2010 Report
by Penny Lally

Another year has whizzed past in the Cornwall Club. As usual we have had a busy programme of events, starting in JANUARY with our annual dinner which was well attended and much enjoyed by us all.

FEBRUARY saw our regular tussle with the South Devon Club with a quiz. It was our turn to host and our Quiz master Ed Buckland set some challenging questions....We won thanks to some with brains still working !!!

MARCH. We hosted an open meeting with Nick Munce from IGENITY where about 30, representing several different beef breeds, attended. We were brought up to date with the amazing possibilities of targeted selection using the genetic data provided through the work of available provided through the work of IGENITY

APRIL offered a similar meeting with Barbara Webster from BREED PLAN talking about ABRI and explaining the development of estimated breeding values and their application in the beef breeding world. Barbara helpfully demonstrated how to make greater use of the search facilities on the Society website. This additional knowledge should prove a useful aid for members in making decisions about suitable bloodlines to improve their herds.

BRISTOL SALE was succesfull for David Nicholas(Pentor) with Chyanhal Wilbur, Barry Wynter (Bolankin) with Amadeus, Kevin Thomas (Crowgey)with Atlas,(who achieved one of the top 4 prices). The Hawkeys, Gummows and David Allen all purchased females to add to their herds.

MAY and a farm walk to visit the Wellatree Herd of the Buckland family. We much enjoyed seeing the cattle , looking very well, and tried out our new Marquee with a pasty lunch, as a dummy run for the Royal Cornwall.

JUNE Glorious weather graced the ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW once again. Brian Allan (Glenturk) travelled from Scotland to judge and hopefully was impressed with our show and the standard of cattle before him. Boddington Estates took the Championship with Rhapsody, but the Gummow family , with their new bull Lakeside Warrior (affectionally known as Bob, for obvious reasons !) Was Male Champion ,delighting the first time exhibitors, and then going on the next day with Rhapsody, to take Reserve Interbreed ,behind the Limousins. Our club was well represented with cattle from the Bosahan, Bolankin,Cathedral, Chyanhal,Crowgey,Killiworgie.Pentor and Sowenna herds, all of which gained well deserved tickets. Our brand new Hospitality Marquee was ably hosted by Ed Buckland and William Bolitho making everyone welcome with drinks and eats, a great place to meet up and relax and chat to friends. A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped erect and dismantle the marquee and for our super smart kitchen , of which we are very proud .

The Cornwall club was well represented by members at the local shows during the summer flying the flag for Simmentals with good cattle as always. Stithians was a particularly good day for James Berry. For many years James has supported the local one day shows , and the judge, David Field awarded Cathedral Atlantis the Simmental Championship. Then, with the Hawkeys’ Sowenna Willow and the Gummows’Lakeside Warrior, went on to beat ALL in the Interbreed Group. Well done to everyone who makes the effort to support the local shows , you do the breed proud.

AUGUST. Some club members took off to Omagh in N.Ireland for their Elite Female sale. This was a real eye opener and we saw some terrific females on show. We enjoyed wonderful hospitality as always, even looking at Omorga cattle in the dark!! (The shapes were pretty good silhouetted against the rainy sky!!)The sale was exciting (very Irish!) and record prices were achieved. Some members went on to visit the Lakeside and Cleenagh herds the following day.

SEPTEMBER. We arranged a club meeting combined with a herd visit to Killiworgie Farm to introduce NEIL SHAND to members. this was an opportunity for everyone to meet and chat to our new Breed Secretary ,informally, whilst walking around the cattle and over a sumptuous lunch generously provided by Gill and Steve. Opinions were aired and hopefully everyone will continue to put ideas and suggestions directly to Neil, who is always pleased to talk to members

CLUB VISIT TO SCOTLAND. A smaller number than usual travelled North to Scotland for our annual getaway! We had a super time and were treated to wonderful Scottish hospitality. We saw great cattle at Broombrae,Team,Dirnanean and Dargill . We sampled the Famous Grouse Whiskey which inspired a new synchronised male dance routine at a bus stop in Perth !! Thank you so much to all our hosts ,we really enjoy our visits to Scotland. As is customary I have written another silly poem to sum up our stay.

OCTOBER. The BRITSOL SALE was, to put it mildly, a bit depressing, if you were trying to sell a bull! There was a marked absence of bidders for bulls. Females sold well, James Berrys’ Cathedral Shannon and her twin bull calves topping the market .The Burytown Herd production consignment of eleven spring 2009 heifers sired by Corskie Radium and Sterling Rochester achieved an average of £1714.50..We hope for a better sale in the spring.

NOVEMBER. Our AGM with a presentation from a representative, Tim Dart from SW Regional Development Agency re. The S.W. Healthy Herd Initiative. And the results of the Herd Competition Judged by, and prizes presented by, Lionel Pascoe

DECEMBER. Cornwall club are hosting an open meeting , inviting other breeds, and vets, to hear IAN PRITCHARD from S.A.C speak on the Herd Health Scheme, hopefully clearing up any confusion members feel.

CORNWALL CLUB HERD COMPETITON RESULTS 2010 ;

(To follow after AGM on Nov 9)

Congratulations to Cornwall Club members, Gill and Steve Gummow, James Berry and Barry Wynter who also belong to the South West Club in doing so well in their Herd competition , the Gummows winning overall, beating strong competition from all in the South West.

Our club is a vibrant and busy one with members keen to learn and travel to see other herds to give a wider prospective on the sort of cattle we aspire to. This is paying dividends as the quality of our herds are improving year on year. Thank you to all members for your support and keep up the good work and fun we all enjoy.

2009 club report

2008 club report

2007 club report

2006 club report

2005 club report

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