WYNNE & COATES SMITHFIELD DOUBLE AT ENGLISH WINTER FAIR

WYNNE & COATES SMITHFIELD DOUBLE AT 2018 ENGLISH WINTER FAIR 

HM Wynne secures Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb Championships

Both entries prepared by Coates Family Butchers

Messrs Edge take Reserve Rib award

Reserve Saddle to M & A Hadfield & Sons

Royal Smithfield RABI Single Butchers Lamb won by Garth & Priestley

L-R Royal Smithfield Steward Phil Henshaw, Ellie Wynne, Nick Coates, Chris Staines (Kepak), Michael Wynne, Max Wynne & Judge Andrew Brown

 The Royal Smithfield Club Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb competitions, sponsored by Kepak St Merryn and held at the Staffordshire County Showground 17-18 November 2018, witnessed a remarkable double win for Messrs Wynne & Coates who teamed up to secure both awards under Judge Andrew Brown, Ashbourne.

L-R Producer Michael Wynne with son Max, Kepak St Merryn’s Chris Staines & Butcher Nick Coates

 The winning Beef Rib entry came from HM Wynne, Hall Farm, Matlock with their September 2016-born heifer entry sired by a Blonde d’Aquitaine bull and out of an Aberdeen-Angus cow with a carcase weight of 350kg grading U-3. The producer, Michael Wynne, had his entry put forward by Coates Family Butchers, Darley Dale, Matlock. Commenting, Judge Andrew Brown, a buyer for ABP, said: “My Champion was a worthy winner being a very well-presented piece of beef with a nice colour and good fat cover.”

Royal Smithfield display in the Carcase Hall

 This same winning combination teamed up again to produce the Champion Saddle of Lamb, a 23kg U-3 lamb out of a Texel ewe and sired by a Texel x Beltex ram. Reserve went to M & A Hadfield & Sons, Derbys. The Reserve Rib from Messrs Edge was a 350kg 18-month-old Limousin-cross.

RABI Single Butchers Lamb winner Sarah Priestley pictured with Royal Smithfield Club Chairman, William Bedell, and son Freddie

 The Royal Smithfield RABI Single Butchers Lamb, a special class to benefit the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, was won by Robert Garth & Sarah Priestley, Lancs, with their Beltex-cross entry, the second year running that the couple had taken home the RSC Perpetual RABI Trophy.

The packed Carcase Hall at Staffordshire Showground

 The Royal Smithfield Club extends its thanks to Leighton Jones & Chris Staines of Kepak St Merryn, Judge Andrew Brown, to all exhibitors and all the hard-working team from the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society.

RSC Team of Jo Short, Phil Henshaw & Richard Saunders

ROYAL SMITHFIELD CLUB SUCCESSES AT AGRIFEST

ROYAL SMITHFIELD CLUB SUCCESSES AT AGRIFEST 2018

L-R Richard Saunders (RSC), Pauline Warne, Malcolm Pyne (Judge), Phil Henshaw (RSC), George Warne & Rob Burlton (Kepak St Merryn)

GF & PJ Warne win Beef Ribs Competition

Lamb Saddle Championship to L Gillbard & Son

Messrs Morgan & Jones’ Cattle Champion takes home Royal Cornwall Perpetual Trophy

Royal Smithfield trophy for Best Pair of Lambs awarded to Robert Garth & Sarah Priestley

Champion Beef Rib pictured with Club Steward & Vice President Phil Henshaw

A well-attended Agrifest South West organised by the National Beef Association and held at Westpoint, Exeter, on 7 November 2018 saw the Royal Smithfield Club’s competitions take centre stage at the event.

Saddle of Lamb Champion from L Gillbard & Son

 With the support of sponsor Kepak St Merryn, the Club held its noted Beef Ribs and Saddle of Lamb competitions under Judge and butcher Malcolm Pyne of Pynes of Somerset based at Sedgemoor. Winning the Beef Ribs section were George & Pauline Warne, Emmett Farm, Umberleigh, Devon with a British Blue-cross dairy-bred heifer aged 26m18d with a carcase weight of 371kg grading R4L. Standing Reserve was Sidney Foss with an Aberdeen Angus-cross steer weighing in at 356kg aged 27m22d grading -U4L.

Judge Malcolm Pyne of Pynes of Somerset

Robert Sloman, Hon Treasurer Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, presents the Smithfield trophy to Cattle Champions Messrs Morgan & Jones

 Champion Saddle of Lamb went to L Gillbard & Son, Hele Barton, Black Dog, Crediton, Devon with a Texel-cross wether out of a Cheviot-bred Mule purchased from Longtown, Cumbria. With a carcase weight of 19.9kg, this one graded E3L. Second were AW Selley & Son, East Welland Farm, South Molton with a Poll Dorset Mule sired by a Charollais-Texel tup. This wether graded E3L with a carcase weight of 21kg.

Club Secretary Richard Saunders (L) presents the Royal Smithfield Club trophy to the Champion Pair of Lambs from Robert Garth & Sarah Priestley

In the live classes, winning the Primestock Cattle Championship and with it the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association perpetual trophy presented by the Royal Smithfield Club was an August 2017-born Limousin-sired heifer from Messrs JEL & CS Morgan & Jones, Llysnewydd, Cilycwm, Llandovery. Presenting the trophy was Robert Sloman, Hon Treasurer of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. Reserve was another Lim-sired heifer this time from Messrs P & L Calcraft, Honiton.

Sponsors Leighton Jones (L) and Rob Burlton (R) of Kepak St Merryn pictured with Richard Saunders & Phil Henshaw

 Taking home the Royal Smithfield Club trophy under Judge Chris Wright, Boston for the Best Pair of Lambs was the Beltex duo from Robert Garth & Sarah Priestley, Bentham, Lancs who successfully defended their 2017 crown. Reserve was another pair of Beltex from R Dafydd Lewis, Carms.

Grateful thanks are extended to the NBA organising committee and to Kepak St Merryn for their generous support.

MESSRS READ, COLLIER & KNOWLES WIN AT COUNTRYSIDE LIVE

Messrs J & J Collier Champion Saddle of Lamb

Countryside Live hosted three Royal Smithfield Club competitions at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate 20-21 October 2018.

Paul Nicholson, Connor Gillan & Ben Turnbull

Under Judge Ben Turnbull, Head Butcher at Fodder, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Farm Shop, the Saddle of Lamb Championship went to Mr J Collier, Keighley, Yorks with a Beltex x Texel gimmer with a carcase weight of 17.9kg. The Judge praised its good eye muscle and level of fat cover.

Richard Saunders & Jo Short pictured with Mike Read and his Champion Beef Rib

Taking first prize in the Ribs of Beef class was Mr M Read, Horncastle, Lincs with a purebred Lincoln Red. Coming in with a carcase weight of 301.6kg, this April 2017-born heifer had ‘a perfect rib, great eye muscle with the ideal amount of fat for the shop' according to the Judge.

Wagyu Ribs L-R Warrendale Wagyu (2nd), Andrew Knowles (1st) & James Allen (3rd)

Winning the Wagyu Ribs category was Mr A Knowles of Trenchmore Wagyu, West Sussex with a Wagyu x Sussex steer born August 2016 and a deadweight of 356.8kg with the Judge commenting that it had very good marbling without being over fat.

Paul Nicholson & Connor Gillan

Supporting the Smithfield stand over the two days were Club Secretary Richard Saunders, Club Administrator Jo Short, butcher and tutor at Bishop Burton Agricultural College, Paul Nicholson, together with Connor Gillan, an apprentice butcher from Bishop Burton. Grateful thanks are extended to sponsors Delta Wagyu & the Wagyu Breeders Association together with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Richard Saunders, Ben Turnbull & Paul Nicholson

The Royal Smithfield Club stand at Countryside Live

LIVESCOT SMITHFIELD COMPETITIONS 24 NOVEMBER

The Royal Smithfield Club Saddle of Lamb & Beef Ribs competitions are being held within LiveScot at Lanark on Saturday 24th November 2018. Grateful thanks are extended to Kepak McIntosh Donald for their generous support. See www.fatstockclub.co.uk. Schedules and entry forms available by clicking HERE. Please note closing date 2 November. Further info from Secretary Margaret Gray secretary@fatstockclub.co.uk.

AGRIFEST SOUTH WEST SMITHFIELD COMPETITIONS

Wednesday 7th November 2018 sees the return to Agrifest South West of the Royal Smithfield Club Beef Ribs and Saddle of Lamb competitions kindly supported by Kepak St Merryn. The event is being held at Westpoint, Clyst st Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ under the auspices of the National Beef Association. Entries can be made via the website www.agrifestsouthwest.co.uk or by clicking the following link HERE. Please note entries close 16th October.

ROYAL SMITHFIELD CLUB CONFIRMS KEPAK AS MAJOR WINTER FAIR SPONSOR

The Royal Smithfield Club has announced that Kepak will sponsor three of its Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb Competitions being held within this winter’s series of primestock shows, namely Agrifest South West 7th November, English Winter Fair 17th-18th November and LiveScot 24th November.

Kepak, the Irish-based meat company which acquired 2 Sisters Red Meat during the summer, operates from four key production sites in the UK: McIntosh Donald, Portlethen, Scotland; and three St Merryn sites: Merthyr, Glamorgan, Wales, and Bodmin and Victoria in Cornwall, England.

The Club runs a series of demonstrations and competitions at the main fatstock events to educate and inform the public as well as promote best practice in the industry through the whole supply chain. In 2018, these are to include Agrifest South West at Exeter, English Winter Fair at Stafford, LiveScot at Lanark as well as Countryside Live at Harrogate.

Commenting, Royal Smithfield Club Chairman William Bedell said: “The Club has been at the heart of the red meat industry for more than 200 years and as such is pleased to have Kepak on board with its well-known and established McIntosh Donald and St Merryn brands which serve a strong base of livestock farmers.”

Prys Morgan, Livestock Procurement Director, added: “Kepak are committed to working with all British farmers in addition to the loyal supply base of St Merryn and McIntosh Donald. Kepak are strong believers in working hand-in-hand with farmers to build a sustainable supply chain and are delighted to be working with the Royal Smithfield Club. This sponsorship allows us to further engage with our supply base and collaborate with them to share best management practices designed to produce top-quality beef and lamb for our customers.”

ENGLISH WINTER FAIR SMITHFIELD COMPETITIONS 17-18 NOVEMBER

Please click HERE for a flyer and entry form for the Kepak St Merryn-sponsored Royal Smithfield Club Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb competitions being held at the English Winter Fair, Staffordshire County Showground 17-18 November 2018. For further information, please contact the Show Secretary on 01785-258060 or email sue@staffscountyshowground.co.uk. Entries close 17th October.

COUNTRYSIDE LIVE ROYAL SMITHFIELD COMPETITIONS 20-21 OCTOBER

Schedules and Entry Forms are now available for the Countryside Live Royal Smithfield Club Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb competitions to be held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, N Yorks Saturday 20th to Sunday 21st October 2018. The Ribs competition will again feature classes for Native, Continental and Wagyu-sired cattle. For schedules and entry forms for Native & Continental Ribs click HERE, for Wagyu click HERE,  for Lamb click HERE. Please note the closing date for entries is 5th October. 

YOUTH OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE SHINES AT NATIONAL YOUNG STARS

-         Royal Smithfield Club trophy goes to Massey Divas

-         Jess Pugh wins RSC-sponsored Butchery Challenge

Winning the Pig section and then the overall points trophy for the event was the Massey Divas team of Grace Bretherton, Charlotte and Eve Ashcroft, photographed alongside Royal Smithfield Club Chairman William Bedell, RSC's Phil Henshaw and Event Chairman Neil Lloyd.

 This year’s National Young Stars event once again saw young agricultural enthusiasts descend on the Royal Three Counties Showground 21-22 August 2018 for two days of competition in various cattle, sheep, pigs and butchery sections including stockjudging, show preparation, ring craft, public speaking, marketing and publicity and industry knowledge competitions, making this event a stand-alone national platform for agriculture’s next generation.

Butchery Challenge winner Jess Pugh (centre)

Jess Pugh of the Shropshire-based Ludlow Food Centre returned to the Malvern Showground to retain her Royal Smithfield Club-sponsored butchery title from last year. Jess impressed the AHDB judge Martin Eccles and independent butcher Viv Harvey with her butchery knowledge, thorough work process and imaginative presentation skills. In second place was Jake Edwards sponsored by Althams Butchers with third spot going to Ben Greenfield who was sponsored by Greenfield Lamb.

Butchery Challenge: Jess Pugh, Jake Edwards & Ben Greenfield

Coming through on top in the beef section winning a Norbreck Genetics and Semex clothing and genetics package was the Black as Night team, represented by Ellie Westaway, Glos; Robyn Westcott, Somerset and Kian Frain, Cornwall, who came with a pair of Aberdeen-Angus heifers. These three competitors excelled in areas of stockjudging and clipping and presentation with the judge for the latter, Wendy Morgan saying that all three individuals excelled at team work and were very clear in their approach and style of presenting their animals.

Runners-up in the beef section was the Lim-It team of Emma Rathbone, Stoke on Trent; Brooks Carey, Somerset and Elliw Roberts, Anglesey, representing the British Limousin Cattle Society, while the Canadian exchange team came third.

In a change to previous years, the judges and stewards selected three individuals to represent the UK in Canada at the Royal Winter Fair, Toronto, in November. Joining beef team winner Ellie Westaway in Canada will be Michael Dumbreck and Tom Brown on the Northern Boys Charolais team.

A new competition for this year saw a dual purpose/beef untrimmed section added to proceedings with the Delightful Dexter team flying the flag for their sponsors The Wise Cow and Rayner Farms. This team consisted of Millie Bennet and Evie Welch, Somerset along with Oliver Spence, Swindon, all of which will receive a team cash prize of £300. Runners up here was the Sussex Martlets, consisting of Grace Twyman, Kent along with Sarah Dykes and Freddie Hutchings, Sussex.

Winning a trip to The European Show in Libramont having shone in the dairy section was the Roan Rangers Dairy Shorthorn team, sponsored by the Farmers Guardian. Bob Crank, Cheshire, Florence Mannerings, Kent and Hannah Morgan, Shropshire, took the top spot ahead of the Just Jerseys team of Emily Davis, Jess Ravenhill and Jess Tapp from Devon.

In the sheep lines competition was split this year in to untrimmed and trimmed sections with 10 teams competing across the board. Coming through on top in the trimmed section and winning their set of Heineger sheep clippers were the Kerry Hill Young Breeders of Chris Adamson and Henry Scott from Somerset and Tolly Ridge, Sussex. These three individuals impressed the judges with a fantastic promotional stand which won the overall promotional stand award of the show and high standard of presentation throughout all areas of the competition.

Commenting on their win, judge Brian Davies said: “These three young men are a credit to their breed and impressed us with their work ethic, teamwork ethic and dedication to the competition.” Runners up in the trimmed section were the Hampshire Down Hot Shots of Ellie Alvis, Stephen Short and Samantha Todd.

Meanwhile, in the untrimmed section, the top spot and recipients of a £300 cash prize was the Somerset-based Dorset Down Dazzlers team with Alex and Aaron Hext and Harry Stamp. This team gained strong points in all sections with nine-year old Harry Stamp particularly impressing the judged with his strong work ethic over the two days.

Runners-up in this section was the Blue Texel Sheep Society’s True Blues team, consisting of Harvey Heath, Derbyshire, Ted Lloyd, Herefordshire and Jack Bodily, Monmouthshire. 

Runners-up in the pig section was the Spotty Trotters team of Ella Kirtley, Sarah Whitely and Charlotte Gill, Yorkshire, with their Gloucester Old Spot team. 

BICENTENARY TROPHY - NOMINATIONS CLOSE 13TH AUGUST

Royal Smithfield Club Bicentenary Trophy

Created to celebrate the bicentenary of the founding of the Smithfield Club in 1798, the trophy is awarded each year to a person or organisation deemed to have made a significant contribution to the UK meat industry.  Recipients can be from any part of the industry - from livestock producers through education, research, processing to retailing.

2017 Bicentenary Trophy winner Robert Forster receiving the award from Club Trustee Julian Hopwood

Nominations are received each year by the Smithfield Club, from a wide range of people.  The thirty to forty nominees are considered by a panel made up of representatives from across all sectors who meet to create their shortlist from which they choose the winner for the year.

Please click HERE for a Nomination Form noting the closing date of Monday 13th August 2018.

NATIONAL YOUNG STARS BUTCHERY CHALLENGE 21-22 AUGUST 2018

The Royal Smithfield Club is delighted to once again be supporting the Butchery Challenge as part of the National Young Stars event to be held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, 21-22 August 2018.

2017 National Young Stars Butchery Challenge winner Jess Pugh

This is a competitive challenge sedigned to further the skills of young butchers and to enable them to display their abilities and skills in a range of butchery, cutting and presentation techniques. Please click here for an Entry Form noting that entries close Monday 6th August. For further information, please see www.nationalyoungstars.com.

2017 National Young Stars winning team pictured with Royal Smithfield Club Chairman William Bedell (left) and NYS Event Organiser Neil Lloyd (right)