Page 7 - Shorthorn Magazine

SHORTHORN
Dairy
Company Secretary Report
It’s been a whirlwind seven months since Pedigree Livestock Services took over the administrative duties of the Dairy Shorthorn Society and what a few months it has been, from attending the Annual General Meeting in June, to welcoming a fantastic showcase of cattle
at the National Show in the same month and then seeing the breed claim the Inter-breed Championship at the Great Yorkshire Show in July.
A fantastic weekend was had by all at the AGM hosted by the Rees Family of the Crugside Herd near Llandovery,
a huge thank you to the Rees
Family for allowing us to stage the weekend and for the tour of the herd, something that was enjoyed by all.
Youth coordinator, Shaun Dixon, offered tips on showmanship
and stock judging before Harry Collins assisted with a clipping demonstration. In addition to the AGM weekend was the judging day which allowed judges to brush up on their skills, thanks to Stuart Williams for his time and knowledge for running this master class in judging.
The National Show at Cheshire Show in June was very well supported
with many of the classes boasting entries into double figures. Well done to Paige Jepson for claiming the Supreme National Championship with her intermediate cow, Cotonhall Jackpot Starlet, and a special
mention to Paige’s Rowanmoor Lilac Orchid who went on to claim the Inter-breed Champion Calf ticket.
It was a blue-ribbon day for the breed in the other Inter-breed competitions as Richard Harper’s dam and daughter were Reserve Pairs, Julia French’s Rantonall Fairy 48 was Reserve Heifer In-milk, and the group were Reserve Inter-breed Group. What an outing for the breed!
Fantastic achievements were had
by Lawson and Sons at the Royal Highland Show in June to take home Champion, Reserve Champion and Honourable Mention, with the breed also taking home Reserve Interbreed in the Progeny Class with Oxton Clarity daughters. Success continued at the Royal Welsh for the Thomas family with Drisgol Fluer
6, a third calved cow taking home Champion honours.
It was great to see the breed claiming such prominent prizes across the country throughout the show season with the top Inter- breed award at the Great Yorkshire Show in July going to Churchroyd Brontë Wildeyes 51 from IRG Collins and Partners.
The same family was to the fore
at the UK Dairy Day in September when the Collins and Partners team secured the Dairy Shorthorn Championship with Churchroyd Brontë Wildeyes 62, with another in the shape of Churchroyd Brontë Wildeyes 63 going on to stand Shorthorn Champion at the Dairy Show in early October.
Well done to those who travelled to the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show that same month where the
Collins and Partners team were once again to the fore, this time with Churchroyd Tulip 2.
Both the agricultural show circuit and specialised dairy shows act as a fantastic showcase for the breed, displaying its great mobility and milking ability so thank you to the exhibitors who have taken the time to prepare cattle and travel such long distances to show their stock.
Both Penrith and Leek auctions continue to have regular specialised sales of Dairy Shorthorns and
trade has once again been buoyant throughout, with new members continuing to join having invested in the breed.
Membership numbers and registration numbers remain stable as retired members are balanced by the new. Thank you to Graham and Rachael for continuing to work hard, often behind the scenes, in looking after registrations and helping to provide a seamless transition for members.
Another thank you must go to President, David and Arthur, who we have worked alongside and
have always been on the end of the phone should any queries arise. As Chairman of Finance, Arthur has stepped down from this role passing over to Seimon who we are sure will carry on the good work. And, finally, thank you to the members who have been most welcoming and continue to use the Society for all their needs.
Andy Ryder
Company Secretary
Shorthorn 7