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