Beef farm tour showcases round cattle shed at event TWO leading beef farms will host visitors attending Beef Expo 2010 at Hexham Mart next month.
The visits will be held on Wednesday, May 26, the day before the actual event, and will be followed by a two-hour beef conference at the mart and pre-event dinner.
Beef Expo 2010 is organised by the National Beef Association with Lloyds TSB Agriculture as major sponsor.
One tour will be hosted by Jamie Wood, who manages his family’s large-scale commercial beef breeding and finishing enterprise at Prendwick and Rothill Farms, Whittingham, near Alnwick.
The other will be by Howard Forster and Sons, owners of the Piatroon pedigree British Charolais herd at Beaumont House, Humshaugh, Hexham.
The Wood’s 2,400-acre hill unit includes a suckler herd of 230 Aberdeen- Angus and Limousin cross cows, 2,000 Blackface ewes, 600 home-bred Mule ewes and small flocks of Blue-faced Leicester and Suffolk ewes.
The farm also features one of the new and revolutionary Roundhouse buildings from Roundhouse Building Solutions, of Barnard Castle.
The round cattle shed has open sides, a canvas roof and integral cattle handling system. The farm’s young stock are performing particularly well.
The farm also has computerised complete diet feeding using the Keenan Mech Fibre PACE system.
Representatives from both companies will explain the systems and Miriam Parker, animal behavioural consultant, will discuss cattle handling.
The Fosters’ Piatroon herd of Charolais cattle is one of the most prominent in the breed.
It recently won the Harman Charolais Genetic Improvement Award for the most improved herd in England based on performance with a self-replacing index, which has increased from + 24.7 to + 30.9.
The herd is a member of the Biobest Herdcare Cattle Health Scheme and Ian MacDougall, business development manager, will be on hand to discuss the scheme with interested farmers.
The Piatroon herd will be dispersed at Carlisle in October following Mr Forster’s decision to retire.
Tickets for the tour (£15) must be obtained in advance from Euan Emslie on 01430-441870 or by emailing info@ beefexpo.co.uk.
Beef Expo 2010 is on May 27 and will feature cattle from 22 different breeds.
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