| 2013-03-20 |  |
Tweet |
Welshpool Charolais to be Judged by Northumberland Breeder
Northumberland-based Charolais breeder Ian Campbell is set to judge a line-up of 105 Charolais bulls at the breed society’s official show and sale at Welshpool on Thursday 18 April.
They will go under the hammer the same day alongside 20 females and the dispersal of the Waterfall herd on behalf of J and L Pegg, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.
Ian Campbell
“I will be looking for a bull with the size, shape and style that you come to expect from a Charolais bull with the commercial man in mind.
“My father Colin introduced Charolais as a terminal sire across our commercial cows in the early 1970s to inject some growth and shape into our suckled calves. Once we realised the high prices quality Charolais bulls were commanding as more producers recognised their growth potential, we soon became an all pedigree unit, now standing at 140 cows.”
Based on 1,400 acres over three separate upland holdings near Alnwick, the Thrunton herd is run alongside a complementary flock of 1,000 ewes including pedigree Texel and Suffolk flocks.
The Campbell’s herd holds a number of breed records including
securing the supreme championship at Perth on eight occasions and
winning the group of three 16 times.
In the sale ring the records continue with Thrunton Voldemort setting a new all breed’s record of 55,000gns in 2006. Other Thrunton bulls amongst the breed’s highest prices include Thrunton Ideal at 45,000gns, Thrunton Voltage at 30,000gns and Thrunton Socrates and Thrunton Camelot both selling for 25,000gns.
“I believe British Charolais has a great future in the beef industry as the breed gains even more popularity with suckled calf producers, simply because Charolais sired calves achieve a premium in the sale ring.”
