthew Mitchell, a 17 year old from Cookstown, Co Tyrone was the runner up with a score of 181.

The competitors in the senior 19 to 26 year old section were required to give reasons in addition to judging the cattle which meant 250 points were up for grabs. Coming out on top with a score of 224 and claiming the Gretnahouse Pepetual Trophy was the 22 year old Joe Powell, in addition, Joe placed second in the pairs competition scoring a total of 350 points with his 15 year old team mate Cara Smith who also hails from Powys.

A delighted Joe who is currently spending a month in America has just finished his degree at Harper Adams University and on his return to the UK will be joining Welshpool Livestock Sales as a junior auctioneer. He also breeds his own Pedigree Charollais sheep and helps out on his parent’s dairy farm.

The second placed competitor in the senior section who also scored 224 but just missed out on reasons was another competitor from the Scottish region. Kirsty Morton, a 22 year old from Denny will join Joe on a trip to the Irish Ploughing Match in September as part of their prize.

British Charolais Young Breeders’ Stock Judging Competition results

Placing	Region	Name	Points
Junior
1	Wales	Ross Isaac	189
2	Anglia	Ellie Knox	183
Intermediate
1	Scotland	Jane Lindsay	189
2	Northern Ireland	Matthew Mitchell	181
Senior
1	Wales	Joe Powell	224 (on reasons)
2	Scotland	Kirsty Morton	224
Pairs
1	Wales	Emma Morgan-Page & Ross Isaac	367
2	Wales	Cara Smith & Joe Powell	350

July 13, 2017 Charolais National Show held at the Great Yorkshire Show

 

Judge Chris Curry

Results

Junior Female Champion & Reserve Female Champion Darren & Donna Knox – Drumshane Mademoiselle – s. Inverlochy Gurkha
Reserve Junior Female Champion Mr A Brown – Ellerton Lucy – s. Hendt Fanfare

Junior Male Champion Mr J Watson – Tweeddale Matador – s. Blelack Blackberet
Reserve Junior Male Champion DA & SM Miller – Crookdake Masterclass – s. Thrunton Bonjovi

Junior Champion Tweeddale Matador
Reserve Junior Champion Drumshane Mademoiselle

Male Champion & Reserve Supreme Champion Mr D Thornley – Davally Igolo – s. Balthayock Longbow
Reserve Male Champion DA & SM Miller – Sportsmans Linesman – s. Barnsford Ferny

Female Champion & Supreme Champion A & A White – Balbithan Iona – s. Chunal Dougie

Class 80 – Pairs 1st – RA & J Blyth 2nd – Boden & Davies Ltd

Class 81 – Female, born on or between 1 May & 31 July 2016 1st – Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Maisie – s. Barnsford Ferny 2nd – Mr A Brown – Ellerton Marigold – s. Sandelford Harrison

Class 82 – Female, born on or between 1 March & 30 April 2016 1st – Mr D Knox – Drumshane Mademoiselle – s. Inverlochy Gurkha 2nd – Mr D Thornley – Dooley Marriot – s. Davally Igolo ET 3rd – Mr RJ Ashworth – Stoneylane Milana – s. Wesley Equinox

Class 83 – Female, born on or between 1 January & 29 February 2016 1st – Mr & Mrs A White – Balbithan Mowlem – s. Balthayock Hamish 2nd – F, J & EC Andrews – Holtstead Lottie – s. Balthayock Hamish 3rd – Mrs J Rix – Wissington Melody – s. Thrunton Hammerstein

Class 84 – Female, born on or between 1 July & 31 December 2015 1st – Mr A Brown – Ellerton Lucy – s. Hendy Fanfare 2nd – Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Lacey – s. Barnsford Ferny 3rd – RA & J Blyth – Marwood Lauren – s. Burradon Goldenballs

Class 85 – Female, born on or after 1 January & 30 June 2015 1st – Boden & Davies – Sportsmans Ladyship – s. Barnsford Ferny 2nd – Mr J Watson – Tweeddale Lady ET – s. Blelack Blackberet 3rd – Mr & Mrs A White – Balbithan Lupin – s. Goldies Eddy

Class 86 – Female, born on or before 31 December 2014 1st – Mr & Mrs A White – Balbithan Iona – s. Chunal Dougal 2nd – JB Wainwright – Rogan’s Jojo – Corrie Alan 3rd – DR & B Stacey – Westcarse Iola – s. Mortimers Echo

Class 87 – Bull, born on or between 1 May & 31 July 2016 1st – DA & SM Miller – Crookdake Masterclass – s. Thrunton Bonjovi 2nd – Boden & Davies Ltd – Sportsmans Merlin – s. Barnsford Ferny 3rd – RA & J Blyth – Marwood Minister – s. Burradon Goldenballs

Class 88 – Bull, born on or between 1 March & 30 April 2016 1st – J Watson – Tweeddale Matador – s. Blelack Blackberet 2nd – BA & PT Heath – Sackville Midas – s. Wesley Equinox 3rd – DT & M Stobart – Scalehouses Manup – s. Huntershield Edison

Class 89 – Bull, born on or between 1 January & 29 February 2016 1st – Mr & Mrs A White – Balbithan Mackenzie – s. Loganbar Goran

Class 90 – Bull, born in 2015 1st – DA & SM Miller – Sportsmans Linesman – s. Barnsford Ferny

Class 91 – Bull, born on or before 31 December 2014 1st – Mr D Thornley – Davally Igolo ET – s. Balthayock Longbow 2nd – Boden & Davies Ltd – Goldies Jerry – s. Goldies Formidable