Hereford cattle stars of the future on show in Shrewsbury

Hereford cattle breed stars of the future will be on display at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on Saturday, December 10.

Auctioneers Halls are hosting the Hereford Cattle Breeders Association’s fourth National Christmas Calf Show, with around 100 calves expected to be on display from breeders across the UK. All the calves must have been born after September 1, 2010.

Association chairman Philip Allman said: "This show is the first chance to see the potential stars of the future, as these calves will be on the national show circuit next year. Many of them will be future stock bulls.

"A lot of interest has been created on the show scene this year by Hereford bulls, which have won interbreed championships around the country and sales numbers are up.

"There is renewed interest in British native breeds because the cattle are getting closer to the Continental breeds in terms of confirmation. Herefords have also been shown to be much more efficient food converters and they are much more docile."

He explained that the breed genetics had been strengthened and the influence of Hereford herds in Australia, New Zealand and Argentina would be seen in the crop of calves in the show.

"For farmers looking to buy potential breeding stock for next year, this is the place to be," he added. "Some of the calves may be for sale by private negotiation."

Casting an eye over the calves will be internationally respected judge Anders Mortensen from Denmark

Mr Allman explained that the association is based in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire but entries for the show are received from across England and Wales.

"It’s the fourth time we have held this calf show at Shrewsbury Auction Centre, which is an ideal venue," he added.

Nick Hyne from Halls, who manages Shrewsbury Auction Centre, said the company was delighted to be hosting the national show for the Hereford breed again and hoped to build on the event’s previous success.

"We are trying to establish Shrewsbury Auction Centre as a first choice venue for national breed sales because of its excellent facilities and ideal location in the middle of the country, close to the motorway network," he added.