Always a highlight of the BWCS calendar and attended this year in large number, the Annual General Meeting travelled down to Somerset on Saturday 5 October, convening at the on-farm butchery and food production complex at Avalon Farm near Castle Cary, the site having been newly developed by working country estate and BWCS members The Newt in Somerset.
A productive meeting was made all the better for having over 70 breed enthusiasts gathered together from far and wide, with much to see and learn from such an impressive venue. Annual presentations were made, and members were treated to a delicious barbecue of home-grown, pulled British White beef rolls before being taken on a farm tour to view the Emily herd. Comprising around 180 breeding females plus stock bulls, followers and finishing stock, this herd is the largest collection of British White cattle in the UK, thoroughly thriving and producing superb beef from grass, whilst also providing a uniquely beautiful attraction for visitors to the estate.
The Society is grateful to Farm Manager Cameron Knee and the team at The Newt In Somerset for taking the time to make the day so interesting and informative, and to all the members who came along to learn and share their input at the meeting, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Scroll down to view the winners of the National Herd Competition and Show Points Trophies, as well as a gallery of photos from the spectacular farm tour!
National Herd Competition
Kindly judged and presented by Mark Kennett, Cadarn Herd
Full report to follow in the Breed Journal, released early 2025
Best New Herd
Winner: Norfolk Wildlife Trust, NWT Hovering Herd
Runner Up: Lucy Eyre, Diskin Herd
Best Small Herd
Winner: James & Katie Allen, Dupree Herd
Runner Up: Jo Cartwright, Swillington Herd
Best Medium Herd
Winner: Keith & Ro Harding, Templar Herd
Runner Up: Caroline Lovén, Rosalind Herd
Best Large Herd
Winner: Paul Pennington, Oldington Herd
Runner Up: The Newt In Somerset, Emily Herd
Enterprise Trophy
Winner: RH Farms, Woodbastwick Herd
Runner Up: Edward James Gibson, Moorland Herd
Best Stock Bull
Castleton Ken, CMB, JAW & DM Wright
Show Points Trophies
Kindly presented by Executive Committee Chairman Henry Cator
To animals gaining the most points at shows throughout the 2024 season
Junior Heifer of the Year
1st (21 points) Tollesbury Tahiti, bred and exhibited by Vivien St Joseph
2nd (20 points) Alcroft Beetle, bred and exhibited by Sarah Cook
3rd (18 points) Lordswood Ada, bred and exhibited by James Brain & Libby McGinn
Senior Heifer of the Year
1st (13 points) Amaroo Pommery, bred and exhibited by Ruhi Pugh
2nd (12 points) Dallyashes Heloise, bred and exhibited by Angie Hamilton
3rd (11 points) Lordswood Jessie, bred and exhibited by James Brain & Libby McGinn
Cow of the Year
1st (23 points) Tismans Peony, bred by Stephie Trafford and exhibited by Chris & Katie Davis
2nd (20 points) Tollesbury Diamond, bred and exhibited by Vivien St Joseph
3rd (18 points) Marshbrook Dragonfly, bred and exhibited by Elayna Astbury
Bull of the Year
1st (41 points) Tollesbury Pythagoras, bred by Vivien St Joseph and exhibited in 2024 by both
Vivien St Joseph and new owners Chris & Katie Davis
2nd (40 points) Castleton Ken, bred and exhibited by the Wright family
3rd (23 points) Lordswood Finley, bred and exhibited by James Brain & Libby McGinn
Farm Tour Gallery
Click photos to expand & scroll through gallery
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