Foxhill Livestock

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Archive Content – 2016 

Nirevalley Charlie claims second at Olympia

Rounding off a busy year for all at Foxhill was this week’s trip to Olympia with Nirevalley Charlie. Having qualified for Olympia back in October he did us proud this week, with Charlotte and Charlie coming second in their section to the Connemara breed champion.

We are delighted with this result which wraps up a fabulous year for us all at Foxhill. Once again our thanks go to Vicky Hesford for all her work helping get Charlie to this standard.

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Clean sweep at English National Calf Show

This weekend’s English National Calf Show at the English Winter Fair saw our Limousin team achieve a clean sweep of top awards, picking up the overall interbreed championship and reserve championship, the female interbreed championship, the male interbreed championship and the reserve male interbreed championship in addition to all the championships in the breed classes.

Topping the awards for the team was Foxhillfarm Limitededition who picked up a first in the senior heifer class before going on to be female champion and overall Limousin champion. She was then tapped out as female interbreed champion and overall interbreed champion under judge Alastair Smith. Limited Edition is by Kype Interrogate and out of Bankdale Elizabeth.

Foxhillfarm Limitededition
Foxhillfarm Limitededition

Taking the reserve interbreed championship as well as the male interbreed championship and the reserve Limousin championship was Foxhillfarm Manhattan. This Guards Boomer son is out of Foxhillfarm Gracie and was also male champion in the Limousins.

Foxhillfarm Manhattan
Foxhillfarm Manhattan

Reserve male interbreed honours then fell to Foxhillfarm LouisVitton who had come through as winner of the senior bull class and reserve male Limousin champion. He is a full ET brother Manhattan.

Foxhillfarm Mammamia, our January 2016-born heifer by Foxhillfarm Irishlad and out of Glenrock Illusion also enjoyed a good day.. She is owned jointly with Danny Sawrij and was first in the junior heifer class before being tapped out as reserve female champion.

Also faring well were Foxhillfarm Looksthepart, who was second in the senior heifer class behind Limited Edition, and Foxhillfarm Montreal who was second to Manhattan in the junior bull class.

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British Blue heifer Rhymil Kylie joins Foxhill

We are delighted to announce the purchase of British Blue heifer Rhymil Kylie as a foundation female for a new British Blue herd at Foxhill Farm.

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Rhymil Kylie

Having admired Kylie throughout the summer at a number of shows we were lucky to be able to secure her in a private deal with Rhys Millichap as an 18th birthday present for Charlotte.

Kylie is by Gitan Du PT’it Mayeur out of Lakeview Dancer, herself an Empire D’Ochain daughter. She was overall champion and interbreed junior heifer champion at this year’s Royal Welsh as well as being breed champion and reserve interbreed at Royal Cornwall. Earlier in the season she had been breed and interbreed champion at North Somerset Show and also stood reserve breed champion at Royal Three Counties Show and was part of the reserve female stars of the future pair at the Royal Welsh Show.

Since arriving at Foxhill Kylie has been flushed to Park Daimler and Bringlee Freemand and will now be put in calve. She was bought for her strong pedigree coupled with her squareness and width, coupled with great breed character and style. We look forward to seeing her progeny in due course and believe she is an exceptional foundation animal for Charlotte’s Foxhill herd.

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Limousin team shines at Stars of the Future

The long trip to the Stars of the Future Calf Show, Stirling, was once again a worthwhile one for the Foxhillfarm team, with a number of top tickets collected.

Leading the way was our exciting young heifer Foxhillfarm Mammamia in the junior section. Owned in partnership with Danny Sawrij of the Swalesmoor herd, this Foxhillfarm Irishlad daughter out of Glenrock Illusion was first in her class before going on to be junior breed champion and reserve Continental interbreed champion.

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Foxhillfarm Mammamia

She then teamed up with Foxhillfarm Manhattan, a Guards Boomer son out of Foxhillfarm Gracie, to take the Continental interbreed pairs championship under interbreed judge Philip Halhead.

Foxhillfarm Manhattan and Foxhillfarm Mammamia
Foxhillfarm Manhattan and Foxhillfarm Mammamia

Manhattan himself had earlier stood first in his class under judge Ian Nattress before going on to claim the junior male championship in the Limousins. His full ET brother Foxhillfarm Montreal stood second to him in his class.

Foxhillfarm Manhattan
Foxhillfarm Manhattan

Then in the senior section Foxhillfarm Limitededition was the star of the team, being first in her class and senior female champion, before then also being reserve senior breed champion. She is by Kype Interrogate and out of Bankdale Elizabeth.

Foxhillfarm Limitededition
Foxhillfarm Limitededition

Her team mate Foxhillfarm Looksthepart, a Guards Boomer daughter out of Foxhillfarm Gracie, was third in the same class as Limitededition.

Not to be outdone, Foxhillfarm Louisvitton was first in his class as well as being reserve senior male champion. He’s a full ET brother to Looksthepart.

Foxhillfarm Louisvitton
Foxhillfarm Louisvitton

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Black Gem sparkles at Beef South West

Last week’s Beef South West event, Exeter, saw our commercial heifer Black Gem shine in the primestock section, winning her class and going on to win the reserve supreme championship.

This British Blue cross heifer was on her first outing, having been bought at Brecon in May and now heads to the East of England Smithfield Festival, Peterborough.

Black Gem
Black Gem

Meanwhile, in the pedigree calf show our Limousin bull calf, Foxhillfarm Montreal, a Guards Boomer son out of Foxhillfarm Gracie, won his class and was then tapped out as pedigree champion.

Team mates Foxhillfarm Manhattan and Foxhillfarm Mammamia were both second in their classes, with Manhatten standing second to Montreal. Manhattan is a full ET brother to Montreal, while Mammamia is by the homebred sire Foxhillfarm Irishlad out of the 125,000gns Glenrock Illusion.

 

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Nirevalley Charlie qualifies for Olympia and Royal International Horse Show

At the same time as the Limousin team were in Carlisle, Charlotte and Nirevalley Charlie were at the British Show Pony Society’s Heritage championships at Arena UK, Grantham.

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The weekend was a huge success with Charlotte and Charlie qualifying for both Olympia later this year and also next year’s Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, in July.

We are delighted to have qualified Charlie for two such prestigious shows and to have achieved both in the same weekend in tremendous. Our thanks go to Vicky Hesford for all her work helping get Charlie to this standard.

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Foxhillfarm Lordofthering tops Carlisle Limousin trade

Having stood junior and overall champion in the pre-sale show under judge Charlie Boden of the Sportsmans herd, Foxhillfarm Lordofthering lived up to his name when leading the trade at the Limousin Society’s Autumn Show and Sale, Carlisle, selling for 35,000gns.

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Possibly the best bull to be offered to date from the Foxhillfarm herd, Lordofthering was reserve male champion at the National Limousin Show earlier in the year.

He is by Guards Boomer and out of our exceptional brood cow Bankdale Alice. Other show success for Lordofthering includes being interbreed champion at Devon County, male champion and junior champion at the Royal Highland and reserve junior champion at the Royal Welsh. 

He has a beef value of +43, with a 400 day growth figure of +105 in the top 1% of the breed and a muscle depth of +5.5 in the top 10% of the breed.

He sold after a bout of strong bidding, with the eventual buy being Danny Sawrij for the Swalesmoor herd. Lordofthering has returned to Foxhill to have semen collected before joining the Swalesmoor herd next spring, with  semen from Lordofthering will be available in 2017.

Next best were two bulls at 5500gns, with the first of these being Foxhillfarm Lorenzo, another by Guards Boomer and out of Alice. He is a great thick bull with superb muscle and exceptional breed character. He sold to Jack Stevens.

At the same money was Foxhillfarm Leon, an Objat son out of the Wilodge Vantastic daughter Bankdale Elizabeth. Again bred from the best of the herd, he is a maternal brother to the 38,000gns Foxhillfarm Irishlad.

Selling for 5000gns was Foxhillfarm Lucas, a a son of the renowned Wilodge Tonka out of Bankdale Chanel, herself a Sarkley Volt daughter. Lucas sold with a beef value of +31.

Both Foxhillfarm Lionheart and Foxhillfarm Lookout then sold at the same price, with Lionhearted being a Broadmeadows Cannon son out of Bankdale Alice and Lookout being by the 38,000gns Foxhillfarm Irishlad and out of Foxhillfarm Gracie.

We wish all buyers the very best of luck with their purchases and are now busily preparing for the winter show season, including the pedigree calf shows.

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Charollais flock picks up top flock competition places

Rounding off the month was the South West Charollais Sheep group’s flock competition which was another successful one for the Foxhill flock.

The recent prize giving saw the flock take the overall championship in the small flock class as well as picking up first in the senior ewes and first in the ewe lambs. Our stock ram, Logie Durno Olympian was placed first in the stock ram class as well as being named male of the year in the region.

We are delighted with these results and look forward to a successful lambing with the Charollais and more quality lambs by Olympian.

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Texel ewes sell well at Solway and Tyne Sale

Continuing a busy September, the second Solway and Tyne Texel Club sale at Carlisle saw us offer nine ewes for sale. Best of the day was a 1600gns sale for one from Charlotte’s Wayside flock, with this being a one-crop ewe by Strathbogie Terminator, out of an Ettrick Rainbow Warrior ewe. She sold to Charlie Boden for the Sportsmans flock, with Charlotte’s first in the ring the same way bred selling for 1500gns to Paul Delves, Churchstoke.

A two crop ewe from the Foxhill flock then sold at 1250gns, with this one being a Douganhill McFly daughter. She was bought by James Runciman and Sons, Galashiels, with Charlotte then selling a two-crop ewe the same was bred as the last at 1000gns to R Mitcheson, Belsay.

Paul Delves then paid 900gns for a Strathbogie Terminator daughter from the Foxhill flock. Overall the nine ewes offered averaged £982.

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Carlisle bulls on form at Frome Show

Once again we took a team of youngsters to Frome Show, with the team comprising five bulls all of whom are destined for this October’s Carlisle Sale on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th October.

All five bulls were on their first outing and were shown in the same class, taking the top five places in the class, with Foxhillfarm Lionheart being tapped out as male and breed champion under judge Brian Jones of the Bailea herd.

Lionheart is a son of the noted Broadmeadows Cannon out of our exceptional brood cow Bankdale Alice. Standing second behind Lionheart was Foxhillfarm Lucas, a son of Wilodge Tonka out of Bankdale Channel, herself a Sarkley Volt daughter out of Alice.

Then in third spot was Foxhillfarm Leon. This one is by Objat and out of another Alice daughter, Bankdale Elizabeth. Guards Boomer was the sire of the next, fourth placed Foxhillfarm Lookout. He’s out of Bankdale Alice.

And wrapping things up in fifth place was Foxhillfarm Lookout. This one is homebred on both sides, being by the 38,000gns Foxhillfarm Irishlad, he is out of the multi award winning Foxhillfarm Gracie, herself a Wilodge Vantastic daughter. He is the first bull to be offered from Gracie.

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Great success in South West Limousin herd competition

The Foxhillfarm herd had a great year in the South West Limousin Breeders Club herd competition, taking the reserve overall championship as well as winning the small herd class and the award for the best new entrant.

Alongside this the herd also won the prize for the best bull born in 2015 with Foxhillfarm Lordofthering and the best heifer born in 2015 with Foxhillfarm Looksthepart.

Lordofthering is by Guards Boomer and out of Bankdale Alice, while Looksthepart is by Guards Boomer out of Foxhillfarm Gracie, the multi-award winning homebred dam which was breed champion at the Royal Highland, Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire in 2014.

Then first in the bull born in 2016 was Foxhillfarm Manhatten, a Guards Boomer son out of Foxhillfarm Gracie. Foxhillfarm Mammamia then took second in the best heifer born in 2016 competition, with this one being a daughter of our homebred sire Foxhillfarm Irishlad out of Glenrock Illusion.

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Jagger moves to top spot at National Limousin Show

The 45th anniversary National Limousin Show, Carlisle, was a highly successful event for the Foxhillfarm team, with every animal shown gaining a top two placing and stock bull Trueman Jagger taking the event’s male and overall championship titles.

Jagger, owned in partnership with the Whinfellpark, Dinmore and Swalesmoor herds, was purchased in October last year for the world record price of 145,000gns and has been used extensively across all four herds. He is by Ampertaine Gigolo and out of Trueman Grazia, a Haltcliffe Vermount daughter.

Trueman Jagger - Male and Overall Champion

Following close behind Jagger was Foxhillfarm Lord Of The Ring, a Guards Boomer son out of Bankdale Alice. He was male champion at the Royal Highland as well as reserve junior male at the Royal Welsh.

Foxhillfarm Lordof the ring - Junior Champion and Res Overall Male

Also picking up a red ticket was Foxhillfarm Louis Vuitton, another by Guards Boomer and this time out of Foxhillfarm Gracie, the multi-award winning homebred dam which was breed champion at the Royal Highland, Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire in 2014.

Foxhillfarm Louisvuitton - 1st Class 9d. Limousin National Show 2016. Wayne Hutchinson / www.farm-images.co.uk

Then in the female section the team’s young heifers, Foxhillfarm Looks The Part and Limited Edition were not to be out down by their male counterparts, taking first and second in the same class. Looks The Part is a full ET sister to Louis Vuitton, while Limited Edition is a Kype Interrogate daughter out of Bankdale Elizabeth.

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Juniors fare well at Royal Welsh

The Limousin team had another successful outing to the Royal Welsh, with our team of junior cattle faring well in some strong classes.

Foxhillfarm Looks The Part, a Guards Boomer daughter out of the muti award winning Foxhillfarm Gracie, was first in her class before going on to be reserve junior female champion.

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She then teamed up with Foxhillfarm Limited Edition to lift the interbreed Females of the Future championship, with Limited Edition being a Kype Interrogate daughter out of Bankdale Elizabeth. She had previously stood second in her class to Looks The Part.

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Then in the males Foxhillfarm Lord Of The Ring picked up the reserve junior male title having stood first in his class. He is by Guards Boomer and out of Bankdale Alice.

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Foxhillfarm Lord Of The Ring lives up to his name at Royal Highland

The long trip to the Royal Highland Show was once again a worthwhile one for the Foxhillfarm team, with great results in the Limousin classes.

Taking the top spot for the team as junior male and overall male champion was Foxhillfarm Lord Of The Ring. He is a 2015-born bull by Guards Boomer and is out of Bankdale Alice. He then went on to stand reserve champion in the junior interbreed championship.

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Lord Of The Ring added to Alice’s progeny’s successful show record at the Highland, with his maternal brother, Foxhillfarm Jasper having been champion at the show in 2015 and his maternal sister, Foxhillfarm Ivy, reserve champion in the same year.

Adding to the honours was August 2015-born heifer Foxhillfarm Limited Edition. She picked up second in her class before going on to be reserve junior female champion.

This one is by Kype Interrogate and is out of Bankdale Elizabeth, with her dam also standing first in her class at the show.

Our other entry, August 2015-born heifer Foxhillfarm Looks The Part then stood fourth in the same class as Limited Edition, with this heifer being by Guards Boomer and out of Foxhillfarm Gracie, the herd’s Royal Highland champion from 2014.

Meanwhile, across in the sheep rings, our Charolais senior ram, Logie Durno Olympian picked up third in his class, while our ewe lamb stood sixth in a strong class.

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Successful Royal Cornwall Show for Foxhill team

The Foxhill team had another successful show outing at Royal Cornwall Show last week, with both the Limousins and the Charollais gaining top placings.

In the cattle lines it was our successful foundation cow Bankdale Elizabeth which led the way, taking the female and breed championship in the Limousin classes under judge Stephen Illingworth.

Following on close behind was Foxhillfarm Lordofthering, a Guards Boomer son out of Bankdale Alice, when he took the male championship and reserve breed championship.

And Elizabeth’s August 2015-born ET bred heifer calf Foxhillfarm Limited Edition then completed a successful show, by picking up the reserve female championship.

Across in the sheep rings our Charollais senior stock ram Logie Durno Olympian picked up his second breed championship of the season, before going on to be part of the interbreed pairs winning duo.

Logie Durno Olympian
Logie Durno Olympian

The team now heads for the Royal Highland in 10 days time, we look forward to seeing you there.

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Statement from Michael and Melanie Alford following Devon County Show

Following the controversy surrounding the interbreed sheep championship at Devon County Show the Alford family feel it is important to set out the events as they happened and limit the circulation of incorrect rumours which have taken hold over the last few days.

Melanie Alford said: “Our sheep were sprayed before arrival at the show and were subsequently sprayed again on arrival at the showground with Jobson’s Biscuit Brown bloom. This product is an entirely natural product containing plant extracts & minerals and does not contain acrylic artificial dyes.

“Soon after our sheep had been unloaded on Wednesday 18 May we were approached by the chief livestock steward, Edward Darke, who asked us if our sheep had been coloured, pointing out that under new rules this year artificially coloured sheep were not allowed at the show. We informed him that they had been sprayed with natural product and he never mentioned the matter to us again.

“The following day (Thursday 19 May) we took part in the Charollais breed classes without incident and were awarded the breed championship with our ram Logie Durno Olympian, as well as winning other classes.

“On the Friday (20 May) we took part in the relevant interbreed classes, including the interbreed ram lamb, the interbreed pairs and individual overall interbreed championships. Being part of the reserve interbreed pair, reserve interbreed ram lamb and winning the supreme sheep championship.

“We understand that the interbreed judge, Geoff Watson, had been requested by the chief livestock steward not to award prizes to coloured sheep, but declined to follow this instruction as he felt it wasn’t his job to police the show’s rules for them.

“This is a position we entirely agree with and had Devon County Show had an issue with our sheep it should have been raised long before the sheep got as far as the interbreed championship.

“On Friday afternoon I received a phone call from Edward Darke asking if Michael & myself would come to the livestock office. We were called into a meeting with the show secretary, livestock co-ordinator, chief livestock steward and one other.

“Edward Darke then announced that we were not going to be awarded the interbreed championship nor were the pairs, or the Ryeland as an objection had been lodged (we since have been informed the objection was lodges by Aimee Mogford and Paul Osmond on behalf of the South West Suffolk Sheep Club).

“On Saturday (21 May) afternoon, just as we were loading the sheep on to our vehicle to leave the show we were approached by the show vet to ask if we would mind the sheep being wool sampled. We declined as there had been ample opportunity to sample our sheep during the three days of the show and we felt leaving it until we were loading was inappropriate. We understand that no Charollais or Texel breeders at the Show allowed their sheep to be wool sampled and many more exhibitors declined.

“Subsequently there have been a number of negative comments about both ourselves and our sheep on social media and elsewhere. While not going in to detail of these comments we would respectively ask that if anyone has any evidence to back up their claims that they produce it immediately or retract their comments.

“It is a great shame that two experienced judges, Charollais Judge Tim Prichard and interbreed judge Geoff Watson, have been drawn in to this matter. They did their jobs and judged the sheep presented to them without prejudice and their decisions and actions should have been respected by the stewards at Devon County Show. To have their decisions revoked after the event is highly disrespectful and discourteous.”

Mrs Alford added that it was important that the integrity of shows was maintained as they were a key shop window for pedigree breeders and important in educating the public about modern farming and food production. “We are passionate supporters of shows across the UK and strongly believe in their role in the industry. The events of the last week are very unfortunate and have marred what should have been a great show for both us as exhibitors and also the judges involved.”

Double interbreed for Foxhill at Devon County Show

The summer show season kick started with a successful Devon County Show. Foxhillfarm Lordofthering was unbeaten at the show, in the Limousin section judge Jamie Cooper from the Tomschoice herd selected him as winner of the yearling bull class, male championship and overall breed championship.

Foxhillfarm Lordofthering
Foxhillfarm Lordofthering

Sired by Guards Boomer he is out of  the noted brood cow Bankdale Alice. He then went on to win the local and junior bull interbreed championships under interbreed judge Charlie MacLean, Hampshire.

He then paired with A K and J K Smith’s Smithy Lacey to win the interbreed pairs championship, before securing the overall beef interbreed title.

Also picking up a red rosette in the Limousin classes was Amande, a French import, with her Erable sired heifer calf, Laplubelle, at foot.

Charlotte secured three class wins in the Young Farmers section to finish champion Young Farmer, as well as standing first senior young handler.

In the Charollais ring judge Tim Pritchard tapped out Logie Durno Olympian to win the aged ram class, before taking the male and overall breed championships.

Logie Durno Olympian
Logie Durno Olympian

A son of Logie Durno Olympian stood top of the ram lamb class and went on to be reserve interbreed ram lamb. While the shearling ewe stood second and ewe lamb fifth.

Logie Durno Olympian was purchased at Worcester Premier Sale in 2015 for 7000gns from the Ingram family. His dam was a greatly admired show ewe.

He went on to stand reserve interbreed pair with the champion female from Carol Irwin, before he finally claimed the overall sheep interbreed championship under Geoff Watson.

Successful sales for Limousins

Our entries for Brecon are both off to new homes, Foxhillfarm Juventas sold privately before the sale for an undisclosed five figure sum. He is a July 2014-born Objat son out of Bankdale Elizabeth. He is maternal brother to the 38,000gns Foxhillfarm Irishlad.

Foxhillfarm Juventus
Foxhillfarm Juventus

At the sale Corridan Chelsea sold for 4000gns to David Thomas, Ludlow, as a foundation cow to start a new pedigree herd. Chelsea is a 2007-born Goldies Terence daughter out of Corridan Trinket. She sold in-calf to Ampertaine Gigolo, the sire of the world record-breaking bull Trueman Jagger.

Corridon Chelsea
Corridon Chelsea

We wish both purchasers the very best with their purchases and hope they breed well for them.

Black Gem joins the show team

We are pleased to have purchased the black heifer Black Gem for £3050 from J A V Mills and Son, Llanafan, Powys. This 10-month old heifer is by a British Blue bull and out of a Limousin cross British Blue dam.

We look forward to showing her over the summer and winter seasons.

Aberdeen-Angus back at Foxhillfarm

October also saw us buy a brace of foundation females for a new Aberdeen-Angus herd. It has always been Mike’s passion to go back in to Aberdeen-Angus since his grandfather sold off the Staplegrove herd.

But, while there have been a number of opportunities to buy Aberdeen-Angus in the last few years, we have been waiting to find a proven cow to start the herd with. In selecting our foundation females we were looking for correct, natural fleshing cattle with no fat briskets and we found this in Weeton Diamond Mist M351 and purchased her for 13,000gns at the Weston total herd sale in Stirling.

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As well as Diamond Mist were also liked her bull calf and full sister, the bull calf Weeton Diamond Mine P444 sold to the Deveron herd of the sclater family and  and we were lucky enough to secure her full sister Weeton Diamond Mist N383 for 7000gns.

Both females were bought in-calf to Rayburn Edge and are sired by GH Coverboy Eric 110R and out of Big Sky Diamond Mist 350, an Aberan DMM Decision 26H daughter.

Trueman Jagger joins Foxhillfarm portfolio

At the October Limousin sale at Carlisle we were pleased to be part of the consortium which  purchased the world record priced Limousin bull, 140,000gns Trueman Jagger.

April - Trueman Jagger

This outstanding bull stood champion in the pre-sale show and was an easy choice for our first stock bull and will, thanks to his exceptional breeding and muscling add extra shape to our already strong females which carry outstanding breed character. Jagger is now resident at Foxhill and there will be semen available for sale in spring 2016.

 

Foxhillfarm leads Newark Limousin Day male and female trade

Securing the championship today under Karl Suddes of the Cornsay herd was Foxhillfarm Jobsworth. By Loosebeare Fantastic, he is out of our fantastic foundation female Bankdale Alice, making him full brother to this year’s successful show bull and 35,000gns Foxhillfarm Jasper. He was knocked down on a very steady day’s trade in Newark for 5000gns.

Foxhillfarm Jobsworth
Foxhillfarm Jobsworth
Foxhillfarm Jobsworth
Foxhillfarm Jobsworth

Next best from our bulls on the day was Foxhillfarm Jaffa who was second in the same class as Jobsworth. This one is by Wilodge Tonka and out of Ravenelle, making him full brother to the noted Wilodge Fantastic. He sold for 3800gns.

Foxhillfarm Jaffa
Foxhillfarm Jaffa

Next up were our females who went on to top the female trade today, the first being Foxhillfarm Jasmine, a full sister to Jaffa and, therefore, full sister to Wilodge Fantastic. She sold for 4000gns to Gary Patterson for his Aultmore herd.

Foxhillfarm Jasmine
Foxhillfarm Jasmine

Next up was Foxhillfarm Jade, selling for 3800gns. By Objat, Jade is out of Sarkley Fadajen, whose dam, Sarkley Adajen, has bred a number of bull champions.

Foxhillfarm Jade
Foxhillfarm Jade

We’d like to wish all our purchasers on the day the best of luck with their new stock and we look forward to hearing how they perform in their new herds.

Blue Texel success at Carlisle

Charlotte’s Foxhill flock of Blue Texels enjoyed a successful day at the Blue Texel Society Sale at Carlisle in late September, taking the reserve male championship with a ram lamb and selling both ram lamb entries at 950gns and 450gns.

(lot 638) First prize ram lamb and Reserve Male Champion sold for 950 gns from Charlotte Alford - Foxhill

These were Foxhole Yahoo and Foxhole Yogie, a pair of twin-born ram lambs by Viewforth Vitorio and out of Viewforth Wanda, a Shearastone Peter daughter. Both these lambs sold to Stuart and Wendy Hunter, Aberdeenshire.

We also bought a new stock sire at the sale, buying  the second prize shearling ram Cleenagh XXX from Adrian Richardson, Maguiresbridge, Co.Fermanagh, at 1000gns. He is by CJ’s Will-I-Am.

First outing for the winter show team

Frome Show was the first chance we’ve had this year to give our baby winter team a test run at a show before the major pedigree calf show circuit and they certainly did Foxhill proud.

Leading the way for us in the youngest of the calf classes was Foxhillfarm Logan, who stood top of the line ahead of his full sister Foxhillfarm Lola. These full siblings are by Ionesco out of our fantastic foundation female Bankdale Alice.

Next up in the January-born calf class was Foxhillfarm Lionking, full brother to Logan and Lola. Logan and Lola then went on to take the breed pairs championship, while Lionking went on to take the reserve breed championship at just eight months of age.

In the native commercial section, our home bred Galloway steer Foxhillfarm Supersonic took the native championship, while in the Continental section, Look At Me, a Limousin cross by Liscon Big Show which was purchased at Ruthin after he took the reserve overall championship on the day.

 

Interbreed group and pairs success for Foxhill Limousins

Our main line summer show season ended at Builth Wells for the Royal Welsh with our successful bull Foxhillfarm Jasper winning his yearling bull class before taking the reserve male championship under judge Steven Priestley.

Of the females in our team, Foghillfarm Ivy stood second in the two year old class, while Foxhillfarm Isla stood sixth in the same class. Meanwhile, in the yearling heifer classes Foxhillfarm Joselyn stood third in the yearling class, while Foxhillfarm Justthejob came fifth.

Jasper then carried on his winning form by teaming up with Ivy to win the interbreed pairs and they were then joined by Isla to win the team of three’s. Ivy and Isla were then part of the winning interbreed group of five, while Jasper won the interbreed junior championship and Beef Performance championship. To top things off, Foxhill were then aware the overall championship for the cattle lines competition.

Foxhillfarm Ivy takes top honours at Great Yorkshire Show

Today was yet another great day in the show ring for the Foxhill team, but reigning supreme today under Mark Quick was Foghillfarm Ivy, our two year old heifer by Fantastic out of Bankdale Alice.

She was previously female and reserve overall champion at the Royal Highland and stood female champion and reserve overall at Bath and West and Royal Cornwall.

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Meanwhile, her full brother and highly successful Foxhillfarm Jasper won his class and then went on to take the male championship, as well as reserve junior championship. Jasper has stood breed champion at the Highland, interbreed and Burke Trophy champion at the Royal Cornwall and breed champion at Bath and West.

Also in the team was Foghillfarm Isla, another full sister to Ivy, who stood second to her and Foghillfarm Joslyn and Foghillfarm Just The One, who were fourth and fifth, respectively in the yearling heifer class.

Meanwhile we then won the pairs and group of three classes.

Charlotte’s Highland heifer Ebony of Alanfern was fourth in a strong class.

Alice progeny reigns supreme at Royal Highland

We were absolutely delighted to win overall champion and reserve at the Royal Highland having stood male and female champion with home bred cattle.

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Foxhillfarm Jasper took overall honours having won his class, junior championship and male championship.

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This Loosebeare Fantastic son is out of Bankdale Alice. He has already stood interbreed champion at Royal Cornwall and Devon County as well as breed champion at Bath and West, together with Ivy they have been interbreed pairs champion at Devon County, Bath and West and Royal Cornwall, including the Burke Trophy.

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In the Limousin section Jasper and Ivy stood top of the pairs class, they were then joined by Joslyn to win the group of three class.

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Alice’s daughter Foxhillfarm Ivy stood female champion and reserve overall. This two year old heifer is by Vantastic and stood female champion and reserve overall at Bath and West and Royal Cornwall.

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In the interbreed championships Bankdale Elizabeth and Foxhillfarm Ivy were part of the reserve group of four with Brockhurst Elvis and Glenrock Jewel.

Ivy’s 2009-born full sister Bankdale Elizabeth stood second in the in-calf cow class.

Foxhillfarm Isla stood second to Ivy in the two year old heifer class, she is a full sister to Ivy being by Vantastic and out of Alice.

Our yearling heifers stood third and fifth with Foxhillfarm Joslyn standing third then her full sister Foxhillfarm Justtheone in fifth. They are both by Loosebeare Fantastic and out of Alice making them full sisters to Jasper.

Click here to watch a video of our cattle during judging.

The team will next be heading to the Great Yorkshire Show then the Royal Welsh.

Royal appointment at Royal Cornwall

Foxhillfarm Limousins were in the limelight once again at Royal Cornwall when Princess Alexandra presented the Burke Trophy to Foxhillfarm Jasper and Foxhillfarm Ivy.

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It was certainly another dream come true to win the coveted Burke Trophy with a home bred pair. The pair have now completed a hat trick of interbreed pairs championships having already won at Devon County and Bath and West.

Foxhillfarm Jasper continues to dominate the Limousin section and individual interbreed championships. Sired by Loosebeare Fantastic he is out of the prolific brood cow Bankdale Alice. Limousin judge Paul Sykes tapped out Jasper as male and overall breed champion before he went on to take the recorded bull interbreed, junior interbreed and overall interbreed titles under judge David Leggat.

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Standing reserve breed champion to him was his maternal sister Foxhillfarm Ivy, a Vantastic daughter. She came through as female champion and also enjoyed interbreed pairs success with Jasper.

In the other classes Bankdale Elizabeth stood second in the cow class.

While Foxhillfarm Isla stood second behind Ivy and Foxhillfarm Izzy stood third. Then in the yearling class it was Foxhillfarm Joslyn that lead the way ahead of Foxhillfarm Jodie in second and Foxhillfarm Josie in third.

Next stop now for the Limousins in the Royal Highland Show, but first Charlotte’s Highland heifer will head to Three Counties.  

Team on top form at Bath and West

Foxhillfarm Limousins were once again rubbing shoulders with celebrities at Bath and West Show when Jasper was congratulated in the parade by Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs and Lord Fellows, director of Downton Abbey.

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Foxhillfarm Jasper shone again taking the male and overall championship honours under judge Jonathan Aiken. Following his interbreed success the previous week at Devon County, he went on to be interbreed bull champion and overall junior interbreed champion.

Standing reserve overall champion to him was his maternal sister Foxhillfarm Ivy, having come through the breed classes as female champion.

Together Jasper and Ivy won the interbreed pairs championship under judge David Barker with Foghillfarm Isla joining them to be group of three interbreed champion. We also had cattle out in the interbreed winning group of four.

Standing behind Ivy in the two year old heifer class in second was Foxhillfarm Isla, while in third was Foxhillfarm Izzy. Meanwhile, our senior cow, Bankdale Elizabeth stood second in the cow class.

In the yearling heifer class Foxhillfarm Joslyn stood first, followed by Foxhillfarm Justtheone and Foxhillfarm Josie in third. Next stop for us is Royal Cornwall, followed by Royal Three Counties…

Bankdale Alice progeny gets Royal approval at Devon County

The first outing of the season was certainly a successful one for our show team with the added highlight of meeting Princess Anne on Thursday. She was interested in the ET work we do at Foxhill and also the breeding of our Limousin line up.

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Star of the show was Foxhillfarm Jasper who won junior Limousin champion, male champion and overall breed champion. He then went on to be junior interbreed champion, interbreed continental champion and overall interbreed champion.

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He paired with his maternal sister Foxhillfarm Ivy to win the Limousin and interbreed pairs and Isla joined them to take the honours in the Limousin and interbreed group of three.

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In the Limousin judging Foxhillfarm Ivy won the two year old class, by Vantastic she is out of Bankdale Alice. Ivy stood reserve female champion and also won the interbreed local beef championship. In the class she was followed by full sisters Foxhillfarm Isla and Izzy in second and third.

Bankdale Elizabeth had her first show outing and stood top of the cow class. Born 2009 she is also by Vantastic and out of Alice and was purchased for 35,000gns at the Bankdale dispersal.

It was a one, two, three, placing in the yearling heifer class with Foxhillfarm Joslyn standing top followed by Foxhillfarm Justtheone in second. They are full sisters by Fantastic and out of Alice, making them full sisters to Jasper. In third was Foxhillfarm Josie, she is by Objat and is out of Bankdale Elizabeth.

Standing second in the calf class was Foxhillfarm Jurassic, a July 2014-born Vantastic son out of Alice.
Charlotte’s own two year old Highland heifer Ebony of Allanfearn stood second in the any other breed class. Sired by Angus Dubh of Allanfearn she is out of Ruby of Allanfearn.

The team is now settled in at Shepton Mallet ready for Bath and West Show.

Carlisle May sale – “What dreams are made of” 

What a day’s trade for us in Carlisle, our four ET-bred bulls by Loosebeare Fantastic out of our foundation female Bankdale Alice have done us proud, topping at 35,000gns, grossing £101,850 and averaging £25,462.50. 

Sale leader for us was our junior and overall champion, Foxhillfarm Jasper. Born January 2014, Jasper has been shown as a calf being part of the Duke of Norfolk team at the East of England Smithfield Festival, as well as standing third at the National Calf Show in November last year at the English Winter Fair. With a beef value of +47, he was sold for 35,000gns to Messrs Jenkinson, Whinfellpark. 

In what is perhaps a first within the breed, Foxhillfarm Jasper is the third supreme champion at Carlisle out of the same cow, Bankdale Alice, and follows previous winners Foxhillfarm Impecabull and Bankdale Exfactor respectively. Of course, she is also the mother of our highly successful show heifer Foxhillfarm Gracie.

Jasper has returned to Foxhole where he will be shown in our summer team and will head to the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire, and Royal Welsh Shows before going to Whinfellpark. Describing his champion judge Eric Norman said:  “This is a real breeders’ bull and was a clear champion on the day. He’s a very correct bull, full of breed character and modern in type.  He has tremendous width, a real balance of natural power and shape without being extreme, and has excellent locomotion.”

Foxhillfarm Jasper, overall champion and sold for 35,000gns
Foxhillfarm Jasper, overall champion and sold for 35,000gns

Next best for us, selling for 29,000gns, was our reserve junior champion, Foxhillfarm Jupiter. This boy was second at the South West Calf Show in Cornwall last year, second at the East of England Smithfield Festival and reserve champion at the National Calf Show. His beef value of +37 and muscle depth of +4.9 rank him in the top 10% of the breed. Securing him was Stuart Fotheringham for his Ballinloan herd. 

Foxhole Farm Jupiter, 29,000gns
Foxhole Farm Jupiter, 29,000gns

Meanwhile, the second placed Foxhillfarm Jackflash went for 19,000ngs to commercial producers Messrs E A Davies, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Carrying a beef value of +34, he’s been previously un-shown.

Foxhillfarm Jackflash, 19,000gns
Foxhillfarm Jackflash, 19,000gns

Then wrapping up proceedings for us with a call of 14,000gns was the second placed Foxhillfarm Justthejob who found a new home with Albert Howie for his Knock herd. 

Foxhillfarm Justthejob, 14,000gns
Foxhillfarm Justthejob, 14,000gns

This one was first and reserve champion at the South West Calf Show and Limousin and interbreed champion calf at the National Calf Show, before going on to be Limousin champion at the East of England Smithfield Festival Calf Show.  We’d like to wish all our helpers, supporters and most importantly buyers for a fantastic two days in Carlisle. We’d also like to wish the buyers the very best with our bulls and look forward to hearing how they perform in the future. Pictures to follow……

Overall championship at Carlisle Limousin Show and Sale

We are delighted to have won the overall championship at Carlisle Limousin Show and Sale for the second year running with Foxhillfarm Jasper.

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Jasper is an ET bred son of Loosebeare Fantastic and out of our brood cow Bankdale Alice. He carries a beef value of +47 with a muscle depth in top 10% of the breed and 200 and 400-day growth figures in the top 1%.

Standing reserve to him in the junior championship was his full brother Foxhillfarm Jupiter. Jupiter is also in the top 10% of the breed with a beef value of 37 and muscle depth of 4.9, while his 200 and 400 day growth is in the top 1%.

Jupiter stood first ahead of Justthejob in the second class of juniors. While Foxhillfarm Jackflash stood second to Jasper.

Michael judges Young Butchers at National Young Show Stars

Michael had the pleasure of judging the first Young Butcher’s challenge at the National Young Show Stars event at Malvern. He was very impressed with the incredibly high standard of the competitors and would be happy to employ either of them. The overall winner and securing one week work placement was 17-year old Ben Greenfield from Leicestershire. He works on the family farm where they run 1000 Texel cross ewes as well as running an on farm butchery operation. It was a very close competition with both Ben and the runner up having different areas of expertise but on the day Ben’s quality of display set him apart as the winner. We look forward to welcoming Ben to Stillmans and hope he enjoys his week.

 

Successful trip to Oban

This year’s trip to Oban Highland Sale proved successful for Charlotte when she purchased the champion two year old heifer Ebony of Allanfearn from Maureen MacArthur and John Ashton.

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Born February 2013 this black heifer is by Angus Dubh of Invercassley and out of the Crusoe of Brue daugther Ruby of Allanfearn who has been a successful show cow with interbreed titles at Black Isle and Nairn Shows.

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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.

Red ladies presentation

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.

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Sired by Loosebeare Fantastic he is out of our prolific breeding foundation cow Bankdale Alice.

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Interbreed judge James Little described him as a great calf with excellent confirmation and show ring presence.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
Pokerhontus, reserve champion Countryside Live

In the baby beef championship Pokerlicious stood reserve champion. By Easegillhead Exterminate, she is out of a Limousin x British Blue dam. This heifer was purchased at Caledonian Marts for £3200 from Brian Harper.

Completing a hatrick of reserve champions was Poker Prince, a 480kg Attila sired steer that stood reserve Limousin steer. Out of a British Blue cross Limousin dam he was purchased for £3200 from the Robertson family at Logierait.

Agri-Expo at Carlisle will be the next outing for the team, we look forward to seeing you there.

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

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.

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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.

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He is by Strathbogie Terminator and out of Kelso bred ewe by Kelso Pedro, selling to James Garth, Clapham for 900gns.

Foxhillfarm Vinnie
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.

Web synchronised showing

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Charo Lamb

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.

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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
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
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 12,500gns
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
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.

December 2013: Foxhillfarm Impressive leads weaned calf trade at Carlisle

It was a successful trip to Carlisle for Foxhillfarm Pedigrees for our first sale of Limousins at the weaned calf sale after the Red Ladies Derby.

Top price for our consignment and top price in the weaned calf section was Foxhillfarm Impressive, having stood first and male champion in the pre-sale show he also stood second at the Scottish Winter Fair. He is a Hartlaw Excaliber son out of Bankdale Chanel, a Sarkley Volt daughter out of Bankdale Alice. He carries a beef value of +38 and sold for 7000gns to Eric and Elaine Norman, Carlisle for their Norman herd.

Foxhillfarm Impressive
Foxhillfarm Impressive

Then at 3200gns was Foxhillfarm Ipad, a Ionesco son out of the 35,000gns Bankdale Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a Vantastic daughter out of Alice and is a full sister to our successful show heifer Gracie. He carries a beef value of +42 and sold to R and M G Elliot, Longtown, Carlisle.

Foxhillfarm Impulsive our 3rd bull forward was full brother to Impressive and sold for 2900gns to G Dent, Cockfield, Bishop Auckland.

Leading trade for our heifers was 2500gns for Foxhillfarm Iris. She is a Guards Boomer daughter out of the 10,000gns Sarkley Fadajen, a Sarkley Thunderbolt daughter. Andrew Morton, Denny, Stirling, purchased her.

Then Foxhillfarm Isadora, a Wilodge Tonka daughter out of Chanel sold for 1800gns. With her full sister Foxhillfarm Isadore selling for 1500gns to Seagrave and Stevenson, West Auckland.

Giving us a helping hand at Carlisle was Andrew Hamill from the Huntley herd, Belfast. Only eight years old he has the making of a stockman of the future and definitely one to watch.

This keen and enthusiastic young breeder was over to take part in the first YLBC Young Handlers' Championship (Photograph by Robert Smith)
This keen and enthusiastic young breeder was over to take part in the first YLBC Young Handlers’ Championship (Photograph by Robert Smith)

We would like to wish all purchasers the very best with their animals.

December 2013:Smithfield championship success for Foxhill

Smithfield always holds great times for us and this year was yet another great show for us at the Peterborough showground as we clinched the steer championship with Harlem Shake, making it a record sixth year in a row we have won the steer championship at this event.

Harlem Shake (pictured at the Scottish Winter Fair).
Harlem Shake (pictured at the Scottish Winter Fair).

Then in the pedigree Limousin calf show we took the Limousin championship with Foxhillfarm Izzy, full sister to Foxhillfarm Gracie and then went on to go one place better by scooping the reserve interbreed championship with her.

Duke of Norfolk Trophy winners.
Duke of Norfolk Trophy winners.

She then teamed up with herd mates Foxhillfarm Impecabull and Foxhillfarm Ilsa to win the prestigious Duke of Norfolk Trophy for the best group of three pedigree calves.

Foxhillfarm Izzy
Foxhillfarm Izzy
Foxhillfarm Isla
Foxhillfarm Isla
Foxhillfarm Impecabull
Foxhillfarm Impecabull

December 2013: Charlotte triumphs at Royal Welsh Winter Fair

This week at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Charlotte secured the overall handling championship after winning the junior class.

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Showing the Limousin steer Harlem Shake they fought off stiff competition, especially in the championship to beat Lin Pidsley who is also Foxhill trained.

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In the commercial judging our Limousin steer Harlem Shake stood top of the line. Sired by Cawfields Dazzler he weighed 686kg and stood reserve overall at the Scottish Winter Fair at the weekend.

November 2013: Pedigree and commercial success at Scottish Winter Fair

The Foxhill Livestock team made the second trip up to Scotland in as many weeks to exhibit both commercial and pedigree stock at this year’s Scottish Winter Fair.

Leading the way for us in the commercial section was our pure bred Limousin steer Harlem Shake. He won his Limousin sired class and then went on to take the steer championship and then reserve overall under judge Jimmy Mullholland.

Harlem Shake - reserve overall champion
Harlem Shake – reserve overall champion

On the day Harlem weighed 688kg steer and is by Cawfields Dazzler. He has previously stood steer champion at the Royal Welsh Show in the summer, as well as the Great Yorkshire and Royal Highland Show.

Then our other commercial entry, Daddy’s Big Bucks, won her heavy Limousin sired heifer class and then went on to stand reserve heavyweight heifer title behind the overall champion of the show.

In the purebred Limousin calf show we stood reserve overall with Foxhillfarm Izzy. This one is by the noted Vantastic and is out of Bankdale Alice, making her full sister to last year’s champion and multi award winning heifer Foxhillfarm Gracie.

Foxhillfarm Izzy - reserve overall Limousin
Foxhillfarm Izzy – reserve overall Limousin

November 2013: Judging at English Winter Fair

Congratulations to all the exhibitors at the English Winter Fair at Birmingham, Mike had a great time judging and we’ll be looking forward to heading back there next year.

November 2013: Foxhillfarm Impecabull takes junior male title at Stars of the Future

Having made the decision to travel the many miles up to Stirling to exhibit at the Stars of the Future Calf Show, we were more than pleased to come home with the junior male Limousin title with Foxhillfarm Impecabull.

Foxhillfarm Impeccabull

This is one of the first bulls to be shown by Wilodge Vantastic out of our foundation female Bankdale Alice, making him full ET-sibling to our prolific show winner Foxhillfarm Gracie. Impecabull has already stood Limousin calf champion and supreme at the Cornwall Calf Show.

 

 

 

Standing second and third to Impecabull in the January-born bull calf class was Foxhillfarm Incredibull, a Guards Boomer son out of Bankdale Elizabeth, while third went to Foxhillfarm Ipad, an Ionesco son out of Elizabeth.  

In the January-born heifer class we were second and third with full sisters Foxhillfarm Ivy and Foxhillfarm Issy. Both these girls are Vantastic daughters out of Bankdale Alice, while in the junior heifer calf class we stood second and third again, this time with full sisters Foxhillfarm Iola and Foxhillfarm Isla, who are again by Vantastic out of Bankdale Alice.

November 2013: Daddy’s Big Bucks clinches Agri Expo 2013 title

We can’t quite believe it, but this year really is going from strength to strength and after a fantastic win at the Cornwall Calf Show last week, we were up in Carlisle with our two winter season commercial cattle, Daddy’s Big Bucks and Harlem Shake, who did us incredibly proud indeed.

Having won her heifer class before going on to be heifer champion, the July 2012-born Limousin cross heifer went on to take the overall section under judge Charlie Anderson. Weighing in on the day at 507kg, she is sired by the Saphir son Emslies Diehard and out of a Limousin cross British Blue. Purchased for 5400gns from Gary Raeburn at the Thainstone Spectacular Sale, this is her first show outing.

Our Limousin steer, Harlem Shake who has already picked up many tickets on the summer circuit also won his steer class. Weighing 683kg, he was purchased at Leyburn from O J Kendall.

October 2013: Winter show season starts with a bang for Foxhill

Just as we seem to have caught our breath after a rather hectic summer season, the winter show season is now upon us with our leading lads and ladies from the Limousin herd out in force at the Cornwall Calf Show, and boy did our team of four bulls and four heifers do us proud! 

Foxhillfarm Impeccabull kicked off the day by winning the January born bull class. This January-born son of Wilodge Vantastic out of Bankdale Alice is full brother to our noted show heifer Foxhillfarm Gracie, so will hopefully continue in his sisters footsteps. In the class he was closely followed by Foxhillfarm Incredibull, a Guards Boomer son out of Bankdale Elizabeth, while in third place in the class was Foxhillfarm Inthegold, another Alice son by Vantastic and then completing the class in fourth was Foxhillfarm Irishlad, which is the same way bred as Incredibull.

In the January-born heifer class Foxhillfarm Izzy was leading the way for us, another ET-bred animal the same way bred as Gracie, with her full ET-bred sister Foxhillfarm Ivy standing a close second. Next up in the March-born heifer class Foxhillfarm Isla was first – again by Vantastic out of Alice and then in second in this class was Foxhillfarm Iola, a full ET-bred sister.

We were then delighted to go one step further with Foxhillfarm Izzy who took the Limouisn breed championship with Foxhillfarm Impeccabull standing reserve. Izzy then went on to clinch the Continental breed championship.

Charlotte also won her section of the Young handlers (14-16yrs) and topped of an amazing day with the overall champion young handler with Foxhillfarm Impeccable. Next stop for us is Borderway Agri Expo – see you there! 

Charlotte after winning champion young handler at the Cornwall Calf Show

October 2013: Amazing time at HOYS

Here’s a few images from our amazing time at HOYS this week with Charlotte competing on Llanarth Old Fashion. 

October 2013: Eventful qualification time for Charlotte and Llanarth Old Fashion

Not only have we been pretty hectic with the cattle and sheep side of things, but Charlotte has also been busy with her horses and we’re delighted that her and Llanarth Old Fashion have qualified for HOYS this month in the Welsh Section D’s, having finished third on two occasions previously. They have also qualified for the semi Olympia finals in December, so we’re looking forward to an exciting time ahead for Old Fashion and Charlotte.

October 2013: Blue Texels join the Foxhill sheep enterprises

Having made the trip to Carlisle at the end of last month, we’re excited to announce the arrival of some new sheep to the livestock enterprises at Foxhill, as Charlotte has purchased the foundations for her Blue Texel flock. Our first purchase was the champion female and overall champion, an aged ewe from the Ivanhoe flock of Messrs Bailey. This one is by an imported sire and out of a home bred dam by the same sire.

Joining her was shearling ewe from Messrs Lyle. Viewforth Venice is an ET-bred daughter of a Millside tup out of a Miserden sired Shearstone ewe. Then from the same pen was a full ET-bred brother to the shearling ewe, Viewforth Vitorio. It may be a few years before we plan to show the Blue Texels, as Charlotte would like to flush the females and possibly purchase a few more. 

August 2013: A summer of success for Foxhillfarm Gracie

It’s been a phenomenal summer for our first pedigree Limousin heifer to be shown under the Foxhillfarm prefix as Gracie has travelled the length of the UK picking up championship results in England, Scotland and Wales….and at times it’s been rather emotional! Thank you to everyone for their kind words, support and help.

August 2013: Wayside U Bet takes Welshpool Texel championship

Having come through as winner of the novice tup lamb class, Charlotte’s Texel tup lamb went on to clinch the tup lamb, overall male and overall supreme championship at Welshpool today. Wayside U Bet is by Douganhill Mc Fly and is out of the 11,000gns Fairywater ewe purchased last year at Ballymena, which is by Strathbogie Python.

August 2013: Harlem Shake wins commercial title at Honiton Show

Our Limousin cross steer Harlem Shake has today won the commercial section at Honiton Show, as well as coming through as winner of the Young farmers section. Charlotte also cotinued her winning form in Young Handlers classes by taking the top sot with him.

July 2013: Gracie ends show season on an amazing Welsh high!

What a show season it’s been for Gracie and she’s ended her run this summer on an amazing high at the Royal Welsh Show. Having won her yearling heifer class under judge Harry Emslie, she then went on to take the female and overall breed championship, a massive success in itself with the Limousin entry being the strongest of all the beef breeds.

Later that day we went under interbreed judge Richard Hassle who gave her reserve interbreed champion behind a superb Charolais bull from Charlie Boden. On the second day of the show our girl was out again, this time taking the junior heifer interbreed title under judge John Astley, before being one half of the reserve interbreed pair for the Limousins, again behind the Charolais breed. Gracie has well and truly done us proud and we’ve had some amazing comments from breeders so we now look forward to seeing how she flushes and breeds for us in the future.

July 2013: Amazing Great Yorkshire Show for Foxhole

Well it’s been an amazing few days for sure and is without doubt up there with one of the greatest shows we’ve experienced so far showing cattle.

Our yearling heifer Gracie did us proud at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show by securing the female and breed championship under judge Bruce Goldie of the Goldies herd before going even better to be tapped out as interbreed beef champion at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show under judge Arwel Owen. On the second day of judging she also took the junior interbreed championship under Aled Edwards before being part of the winning interbreed group of four and the Continental Blythewood Pairs champions.

Gracie, who is by the noted Vantastic and out of Bankdale Alice, has been in excellent form this year and has travelled all over the south west of England then up to the Highland before coming here to Harrogate to take the top honours once again. We’re delighted with her success and really look forward to the Royal Welsh later in the month.

Then in the commercial ring, our Limousin cross steer Harlem Shake won his class and went on to tak the steer championship, while our Charolais cross heifer Off the Clock also won her class, completiting a fantastic show for us all.

June 2013: Gracie wins Limousin championship at Royal Highland

Foxhillfarm Gracie has made our journey north to the Royal Highland Show a very worthwhile one, as she won her class before clinching the junior female champion, overall female champion and the overall breed championship under judge Meirion Thomas of the Nebo herd.

Gracie has already won breed championships at Bath and West, Royal Cornwall and interbreed Continental at Three Counties Show.

We also won the steer championship in the commercials with our Limousin steer Harlem Shake. This pure bred Limousin has already won the steer championship at Beef Expo and the overall championship at Three Counties.

June 2013: Gracie does the tripple at Three Counties Show

Securing her third breed championship in as many shows and going one better to clinch the Continental interbreed championship was our yearling heifer Foxhillfarm Gracie. This Wilodge Vantastic heifer is out of our foundation female Bankdale Alice and has already taken the breed championships at Royal Cornwall and Bath and West Show earlier in the season as well as reserve in the Burke Pair Trophy. 

She was described by Grand Prix Limousin judge Chris Pennie as: “a very good heifer, one that is hard to fault as she’s a good mover with great presence and style.”

June 2013: Team Alford does the double at Royal Cornwall Show

Foxhill Livestock celebrated a great Royal Cornwall Show as our pedigree Limousin heifer Foxhillfarm Gracie continuing her winning form from Bath and West Show. Under judge Craig Ridley of the Haltcliffe herd, she won her heifer class, then went on to take the female and overall breed championship. She now heads to the Royal Three Counties Show and then straight up to the Royal Highland.

Foxhill Farm Gracie

Our Limousin steer Harlem Shake then went one better than his steer championship at Beef Expo, winning the steer section and overall commercial championship under judge Neil Lloyd. He will be joining Gracie when she hits the road to the Highland.

Harlem Shake

May 2013: Interbreed success at Bath and West for Foxhill Farm Gracie

Show season is well underway for the Foxhill Livestock team and today we’re celebrating at the Bath and West Show as our yearling Limousin heifer has won her class, taken the female championship and the breed championship under judge Paul Byas. She then went two stages further by securing the homebred interbreed championship before clinching the overall supreme interbreed beef championship of the show under judge Dan Bull of Croxton Park.

Born August 2011, we think a lot of this heifer and she is by the noted Wilodge Vantastic and is out of one of our foundation females Bankdale Alice. She carries on a great run of form from last year where she stood second in the baby heifer class at the Royal Welsh and pedigree Limousin champion at the Royal Highland Winter Fair.

Completing a fantastic show, Gracie paired up with Nick and Lisa Hill’s bull Culnagechan Giantscauseway to clinch the reserve honours in the Burke Trophy competition and then was part of the winning interbreed group championship. Charlotte also took Gracie in the young handlers competition and won the championship there as well. What a show it’s been!! 

May 2013: Harlem Shake wins steer championship at Beef Expo

This year’s Beef Expo at Malvern saw Foxhill Livestock on winning form taking champion steer with Harlem Shake. This 504kg January-born pure Limousin was on his first outing since we purchased him at Leyburn from breeder O J Kendall.

Harlem Shake – steer champion Beef Expo

Charlotte’s Charolais heifer Off The Clock stood second in her class, weighing 668kg she is by Falleninch Empire and was reserve heifer at Countryside Live last year.

May 2013: Young Farmers success at Devon County Show

Carrying on her winning form from Culm Valley Young Farmers Show last month, Charlotte won the Devon County Show Young Handlers Show with her homebred steer Poker Prince. This Limousin cross steer by Sablier is out of the multi championship winning Poker Face.

May 2013: Foxhill sale at Brecon sees £4500 for Big Bird

Our much anticipated dispersal of the Foxhill commercial cows and calves and pedigree Galloways at Brecon Livestock Market at the weekend saw a top price of £4500 for Big Bird, a six year old Limousin cross cow sold with her British Blue cross heifer at her foot, by Park Daimler. Big Bird was reserve at the Royal Welsh in 2010, first at the Scottish Winter Fair and supreme at the South West Winter Fair 2010. She was knocked down to an undisclosed phone bidder. 

Big Bird and her calf Blue Eyed Girl, £4500

At £3200 Craig Hendry, Auchinderran, Keith, secured the successful show female Smarty Pants, who he had originally bred. Smarty Pants was last year’s commercial champion from Devon County Show, Royal Cornwall Show and the Royal Highland Show and sold in calf to Sablier.

Our British Blue cross Lady Gaga with her Limousin cross calf at foot then sold for £2900 to her original breeder Trefor Jones. Lady Gaga was reserve supreme at Royal Smithfield 2009 and champion Blue sired heifer at the Scottish Winter Fair 2009.

One of Charlotte’s successful show calves Pokerdot then sold for £2500. This Limousin cross heifer was reserve calf at Agri-Expo and the Scottish Winter Fair in 2010, she sold with her heifer calf by Tehix to pedigree Limousin and show calf producer Dai Brute.

Next up and selling for £2400 was No Article, a British Blue cross heifer. She was first at Royal Cornwall, Devon County, Beef Expo and Three Counties in 2012 and sold on the phone to the same buyer of Big Bird.

Real Thing, a Limousin cross heifer in calf to Sablier was then knocked down for £2350 to Andrew and Becky Bishop. She was reserve champion heifer at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, reserve supreme at the South West Winter Fair and a class winner at the East of England Smithfield Festival and the Scottish Winter Fair 2011.

Then at £2300 was Alijandro, the supreme at Agri Expo and the Scottish Winter Fair in 2010, she sold with a show potential bull calf at foot by Fieldsons Alfie to Messrs Beeman. The same buyer also paid £2050 for the Limousin cross heifer Miss Money Penny who was offered with her Tehix bull calf at foot, she was reserve at Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair and the Scottish Winter Fair in 2008.

Marina 63rd of Kilnstown and calf

The Galloway offering topped at £2900 for the 2006-born Marina 63rd of Linstown, a John Jo of Kilnstown daughter who sold with her January-born bull calf at foot by Quart of Kilnstown. Buying this outfit was Tim and Kitty Bodily who are establishing a Galloway herd. The calf, Bonzo, will also contest the winter native fatstock classes.

April 2013: Poker Prince wins supreme championship at Culm Valley Young Farmers Spring Show

The show season has kicked off in style for the Foxhill Livestock team as Charlotte celebrated a great win at the Culm Valley Young Farmers Spring Show held at Exeter Livestock Centre with Poker Prince, a homebred May 2012-born steer. 

This Limousin cross steer by Sablier is out of the multi championship winning Poker Face and he won the steer class, steer championship, overall beef championship and then went head to head with the dairy heifer, breeding pics, butchers pigs and breeding sheep champions to secure the overall supreme championship of the show. Charlotte and Poker Prince will now go forward to the Devon County Young Farmers classes at the Devon County Show next month. 

December 2012: No Likey No Lighty ends fatstock season on a high

Our last couple of primestock shows saw our Limousin steer No Likey No Lighty end on a high note indeed, as he won his heavyweight Limousin-sired class at the East of England Smithfield Festival before going on to be placed overall steer champion under butcher Jonathan Maycock, while at Sedgemoor for the South West Winter Fair he took the overall championship.

It’s been a great year summer and winter season for our commercial team and we’re already looking forward to the delights of next year’s season.

December 2012: An honour to judge the Royal Highland Winter Fair

It’s always a huge honour to judge any show, but for Michael to judge this year’s Royal Highland Winter Fair, it was quite simply an experience he’ll never forget.

Michael judging at the Royal Highland Winter Fair

Not only does that event hold some fantastic memories for us as we’ve celebrated some amazing success there, but the quality of stock there are of a very high quality and this year was no exception. The heifers were particularly strong throughout and it was there that he found his overall champion in the form of Stewart Bett and Lynsey McKay’s Limousin cross heifer Marvellous Mo. Bred by the McLaren family and purchased privately, this heifer was jam packed with meat, full of style and ring presence and had all the right attributes Michael was looking for in his potential Winter Fair champion. And backing his judgement, she was later purchased for £3400 and will no doubt make an exceptional breeding female for us at Foxhill.

Michael’s choice of champion at The Royal Highland Winter Fair Marvellous Mo, purchased by Foxhill for £3400

December 2012: Foxhill Farm Gracie wins inaugural pedigree Limousin section at Royal Highland Winter Fair

With Michael judging the main commercial beef classes at this year’s Royal Highland Winter Fair, we decided to take just Foxhill Farm Gracie with us to compete in the pedigree Limousin section of the show which was judged by Michael Scott of Thirlwall Castle.

Gracie, who is by the noted sire Wilodge Vantastic and is out of our foundation female and the 15,000gns Bankdale Alice, is no stranger to the show ring as she was highly admired by many at this year’s Royal Welsh Show when she stood second in a tough baby heifer class. We’re particularly pleased with how she is growing on and is expressing all the characteristics of both her sire and dam. Hopefully she’ll continue to grow on well and be an exciting prospect for next year’s show team.  

Foxhill Farm Gracie
Charlotte and Gracie

November 2012: No Likey No Lighty takes Beef South West championship

It was great to be on home turf for the Beef South West event this month and we had yet another successful show with the commercial team.

Carrying on his winning form of late was our Limousin cross steer No Likey No Lighty who won his class then went on to take the overall championship. Also winning her class was Charlotte’s Charolais cross heifer Off The Clock, while her steer Will.I.Am stood second in his class and our purebred Limousin heifer Goldilocks stood third in a strong heifer class.

November 2012: No Likey No Lighty takes reserve overall championship at Agri Expo

In a repeat performance of Countryside Live earlier in the month, we took the steer and reserve overall championship at Borderway Agri Expo behind Tecwy Jones’ overall champion heifer Black Beauty. No Likey is currently weighing 675kg.

Also at the show, Charlotte took a first with her own steer Will.I.Am, a Limousin cross weighing 465kg which was bought out of Stirling. She also stood second with her Charolais cross heifer Off The Clock, before going on to win the Young Farmers heifer class with our pedigree Limousin heifer Bishops Goldilocks. 

Bishops Goldilocks – winner of the Agri Expo YFC class

October 2012: Celebrity visit at Countryside Live

It’s not every day a soap star comes and visits your pen at a primestock show, but we were treated to a visit by Lesley Dunlop who plays Brenda in Emmerdale at Countryside Live!

Celebrity visit at Countryside Live

October 2012: No Likey No Lighty takes reserve overall at Countryside Live

Leading the way in the championships for us today at Countryside Live was our 670kg Limousin cross steer No Likey No Lighty. This one is by a son of Fieldson Alfy and was bought at Brecon in the spring from Andrew Powell. He has previously been steer champion at the Royal Welsh, interbreed champion at Frome, reserve overall at Royal Cornwall and overall champion at Three Counties.

Overall Reserve Champion – No Likey No Lighty

Charlotte’s Charolais heifer Off the Clock also held her own for such a young heifer by taking the reserve heifer championship. This was purchased earlier in the summer and is by Falleninch Empire out of a Limousin x British Blue cow. That’s us now preparing for the long journey back home before we get ready to head to the Cornwall Calf Show next.

Reserve Heifer Champion – Off The Clock

October 2012: Charlotte and Will.I.Am win Countryside Live young handlers

We’ve already started today’s second day of Countryside Live in a celebratory mood as Charlotte has won the young handlers under judge Lynn Dunlop with her steer calf Will.I.Am. This follows off the back of a highly successful summer circuit for Charlotte who won all five of the young handlers championships she competed in this year already. Congratulations to Llyr Jones who stood reserve

Charlotte and Will.I.Am win Countryside Live young handlers

September 2012: Off The Clock joins Foxhill commercial team

We’re incredibly excited to welcome Charlotte’s new show calf to Foxhill. Having fallen for Ginger Bread as she was called when we spotted her at Caledonian Mart’s Stirling sale this month after she took the reserve championship, she quite simply had to come home.

Now named Off The Clock, this Charolais cross Limousin heifer bred by James McLaren was purchased at the sale for £9500 and is by Falleninch Empire out of a Lim x Blue cow. She’s arrived home and settled in very well indeed. We think a lot of this heifer and really look forward to showing her in the back end and possibly as a lightweight heifer early next year.

Off The Clock

September 2012: Interbreed success for No Likey No Lighty at Frome Show

It was back to local showing for us this month as we took a trip to Frome Show where we had fantastic success with our commercial team, namely our Limousin steer No Likey No Lighty. He won his steer class and then went on to take the overall commercial beef championship before going one even better by being tapped out to take the interbeed beef championship, an accolade that rarely goes to a commercial beast.

In the rest of the commercial team, Goldilocks won her heifer class and took the reserve championship, while a new heifer to the team Hot Totty won her lightweight heifer class. This British Blue cross heifer was purchased for £3200 at Ruthin in February.

In the pedigree class Goldilocks won her class then went on to stand reserve female and reserve breed champion.

We were also delighted to see Charlotte win her fifth consecutive young handlers class of the year!!

August 2012: Stonebridge gimmer joins Texel flock at 5100gns

This month’s English National sale was the sourcing point for our next Texel addition where we purchased a Stonebridge gimmer RSS1100093 for 5100gns. By Allanfauld Rockafella out of a dam by Rascarrol Nightlife, who was reserve breed champion at Lincoln as a ewe lamb, she was purely purchased for the strength of the family line having been impressed with full brothers who consequently sold for 5100gns in Worcester and 9500gns and 3800gns in Carlisle.

Stonebridge gimmer RSS1100093

 

August 2012: Wayside Topgun sells for 5000gns in Lanark

Our first Texel tup lamb to be offered at public auction was sold this month at Lanark. Wayside Topgun (owned by Charlotte) is by Glenside Razzle Dazzle and is out of the first Texel female to be purchased by us, Ettrick GGH1101166. By Ettrick Rainbow Warrior and out of a Thinacres Masambola dam, she stood first in her class of 53 at the Royal Highland Show and went on to be reserve female champion she was purchased in a private deal from Robbie Wilson (Milnbank) who purchased her that year from the Royal Highland show after her success.

Topgun went on to sell in a five way partnership for 5500gns to Southern Ireland.

Wayside Topgun

August 2012: Northern Irish Texel genetics join Foxhill flock

We were delighted to purchase the Ballymena Texel champion this month for 11,000gns. The Fairywater gimmer FAO1100201 is by Strathbogie Python and out of a dam by Ettrick My Jinks and comes from an exceptional family which includes an unbeaten full sister, which was champion at Omagh and Castlewellan shows and is fullsister to Fairywater Samurai and maternal sister to the 9000gns Fairywater Superstar.

Fairywater gimmer

Another gimmer was also purchased at the same sale from the Turragh flock CJT1100239 for 2700gns. By Garngour Patriot and out of a dam by Cherryvale Nijinsky, this one has great bone, skin, size and frame.

Turragh gimmer

August 2012: Top genetics from Kelso flock arrive home

Really kick starting our Texel flock venture, this month saw the purchase of one of the best females on offer from Malcolm Reid’s Kelso flock in the form of the 8500gns gimmer RMM1100434. By Kelso Pedro (by Douganhill Mcfly) she is out of a dam by the 110,000gns Newhill Major whose grand dam goes back to the famous 17,000gns Glenside ewe FPG05151.

Kelso gimmer

July 2012: Success with pedigrees and commercials at the Royal Welsh

This year’s Royal Welsh Show proved to be an incredibly successful one for us with both the commercials and pedigree Limousins.

Flying the flag for us in the Limousin classes was Bishops Goldilocks, a January 2011-born heifer by Waindale Ufo out of the Coachhouse Supreme daughter Scorboro Custard who was purchased privately from Andrew and Becky Bishop and has been shown successfully both in pedigree and commercial classes this summer. She stood second in a very strong class and then went on to be placed reserve junior female and reserve overall junior champion.

Bishops Goldilocks

Also standing second in yet another strong class was the homebred heifer Foxhillfarm Gracie. This is the first daughter out of the 15,000gns Bankdale Alice and is by the highly admired Wilodge Vantastic.

Foxhillfarm Gracie

In the commercials we were delighted to take the steer championship with our Limousin cross steer No Likey No Lighty. By a Fieldson Alfy son, this one was purchased at Brecon in the un-haltered section from breeder A J Powell and has already been reserve Continental champion at Beef Expo in May.

No Likey No Lighty

Also in the team was Real Thing who won the heifer class with Smarty Pants standing second in the same class. Then in the young handlers class, our stockman Rob Coney took the championship with Smarty Pants.

July 2012: Dinmore Hester joins Limousin ladies at Foxhill

Having been impressed with the catalogue of females on offer at the Dinmore sale, we decided to travel to Hereford to see if we could purchase something a little different for the herd and we found just that in the form of the January-born  heifer calf Dinmore Hester who was purchased for 6800gns.

This ET bred calf is by the Vantastic son Carmorn Copilot and out of Aghadowey Alix and was sold, a Broadmeadows Cannon daughter and was sold suckling her recipient dam. Not only is her pedigree something we were particularly impressed with, but she is packed full of style and breed character and may make an appearance on the 2013 show circuit as a yearling heifer.

July 2012: Bishops Goldilocks takes commercial championship at East of England

Having supported the Peterborough team in the past, we decided to make the trip to the East of England Show with both the pedigree Limousin heifer and the commercials. Bishops Goldilocks stood second in her junior heifer class and then took the reserve junior championship.

She then switched teams to win her heifer class in the commercials and go on to take the female and overall championship. No Likey No Lighty also won his steer class.

Bishops Goldilocks

June 2012: Smarty Pants takes top honours at Royal Highland Show

The journey up to Edinburgh for this year’s Royal Highland Show was certainly made worthwhile when we won a first in the heavyweight heifer class and then the overall championship in the commercial beef classes under judge Donald MacPherson with the Limousin cross heifer Smarty Pants.

This was the icing on the cake for this heifer so far this summer as she’s already taken the championship at Devon County, the Bath and West and Royal Cornwall this year. She was bred by Gordon Hendry and was purchased for £3000 from Thainstone in September last year.

Also in the team was Bishops Goldilocks who stood second in the middleweight heifer class.

Smarty Pants
Rob, Melanie and Michael with Smarty Pants

June 2012: Charollais, Limousin and commercial success at Three Counties

Well we seem to be on a bit of a roll this summer and it certainly didn’t stop at this year’s Three Counties Show where our four year old Charollais ewe won her class again and then took the female and then reserve breed championship.

Then in the Limousin classes, Bishops Goldilocks won her class and then stood reserve female and reserve breed champion behind Ironstone Dumandy, while in the commercial classes it was time for No Likey No Lighty to switch positions with Smarty Pants as he won his class and then went on to be commercial champion. Smarty Pants stood second in her class and added another young handlers win for Charlotte.

June 2012: Smarty Pants and Goldilocks continue winning form at Bath and West

This year’s Bath and West Show saw us take a strong team of both commercials and Limousins and the Charollais sheep. Kicking us off in the Limousin classes was Bishops Goldilocks who won the junior heifer class then went on to be placed junior champion and then interbreed junior champion.

Smarty Pants yet again held her own in the commercial classes by winning the heifer class before taking the overall championship. Goldilocks then switched teams for the afternoon and stood second in the heifer class and then took the reserve commercial championship behind Smarty Pants.

Also in the team was No Likey No Lighty who won his steer class and Real Thing who stood third in the heifer class and then Charlotte then won the young handlers class with Smarty Pants again.

The Charollais sheep also did incredibly well with our four year old ewe winning her class again and going on to be female and breed champion before taking the interbreed championship.

June 2012: Foxhill commercial team takes champion and reserve in commercials at Royal Cornwall

The weather might have been awful at this show, but that didn’t dampen our spirits as we certainly went out in force in the commercial classes. Smarty Pants won her class then went on to be female and overall champion, while the other heifer in the team Real Thing stood second to her and then took the reserve heifer championship.

In the steers No Likey No Lighty won his class and then went steer and reserve overall champion behind Smarty Pants. Charlotte also took her third young handlers championship of the year, this time with I’m No Article, our first prize young heifer from Beef Expo.

Our pedigree Limousin heifer, Bishops Goldilocks also won the junior heifer class before being tapped out as female and then reserve breed champion. This summer is certainly turning out to be a memorable one, next stop Bath and West!

May 2012: No Likey No Lighty takes reserve Continental title at Beef Expo

Following on from a successful start to the season at Devon County, we travelled to Malvern for the Beef Expo event where we stood second in the steer class and then followed up by taking the reserve overall Continental championship and reserve steer championship with No Likey No Lighty.

This 522kg Limousin cross by a Fieldson Alfy son was bred by A J Powell and was purchased at Brecon for £5500.

At the same event Smarty Pants stood second in her heavyweight heifer class and we won the final class of heifers with I’m No Article, a British Blue cross heifer weighing 406kg. Charlotte also went on to win the young handlers class with Smarty Pants.

May 2012: Commercial and Charollais sheep on winning form at Devon County

Kicking off our show season is style this year was a trip to our local show, Devon County, where our commercial heifer Smarty Pants, won her class then went on to be placed champion commercial heifer and overall commercial champion. She was bred by Gordon Hendry and was purchased for £3000 from Thainstone in September last year. Adding to her success Charlotte then went on to win the young handlers class with her.

In the pedigree Limousin classes, we took a second in the junior heifer class with Bishops Goldilocks, a heifer purchased privately from Andrew and Becky Bishop. By Waindale Ufo she is out of Scorboro Custard.

The sheep classes saw a successful run of form with our pedigree Charollais aged ewe winning her class before going on to take the female championship and overall breed championship. She then went on to team up with our stock ram to take the interbreed pairs championship.

Next stop for us in our busy summer ahead will be Beef Expo with the commercials.