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SOUTH DEVON HERD BOOK SOCIETY Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ. Tel: 01392 447494 Fax: 01392 447495

www.sdhbs.org.uk info@sdhbs.org.uk PATRON: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES

NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2012

CONTENTS: Linda’s Trophy 12 Spring Show & Sale Schedule 3 Wadebridge Calf Show results 9 DNA testing for myostatin 6 Error – Smithfield results 9 Compensation for TB 7 Diary 10 New Breedplan Sire Summary 8 Cattle for Sale 11 Dear Member, A very happy, peaceful, and healthy New Year to you all! This is rather an abbreviated newsletter, but there are still matters of interest inside, and the start of what will undoubtedly be another busy year for the breed. Beef prices are forecast to stay strong during 2012, and the pedigree sector – at the top of the beef production ‘pyramid’ – should reflect the higher prices. Commercial and retail interest in native breeds shows no sign of waning, although local factors and preferences bear an influence wherever you might be. I am sure you will wish to share our congratulations to Messrs Kivells, who have been a tremendous supporter of the breed for the last decade, in their new position as auctioneers at Exeter Livestock Centre. Their first sale, which will be mainly of store cattle, will take place in April, and no doubt South Devons will find a good trade with Kivells’ support. Liz is still off work, mending her broken ankle, and we hope to see her fully fit and back at her desk in a few weeks’ time. In the meantime, please bear with

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us, particularly with registration work, but if you have an urgent need to register any animals please let us know and we will do what we can. Debbie is doing a great job manning the office in the absence of Liz and I, but we are all looking forward to a resumption of normality! I am also still mending, and awaiting more hospital appointments, and my laptop is my lifeline at home (as is my hot water bottle). If you need to contact me, the fastest way is via e-mail – caroline@sdhbs.org.uk. During this time when we are short-staffed in the office, there will continue to be unavoidable periods of time when the office is manned by an answerphone only. If this is the case when you telephone, please leave a message and we will come back to you. My husband, Keith, is our temporary helper – stuffing envelopes, collating Breedplan reports, running up and down stairs, etc, and you might even find him soon on the end of the South Devon telephone, taking messages. If you have any further advertisements or other material for the Journal please would you let me have the information as soon as possible now, and this will be the final reminder. Inside is the Schedule for the Spring Show & Sale. The deadline for receipt of entries is Friday 10th February. Please note the new health requirements as detailed in recent newsletters. If you wish for further clarification please let me know. A new Breedplan group evaluation has been completed, and performance recorders will receive herd reports with this newsletter. There is also information inside relating to comparative growth over the last 20 years. You may also be interested to see the latest tally of DNA results for myostatin typing. With my best wishes Caroline

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SPRING SHOW & SALE

EXETER LIVESTOCK CENTRE, MATFORD, EXETER Wednesday 28th March 2012

A. All animals to arrive at the Livestock Centre between 11.00 and 14.00

on Tuesday 27th March.

B. Our veterinary inspector, Duncan Findlay MRCVS, will be carrying out inspections on all animals at the Centre on Tuesday 27th March between the hours of 14.00 and 16.00. If animals are not made ready to be inspected during those times the Society reserves the right to refuse entry to the Sale. Any member who has an animal rejected will have their entry fee refunded.

C. All measurements (frame scores) of bulls will be shown at the sale. EBVs will be published in the catalogue for cattle from Breedplan recorded herds, and will be on display on each pen as applicable. Bulls registered after 1st January 2010 must be DNA tested for myostatin and the result published or otherwise made known in the sale ring.

D. All vendors are required to complete a Herd Health Declaration and submit it with their completed Entry Forms. All Sale animals must be tested negative for BVD unless from a CHeCS herd accredited free of BVD, and all animals must be double vaccinated for BVD.

E. Judging will commence at 08.30 on Tuesday morning and the Sale will commence at midday.

ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2012 (Late entries accepted only at the discretion of the Secretary)

Entry Forms are now available from SDHBS, Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ

Tel: 01392 447494, Fax: 01392 447495, e-mail: info@sdhbs.org.uk JUDGE: Mr G H Tully, East Farm, Waddeton, Brixham, Devon

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CLASSES BULLS

1. Bulls from 12 months to 2 ¾ years of age. This class may be divided. 2. Bulls over the age of 2 ¾ years (for sale only).

FEMALES

1. Cow of any age, in calf or with calf at foot. 2. Heifers under the age of 3 years 3 months on the day of sale, with calf

at foot or warranted to calve by that age. 3. Heifers from 1 year 3 months to 2 years 3 months, in calf, running with

the bull or not served. 4. Heifers from 9 months to 15 months of age. 5. Non halter-broken females (for sale only), classes as for halter-broken.

NOTES

1. ENTRY FEES:

Bulls £30 + VAT Females (including calf at foot) £30 + VAT

Animals not forward due to illness but with a veterinary certificate will receive a £10 + VAT reimbursement.

The entry fee, pedigree certificate, herd health declaration, and organic certificate (where applicable) must be enclosed when returning the completed entry form for each animal.

2. INSPECTION OF ALL ENTRIES Once at the Sales Centre all bulls will be weighed and all halter broken entries inspected and checked for locomotion, temperament, active infection (eg ringworm, etc), and defects (eg jaws, testicles, hernia, etc) by the veterinary inspector. Those found to be not up to standard will be rejected. No entry thus rejected may be sold through the ring and must be removed from the sale pens according to the instructions of the Chief Steward.

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Halter-broken and non-halter broken females will also be subject to an inspection, with particular attention paid to jaw, legs, locomotion and feet.

Bulls - Scrotal Circumference:

Bulls aged 12-14 months 31 cms Bulls aged 15-20 months 33 cms Bulls aged 21-30 months 35 cms Bulls over 31 months 36 cms

Failure to meet the above measurements will mean automatic rejection from the sale.

3. DISPERSAL SALES If a member wishes to disperse his/her herd immediately after the Society Sale they may do so provided that it is the whole herd. The cattle are subject to a reduced entry fee of £10 + VAT per animal, which must be enclosed with the entry forms and pedigree certificates and received by the closing date. Dispersals at Society Sales, although not subject to veterinary inspection, are required to comply with current health standards.

4. JUDGING Animals bred by the judge will have to be placed by another person. The person so nominated by the Society will not enter the ring until all other animals in the class concerned have been placed by the judge. The person nominated will then enter the ring and place the animal concerned.

If a judge enters an animal for any Society Sale it may be SOLD only, but the entry in the catalogue will remain in the appropriate show class. The animal will be paraded in its class but will be removed at the instruction of the steward before judging.

5. CATALOGUE INFORMATION Up to 50 words of information may be provided by the Vendors for the catalogue. An additional 30 words may be added at a charge of £0.10/word. EBVs - all Breedplan recording members will have their animals’ EBVs published in the catalogue as appropriate. Caesarean

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births - members are reminded that they must declare caesarean births for all entries at Society Sales. Herd health declarations – must be completed by all entrants and submitted to the South Devon office at the same time as the completed entry forms. Information from the completed declaration will be published in the sale catalogue. No other information relating to herd health, or individual animal health status will be published in the catalogue. Vendors may display additional information on the animal pen. The Herd Health Declaration will be displayed on the animal pen.

6. TB TESTING All animals are required to have been tested clear of TB within 60 days prior to the Sale date.

7. AUCTIONEER Messrs Kivells

DNA TESTING FOR MYOSTATIN

Since commercial testing by Igenity started, over 1000 South Devon bulls have been genotyped for myostatin status, and to date over 600 females have also been typed. The results are summarised as follows:

BULLS FEMALES ‘0’ copy 509 ‘0’ 380 ‘1’ nt821 447 ‘1’ nt821 195 ‘1’ F94L 34 ‘1’ F94L 29 ‘1’ nt821 & ‘1’ F94L

9 ‘1’ nt821 & ‘1’ F94L

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‘2’ nt821 4 ‘2’ nt821 10 ‘2’ F94L 1 ‘2’ F94L 0 TOTAL 1004 618

In the last few days a further 800 female hair samples have been sent to the laboratory, and we look forward to seeing the results in due course. If you would like more information about how myostatin might influence a breeding programme please contact Caroline.

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COMPENSATION FOR BOVINE TB Payable during January 2012

NON PEDIGREE BOVINE

Male Female Age Compensation due Age Compensation

due Up to 3 months 241 Up to 3 months 190 Over 3 months up to 6 months

465 Over 3 months up to 6 months

390

Over 6 months up to 9 months

601 Over 6 months up to 9 months

496

Over 9 months up to 12 months

700 Over 9 months up to 12 months

561

Over 12 months up to 16 months

899 Over 12 months up to 16 months

729

Over 16 months up to 20 months

1,018 Over 16 months up to 20 months

892

20 months and over

1,090 20 months and over

976

Breeding bulls 20 months and over

1,179 Calved 1,134

PEDIGREE BOVINE

Male Female Age Compensation due Age Compensation

due 6 months up to 12 months

* 6 months up to 12 months

970**

Over 12 months up to 24 months

3,927 Over 12 months up to 24 months

2,719

24 months and over 2,610 24 months and over (not calved)

2,251

Calved under 36 months

1,862

Calved 36 months and over

1,964

*Compensation to be determined using individual valuation ** Compensation to be determined using previously ascertained market price

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NATIONAL SHOW UPDATE

The Working Group for this year’s National Show to be held at the Three Counties from 15th to 17th June is busy approaching potential sponsors to make the event at least as successful as the previous two Nationals. If you have any ideas for sponsorship please would you either let Caroline or Bob Bostelmann know. Other members of the Group who would be pleased to hear from you are Mark Rushbrooke, Richard Hartshorn, Sally Smallcombe, and Diane Sugden. Mr Douglas Scott has been invited to judge the South Devon classes, and the Young Handler Competition, and he has kindly accepted the invitation. The Schedule should be available by the end of February. You will be encouraged to make your entries as soon as possible thereafter, as the Show is expecting over 900 cattle over all breeds. The Livestock Secretary is Fiona Parker, tel 01684 584901, e-mail FionaP@threecounties.co.uk

NEW BREEDPLAN SIRE SUMMARY

The new Sire Summary from the January Breedplan Group Evaluation is now available. The Summary is a list of proven bulls with at least 70% accuracy in at least one EBV trait; calves recorded in the last three years; and with three or more progeny analysed. If you would like a copy of the Summary please contact the office.

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AVERAGE BREED TRENDS**

AVERAGE WEIGHTS 2006 to 2011

Birth kg 5,536 bulls 7,487 hfrs

200-day kg 3,108 bulls 4,666 hfrs

1,480 steers

400-day kg 2,139 bulls 3,556 hfrs 828 steers

600-day kg 508 bulls

2,199 hfrs 533 steers

Year

B

H B*

H* S* B H S B H S

2006 45.3 43.2 297 265 264 557 396 416 685 529 533

2007 45.1 42.1 307 268 281 551 401 425 716 513 550

2008 45.5 42.9 295 266 270 534 409 443 701 508 566

2009 45.5 42.7 296 270 280 572 425 441 754 532 529

2010 45.2 42.7 307 279 292 575 428 449 787 554 609

2011 45.3 42.8 319 286 302 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

AVERAGE WEIGHTS 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010

Birth kg 3,612 bulls 4,577 hfrs

200-day kg 3,866 bulls 4,907 hfrs

1,029 steers

400-day kg 2,610 bulls 3,648 hfrs 795 steers

600-day kg 278 bulls

1,349 hfrs 409 steers

Year

B

H B*

H* S* B H S B H S

1990 46.2 43.2 272 241 240 523 399 430 799 527 603

1995 45.7 42.2 266 237 228 509 388 415 705 486 545

2000 46.4 43.5 264 242 251 498 381 421 646 483 526

2005 45.8 43.5 303 270 272 546 413 432 727 499 496

2010 45.2 42.7 307 279 292 575 428 449 787 554 609

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* Bull; Heifer; Steer ** Figures taken from January Breedplan evaluation Looking at this brief analysis, it is interesting to note the increase in weight gain over the years, particularly for 200 and 400 day weights, whereas the birth weights have changed little. Data for the 600 day weights is more limited.

WADEBRIDGE CALF SHOW RESULTS Senior bull, born between 1 October and 31 December 2010 1st J M & M E Eustice GODWORTHY EXCALIBUR 18 Senior heifer, born between 1 October and 31 December 2010 1st W P & S L Harper BEDFORD COWSLIP 30 Junior bull, born between 1 January and 28 February 2011 1st T L Warne PORTHKERRIS BENTLEY 2nd A L Pascoe CARZISE BENTLEY 3rd P S & A P Rowe TREWINT Junior heifer, born between 1 January and 28 February 2011 1st A L Pascoe CARZISE AUDRY 2nd N & E Bunkum TREGARRICK BILLIE JEAN 3rd M A & C Sandbach & Son PERLEES FLOWER 2 Junior bull, born on or after 1 March 2011 1st M A & C Sandbach & Son PERLEES LEO Junior heifer, born on or after 1 March 2011 1st N & E Bunkum TREGARRICK BONNIE 2nd R K Rundle KESTLE BUTTERMAID 3rd T L Warne PORTHKERRIS HYACINTH 1 Breed champion Winner A L Pascoe CARZISE AUDRY Reserve N & E Bunkum TREGARRICK BILLIE JEAN

ERROR – SMITHFIELD RESULTS

My apologies to those concerned – the Breed Champion at Smithfield in December was A E J & F J Claridge’s heifer, KNOWLHILL MARGARET.

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DIARY

January 12th Breed Improvement Committee meeting 17th Midland Club meeting (talk about health issues) 18th Breed Promotion Committee meeting 26th Executive Committee meeting February 10th Spring Show & Sale entries close 16th Council meeting, Bristol March 27th Annual General Meeting & Dinner, Exeter 28th Spring Show & Sale, Exeter April 17th Council meeting, Tiverton May 5th Midland Club Sale, Stratford upon Avon 24th Beef Expo, Malvern 25th South Devon Cattle Breeders Club Sale, Exeter June 15th-17th National Show, Three Counties

CATTLE FOR SALE LIST

(Please note: please let us know if you would like your cattle to remain advertised, otherwise they will automatically be removed from the list)

BULLS HILLSON CENTURION 2 J W Hillson 01822 840450/ UK366639 200242 Devon – Region 2 07971 960928 Born 04/04/2006 KNIGHTCOTE DEMETRIUS 1 N P Foster & Partners 07961 428431 UK203338 100235 Northants – Region 5 (Joy Broughton) Born 25/02/2007 RUFFORD SAS GUNNER Mells Park Trust (Johnny Ward) 01373 812414/ UK165390 200122 Wessex – Region 3 07894 037158 Born 02/04/2007 X HAUGHTON SAS ILLYA 2 R J Dimond 01749 812373 UK303138 100027 Wessex – Region 3 Born 03/07/2007 SEXTON KING LEAR 13 T A & N M Jarman 01650 521269 UK361990 100439 Powys – Region 6 Born 08/10/2007 X EYTON TRUSTY 1 T M Kent 07903 855099 UK304620 500216 Shropshire – Region 6 Born 19/02/2010

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Z ARNCLIFFE HENDRIX Sir John Bell 01609 882202 UK 122824 700682 Yorkshire – Region 7 Born 05/03/2010 X EYTON TRUSTY 2 T M Kent 07903 855099 UK304620 300228 Shropshire – Region 6 Born 21/03/2010 FEMALES 6 cows with calves, and D A Ashcroft 01420 511011/ 12 yearling heifers Hampshire – Region 4 07966 511868

LINDA TURPIE ROUNSEVELL MEMORIAL AWARD You still have time to make a nomination for this year’s award of the Linda Turpie Rounsevell Memorial Trophy. The Trophy is a sketch of one of the Highgate herd dams with her calf, and was produced by renowned South-West artist, Xanthe Moseley. Roger Rundle is the current recipient of the award. You may nominate any member or non-member, and the nominations will be judged according to the greatest contribution to promotional work during 2011. The winner will retain the Trophy for one year and will receive a framed print to keep. Please would you complete the form enclosed with the December newsletter, and return it to the Society office by 27th January. The judges will be Ian Rounsevell, Caroline Poultney (Secretary) and Roger Clemens (President) and the winner will be announced at the AGM.

AND FINALLY …

Why is that whenever something is transported by car, it's called a “shipment”, but when something is transported by ship, it's called “cargo”? How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to change it, and another two change it right back again.