January Newsletter 2023

South East - Naomi Jones
October saw the return of the SECA
Herd Competition. Due to reduced
herds in the area, we decided to
combine the pedigree and commercial
herd competition to the same time to
give the judge more to view. We are
very grateful to Andrew Sellick (from
the South West region) for judging
and his wife, Vickie, for keeping him
company for the journey. The results
(see below) were announced at
another SECA virtual quiz night which
we continue to run regularly. Andrew
joined us and shared his reasons for his
placings. The next quiz is planned for
Thursday 9 th February 2023 @19:30.
If you would like any further details of
events, please do not hesitate to get in
touch with any of the SECA committee
via email or Facebook.
Andrew Sellick
It was an honour and pleasure to be invited
to judge the South East Charolais
herd competition, whilst short on numbers
of entries the quality of the cattle
was a credit to all involved. I would
like to thank everyone for their hospitality
and giving up their time to show
us around their herds. It was great to
not only to see the cattle but to get to
know the people behind them.
Without exception every herd had
some very noteworthy cattle and unfortunately
not all of them can win
their class.
Thrunton Orkney
We started our tour of the South East
with a visit to the Chesham & Silver
herds of the Harman Family. Having
recently sold a good number of cattle
the herd was not “complete” however
there were some tremendous cows
still there and it was here that I found
the heifer calf Silver Tonia that stuck in
the memory when I placed her as best
2022 heifer calf. It was also good to see
stock bull Balthayock Muskateer and
the stamp he has left in cattle for the
Harman’s as well as the cattle we saw
the next day at the Chameran herd.
Charolais cross by Thrunton Orkney
Vexour Lemon
A quick dash around North West London
(as quick as you can on the m25)
took us to the Waterman Herd of the
Jones and family. The lasting memory
from the visit being some eye-catching
young heifers coming through showing
the cows are working well. The standout
was the appropriately named Waterman
Sparkle.
Next stop, the highly impressive set up
at Vexour and thanks must go to Martin
for taking the time to show us around
in the middle of calving not only with
the Charolais but the Angus and Herefords
as well and Jan for covering for
him whilst he did. By far the largest
herd of our trip the cattle were consistent
and performing well with some
outstanding cattle amongst them. It
was also good to see the Charolais
influence across the commercial cattle
54
No bull works harder for the farmer, the plate and the planet