Herefords hold strong this Spring

Herefords hold strong this Spring

With the beef trade currently at an all-time high, anticipation ran high at the ringside ahead of the Hereford Spring Show and Sale. But the quality of cattle on offer and the resulting trade, more than lived up to the build-up. Bluetongue concerns and associated movement restrictions saw a number of lots withdrawn from the sale, but that did little to dampen demand, with buyers making the journey from as far as Cornwall to secure their next breeding animal.

Nine females were presented before judge Mr. Mark Severn, a respected Beef Shorthorn breeder from Halifax. Leading the way was Castle Mount 1 Tessa 443 from P. Massey, who took first place in her class and then went on to take female champion in a strong heifer line up. This marks continued success for the Massey family with their renowned Tessa line. At the Autumn Show and Sale, Castle Mount 1 Tessa 421 not only topped her class but also achieved the highest-priced female bid of the day. Castle Mount 1 Tessa 443 is out of a homebred cow Castle Mount 1 Tessa and sired by renowned bull Kinglee 1 Vanguard, and went on to make 3,600gns.

Joe Clark is no stranger to the show ring or sale success, but this year marked a personal milestone as he entered the ring as a breeder in his own right. His heifer, Gallowscourt 1 Duchess W728, made an immediate impact, claiming first place in the April to June 2024 born class. Boasting a full Rempstone packed pedigree with Rempstone 1 Duchess N637 as her dam and sired by Rempstone 1 Woody S658, Duchess went on to be tapped out as reserve female champion, before securing a final bid of 4,000gns an impressive result for Clark’s first outing under the Gallowscourt prefix.

Taking the top female price of the day at 5,000gns was Pepperstock 1 Jade B1010 from Speirs Farms Ltd, a striking heifer sired by Spartan 1 Typhoon, the 2022 Bull of the Year. She carries all the hallmark traits of her sire, power, style, and presence in the ring. Her dam, Pepperstock 1 Jade S572, brings depth to the pedigree and complements her daughter’s showring credentials. The pair made their mark on last year’s show circuit, having been successfully shown together at both Norfolk and Ashby Shows.

Triumph continued for the Speirs family with their bull, Pepperstock 1 Blackstaffe, topping the 25th of September to 16th October 2023-born class. This impressive 19-month-old youngster is another standout, sired by Spartan 1 Typhoon and is out of the homebred cow Pepperstock 1 Molly V795. His quality didn’t go unnoticed in the ring, and he went on to secure the highest male price of the day, selling for 9,000 guineas, a significant result that capped a strong day for the Pepperstock team.

One of the youngest bulls forward, Normanton 1 Boa Boa from TD & WT Livesey proved age was no barrier to success. He impressed the judge to take first prize in his class, before going on to be crowned both junior and overall grand male champion.

This November 2023-born bull is sired by Cleland 1 Nelson and out of Normanton 1 Fistulina 34th V631, a combination that clearly marks him as one to watch. His showring abilities were backed by commercial appeal, as he sold for 4,400 guineas on the day. This latest accolade follows a successful Autumn 2024 show season, where Boa Boa was named senior male champion at Agri Expo and reserve male champion at the HCBA Christmas calf show. His consistent performance in the ring continues to underline the strength of breeding behind the Normanton prefix.

Hot on his heels and taking the reserve overall grand male and senior male champion titles, was Spartan 1 Apatche from Oxfordshire breeders SC & GL Hartwright. Born in April 2023, this eye-catching young bull is a son of Solpoll 1 Perfection, bringing the weight of a renowned pedigree into the spotlight. Apatche’s dam, Spartan 1 Poppy, further strengthened his traits, as he enjoyed a successful 2024 show season. Claiming class wins at both Shropshire and Staffordshire County Shows, proving his consistency and presence in the ring. His ring success translated into a strong trade, with Spartan 1 Apatche selling for 6,200 guineas.

Standing reserve to Apatche in the senior male section was a homebred entry from breeders MF Gray and Miss L Crowther. Buckenhill 1 Bedford BTA was the youngest bull in the senior division, but that didn’t stop him from making an impression. This September 2023-born son of Buckenhill 1 Trans Am, out of Bosbury 1 Rosa 20, stood top of a strong class of seven bulls, impressing the judge with his balance and potential. His quality was further reflected in the sale ring, where he sold for 5,800 guineas.

The younger bulls certainly didn’t disappoint, and one in particular Baybridge 1 Bob caught the judge’s eye. This January 2024-born bull from LG Gould, Dorset, won the final class of the day before going on to be tapped out as reserve junior male champion. Bob has already made a name for himself in the ring, enjoying a successful 2024 summer show season and securing both junior and overall champion titles at the HCBA Christmas Calf Show. Sired by Weybrook 1 Drake and out of Baybridge 1 Jasmine 2nd, he combined style with promise and was well received in the sale ring, selling for 4,800 guineas to a new home in Devon.

Overall, the sale reflected both the optimistic state of the beef sector and the strength of Hereford breeding across the UK. Despite a smaller catalogue, the quality on offer ensured a lively trade ringside and strong prices across the board. Females averaged £3,733.33, while bulls levelled at £5,195.68, with bidding competitive for well-bred, commercially appealing cattle. The judge, Mr. Mark Severn, commended the depth of quality throughout the classes, noting the balance between style, structure, and breed character on display.

The atmosphere was one of optimism and momentum, as both established breeders and new entrants were rewarded for their efforts in a showcase that underlined the Hereford breed’s growing appeal.

Sale results

Bulls to an average £5195.68 – Total £150,675 – 90.6% clearance

Show heifers sold to an average £3,733.33 – Total £33,600 – 100% clearance

Overall clearance – 92.68 % Average £4849.34

Full Show Results

Class 1 – heifer born on or between 04/05/2023 – 13/05/2023

No entries

Class 2 – heifer born on or between 02/09/2023 – 23/12/2023

1st – Pepperstock 1 Jade B1010 – Speirs Farms Ltd

Class 3 – heifer born on or between 09/01/2024 – 29/03/2024

1st – Castle Mount 1 Tessa 443 – P Massey

2nd – Spartan 1 Boux Avenue – SC & GL Hartwright

3rd – Bosbury 1 Laurel B173 – S Hawkins

Class 4 – heifer born on or between 05/04/2024 – 05/06/2024

1st – Gallowscourt 1 Duchess W728 – J Clark

Class 5 – bull born on or before 18/03/2023

1st – Moorside 1 Ample –  The Benacre Company Ltd

2nd – Fisher 1 Alberto A572 – RJ Hutchings

3rd – Newtoncroft 1 Aintree – Newtoncroft Farms

Class 6 – bull born on or between 01/04/2023 – 27/04/2023

1st – Spartan 1 Apatche – SC & GL Hartwright

2nd – Fisher 1 Archer A576 – RJ Hutchings

3rd – Cathedral 1 Asterix – HM Scarterfield Ltd

Class 7 – bull born on or between 02/05/2023 – 13/07/2023

1st – Penrhyn 1 Anubis – W Medforth

2nd – Normanton 1 Benvolio B192 – TD & WT Livesey

3rd – Penrhyn 1 Atlantic – W Medforth

Class 8 – bull born on or between 02/09/2023 – 19/09/2023

1st – Buckenhill 1 Bedford BTA – MF Gray & Miss L Crowther

2nd – Taymar 1 Busta – S Taylor & D Marsh

3rd – Castle Mount 1 Bonanza – P Massey

Class 9 – bull born on or between 25/09/2023 – 16/10/2023

1st – Pepperstock 1 Blackstaffe – Speirs Farms Ltd

2nd – Spartan 1 Banksy SP B233 – SC & GL Hartwright

3rd – Normanton 1 Brightspark – TD & WT Livesey

Class 10 – bull born on or between 10/11/2023 – 09/12/2023

1^st – Normanton 1 Boa Boa – TD & WT Livesey

Class 11 – bull born on or between 09/01/2024 – 25/03/2024

1^st – Baybridge Bob – LG Gould

2^nd – Midford 1 Bravado – W Awan

3^rd – Midford 1 Bobby Dazzler – W Awan

Grand female champion – Castle Mount 1 Tessa 443 – P Massey

Reserve grand female champion – Gallowscourt 1 Duchess W728 – J Clark

Senior male champion – Spartan 1 Apatche – SC & GL Hartwright

Reserve senior male champion – Buckenhill 1 Bedford BTA – MF Gray & Miss L Crowther

Junior male champion – Normanton 1 Boa Boa – TD & WT Livesey

Reserve junior male champion – Baybridge Bob – LG Gould

Overall grand male champion – Normanton 1 Boa Boa – TD & WT Livesey

Reserve overall grand male champion – Spartan 1 Apatche – SC & GL Hartwright