Derbyshire club news July 2013

Our two annual stockjudging fixtures took place in May by kind permission of the Easom (Broomhouse) and Bunting (Alsopdale) families. Both evenings were well attended and made thoroughly enjoyable by the great lengths both our hosts went to, to provide 3 tough classes of high-calibre cattle to judge, and also fantastic hospitality. Our thanks to Andrew Rutter of Genus ABS, who acted as master judge on both occasions; and also to Holstein UK’s Andrew Spicer for providing linear training on the second evening. The results were as follows:

STOCKJUDGING RESULTS 2013

OPEN - Gents

1^st       Michael Wainwright

2^nd=    Nigel Mills

 2^nd=    Tony Critchlow

OPEN – Ladies

1^st       Jo Bradbury

2^nd      Jane Mellor

3^rd      Barbara Wayne

Senior           

1^st       Harrison Mellor        

2^nd =   Stuart Mycock                  

2^nd =  Ed Flower               

Intermediate                       

1^st       Julie Mellor             

2^nd     Kimberley Trickett             

Junior            

1^st       Peter Cotton           

LINEAR

Senior

1^st       Ed Flower               

2^nd      Will Shaw               

3^rd      Stuart Mycock                  

Intermediate

1^st       Julie Mellor             

2^nd      James Hodgkinson                                

3^rd      Kimberley Trickett    

Junior

1^st       Peter Cotton           

2^nd     Ed Stubbs               

3^rd      Alistair Hodgkinson             

The results from the Winter herd competition were announced at the second stockjudging evening and were as follows:

Around 40 members and guests travelled by coach to Leicestershire in June.

The short travelling distance meant that four farms were visited instead of the customary two.

First stop was at Andrew Birkle’s ‘Whinchat’ herd, where members were impressed with the depth of quality and uniformity of the modern Holsteins including Whinchat Shottle Roxy Ex90 (pictured) and Picston Goldwyn Shula 43 Ex92.

Next stop was to Messrs Stafford’s well noted and acclaimed ‘Saxelby’. With Master Breeder status, this herd has many good families including the homebred ones – Bertha & Rose. The other Rose (Stafford!) produced an excellent home cooked lunch and the funds raised went towards a local Children’s hospice.

In the afternoon we dipped south of Melton Mowbray to see Rob Kirk’s Leedham herd of Red & white Holsteins – appreciated by all.

The finale with a difference came with a visit to Messrs Truman’s 200 cow Dalbytop Herd. This ‘all under one roof ’ robotic system impressed not only by the physical performance of high yields and a good calving interval, achieved by dedicated owners and very committed staff, but also was a great environment for people and cows alike.

On the way home, we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to 92 year old William Bunting of the Alsopledale Herd – a regular attendee and life member of the Derbyshire club.