2024 Cornwall Club Report
January
The year began with the sad loss of one of our founder members Roger Pascoe. A great friend and enthusiast for our breed, Roger introduced many breeders to the art of show craft and encouraged everyone to enter shows and keep the cattle sections going. Simmental herds that have benefited from his advice include Bolankin, Cathedral, Chegwidden, Chyanhal and Lesceave Cliff. He was known to many as Captain Cornwall or interbreed as with his knowledge, no matter what breed or type of animal, cattle, horses, dogs red tickets flowed. He will be missed by many at shows, events, and at coffee times.
Presentation of long service award to Roger Pascoe by Royal Cornwall Show
February brought round our annual duel with the Truro South Devons Cattle Club. The contest this year was hosted by the South Devons with the chosen challenge being a quiz. The music round caused much laughter, and our hosts emerged overall victors at the end of an enjoyable night.
March – a few club members attended a Country Skittles evening at Leedstown. Royal Cornwall hosted the Farm and Country Days at the showground. One of the volunteer exhibitors, club member Ant Hart of Treverbyn Simmental Herd took along a cow, Treverbyn Josie and her steer calf Ronnie with story boards to represent the beef industry and promote the British Simmental Breed to the county’s schoolchildren and their teachers.
April – Steph Hooper and David Reeves travelled to Sedgemoor Calf show to start their show season with Tregnether Proper Job, Peach, and Pixie, gaining two firsts and a second plus champion and reserve.
Bosahan Nansloe Simmental Champion & Interbreed Reserve Continental at 2024 Devon County Show
May
Devon County show and three herds travelled from Cornwall to compete. Under, the judge David Sapsed, Heathbrow, Bosahan Nansloe from the Olds family shown by Dan Olds was selected class winner, Male Champion, and Overall Simmental champion.
Tregnether Nellie from Steph Hooper and David Reeves winning Female champion and Reserve Supreme.
Trewarnevas Poldark picked up a first for Alison Grose in the calf class.
On Interbreed day, Bosahan Nansloe won reserve continental male champion. Tregnether Proper Job won interbreed junior bull. Tregnether won the team of three. Bosahan Nansloe and Tregnether Nellie gained a third in the strong pairs section.
YFC Stock Judging at the Royal Cornwall Show
Many thanks to all involved in helping the team of five to prepare once more for the Young Farmers stock judging in the cattle rings. Smartly turned out in white coats, the exhibitors showcased the breed and caused the expert judge as well as the participants a challenge to place them. Congratulations to Megan Stratton who was the overall winner.
One Day Shows
July is packed with the Cornish one day shows. The Rosewin Shield for most points was contested by six herds across five shows.
The sun shone at Liskeard and Praze and no one would have predicted the deluges that followed during July and August.
Liskeard – Judge Mr Steve Gummow
At Liskeard, Pennytinney and Trewarnevas competed with other continentals in any other breed with Pennytinney Magic Star taking the Simmental sash. A home-bred January 2021 first calf heifer with a May born bull calf at foot. Their younger heifer Pennytinney Pandora also featured in the beef section results and together with Bosahan Nova Georgia Cruz won the team of three. Alison Grose made the frame with her cow Mayflower and polled bull Pedro.
Praze – Judge Mr Alan Carter
At Praze Fair Show the Buckland family started their showing campaign with Angwelha Fantastic Pippa a 2023 heifer and Wellatree’s new stock bull Clonagh Perfectly Fab. Pippa was selected as best Simmental and stood overall reserve to the Johns family’s Hereford cow and calf.
Stithians – Judge Mr James Kimber
Simmentals shone through the persistent rain at the 190th Stithians Show. The cattle exhibitors with nigh on one hundred entries across five divisions each of beef and dairy breeds provided a quality show in challenging weather conditions.
Mr James Kimber (Beanhill) ably judged the British Simmentals section with five classes.
Heading the first class; cow in milk or in-calf; was Megan Wellington’s Pennytinney Magic Star following up her Liskeard success.
Megan and her partner Emma Bate then went on to take the 2022 heifer class with Bosahan Nova Georgia Cruz who was purchased as a calf at foot at the 2022 Bosahan reduction sale at Exeter.
The heifer born in 2023 was won by the exhibitor-bred Angwelha Fantastic Pippa heralding a day that lived up to her name for her breeder Steven Buckland, the current vice-chairman of the Cornwall Simmental Club.
Clonagh Perfectly Fab by Manor Park Handsome and owned by the Buckland family won the bull any age class.
The Pairs class went to Megan and Emma Jane ably assisted by Adele Jewell with Pennytinney Magic Star and Bosahan Nova Georgia Cruz.
Moving on to the championship where Fantastic Pippa was tapped forward with Nova Georgia filling the reserve spot. James thanked all the exhibitors in his comments for taking part stating he was particularly impressed with the quality show of females before him. He then went on to select the champion, reserve, and winning cow for the interbreed team of three.
The interbreed judging involves all the section judges awarding points to cattle forward excluding their breed division selection.
After some rapid calculations, the Simmentals stood as runners-up to the Jersey team. The individual Beef and Dairy Champions came next. Fellow judges endorsed James Kimber’s decision, and the Simmental heifer Fantastic Pippa was awarded the sash over the mature South Devon Bull.
Camborne Show Team of Five
Camborne – Judge Mr David Pascoe
Simmentals pulled off an interbreed double at a very wet 80th Camborne Show. The eighteen cattle exhibitors with almost 70 entries across ten sections of beef and dairy breeds provided a wonderful show despite the awful weather conditions.
Mr David Pascoe (Trevenen Herefords) appraised the British Simmental classes.
Reversing the Stithians show placings the Olds family’s Bosahan Natasha Karina Star (P) prevailed over Bosahan Nova Georgia Cruz shown by Megan Wellington and Emma Jane Bate.
The heifer born in 2023 was the strongest class of the day with five smart youngsters forward. Steph Hooper and David Reeves’ Tregnether Peach headed the line with Angwelha Fantastic Pippa owned and bred by Steven Buckland in second, Bosahan Peony Hello Baby (P) took the third spot with Tregnether Pixie and Pennytinney Pandora filling the other places.
There were only two bulls forward on the day with the Buckland’s Clonagh Perfectly Fab preferred over Steph and David’s Tregnether Prince. The Pairs class went to Daniel and John Olds with Bosahan Natasha Karina Star (P) and Bosahan Peony Hello Baby (P).
Moving on to the championship where Tregnether Peach was tapped forward over Natasha. David concluded his stint for the day with by selecting Tregnether Peach and Tregnether Pixie for the pair of uncalved heifers and the five entries in the 2023 born heifer class to represent the Simmental breed for the interbreed awards.
Roger Laity, the 2024 interbreed judge selected Peach and Pixie for the Avon Farmers Ltd trophy and the Simmental team of five females to lift the prestigious Harry Cock Challenge Trophy, first presented in 1984, involving all the beef and dairy breeds. Describing both the pair and team as easy first choices from the moment they entered the ring.
The sun put in a brief appearance during the cattle parade where an enthusiastic show President Liz Bowden presented trophies accompanied by the cattle section Chairman Redvers Williams.
Finally, a big thank you to the Buckland family for organising and the club president Charlie and wife Jenny for running the hospitality facility for exhibitors, club members and supporters.
Launceston – Judge Mr Mark Quick
The Cornish one day shows concluded with Launceston attended by Pennytinney and Tregnether.
Tregnether Prince won the any other continental beef breed, bull any age class and the section championship to end his showing career before moving to a new home. Megan and Emma Jane’s three females continued their domination of the other classes standing first and second in the cow or heifer any age. Pennytinney Pandora won the heifer not in calf, heifer of any breed or cross breed, reserve champion butchers’ beef and best beef heifer.
The Royal Welsh Show – congratulations to Steve Gummow on judging the British Simmental section a great honour at such a prestigious show.
Commercial Open Day
On Saturday 27th, July Edward and Jack Noy hosted the commercial open day at their home farm Chy-Wood Farm Porkellis Helston and off land at Halvasso Longdowns Penryn.
Meeting at Halvasso, approximately forty visitors viewed Blonde x Simmental and South Devon x Simmental suckler cows with their January to March born calves at foot running with a Blonde bull before moving to the home farm.
After the farm walk, refreshments were served in the barn followed by a talk by Tori Leggatt on a range of Crediton Milling Company products and services available to farmers. Tori also explained the targets regarding the reduction of soya in their feeds.
August
Okehampton – Judge Mr Graham Reed
A successful raid across the border saw Tregnether and Pennytinney attend Okehampton show for the first time with a returning visit by the Bucklands. Another very wet day where the club’s gazebo promoting the Simmental Breed was put to good use. Pennytinney Magic Star won another cow class while Clonagh Perfectly Fab headed the males and emerged Champion Simmental under Graham Reed (Skylark). Tregnether Nellie took female honours and then stood reserve champion to the bull. As a pair they were tapped forward in the top three for the interbreed award.
Holsworthy & Stratton – Judge Mr Chris Eddy
Well, the 4am start and 3-hour drive certainly paid off for Alison Grose. Another wet one but efforts rewarded with Trewarnevas Mayflower Champion Any Other Breed Continental, Trewarnevas Pedro reserve. First trophy for the herd.
September
Club Trip 2024
Twenty-two members and friends met at Newquay airport for our 2024 club trip to the Edinburgh area. Beginning with Robert Macgregor’s family we viewed the Team Herd and then moved on to Gordon Clark to see the remaining Broombrae cattle before his dispersal sale. The following day in mist and mizzle we visited the Woodhall, Innerwick and Braidwood herds and took part in a guess the weight challenge for one of the Stirling bound bulls. Day three kicked off with the Westridge herd followed by the entertaining Bruce Lambie at Fallhills. The day concluded with the Springfield herd and ambitious Gavin Brown. On Saturday before heading for the airport we caught up with Richard McCulloch’s Overhill House cattle and experienced shed envy. Everyone was welcoming and generous hosts, and we were privileged to see some outstanding animals. The photos and videos taken of entry and exits of a variety of trailer transport provided could feature on “You have been framed”!! All the hosts were presented with engraved glass paperweight mementos and sent Cornish Cream Tea hampers on our return.
Cattle at Overhill House
ANOTHER CORNISH ADVENTURE! 2024
A collection of Cornish Characters
Took off again ‘into the Blue’
Travelling this time to Scotland
Simmental cattle to view
There was an air of adventure and excitement
As our plane hit the ground pretty hard!
We eventually located our coach
And drove till we reached Roberts’ yard
Then, on to a trailer we piled
After refreshing with coffee and tea
Climbing high up into the hills
The super ‘Team’ Cattle to see
The cattle were great as expected
Bulls set for Stirling looked good
We enjoyed the Macgregor hospitality
Enjoying some well received food
Then, to Gordon (via some strangers’ yard!)
To look at great cattle Broombrae
All destined to disperse at Stirling
Will be for Gorden a difficult day
We arrived at our Hotel in the evening
But the Kitchen was CLOSING at Eight!
Only a few managed to get any food
As the Chef was in a ‘Going home’ state !!
Some then ordered a ‘take away’
As our welcome one was not one would call ‘warm’!
One waitress was really quite rude
Not blessed with much Scottish charm
On THURSDAY we drove to Macaskills
Our driver drove like someone possessed!
Changing lanes, in and out of the traffic
T’was exciting, we were all quite impressed
We eventually arrived, quite safely
To Woodhall, in the mist and the rain
And were greeted with warmth by the family
Before onto a trailer again
As she showed us Hectors’ favourite cow
Jenny became very sad
We could tell since losing dear Hector
Just how much she misses her dad
The cattle were strong and impressive
As we went up steep hills we gazed
At a field of almost 100 acres!
Which left all of us pretty amazed
We left the charming family Macaskill
Then to Innerwick Farm, by the sea
To be met with an enormous banquet
A delight as you’d imagine it would be
We went then up hill and down dale
To see cattle, a joy to the eye
Everywhere you looked there was a beauty
Each one you’d be happy to buy
After tea and a ‘wee dram ’we left
As our dinner table was booked for Seven
We had a hilarious ‘nearly wet yourself’ evening
And were still laughing after Eleven
FRIDAY greeted us with mist once again
Setting off to see Gareth Ward
‘Flat out’ on the roller coaster roads
Weather cleared as we reached his yard
We were taken up rolling hills of the farm
Were fields and views just never end
After seeing this good Westridge herd
Welcome lunch before off on our travels again
Great cattle, fine people, good food
Off to Fallhills and Bruce Lambie, his friend
And drank yet more cups of tea
With much ‘heaving’ and ‘shoving’ and laughter
We got on a trailer, more cattle to see
Great cattle, nice people once more
To Gavin Browns’ Springfield Herd, and a ‘Barbie’
We arrived down another long lane
The cattle again were quite stunning
The bulls for Stirling fit and good
Burgers and chatter as we stood
Turned out our driver, Sola, from Fiji
Played rugby sevens against Gavin years ago
What a strange coincidence to meet up
Talk of Rugby began then to flow
The back to the Hotel, our last night
More laughter and fun in the bar
They will possibly remember our visit
This Simmental club from afar!
SATURDAY, off to Richard McCulloch’s
Overhill Herd in the mist to see
Seeing some very good cattle
Before finishing in a huge shed for tea
We said goodbye to dear Sola
Our Driver who was part of our ‘tour’
At the airport, then we grabbed a quick sandwich
Before flying home to Cornwall once more
The trip, a success and good fun
To see great cattle, a feast for the eye
To inspire and learn where we are aiming
Many Thanks to our Hosts …. and Goodbye
Penny Lally September 2024
Cornwall Simmental Club 2024 Herd Competition – Judged by John Barker
John Barker, whose father founded the famous Heywood Simmental herd, travelled from Taunton Somerset to judge the Cornwall Club’s 2024 herd competition.
Over three busy days John scrutinised eleven pedigree and five commercial herds.
Awards were presented following a dinner at The Penventon Park Hotel, Redruth on the evening of Saturday 21st September 2024.
After thanking all the participants, John complimented the members on the quality of their cattle and the county’s strength and depth in numbers of pedigree Simmentals and commercial cattle. He commented that anyone wishing to invest in the breed would have plenty of choice in Cornwall.
Congratulations to Killiworgie for winning the large and overall best herd trophies winning five of the eleven classes on the night. Established in 1998 the herd currently runs twenty-two pedigree cows, eight of which are classified excellent.
Bosahan stood in reserve position and took home the cup for the Best Home-Bred Female.
The Small Herd Shield went to Steven and Aimee Buckland, collected by Jean Buckland on the night, with their successful Angwelha Fantastic family featuring in the prizes. Megan Wellington’s Pennytinney herd with eight pedigree cows stood reserve.
Newcomers to the competition, Edward, and Jack Noy the Cornwall Club’s Commercial Open Day hosts, were presented with the Best Commercial Herd Salver while the Backway family, our 2023 hosts, took the reserve spot.
Finally, the ‘John Langdon Trophy’ for the Young Member that has contributed most to promoting the breed in 2024 was presented to Jack Noy. A judge’s special mention went to Hope Pascoe who works for Don Cowell’s Hawkhill herd as John was impressed by her knowledge of the cattle.
The Cornwall Club are incredibly grateful to John Barker for taking time out of his packed schedule to visit all the herds.
Cattle at Chegwidden prior to the dispersal sale
October Herd Dispersals
The month began with the dispersal sale of the White Bolankin mainly commercial herd. Edward’s cattle have consistently featured in the herd competition prizes.
October also saw the dispersal of Chegwidden herd of Viv and Jeff Hall at Exeter. Chegwidden Florence’s Jasmin topped the females at £4K with Chegwidden Maximus heading the bulls at £3K.The club wishes Viv and Jeff a happy and healthy retirement. A warm welcome awaits at future club events.
Autumn suckler calf sales
Simmentals continued to dominate trade at livestock sales across the British Isles.
Wednesday 23rd October Truro Livestock Market – 3rd Sale of Suckled Calves
Special Simmental Society Sale Results. With his older steer calves selling to £1160 Liam Vague of Truro topped three of the four classes with cross-bred animals by Bosahan Kracken. Mrs Williams from Pendeen sold heifers born after 1st March 2024 to £810.00 sired by Liskerret Garrett.
Hallworthy Stockyard’s second sale of suckled calves incorporating the annual show and sale on behalf of the Southwestern Suckled Calf Association on Tuesday 29th October 2024 – Judge Mr R Cobbledick.
Top spot went to Mr J Buckland & Son of Penzance with a run of pedigree Simmental steers with depth, length, and tremendous fleshing. His pen of four at ten months took first in the best bunch to £1520 and he also had a single to £1500 all sired by Newbiemains Lorenzo. The best pen of Simmental Heifer/Heifers Calves went to SP & DA Ovens of Camelford sired by home-bred Worthyvale Miracle.
November
Agrifest South West
Judging at Agrifest
Judges: Primestock Mr Jonathon Lyon; Pedigree Mrs Gail Ellis
November features the fat stock competitions. Tregnether, Treverbyn and Trewarnevas attended the Agri-Fest at West Point Exeter Devon County Showground. Steph and David headed the pedigree Simmental female classes with Tregnether Rosie and Alison Grose in second spot with Trewarnevas Red Lady Kalei. Tregnether Rambo was 2nd to Sturriver Randy Pandy, the eventual Continental Male Champion. Trewarnevas took 4th place with Remark-A-Bull. Ant Hart stood third in the primestock classes with Treverbyn Ronnie and provided two smart pedigree heifers for the Southwest Simmental Club hospitality stand.
Congratulations to Alison Grose on her success at Helston Fatstock Show. Besides being Secretary Trewarnevas stock took home four firsts and two seconds.
Best Continental Beef Heifer Calf, Tregnether Rosie at the Cornish Winter Fair
Cornish Winter Fair – Judge Mr Arthur Stanbury
The last pedigree calf classes before the AGM were held at the Cornish Winter Fair, Royal Cornwall Showground Wadebridge. Judged by Mr Arthur Stanbury the Best Continental Beef Heifer Calf went to Tregnether Rosie. Tregnether Rambo filled the second spot in the Best Continental Beef Bull Calf to the Charolais who was eventually tapped out overall champion to the Shorthorn entry.
Welsh Winter Fair
Congratulations to Ant Hart of the Treverbyn herd who won the steer sired by a pure-bred continental bull other than Limousin, British Blue, Charolias & British Blonde with his January 2024 born Ronnie by Skylark Geronimo.
Rosewin Shield presentation to Megan Wellington of Pennytinney herd
Annual General Meeting
The club year concluded with the annual general meeting held in the Training Room at Burthy Bungalow Summercourt Newquay. The Rosewin Shield for the Most Points at One Day Shows was awarded to Megan Wellington owner of the Pennytinney herd. Presentations were made to Bridget Olds (retiring secretary) and Nic Carlyon for providing the venue. The club supported nominations for Emma Jane Bate (secretary) and George Hosken (committee member).
A pasty supper was followed with a very interesting talk by the new Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association Secretary and Chief Executive Mark Stoddart. Mark shared his background and business interests which led to his involvement with the Great Yorkshire Show. A huge advocate for the livestock and farming contribution to our County show, he was interested to hear the club members’ views and ideas regarding the running of the cattle section.
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