Texels sold well at Christmas Crackers
Foxhillfarm Texels were in demand at Carlisle for the Christmas Cracker sale and leading the way for us was the Cowal Rob Roy II daughter AF01300061. She is out of the 11,000gns Fairywater ewe, by Strathbogie Python, making this gimmer full sister to our 2014 show gimmer. She sold in-lamb with two to Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold at 1800gns to J and S Wilkinson, Barningham, North Yorkshire. Selling at 1500gns to Drayton Farm Partnership, Petersfield, Hampshire, was a full sister to the 1800gns gimmer, AF01300052. She sold carrying a single to Courthill Valentino. Also making 1500gns was another full sister, AF01300053, in-lamb with a pair to Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold she was purchased by S McPherson, Sezincote, Moreton in Marsh. We’d like to thank all buyers for their support and wish them the best of luck with their purchases.
Red Ladies championship win for Foxhillfarm Infinity
We had another successful trip to Carlisle with our Limousins for the Red Ladies Derby. Leading the way for us was Foxhillfarm Infinity who stood pre-sale champion before selling for 8000gns to Messrs Atkinson, Ulverston.
This February 2013-born Hartlaw Excaliber daughter is out of our Sarkley Volt sired Bankdale Chanel, making her full sister to Foxhillfarm Impressive who was champion male weaned calf 2013 and sold for 7000gns. Click here to view a video of the show and sale. Also selling was her maternal sister Foxhillfarm Isabelle, a Wilodge Tonka daughter. She found a new home at 3000gns with Mr Lunn, Hudderfield. Our weaned calf Foxhillfarm Jessie also sold to Mr Lunn at 2000gns, she is a February born Vantastic daughter out of the Talent sired dam Croftlimousin Primrose, making her full sister to Dinmore Daffodil who was Royal Welsh Show champion.
Limousins shine at Smithfield
We were out in force at Smithfield with a team of six pedigree Limousin calves for the Calf Show and secured champion and reserve. Taking the honours in the championship was Foxhillfarm Just The Job, this Loosebeare Fantastic son is out of our prolific breeding cow Bankdale Alice. He had previously stood interbreed champion at the English National Calf Show.
Standing reserve to him was his full sister Foxhillfarm Just the One, she was champion at the South West Beef Event and also stood reserve Limousin at the English National to Just the Job. In the bull class we took second and third places with full ET brothers to Just the Job, Jupiter and Jasper. While in the heifer class Foxhillfarm Josie stood second, she is an Objat daughter out of Bankdale Elizabeth and Foxhillfarm Joslyn, a Fantastic sired heifer out of Alice stood fourth.
In the commercial classes we stood second with Pokerhontus, weighing 580kg she is by Strathbogie Edgar and was purchased in the spring for £3000 from Gordon Carroll at Thainstone. She stood reserve heifer at Countryside Live, second at Agri-Expo and first at the Scottish Winter Fair. Pokerlicious stood second and reserve baby champion, this Easegillhead Exterminate daughter and was reserve champion at the English Winter Fair, champion at Agri-Expo and reserve at Countryside Live.
Worthwhile journey North to Livescot
Once again we made the long journey north to support the rebranded Scottish Winter Fair, Livescot in it’s first year at Lanark and we secured two red rosettes. First to stand top of the line was our Limousin cross heifer Pokerhontus, weighing 568kg she is by Strathbogie Edgar and stood reserve heifer at Countryside Live and second at Agri-Expo. Then our baby heifer Pokerlicious took top spot, weighing 334kg she is by Easgillhead Exterminate and had already been champion at Agri-Expo as well as reserve at the English Winter Fair and Countryside Live.
English Winter Fair Pedigree Calf Champion is Just the Job
Taking the first interbreed pedigree calf championship and £1000 prize sponsored by Cogent at the English National Calf Show was our January born bull calf Foxhillfarm Just the Job.
Sired by Loosebeare Fantastic he is out of our prolific breeding foundation cow Bankdale Alice.
Interbreed judge James Little described him as a great calf with excellent confirmation and show ring presence.
He came through as champion in the Limousin section ahead of his full ET sister Foxhillfarm Just the One in reserve. She had stood champion above Just the Job at the South West Beef Event earlier in the week.
Standing second reserve was the second place junior bull Foxhillfarm Jupiter, while Foxhillfarm Jasper had taken third spot in the same class.
Also in the junior heifer class third to Just the One was Foxhillfarm Josie. All five of these calves are by Loosebeare Fantastic and out of Bankdale Alice, another crop of outstanding calves from this consistent breeding family.
Pokerlicious was in the ribbons once again standing reserve heifer and reserve overall champion in the baby beef section. Weighing 325kg she is by Easegillhead Exterminate and was champion at Agri-Expo and reserve at Countryside Live.
Championship hat-trick at South West Beef Event
It was a busy, but successful day at the South West Beef Event today with our team taking all three championships.
For the fourth year running we took the commercial championship, this year with Pokerhontus. This Strathbogie Edgar sired heifer was reserve champion at Countryside Live and second at Agri-Expo.
Also picking up a red ticket and following her in to reserve spot was Poker Prince, the Limousin steer by Atila. He was purchased for £3200 at Caledonian Marts from the Robertson family.
Continuing her success from Agri-Expo, Pokerlicious stood baby beef champion. This Easegillhead Exterminate daughter was also purchased at Caledonian Mart for £3200 from Brian Harper.
The Limousin calves had their first outing and standing first Continental heifer and pedigree calf champion was Foxhillfarm Justtheone. This January-born Loosebeare Fantastic daughter is out of Bankdale Alice. Her full brother Foxhillfarm Justthejob also stood top of the Continental bull calf class.
The pedigree calves and Pokerlicious are now English Winter Fair bound.
Pokerlicious takes Baby Beef championship at Agri-Expo
This year’s Borderway Agri-Expo was a great event for us as we took the Baby Beef championship with Pokerlicious.
Purchased at Caledonian Marts from Brian Harper for £3200, this 316kg Easegillhead Exterminate daughter is out of a Limousin cross British Blue dam. She stood reserve baby beef champion at Countryside Live last month.
- Pokerlicious, Baby Beef champion at Agri-Expo
Our British Blue cross heifer Pokerhontus also stood second to the overall champion. Weighing 565kg, she is by Strathbogie Edgar and stood reserve heifer champion at Countryside Live. She was purchased in the spring for £3000 from Gordon Carroll at Thainstone.
Next outing for the team will be the English Winter Fair with both the commercial and pedigree team.
Great start to winter show season for Foxhill commercial team
The winter show season kicked off with Countryside Live at Harrogate with our team of commercials all winning their class. Leading the way was the British Blue cross heifer Pokerhontus who stood reserve heifer champion and reserve overall. This 558kg Strathbogie Edgar daughter was on her first outing having been purchased for £3000 at Thainstone in the spring from Gordon Carroll. She will next head to Agri-Expo, English and Royal Welsh Winter Fairs then Smithfield.
- Pokerhontus, reserve champion Countryside Live
Overwhelming turnout at Foxhill Open Day
We were overwhelmed by the turnout at the South West Limousin Club Open Day we hosted. People travelled from all corners of the UK and we were delighted to see such a great turnout.
Following a roast dinner lunch, the Club’s AGM and herd competition prize giving we welcomed 157 visitors to Foxhill.
We hope that everyone enjoyed their look around our Limousin herd and Charollais and Texel flocks. The weather couldn’t have been better and allowed people to relax in the garden and enjoy a swim in the pool.
We would like to thank everyone who came for their support and a special thank you to Lin Pidsley for the fantastic spread of food for afternoon tea.
Texel stock tup purchased at Carlisle
A new Texel stock tup was purchased at the Solway and Tyne Texel Sale, Carlisle from Jim and Caroline Hastings.
- Courthill Valentino
Courthill Valentino is a Hexel Toy Boy son out of a dam by Douganhill Haddo Rambo and stood third in the ram lamb class.
Record price addition to Foxhillfarm Limousins
After a very exciting day at Carlisle we are delighted to announce the purchase of Glenrock Illusion from Stephen, Helen, Thomas and Vicky Illingworth. After some frantic bidding she was secured for a World Record Limousin price of 125,000gns. Having gone to the sale with the intention of purchasing this January 2013-born Goldies Comet heifer we’re delighted she is coming home to join the Foxhillfarm herd.
She was junior champion and reserve interbreed at Stars of the Future 2013, junior champion and reserve junior interbreed at the Royal Highland Show 2014, junior champion at the Great Yorkshire Show 2014, interbreed champion at Cumberland Show and champion at the Limousin Scottish Grand Prix.
Her dam is the herd’s exceptional breeding cow Glenrock Spangle, a Kype Interrogate daughter.
Since purchasing her Mel has sold a half share to Danny Swarij from the Swalesmoor herd.
Reserve male champion at Scottish National Show and Sale
It was certainly a successful trip to Lanark for the Scottish National Texel Show and Sale with Foxhillfarm Vinnie standing first Youth Development Programme Ram Lamb, going on to be reserve overall male champion.
He is by Strathbogie Terminator and out of Kelso bred ewe by Kelso Pedro, selling to James Garth, Clapham for 900gns.
- Foxhillfarm Vinnie
Charlotte’s lamb Wayside Victory stood fourth YDP lamb and went on to sell for 1300gns to Callum Donald for his Topside flock at Penrith. This Douganhill McFly son is out of the Ettrick ewe by Ettrick Rainbow Warrior that was first as a ewe lamb at the Royal Highland Show.
Busy Royal Welsh Show with cattle and sheep
Our final summer show was a busy one with our show team of Limousin and commercial cattle alongside Texel and Charollais sheep keeping us going.
In the cattle rings our junior Limousins took to the ring under judge Peter Kirkton with Foxhillfarm Izzy standing top of her class and Foxhillfarm Ivy second to her for January to March 2013-born heifers. These full sisters are by Vantastic and out of Bankdale Alice making them full sisters to Foxhillfarm Gracie and the Carlisle champion and 14,000gns Foxhillfarm Impecabull. Both heifers have done well this summer with Izzy standing reserve overall champion at Devon County and reserve junior champion at the Royal Three Counties, while Ivy took a first at Royal Cornwall and together they have won the pairs at Devon County and Royal Cornwall.
For the second year running we stood top of the line in the Females of the Future Pairs, this year Foxhillfarm Ivy paired up with Brockhurst Howzat from Doug Mash to take the championship.
Then in the commercial rings judge Richard Wright tapped forward our second prize steer Strip Poker as reserve steer champion. Bred by James Whiteford, this Lumbylaw Talent sired steer weighed 588kg and was purchased at Carlisle in March.
We also stood second in the heifer class with Pocalicious who also stood second at Devon County. By Dinmore Flirt this red heifer is out of a Limousin cross British Blue dam and was purchased at Brecon.
In the Texel ring judge Charlie Boden picked our gimmer out from the other 86 entries to stand third. By Cowal Rob Roy she is out of the Strathbogie Python sired 11,000gns Fairywater ewe FAO1100201. She stood second and reserve champion at Devon County Show and female champion and reserve overall at Royal Cornwall.
Then our ewe lamb by Strathbogie Terminator and out of the Ettrick ewe GGH1101166 stood seventh in a strong class of 85.
Our Charollais ram lamb stood second to the Royal Highland Show champion and out of a class of 42 under judge Robert Hopper. By Bachymbyd Kracker YMH0062, he is out of a dam by Carthorple Grand Duke YVY6032.
He stood first and reserve male champion at Devon County and Royal Cornwall, he went on to be interbreed ram lamb champion at Devon County.
Judging at the Royal Highland Show
Congratulations to all the commercial cattle exhibitors at the Royal Highland Show at Edinburgh, Mel thoroughly enjoyed her day judging.
Limousins head to Three Counties Show
We had a quieter time this week only taking the Limousins to Three Counties Show. It was Foxhillfarm Izzy who was on winning form, she stood first in her class before winning junior female champion and reserve overall junior champion. She is a Vantastic daughter out of Bankdale Alice, making her full sister to last year’s prolific show winning Foxhillfarm Gracie.
Her full sister Foxhillfarm Ivy stood third in the same class.
We would like to congratulate Team Alford member Millie Hendy who won the junior and overall individual titles at the Young Limousin Breeders stock judging finals held at Three Counties. She also won the junior team competition alongside Jess Maynard.
Success continues at Royal Cornwall
It was another busy show at Royal Cornwall with our team of Limousin and commercial cattle, Charollais, Texel and Blue Texel sheep.
Leading the way for the team was our Texel gimmer winning the gimmer class before standing female champion and reserve overall champion. She is by Cowal Rob Roy and out of the 11,000gns Strathbogie Python sired Fairywater ewe FAO1100201. She stood second and reserve champion at Devon County Show.
Our Charollais ram lamb matched his success from Devon by standing first in his class and reserve male champion. He is by Bachymbyd Kracker YMH0062 and out of a dam by Carthorple Grand Duke YVY6032.
While the ewe lamb also stood first and reserve female champion, the same result as Devon County. The Kracker sired gimmer stood top of the line in the gimmer class.
Charlotte’s Blue Texel gimmer stood second, she had been first and reserve female champion at Devon County.
In the Limousin section Foxhillfarm Ivy stood first with her full sister Foxhillfarm Izzy second. They are full sisters to Foxhillfarm Gracie and Carlisle champion Foxhillfarm Impecabull who went on to sell for 14,000gns. Together they stood second in the Limousin pairs class and champion junior interbreed pairs.
Busy and successful Devon County Show for the Foxhillfarm Team
Our first show of the season was certainly a busy one at Devon County with our team of Limousin and commercial cattle, Charollais, Texel and Blue Texel sheep.
Foxhillfarm Izzy had a great show standing first maiden heifer, reserve female and reserve overall champion before going on to win interbreed Devon bred champion. She is a full sister to Foxhillfarm Gracie and Carlisle champion Foxhillfarm Impecabull who went on to sell for 14,000gns.
Her full sister Foxhillfarm Ivy stood second to her in the class before they went together to win the pairs class.
In the Charollais ring our ram lamb was first and reserve male champion as well as interbreed ram lamb champion. Sired by Bachymbyd Kracker YMH0062 he is out of a dam by Carthorpe Grand Duke YVY 6032.
We stood first and reserve female champion with the ewe lamb, while the gimmers were first and third. The first prize gimmer is by Kracker and out of a dam by Grand Duke, while the third prize is by Crogham Hannibal.
Then in the Texel section our gimmer was second and reserve female champion to the overall interbreed champion. This home bred gimmer is by Cowal Rob Roy and out of the 11,000gns Fairywater ewe FAO1100201, by Strathbogie Python.
Our ram lamb stood top of his class and the ewe lamb was second. They are full brother and sister, by Strathbogie Terminator and out of the Ettrick Rainbow Warrior sired Ettrick ewe GGH1101166 who was first at the Royal Highland Show as a ewe lamb.
Rounding off a very successful sheep show Charlotte’s Blue Texel gimmer was first and reserve female champion.
In the commercial cattle Charlotte’s home bred heifer, Blue Eyed Girl was second and reserve champion in the Young Farmers section.
Pocalicious stood second, this red heifer was purchased at Brecon, by Dinmore Flirt she is out of a Limousin cross British Blue dam. While the steer Strip Poker was third, he is by Lumbylaw Talent and was purchased at Carlisle.
Charlotte enjoyed further success in the young handlers winning the intermediate beef section and going on to win overall champion against the dairy handlers.
May 2014: 5000gns top for Foxhillfarm bulls at Brecon
At Brecon on Saturday two full brothers to Foxhillfarm Impecabull stood first and second in the junior class. Sired by Vantastic they are out of Bankdale Alice, our foundation female, making them full brother to the successful Impecabull who was overall champion earlier this month at Carlisle Bull Sales before selling for 14,000gns. Foxhillfarm Igor was purchased by Messrs F and D J Williams, Cefrillech Farm, Rhayader for 5000gns.
Then Foxhillfarm Ivan made 4200gns to Mr E Davies, Manor Farm, Stanton Long, Much Wenlock.
The bull pens at Foxhill are now empty with all having sold at Society sales, the next bull, Foxhillfarm Irnbru will be sold in October. He is an end of February 2013-born Vantastic son out of Bankdale Alice.
May 2014: Foxhill Livestock’s Carlisle Bull Sales debut proves successful
We enjoyed an outstanding, but emotional two days at Borderway Mart for our first ever official bull sales and well and truly exceeded our expectations with our four boys.
With all four in one class we were delighted to stand top of the line in the class under judge Martin Irvine with Foxhillfarm Impecabull before going on to take the junior and overall championship with him.
- Foxhillfarm Impecabull 14,000gns
Sired by Wilodge Vantastic and out of our foundation female Bankdale Alice, herself a Sympa daughter, he went on to sell for 14,000gns to Messrs Cruikshank for their Clury herd in partnership with Michael Massie for his Elrick herd. Impeccabull was junior champion at Stars of the Future, as well as being first and reserve champion at the East of England Smithfield Festival and reserve champion at the Cornwall Calf Show.
But it was his herd mate and the second prize and reserve junior champion Foxhillfarm Irishlad who hit the sale headlines for us, selling for a herd record of 38,000gns to the two-way partnership of Brice Goldie for the Goldies herd and Jonathan Watson for the Tweeddale herd. Irishlad is a Guards Boomer son out of Bankdale Elizabeth, herself a Vantastic daughter out of Alice.
- Foxhillfarm Irishlad 38,000gns
Standing fourth in the same class was Foxhillfarm Inthegold, a full ET brother to Impeccabull, who then went on to take a call of 12,500gns from Messrs Wilson, Balluskie.
- Foxhillfarm Inthegold 12,500gms
While the fifth place Foxhillfarm Incredibull, a full ET brother to Irishlad, sold for 11,000gns to the Breconside Farming Partnership, giving us a pen average of £19,818.75 for the four bulls.
- Foxhillfarm Incredibull 11,000gns
We’d like to wish all of the buyers the very best with their new purchases and we hope they have as much success and enjoyment from them as we have and we look forward to hearing how they perform in their new herds.
February 2014: Charlotte wins East Devon Junior Young Farmer of the Year
As a result of all her activities both within and outside of Young Farmers, Charlotte has been awarded the title of East Devon Junior Young Farmer of the Year. She will now go through to the County Final which will be held on the 1st March where she will give a PowerPoint presentation in front of a panel of four judges on her activities within the Club, through her showing career and awards she has won in the last year.