The annual showcase event for the UK beef industry, organised by the National Beef Association, is growing in stature every year and now requires more exhibition space to accommodate an expanding range of livestock demonstrations, educational/advisory exhibits, seminars and trade stands.

“Newark is an excellent venue in the centre of England and close to the AI which is one of the main arterial routes in the country,” said NBA director, Kim Haywood.

“The showground is already home to the Newark and Notts Show each May and the Lamma machinery show in January and offers a first-class range of facilities for a major specialist event such as Beef Expo which attracts thousands of beef farmers, meat processors, butchers and other industry professionals from throughout the UK and Ireland each year, as well as visitors from overseas.”

The organisation of the event will be in the hands of a local committee chaired by Mrs Rachel Gascoine, who is a director of both Newark Livestock Market Ltd and a family farming business with extensive beef interests in both Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity of hosting this important event for the beef industry at Newark and look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the country, and further afield, to Nottinghamshire,” said Ms Gascoine.

“Beef Expo is going from strength to strength each year and is firmly established as the flagship event for the beef industry in the UK, involving all sectors of the supply chain from primary producer to supermarket and butcher.”

Features of Beef Expo will include the National Spring Spectacular Show of haltered suckled calves and store cattle, breed society exhibits, stockjudging competitions, machinery demonstrations, seminars and trade stands.

On the day before, Wednesday, May 25, there will be visits to two beef farms in the Notts area, and also the first part of the National Spring Spectacular which will include a show and sale of unhaltered prime cattle at Newark Livestock Market, in conjunction with the market’s weekly sale of prime stock which is the biggest in the country. This will be followed by the annual dinner in the Dome at Kelham Hall on the outskirts of Newark which can accommodate up to 500 guests.

The NBA’s corporate development consultant, Euan Emslie, who has organised the last nine Beef Expo’s, has been appointed organiser for the 2011 event.

Beef Expo is held at a different venue each year and in recent years has been held at Hexham (2010), Malvern (2009), Perth (2008), Skipton (2007), Carlisle (2006), Builth Wells (2005), Edinburgh (2004), Aberdeen (2003) and Wooler (2002)

Further information and sponsorship and trade stand enquiries to the event organiser, Euan Emslie, on Tel: 01430 441870. Fax: 01430 448432. Mobile: 07718 908523. Email: euan@appliedremedies.co.uk Website: www.beefexpo.co.uk, or Helen Dobson, NBA Office, Tel: 01434 601005, Email: helen@nationalbeefassociation.com

The competition was divided into three classes with sixteen herds entered. Also there were prizes for the best bull and best heifer calf born in 2010 and for the best new entrant.

Ian said after the judging: “I was looking for uniformity in the herds, not necessarily size only and I felt all my first prize winners had these attributes. The best calf prizes were not easily judged, particularly the bull calf section. Here I saw some very good entries and I look forward to seeing how they perform in due course.

The heifer calves also took much consideration with some really excellent cow prospects amongst them.”

Large herd

1^st – Rosemead      – P C Stovold & son

2^nd- Easton Greys  – M P Green Esq.

3^rd – Rycote Park  –  Messrs B J Taylor

Medium herd

1^st – Warrenho        – A E & C R Bishop

2^nd – Sunoak        -    R K Booker

3^rd -  Frickley       -     Mr & Mrs D Isaac

Small herd

1^st – Kingwood     –     Mr & Mrs M Spooner

2^nd – McClemens    –  Brenham Estates

3^rd – Annington         -  D R Vick

Best Bull Calf

Easton Greys Esterell K471 by Oakchurch Denzel

Best Heifer Calf

Kingwood  Willa K077 by Kiltariff Dynamic.

Best New Entrant

Rycote Park

Master judge was well known breeder John Coultrip who runs the Wingfield herd in Kent. Highly qualified for the job, John is a past President of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and has judged the length and breadth of the country including the Royal Highland Show earlier this year.

The Small herds category features entries form breeders with up to nine breeding females. Topping the section here was Augher-based breeder Margaret Buchanan who runs the highly successful Sess herd. Adding his congratulations at the recent barbecue held at Dungannon Rugby Club was Leo Colgan Agri Business Manager for the Northern Bank, Magherafelt.

Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt presents an award to Margaret Buchanan, Augher owner of the Best Small Herd

Runner up in the Small Herd Section of the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herds Competition was the herd of Gary Hanna from Ballyclare who is pictured receiving his award from Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt and his wife Nikki. Looking on is Robin Lamb, Chairman, N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club.

Trevor Wallace, Dromore secured second place with his recently established Taughblane herd with well known breeder Robert Campbell featuring in third place with his Lister herd based at Seaforde, Co Down.

The herd of Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge won the award for the Best Medium Herd

There was stiff competition in the Medium herds section with a large entry from all six counties. Judge John Coultrip selected Alan and Naomi Morrison with the top honours here with their Drummeer herd at Maguiresbrisge.

The herd of Robert Suffern and son Keith from Maghera came runner up in the Medium Herd section and won the cup for the Best Stock Bull in the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd Competition. The prizes were presented at the Club's Annual Barbecue in Dungannon by John Coultrip, Kent, front left, Judge and Leo Colgan, rear left, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt, Sponsors.

Robert Sufferin featured in second place with his Tattymullan herd which was formed in 2004. Third place in the Medium section was Sidney Cromie, Banbridge with his 2009 formed Prospect herd.

Alwyn and Carol Armour gained first place in the Large herds section with their Woodvale prefix. This is a consistent prize winning herd that features regularly in the Annual Herds competition.

Neville and Ivan Forsythe's Moneymore herd came second in the Large Herd section and they won the cup for the Best Cow Family in the N.I. Aberdeen Angus Club Herd Competition. The prizes were presented at the Club's Annual Barbecue in Dungannon. Included are back from left: John Coultrip, Kent, Judge of the competition; Ivan and Neville Forsythe and Leo Colgan, Agri Business Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt, Sponsors. Front: Claire Forsythe, Dianne Forsythe and Demi Clarke, Moneymore.

Ivan and Neville Forsythe were in second place with their Coltrim herd,  followed by first time entrants Alastair and Nancy Hall who chalked up third place with their Beechview herd which is situated just outside Antrim.

The coveted “Best Cow Family” was awarded to Ian and Neville Forsythe with their terrific Ivanna family which was described by John Coultrip as “outstanding”. This is one of the most hotly contested parts of the competition as it represents years of successful breeding to produce quality females and uniformity within the herd.

Robert Sufferin was delighted to win the “Best Stock Bull” prize for his highly regarded Ladeside Erin Z015. Sired by Tui Eriexis, this bull is already pleasing with progeny on the ground.

The final award of the evening was for the “Best Calf”. John Coultrip described this as the hardest part of the competition to place as there were so many exciting prospects in the herds that he visited. Claiming top prize here was the Woodvale herd of Alwyn and Carol Armour with Woodvale Kool Papa. This bull calf has a terminal index of +32 and a self replacing index of +45.

Robin Lamb, Chairman of the NI Aberdeen-Angus Club congratulated breeder’s on their success at the Annual Herds Competition, and to the Northern Bank for their generosity in their sponsorship of this important event in the Club’s calender. He went on to thank Mr Coultrip for acting as master judge and commended him on the efficiency with which he under took his task.

The deal – which is between Devon-based UK Sire Services and Parana-based Araucaria, one of the top cattle breeding companies in Brazil – follows years of liaison with Brazilian agents and trade missions between the two countries. The order represents close to 10 per cent of Brazil’s annual Angus semen imports, the remainder of which comes mostly from North America.

“We have worked for many years to reach this point,” says Rob Wills, director of UK Sire Services. “We have established agents in different countries, brought them to the UK to see the depth of quality and diversity of British genetics, and listened carefully to what each country and each company requires.

“Then, and only then, have we been able to start the selection process.

“Brazil has been a target country for several years, particularly for Angus semen which is on an enormous growth curve for cross-breeding on the Bos indicus Nelore cattle,” he continues.  “And the fact that British Angus beef is produced largely from grass and forage – similar to that in Brazil but unlike grain-fed beef reared in North America – has worked in our favour.”

Other strong selling points include the fact that the UK is home to the Aberdeen Angus breed and does not use hormones to achieve its good results for growth and conformation.

Marcelo Vezozzo, the owner and operator of Araucaria has been very specific in his demands, according to Mr Wills.

“Mr Vezozzo and his team, who have been to the UK to inspect animals, are looking for high genetic merit bulls in the top one per cent for calving traits and growth but with an emphasis on moderate frame score and ‘softness’,” he says. “That is to say, they need slightly more fat cover than usual for the UK market, while the bulls are required to be smaller than those that suit many UK tastes.”

Bulls which are represented in the order come from throughout the UK, including the Blackhaugh and Tofts herds from the Scottish borders; the Melview and Nightingale herds from the Westcountry; and the Rosemead, McClemens, Warrenho and Lockerley herds from Southern and Home Counties.

All bulls are collected at one of two UK Sire Services premises, in either Devon or Kelso.

“We are absolutely focussed on gaining maximum export exposure for each of our owners’ bulls, whatever the breed, and we’re delighted to have secured such a significant order for so many British farmers,” says Mr Wills.

“Brazil already imports over one million straws of Angus semen a year, having increased its imports by a staggering 374 per cent in the past five years.

“We had set ourselves the target of gaining 10 per cent of that market within three years, but we have got there in one. This represents by far the biggest single beef semen export this country has had for years – and we must continue to build on it quickly.”

Ron McHattie, chief executive of the UK’s Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society adds: “This order is hugely important for the profile of the UK breed because historically we have been importers of Aberdeen Angus genetics.

“This is the first major export of this size and it’s a reflection of the strength of the Aberdeen Angus genetic pool, in so far that overseas breeders are now actively using our genetics in their breeding programmes.”

Andrew Elliot, who uses Angus bulls on his extensively managed suckler herd near Galashiels on the Scottish borders, says three of his bulls will contribute to the consignment.

“For the Brazilian breeders who visited our farm, I’d say the thought of having to handle cattle to calve them would be incomprehensible,” says Mr Elliot, who adds that he too sees calving ease as a ‘necessity’ and ‘not a luxury’.

Also looking for animals that are moderate in size when they are mature, he says he seeks Estimated Breeding Values for growth rates in the top 10 percent, and ‘easy fleshing’ progeny for better finishing and over-wintering.

Blackhaugh Time F610

Commenting that one of his bulls – Blackhaugh Time F610 – has up to 1,500 calves on the ground in the UK already, he adds: “Reports of their calving ease as well as their growth rates and quality give me complete confidence that these bulls will produce what the Brazilian market demands.”

Taking place on the 29^th September 2010 at Exeter Livestock Centre (9am-5pm) the event will be jam packed with demonstrations, breed society stands, showing and various competitions. It will also welcome the star guest Alan Henson from BBC Countryfile.

Here are some of the events that will be taking place during the day:

• Young farmers Great Debate
• Showing classes with more than £4000 prize money on offer
• South West yearling bull of the year
• Suckled calf competition and Moorland Challenge
• Young Farmers stock judging
• Young showman of the Year
• Asda suckler and dairy beef feature
• EBLEX carcass grading
• South West healthy livestock initiative
• Eye muscle scanning
• EID and handling cattle safely
• Butchery and cookery demonstration
• Rib of beef completion
• Mini food festival

The event also includes a pre-event farm walk which takes place on the 28^th September at 2.30pm and Patrick and Sheila Greed’s Limousin and commercial beef unit. That night will also see the Beef Event supper at 7.30pm with tickets priced at £12/head.

For more information on the event or to book places for the farm walk or event supper email info@beefsouthwest.co.uk or call 01392 278801 or go to www.beefsouthwest.co.uk

Tickets for the event are priced at £10 and £5 for children under 16 and Young Farmer’s. There will be a free park and ride service from the A30 next to the Devon Hotel.

Sian Sharp with her Aberdeen-Angus floral display at the National Show

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Gail Matchett and Libby Clarke go through the entries already received

The closing date for entries of the Inaugural Native Breeds Championships is drawing close and James Graham, Director of Agriculture reminds breeders to complete their entries without delay.

“We are very excited now after months of organising to be at the stage when entries are now being received daily. It is not long now until our closing date of Friday 20th August, and I would encourage interested parties to get their forms in the post.”

Sponsorship for the Native Breeds Championships has been coming in thick and fast as organisers successfully promote the merits of the event. Designed to show case Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn and Hereford cattle this is a totally unique event for Northern Ireland and further afield.

The Native Breeds Championships is set to take place on Saturday 18th September at the People’s Park, Portadown. It will be held in conjunction with the “Country Comes To Town” festival which brings over 10,000 visitors to the district each year.

Entry forms are available by contacting Libby Clarke 07775584884 or email nativebreedschampionships@gmail.com

Interviewer Tom Heap speaks to Pual and Kirsty Westaway, Gloucester, about what makes the perfect steak and how important DNA analysis is in the search for that perfect product.

The Lakewood Herd owned by Martin and June Whiting, of Morpeth, Northumberland has been recognised by EBLEX as the Most Improved Herd for the Aberdeen Angus breed.

The award is presented by the EBLEX Beef Better Returns Programme (Beef BRP), to the recorded herd that shows the greatest genetic gain for commercial traits over a 12-month period. There is a separate award for each of ten UK breeds.

June and Martin Whiting of the Lakweood herd

The Whitings have a 55ha hill farm which reaches 273 metres above sea-level. They bought the farm in 1994, setting up a livery business and a herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cows and followers.

The herd was established with two heifers purchased from the Rawburn Herd by Martin Whiting’s mother many years ago, and has gradually built up to 22 by retaining female replacements.  The cows were initially served by AI, until the first stock bull was bought in 2004.

Mr Whiting appreciates the low maintenance requirements of the breed which suits the farm. “They are easy to manage and are low input,” he explains. “They are very good grazers and derive all the energy they need from the different grass varieties in our permanent pasture.”

The herd calves from early March indoors and is turned out to grass a few days later.  The bull serves the mature cows from mid-June; the young heifers are served by AI. They stay on grass until weaning in October when the animals are housed.

All the stock is sold to pedigree breeders. Bulls reared are sold back to the Rawburn Herd at six to seven months of age, as there is not enough room to rear them on farm.

Mr Whiting selects which heifers to keep and which to sell when they are a year old.  Those not required are sold at two years of age as ‘heifers in calf’, through the Aberdeen Angus ‘Best of the Blacks’ sale at St. Boswells.

Keeping track of performance

Mr Whiting started performance recording in 2004, measuring weights initially, but started scanning for muscle depth last year. As many Aberdeen Angus pedigree breeders record, Mr Whiting feels it crucial to have figures to back his claims when selling stock.

“The days of selling cattle to pedigree breeders without figures to talk about are long gone,” says Mr Whiting. “Performance recording is a phenomenal management and marketing tool. I would be lost without it, especially since we started scanning. Having the ability to see the quality and size of muscle, goes a long way to confirming your belief in an animal.”

Mr Whiting uses Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to select heifers to keep based on good milk figures, easy calving and growth rate.  Bulls are selected for similar criteria, with growth and muscle area considered as well.

In 2009, home-bred bull, “Lakewood Prince Maverick” was in the top 1% within the breed for eye muscle at +7.8. His Angus Terminal Sire figure was +49 and Self Replacement Index +63.

Before being sold last year, he was highest placed native breed in the Interbreed Beef class at the Royal Highland Show, and was placed second in the Aberdeen Angus class.

Commenting on the award, Mr Whiting paid credit to this bull and his contribution to the herd. “In the future I want to increase herd numbers a little, and hope to produce some more top sires to follow in Prince Maverick’s footsteps!”

John Elliot, of Kelso, Scotland is a long standing customer and friend, supplying and buying from the Lakewood Herd for many years.  One of the attractions is that it is a closed herd; all the genetics originate from the first two heifers purchased from Mr Elliot’s Rawburn Herd.

The Rawburn Herd of 200 pedigree Aberdeen Angus cows has the highest terminal and self replacing indices in the country.  John Elliot and his father have developed a market for selling yearling bulls – up to 50 each year – straight from their performance test, at 400 days of age, when bulls are weighed and scanned, and the best are sold.  Through buying back his bull calves at six to seven months of age, this system allows them to pay Mr.Whiting a premium.

“Martin is a very easy character to work with,” says Mr Elliot. “He is very enthusiastic, honest and easy to get along with.

“He has had some great achievements with the Lakewood Herd; selling Prince Maverick to the Galawater Herd – one of the most respected herds in the country.  His heifers averaged over £2000 each at the Best of Blacks sale at St Boswells.”

Capitalise on improved breeding

“While beef prices are relatively high, now is the time for pedigree and commercial producers to capitalise on improved breeding,” says EBLEX breeding specialist Samuel Boon.

“It is definitely worth taking time when buying stock bulls and replacement heifers to source genetics that will have the greatest economic impact on the herd.

“By recording the performance of their animals, pedigree producers like Martin are allowing other farmers to make informed purchasing decisions rather than leaving it to chance, and hoping the chosen animals will deliver on commercially important traits.

“All the winners of the Improved Herd Awards record the performance of their herds, providing valuable information so their customers can produce animals that meet farmer, processor, retailer and consumer demand, as efficiently as possible.

“I congratulate Martin and June on the excellent job they are doing with the Lakewood Herd and the Aberdeen Angus breed.”

Tickets are priced at £15 each and Club Chairman Robin Lamb extends a warm welcome to everyone.

NI Aberdeen Angus Club Chairman Robin Lamb and Vice Chairman John Blackburn put in an order with Clayton Moore of M & W Meats

“The Barbeque is always a really enjoyable evening, and once again we will be enjoying steaks from M&W Meats, Portadown. Results for the Annual Herds Competition will be announced on the evening and a special reminder goes to entrants to attend.”

To reserve your tickets contact Club Secretary Gail Matchett 07732126273