We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Cross-bred cattle dominate English Winter Fair
WITH entries up across the board in the cattle section the strong line-up of beef cattle was led by two cross-bred entries.
Taking the supreme cattle title was Phil and Sharon Sellers of Kilburn, Derbyshire, with Fantasia - a Charolais cross heifer, which was fresh from success at the East of England Winter Stock Festival where it took the overall title.
Born in June 2008 this heifer was bred by Jim Mills of Builth Wells and bought privately by Phil and Sharon who have been buying cattle from Mr Mills for 15 years. The heifer is by Brynthomas Oswald and out of a Limousin-cross dam.
The inter-breed judging at the English Winter Fair is carried out by two judges, one from the pedigree section and one from the cross-bred section. Rob Rattray, a butcher from Aberystwyth, officiated in the cross-bred section and said this was the animal he would most like to see hung up in his own shop.
Later in the auction, conducted by Bagshaws, the title winner made £3,500 going to Richard Taylor of Owen Taylor and Sons butchers, Leabrooks, Derbyshire.
In reserve was the home-bred British Blue cross steer, Mr X Factor, from Berwyn Hughes of Lampeter, Ceredigion. This April 2008-born steer is by an unregistered pedigree British Blue sire and out of a Limousin cross Aberdeen-Angus dam. It later sold at £2,100 to Rob Rathway.
Reserve in the cross-bred steer judging was Christine Williams and Paul Tippetts of Shifnal, Shropshire, with a 17-month-old Limousin cross steer by Solomon.
The British Blue sired Lady Gaga from Michael and Melanie Alford of Cullompton, Devon, took reserve in the cross-bred heifer section. This August 2008-born heifer was bred by Trefor Jones of Caernarfon and bought at the Ruthin show potentials sale last February.
The Alford family also took top honours in the baby beef judging with a Limousin-cross heifer, Poker Face, bred by Christopher Dick of Stirling and bought for £1,500 at Caledonian marts. The heifer is by Attila, which is stock bull at Ian and Wendy Callion’s herd.
Mark Harryman of Keswick, Cumbria, took the reserve in this section with a home-bred Limousin-cross steer, Ronaldo, by Snoopy.
In the pedigree section Christine Williams and Paul Tippets won with Wilodge Destroyer, a June 2008-born Solomon sired heifer.
In reserve was an Aberdeen-Angus heifer, Lockerley Black Butterfly H947, from Michael Kirkby from Holsworthy, Devon.
