Annual General Meeting 2016
Chairmans Report
With financial pressure on farm incomes thoughout 2015, it has made it difficult in all sectors of agriculture over this past year. The Border Club as well as the British Blue Cattle Society have had to operate in harder times.
The Border Club year started with the AGM in January and had a packed room at the Shepherds Inn, with not only our own members but also the national council members. After we concluded the AGM business, the British Blue Cattle Society made a presentation to John Fleming who retired as company secretary after sixteen years.
The following day was our 16th Annual Open Calf Show which was kindly sponsored by McCaskie Farm Supplies. The difficult task of judging was given to Andrew Haste, he placed Kelly Blackwood and Duncan Davidson’s “Blackstane J’Adore” Female and Overall Champion. Wyn Jones with “Tanat J Lo” ET took the Reserve Female Championship. Male & Reserve Overall Champion was won by Kevin Watret with “Solway View Jackpot”. Izzy Hartley won the young Handlers class & the Progeny Group was won by Blair & Shona Comrie. The Society Show & Sale followed on with a brisk trade where bulls were easily sought.
Our Spring Primestock Show & Sale had strong entries with N Dixon winning overall with a Blue X steer, which was bid to 224.5p / kg. The top Blue cast cow came from Buckabank Farm Ltd @ 213p/kg totalling £1974. Thanks to Parago Veterinary Group for their Sponsorship.
On 16th May the Border Club held their 25th Annual Show & Sale at Borderway Mart, the Society President John Hall was the judge for our eleven classes and championships, an unenviable task, but one that he relished. He placed “Littlederry Icon” from Graham Morgan Junior Male & Overall Male & Supreme Champion of the day. The Senior Male & Reserve Supreme Champion went to Andrew Kay with “Gass Ironman” which went on to make the top price of the day @ 16,000gns, with a further three bulls which broke the five figure barrier. The average for bulls was £5792 (up £622 on last year). Females sold well with the Champion Female from Jason & Sarah Wareham’s making 6,500gns. Thanks to our sponsors Cogent Signature Beef and Show Winners.
During the summer our members have been up & down the country showing stock with great success. The enthusiasm that the Blue Breeders have has paid off with many championships & trophy’s held by Border members.
Members enjoyed a car treasure hunt in August, which like alot of the Autumn turned very wet before everyone found their way back. Thanks to the Brough’s at Buckabank for hosting the evening and letting everyone look around the new robotic dairy.
We gave Linda Morgan the difficult task of judging the herd competition in the Autumn, she travelled all over our patch in three days, looking at some outstanding herds. The night before the October sale we announced the results.... Ross & Elaine Pattinson (Top Side) won the small herd of the year, with Blair & Shona Comrie (Stonebyres) taking the large herd trophy & overall herd of the year. Linda congratulated everyone for showing outstanding stock & a big thanks to her and husband Wyn, for taking the time out to come and do it for us. Thanks also to Richard Keenan Feeders for their sponsorship.
There was a small show of bulls at our Autumn Show & Sale in October. Judge Rab Paterson was still impressed at the quality and put Blair & Shona Comire’s “Stonebyres Imp” Male & Supreme Champion. They also won the Border Club Trophy for the highest priced animal owned by a club member @ 4,200 gns. Top price on the day was “Whitestone Jackpot” @ 5,000gns from GA& EJ Davies.
The Borderway Agri-Expo held at the Borderway Mart on 30th October was a great shop window for the breed. There was lots of interest around the stand and a big thanks to all those who provided stock and helped to set it up and running the day. The open calf show with 41 entries was judged by Jeff Dunn, who remarked how impressed he was with the quality & high standard of the stock on show. The Male and Overall Champion went to JE Bellas & Son, with “Croft End Kit ET” winning the David Dickinson Memorial trophy. Kevin Watret won the Female & Reserve Overall Champion with “Solway View Jitter”. He also won the Bellas trophy for the best animal opposite sex to the champion. Ross & Elaine Pattinson won the progeny group with two “Boherard Canonta ET” calves. Josh Bellas won the Young Handlers & Matthew Jones won the trophy for Champion Breeder. Big thanks to our sponsors Davidsons Animal Feeds.
Can I take this opportunity to thank all our members for their continued support over the year, the committee for undertaking their work with enthusiasm and our secretary Claire Pattinson for her hard work looking after the Borders Club! I hope the Blue cattle enjoy a strong year in 2016.
Richard Brough
(Chairman)
