South Devon Newsletter November 2012

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debit card. Should you wish to pay by debit card please speak to Debbie. Also enclosed is a new Merchandise List, ready for your Christmas shopping! In addition to the usual items on offer, there is a new calendar in production (thank you to all those who sent in photographs, and I apologise that we do not have the space to include them all); new umbrellas (wooden handle, similar to previous design); and some Stocking Fillers including pens, notebooks, and small notepads. For those looking a little further ahead, plans are already underway for the next World Congress which is to be held in the USA in 2014. As soon as we have more information it will be published in a newsletter! Bookings are now being taken for the British Cattle Breeders Club Conference, to be held at Telford on 21st-23rd January. Details from Lesley Lewin, 01409 241579, www.cattlebreeders.org.uk There is important health news inside relating to new TB regulations, Schmallenburg Virus, and the CHeCS Johnes programme. Finally, if you would like to nominate a member or non-member who you consider to have made a very significant contribution to breed promotion during the last year in particular, you are invited to complete and return the form at the back of this newsletter. With my best wishes Caroline

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CORNWALL PEDIGREE BEEF CALF SHOW

The second Cornwall Pedigree Beef Calf Show took place at the Royal Cornwall Showground on Sunday 28th October, with a good turnout of South Devons. Heifer born between 1st October and 31st December 2011 1st R Clemens PENROSE STONEHEDGING LISA Bull born between 1st January and 29th February 2012 1st T Warne PORTHKERRAS STRONGBOW 2nd R K Rundle KESTLE TRUMP 3rd W P & S L Harper BEDFORD NONSUCH Heifer born between 1st January and 29th February 2012 1st N & E Bunkum TREGARRICK CANDY 2nd A L Pascoe CARZISE SALLY 15 3rd R K Rundle KESTLE DAHLIA 67 Bull born after 1st March 2012 1st R K Rundle KESTLE LEO 2nd M A & C Sandbach & Son 3rd T Warne PORTHKERRAS CRUSADER Heifer born after 1st March 2012 1st R K Rundle KESTLE BUTTERCUP 131 2nd T Bastard TREGADA CAROLINE Breed Champion Winner R K Rundle KESTLE LEO Reserve N & E Bunkum TREGARRICK CANDY

ENGLISH WINTER FAIR

Congratulations to all those who took cattle to the English Winter Fair at Stafford this last weekend which enabled us to have our own class, and herewith the results:

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Steer or Heifer 1st N & E Bunkum TREGARRICK BUSSELL 2nd R K Rundle KESTLE DOROTHY 176 3rd N & E Bunkum TREGARRICK BONNIE 4th G R Fountaine CLEUGHSIDE RUPERT Crossbred Steer or Heifer, sired by a native breed 3rd G R Fountaine GINGER SPICE We look forward to the next big competition, at the East of England Smithfield Festival on 30th November and 1st December, which includes a breed Calf Show as well as South Devon primestock classes.

BEEF SOUTH WEST Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ

Thursday 8th November For the first time Beef South West was held at Westpoint, Exeter, which proved to be an excellent venue with good facilities and plenty of parking. The close proximity to the office was also very much appreciated! A big thank you to those who loaned cattle for the Society breed stand, namely Phil Eustice, Roger Rundle and Colin Edwards. Top show-winners alongside some very strong commercial crossbreds were an excellent example of what the breed can do, and there were plenty of visitors to the stand, including a number of new enquirers.

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Thanks also to Richard Harvey and Lionel Pascoe for entering bulls in the Young Bull Competition, which really showed off the breed’s strength, size, and beefy qualities. South Devon beef was served at the pre-Event dinner, and I understand that the quality was excellent! All in all, a good promotional event.

SKIPTON SALE 7th November, CCM Auctions, Skipton, Yorkshire

It’s always a little nerve-wracking prior to a Sale, not being equipped with a crystal ball, and all the more so for a new date and venue. However, the inaugural sale at Skipton was deemed a success, albeit without the headliner prices of the Bristol Sale. All the cattle were subject to veterinary inspection by Duncan Findlay MRCVS, so the same standards as other Society Sales were applied, and they all passed. Our President, Mervyn Rowe, kindly judged the cattle. Following immediately after a Morrisons’ supported sale of Beef Shorthorns, there were a good crowd of people around the sale ring, and some new buyers amongst the bidders for the South Devons. Breed Champion Winner D E Coning SOWERTON CHARLEMAGNE 1 Reserve J P Harrison BRAFFERTON DORIS 44 Best Non-Haltered 1st Ms A Welch GALTRES TROOPER KAY 40 2nd Sir John Bell ARNCLIFFE MAPLE 05 11 3rd Sir John Bell Z ARNCLIFFE HOLLY 7 11

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SALE RESULTS Bulls Vendor Bull Purchaser Gns D E Coning Sowerton Charlemagne 1 R J Arden Farms Ltd, Hawnby, York 2150 D E Coning Sowerton Charlemagn 2 C J Turner, Broadways, Worcester 1950 Heifers Vendor Heifer Purchaser Gns J P Harrison Brafferton Griselda 6 C M Dean, West Scholes, Bradford, Yorks 1500 R G Elliott & Son Kislingbury Dolly 6 J W Wilding, Farington Moss 1300 R G Elliott & Son Kislingbury Curly 7 I O Jones, Betws Y Rhos, Abergele, Wales 1450 Ms A Welch Galtres Trooper Aster 16 (T) T E & M Powley, Green Hammerton, York 1250 Ms A Welch Galtres Trooper Aster 19 T E & M Powley, Green Hammerton, York 1900 Ms A Welch Galtres Trooper Kay 40 T E & M Powley, Green Hammerton, York 1350 Ms A Welch Galtres Trooper Kay 41 T E & M Powley, Green Hammerton, York 1550 Sir John Bell Z Arncliffe Holly 7 11 G S Halder & Son, Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby, Yorks 1000 Sir John Bell Arncliffe Maple 05 11 I O Jones, Betws Y Rhos, Abergele, Wales 1450 Crossbred Heifers Vendor Heifer Purchaser Gns M E & T E Broome Welland Valley Laura 7 C R Horner, Kilburn, York 940 M E & T E Broome Welland Valley Buttercup 30 C R Horner, Kilburn, York 880

AGRI-EXPO CARLISLE

Agri-Expo at Carlisle has grown into an enormous commercial attraction for the farming community, and this year there were rumoured to be around 12,000 visitors to the one-day event. Of course, free entry does help to make it an attractive day out! The Society stand was stocked with two South Devon sired crossbred cows, with South Devon calves at foot. From N & J Newbould in Dumfriesshire, they clearly showed the crossbred suckler production side of the breed, with plenty of milk, growth, and a docile nature. Representing the pedigree maternal strengths were three well-grown yearling heifers loaned by David Irving.

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The Society owes a big thank you to both the Newboulds, and to David for taking care of the Stand, and for promoting the breed to a very wide audience which is largely unaware of the breed’s capabilities. Your Breed Secretary was unable to be on the stand during the day, so further thanks are extended to members who helped out, particularly Alex Welch and Richard Barron. A number of new enquiries were received, some of which materialised at the following week’s sale at Skipton.

HEALTH ISSUES

SCHMALLENBURG VIRUS (with thanks to George Dart for this information) “The Orthobunyavirus first identified in the German village of Schmallenburg which has now spread across mainland UK and into Shetland and Northern Ireland, is primarily transmitted by biting midges. Once injected into small blood vessels in the skin, it multiplies rapidly and spreads throughout the body. This state of ‘Viraemia’ lasts 3-5 days during which cows are feverish, produce less milk and may scour. In suckler cows these signs may be undetectable or a calf at foot may be clearly hungry and its dam run a fever up to 105°F. In one closely observed case, both calf and dam showed clinical signs and the calf’s growth is 15-20% behind his age group four months later. If the viraemia affects a cow or ewe during pregnancy at the stage of organ formation and early growth, then the brain, spinal cord, limbs and spine may be damaged to varying degrees. The pregnancy may fail leading to abortion or maceration, or survive leading to birth of a deformed foetus, typically with arthrogryposis – that is, bent

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limbs and fused joints. In these cases delivery is very difficult and may require surgery. The foetus may look normal at birth but fail to breathe, or may survive the early neonatal period, but lack the coordination to suck or stand because areas of the brain are underdeveloped or missing. Blindness is a logical further complication. Viruses related to Schmallenburg typically produce solid immunity after infection, and it is likely that affected cattle will be immune and breed successfully the following year. Our experience carrying out serological surveys in suspect herds is that both affected and asymptomatic cattle have immunity suggesting rapid spread within a herd and raising the question of cattle to cattle transfer. Equally we have screened flocks where most ewes are in early pregnancy, but worryingly only 50% of the flock has antibodies to Schmallenburg. Attempts to repel the Culicoides midge with pyrethroid fly repellents have had generally poor success in the constant wet, and organic products have fared no better. Vaccine is very likely to be released soon and may be in time for pre-service use in some autumn calving groups. In summary it is likely that some breeders will experience some problems with late winter and spring calvers, hopefully only a minor skirmish; but whatever you see try to get a definitive diagnosis so that some other problem is not missed. Short-term this disease can be very depressing, but allowing some other problem to establish itself could be even more damaging to your herd.” George Dart The Vale Veterinary Group

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COMPENSATION FOR BOVINE TB Payable during November 2012

NON PEDIGREE BOVINE

Male Female Age Compensation due Age Compensation

due Up to 3 months 249 Up to 3 months 203 Over 3 months up to 6 months

526 Over 3 months up to 6 months

441

Over 6 months up to 9 months


545



641



728



831

20 months and over

1,048 20 months and over

932

Breeding bulls 20 months and over

1,299 Calved 910

PEDIGREE BOVINE

Male Female Age Compensation due Age Compensation

due Up to 6 months * Up to 6 months * 6 months up to 12 months

* 6 months up to 12 months

1,393


4,312 Over 12 months up to 24 months

1,838

24 months and over 2,703 24 months and over (not calved)

1,790

Calved under 36 months

1,972

Calved 36 months and over

2,020

*Compensation to be determined using individual valuation **Compensation to be determined using previously ascertained market price

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CHANGES TO TB RULES FROM 1ST JANUARY 2013 Overshadowed by the news that the autumn’s pilot badger culls were being put on hold at the last minute was the announcement by DEFRA of a number of changes to TB regulations to take effect from 1st January 2013. Once again the farming industry has been backed into a corner and forced to accept yet more restrictions without having the ‘softener’ of beginning to address the pool of disease in the wildlife sector. Move from 4-yearly to annual testing The current testing system based on parishes will change to a county-based regime from 1st January, and will draw into annual testing many areas that are currently 4-yearly. This effectively means that a virtual line is drawn down the country, with one side testing every year and the other side testing every four years. There will be no two or three yearly tests. One major concern is that trade barriers will become tighter, with the misguided perception of ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’ areas. If there were any conviction behind a TB eradication programme, then as part of that programme all areas of England, Wales and Scotland should be under annual testing. Annual testing counties will be: Avon, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, East Sussex, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, West Midlands, and Worcestershire.

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Tighter surveillance Herds perceived to be at higher risk of TB breakdown, such as bull hire herds or regular purchasers of high incidence counties will continue to be tested annually. Where there is a breakdown in a four-yearly testing county, herds within 3 km of that breakdown will be required to have an immediate skin test, followed by a six-month test and, if negative, a 12-month test, alongside compulsory pre-movement testing. Tighter cattle movement controls Cattle from TB restricted herds will only be allowed to move within 30 days (instead of 60) of their last negative TB skin test. Approved quarantine units are to be phased out; and approved finishing units taking clean cattle from infected farms for fattening will be ‘strictly monitored’. Re-stocking of ‘officially TB free status suspended’ herds will only be permitted after the herd’s first post-breakdown test (after 60 days) and a satisfactory veterinary risk assessment; which will be in line with the rule for ‘officially TB free status withdrawn herds’. Pedigree status We continue to urge all members to ensure that their pedigree registrations are up to date particularly prior to a TB test.

DUCHY HEALTH INITIATIVE

The Duchy College’s Healthy Livestock Initiative has about another 12 months to run, and is a good way to start to think about your herd’s health status.

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All beef producers in the South West of England are entitled to access funding under the Initiative. Up to 70% financial support is available to cover training, on-farm mentoring, and certain diagnostic testing in relation to BVD, Johnes, and respiratory diseases. For further information please contact Helen Roseveare (née Ashcroft) on 07808 062141, or your local vet.

UPDATE TO CHECS JOHNES PROGRAMME

Following extensive discussions with pedigree cattle breeders and the ten CHeCS registered cattle health schemes, a new Johnes programme is due to be launched in January 2013. Under the current system, herds are classified as ‘qualifying’ or ‘accredited free’ if they have had clear herd tests; however herds that have not achieved clear tests are given no recognition for culling reactors and having a programme in place to control the disease. Unfortunately the available tests do not detect all infected animals, only those in which the disease is progressing. So tackling the disease is a long-term project, involving repeated testing and the implementation of management practices to prevent the spread of infection. It also means that herds that have had clear tests may still contain infection. In January the system will change to a risk-based approach in which herds will be categorised according to the Level of risk of them selling infected animals. Herds that have had three clear consecutive annual tests of all animals of two years and older with no reactors identified, will gain Level 1 status. Level 1 herds carry the lowest risk of selling infected stock and is equivalent to the current ‘accredited free’ status. A simple explanation is given on the next page:

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STATUS DEFINITION Level 1 This is equivalent to the previous CHeCS ‘accredited

free’ status. Level 1 is associated with the lowest risk source when buying in stock. Health plan required.

Level 2 Equivalent to the previous CHeCS ‘qualifying’ status. Herds with Level 2 status will have had one or two clear consecutive herd tests. Health plan required.

Level 3 Herds with Level 3 status will have reactors identified at the annual herd test, but these are no more than 3% of the animals tested. Health plan required.

Level 4 Herds with Level 4 status will have reactors identified at the annual herd test, and these amount to more than 3% of the animals tested. Health plan required.

Level 5 Any herd that is not carrying out the required testing or does not have a suitable health plan in place automatically falls into this category. Level 5 status is considered to be the greatest risk source when buying in stock.

For further information please contact your CHeCS scheme provider, your vet, or go to the CHeCS website.

FOR SALE

Major reduction of Performance Recorded Pedigree South Devon Herd in the SAC’s Premium Cattle Health Scheme, and myostatin tested. In-calf to AI and polled bulls. 55 available to include

many young in-calf cows, in-calf heifers and polled bulling heifers.

Contact Arwyn Davies, Gro herd, 07525 495061

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PERFORMANCE RECORDING HERDS Mature Cow Weights

Recording mature cow weights is a useful contributor to the overall Indexes, particularly when size is an important breed characteristic. However the trait is not yet published as an individual EBV as we are still building up sufficient data. To assist with this I would therefore encourage you to contribute records if possible. Weigh sheets are available on your download section of the website, or please request forms from the office. Mature Cow Weight EBVs are an estimate of the genetic difference in cow weight at five years of age, and are based on the weights recorded for cows at the same time as the 200 day weights are recorded for their calves. It is very important that you also submit management group information for sets of mature cows. If there is no management code, Breedplan will use the management groups submitted with the 200 day weights for the calves to sub-group the cows. It is therefore important to note a different code for the cow if she has been managed differently (for example, was injured/sick or has been supplementary fed). It is also helpful to submit cow condition score, and a scoring guide is available from the office.

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FORTHCOMING SALE

on behalf of S Abbott & Son, the Grey House herd, Crank, St Helens, Merseyside

CHELFORD MARKET, MACCLESFIELD

Tuesday 27th November 8 cows, 7 heifers

Catalogues: Frank Marshall Chelford Agricultural Centre, 01625 861122

DIARY

Nov 22nd Breed Promotion committee meeting 27th Executive committee meeting with Judges Advisers 30th Smithfield Festival, East of England Dec 1st Smithfield Festival, East of England 4th Council meeting 4th Primestock show & sale, Colchester Livestock Market Jan 21-23rd British Cattle Breeders Club Conference Feb 14th Council meeting Mar 26th Annual General Meeting, Exeter 27th Spring Show & Sale

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CATTLE FOR SALE BULLS Monkton Donatello G K & M A Garrett & Son 01837 54348 UK721712 300033 Devon – Region 2 Born 04/06/2002 Levaton Gem 3 Mr & Mrs J Fanshawe 01604 740308 UK364304 200056 Northamptonshire – Region 5 Born 17/04/2006 Trewint Excalibur 2 L E Walters & Son 01404 841403 UK383029 400541 Devon – Region 2 Born 16/05/2006 Bedford Hadrian 14 Mr T R G Martin 01769 580737 UK382333 200183 Devon – Region 2 Born 08/09/2006 Knightcote Demetrius 1 N P Foster & Partners 07961 428431 UK203338 100235 Northamptonshire – Region 5 (Joy Broughton) Born 25/02/2007 Rufford SAS Gunner Mells Park Trust 07894 037158 UK165390 200122 Somerset – Region 3 (Johnny Ward) Born 02/04/2007 Billington Donatello 21 G K & M A Garrett & Son 01837 54348 UK371751 700157 Devon – Region 2 Born 18/05/2007 X Haughton SAS Illya Mr R J Dimond 01749 812373 UK303138 100027 Somerset – Region 3 Born 03/07/2007 Z Embury Ben 10 Mr & Mrs D Barlow 01298 84820/ UK202073 300115 Derbyshire – Region 7 07973 468177 Born 15/05/2008 Mutterton Strongbow 8 Mr J Virgin 01258 817171 UK361746 400178 Dorset – Region 3 Born 28/02/2009 AI Waddeton Homer 6 The Tully Partnership 01803 842394 UK364027 500828 Devon – Region 2 Born 22/03/2009

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Trenderway Henry 1 Mrs C Harris & Mr Y Peled 01503 272214 UK387274 500009 Cornwall – Region 1 Born 11/04/2009 Raphael Warrior F & J Rowe 01503 272766 UK382939 100792 Cornwall – Region 1 Born 22/02/2010 Z Waddeton Illistram 9 The Tully Partnership 01803 842394 UK364027 400897 Devon – Region 2 Born 25/03/2010 FEMALES 20 bulling heifers M R & R J Rowe 01579 342407 Cornwall – Region 1 01579 343241 2 x 2 year old in-calf Mr C Wyatt 01460 63155 heifers Somerset – Region 3 12 bulling heifers Mr E Noy 07812 137201 Hertfordshire – Region 5 7 bulling heifers F & J Rowe 01503 272766 Cornwall – Region 1 in-calf heifers & cows, The Tully Partnership 01803 842394 cows with calves Devon – Region 2 in-calf cows, bulling Mr D P Crow 01952 222134 heifers Shropshire – Region 6 07811 593260 in-calf & bulling heifers Mr T R G Martin 01769 580737 Devon – Region 2 2 x 2 year old in-calf K V & M A Plain 01684 772096 heifers Gloucestershire – Region 3 10 maiden heifers, G K & M A Garrett & Son 01837 54348 6 cows with calves Devon – Region 2 16 bulling heifers Mr W H D Scott 01608 651464 Gloucestershire – Region 3

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AND FINALLY …

Not the usual this time, as we have been warned of a 3rd ‘Nile’ virus which might already be affecting your systems. Even the most advanced programmes from Norton or McAfee cannot take care of this one: Virus symptoms: 1 Causes you to send the same e-mail twice 2 Causes you to send a blank e-mail 3 Causes you to send an e-mail to the wrong person 4 Causes you to send it back to the person who sent it to you 5 Causes you to forget to attach the attachment 6 Causes you to hit ‘send’ before you’ve finished 7 Causes you to hit ‘delete’ instead of ‘send’ 8 Causes you to hit ‘send’ when you should ‘delete’

It is called the ‘C-Nile Virus’ and I for one, have experienced some, or all, the symptoms!! With thanks to Alan Spedding, RASE, for this warning.

BRITISH CATTLE CONFERENCE A good line-up of speakers this year include: Mr Andrew Loftus, Morrisons Supermarkets – ‘The Future of the UK Suckler Herd’ Dr Andrew Cromie, geneticist – ‘Are the UK Beef Industry Structures Fit for Purpose?’ Mr Adrian Ivory, Strathisla Farms – ‘Breeding for Profit’ Mr Mike Powley, SD member, Yorkshire – ‘Our Beef Enterprise and the Wider Beef Industry, Fit for Purpose?’

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LINDA TURPIE ROUNSEVELL MEMORIAL AWARD Nominations are invited for this year’s award of the Linda Turpie Rounsevell Memorial Trophy. The Trophy is a sketch of one of the Highgate herd dams with her calf, and was produced by renowned South-West artist, Xanthe Moseley. Keith Fisher is the current recipient of the award. You may nominate any member or non-member, and the nominations will be judged according to the greatest contribution to promotional work during 2012. The winner will retain the Trophy for one year and will receive a framed print to keep. Please would you complete the form and return it to the Society office by Friday 1st March. The judges will be Ian Rounsevell, Caroline Poultney (Secretary) and Mervyn Rowe (President) and the winner will be announced at the AGM.

NOMINATION FORM

I wish to nominate (name) ................................................................................................. of (address) .......................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... for the Linda Turpie Rounsevell Memorial Trophy for 2012 Proposed by (name) ............................................................................................................. of (address) .......................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................

Signed (Proposer) ................................................................................................................

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Please tell us, in the box below and in no more than 300 words, why you believe this person should receive the Trophy for the year 2012.

Maximum 300 words Please return this form to: “Linda Turpie Rounsevell Memorial Trophy”, SDHBS, Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ by Friday 1st March 2013

South Devon Newsletter November 2012

Documents

Transcript of South Devon Newsletter November 2012