2008 REPORT

by Pauline Barker

Another yo-yo year for the South West Club and many others, I’m sure. Last year, Foot and Mouth and the weather. This year, Blue Tongue and again the weather, (at least a topic of conversation!) We did manage to get some sunny days in September and October, when many relieved farmers managed to salvage some of their harvest. Enough gloom and doom.

The Bristol Sale in May was a success though a little disappointing, only 4 Bulls sold. Male Champion was Mr. & Mrs Leedham’s Grangewood Trademark selling for 3300gns. Reserve Champion was Wishful Vegas from Mr. & Mrs. D. Mills at 2800gns. Female Champion was Heywood Viola 4th from D. Barker selling for 2000gns also the same price was realised for Mr. & Mrs. J. Kimbers’, Oakhill Nelly 14th.

Russell Jones of Schering Plough, speaking about cattle health and related issues, to a well attended meeting with audience participation, and they kindly sponsored a buffet supper for everyone.

The Club’s team gained a second place in the interbreed Quiz, narrowly pipped by the South Devons.

Those members who joined the Congress at different events were pleased with its success, also those who went on the trip to Ireland had a great weekend, seeing good cattle and great hospitality and entertainment.

We had a herd visit to Peter and Sarah Burgess’ Tilbrook herd, firstly we visited a great commercial herd of Mr. Bill Adams, the cattle were a credit to him and Ed Dudley. Some 200 breeding Simmental and Simmental X cows with Simmental and Angus calves at foot. It was a very uniformed herd with good progeny at foot, and then on to Peter Burgess, the shower of rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits seeing a very good herd of cattle, with promising young stock following on. Many thanks to everyone especially for the great lunch that family and friends provided.

Beef and Growing Cattle, South West at Hatherleigh in September caused interest at our stand. I don’t think as many came through the gates as in 2006, as it was a dry, sunny day, and many were harvesting. Many thanks to David Edwards for providing cattle for the stand, Jack Ellicott and Laura Darch for the stand display and everyone else whom helped on the stand etc.

Also thanks to Jack and Laura and their helpers for the hard work put into the Devon County Show stand.

Over 30 members and friends had a visit to Jeff and Viv’s Chegwidden herd right at the tip of Cornwall, after travelling through rain and fog, the afternoon was sunny and warm, as was the outstanding hospitality and seeing a great herd of cattle, thank-you very much.

South West Club visit to Viv and Jeff Hall’s Chegwidden Herd

A sale of Multi-breed sale of Simmentals and Angus was held at Bristol Sale Centre in October which proved a success despite the financial climate. There was a demand for good cattle with Messrs Curry’s bull, Winford Valiant weighing 1012kgs top priced at 3000gns, closely followed by T Ford’s, Shebdon Valiant at 2900gns. P. Burgess’, Tilbrook Vanilla topped the females at 2100 gns

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