On Saturday 17th February, the genuine dispersal sales of the Widhill and Donnie herds will take place at Worcester Livestock Market. With 115 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus forward, both dispersals will include the sale of cows with calf/in calf, maiden and served heifers and bulls, providing a great opportunity for purchase from two herds with excellent bloodlines and conformation for breeders and commercial producers looking for genuine, sound cattle.
Providing foreword for the sale catalogue, John Winning of the Widhill herd says:
‘’I followed my father and grandfather into dairy farming form the age of 15 until 1996. With the help of my wife Becky, we progressed into beef farming in 2001 running a Pedigree Aberdeen-Angus bull.
‘’The purchase of 2 “Penguin” cows in 2006 and joining the Society in 2009 meant the Widhill Herd was born. The build-up began in more earnest with the purchase of heifers from Warrenho, Blackacre, Boscombe, Sandy City and Glympton.
‘’We have used various AI bulls, Netherton Mr Radar, Te Mania Emperor, Wedderlie Ebservant, SAV Solid Gold, Oakchurch Duster and Oakchurch Evor. Our most recent purchase was Oakchurch Firefox at the Society’s Southern Sale, Worcester 2017 for 3,800gns. He is the service Sire for the majority of the females and should, hopefully, prove to be an astute purchase.
‘’We sold the commercial side of the beef enterprise to concentrate on the pedigrees and began PCHS herd testing in January 2015. We have bred for ease of calving, good temperament and good mothering. The herd is of good quality and well cared for. We have taken the decision to disperse the herd before increasing age, old injuries and lack of subsequent generations makes it too difficult to carry on. We look forward to seeing you at the sale.’’ (McCartney’s: Official Sale Catalogue)
Felix McDaid of the Donnie herd has also spoken prior to the dispersal, saying:
‘’Although I come from a farming background my business is not connected with agriculture, however I have always wanted to start my own herd. In 2006 I purchased my first commercial stock and from then it was my ambition to start a herd of Pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle.
‘’The Donnie herd was established in 2010 with a purchase from John Moss, Glebe Farm, with further purchases followed from Rulesmains, Inkpen, Rawburn and the Houghton Herds. The initial herd sire was Glympton To Bee, he proved very successful and we have retained several of his heifers and bull calves. The current herd sire is Fenland My Prize. He was purchased from John Elliot (Rawburn) having won Male Champion Royal Highland Show 2016. The majority of the females are in calf to him and should be an exciting prospect.
‘’I deeply regret having to disperse the herd but my own health issues with severe back/spine problems has forced me to take this difficult decision. I very much hope that you will be able to come to the sale and look forward to welcoming you.’’ (McCartney’s: Official Sale Catalogue)
You can view the full sale catalogue by clicking here. We look forward to seeing you at the sale and wish the best of luck to all at Widhill and Donnie for their dispersals and future endeavours.