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
BEST STOCK BULL
Castleton Brenin, owned by Dr V St Joseph, bred by CMB, JAW & DM Wright
BEST NEW HERD
The Arnescote Herd, Darlton Hall Estates
BEST SMALL HERD
The Castle House Herd, Mr Geoff Watkins
BEST MEDIUM HERD
The Cadarn Herd, Mr Mark Kennett & Miss Jane Finney
BEST LARGE HERD
The Rathbourne Herd, Miss Sharlotte Amos
RANDOLPH TURPIN TROPHY FOR BEST HERD
The Cadarn Herd, Mr Mark Kennett & Miss Jane Finney
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
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
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
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
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.
