Sam Barker of the Berwick herd of Longhorns at Shrewsbury is featured in this week's issue of Farmers Weekly.
Click here to read the article
Ian Gregory, also from Buxton, took first place in the Native steer class with his steer weighing 630kg and selling for 258ppkg to Albion Farm Shop & Cafe.
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DEFRA have produced a summary document setting out the latest information on farming policy in England from 1 January 2021. It will be updated as needed and aims to remove some uncertainty. It gives information that farmers and those in the farming industry might need to get ready for the coming changes, such as:
- phasing out direct payments
- changing how we work together
- changing rules and regulations
- grant programmes
The NSA recently hosted a webinar on behalf of pedigree livestock breed societies in the UK, and supported by DEFRA discussing Britain's final departure from the EU, its impact on livestock breed societies, and future trade in breeding stock.
Click here to view the webinar, and also access links to relevant information on the DEFRA website relating to import, export and identification of animals after 1 January 2021
At the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021 the UK will leave the EU and under the EU Animal Breeding Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012) the UK will be regarded as a third country.
Click here for information issued by the Irish Dept of Agriculture.
Longhorn member Richard Beeby, who along with his daughter Harriet, have the Starhire herd of Longhorns are featured in the November 2020 issue of Farm Contractor magazine.
Click here to read the article
The Royal Three Counties Showground has announced the events that will take place in 2021, including a two day livestock show on 17 & 18 June
Click here to see their Facebook page for more information
New regulations for the format of cattle, sheep, pig and goat eartags come into force on 1 January 2021.
If you are thinking of selling cattle to Northern Ireland or the EU please prepare now.
Click here to read the full guidance from DEFRA
Click here to read a summary
The Northern Longhorn Breeders managed to hold their herd competition this year, with judge Clive Davies travelling across the north of England and a lot of Scotland to complete his task. With his customary enthusiasm and generosity of spirit he has written a very extensive introduction to the results, and also a resume of each herd he visited. Both are well worth a read. The themes of thoughtful breeding decisions and commercial management come to the fore.
Click here for the Herd Competition results
Click here for the Judge's remarks
Congratulations to everyone who took part
The Midland Longhorn Breeders' Group managed to have a herd competition this year, kindly judged by Richard Wheeldon.
Click here for the results
Congratulations to everyone who took part.
Click here for the list of cattle classified VG & EX, updated 6 November 2020
Click here for the NBDC's Beef Type Classification Guide
Click here for the Society's Type Classification explanation booklet
The picture was of a bull drawing a wedding carriage. Yes. A bull. Drawing a wedding carriage. This needed more investigation...
The Graceys run a large farm shop but have also diversified and supply Longhorns to the film industry; in recent years they have been very busy filming Game of Thrones so you may recognise Cooley. Cooley was impeccably behaved and was a real showstopper!
The Society was saddened to hear of the death of Brian Smith from Warwickshire aged 83 after a short illness. Along with his wife Angela Tarry-Smith, Brian had the Ashby herd of Longhorns.
Both Brian and Angela are very well known commercial cattle breeders and between them have judged commercial classes at nearly all the major shows.
Brian is pictured with Angela and David Blockley when he and Angela judged the Cattle Interbreeds at the Melton Mowbray Native & Rare Breeds Show & Sale in 2008. He made Southfield Flight the Interbreed Champion after George Young had put her up as Breed Champion.
Our sincere condolences go to Angela, and Brian's family and many friends.
A private funeral has taken place.
Thank you to all members who joined in the Zoom AGM on Saturday. It all ran pretty smoothly!
Click here to read the minutes. There were two members who couldn't be identified so if you attended the AGM but your name isn't in the attendees list please let the office know and the minutes will be amended. Thank you
Thank you to everyone who entered the photo competition
in 2020
The winners in each category are:
Class 1a – Posed cow & calf
1st Jamie Brewer
2nd Jamie Brewer
3rd Peter Chapman
Class 1b – Posed cow
1st Peter Close
2nd Graham Lennox
3rd Tom Mills
Class 1c – Posed bull
1st Peter Chapman
2nd Tom Williams
3rd Jamie Brewer
Class 1d – Posed other
1st Rita Poulson
= 2nd Emily Nyman
= 2nd Fiona Tregonning
3rd Jamie Brewer
Class 2 – Small herd
1st Claire Saxby
2nd Nanning Van Wijk
3rd Nanning Van Wijk
Class 3 – Large Herd
1st Claire Saxby
2nd Tom Mills
=3rd Peter Chapman
=3rd Harold Hulland
Class 4 – Longhorns at shows
1st Stephen Horrocks
2nd Harold Hulland
3rd Harold Hulland
Class 5 – Humorous
1st Matt Cullen
2nd Arnie Pearson
=3rd Stephen Horrocks
=3rd Tom Williams
Class 6 – Longhorns in a commercial setting
1st Matt Cullen
2nd Harold Hulland
3rd Tom Mills
Click here for all the prize winners on Flickr
The papers relating to the Longhorn Cattle Society AGM, to be held via Zoom on Saturday 17 October are now available.
If members have any questions on the papers, or wish to ask any questions, please send them via email to the Secretary. Questions can be taken on the day, but online conferencing does have it's limitations so questions in advance are preferred.
Click here for the 2020 AGM agenda
Click here for the minutes of the 2019 AGM
Click here for the Chairmans report
Click here for the 2019/2020 accounts
The photo competition is now up and running!
Go to the Society's Facebook page to like your favourites - the most likes win!
Click here to go to the collection on Flickr to view all the photos
Society members the Corporation of London, who have cattle grazing on Epping Forest, hit the headlines in the national press over the weekend when they published their press release and social media posts about cattle being turned out to graze on Wanstead Park.
The cattle all wear collars that emit a sound should the cattle come near a buried perimeter wire. With just three cattle being turned onto the common for September and October, this is a pilot to see if the scheme is feasible.
Click here for the Google link to read the articles in the national and local press.
Enough nominations have been received to hold an election for the Society Council.
Voting papers have been posted out and members can vote either by post, or online using the link sent to them
Click here to read about the candidates.
Longhorn member Charles Sutcliffe of the Tetford herd features in the 18 September edition of Farmers Guardian, giving hints and tips about his experiences using social media to promote and sell his cattle.
Click here to read the article.
The photo competition is usually judged by everyone attending the AGM weekend, but with the AGM moving online this year, we've taken the decision to do the same with the photo competition, so everyone will get a chance to judge the pictures!
Members need to send their photos to the office as usual, they'll then be uploaded to Facebook and the number of likes will decide the placings.
Entries close on 25 September, then entries will posted online soon after.
Get your entries in soon!
Clive and Tom commented…'Every show salutes its Champions and no exceptions here. Both winning females are great ambassadors for the Breed, the Champion every bit the winner and her future will be followed with interest. The Runner-up is a practical and working breeder that will impress many.
Click here for the Grand Parade for all the cattle results
For Young Handler results, go to this link for now - we're just waiting for them to be posted in the Grand Parade, then the videos will be available to view. We'll keep you posted on that one!Click here for a downloadable PDF of all the results and entries
Click here for all the prize winners in a Flickr album
Click here to view the programme on BBC iPlayer
Welshpool Livestock Sales are holding a Native Breeds Sale on Saturday 10 October and are inviting entries from Longhorn members. Entries close on Friday 4 September.
Click here for the entry form and health declaration
Click here for their website and more information
A government-funded project is seeking
the opinions and experiences of UK cattle farmers for the control of infectious
diseases in their herds. The data collected in the survey will help improve
current models by accounting for farmers views and it is hoped that the results
of the survey will be used to inform future disease control policies
post-Brexit.
Farmers who complete the survey can also enter a prize draw to win up to £100
in vouchers. The project is in collaboration with AHDB and, the University of Nottingham
and the University of Warwick and the survey is open until the end of
August
Click here to go to the survey
The 2020 Sale of Rare & Minority Breeds will take place at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on 19 September. Entries close 14 August 2020
The Auctioneers have curtailed the
volume of livestock which will be present this day and have only opened the Sale to
the Official Society Breed Sales so this will include Longhorn Cattle, Dexter
Cattle, Shetland Sheep, Kerry Hill Sheep & Ryeland Sheep.
Click here for the entry form
Click here for the schedule
Harrison & HetheringtonTel: 01228 406230
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The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the show season and it's very unlikely anyone is going to see a show ring this year. Whilst we can't replace the excitement of going to your favourite show, the Society has launched it's online competition to give you the opportunity to showcase some of your fantastic cattle. It would be great to see breeders who perhaps don't usually enter shows get involved too, as we know there are lots of great cattle out there! We are using Cloud Lines Shows, a website specifically for shows and Breed Societies to host their own online shows instead of the real thing. Some of you may have already entered other shows being hosted on this platform so you'll be familiar with how easy it is! Go to the Cloud-Lines Shows website for more information, and have a look at their excellent short videos that walk exhibitors through how to register, enter and upload their animals. If you have problems doing your entries please get in touch with the office and we'll be happy to help! There are the following classes: Members can enter up to a maximum of two animals per class (the Junior classes are (a) and (b) classes so a total of two animals born in that year can be entered.) Each entry should be accompanied by 4 photos (one from each side, one from the front and one from the rear). It is advised that a short video should also be submitted to show the animal walking. There will be no specific requirement for the animals to be halter led, washed or clipped - this will be at the discretion of the entrant. Closing date for entries are late August but there is nothing to stop entrants taking their photos/videos earlier in the summer if they wish. The entries will accessed by the judge or judges for them to make their deliberations. In early September the winners will be announced on the Cloud Lines website, on Facebook and via the Society website. The competition is designed to give members something fun to get involved in whilst also allowing them the opportunity to showcase their cattle and the breed through the website and social media channels. The Society needs to maintain a public profile over the summer to replace the exposure the breed would have had at shows up and down the country. We don't want to get tied up in rules and regulations, just enter your cattle, the Society will have them judged and we'll announce the results. Rosettes will be awarded to the winners, hopefully they can be presented at the AGM. |
Society member Stan Dixon has sent the Society some photos from the mid 1990's. The Royal Three Counties Show, the Royal Show and the Great Yorkshire Show all feature, as does the RBST Show & Sale.
Click here to view them on Flickr
The Seifton herd have sent in a lovely profile about their herd and their reasons for keeping Longhorns.
Click here to read all about them on the Society blog
Congratulations to Wheatlands Longhorns, Blackbrook Longhorns and Sycamore Longhorns who won or were placed in classes at the Royal Cheshire County's virtual show today.
Have a look at the show on the Cloud-Lines website, the Longhorn Cattle Society will be using the same website to host our own virtual show in August - we're in the test phase at the moment and will have full information out to members very soon.
Click here for the Cloud-Lines website
Society Trustees brought in amended temporary regulations for the registration of bulls due to vets being unable to undertake routine farm visits during COVID-19 lockdown. It was agreed that these rules would be reviewed at the end of May.
During the last week of May the Government announced an easing of restrictions and information on the RCVS and BVA websites indicated that more routine visits could be undertaken. In the light of this guidance the Trustees have agreed that the bull registration regulations will revert to normal from Friday 19 June 2020.
If your vet is still unable to visit after this date please contact the Society to discuss your particular situation.
Any bulls registered from 23 March 2020 and up to
two months after the restrictions will be lifted (so Wednesday 19 August 2020)
will be charged what the registration fee would have been had the bull been
registered on 23 March 2020 when the lockdown was imposed.
Longhorn members Katie Mitcham-Henry and Mike Phillips of the Heath Farm herd are featured in this month's Farmers Guide.
Click here to read the article.
A number of show societies have dusted themselves down after having to cancel their shows this year and are hosting scaled back online virtual shows. Why not have a go? It would be great to see Longhorn cattle in the prizes!
See the individual show listings in the calendar or click on the links below
Royal Three Counties Show, Young Handler classes close 6 June
Cheshire County Show, entries close 9 June
Ashover Show - entries open 1 June
Let us know how you get on!
A message from Marie Handscombe, Bernard Hartshorn's daughter
'It is with great sadness that we have to announce that our dad Bernard Hartshorn passed away in hospital on the 27th May 2020. Dad has been battling various health issues for some time now, and had been in hospital with complications for a couple of weeks but sadly it was too much for his body to fight. Dad was the Manager at Wimpole Home Farm for many years, where he managed the 'Ash' herd of Longhorns'
If any members wish to contact the family my email is: mariehandscombe@gmail.com
Congratulations to the Saxby family, Buxton, who feature in this week's Farmers Guardian.
Click here to read the article
If you work on a farm you can book a Coronavirus test for you and the people you live with, if any of you have symptoms.
Click here for the self referral test webpage.
If your vet is unable to visit your farm to register bulls you wish to sell, the Society has put temporary registration regulations in place.
Click here for more information
Click here for the latest TB testing advice during the COVID-19 outbreak
Statement issued to members on Thursday 26 March...
With much genuine regret we have cancelled the Society's Spring Show & Sale at Worcester on 16 May. At the beginning of this week the sale was going ahead, albeit with possible restrictions, but events have moved on very quickly and after the prime minister's announcement on Monday evening professional bodies have issued guidance to their members. On Tuesday morning the British Veterinary Association asked vets to restrict visits to emergencies only, so asking your vet to do a pre-movement TB test or blood tests will now probably meet with refusal, putting both you and your vet in a difficult position. Then on Tuesday afternoon the Livestock Auctioneers Association issued guidance to all markets that whilst primestock, cull and store animals can still be traded, breeding cattle CANNOT during the period of the ‘lockdown'. As the lockdown is scheduled to last three weeks, but may continue much longer, it's not fair on you as members to be constantly speculating about what to do.
Additionally as a Society we have a duty of care to you as a Society member and the country as a whole to minimise unnecessary contact. We must all do our utmost to act responsibly and try to get COVID-19 under control as quickly as possible through our own individual, as well as collective actions.The Society's website and social media outlets are available to all members to advertise their pedigree animals and stores for sale; in order to support members at this time we are suspending advertising fees so adverts across all platforms are free of charge until pedigree markets are restored. If you are selling cattle directly off your farm we encourage you to follow government guidance and take all necessary precautions. We would also advise members who are in TB areas that need to pre-movement or post-movement test to check with your vet practice before selling or buying cattle to ensure they can be moved off your holding, or post movement tested after arrival.
We are also looking at the possibility of an online auction, if this is feasible we will provide more details as soon as we can.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, it's a strange world we are all living in at the moment.
Stay safe and well
We appear to be heading into what can only be described as a national crisis caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic. At times like this it makes us focus on what is important in our lives, looking after our friends and loved ones and supporting those most
vulnerable. Whilst many industries will be significantly scaling back production and many workers asked to work from home, the agricultural industry, our nation's farmers and our members will be working tirelessly as ever to continue to supply the nation with the food it so critically relies upon.
The farming community has always been one which supports each other in times of need and I'm sure this current challenge will be met with the same response.
The Trustees of the Society are monitoring the situation very closely and will follow Government guidance when considering any changes which undoubtedly will need to be made to our planned events over the coming months. Further details will be provided to members as the situation becomes clearer, particularly with regards to any potential impact on the Worcester Spring Show & Sale and the National Show at Suffolk in May. I'm sure that a number of other shows will be affected so please keep an eye out on the website as Debbie will be keeping this information as up-to-date as possible.
Tom Mills, Chairman
As the number of cases of Coronavirus rise, information is constantly being updated on the gov.uk website
Click here for the link
An exciting new award is being launched for 2020 to recognise and reward a member promoting the Longhorn breed whether it be in classes not confined to Longhorn cattle, or by supplying cattle to exhibitions or events which advertise the breed, or those working hard in the promotion of Longhorn beef - ambassadors of the breed whose story may not be being heard when so much publicity is concentrated around Longhorn-specific showring results.
This award isn't for the member who has won every trophy going in the show ring; it's for the member who has promoted the breed in their own way – an unsung hero if you will. The Council is open to all suggestions so anything goes!
Members should contact the Secretary to nominate a member, or the member can nominate themselves. A few words and photos and hopefully website and social media links describing what this member has done recently to deserve being called a Longhorn Ambassador should be sent in to the office by 31 August 2020.
All the nominations will then go to the Council meeting in September and a shortlist of three will be selected. The three finalists and then the overall winner will be announced at the AGM in October.
The Society would like to thank Bernard Llewellyn of the Carreg herd for providing a trophy for this new award and Council are looking forward to seeing all the nominations that come in.
Click here for the nomination form which is available on the website (go into Join Us, then Forms) or contact the office for a posted copy.
The Society AGM weekend is Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. This year we are based in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, with visits to a commercial pedigree Longhorn herd and for something different a bison farm!
Click here for the booking form. Please note that the Hotel is holding all it's rooms for us until 24 March so early reservation is recommended. Full details of the rooms and rates is on the booking form.
Members wishing to register Longhorn bulls with the Society have to ensure the bulls make a minimum daily liveweight gain. A handy ready reckoner is on the website to help members make the calculation and ensure the weight of their bulls are on track.
Click here for the chart
Click here for the link to the bull registration form
The entry forms, schedule and health declaration for the Spring Show & Sale at Worcester on 16 May are now available.
There is no requirement for health testing, but please complete the health declaration even if you do not test. Please contact the office if you have any queries.
Click here for the schedule
Click here for the entry form
Click here for the health declaration form
The entry forms for the National Show at the Suffolk County Show are now available online. Closing date for stalls is 24 April, and final notification of entries must be in by 8 May. The show is in a four year TB test area which means it's perfect for members in all TB test areas. The show promises us a warm welcome for our National Show!
Click here for the link to the Suffolk Show competitors web page
The Henry Plumb Foundation helps young people (18-35) who are passionate about making a career in agriculture. Grants of £500 to £3000 are made to successful applicants, who are also paired with a mentor to help them. The grants may help with business ideas, internships, business or management courses or overseas exchanges.
Funding interviews are held twice a year. The next deadline for applications in 2020 is Friday 6 March and Friday 4 September.
Henry Plumb has the Maxstoke herd of Longhorns
Click here for more information
The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust awards life changing scholarships that unlock individual potential and broaden horizons through study and travel overseas, with a view to developing farming and agricultural industries. Their motto is "Leading positive change in agriculture". Applications for 2021 opened in January 2020 and close in July 2020.
Click here for more information
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust runs the Churchill Fellowships, a unique programme of overseas research grants. These support UK citizens from all parts of society to travel the world in search of innovative solutions for today's most pressing problems. Every year they award up to 150 Fellowships. These fund outstanding individuals to travel for 4-8 weeks, anywhere in the world, researching a topic of their choice among global leaders in their field. On their return, we help them to share their global learning with professions and communities across the UK. One of the categories for funding is 'Environment, conservation and sustainable living' and another category is 'Rural Living: strengthening rural communities' which may appeal to Society members looking for research grant funding. The next round of applications opens in April 2020.
Click here for more information.
David and Angela Blockley were recently featured in the Yorkshire Post and the article was also posted on the paper's website. Photo (c) Yorkshire Post.
Click here to read the article
The sale of the Belmont herd of Longhorns is taking place at Melton Mowbray Market on Saturday 29 February as part of their 'Saturday Spectacular'. Sale of cattle commences at 12 noon.
Click here for more details
Society member Joe Stanley has been honoured at NFU Conference for his dedication and commitment to the NFU and to the British farming industry.
The 2020 Meurig Raymond Award – named after the NFU's former President – was presented to Joe at the NFU Conference dinner held at the ICC, Birmingham on 25 February.Click here to read more
Farmers with older computer operating systems may find that access to the Cattle Tracing Service and other DEFRA online tools is blocked from 1 April.
DEFRA said that upgraded security measures mean the online Government Gateway will no longer support certain operating systems and browsers.
These include Windows XP, Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 6&&. Other more recent operating systems and browsers might need reconfiguring to ensure they work with an encryption service known as TLS 1.2
Can you access DEFRA services after 1 April?
No - Internet Explorer version 7 or lower is not compatible
No - Windows CP or Windows Vista - your operating system is not compatible
Maybe - Internet Explorer versions 8, 9 or 10 - you may need to check your configuration
Yes - Internet Explorer version 11 is compatible.
DEFRA urges farmers to make compatibility checks as soon as possible because the upgrade affects a wide range of services including DEFRA SignOn and SignOn Admin; AMLS2; ESP Seedcart; CTS Online; and Sheep and Goat ETAS.
Click here for the link to the gov.uk website to find out if your operating system and/or browser is compatible
An integrated beef scheme between a processor and a leading agricultural university is aiming to grow a heritage beef brand using Longhorn bulls as a dairy sire.
Newcastle University Farms and meat processor Buitelaar have launched the Longhorn Heritage Beef project at Cockle Park Research Farm, Northumberland.
The launch has received extensive press coverage:
Click here to read the print article in the Farmers Guardian
Click here to read more via the Scottish Farmer website
Click here to read more about the project via the Farmers Weekly website
Shrewsbury based farmers, Sam and Claire Barker are delighted and very excited to be working with Pipers Crisps to produce the newest flavour in their flag ship range – Great Berwick Longhorn Beef.
Pipers approached the Barkers at the end of last year, following some very careful and extensive research into flavour, provenance and market demand. The combination of some the finest, most flavoursome, organic, pasture fed beef from the Great Berwick Longhorn herd and Piper's famously crunchy potato crisps has culminated in a flavour which is destined to be their third best seller.
Sam Barker said 'Claire and I are so proud of the recognition this gives to 15 years of hard work establishing the Great Berwick brand and of promoting the Longhorn breed. It's a complicated process converting our beef into a beef flavoured crisp, but the results are amazing. We can't believe that the crisps actually taste like our beef. They have to be tasted to be believed!'
Pipers Crisps are particularly popular in pubs, clubs and bars and they will, of course, be available directly from Great Berwick Farm just north of Shrewsbury.
Many congratulations to the Barker family on this amazing use of their Longhorn beef!
The Government has committed to support native livestock and equines in the Agricultural Bill that was published last week, which is great news for all Longhorn breeders and members.
A briefing document has been prepared by Chris Price, CEO of the RBST which explains what is outlined in the bill.
Dutch members Nanning Van Wijk and Janny van Dellen keep their Nanning's herd to produce Longhorn beef for their own very successful butcher's shop in Niekerk.
Nanning was recently featured on Dutch national television with his cattle. The seven minute piece is of course in Dutch but you can still enjoy seeing his cattle even if your Dutch is a little rusty!
Click here for the link to the feature
Photo (c) Gert Van Den Bosch
The Society recently attended the unveiling of a plaque at Melton Mowbray Market to commemorate Robert Bakewell, the 'founder' of the Longhorn breed.
The plaque had been commissioned by the New Dishley Society and representatives of the New Dishley Society, Melton Market Auctioneers and the Longhorn Cattle Society joined other distinguished guests to unveil the plaque.
At the recent meeting of the Longhorn Cattle Society Trustees, Tom Mills was elected as Chairman of Council. Tom has the 'Wheatlands' herd based in Baslow, Derbyshire.
For a full list of Council members see the December newsletter, or go to the 'contact us' page of the website.
The Society has been informed that Ron Wilson, herd manager to the Grendon herd, passed away on Christmas Eve. Mr Wilson was also Chairman of the Society 1977-1978.
The Grendon herd belonged to the Walters family who had a long connection with the Society. Mr RS Walters was Breed Secretary from 1924 and Mr EH Walters was Breed Secretary from 1932.
The Memorial Service will be on Friday 17th January 11.30 am. at Grendon Church CV9 3DP.
Undertakers : M G Evans & Sons Ltd, Atherstone. 01827 713240.
Pictured is Mr RS Walters with Sutton Victor, a Longhorn bull unbeaten between 1932-1939, taken sometime in the 1930's
Are you looking for a varied, full time position working with Longhorn cattle and other enterprises?
Ben and Tori Stanley of the Melbourne Park herd, Derbyshire are looking for a new member of staff to join their team.
Click here for the job description and contact details.
Ruth Russell of the Settrington herd is promoting 'Meatruary', a campaign to encourage meat consumption during February. She has produced a poster for all members to download and print off to spread the word.
Click here for the poster
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