Christmas came a little early for the Longhorns at Smithfield on 11 and 12 December with our own class, other class wins and a Reserve Championship!
From the 1st of January 2010, all cattle moving to slaughter, either directly or through a livestock market, must move with a farmer signed declaration, declaring the animals are free from disease and residues from veterinary medicines that may have been administered to them, as part of the implementation of the Food Chain Information regulations.
The attached information document and declaration templates contain the minimum elements of FCI that slaughterhouse operators should receive for all animals submitted for slaughter. If you open the template document and print these off, you can use these declarations when sending animals for slaughter.
It is most important you fill in and sign the declarations every time you send animals to a fat stock market or to an abattoir. If the animals arrive without the signed declaration, they will not be accepted by the Meat Hygiene Inspectors and you will not be paid for the animals.
Click here for the FSA website for further information >
Click here for the guidance notes >
Click here for the template document >
The Longhorn Cattle Society survey is now available for members to complete online. Please go to the Herdbook to complete your survey. Paper surveys will be mailed to members not completing surveys online by Friday 11 December. In any event all surveys must be completed and returned by 31 January 2010.
It was sad to read that the Shropshire and West Midlands Show held in June each year in Shrewsbury will not be held again, but on a brighter note the Three Counties Show is expanding it's livestock format by holding classes over all three days (18-20 June 2010).
Click here for more information on Shropshire and West Mids Show >
Click here for more information on the Three Counties Show >
The Mid West Breeders' lunch and Herd Competition presentation took place on Sunday 22 November at Frome Market. Members enjoyed lunch before the awards were presented.
Congratulations to Jim Sutcliffe of the Bluestone Herd who took part in BBC3's Young Butcher of the Year Competition - now available to view online.
Click here for the link to the BBC page for further details >
Click here for a link to Jim Sutcliffe's new blog and Meridian Meats online shop.
Click here for the article in the Farmer's Guardian 20 November 2009.
Changes have been made to the testing of imported animals for BTV. Please see the attached document for further details.
The Longhorn Cattle Society had a enjoyable and interesting AGM weekend on 6-8 November, with visits to HMP Kirkham and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust site at Martin Mere.
The Midland Breeders' lunch and Herd Competition presentation took place on Sunday 25 October at the Portland Fishing Lakes, Newark, Notts. Members enjoyed a Longhorn beef lunch before the awards were presented.
The South East Breeders' lunch and Herd Competition presentation took place on Sunday 18 October at the home of Mr & Mrs R Williams' Maydencroft Manor, Hitchin, Herts. Members enjoyed a delicious home cooked lunch before the awards were presented.
The wedding of Tom Mills and Kate Mullard of the Mullard herd took place on 20 August at Bakewell, Derbyshire. They were joined during the reception at Hassop Hall Hotel by the other love in their lives, Carreg Gemima.
Image: Mr & Mrs Mills are joined at their reception by Carreg Gemima
Gary Lineker and his fiancee Danielle Bux visited Kenny and Jennifer Gracey's Forthill Farm as part of their 'Northern Exposure' BBC TV series. Having bought some Longhorn beef they cooked it on the barbeque - and enjoyed it of course!
The catalogue for the Longhorn section of the 7th Annual Traditional & Native Breeds Show & Sale at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire is now available.
Click here for the catalogue >
Click here for general information on the cattle section of the Sale >
A new breed record for a junior Longhorn heifer was the highlight of the first Longhorn National Show and Sale held at Rugby Farmers Mart, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire on Saturday 15 August.
National Show & Sale, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG - catalogue available
The National Show and Sale at Stoneleigh Park is on 14 and 15 August 2009.
The Mid West Group visit was to Sydling Estates, Up Sydling, Dorchester, Dorset by kind invitation of Mr Alistair Cooper. The estate is 3500 acres, all run organically, with a farm shop and meat processing facilities. Alongside the 30 cow Longhorn herd the estate has 100 pedigree Angus cows, 50 Saddleback sows, flocks of Poll Dorset and Lleyn sheep, plus arable and poultry enterprises. The day was a bit wet, but a good time was had by all!
Nearly 80 Longhorn Cattle Society members had a memorable day at Rousham Park on 13 June for their summer visit. Having seen the Longhorns and the Basset hounds members enjoyed a picnic lunch before an afternoon stroll around the gardens - and all in glorious sunshine!
Longhorn members at Rousham Park
'Dorset Days - A year in the Life of Longhorn Jim', the documentary made by film-maker Clive Whaley and featuring the Longlands herd of Longhorns in Dorset is to be screened on BBC4 on 16 April at 9pm.
The film looks at the year in the life of Jim Armstrong and features many familiar faces as part of it was filmed during the Mid West Regional Group's visit to the herd in July 2007.
The Royal Agricultural Society of England has announced that the 2009 Royal Show will be the last in it's present format.
A new limited edition print of Longhorns, painted by artist Les Stones, is available via the RBST. It features cattle from John Harrison's Settrington herd in North Yorkshire.
To purchase the print please contact the RBST on 024 7669 6551 or email Sally Renshaw at RBST sally@rbst.org.uk
THE Rural Affairs Minister for Wales, Elin Jones, has today announced a badger cull will be the next stage of the Welsh Assembly Government’s proposals to eradicate bovine TB in Wales.
The Minister says she still considers a cull necessary alongside additional cattle measures within an Intensive Action Pilot Area (IAPA)
Click here for the full article on the Farmers Guardian website >
A novel butchery competition for farm shop owners, managers and butchers will be a new feature of this year’s National beef event, Beef Expo 2009, to be held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcester, on Thursday, May 21 2009.
Two major beef cattle shows and a cattle presentation competition for youngsters will be new features of this year’s NBA national beef event, Beef Expo 2009, to be held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, on Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Longhorns from the Blackbrook Herd appeared on a recent edition of Flog It!
Click here to go to BBC iPlayer. The Longhorns are about 22.30 minutes into the episode so drag the bar to the right place if you don't want to watch the whole programme.
Longhorn beef from Meridian Meats, Lincolnshire has won a competition staged by Country Life magazine to find the best Native Breed steak.
Click here to read part one of the Country Life article >
Click here to read part two of the Country Life article >
The Longhorn Cattle Society Journal 2009 is now available. Please contact the Secretary for your free copy.
Tel/fax: 0845 017 1027
Email: secretary@longhorncattle.society.com
An experiment has begun in Somerset to find out if letting cattle roam outdoors in woodchip produces less greenhouse gas than in a roofed barn.
Longhorn cows which have grazed land on the Blackdown Hills have been put into a purpose-built woodchip corral approved by the Environment Agency.
The theory is that cattle kept outside have a lower body temperature and emit less methane than those kept indoors.
The Neroche Scheme experiment will continue until the middle of 2010.
Farmhouse Breakfast Week in 2009 is 25 - 31 January
Tuck in and enjoy a locally sourced breakfast!
Click here for the Farmhouse Breakfast Week website and find your nearest participating location >
Defra has commissioned the University of Reading's Veterinary Epidemiology and Economic Research Unit (project SE3253) to compile a comprehensive descriptive history of bTB in England that incorporates the knowledge and experience of those affected.
Click here if you wish to take part. Closing date for submission is 23.50hrs on 16.04.2009
On Sunday 22 February 2009 the East of England Agricultural Society will be attempting to host the Largest Simultaneous Roast Meal and to set the Guinness World Record.
It is anticipated that 1500 guests will need feeding and therefore a large amount of food is needed. If any member can help supply ingredients such as beef, potatoes or vegetables then please contact the East of England Agricultural Society.
All proceeds raised will go to the East of England Agricultural Society's chosen charity, Help for Heros.
If you wish to book a place at the meal and help set a Guinness World Record, places are £5 each. Contact the East of England Agricultural Society.
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