NatWest Calf Rearing
08/12/2011
Following the general trend of lower entries in classes during the Winter Fair. quality not quantity was the theme of the Wales YFC NatWest Calf Rearing Competition that took place on Tuesday the 29th of November at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
11 members entered the competition in 2011 and the standard of the calves reared by YFC members was as high as ever.
Judge, Tim Bodily from Gwent placed the calf reared by Jamie Breese of Tregynon YFC in Montgomeryshire as the Supreme Champion in competition. Rearing the Reserve Supreme Champion was Beth Powell, also from Montgomery.
Jordan Davies, from Carmarthenshire won the best stockman award which takes into consideration the way in which the members take care and prepare their calves for the competition along with the judging of a display board in which members detail the cost of rearing the calf.
All competitors entered in the competition had the opportunity to sell their calves at the sale in the fair.
Kate Miles, Wales YFC Activities and International Committee Chairman stated,
“This is an excellent competition which gives the young people who are Wales YFC members the unique experience of showing their calves at the Welsh Winter Fair, a premier agricultural event. It also increases their understanding of the processes involved in rearing and preparing stock for a show, although it’s not merely about rearing a calf. Competitors were required to keep up to date records and costings which were submitted as part of the judging process for the chance of securing the best stockman award. The public and judges showed much interest in these presentation boards prepared by members, proving that good, clear, record keeping is an important factor in the competition and in all aspects of business”.
“All members gained valuable stocmanship skills and experience of showing cattle from the competition and we were extremely pleased with the prices that the calves in the competition achieved at the sale. All of the calves were of excellent standard and it is extremely pleasing for our members when prices such as these are achieved.”
Andy Woodthorpe, NatWest Director of Business Banking for Rural Wales, added: "This is an excellent competition giving young farmers the opportunity to raise capital to purchase their own animal and to show it at a world class event. The standard again this year was very high and I would like to congratulate everyone that entered and especially to Jamie Breese for taking the top prize. The sale price of Jamie’s calf is proof in itself of the quality of this year’s entries.”
