Annual General Meeting celebrates 50 years of the Castleton herd

Alongside the Society's annual prizegiving for the National Herd Competition and show points trophies, held on Saturday 7th October in Crickhowell, this year's meeting also took time to celebrate the achievements of the renowned Castleton herd, bred by the Wright family since 1973. Honouring the herd's founder and late Society President Mr Mick Wright, who sadly died earlier this year, members travelled from far and wide to attend the meeting and visit this well-known herd of cattle.

NATIONAL HERD COMPETITION

Judged on-farm by last year's winner Mr Leslie Cook of the Albany herd, the National Herd Competition saw another fantastic entry with quality cattle on each farm, and a tough choice to be made in every category!

CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF ALL OF THE ENTRIES FROM THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, COWSHEDTV:

ENTERPRISE TROPHY

The Emily Herd, Emily Estates Ltd

Stockman John McWilliam (left) and Farm Manager Cameron Knee (right) accept the Enterprise Trophy

BEST STOCK BULL

Castleton Brenin, owned by Dr V St Joseph, bred by CMB, JAW & DM Wright

Mark Howland receives the trophy for Best Stock Bull for Castleton Brenin

BEST NEW HERD

The Arnescote Herd, Darlton Hall Estates

BEST SMALL HERD

The Castle House Herd, Mr Geoff Watkins

Geoff Watkins, Castle House, wins the trophy for Best Small Herd

BEST MEDIUM HERD

The Cadarn Herd, Mr Mark Kennett & Miss Jane Finney

Best Medium Herd is awarded to Mark Kennett and Jane Finney, Cadarn

BEST LARGE HERD

The Rathbourne Herd, Miss Sharlotte Amos

Sharlotte Amos, Rathbourne, wins Best Large Herd

RANDOLPH TURPIN TROPHY FOR BEST HERD

The Cadarn Herd, Mr Mark Kennett & Miss Jane Finney

The Randolph Turpin Trophy is awarded to the Cadarn Herd

SHOW POINTS TROPHIES

Presented by Executive Committee Chairman Henry Cator were the awards for the BWCS Bull, Cow, Senior Heifer and Junior Heifer of the Year, given for the animal in each category earning the most points at shows during 2023.

BWCS BULL OF THE YEAR

1st (36 points) Lordswood Finley, Mr J Brain; 2nd (30 points) Castleton Ken, CMB, JAW & DM Wright; 3rd (21 points) Albany Octavius, Mr L Cook

Bull of the Year awarded to James Brain for Lordswood Finley

BWCS COW OF THE YEAR

1st (10 points) Marshbrook Dragonfly, Mrs E Astbury; =2nd (8 points) Dallyashes Lappett, Mr M Jones; = 2nd (8 points) Marshbrook Dakota, Mrs E Astbury; 4th (6 points) Amaroo Pretty Pinion, Mr M Jones

Cow of the Year awarded to Elayna Astbury for Marshbrook Dragonfly

BWCS SENIOR HEIFER OF THE YEAR

1st (27 points) De Beauvoir Smart Sally, Mrs A Dunn; 2nd (24 points) Templar Libby 192, K & RP Harding; 3rd (20 points) Dallyashes Twostep, Mrs A Hamilton

Senior Heifer of the Year goes to Angela Dunn for De Beauvoir Smart Sally

BWCS JUNIOR HEIFER OF THE YEAR

1st (22 points) Amaroo Pommery, Mrs R Pugh; 2nd (20 points) Woodbastwick Sorcha, R H Farms; =3rd (12 points) Marshbrook Debutante, Mrs E Astbury; =3rd (12 points) Alcroft Wallflower 5, Miss S Cook

Angie Hamilton accepts Junior Heifer of the Year on behalf of daughter Ruhi Pugh for Amaroo Pommery

CASTLETON HERD TOUR

Following the meeting and lunch in the nearby Bear Inn Hotel, Crickhowell, members were invited to Tyllys to tour the 30-cow Castleton herd, which is currently served by stock bulls Willow Park George (bred by Shirley Martin) and the homebred Royal Welsh Show Champion for 2023, Castleton Ken. On a beautiful grassland farm which has consistently turned out some of the highest quality pedigree and commercial British White cattle over the past 50 years, it was a tremendous day to see the herd at work and to catch up with so many fellow breeders from across the country.