Farm News
Monty Reigns Supreme at Beef Expo 17
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MORE THAN 4,000 VISITORS attended Beef Expo , organised by the National Beef Association , which recently took place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire .
The event set off to a flying start with three Beef Expo farm tours : tractor and trailer rides drove through field upon field of quality Beef Shorthorn , South Devon and Saler cross suckler cattle with calves at foot at Rodger and Tom Elliott ’ s impressive beef and sheep farm . The father and son duo explained to visitors how their farming enterprise had grown from a small family abattoir and butchers to an extensive beef and sheep operation , optimising forage from 1350 acres of majority rented pasture to produce quality native bred stores and replacement heifers .
Jane , Mike and Charlie Wills of Upper Coton Farms welcomed guests to their approved finishing unit in Guilsborough . A model arable farm and AFU , finishing 1300 head of Limousin type stores on home mixed TMR rations . Visitors viewed sheds of E and U grade cattle all bought and sold through the live market system , demonstrating quality British cattle performing exceptionally .
Berryfields Farm was the final farm tour of the day . An insightful tour promoting the benefits of an integrated supply chain , showcasing John Bells impressive 2000 head finishing unit and Feed company , Berrystock feeds . A hot beef lunch served at the Elliott ’ s farm including native heifer beef provided by their butcher ’ s shop emphasised the farm ’ s quality produce . Chris Mallon , NBA Chief Executive said : “ We hope the tours have acted as a knowledge sharing exercise , allowing
Monty reigns supreme
farmers to view new ideas in practise , some of which they can take home and apply within their own businesses . We would like to thank the farm tour hosts for allowing the NBA access to their operations .”
The Beef Expo kicked off with the Commercial Cattle Show . A tough competition , but again the Welsh came out on top in the Championships !
Overall Supreme Championship and Champion Steer was taken by “ Monty ”, a Limousin Steer , owned by B E Williams .
The Overall Reserve Champion and Champion Heifer was won by JM & SM Rowlands with “ Cheeky Girl ” a Limousin Heifer .
Reserve Champion Steer was won by a British Blue “ Panda ” shown by T Jones and Reserve Champion Heifer was taken by Neil Slack with his Limousin Heifer “ Rio ”
The Baby Beef Championships were dominated by the Heifers , The Champion Baby Beef was won by T & K Bodily with “ Serena ” By the British Blue bull Dragons Blues Factor , it tipped the scale at 343kgs . Reserve Championship went to E & S Layton with “ Lady De Beaut ”.
Alicia Legg claimed first place , in the Young Handlers ’ Competition .
Beef Expo hosted the South Devon Technical Performance Championships for the first time this year . Judge David Thomas found his champion in the February 2015-born heifer Eyton Sas Lolita 10 from Connor Whitehead of the Conam herd , Telford .
Newton Rigg college team receive the Duke of Northumberland trophy
The seminar programme was very well attended with industry specialists covering a wide range of topics . The younger generation competed for the title of Future Beef Farmer of the Year : Winning team mates awarded the NBA ’ s Duke of Northumberland Trophy were Amy Wilson , Will Rogerson , Matthew Fearon and Jack Baldwyn of Newton Rigg College , while the winner of the individual class , Tom Sellers , received the NBA Frank Momber Memorial Trophy .
Winner of the Best Breed Society Stand was awarded to the Aberdeen Angus .
Best Indoor Stand was won by Meadow Quality and Best Outdoor Trade Stand was awarded to TeeMore Engineering .
Chris Mallon commented : “ This event has shown how robust the beef industry is , coming back from the poor prices of spring 2016 . Our farm tours were hosted by examples of the excellence of British beef production , which leads Europe in terms of welfare , quality and provenance . As usual I thank the supply industry for their continued support of the NBA providing stands and sponsorship .”
12 Summer 2017 www . farmers-mart . co . uk