Welsh Club Report

Our AGM was held later than usual in June, with Meirion Jones elected as club chairman, Huw James as vice chairman and Helen Price as club secretary and Chris Walters as treasurer. We thanked our past chairman Aled Davies for his work over the years. 

We swiftly moved onto the Royal Welsh Show in July, where the stand was full of activities, and it was a pleasure to see the stand was busy throughout the week with members and farmers not only from Wales but with many coming from all over the United Kingdom to share their passion for the breed. I would also like to thank all those who helped man the stand throughout the week as it is not an easy task. Not many cattle were forward, but the quality was extremely high with Finlay Soutter (pictured below) taking the Overall Simmental Champion and Reserve Interbreed Champion with Brandane Millie also winning Reserve interbreed young handlers during the week and winning the young Simmental stock person award at the show. Well done, we wish you well for the future.

The reserve champion was Richard Cumming with Cwarre Naughty’s Nettle. Male Champion went to Aneurin and Heulwen Francis with Pistyll Nightrider and reserve male going to OC & E Jewel with Ebbsley Nice Guy. It’s promising to see such enthusiastic young breeders within our society and showcasing our fantastic breed at these shows.

In September we held our Herd Competition where John and June Trafford judged they travelled all over Wales for four days up and down the hills. It was a pleasure to have them with us and we must thank them for their time. Overall Champion Herd and Large Herd went to Anthony, Lesley and Harry Davies from the Welston Herd, with Meirion and Linda Dyfed Herd winning the medium Herd and Chris Walters winning the small Herd with his Goldcross Herd. A presentation was hosted by Will and Helen Price. They provided us with a hog roast.  A big thankyou to the price family for their hospitality and a wonderful day.   

Then we moved onto the Welsh winter fair held at Llanelwedd, where Callum Croft provided the Raceview heifer to be displayed on the stand.  A great example of the breed. The day itself was quiet but we still had interest in coming to the stand and it showed the tremendous efforts that were put in by members by coming away with the first prize for the best breed society stand. We must also thank Richard (Storersmith Simmentals) for setting up the stand prior to the show and for all those who helped manage the stand over the two days.

In early December as a club we held our annual calf show with the Welsh multi breed pedigree calf show. With The Francis family again for the second year running winning the continental Interbreed section with Pistyll Pablo. A big congratulations to the family.  

We held our annual dinner at the White Hart Llandeilo at the beginning of January2024.

Thank you all,

Meirion Jones