The Podehole herd of Charles and Sally Horrell has been named the winner of the Beef Shorthorn Society’s inaugural National Herd Competition, which was launched as part of the breed’s 200th anniversary celebrations.
The couple, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, seen their herd win after being judged by George Somerville, a former manager at Glenkiln, Dumfries and Galloway.
The competition, sponsored by Pedigree Sales online livestock auctions, pitted the winners of the regional herd competitions against each other for the first time.
Regional winners from the 2021 competitions were assessed by Somerville over the summer, with the judge commenting on the exceptional quality he saw in every herd he visited across the UK.
“The depth of breeding evident in all the herds was exceptional and the quality of cows I saw was tremendous and bodes well for the future of the breed in every corner of the country,” Somerville said.
“In every herd I visited, there were great examples of the bred and many, many cattle I’d be happy to have in a herd.”
He commended all breeds, but said that the “Podehole herd stood out as the most complete and balanced herd of all those I visited”.
Other finalists included Major John Gibb and Catriona Gibb’s Glenisla herd, Scotland; Stuart and Gail Curries Beautry herd, Northern England; LEP Farms’ Meonhill herd, Southern England; Brian and Eryth Thomas’ Frenni herd, Wales and Alfie and James Shaw’s Glebefarm herd, Northern Ireland.
The awards event
The presentation of the award was made at the Society’s development day, which was hosted by Society president, Charles Horton, at Hannington, Wiltshire.
The event was attended by more than 60 members and included five workshops focused on key aspects of breeding and herd management.
Members were able to listen to Bella Maine of Larkmead vets discuss pelvic measurement in heifers and other aspects of herd fertility.
Jim Barber demonstrated ultrasound scanning to attendees in relation to performance recording and the benefits it brings.
There were also talks on cow classification by Mike Deakins, and guidance on cattle selection for slaughter by Daniel Slade of Thame Market.
Beef Shorthorn Society operations manager, Clive Brown, said the event had been a huge success with members coming from far and wide to add the their knowledge base.
“These events have been a huge success and enabled members to come together and both learn and socialise with like-minded people from across the country,” he said.
“As ever, the camaraderie and shared belief in the breed has shone through and that is sire to stand the breed in good stead going forward.”
