Farmers Weekly/Harper Adams Beef Focus farmer Simon Frost has just hit one of his lifetimes targets for his suckler herd with a daily carcase gain (dcg) of his bull calves of 1.00kg from birth to slaughter. The 2011 crop of calves recorded a carcase weight of 462kg at just 440 days (14.4 months) old. This daily carcase gain calculation removes 24kg from the carcase weight to account for the calf birth carcase weight. With a kill out of 59.8% (gut full) this equates to a live slaughter weight of 773kg and a daily live weight gain of 1.66kg from birth – phenomenal performance.

The herd is independently monitored by Simon Marsh, Senior Lecturer and Beef Cattle Specialist at Harper Adams University who comments that this is the best dcg I’ve ever seen. The dcg on many of the herds I monitor and suckled bull performance that I analyse typically ranges from 0.70 to 0.80kg. So how does Simon Frost achieve this tremendous performance? By total focus on what we call the ‘Golden Triangle’ of genetics, nutrition and health.

The suckler herd at Hopping Farm is based on small to medium sized milky Limousin x Holstein-Friesian cows which are put to top 1% terminal index Charolais bulls which have been specifically selected to have positive Calving Ease Direct EBVs with very high 400 day Growth and Eye Muscle Area EBVs. These types of bulls are termed as ‘curve-benders’ which can be found within the Charolais as well as all other terminal sire breeds.

Simon Frost sells his calves at weaning to John and Alan Dore at Glapwell near Chesterfield and they ‘really know how to manage and finish quality high genetic merit cattle’ feeding a 16% CP home mix and good quality big bale silage.

The 2009, 2010 and 2011 calf crops

Steady progress has been made over the years with the finishing bulls. The 2009 bulls recorded a carcase weight of 438kg at 447 days old equating to a dcg of 0.94kg. The 2010 bulls recorded a carcase weight of 427kg at 415 days old equating to a dcg of 0.97kg and then finally the target of 1.00kg dcg was hit with the 2011 calf crop.

Table 1. Simon Frosts suckled bull calf finishing results compared to the EBLEX target.

The 2011 calves carcase weight of 462kg may by some commentators be considered to be too heavy for a lot of retail outlets. With the rising demand for beef these heavy weight carcases are now seldom penalised, and, if it is penalised it may only be a 10p/kg deduction for any weight over 450kg. The ‘shoe is now on the other foot’ with world demand for beef increasing. Some 44% of the bulls recorded a fat class of 4L so the comment I would add is that they could easily be finished at lighter weights and still have decent fat cover.

Simon has hosted several groups of visiting farmers this last year and some commented on visually assessing the finishing bulls that there were ‘too many R grades’. You will note from table 1 that only 4% graded R, the rest grading E’s and U’s. I suspect these comments were made by finishers with what Simon Frost would describe with ‘inny-outy’ cattle that are relatively weak on the loin and shoulders in relation to the back-end. It should be remembered that conformation classification is based on assessing a carcase in three areas, the shoulders, loin and back-end. If a beast has a decent back-end appropriate for a U+ however if the loin and shoulders are weaker and graded -U then the carcase will get an overall classification of –U. Hence disappointment by some producers with carcase grading results when visually they only look at the back-ends of cattle!

The reason for the heavier carcase weights for this last batch of calves is simply attributed to them being ‘slower to get going’ according to Alan Dore. One thing they do not do with the bull calves on arrival after weaning is push too much home mix at them. It is all about minimising stress with the calves when they are weaned by housing them in well ventilated, well bedded straw yards with double the recommended space allowance. Top quality silage is fed ad lib and home mix is gradually built up and by 4 weeks they are on 4kg, 6kg at 6 weeks and 8kg at 8 week. The bulls start on good quality dry 11.5ME big bale grass silage but by January it is replaced with mature fibrous 2^nd cut with 9.8ME which complements the high cereal feeding rate. When asked about the economics of intensive finishing Alan Dore remarks “you have to feed to the potential”. The merits of intensive cereal finishing is a question frequently asked of Simon Marsh and he is reluctant to suggest diluting down the energy density of ration of high performance stock. The main option to consider is replacing some cereal with very high quality forage. Dramatically reducing cereal feed rate will reduce dcg, delay slaughter and generally increase overall finishing costs. The bulls eat on average 6.96kg of home-mix plus 2.85kg silage DM from weaning to slaughter so you can calculate with your feed prices what it costs to put on 1kg of carcase weight per day and judge for yourself if intensive finishing is economic!

Achieving 1.00kg dcg from birth to slaughter has been a long term target for Simon Frost. The next target is 1.02kg. The question I would ask is ‘how high can we go’? Having got the health and nutrition ‘spot on’ Simon attributes the improvement in dcg from 0.94 to 1.00kg over the last 3 years to simply ‘better bulls with higher indexes’. Simon has recently added to his bull stud with the purchase of Maerdy Grubby at Stirling in February. Grubby, a son of Blelack Digger who is by the renowned Balthayock Adonis, has a Calving Ease Direct of +11.8 (breed average = -0.9), a 400 day weight of +68kg (breed average = +42kg) and Eye Muscle Area of +7.8sq cm (breed average = +3.0). Grubby has a top 1% Terminal Index of +82 and is a true ‘curve bender’. He will throw progeny that are very easily calved with excellent growth and since the Eye Muscle Area EBV is one of the highest within the breed will produce E and U+ grade carcasses and help Simon continue with the genetic improvement in his herd.

Heifers finishing results

The heifers being a much early maturing breed type are finished on significantly lower levels of home mix. This averages just 3.0kg per head per day of the same good quality 16% CP home-mix based on barley, oats, hi-pro soya, linseed, molasses and minerals. This year a yeast culture was fed.

Table 2. Simon Frosts 2011 born suckled heifer calf finishing results.

The UK average heifer carcase weight in 2011 was 310kg @ 690 days old. Simon’s heifers finished 7.8 months younger than the UK average at similar carcase weights. It is of note that 96% were finished at fat class 3 and 4L with only 4% finished at fat class 4H, with 64% at E and U grades.

It is also worthy to note that the difference in carcase weight between the bulls and heifers was a massive 154kg. At a carcase value of £3.70/kg this is worth £570 in favour of the bulls. Based on feed costs of £215/t for home-mix and £100t/DM for good quality silage, the bulls would have feed costs of £425 per head compared to the heifers £274 i.e. £151 more for the bulls This still leaves a net margin over feed in favour of the bulls of £419! Serious consideration therefore needs to be given to the development and use of sexed male semen AI, especially in synchronisation programmes. Unfortunately it is not recommended to currently use sexed semen, which is predominantly sexed for heifers, in synchronisation programs.       

Cumbrian beef producer, Mark Bowman is focused on maximising output per suckler cow and has found that he has been able to boost annual income by over £200 a head by simply swapping terminal sires for Charolais.

Mark Bowman of Crinkledyke with his Charolais sired progeny

 “Our main objective for our cattle enterprise is to rear calves with a big carcase because there’s no disputing – weight pays, and then finish the entire crop as efficiently as possible,” Mark explains.

“We use a mix of markets – both live and dead. At present all cattle are sold liveweight through the ring at Penrith mart with buyers providing feedback on carcase data – it’s a useful exercise and helps to identify where we can make further improvements to selecting more carefully our genetics as well as management. A Charolais cross heifer made 270p per kg liveweight (£1,650) at the mart’s Easter prime show.

 “We’ve tried and tested three crops of Charolais sired calves and they’ve certainly lived up to our expectations. Take the bulls, they’re finishing on average eight weeks earlier and killing out 30kg heavier than our other continental crosses, while our biggest surprise has been the heifers, in particular their quality – they’re long, clean and have good conformation and they’re reaching an average 400kg in 20 months.” The entire crop of bulls and heifers are fed an identical diet at the same rate. See table 1.

 Table 1: Cringledyke finished cattle average performance

Source: Cringledyke

Those performance benefits delivered by the Charolais cross bulls are leaving Mr Bowman an additional income of more than £300 a head over the continental crosses, when taking in the current 380p per kg average market price (R4L) and 350p per day costs. In addition, the Charolais cross heifers are delivering an extra £100.

Mark Bowman farms Cringledyke, Kirkoswald, a 500 acre hill unit including 100 acres of cereals and 30 acres of roots, and carrying 115 suckler cows and followers plus 1,150 ewes. All progeny are taken through to finishing. The unit is farmed in a family partnership – Mark and his wife, Julie and parents, Maurice and Pat.  

Finishing homebred bulls and heifers on home grown grain has been key to Mark’s strategy for the last 20 years, and it’s one that he continues to tweak while keeping the system as simple as possible.

Introducing Charolais as the herd’s terminal sire was a relatively recent decision.  “We were seeking to breed and rear an animal with a big frame on which to grow muscle – we want to exploit size and weight and we decided to invest in Charolais five years ago having watched how the breed had evolved since it was originally introduced to the county more than 40 years ago. It has developed more muscle, has a favourable temperament, and we believed there was the potential to exploit hybrid vigour using him over our continental cross dairy suckler cows. 

“Over 80% of the herd is scheduled to calve in spring and the remainder autumn in order to spread the workload and cash flow,” he says. “We carefully select milky cows, ones that will provide sufficient milk for their calves through to September when we introduce creep, a mix based on home grown barley.” 

Weaned calves are housed in November, bulls averaging 350kg and heifers 270kg. The bulls are introduced to the finishing diet, a 14% CP barley mix. The Charolais crosses are finishing at 15 months and an average 440kgs, killing out at 58% and within the U 3,4L specification, while the heifers are overwintered on silage plus 2kg a head of barley based home mix, grazed the following summer and then rehoused and finished at an average 19 months; they kill out similar to the bulls and all grade -U or better.  

He adds: “We are proud of our beef enterprise which is producing a high quality and fully traceable product, as efficiently as possible. Making just one change by introducing Charolais to the herd has certainly helped to improve our efficiencies and we’re continually fine tuning. In fact we’re working away here not just for ourselves, but we would also like to make sure the opportunities are available for our two young sons, Arthur and Jack to eventually secure a farming future.”

Charolais bulls met a solid commercial trade selling to a top of 7,200gns in Welshpool on Thursday 18 April at the breed society’s official spring sale.

Sale topper at 7,200gns was Gower Goldenboy TI +36, SRI +29, an 18 month old first prize winning bull bred and exhibited by Richard and Alison Tucker who were enjoying their best ever day in Welshpool in 18 years of trading at the centre. Goldenboy was one of the first strings of bulls by their new herd sire, Teiglum Edgar and out of Gower Comedy, one of the family`s best damlines within their 30 cow herd based at Horton, Gower. The buyer was TT Jones, Llanbrynmair.

Gower Goldenboy at 7,200gns

Next at 6,500gns was the day’s last catalogued entry, Trefaldwyn Hugoboss a 14 month old within the breed’s top 1% with a TI +72 and SRI +62. Bred by Arwel Owen, Foel, Welshpool and secured by MG Roberts, Croesor, Penrhyndeadraeth, he was sired by Blelack Digger and out of a homebred dam going back to Doonally New. Earlier in the day, Hugoboss had been placed first in his class.

Trefaldwyn Hugoboss at 6,500gns

Following closely at 6,400gns was Dorcas Galileo TI +44, SRI +41 who minutes before had been awarded the supreme championship by judge, Ian Campbell, Thrunton. “Galileo was an all-round good bull; he had length, clean lines and was very well fleshed,” he said. Bred by the Morris family, he was offered by Wyne and Diane Rees, Llangurig, Llanidloes who were enjoying the limelight for the first time in 18 years of exhibiting at the centre. A 20 month old, he was sired by Dorcas Duke, a Goldies Ambassador son, out of a homebred dam and he went home with M Griffiths, Botwnog, Pwllhelli.

Dorcas Galileo champion bull at 6,400gns

A 5,000gns bid secured Montgomery Grantham TI +56, SRI +53 for M Rees, Tywyn. Bred and exhibited by Gareth Roberts, Llangadfan, Welshpool, Grantham was an 18 month old Blelack Digger son and out of a homebred dam by Tullygarley Attaboy.

Montgomery Grantham at 5,000gns

The highest of six entries from Flintshire vet, Esmor Evans, Mold made 4,900gns to E Rodrick, Sennybridge, Brecon. Maerdy Grandmarnier TI +42, SRI +46 was a 17 month old Val d’or-Ra son and out of a homebred dam.

Maerdy Granmarnier at 4,900gn

Two entries from the same vendor shared a 4,000gns bid. First to go was Maerdy Giant TI +50, SRI +45, a 19 month old Simpsons Gregg son and out of a homebred dam. The buyer was JAM Jones, Llandrindod Wells. Minutes later, the 18 month old Maerdy Gulch TI +45, SRI +42 was secured for 4,000gns by JL Nixon and Sons, Llandrindon. A Maerdy Ulm son, he was out of a homebred dam by Maerdy Naser.Three lots were bid to 4,800gns each. First in the ring was the 17 month old Solo Gigolo TI +36, SRI +31, a Newroddige Bonanza son and out of a Maerdy Impeccable sired dam from Cecil and Robert Currell, East Harptree to K and L Jones, Narberth.

Roger Everall, Shrawardine, Shrewsbury offered the next entry at 4,800gns to Messrs Hughes, Llanerchymedd, Anglesey. Shraden Granite TI +37, SRI +22 was a rising two year old by the Burradon Talisman sired Shraden Calypso and out of a homebred dam. Mr Everall’s Shraden Greycloud TI +29, SRI +21, another same age Calypso son and out of an Escott sired homebred dam made 4,000gns to SL Evans, Penmaen, Gower.

Shraden Granite at 4,800gns

The third 4,800gns call was made by JLC Williams, Portmadoc for the reserve champion, Beanhill Henry TI +59, SRI +57 bred and exhibited by RJ and BE Kimber, Chippenham. Henry was a 15 month old Blelack Digger son and out of a homebred dam by Talisman.

Beanhill Henry the Reserve Champion at 4,800gns

Plasbela Gladiator TI +57, SRI +57, a 17 month old from T and G Roberts, Llanfair, Abergele was knocked down sold for 4,500gns to Messrs Williams and Son, Kington. A Dingle Hofmeister son, he was out of an Inverlochy Resolve sired homebred dam. Another Hofmeister son from the same breeders, this time the 14 month old, Plasbela Hoff TI +50, SRI +48 made 4,400gns to HW Lloyd, Abergele.

Two more entries sold at 4,400gns each. First to go was Charbron Genial TI +35, SRI +34 from Barons Cross Charolais Stud, Aymestrey, Leominster to CR Griffiths, Bettws, Ammanford. Genial was a rising two year old by the 25,000gns Perth champion Goldies Unbeatable and out of a homebred dam by Caylers Supreme.

Next at 4,400gns was Gwenog Gonzeles TI +32, SRI +29, a 22 month old by Thrunton Classic and out of a Derryharney Outstanding sired homebred dam from father and son team, John and Peter Howells, Llanybyder to AW Williams, LLannefydd, Denbigh.

Gwastod Generator, a two year old Elgin Columbo son sold and out of a Charbron bred dam from BL Williams, Abermeurig, Lampeter made 4,200gns to PW Humphreys, Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.

The 16 month old Thrunton Dominator son, Caylers Guardsman TI +38, SRI +25 from David and Louise Barker, Nuthampstead, Royston commanded a 4,000gns bid from T Gowling, Market Harborough.

Alwyn Rees, Pennal, Machynlleth offered his 20 month old Pennal Genetic TI +36, SRI +29 by Texan and out of a Killadeas Jack sired homebred dam at 4,000gns to FG Goodall, Llandovery.

Female section

Heading J and L Pegg’s dispersal at 5,200gns was Waterfall Ellierose, a four year old Coolnaslee Universe daughter and out of a homebred dam by Doonally New. She was sold in calf to Balthayock Adonis to Ann Orr-Ewing, Purton Swindon.

Waterfall Ellierose at 5,200gns

Next at 3,100gns was Harviestoun Dionne, a four year old Ravenworth Unwin daughter offered with her March born heifer, Waterfall Ionne by Adonis. She sold to AJ Powell, Knighton. A bid of 3,000gns secured Waterfall Blaise for DJ Thornely, Swadlingcote, Derby. A seven year old Doonally New daughter, she was knocked down sold in calf to Adonis.

A draft from Griff Morris, Llanstephen, Cramarthen was led at 3,500gns for Cargriff Colette, a five year old by Cargriff Valient and out of a homebred dam by Seawell Offshore. Sold in calf to Chunal Dougie, she was purchased by AJ Powell who also bid 2,900gns for a cow and calf pair from RL Hall, Malton. Bassett Bryony was a seven year old by Thrunton Troubadour sold in calf to Rumsden Udimore, while her nine month old heifer calf, Hallgarth Heuchera was by Bassett Bamboo.

Other leading lots from Cargriff included Cargriff Hotpot, a 10 month heifer by Swalesmoor Bayonet making 2,900gns to VAS Corbett, Knighton.

Averages: 56 bulls £3,638.44; 3 cows £3,500.00; 4 cows with calves at foot £3,150. 7 heifers £1,408.50

Charolais trade topped at 4,400gns at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club’s show and sale at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Friday 19 April.

Kathryn Marshall exhibiting the champion Crosskeys Gomesy, accompanied by Cameron Marshall, Keri McGivern of Moores Concrete and judge Danny McKay

The top price of 4,400gns went to the day’s supreme champion Crosskeys Gomesy from C and K Marshall, Ballymena, County Antrim. This 19 month old by Bassett Judge and out of a homebred dam was purchased by C Maxwell, Downpatrick, County Down.

Knocked down sold at 4,300gns was first prize winner Moorlough Hugh by the 55,000gns Thrunton Voldemort and out of a homebred dam sired by Oldstone Egbert. Bred by J McBride, Strabane, County Tyrone, the 14 month old Hugh was secured by J Smyth, Randalstown, County Antrim.

A call of 3,900gns was made for Adams General, a 17 month old by the Doonally New sired Melvin Gal and out of Kilnock Varanasi. Bred by E Reid, Omagh, County Tyrone, General was consigned by K C Veitch, Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh and bought by T McCaster, Larne, County Antrim.

Burnside Honky ET sold for 3,000gns to D McCollum, Ballymena, County Antrim. Bred by B McAllister and Son, Ballymena, County Antrim, this 14 month old was by the 16,000gns Clyth Diplomat and out of a homebred dam.

Averages: 10 bulls, £3,213.00.

Auctioneers: Ballymena Livestock Mart

Stuart Hammond exhibiting the Reserve Champion Tullylagan Gallant, sold for 2,900gns with Keri McGivern of Moores Concrete and judge Danny McKay

James McBride with the champion heifer Moorlough Goodgirl and Keri McGivern of Moore Concrete & judge Danny McKay

Charolais bulls sold to a top of 4,300gns in Holsworthy on Thursday 24 April at the South West Charolais Association`s annual spring sale.

The judge Mike Yeandle is flanked by John Wylde and his champion bull Martland Grazer and Jane Haw with the reserve champion Balbithan Heineken

Sale leader at 4,300gns was the champion, Martland Grazer TI +27, SRI +23, a 21 month old by the 55,000gns Sportsman Columbo and out of a homebred dam. Bred and exhibited by J and C Wylde, Woolavington, Bridgwater he was knocked down sold to PL Heard, Okehampton.

Earlier in the day, Mr Heard had offered his Meldon George TI +33, SRI +31, a rising two year old by Broadbury Diesel to Messrs Needham and Son, Bucklands Newton who also went to 2,300gns for Wyvern Goodun TI +54, SRI +45, a two year old Blelack Digger son from DM Barker, Heathfield Taunton.The day’s second highest call at 3,600gns was the 14 month old Blelack Digger son, Beanhill Harry TI +70, SRI +74 from RJ and BE Kimber, Christian Malford, Chippenham to MS Andrews, Winsford, Minehead.

A bid of 3,200gns secured Downtown Grady TI +33, SRI +26 for A J & D M Finnemore, Camelford. A 20 month old by Balbithan Condor, he was bred and exhibited by Brian Lavis, Bridestowe, Okehampton.

Two, two year old heifers by the 10,000gns Perth champion, Chunal Dougie from Mr and Mrs Andrew White, Worth Matravers led the female section and both were secured by H Dunstan and Sons, Mabe, Penryn. Balbithan Godmanston TI +38, SRI +46 made 3,400gns, while Balbithan Galaxy TI +20 SRI +32 attracted a 3,000gns bid.

Averages: 8 bulls £3,189; 6 females £2,138.

Auctioneers: Kivells

John Wylde puts Martland Grazer under auctioneer Mark Bromell’s gavel

Philip Heard sold Meldon George for 3,400gns

British Charolais lead breed averages at £4,285 for 21 bulls sold at multi-breed fixture

British Charolais trade peaked at 6,500gns three times at the society’s official show and sale at Stirling on Monday 6 May, where spirited bidding gave the breed the leading average of £4,285 for 21 bulls sold, representing 68% clearance.

The breed’s champion Clyth Gizmo sold for 6,500gns to Dalhanna Farming, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway.

One of the three leading 6,500gns lots was the 18 month old champion Clyth Gizmo TI +55, SRI +52 from R MacKay, Lybster, Caithness. Sired by Dingle Hofmeister and out of a homebred dam sired by Doonally New, Gizmo was purchased by Dalhanna Farming, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway.

Balthayock Goliath took 6,500gns for breeder Major D F W H Walter, Perth, Perthshire after coming first in his class.

Next at 6,500gns was the 22 month old Balthayock Goliath TI +47, SRI +47, by Dingle Hofmeister and out of a homebred dam. This first prize winner was bred by Major D F W H Walter, Perth, Perthshire, and went home with K M Fraser, Newburgh, Fife.

First prize winner Ballindalloch Glenlivet from R Irvine and F G Lawson, Ballindalloch, Aberdeenshire was one of the three sale leaders at 6,500gns.

Sharing the final 6,500gns bid was the first prize winner Ballindalloch Glenlivet TI +53, SRI +54, from R Irvine and F G Lawson, Ballindalloch, Aberdeenshire. Knocked down sold to J and A Robb, Dollar, Clackmannanshire, Glenlivet was a 17 month old by Lochend Apache and out of a homebred dam.

Thrunton Glenisla was the highest priced of the Thrunton entry from J H C Campbell and Sons, Alnwick, Northumberland, at 6,000gns.

Thrunton Glenisla TI +51, SRI +42, was secured for a call of 6,000gns from Messrs MacIntyre, Southend, Argyll. Bred by J H C Campbell and Sons, Alnwick, Northumberland, this 23 month old was by the 22,000gns Newhouse Bigal and out of a homebred dam sired by Burradon Talisman. Messrs Campbell went on to take a bid of 4,500gns from J and V Thomson, Kelty, Fife, for the 19 month old Thrunton Glenshee TI +43, SRI +32, another Bigal son out of a homebred dam.

The reserve champion Mornity Glengarry commanded 5,500gns for breeders Mornity Farms, Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

Sold at 5,500gns was the 17 month old reserve champion Mornity Glengarry TI +45, SRI +36, by Baggrave Lysander and out of a homebred dam. This one was bred by Mornity Farms, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and was bought by T L Stirling, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire.

The 23 month old Allanfauld Gogan TI +27, SRI +25, was knocked down sold at 5,200gns to Scottish Government Bull Stud, Inverness, Inverness-shire. Gogan, bred by A Macgregor, Kilsyth, Glasgow, was by Elgin Davinci and out of a homebred dam. The same buyer invested a further 5,000gns in Inverlochy Gojohnnygo TI +52, SRI +52, a 17 month old by Lochend Apache and out of a homebred dam, from J Irvine and Son, Ballindalloch, Aberdeenshire.

Averages: 21 bulls, £4,285.

Auctioneers: United Auctions

93 bulls sold to £5,116 average 

A new British Charolais centre record of 31,000gns was set at Carlisle at the society’s annual spring show and sale on Saturday 11 May, where a strong commercial demand took the average for 93 bulls sold to £5,116.21. 

Whitecliffe Highlight

Leading the way at 31,000gns was the reserve junior, reserve overall male and reserve supreme champion Whitecliffe Highlight TI +77, SRI +73, a Blelack Digger son from M and J Hayhurst, Malton, North Yorkshire. Within the top 1% of the breed for terminal sire index and self-replacing index estimated breeding values (EBVs) and the catalogue’s highest pointed bull, this 14 month old was knocked down sold to W Kingaby, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. Messrs Hayhurst, whose previous highest price at the annual sale was 6,000gns, went on to take 8,000gns from G G Williams, Llanidloes, Powys, for the 17 month old Whitecliffe Glorious TI +64, SRI +61, another Digger son, and 7,000gns for a third Digger son, the 17 month old Whitecliffe Goldenboy TI +68, SRI +66, sold to R L Riddle and Son, Hexham, Northumberland. 

Westcarse Houdini at 14,000gns

A shared call of 14,000gns secured Westcarse Houdini TI +50, SRI +46 for purchasers R A Milne, Elgin, Morayshire, and Mornity Farms, Blairgowrie, Perthshire. Bred by J H Christie and Son, Stirling, Stirlingshire, Houdini was a 15 month old by the 11,000gns Mortimers Echo. 

Allanfauld Gambler at 11,000gns

Allanfauld Gambler TI +40, SRI +35 went for a two way bid of 11,000gns from M Massie, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, and N Barclay, Insch, Aberdeenshire. The 17 month old intermediate male champion from A Macgregor, Kilsyth, Glasgow, was by the £20,000 Elgin Davinci. 

Corrie Goldmedal at 10,500gns

Through the ring at 10,500gns was Corrie Goldmedal TI +50, SRI +40, bred by D Macgregor, Kilsyth, Glasgow. Purchased by J Herdman, Alnwick, Northumberland, Goldmedal was an 18 month old son of Elgin Davinci. 

Burradon Galaxy at 10,000gns

Brampton Helium at 7,000gns

The 18 month old Burradon Galaxy TI +44, SRI +45, sold for 10,000gns. By Gwenog Banjo and bred by Messrs Curry, Morpeth, Northumberland, this one went home with W R Baillie, Deerness, Orkney. The breeders invested some of their takings in the 7,000gns Brampton Helium TI +47, SRI +49, a 13 month old Newhouse Diablo son from G W Turner, Ripon, North Yorkshire. 

Gretnahouse Grant at 9,000gns

Gretnahouse Gunshot at 8,000gns

Gretnahouse Grim at 5,000gns

Bids of 9,000gns were made thrice. The 17 month old Blelack Digger-sired Gretnahouse Grant TI +66, SRI +62, from A G Houston, Gretna Green, Dumfries-shire, sold for 9,000gns to P M and S M Donger, Towcester, Northamptonshire. The same breeder took a bid of 8,000gns from C M Reid, Eddleston, Peebles, for Gretnahouse Gunshot ET TI +73, SRI +67, an 18 month old son of the 11,000gns Balthayock Adonis and out of Balmyle Paradise. After taking the senior male championship, Gretnahouse Grim TI +32, SRI +27, a 22 month old Thrunton Camelot son and out of a homebred Doonally New-sired dam realised 5,000gns for Mr Houston, selling to G T Wordie, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. 

Balmyle Harlequin at 9,000gns

The second 9,000gns call came from Messrs Roberts and Jones, Welshpool, Powys, for the class winner Balmyle Harlequin TI +54, SRI +43. Sired by the 9,500gns Maerdy Egret and out of a homebred dam sired by the 28,000gns Brampton Nacodar, this 14 month old was bred by W P Bruce, Meigle, Perthshire. 

Glencoe Hagrid at 9,000gns

Caylers Hustler at 7,000gns

Also realising 9,000gns was the junior, overall male and supreme champion Glencoe Hagrid sired by the 15,000gns Newhouse Diablo. This 13 month old came from V McDonald, Newry, County Down, and was knocked down sold to the pre-sale judge Graeme Massie, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, who also invested 7,000gns in Caylers Hustler TI +49, SRI +36. This 14 month old by Thrunton Dominator and out of a homebred dam was bred by Caylers Charolais, Royston, Hertfordshire, who took the same money for Caylers Harbro TI +47, SRI +35, a 14 month old also by Dominator and sold to R Jones, Caernarfon, Gwynedd. 

Elgin Glenfarclas at 8,000gns

Secured for 8,000gns was Elgin Glenfarclas TI +35, SRI +39, from R A Milne and Sons, Elgin, Morayshire. The 16 month old by the 30,000gns Balymle Bollinger was purchased by J Wardlaw and Son, Balerno, Mid Lothian. Messrs Milne took a further 6,500gns for the first prize winning 18 month old Elgin Grandprix TI +42, SRI +45, again by Bollinger and sold to  Auchencheyne Ltd, Thornhill, Dumfries-shire. 

Vexour Garriden at 7,000gns

The 20 month old reserve senior male champion Vexour Garriden TI + 65, SRI +68 sold for 7,000gns to A and C Watson, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire. By Dingle Hofmeister, Garriden was bred by J Boomars, Waldingham, Surrey.  

Tullygarley General at 6,000gns

A bid of 6,000gns sold the reserve intermediate male champion Tullygarley General TI + 36, SRI +26, to E I Lewis and Sons, Machynlleth, Powys. Exhibited by G J Crawford, Maghera, County Londonderry, this was a 17 month old sired by Major. 

Goldies Echo TI +66, SRI +57, realised 6,000gns selling to R and D M Roberts, Abergele, Clwyd. The first prize winner from H Goldie, Dumfries, Dumfries-shire, was by Blelack Edition. The same breeder took 5,200gns for the 17 month old Goldies Gordon TI +54, SRI +50, by the 8,000gns Blelack Blackberet and out of a Goldies Unbeatable-sired homebred dam, to go home with J and W Menzies, Thornhill, Dumfries-shire. 

Knocked down sold at 5,800gns was Thrunton Gondolier TI +55, SRI +48, a first prize winner from J H C Campbell and Sons, Alnwick, Northumberland. By Balmyle Dickler and out of a Burradon Talisman-sired homebred dam, this 19 month old went home with G T and S Coghill, Birsay, Orkney. Messrs Campbell took a further bid of 5,000gns from W S L Muir, Stromness, Orkney, for Thrunton Garth TI +55, SRI +54, a Thrunton Doubletop-sired 20 month old. 

Realising a bid of 5,800gns was Marwood Gilbert TI +55, SRI +36, by Cottage Devon and out of a Doonally New-sired homebred dam. He was purchased by P M Rhodes, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire, Gilbert was bred and exhibited by R A and J Blyth, Hartlepool, Northumberland. 

Calls of 5,500gns were made twice. Ugie Goldblend TI +53, SRI +44, was secured at 5,500gns by J and C O Dunn, Ayr, Ayrshire. Bred by J T Wilson, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Goldblend was by the 12,500gns Goldies Banker. 

Sold for 5,500gns to J Drinkall, Chorley, Lancashire, was Royaldowns Governor TI + 41, SRI +43, bred by M McKeown, Downpatrick, County Down. Governor was a son of the 9,000gns Goldies Carnival and out of Drumfin Damsel. 

The 17 month old Woodpark Goldbar sold for 5,000gns to D L and K M Porteous, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. Bred by W Short, Omagh, County Tyrone, Goldbar was by the 19,000gns Corrie Alan. 

At the same price was Hallbankgate Hogan from I T and S E Bell, Brampton, Cumbria. Sired by Rotoary Ferguson ET, Hogan was secured by A M and P Bowman and Son, Penrith, Cumbria.                                                

FEMALE SECTION 

Holtstead Faberge at 6,500gns

Female trade was led at 6,500gns by Holstead Faberge, TI +43, SRI +45, the reserve female champion from F, J, E and C Andrews, Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Purchased by J Hunter, Wigton, Cumbria, Faberge, a three year old heifer by Dingle Hofmeister and out of a Burradon Talisman-sired dam, was AI’d to Blelack Digger and a former first prize winner at the Great Yorkshire Show. 

Hamish Goldie took 4,300gns for Goldies Flute TI +57, SRI + 55, a two year old heifer by Goldies Uppermost. This one was in calf to Blelack Edition and was bought by O and J Pilkington, Buxton, Derbyshire. 

Vexour Glenna at 3,000gns

Jan Boomars took a bid of 3,000gns for the 17 month old female champion Vexour Glenna TI + 46, SRI +54, by Blelack Crusader. She was secured by H P and L S Whittaker, Cornhill on Tweed, Northumberland. 

Top price in the Hallgarth herd reduction sale, owned by R L Hall, Malton, North Yorkshire, went to the three year old heifer Hallgarth Elsie TI +37, SRI +39, for a call of 3,050gns from A J and J A Powell, Knighton Powys. Elsie, by Balthayock Ulex and out of Goldies Uniglow, was sold in calf to Rumsden Udimore with her nine month old heifer calf Hallgarth Halo, sired by Bassett Bamboo, at foot. 

Averages: 29 senior bulls, £4,743.10; 34 intermediate bulls, £4,887.13; 30 junior bulls, £5,736.50; 93 bulls overall, £5,116.21; 11 cows and heifers served and/or suckling, £2,744.32; 9 served and maiden heifers, £1,621.67. Hallgarth reduction sale: 5 cows and heifers served and/or suckling, £2,667; 4 served and maiden heifers, £1,824.37; 1 young bull, £1,470. 

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

A small entry of Charolais bulls at the final official BCCS spring sale sold to a top of 6,200gns.

Sale leader was the first prize winner Moelfre Galliano TI +47, SRI +37 from Kevin Thomas, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn. A 19 month old by Gretnahouse Vigorous and out of a dam going back to the same sire, he sold to DL Price, Llanidloes.

Next at 4,500gns was the 19 month old Gower Gallant, TI +37, SRI +36, a Teiglum Edgar son and out of a dam going back to Dingle Hofmeister. Bred and exhibited by Richard and Alison Tucker, Horton, Gower he was knocked down sold to JJ Owens, Presteigne.

Wyn and Diane Rees, Llangurig, Llanidloes offered the next lot at 4,200gns to CR Thomas, Knighton. Hendy Hefin TI +31, SRI +23 was a 16 month old by Killadeas Contact and out of a dam by Tullygarley Rollerball.

A bid of 4,000gns secured the 17 month old champion bull,Esgob Gladiator TI + 30, SRI +28 for M Jones, Llanrwst. Bred and exhibited by Gareth Jones, Cwmtirmyach, Bala, he was an Anside Excalibur son and out of a dam going back to Grove lines.

Ann Orr-Ewing,Purton, Swindon offered Foxacre Henri TI +36, SRI +39 a 15 month old Moynton Caspar son at 3,300gns to WE Williams, Pwllheli.

Averages: 14 bulls £3,465

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales

Jeremy Price

Do you still think that you have to compromise on easy calving to produce cattle with exceptional growth rates? Visitors to Beef Expo pre-event farm tours on 22 May will find that the Oakchurch Charolais herd is testament that you can have it all; with pedigree heifers sufficiently grown at two years old to calve to bulls within the top 5% for calving ease estimated breeding value (EBV).

Herd owner Jeremy Price says that careful selection of genetics within his 15 cow herd for length, milkiness, natural fleshing qualities and conformation combined with Breedplan data is the winning formula at Oakchurch Farm, Staunton-on-Wye, Hereford, a 250 acre unit, the majority of which supports a soft fruit enterprise and the remaining grass carrying the pedigree Charolais alongside a 20 cow Aberdeen Angus herd.

“Our objective was to develop a profitable Charolais pedigree herd which focuses on maximising its performance potential as well as producing high genetic merit bulls for the commercial sector,” he explains. “Our policy is to keep productive females – ones that will produce one calf a year with no assistance at an average two years old – and keeping stock bulls within the top percentiles for calving ease and growth rates.”

Jeremy continues: “Targeting calving at a younger age the heifers get in calf quicker, meaning a faster turnover of calves and an extra year of profit.” At 15 months the heifers are sufficiently grown to introduce to the bull for three weeks which resulted in 72% holding to first service, and after putting him back in again several months later – calving has to tie in with quieter periods on the Price family’s soft fruit farm – 100% of the heifers will have calved before they are 32 months old. “If our heifers aren’t in calf by 23 months then they don’t get a second chance as we can’t have females eating grass that aren’t giving us an end product to sell.”

When Jeremy re-introduced Charolais to the farm in 2004, heifers went on to calve at 30 to 36 months and bull sales were steady. However the introduction of herd sire Blelack Digger TI +87, SRI +79, had a huge impact as one of the highest pointed British Charolais bulls in the herdbook with an exceptional calving ease EBV of +20.4 at 81% accuracy, within the top 1% for the breed. Purchased in 2006 at 14 months old, Jeremy explained: “Digger is a nice lined, smooth muscled bull and is the sire of half of the herd’s females.

“He leaves lively calves on the ground with a shorter gestation length, requiring no assistance at calving and they have an exceptional daily liveweight gain. Digger calves were mostly under 40kg at birth, however we still saw an average 70kg rise in 400 day weight in bulls averaging 778kg in his first crop of calves, and his heifers were all large enough at 600kg at 15 months for me to run them with Goldies Eddy with confidence. In fact, to fit in with the rest I calved one at 21 months with no problems.”

Oakchurch heifers sired by Blelack Digger with spring born calves at foot by Goldies Eddy.

Goldies Eddy TI +62, SRI +65 is the herd’s current stock sire. “He’s a fantastic bull to look at with plenty of muscle, nice lines, and with a calving ease figure of +12.7, within the breed’s top 5%, we haven’t had to touch any of the heifers at calving. The calves have a lower birth weight of 34kg to 39kg and a shorter gestation length of 278 days on average, and are lively enough to rival our native bred calves in getting up to suckle.

“Breeding Charolais cattle is very much a side-line to our soft fruit business, so maintaining low labour and time requirements is priceless,” he says. “The heifers are very milky – Digger has a 200 day milk EBV of +12, within the breed’s top 5%, and at a couple of months old the Charolais calves are showing excellent growth and conformation.”

Jeremy explained: “The heifers weighed between 300kg and 400kg at weaning at six to nine months and by 18 months old they averaged 700kg. We don’t skimp on feed, all calves receive creep but after weaning we keep the heifers fairly lean on grass and silage up until they calve. Making best use of genetics is all well and good, but a productive herd doesn’t stop just there and we are well aware that cow management is just as important as using data.

“We aim to produce stock bulls for sale at the farm gate at 10 months old and I don’t believe in pushing them young, they receive a concentrate mix with straw after weaning until they leave for pastures new. Digger-sired bulls are in demand; the herd is accredited for BVD and Johne’s, free of leptospirosis and we are vaccinating for IBR, giving buyers added confidence in bulls that are grown to 600kg by the time they leave.”

The Oakchurch herd was recognised this year for making the greatest genetic progress in the United Kingdom during the last 12 months with the Harman Charolais Genetic Improvement Award, proving the herd strategy is paying dividends.

“My aspirations for the future are to keep the herd at 15 to 20 productive Charolais cows and continue to maintain ease of calving whilst not sacrificing on the exceptional daily liveweight gains and conformation that we expect from the breed.”

Click here for 2013 Balmoral Show results

results

Sportsmans Columbo, the Suoreme Charolais with Andy Patterson

Gilbert Crawford and family celebrate their championship success

Robert Adam, the Charolais judge appraises one of the Charolais bulls

Sam Milliken keep a watchful eye on the judge

Robert Adam points the way forward for the female champion Pubble Goldie

Shropshire-based pedigree poll Charolais breeders, David and Sadie Littlehales have completed a private export deal for a shipment of semen from Bromham Bullion to the Norwegian Charolais Organisation for distribution to Finland and Norway.

“Scandinavian breeders and commercial beef producers favour bulls that have a shorter gestation length and lower birth weight calves, as well as the unbeatable weight for age and they have found their answer in our poll British Charolais,” commented Mr Littlehales.

Bullion was privately purchased as a sire for their 40 cow poll Pentervin herd, based at 1,000ft at Minsterley, along with his dam, Roulette of Bromham. He continued “Bullion was selected for his shape and pedigree to produce growthy calves with that all important under 40kg birth weight and short gestation length.”

The shipment was negotiated on the back of a previous successful export of semen from Mr Littlehale’s homebred Pentervin Universe to the Norwegian Charolais Organisation. “Norwegian cattle breeders have since reaped the rewards with a Pentervin Universe son setting a breed record price of 95,000 Norwegian Krone (approximately £10,000) after achieving a national record DLG of 2.116kg per day while on performance test. The same breeders have come back to our herd for another piece of the action this time, trusting previous results and the performance his calves have achieved at home.”

Poll Charolais bulls have been used across the Littlehales’ pedigree herd as well as their 100 cow suckler herd for over 30 years. “British Charolais, and particularly the poll bulls, leave progeny with that superior weight for age and quality conformation, combined with good temperament and reduced labour with no dehorning and easier calvings from lower birth weights of less than 40kg.”

Pentervin is believed to be the only herd with three proven unrelated homozygous poll Charolais bulls with semen for sale worldwide and at home.

British Charolais bulls met a ready commercial demand selling to 4,400gns at the Northern Ireland Charolais Club’s show and sale at Dungannon on Monday 27 May.

Mountjoy Harlequin at 4,400gns

Moorlough Harry at 3,900gns with McBride Brothers

Leading the day’s trade at 4,400gns was Mountjoy Harlequin ET, a 13 month old by the 55,000gns Thrunton Voldemort and out of a homebred dam. Bred by C O McAskie, Omagh, County Tyrone, this one sold to J Dunlop, Dungannon, County Tyrone. Mountjoy Governor ET from the same breeder sold for 3,200gns to B Barrett, Dromore, County Tyrone. Governor was a 20 month old by the 19,000gns Corrie Alan and out of a homebred dam.

Knocked down sold at 3,900gns was Moorlough Harry TI +41, SRI +31, from J McBride, Strabane, County Tyrone. This 16 month old purchased by W Nixon, Strabane, County Tyrone, was by Doonally New and out of a homebred dam sired by Oldstone Egbert.

Solitude Hannibal 3,600gns Reserve Supreme Champion owned by J W McMordie with judge David Connolly, Ian Cummins Irwins Feeds

Calls of 3,600gns were made twice. First through the ring was the reserve senior male and reserve overall male champion Solitude Hannibal ET TI +40, SRI +34, by Lisnagre Elite ET and out of a Doonally New-sired homebred dam. This 16 month old was bred by J and W McMordie, Newtownards, County Down, and went home with D Allen, Richill, County Armagh. The same breeders took 3,300gns from T Aiken, Kesh, County Fermanagh, for Solitude Hercules ET, a 13 month old by the 16,000gns Clyth Diplomat and out of Drumlone Anna.

Tullylagan Hammond 3,600gns Reserve Junior Male

Also sold for 3,600gns was the 14 month old reserve junior champion Tullylagan Hammond, from S Hammond, Cookstown, County Tyrone. Sired by the 5,200gns Gwenog Braveheart and out of a homebred dam sold to R Watson, Augher, County Tyrone.

Slievemore Glennellygim at 3,500gns, exhibited by Liam Devine with buyer Thomas Brownlee

The first prize winner Slievemore Glennellygim sold for 3,500gns to T Brownlee, Loughgall, County Armagh. Bred by J and M N Bradley, Omagh, County Tyrone, this 23 month old was by Pirate and out of a homebred dam.

Hollywell Greengrass at 3,400gns

A call of 3,400gns from H P Nugent, Toomebridge, County Antrim, secured the senior male, overall male and reserve supreme champion Hollywell Greengrass TI +22, SRI +23. By the 28,000gns Goldies Champion and out of Castlemartin Vera, this 18 month old was bred by J and S Middleton, Londonderry, County Londonderry.

Four bids of 3,100gns were made. The 22 month old Stranagone Gerry from R McWilliams, Maghera, County Londonderry, sold to W J Gill, Killinchy, County Down. Gerry was by Goldies Champion and out of a homebred dam.

Through the ring at 3,100gns was Rossmore Gareth, by Pirate and out of a homebred dam sired by the 14,000gns Allanfauld Superscot. A 19 month old bred by E Johnston and Sons, Cookstown, County Tyrone, he sold to T McMaster, Larne, County Antrim.

Woodpark Gunner TI +37, SRI +36, sold for 3,100gns to Cleggan Estates, Ballymena, County Antrim. Gunner, an 18 month old bred by W Short, Omagh, County Tyrone, was by Corrie Alan and out of a homebred dam.

The final 3,100gns call was made for the 13 month old Burnside Horlicks from B McAllister and Son, Ballymena, County Antrim. Sired by Oldstone Egbert, Horlicks was out of a Balmyle Vagabond-sired homebred dam and was knocked down sold to W Wilson, Ballymena, County Antrim.

Secured for 3,000gns was Tamnamore Halifaxhunter from W S Murphy, Dungannon, County Tyrone. This 14 month old by Uranus and out of a homebred dam was purchased by M McCann, Cookstown, County Tyrone.

Heading the female entry at 1,800gns was the two year old in calf heifer Moorlough Goodgirl TI +18, SRI +21, by Goldies Champion and out of a homebred dam, from Mr McBride. Scanned as in calf to Pirrott, she went home withC Caragher, Newry, County Down.

Ovill Genevieve ET Female Champion shown by Diarmund O’Kane Bros

Averages: 27 bulls, £2,978.89; 3 heifers, £1,609.65.

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers’ Mart

Blelack Catalogue

Blelack Forester at 22,000gns

The entire autumn calving portion of the Blelack Charolais herd will come under the hammer at its matron sale to be held at Stirling on Wednesday 19 June, with 47 cows in calf and/or with calves at foot up for grabs.

Established over 30 years ago by Neil Massie and farmed in partnership with his son Graeme, the noted herd carries some 140 pedigree cows and a total of 700 head of cattle over a 950 acre grass and arable unit 700 to1000ft above sea level at Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.

Neil Massie commented: “With a large number of exciting heifers coming forward, we have made the decision to sell the autumn calving block of cows; many are sired by Coolnaslee Adversary, a very easy calving bull who has injected a lot of size and power.”

All of the cows will be PD in calf, with the majority to either Balmyle Dingle TI +60, SRI +63, within the breed’s top 5% for 200, 400 and 600 day weight estimated breeding values (EBVs), or Goldies Dynamite TI +76, SRI +65, within the breed’s top 1% for gestation length and 600 day weight EBVs, and the top 5% for calving ease.

Ones to watch include Blelack Babe TI +54, SRI +53, by Thrunton Socrates; her progeny include Blelack Dulcet, junior heifer champion at the Royal Highland Show and Blelack Fantastic who sold to 12,000gns at Stirling. Another is Blelack Bluebell TI +41, SRI +42, who has sold twin bulls to 4,500gns and 6,000gns, and another son to 7,000gns. A catalogue favourite is Galcantray Abbey TI +53, SRI +55, the dam of Blelack Digger TI +85, SRI +79, one of the highest pointed and most prolific bulls in the British Charolais herdbook with an exceptional calving ease EBV of +22.2 at 83% accuracy, within the top 1% for the breed.

Among its numerous accolades, the Blelack herd has secured three Perth supreme championships as well as the Royal Highland Show supreme award and the Massies are no stranger to sale ring success where the herd is usually within the top eight herd averages at Stirling. Blelack Rustic commanded the herd’s top price to date of 25,000gns with Blelack Forester at 22,000gns, whilst females have sold to 14,000gns.

Blelack Horace one of the three bull calves for sale

Blelack Diamond TI + 32, SRI +27

Blelack Dove TI + 47, SRI +42

Charolais females met a strong demand from buyers from throughout the UK and Ireland, selling to a top of 17,900gns for a cow and her twin heifers when Neil and Graeme Massie, Dinnett, Aboyne offered the entire autumn calving portion of matrons from their Blelack herd in Stirling on Wednesday 19 June.

Blelack Babe, sale leader at 10,000gns with one of her twin heifers, Blelack Harmony at 5,000gns

Sale leader at 10,000gns was Blelack Babe TI +54, SRI+53, a seven year old by the 25,000gns Perth champion, Thrunton Socrates and out of a homebred dam going back to Balthayock Lombardo. She sold to Gilbert Crawford, Maghera, County Down who also bid 5,000gns for her heifer, the eight month old Blelack Harmony by the 8,000gns Balmyle Dingle. Harmony’s twin sister, Blelack Honesty made 2,900gns to Andrew Ewing, Annan, Dumfries.

Blelack Harmony at 5,000gns

Mr Ewing went on to take four more lots including the four year old Blelack Effie TI +46, SRI +42, another Socrates daughter and out of a Ralph sired homebred dam at 4,000gns and her 10 month old Dingle sired bull, Blelack Horace at 3,500gns.

Mr Ewing also paid 2,100gns for Blelack Hotspot, a six month old Dingle sired heifer, while her dam, Blelack Championne TI +51, SRI +44, a six year old was knocked down sold for 3,500gns to WG Troup, Sauchen, Aberdeen.

Blelack Championne at 3,500gns and her heifer, Blelack Hotspot at 2,100gns

The next leading cow and twin calf outfit grossing at 11,100gns was Blelack Charade TI +56, SRI +61, a six year old by the 26,000gns Balbithan Vespasian and out a Thrunton Damien sired dam. Selling for 5,000gns to Messrs McKenna, Northern Ireland, Charade was offered with her eight month old twin heifers by the 15,000gns Goldies Dynamite. Blelack Henrietta made 3,200gns to HP Whittaker, Sourstow, Tarporley, while Blelack Haricot sold for 2,900gns to JH Paton, Kinross.

Blelack Henrietta at 3,200gns

Minutes later Mr Whittaker paid 5,000gns for Blelack Honeydew, a 10 month old heifer by the 11,000gns Maerdy Dublin, while her dam, Blelack Brigitte TI +33, SRI +36, a seven year old Bassingbourn Ralph daughter commanded a 4,000gns bid from K Mallarkey, Hatton, Peterhead.

Blelack Honeydew at 5,000gns with her 4,000gns dam, Blelack Brigitte

Heading in calf cow trade at 6,200gns was Galcantray Abbey TI +53, SRI +55, an eight year old by Blelack Montgomery, out of the Maerdy Neptune sired Blelack Rachel, dam of Blelack Digger, and sold in calf to Balmyle Dingle. Abbey was knocked down sold to Jannoch and Sons, Forfar.

Galcantray Abbey at 6,200gns

The next entry offered in calf to Dingle was Blelack Diamond TI +32, SRI +27, a five year old by the 12,000gns Perth champion, Cargriff Victorious and out of a Thrunton Damien sired homebred dam. She was secured for 6,000gns by W Oag, Forss, Thurso.

Blelack Diamond at 6,000gns

Blelack Cerise TI +48, SRI +51, a six year old sold in calf to Maerdy Dublin commanded a 5,800gns bid from Barclay Finagan, Dungannon. Cerise was by Balbithan Vespaian and out of a homebred dam by Damien.

Blelack Cerise at 5,800gns

The day’s second cow and calf outfit to gross 5,600gns was the seven year old Bassingbourn Ralph sired Blelack Bonnie TI +37, SRI +33 making 3,400gns to A Clark and Son, Leswalt, Stranraer, while R Lane, Edgmond, Newport paid 2,200gns for her 10 month old Maerdy Dublin sired heifer, Blelack Hotlips.

Blelack Hotlips at 2,200gns

Three entries sold to 5,500gns. Price setter was the first lot in the ring, Blelack Edith TI +42, SRI +35, a four year old by the 8,000gns Solitude Amazing and out of a homebred dam by the 15,000gns Maerdy Oxo. She was knocked down sold with Blelack Headgirl, her nine month old Balmyle Dingle sired heifer at foot to Neil Caul, Tealing, Dundee.

Next at 5,500gns was Blelack Bluebell TI +41, SRI +42, a seven year old Ralph daughter and out of a Damien sired homebred dam. She was sold in calf to Balmyle Dingle to OR Jones, Tywyn, Gwynedd.

Blelack Bluebell at 5,500gns

The final 5,500gns call was made by M McCarthy, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare for Blelack Candy TI +48, SRI +39 offered in calf to Maerdy Dublin. A Thrunton Socrates daughter, she was out of a homebred dam by Thrunton Damien.

Last entry in the ring, Blelack Briteness TI +31, SRI +36, was bid to 5,000gns by Will Owen, Criccieth, Gwyndd. This seven year old Bassingbourn Ralph daughter was out of a homebred dam by Blelack Roger.

Averages: 15 cows with calves £6,321, 24 cows in calf £3,828

Auctioneers: United Auctions

Blelack Candy at 5,500gns

Blelack Horace at 3,500gns

Royal Highland Show Website

Interbreed team and individual in the main ring

Charolais judging in the main ring

Charolais breeders enjoyed one of their most successful Royal Highland Shows ever; lifting five titles at this year’s show staged at Ingliston, Edinburgh. British Charolais Cattle Society chairman Alasdair Houston said: “My congratulations go to all of our exhibitors, who put on one of the finest exhibitions of British Charolais cattle seen at the Royal Highland Show in recent years.”

The Charolais Interbreed Champion “Group of Four” winner from the left, Inverlochy Gloria (Raymond Irvine), Glenericht Gem (Alan Drysdale Elgin Catherine (Matthew Milne) Maerdy Grenadier (Jim Muirhead) and Elgin Iona (Caroline Milne)

Sam, Matthew and Caroline Milne celebrate a tremendous inter breed championship won by Elgin Catherine

Elgin Catherine the RHAS 2013 inter breed champion

Matthew and Carolyne Milne with their boys celebrate the inter breed championship won by Elgin Catherine

From left to right, the judge Steve Nesbitt, Carolyne Milne with Elgin Iona, her husband Matthew with Elgin Catherine (supreme champion charolais) Jim Muirhead with Maerdy Grenadier (charolais male champion and reserve champion) David Walter and BCCS President Gilbert Crawford

Elgin Catherine and Maerdy Grenadier were the Charolais champion and reserve and went on to win the Beef Pairs interbreed championship

Beef Breeder Continental Charolais, Maerdy Grenadier

On Saturday, the supreme beef interbreed championship judge James Gammie, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, tapped out the six year old Elgin Catherine, a homebred cow by Gower Versace, with her four month old heifer calf by Goldies Banker at foot as champion. Exhibited by breeders R A Milne, Elgin, Morayshire, this was Catherine’s first appearance on the show circuit after claiming the junior heifer championship at the same event in 2009.

Elgin Catherine also represented the breed in the Asda Beef Cattle Pairs competition alongside the reserve breed champion Maerdy Grenadier, a two year old Maerdy Dynamite son exhibited by Major Walter, Balthayock, Perthshire, and D Muirhead, Arbroath, Angus, and bred by D E Evans, Mold, Flintshire, where they scooped the top spot under the eye of judge John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso. Grenadier sold for a joint bid of 20,000gns at Stirling in February following a successful 2012 show season culminating in the supreme breed and junior interbreed champion titles as well as champion performance recorded bull at the Royal Welsh Show.

The pair continued their success in the beef interbreed team competition, where they were joined by two year old heifers Glenericht Gem, by Clyth Diplomat from W K and P Drysdale, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and Inverlochy Gloria from J Irvine and Son, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, a Lochend Apache daughter – to complete a hat-trick of interbreed accolades. Glenericht Gem had two weeks earlier taken the reserve interbreed honours at Angus Show.

Maerdy Grenadier went on to take the continental title in the Marks and Spencer Beefbreeder and Breedplan championship for performance recorded bulls. Taking into account visual appearance as well as estimated breeding value (EBV) data, this one was judged by Ewan Brewis, Lempitaw, Kelso, with Elgin Highroller, a 17 month old Elgin Davinci son from the Milnes standing in reserve.

Charolais cross cattle dominated the McIntosh Donald Steak Competition, where a panel awarded the £1,000 prize to a steak from a 341.2kg carcase, graded R4L, from R Green, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire. The top four steaks were all Charolais sired and topped an entry of 150 sirloins.

Allanfauld Heiress

Allanfauld Hustler

Elgin Highroller

Maerdy Grenadier – Male Champion and Continental Beef

Glenericht Gem – Breeder Champion

Olrig Highwayman – Reserve Junior Bull

Balthayock Fortune

Blackford Gine

Overall Champion

Elgin Catherine, Mr R A Milne & Sons

Reserve Champion

Maerdy Grenadier, Mr D H Muirhead & Major DFWH & N Walter

Best Bull

Maerdy Grenadier, Mr D H Muirhead & Major DFWH & N Walter

Reserve Best Bull

Elgin Highroller, Mr R A Milne & Sons

Overall Junior Champion

Elgin Highroller, Mr R A Milne & Sons

Reserve Junior Champion

Blackford Gina, A MacPherson

Best Junior Bull

Maerdy Grenadier, Mr D H Muirhead & Major DFWH & N Walter

Reserve Junior Bull

Olrig Highwayman, Mr J Morris

Female Champion

1st Elgin Catherine, RA Milne 2nd Blackford Gina, A MacPherson

Junior Female Champion

1st Blackford Gine, A MacPherson 2nd Carwood Holly, Mr & Mrs Wight

Best animal of opposite sex to Champion

Maerdy Grenadier

Best Animal bred by exhibitor

Elgin Catherine

Best animal bred by exhibitor who must be a member of the Scottish Region

Elgin Catherine

PAIRS

1st Elgin 2nd Allanfauld

Class 245 Female born on or between 1st April and 31st July 2012

1st Carwood Holly, Mrs & Mrs C Wight 2nd Harviestoun Heidi, Saxstead Livestock Ltd 3rd Lagavaich Hermine, A & A Wight

Class 246 Female born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2012

1st Carscreugh Hattie, Mr A K Brooke Ltd 2nd Lesliepark Hilary, Nr R Russell 3rd Carscreugh Hernando, Mr A K Brooke

Class 247 Female born on or between 24th June and 31st December 2011

1st Blackford Gine, Anne MacPherson 2nd Vexour Galina, Mr J Boomaars 3rd Lesliepark Grandeur, Mr G Russell

Class 248 Female born on or between 1st January and 23rd June 2011

1st Glenericht Gem, W K & P Drysdale 2nd Inverlochy Gloria, Mr J Irvine & Son 3rd Balthayock Grace, Major DFWH & N Wakter

Class 249 Female born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2010

1st Balthayock Fortune, DFWH & N Walter

Class 250 Female, in milk or in calf, born on or before 31st December 2009

1st Elgin Catherine, Mr R A Milne & Sons 2nd Ugie Erin, Mr D H Muirhead 3rd Holtstead Emdeholly, Whittaker & Con Farms

Class 251 Bull born on or between 1st April and 30th June 2012

1st Allanfauld Hustler, A MacGregor (Allanfauld) Ltd 2nd Vexour Harlow, Mr J Boomaars 3rd Elgin Highlander, Mr R A Milne & Sons

Class 252 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2012

1st Elgin Highroller, Mr R A Milne & Sons 2nd Olrig Highwayman, Mr J Morris 3rd Carscreugh Hernando, Mr A K Brooke

Class 253 Bull born on or between 1st January and 23rd June 2011

1st Maerdy Grenadier, Mr D H Muirhead & Major DFWH & N Walter 2nd Blelack Giggsey, Mr J Irvine & Son

Inaugural National Charolais Show a great success

The first National Charolais Show attracted an attendance of 63 head of cattle at the Livestock Event at the NEC, Birmingham, with Rumsden Gamble TI +41, SRI +42, taking the overall supreme champion title. The show, principally sponsored by Weatherbys and Melton Mowbray Market, included classes exclusively for Breedplan recorded bulls and females born between 1 January 2011 and 31 October 2012.

Two year old heifer Rumsden Gamble, sired by Coley Hamish and out of Rumsden Dice, was tapped out as female and overall supreme champion by judge David Murray, Forfar, Angus, who commented: “This heifer was truly outstanding with great length, stretch and power. She also carried herself really well in the ring and is very feminine – a real cow-maker.”

Gamble, exhibited by Rob Tremayne and Michelle Hanson, Helston, Cornwall, and bred by Rupert Taylor Ltd, Saxstead, Suffolk, had previously taken reserve female breed champion at Devon County Show and female breed champion at Royal Cornwall Show. Rob said: “We were always hopeful for success here but this was never expected. It’s a fantastic day for us and we’re looking forward to the future ahead, both at the local shows later this summer and to the cow that we hope she will become.”

Standing reserve overall to Gamble was male champion Culford Hector TI +27, SRI +31, from Darren and Donna Knox, March, Cambridgeshire. Sired by Holstead Cracker and out of Culford Cherry, this 14 month old was bought as a calf at foot having been bred by C N Flack, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Judge David Murray said: “He’s a great young bull with an exceptional future ahead – a real good example of the modern British Charolais with great locomotion, topline and clean throughout.”

Darren and Donna were delighted with their win: “We’re over the moon having come here with absolutely no expectations; Hector has done well at shows locally – taking junior male interbreed, reserve breed, and junior continental champion titles at Royal Norfolk Show last week – so to be placed at an event with such a high quality turnout of cattle would have been enough.”

British Charolais Cattle Society chairman Alasdair Houston said: “We’ve had a fantastic day at the inaugural National Charolais Show at the NEC, with entries from throughout England and Wales putting on a fine display of young cattle. The event can and will go from strength to strength and we hope to attract even more entries next year.”

Female and overall-supreme champion Rumsden Gamble from R Tremayne and M Hanson

Male & Reserve Overall Champion Culford Hector from D & D Knox

Class 9 winner Charbron Harvest from Barons Cross Charolais

Reserve Female Champion Balbithan Gipsophila from Mr & Mrs A White

Class 2 winner Mortimers Genie from Mortimers Farms

Winner of class 3 Balbithan Hersieys from Mr & Mrs A White

Shamleys Honey, won class 4 for BM Robinson jnr

Class 5 winner Marne Gucci from R Tremayne & M Hanson

Mr & Mrs A White Balbithan Hanibal won class 6

Reserve Male Champion and class 8 winner Charbron Heredity from Barons Cross Charolais

Class sponsors

• Galloway & Macleod
• Harrison & Hetherington
• James Green Farm Machinery
• Kivells
• Natural Stockcare
• Rugby Farmers Market
• United Auctions Ltd
• Welshpool Livestock Sales

Exhibitors

• Balbithan, Mr & Mrs A White, Compact Farm, Worth Matravers, Dorset BH19 3LE
• Beanhill, R J & N E Kimber, Beanhill Farm, Christian Malford, Chippenham, Wilts SB15 4BS
• Cargriff, G G Morris, Mwche Farm, Llanstephan, Nr Carmethen, SA33 5HH
• Charbron, Barons Cross Charolais, (Mr & Mrs Brown), Netherlye Farm, Aymestrey, Herefordshire HR6 9TA
• Cliftonpark, JM Robinson (Mrs), Rochford Park, Nr Tenbury Wells, Worcs WR15 8SP
• Coningsby, R L Archer, Coningsby Farm, Fifield, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 2PF
• Dawson, RE Dawson, Charolais Barn, School Lane, Newton Burgoland, Leics LE67 2SL
• Dingle, R E & IR Taylor, Veryan Dingle, Colestock Corner, Cowden, Kent TN8 7EA
• Dooley, D Thornley, 30a Main Street, Hartshorne, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 7ES
• Drumshane, D H Knox, West Fen Bungalow, Whitemoor Road, March, Cambs PE15 0AF
• Marne, R Tremayne, Higher Marne Farm, Gweek, Helson, Cornwall TR12 7AF
• Montgomery, Roberts & Jones, Parc, Llangadfan, Welshpool, Powys SY21 0PJ
• Mortimers, Mortimers Farm, Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 7EA
• Oakchurch, J & A Price, Oakchurch Farm, Staunton on Wye, Herefordshire HR4 7NE
• Romer, E Lee, Craigllwyn Craigllwyn, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 9BH
• Roundshill, J C Bostock & Son, Roundshill Farm, Rouncil Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 1NN
• Sackville, BA & PT Heath, Culvers Farm Bungalow, Culvers Farm, Hartfield, E Sussex TN7 4DH
• Seawell, PM & SM Donger, Seawell Grounds, Foxley, Towcester, Northants NN12 8HW
• Shamleys,BM Robinson Jnr, Rochford Park, Nr Tenbury Wells, Worcs WR15 8SP
• Silver, DA Harman, Grove Farm, Grove Lane, Chesham, Bucks HP5 3QN
• Temeside, P Burgess, 2 Lodge Farm Cottages, Upper Rochford, Tenbury Wells, Worcs WR15 8SP
• Twomacs, McMillan & McInnes, Beech Farm, Setch Road, Black Broughend, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE32 1SL
• Waldencourt, D H Hinds, Walden Court, Pool Hill, Newent, GLos GL18 1LL
• Wissington, J Rix, Wissington Grove Farm, Nayland, Colchester, Essex CO6 4NF
• Woodline, HR Wood, Anchorage, Aldbrough, Hull, E Yorks HU11 4RZ

Classes:

Supreme Champion – Rumsden Gamble

The Champion Presentation

Male Champion - Culford Hectar
Reserve Male Champion – Charbron Heredity

The Male Presentation

Female Champion – Rumsden Gamble
Reserve Female Champion – Balbithan Gipsophilia

The Female Presentation

Best Pair – Mortimers
Reserve Best Pair – Barons Cross Charolais

The Pairs Presentation

Class 1: Female born on or between 1 Jan 2011 and 1 May 2011
1st Rumsden Gamble – Mr R Tremayne
2nd Balbithan Gipsophila – Mr & Mrs A White
3rd Wissington Geranium – Mrs J Rix
4th Mortimers Gorgeous – Messrs Mortimers Farm

Class 1 – Rumsden Gamble

Class 2:  Female born on or between 5 May 2011 and 18 Jan 2012
1st Mortimers Genie – Messrs Mortimers Farm
2nd Twomacs Grace – McMillan & McInnes
3rd Mortimers Gracious – Messrs Mortimers Farms
4th Romer Glory – Miss E Lee

Class 2 Mortimers Genie

Class 3: Female born on or between 2 Feb 2012 and 27 May 2012
1st Balbithan Hersieys – Mr & Mrs A White
2nd Wissington Happy – Mrs J Rix
3rd Charbron Honour – Barons Cross Charolais
4th Shamleys Hera – BM Robinson Jr

Class 3 Balbithan Hersieys

Class 4: Female born on or between 2 Jul 2012 and 19 Sep 2012
1st Shamleys Honey – BM Robinson Jnr
2nd Cargriff Harmony – Mr G G Morris
3rd Roundshill Hormer ET JS Bostock & Son
4th Cargriff Holly – Mr G G Morris

Class 4 Shamleys Honey

Class 5: Bull born on or between 1 Jan 2011 and 31 Dec 2011
Marne Gucci – Mr R Tremayne

Class 5

Class 6: Bull born on or between 14 Jan 2012 and 6 Mar 2012
1st Balbithan Hanibal – Mr & Mrs A White
2nd Drumshane Hugoboss – Mr D H Knox
3rd Woodline Humber – Mr H R Wood
4th Balmyle Harlequin – Roberts & Jones

Class 6 Balbithan Hanibal

Class 7: Bull born on or between 10 Mar 2012 and 7 Apr 2012
1st Culford Hector – Mr D H Knox
2nd Silver Hadrian – Mr D A Harman
3rd Seawell Harvey – PM & S M Donger
4th Waldencourt Huntsman – DH Hinds & Son

Class 7 Culford Hector

Class 8: Bull born on or between 8 Apr 2012 and 7 Jun 2012
1st Charbron Heredity – Barons Cross Charolais
2nd Mortimers Harley – Messrs Mortimers Farm
3rd Temeside Heros – Mr P Burgess
4th Seawell Holmes – PM & SM Donger

Class 8 Charbron Heredity

Class 9: Bull born on or between 4 Jul 2012 and 24 Oct 2012
1st Charbron Harvest – Barons Cross Charolais Stud
2nd Twomacs Hitman – McMillan & McInnes
3rd Roundshill Hexcellent ET – JC Bostock & Son
4th Coningsby Hancock – Mrs R L Archer

Class 9 Charbron Harvest

 General pictures from the show

The National Charolais Youth Stockjudging Final, sponsored by Weatherbys and held at the Livestock Event today was a great success. Fifty competitors turned out to compete from all over the country and judge the three classes of superb Charolais cattle kindly supplied by the National Shows Charolais exhibitors.

The Senior section was won by Gerard McShane, Northern Ireland, who topped the class with a very impressive score of 148. Second in the class with 145 points, was Karyn McArthur of Scotland, who shone with her reason giving which slightly edged her against third placed Cameron Harrison of the Border region who also scored highly with 145 points.

Stephen Taylor of Scotland headed the Intermediate class with an excellent score of 148. Second place in this class was also decided by reason giving, with Chris Walker taking second and William Moir placing third, both of whom scored of 142 points.

The Junior Section in which their were competitors as young as 8, was won by George Hollinshead of the Midlands with 143 points, an awesome score for the Junior class. Second was Andrew Adam from Scotland with just four points less at 139 and Donald Maclean from the South East with 137.The Fairway Trophy awarded for the best pair was won by Andrew Morton and Stephen Taylor from Scotland with a very impressive joint score of 286. Second from the Midlands was Joe Platt & George Hollinshead with 285 points and joint third were Gerard McShane and Kevin Reavy from Northern Ireland and Karyn McArthur and Suzie Dunn from Scotland with 284 points. As you can see the competition was extremely close.

The Special 18-21 class in which the top six competitors were asked to give reasons was won by Karyn McArthur from Scotland who will travel to Canada in November to visit the Agribition Show.

Well done to all of this years competitors. The scores were very impressive across the board and it was great to see so many enthusiastic young breeders from across. The Society thanks must go to the Sponsors of the competition Weatherbys DNA laboratory, Master judge Alasdair Houston and Steward Steven Nesbitt. Special thanks goes to Katreen Millar the National Charolais Youth coordinator for all her hard work this year and all of the regional coordinators and host farmers without whom the regional qualifiers would not have taken place.

Fairway Trophy winners from Scotland, Andrew Morton & Stephen Taylor with Alasdair Houston, John Flynn & Rebecca from sponsors Weatherbys and Society President Ralph Needham

Winner of the trip to Agribition Show in Canada is Karyn McArthur

The Senior Section 19 -26 winner from Northern Ireland Gerard McShane

Intermediate Section 15 -18 winner Stephen Taylor from Scotland

Winner of the 8 -14 Junior section – George Hollinshead from the Midlands

Simon Marsh, Senior Lecturer – Beef Cattle Specialist, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB

Farmers Weekly/Harper Adams Beef Focus farmer Simon Frost at Hopping Farm in the Derbyshire dales manages a herd 130 Spring calving Limousin x Holstein-Friesian cows that are put to high index Charolais bulls. Simon focusses on using bulls which are easy calving with below average birth weights and have high growth rates and eye muscle area EBVs. These types of bulls are termed ‘curve benders’ and can be found in all breeds.

Simon’s calves are weaned in October and intensively finished on a 16% CP home mix and ad lib big bale silage. The home mix which consists of rolled barley, oats, hipro soya, linseed and minerals is initially fed at 1.5kg per day. By 4 weeks the home mix is increased to 4kg, with 6kg by 6 weeks then 8kg by week 8 and remains at this level through to slaughter. On arrival the calves are offered top quality 1^st cut grass silage but by week 8 is replaced by mature 2^nd cut silage with higher fibre to complement the high home mix feed rate.

The following is an analysis of the performance of bull calves born in 2011 sired by 3 different bulls used in the herd in 2010.

Table 1. Bull calf performance by sire at Hopping Farm.

¹ Calving Ease Score 1 = unassisted to 5 = caesarian

² EUROP carcase classification: Conformation: P=1 and E=5, Fat class: 1=1 and 5H=7

³ The daily carcase gain calculation deducts 24kg for the calf birth carcase weight

Shown in table 2 are the EBVs and Terminal Indexes for Littlebovey Altra, Balthayock Clifford and Swalesmoor Duke compared the breed average for 2011 born bull calves.
 

Table 2. Charolais sire EBVs and Terminal Indexes at Hopping Farm compared to the breed average.

 Comments:

• The calving ease scores and birth weight results mirror the EBVs for the bulls with Clifford who has a negative Calving Ease Direct and heaviest Birth Weight EBVs resulting in the highest incidence of calving difficulty and the heaviest calf birth weights.
• The carcase weights also mirror the bulls EBVs with Clifford who has the highest 400 day weight EBV recording the heaviest carcase weight. This will also be influenced by Clifford having the lowest Fat Depth EBV allowing his bull calves to achieve heavier carcasses at similar/lower fat scores to the other two bulls.
• Daily carcase gains of 0.99-1.01kg were recorded by the calves from birth to slaughter for the three bulls.
• The bull calves from Altra recorded the highest overall carcase conformation score with 44% E and 56% U grades. Unfortunately there is not an EBV for Eye Muscle Area and Fat Depth for Altra. Pedigree breeders must be encouraged to scan cattle to identify bulls whose progeny will grade well, especially heifers that can be taken to heavier weights without getting ‘over fat’ on intensive systems. Progeny from bulls that have a positive (or low negative) Fat Depth EBV will finish easier off forage based diets.
• The main herd sires in 2013 include Maerdy Grubby, Vexour Freddy and Balthayock Elector which have superior EBVs than the bulls used in 2010-11 and so ‘hopes are high’ for further improvement in performance and a target daily carcase gain of 1.02kg from birth to slaughter.
• When Clifford was purchased his Calving Ease Direct EBV was +0.5 with a Birth Weight of +3.1kg. With increased accuracy these have changed to -4.5 and + 3.5kg respectively. Simon Frost would agree with these new (worse) figures as most of Clifford’s calves need to be assisted at birth. Clifford is therefore not a true ‘curve bender’ bull and will not be used on many cows this year. He will be a ‘back-up’ in case of any problems with any of the main stock bulls. It always pays if possible to have a ‘bull in reserve’ in case of bull fertility or health problems. The last thing you want to do is to find a replacement bull in an emergency of unknown health and breeding quality.
• This evaluation confirms again that EBVs work – have faith in them!

A vaccine to control the impact of the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in cattle and sheep is now available.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has granted MSD Animal Health a provisional market authorisation for its Bovilis® SBV vaccine as a safe and efficacious product for the control of SBV. Non-pregnant, healthy female cattle can be vaccinated intra-muscularly from two months of age. The primary vaccination course requires two 2ml doses to be given approximately four weeks apart. Non-pregnant, healthy ewes can be vaccinated sub-cutaneously from four months of age. Sheep only need a single 2ml dose.

Onset of immunity is from three weeks after the second vaccination in cattle and the single vaccination in sheep.

The UK ruminant livestock has widely welcomed the licensing of the vaccine and we anticipate product supplies being available in June in 100ml and 20ml vial sizes. This should allow most sheep producers the opportunity to vaccinate ewes before being put to the ram later in the year. Any non-pregnant female cattle over two months of age can also be vaccinated.

If you would like to discuss how vaccination could help you control the impact of the emerging Schmallenberg disease on your unit, please contact your veterinary surgeon.

Bovilis SBV Schmallenberg vaccine