Noel comes early for First Time Exhibitors from Shropshire!

What a start to their Hereford Showing Career for new members P&E Williams from Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire!

Although they chose a local show for their first time out, the Christmas Calf Show held at Shrewsbury Livestock Market, has now established itself as the largest single show of Herefords in Europe!

This year was no exception, with 136 calves entered from all over Britain, many of them winners from previous shows held in 2012.

However, the Williams family took their only entry, 14 month old Romany 1 Julia D1 J42, along to Shrewsbury Mart to compete with the best and were not disappointed, first winning a strong class, then the Grand Female Championship and finally to complete a marvellous day the Supreme Championship. “Julia” bred by JRB Wilson & Sons from Kelso, Scottish Borders is out of Romany 1 Julia D22 E65 and by herd sire SMH Castro 0001 ET was purchased at the October Show & Sale in Hereford. Mr Phil Williams of Alderoak Herefords quipped, following Julia’s success, “we should retire from showing with a 100% record, as it doesn’t get much better than this!”

Following in Julia’s wake, throughout the show was 15 month old Frenchstone P 1 Boo from LR & AM Ayre, South Molton, Devon, finishing as Reserve Supreme & Reserve Grand Female Champion. “Boo” is out Severnvale Regina bred Mr Edward Mills, Bristol and by Bosa 1 Mr Bean bred by Mr Gerald Blandford, Bosbury, Herefordshire. Frenchstone P 1 Boo has had a successful show season culminating in taking the Reserve Supreme and Grand Female Champions at the recent National Calf Show at Agri-Expo, Carlisle.

Although the Females took the plaudits and the eye of Judge, Mr Remi Fourrier, Export Manager for Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHBD) based in Paris, there was no shortage of quality in the Male section with 66 bull calves entered.

Taking the Grand Male Championship was 14 month old Dendor 1 Jethro from DE, ED & AL Jones, Caersws, Powys. The National Christmas Calf Show has been a good hunting ground for the Jones family taking the Supreme Championship in both 2010 & 2011. “Jethro” is another calf out of the successful ‘Molly family’, this time out of Dendor 1 Molly 26th and by stock sire Hawkesbury 1 Prosper. “Prosper” was bred by D & E Colledge, Hawkesbury Herefords, Coventry, Warwickshire, who had success in their own right, being awarded the Reserve Grand Male Championship with Hawkesbury 1 Vespa. “Vespa”, a nine month old bull calf, is out of former Royal Show Champion Hawkesbury 1 Vollie-Vont and by Dorepoll 1 499 Emperor, the 2008 Christmas Calf Show Supreme Champion.

The Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association (HCBA) have developed the Christmas Calf Show since its inception some five years ago and have added an International dimension to the show by obtaining judges from the Republic of Ireland, Denmark and now France. Remi has been a great ally of the Hereford Breed over many years and has been influential in developing the Breed in France. He stated that membership had now grown to 90 Hereford Breeders in France and added that “not one of them had a single animal for sale, as demand for Hereford beef was strong and they also look to increase their herd size.” He reported that “top chefs and restaurants in France, particularly in Paris, now acknowledge the merits of British Beef and specifically knew and recognised the quality of Hereford Beef.” He added that the large retailer Metro had re-launched it Premier Beef range of ‘Vintage Hereford Beef’ following an arrangement with Foyle’s Food Group based in Northern Ireland.