Devon Limousins provide the cream of the crop
HERDS based in Devon have won the British Limousin herds competition, which was given some extra bite because it was part of the breed’s celebration of its 50th anniversary since the British Limousin Cattle Society was formed.
The contest, which was judged throughout 2022, culminated in an awards dinner held at Carlisle, last weekend, with both commercial and pedigree herd owners in the running for prizes in a range of classes – but both championships went to one of the UK’s most southerly counties.
The competition was judged by well-known commercial producer, Peter Alexander, Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie, and former BLCS president, J i m Scott, of the Ardigon herd, Killyleagh, Co Down, who were there on the night to give some much-appreciated comments on each herd and present the awards.
Winning the overall pedigree competition was Patrick Greed, who runs the 70-cow Killerton herd together with his wife, Sheila, at Columbjohn Farm, Rewe, Exeter, Devon. In presenting the trophy, Jim Scott said: “This was an exceptional herd of females breeding true to Limousin type, very maternal and leaving great calves.
“There was also a keen eye to bull selection with stock bulls from Maraiscote, Nealford, Foxhillfarm, Meadowrigg, Emslies and Goldies doing a great job. However, my mind was made up when walking through the ‘Fields of Gold’ of tremendous yearling heifers knowing the future of the Limousin breed was in safe hands.”
Reserve pedigree herd was James McKay’s Ampertaine herd, based at Kilrea Road, Upperlands, Maghera, Co Derry, N Ireland.
Commenting, Mr Scott said: “This herd needs no introduction, having produced bulls such as Ampertaine Abracadabra, Commander, Elgin, Foreman and Gigolo, which have been so influential in the breed yet are a balance of terminal and maternal traits.
“This has all been done by selective use of AI which is, as we all know, no easy task. James McKay truly has a unique talent in bringing pedigrees together.”
Addressing the assembled audience of around 100 guests, Peter Alexander commented: “We were so impressed by what we saw touring the country with Limousin cattle doing a great job across all farming systems, land types and farm sizes.”
The champion commercial herd was that owned by Edward and Hazel Mather, who run 104 purebred Limousin cows at Besshill Farm, Arlington, Barnstaple, Devon. In announcing his winner, Peter said that this was very much a family farm run by a couple and their three children and it was the overall total Limousin system that was the deciding factor.
All replacements were homebred, everything was finished at home and then either put through their farm shop, or sold to ABP.
Standing reserve was Strattons Farms, Plastow Green, Headley, Berkshire, and it was a delighted herd manager, Bill Ferguson, who accepted the award. This is a 120cow commercial operation run alongside the pedigree Strattons prefix by Bill, working together with farm manager, Simon Hill; stockwoman, Laura Bartlett; and stockman, Nick Waite.
Mr Ferguson had a busy day, having judged Friday’s pre-sale Carlisle show of Limousin bulls where he had put up Spittalton Stag as his overall champion – it went on to sell for 19,000gns on the Saturday.