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SOUTH DEVON HERD BOOK SOCIETY Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ. Tel: 01392 447494 Fax: 01392 447495

www.sdhbs.org.uk info@sdhbs.org.uk PATRON: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES

NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

Accounts 3 BCMS statistics 13 AGM Dinner 4 Tour de France 14 Frame Scores 5 Direct Selling; LEAF; Beef

Stockman Competition 15

Midland Club Sale schedule 7 Health issues 16 Farm Walks 9 Diary; Beef Better Returns 18 Officer elections 10 New members 19 National Show 11 Intro membership; and finally 21 Show support 12 Linda’s Trophy nomination form 23 Dear Member, As I write some real signs of Spring are emerging – warm sunshine, the grass beginning to grow, and the first primroses in the sunnier spots. It has been a very long and difficult winter but I am pleased to give details of events which herald some fresh activities and some new trade! The Spring Show & Sale catalogue is enclosed – an interesting line-up of 55 bulls and 33 heifers should give plenty of choice to buyers, and we look forward to a buoyant sale. All animals will be inspected by our independent vet, Mr Duncan Findlay, and newly revised frame score tables will be used to calculate the frames of bulls compared with data from the previous five years of Sales. More information is inside. The evening before the Sale there will be the AGM at the Devon Hotel (a booklet is enclosed with Accounts for 2010); the Dinner (please book with the office); and the bi-annual Auction of Promises (catalogue enclosed). Again, more details are printed inside this newsletter.

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It is very disappointing that the Government has postponed its declaration of policy on TB measures, but we must continue in the hope that robust wildlife controls will be announced in late Spring/early Summer. The current trawling of the media over the 2001 outbreak of FMD is a stark reminder of our vulnerability to disease, but also the often remarkable resilience of the farming community. The show season is approaching fast, and an update on the National Show at the Royal Norfolk is inside. Exhibitors should receive a Schedule very soon, and we are being given priority for early bookings by the Show so please let them or us know if you do not receive a Schedule by the middle of March. Another important mention is the call for nominations for the Linda Turpie Rounsevell Memorial Trophy which will be presented at the AGM. For those relatively new to the Society, this Trophy is awarded through a very democratic process to a member who is considered to have made an exceptional contribution to the breed’s promotion during the previous year, and anyone can make a nomination. Please use the form at the back of this newsletter and return to me by Wednesday 16th March. Anyone still considering joining in the World Congress tours and conference in Australia in October/November should contact Daphne Lines (lgumhill@bigpond.com) or ourselves as soon as possible, as numbers are being finalised. I have heard some concerns about committing to the whole month, but it is possible to book just a part of it if so wished. Council have recently taken the decision, after several years’ discussion and consideration, to relinquish the lease the Society has on the Stoneleigh Pavilion. It has not been an easy decision to reach, but changed circumstances and especially the demise of the Royal Show, have highlighted the now negative value that the Pavilion holds. Negotiations for relinquishing the lease are underway with the property manager – LaSalle Investment Management – who are acting for the new Landlord, Mars Pension Trustees Limited. I am delighted to announce that your new Chairman has been elected by Council to serve for the next three years following the AGM – Mr Malcolm Broome, who owns the Welland Valley herd in Thorpe Langton, Leicestershire. Malcolm is known to most of you as a leading bull and heifer breeder who has

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supported Society Sales for many years, and of course held a very successful Reduction Sale last year. He has served on Council, the Executive, and Breed Improvement Committees, and was also Chairman of Region 7 for a number of years. We look forward to the breed continuing to move forward under his chairmanship. Malcolm will succeed Mr James Eustice who has led the Society as Chairman since 2008, and my own thanks are expressed here to James for all his work and his support of the Society during that time. We hope to see him back on Council before too long! I look forward to seeing many of you at the AGM, and at the Spring Sale, and I wish you success with your new calving season! Caroline

2010 ACCOUNTS The accounts for the period ended 31st December 2010 were recently audited, and are presented to Members for their approval at the Annual General Meeting. I am very pleased that we are showing a surplus income over expenditure for the seventh year in succession which is a clear reflection of the continuing increase in popularity of the breed and the growth in membership. This year the net incoming resources were £33,734, plus a gain on investments of £12,922, giving a net movement in funds of £46,656. Such a healthy balance sheet enables the Society to spend on breed improvement initiatves – herd health, DNA technology and performance recording are current priorities.

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The Society is also able to spend more on Breed Promotion which it is doing in a number of ways – from taking stands at more industry events, to producing more publications and using its website to reach the wider public, for example. If you would like to know more about any of the financial incentives currently offered please contact the office.

AGM DINNER

THE DEVON HOTEL, MATFORD, EXETER

Tuesday 22nd March 2011 at 7.30 pm

M E N U

Minestrone Soup or

Fan of Melon with Winter Berries **

Carvery with selection of seasonal vegetables **

Double Chocolate Belgian Gateau or

Sharp Lemon Cheesecake with Double Cream **

Tea or coffee with mints

£23.50 per person

Please book with SDHBS

There are still a few rooms available at the Devon Hotel on the night of 22nd March at a discounted cost of £60 per room. If you would like to reserve a room please let us know as soon as possible.

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SOUTH DEVON FRAME SCORES

More than twenty years of data has been collected at Society Sales from bulls weighed and measured to produce Frame Scores as an indication to buyers of the bulls’ potential.

It was Mr Charles Emery who first started taking the measurements as part of his Sale Inspections, and we are very grateful for his many years’ work. Since his retirement we have been very pleased to welcome a new team of measurers – Richard Camp and Richard Smaridge at Exeter and Bristol, and Richard Hartshorn at the Midland Club Sale (it is not, however, a new prerequisite to be named Richard!)

Following a Member’s Suggestion at last year’s AGM, a statistician was sought to review the data and to revise the method of frame score calculation to help smooth out a number of anomalies. This work has now been completed and we are enormously grateful to Dr Duncan Pullar from EBLEX for carrying out the work himself. We now have an even more robust system to guide us and to produce the frame scores. If any member would like a copy of the reference tables please let us know.

The Breed Improvement Committee has discussed the employment of the data, and its presentation at Sales, and their recommendations have been accepted by the Executive Committee and by Council. In brief:

• From this Spring’s Sale the calculation tables will be based upon data from the previous five years, updated annually

• The three measurements used in the numerical part of the frame score will continue to be withers to pin; hook to pin; and withers height; with a maximum nine points for each measurement added together to reach a maximum of 27 and a minimum of three

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• The weight will continue to be represented by a letter from A to J, with A being the heaviest and J the lightest

• A pen card showing the frame and weight score, plus actual weight, rump height, rump width, and scrotal circumference will be displayed on each bull’s pen

• An explanatory poster will be displayed at the Sales where frame scores are used

The Midland Club have since decided to set a minimum acceptable frame score for their Sale in May, and the detail is printed on their Entry Form.

A graph showing Weight for Age has been produced by Dr Pullar, which demonstrates how the breed has progressed in terms of growth since the Society first began collecting the data. The three lines are for the heaviest weight (A), the average weight (E), and the lowest weight (J), as expressed in the frame score. It is therefore possible to see where your own bulls might be placed against this data.

In this graph (as it’s reproduced here in black and white), the blue line (A) is the top one, the pink line (E) is the middle one (ie average), and the yellow line (J) is the bottom one.

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

wt k

g

months

weight for ageA = blue, E = pink, J = yellow

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MIDLAND CLUB SALE 2011 Stratford Livestock Auctions,

Clifford Chambers, Stratford upon Avon Saturday 7th May

A. All animals to arrive at the Livestock Centre no later than 2.30 pm on Friday

6th May. B. A veterinary inspector will be carrying out inspections on all animals at the

Centre on Friday 6th May from 12 noon and vendors will be required to make their animals available for inspection. Any member who has an animal rejected will have their entry fee refunded.

C. All measurements (frame scores) of bulls will be shown at the sale (see “8”

below). EBVs will be published in the catalogue for cattle from Breedplan recorded herds, and will be on display on each pen as applicable.

D. Judging will take place at 09.00 on Saturday morning and the Sale will start

at 12.30 pm.

ENTRIES CLOSE 28th March 2011 (Late entries accepted only at the discretion of the Secretary)

Entry Forms are now available from Mrs P Rickett, Wood Farm, Everdon, Daventry, Northants, NN11 3BH

JUDGE: Mr P F Pratt, Woodgreen Farm, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs

CLASSES

BULLS 1. Bulls from 12 months to 2 ¾ years of age. This class may be divided 2. Bulls over the age of 2 ¾ years (for sale only) FEMALES 1. Heifers (halter-broken) born on or after 1st January 2009 2. Heifers (halter-broken) born on or after 1st January 2010 3. Heifers (non halter-broken) born on or after 1st January 2009 4. Heifers (non halter-broken) born on or after 1st January 2010 PRIMESTOCK CLASS

NOTES

1. ENTRY FEES:

Bulls and Females £10 per animal

Animals not forward due to illness but with a veterinary certificate will receive reimbursement of their entry fee.

The entry fee, pedigree certificate, and organic certificate (where applicable) must be enclosed when returning the completed entry form for each animal.

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2. INSPECTION OF ALL ENTRIES Once at the Sales Centre all bulls will be weighed and all halter broken entries inspected and checked for locomotion, temperament, active infection (eg ringworm, etc), and defects (eg jaws, testicles, hernia, etc) by the veterinary inspector. Those found to be not up to standard will be rejected. No entry thus rejected may be sold through the ring and must be removed from the pens. Non-halter broken females will also be subject to an inspection.

Bulls - Scrotal Circumference:

Bulls aged 12-14 months 31 cms Bulls aged 15-20 months 33 cms Bulls aged 21-30 months 35 cms Bulls over 31 months 36 cms

Failure to meet the above measurements will mean automatic rejection from the sale.

3. DISPERSAL SALES

If a member wishes to disperse his/her herd immediately after the Society Sale they may do so provided that it is the whole herd. The cattle are subject to a reduced entry fee of £10 per animal, which must be enclosed with the entry forms and pedigree certificates and received by the closing date.

4. JUDGING

Animals bred by the judge will have to be placed by another person. The person so nominated by the Society will not enter the ring until all other animals in the class concerned have been placed by the judge. The person nominated will then enter the ring and place the animal concerned.

If a judge enters an animal for any Society Sale it may be SOLD only, but the entry in the catalogue will remain in the appropriate show class. The animal will be paraded in its class but will be removed at the instruction of the steward before judging.

5. CATALOGUE INFORMATION

Up to 50 words of information may be provided by the Vendors for the catalogue. An additional 30 words may be added at a charge of £0.10/word. EBVs - all Breedplan recording members will have their animals’ EBVs published in the catalogue as appropriate. Caesarean births - members are reminded that they must declare caesarean births for all entries at Society Sales. Herd health declarations – information will be taken from completed Herd Health Declarations submitted to the South Devon office at the same time as the completed entry forms, and will be printed in the sale catalogue. No other information relating to herd health, or individual animal health status will be published in the catalogue. Vendors may display additional information on the animal pen. The Herd Health Declaration will be displayed on the animal pen.

6. TB TESTING

All animals are required to have been tested clear of TB within 60 days prior to the Sale date.

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7. AUCTIONEER John Wakeham will conduct the Sale, assisted by a second auctioneer

from Kivells. 8. MINIMUM FRAME SCORE FOR BULLS Minimum standards will be applied on inspection to all bulls entered for the

Sale. The minimum frame score will be G 9 which equates to the following weights for age. Any bull falling below these standards will be rejected.

AGE KG AGE KG AGE KG 17 mths (510-539 days)

681 18 mths (540-569 days)

699 19 mths (570-599 days)

717

20 mths (600-629 days)

735 21 mths (630-659 days)

753 22 mths (660-689 days)

771

23 mths (690-719 days)

789 24 mths (720-749 days)

806 25 mths (750-779 days)

824

26 mths (780-809 days)

842 27 mths (810-839 days)

860 38 mths plus (840 days plus)

860 plus

FARM WALKS

Regional Committees have been asked to consider possible venues for Farm Walks this year, most importantly to encourage members to come together without having to travel too far, but also to open the doors from members from further afield. The Wessex Region have arranged a visit to Mells Park, near Frome, Somerset, on Saturday 17th September. As well as the opportunity to look at the Mells Park herd there will be a performance theme with a scanning demonstration given by Jim Barber. A second visit, this time by the Poll Group (a loose affiliation of South Devon breeders interested in pursuing polling genetics), will be to the Knightcote herd, near Leamington Spa, by very kind invitation of the Hadley family. The date is Tuesday 10th May. More details of both these events will follow in due course.

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OFFICER ELECTIONS

The process of electing Trustees and Officers to fill forthcoming vacancies has now been completed and I would like to thank all members who were nominated, and all those who complete their terms of service after the AGM. COUNCIL Region 1 Tim Bastard, John Rowe, Peter Rowe and Rex Sadler Region 2 Richard Burrough, Ann Daniels, Richard Harvey, Graham

Hocking and Gordon Tully Region 3 Diana Rusher and John Virgin Region 4 Robert Whitcombe Region 5 Andrew Foulds and Chris Page Region 6 Gwyn James and Prydderch Rees Region 7 Caroline Gray, Paul Harrison and Richard Wright EXECUTIVE Malcolm Broome (Chairman), Richard Camp, Douglas Scott, Mark Thomas and Robert Whitcombe BREED IMPROVEMENT Malcolm Broome, Mike Kettlewell, Peter Rowe, Douglas Scott and Gordon Tully BREED PROMOTION Tim Bastard, Richard Camp, Tom Elliott, Richard Ford, Phillip Laity and Mervyn Rowe JUDGES ADVISERS Hugh Lello and Mark Thomas

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NATIONAL SHOW OF SOUTH DEVONS Royal Norfolk Show, 29th & 30th June

It is almost time for exhibitors to finalise those plans, and to make their stall bookings. Schedules are due out next week, but if exhibitors do not receive their copy by the 11th March then please contact Mary Wright at the Royal Norfolk Show (01603 748931, e-mail mary@royalnorfolkshow.co.uk), or let us know here and we will pass it on. Current indications of interest are excellent – from Cornwall to Scotland, and from Wessex to Yorkshire. Sponsorship is already starting to come in, and grateful thanks go to Clive Salmon from Malthouse Livestock Ltd in Ranworth, Norfolk, who has been working very hard to secure our major sponsor – KW Trident, who specialise in supplying animal feeds including blends and co-product feeds from industry. A number of other sponsors are also being invited to support us and promote their businesses through our National Show, and the drive is being led by Andrew Foulds and Clive Salmon – thanks to you both. Jane Hood (Heath Farms) has very kindly agreed to make the arrangements for the Society’s ‘Pimms Party’ in the marquee which will nicely round off the first day’s judging. We are also grateful to our loyal sponsors, Towergate Lloyd & Whyte Insurance, and especially to Duncan Short, for again arranging sponsorship of the Young Handler Competition which will be held on the second day of the Show. Entry forms will be in a later newsletter.

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In 2012 the National Show will move to the Three Counties – a bit nearer for some, a bit further for others – but again an excellent opportunity to compete with breeders from across the country.

ROYAL WELSH SHOW 2011

This serves as a reminder to all South Devon exhibitors that the Society is sponsoring entries to the Royal Welsh Show this year, to encourage a stronger line-up and to support those who habitually bring cattle to Builth Wells. Any exhibitor with cattle forward in the South Devon classes at the Show will qualify to receive £65 from the Society. For anyone who has not experienced the Show before, please be assured you will not be bored! It is always very busy, and Richard Hartshorn and Diane Sugden ensure that there are plenty of opportunities to meet together socially as well as in the ring. The Show runs from 18th to 21st July and schedules will be available at the end of March.

SUPPORT FOR NEW SHOW EXHIBITORS

If you are new to showing and are tempted to ‘have a go’ at a one-day show, then the Society will refund you the entry fees for two animals in South Devon classes at any one-day show. If you would like some help or guidance, please either contact the office or your regional Secretary/Chairman (contact details can be found at the back of the Journal).

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BCMS STATISTICS You may be interested to see how South Devons compare to some other Native beef breeds in terms of birth records, so the following is a comparison of pure and cross-bred passport requests to BCMS from 2006 to 2010, for Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, South Devon, and Devon breeds. These figures were taken from BCMS at the beginning of February. m/f 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Aberdeen Angus f 19968 20474 21289 21527 22878

m 20880 21241 22495 22886 24239

Aberdeen Angus X f 88477 89714 90983 89298 95502

m 93176 93826 95328 93871 100127

Totals 222501 225255 230095 227582 242746

m/f 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Hereford f 7850 7973 7846 7905 8118

m 8238 8230 8066 7909 8408

Hereford X f 41279 38991 36952 33764 35637

m 43007 40503 37891 35215 36914

Totals 100374 95697 90755 84793 89077

m/f 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 South Devon f 7247 6917 7057 7190 7202

m 7011 6904 7013 7005 7397

South Devon X f 6246 6776 6047 5724 6026

m 6698 6758 5998 5718 5947

Totals 27202 27355 26115 25637 26572

m/f 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Devon f 2840 2976 3319 3431 3948

m 2654 2977 3156 3602 3806

Devon X f 2599 2567 2448 2340 2641

m 2757 2611 2565 2382 2684

Totals 10850 11131 11488 11755 13079

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I could spend quite a time analysing these figures and drawing conclusions from them, but I think suffice to say that there are many hidden factors behind these figures (for example, our breed is undoubtedly hit harder than some others by TB because of the breed’s geographical spread; and that the Aberdeen Angus has benefitted enormously from its beef marketing successes). We have made considerable progress as a beef breed in recent years, but there is still an enormous opportunity for expansion! As an aside, I would encourage you all to declare the identification of the sire when you submit your BCMS applications – it really does make life easier for us, and saves potentially important breeding records from being lost!

CHARITY TOUR DE FRANCE 2011

Very commendably Robin Weston is undertaking a solo bicycle ride once more to cover a mere 2,170 miles through France in aid of a number of charities. Robin declares he will be 70 years of age by the time the Tour starts in September. Many members will know Robin and Sandra Weston as owners of the Rathgrange herd, who retired to France some years ago. If anyone would like to show their support they can do so through Robin’s website – www.charitytours.org. The Westons have very kindly offered their holiday gite in the Dordogne area for a week’s holiday for our forthcoming Auction of Promises.

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EBLEX DIRECT SELLING PROGRAMME Beef producers in England are being offered free ‘Handy Packs’ by EBLEX to help with boxed beef retailing. The Packs include a range of aids, such as cutting specifications, costing guidelines, and promotional materials, and are available from the Direct Selling hotline – 0845 491 8787 – or from the EBLEX website – www.eblextrade.co.uk

OPEN FARM SUNDAY (LEAF)

Open Farm, organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), is an opportunity for farmers to open their farm to the public for the day to provide an opportunity for people to visit the farm to learn about how the farm works and get involved in unique activities designed for all the family. If you are interested in taking part in this very valuable exercise, further information can be obtained by telephoning 0247 6413911 or by going to www.leaf.org.uk.

FARMERS GUARDIAN’S BEEF STOCKMAN OF THE FUTURE

An opportunity to raise the profile of your herd, to win £1,000 in cash, and to help promote the breed is being offered by the Farmer’s Guardian in association with the National Beef Association. The Competition is open to beef stockmen under the age of 45 who can demonstrate a long-term commitment to the sector and who have managed and developed a beef farming enterprise. It aims to reward those who are already performing to a high standard.

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Strong technical management is sought, including breeding and genetics, animal health, feeding, and commercial management. Regional Committees – can you encourage particular candidates to enter? There are surely some potential worthy winners amongst our South Devon stockmen! Applications can be made on-line at www.farmersguardian.com/BSF2011, and the closing date is quite soon – 11th March.

HEALTH ISSUES

Many of you will be increasingly aware of the industry drive to tackle endemic cattle diseases, especially Johnes and BVD. The Society itself has been encouraging members to join CHeCS accredited herd health schemes for the past few years by offering a discount on registration fees over a period of two years to help with the initial testing costs. Other Breed Societies are much further forward than we are; the leading ones are requiring all their Society Sale animals to come from CHeCS member herds, to be tested and double vaccinated for BVD. This was recently discussed by our Council who declared that the Society’s future target should be to match those requirements, although no time limit has yet been set, and it will be referred to the Breed Improvement and Executive Committees for discussion before going back to Council for a ruling. At the same time as the number of CHeCS accredited schemes are increasing (VLA Herdsure was recently accredited for BVD, and will soon be accredited for Johnes), a number of initiatives are emerging

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to raise awareness of the costs these cattle diseases can bring, and to therefore encourage farmers to find out the health status of their herd and to draw up a health plan for improvement. In this newsletter we are focussing on one such project – the Healthy Livestock Project being run by Duchy College in Cornwall, which is a Rural Development Programme for England and is publicly funded. Up to 70% funding will be provided towards designated training, discussion groups, vet and adviser mentoring, and diagnostic testing. It will be mainly carried out through local vets, beef groups, consultants and training groups, and will run in the South West region. BVD, Johnes, BRD (bovine respiratory disease) and lung damage are targeted under the Scheme. Many vet practices are already working with farmers in their locality to organise activities and arrange screening. Alongside vet activities, the Rural Business School is working with beef groups in the region to arrange targeted meetings – some of which are being held during this week (week beginning 28th February), so if you would like to attend one please contact Helen Ashcroft helen.ashcroft@duchy.ac.uk or telephone the Rural Business School on 0845 458 7485. Helen Ashcroft will be contacting our regional committees and Clubs in the south-west in the coming weeks to offer more information on the Project. It is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of some public funding to improve the health of herds and their profitability, and a possible step towards a herd becoming CHeCS accredited.

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DIARY

March 22nd Annual General Meeting & Auction of Promises, Exeter 23rd Spring Show & Sale, Exeter Livestock Centre April 7th Executive meeting April 19th Council meeting May 5th Breed Promotion Committee meeting 7th Midland Club Sale 10th Poll Group Open Day, Knightcote herd 11th Breed Improvement Committee meeting 13th Truro Club Sale, Hallworthy 26th NBA Beef Expo, Newark 27th South Devon Cattle Breeders Club Sale, Exeter 27th Carlisle Sale June 29th&30th NATIONAL SHOW, Royal Norfolk Showground July 18th-21st Royal Welsh Show September 8th Council meeting 17th Wessex Open Day, Mells Park 23rd-25th ‘Next Generation Weekend’ October 4th Autumn Show & Sale, Bristol 8th World Congress begins in Australia November 9th World Congress ends December 6th Council meeting

BEEF BETTER RETURNS

EBLEX have recently produced two new manuals as part of the Beef Better Returns Programme. Both look to be of interest and contain a useful amount of information, one on “Controlling worms and liver fluke in cattle” and the other on “Making grass silage”. If you would like copies please contact Beef Better Returns Programme, EBLEX, Ashton House, Ambury Road South, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE29 3EH, telephone 0870 241 8829, e-mail brp@eblex.org.uk

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NEW MEMBERS AND RESIGNATIONS NEW FULL Region 1 Mr D G House, Little Bejowan Farm, Quintrell Downs, Newquay,

Cornwall, TR8 4PA Prefix: BEJOWAN Mr O Bromley, Treluswell Mount, St Gluvias, Penryn, Cornwall,

TR10 9AU Prefix: TRELUSWELL MOUNT Mr R Lobb, Higher Kestle Farm, St Ewe, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26

6EP Prefix: HIGHER KESTLE Region 2 D N & B M White, Milton Farm, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0LA Prefix: DARTON Miss R Northey, Smallacombe Farm, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0EB Prefix: SMALLACOMBE Mr S & Mrs J Pearson, Higher West Coombe Farm, North Bovey,

Devon, TQ13 8RS Prefix: HIGHER WEST COOMBE Region 3 J & L Barton, Leaze Farm, Gipsy Lane, Leonard Stanley,

Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 3PE Prefix: LEAZE Cartwright-Hignett Partners, Castle Farm, Farleigh Hungerford,

Bath, Avon, BA2 7RR Prefix: IFORD VALLEY Region 5 The Countess of Erroll, Woodbury Hall, Everton, Sandy,

Bedfordshire, SG19 2HR Prefix: WOODBURY Mr J Coleman, Wholesale Butchers, Langham Road, Boxted,

Colchester, Essex, CO4 5HU Region 6 D Hughes & Co, Alltddu, Tregaron, Ceredigion, Wales, SY25 6JF Prefix: CORSCARON F R & K S Mountford, Gwern Cottage, Gwern-y-Brenin, Oswestry,

Shropshire, SY10 8AP Prefix: KINGSMARSH S A & C E Mayfield, Ham Farm, Clifton-on-Teme, Worcester,

Worcestershire, WR6 6DU Prefix: TEME VALLEY Region 7 Mr B W P Kaye, Culfargie Estates Ltd, Estate Office, Tarrylaw

Farm, Balbeggie, Perth, Scotland, PH2 6HL NEW INTRODUCTORY Region 7 D & W Bowman, Bagbie Farm, Newton Stewart, Dumfries, Scotland Mrs L Vickers & Mr P O’Shea, Greenwell Farm, Tow Law, Bishop

Auckland, Co Durham, DL13 4PH

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RETIRING Region 3 Capt F G Barker, Lushill Farm, Hannington, Highworth, Swindon,

Wiltshire, SN6 7TA Prefix: LUSHILL RESIGNING Region 1 Mr & Mrs J Rider, East Penrest Farm, Lezant, Launceston,

Cornwall, PL15 9NR Prefix: PENREST Region 2 Mr B M Baker, F M Baker & Sons, New Burleigh Farm, South

Huish, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 3EG Prefix: BURLEIGH S L & L E Peach, Drywell Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Newton

Abbot, Devon, TQ13 7PN Prefix: WIDECOMBE Mr S A H Stow, Lake Farm, Stockland, Honiton, Deovn, EX14 9BY Prefix: LAKE J & C Tibbs, Beadon Farm, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon,

TQ13 9NU Prefix: BEADON Mr G Wright, Stairhill Farm, Moorlake, Crediton, Devon, EX17 5EL Region 6 Mr & Mrs M Turan, Belcote, Mearse Lane, Belbroughton,

Worcestershire, DY9 9YE Prefix: AJEMO Mr C O White, High Onn Farm, Church Eaton, Stafford,

Staffordshire, ST20 0AX Prefix: EATONFORD Region 7 Mr D Dunlop, 14 Manor Road, Tullynagee, Comber, Co Down, N

Ireland, BT23 6AL Prefix: WINDWHISTLE

USED STAMPS

The office is collecting used stamps for charity, and we would be very pleased to receive any contributions from members who have a few moments to remove stamps (with a small amount of surrounding envelope) from their post. Thank you.

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INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP SCHEME The Winner of the 2010 Competition – the member who makes the most new member introductions to the Society during the year – will be announced at the AGM. For anyone new to the Competition, members are encouraged to ‘introduce’ new breeders to the Society for the fee of £10 which covers the first year of their membership, including the right to register cattle. This has proved to be a very successful form of recruitment. It may be something to consider if you are selling stock to a new breeder, and a way of easing them into the Society with plenty of information and access to help and encouragement.

AND FINALLY ...

One day an old German Shepherd starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he’s lost. Wandering about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch. The old German Shepherd thinks, “Oh, oh” I’m in deep do do’s now!” Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the old German Shepherd exclaims loudly, “Wow, that was one delicious panther! I wonder if there are more around here?” Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.

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“Whew!” says the panther. “That was close! That old German Shepherd nearly had me!” Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther, so off he goes. The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the panther. The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, “Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what’s going to happen to that conniving canine!” Now, the old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, “What am I going to do now?” But instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn’t seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old German Shepherd says: “Where’s that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!” Moral of this story ... don’t mess with the old dogs. Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! (with thanks to the RASE for this one)

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LINDA TURPIE ROUNSEVELL MEMORIAL AWARD Nominations are invited for this year’s award of the Linda Turpie Rounsevell Memorial Trophy. The Trophy is a sketch of one of the Highgate herd dams with her calf, and was produced by renowned South-West artist, Xanthe Moseley. Hugh Lello is the current recipient of the award. You may nominate any member or non-member, and the nominations will be judged according to the greatest contribution to promotional work during 2010. The winner will retain the Trophy for one year and will receive a framed print to keep. Please would you complete the form and return it to the Society office by 16th March. The judges will be Ian Rounsevell, Caroline Poultney (Secretary) and Mike Kettlewell (President) and the winner will be announced at the AGM.

NOMINATION FORM

I wish to nominate (name) ............................................................................................... of (address) ........................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................ for the Linda Turpie Rounsevell Memorial Trophy for 2010 Proposed by (name) ........................................................................................................... of (address) ........................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................ Signed (Proposer) ..............................................................................................................

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Please tell us, in the box below and in no more than 300 words, why you believe this person should receive the Trophy for the year 2010.

Maximum 300 words Please return this form to: “Linda Turpie Rounsevell Memorial Trophy”, SDHBS, Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ by 16th March 2011