Western Morning News Farming

15/08/2025

🌳 OKEHAMPTON SHOW 🌳

Yesterday we headed back to one of our favourite stomping grounds, Stoney Park, for the 117th Okehampton Show 😍 It was another wonderful day behind the lens, lots of familiar faces and some different breeds getting in on the action! 👏📸

As you can see, we were kept pretty busy with photographing the day's stunning champions 🌟 Sadly we didn't manage to take one of the supreme pig 🐷 so if anybody has a photo that they'd like to share, that would be brilliant!

🏆 THE CLASS OF 2025 🏆

🥇 BEEF SUPREME AND NATIVE CHAMPION: Muiresk Tartan Army, a April 2023-born Beef Shorthorn bull exhibited by Chris and Mel Ruby from East Quethiock Farm, Liskeard;

🥈 RESERVE BEEF SUPREME AND CONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Highland Blues Spruce, September 2022-born British Blue heifer bred and exhibited by Andrew Luxton, Okehampton;

🥇 BEEF SUPREME PAIRS: British Simmentals, March 2024-born bull Tregnether Rambo and March 2023-born heifer Tregnether Pixie; bred and exhibited by Stephanie Hooper and David Reeves from St Columb, Newquay;

🥇 DAIRY SUPREME CHAMPION: Culverden Udoro Honeysuckle, an April 2021-born Brown Swiss second calver bred and exhibited by Thuborough Farms Ltd of Sutcombe, Holsworthy;

🥇 SHEEP SUPREME AND FEMALE CHAMPION: A Suffolk 4T aged ewe bred and exhibited by the Whitrow family from the Whitwick flock pedigree & MV accredited Suffolk & Beltex, Wick, Honiton;

🥈 RESERVE SHEEP SUPREME AND MALE CHAMPION: A Devon and Cornwall Longwool 4T aged ram exhibited by J A Darke from Chillington, Kingsbridge;

🥇 SHEEP SUPREME GROUP OF THREE: The Poll Dorsets bred and exhibited by W L French from Treneglos, Launceston;

🥇 PIG SUPREME CHAMPION: Hazeway Haunbjerg 231, an August 2024-born Duroc gilt bred and exhibited by Hayley Loveless from Bridport, Dorset.

07/08/2025

⚡️ NORTH DEVON SHOW ⚡️

Another lovely day spent around the rings at the North Devon Show - huge thanks to the organisers for inviting us along! Great to feel the sun's warmth on our faces, accompanied by a cool breeze to help keep the animals (and humans) comfortable!

Speaking of animals, we were blessed with some super champions to photograph 📸 Congratulations to all of the day's winners, and a wider thank you to everybody who exhibited for their time and effort in putting on a brilliant display!

Introducing, the class of 2025! 👇

🥇 SUPREME AND CONTINENTAL BEEF CHAMPION: Tiktoc, an April 2023-born Limousin cross heifer, bred and exhibited by Michael Kirby from Blackberry Farm Shop, Milton Damerel;

🥈 RESERVE SUPREME AND RESERVE CONTINENTAL BEEF CHAMPION: Stoneleigh Tunisia, a May 2023-born British Blue heifer bred and exhibited by Andrew Haste from Shebbear;

🥇 NATIVE BEEF CHAMPION: Priorton Yeoman, a January 2022-born Red Ruby Devon bull bred and exhibited by John and Sue May of Priorton Red Ruby Devons, Crediton;

🥇 SUPREME DAIRY CHAMPION: Hilltown Snowball 1241, a November 2024-born maiden Ayrshire heifer bred and exhibited by Mark, Sarah and Grace Nicholls of Hilltown Ayrshires, Molland;

Sadly there were only two entries in the dairy classes, resulting in a lorry load of rosettes and silverware for the Nicholls family, who also won reserve supreme champion with their January 2025-born heifer, Hilltown Snowball 1250!

🥇 SUPREME SHEEP CHAMPION: A Southdown shearling ewe bred and exhibited by eight-year-old Evie Hutchings from St Giles on the Heath, near Launceston;

🥇 SUPREME GROUP OF THREE SHEEP: The Devon Closewools (4T ram, 6T ewe and shearling ewe) bred and exhibited by Lyn and Ricky Rennie of the Hunscott Devon Closewool Flock, Highampton. The same team also won the local group championship against the Exmoor Horns;

🥇 SUPREME RAM CHAMPION: A Rouge bred and exhibited by Anthony Carter from Dawlish.

01/08/2025

Congratulations, Trewint Herd of Pedigree South Devon Cattle on your latest interbreed success with Trewint Jill 630! 😍👏🥇🎉

If you wanna know what a first-rate South Devon should look like, these are your guys 👌🌟

South Devon Herd Book Society

Truro South Devon Cattle Club

14/07/2025

💙💛 SUPER STITHIANS 💙💛

How's your week starting out? We've had the most fantastic day at one of Cornwall's largest and most loved agricultural events, Stithians Show, where the cooler temperatures were welcomed by both man and beast! After sadly not being able to make it to Liskeard, this was the perfect start to our one-day season!

As we always say, a huge congratulations and thank you to all of the livestock exhibitors who played their part in putting on an epic display for us today - once again the quality was right up there with the best of the best! 😍🌟

Without further ado, this year's supreme champions are ...

🥇 SUPREME CATTLE AND OVERALL DAIRY CHAMPION

Jersey second calver, Cardinney Casino Ice Lollipop VG89, bred and exhibited by the Warren family of Tredinney Farm, St Buryan

🥈 RESERVE SUPREME CATTLE AND OVERALL BEEF CHAMPION

Aberdeen Angus cow, Mabec Lady Megan X919, with her February-born bull calf, Mabec Lord Magic B005, bred and exhibited by Matt and Becky Jenkin of Mabec Pedigree Angus , Wendron

🥇 SUPREME SHEEP CHAMPION

A Suffolk shearling ewe bred and exhibited by Brandon Roth of Tolgus Suffolks, Redruth

🥈 RESERVE SUPREME SHEEP CHAMPION

A 4T Beltex ewe bred and exhibited by Amy Payne from St Newlyn East, Newquay

🥇 SUPREME INTERBREED CATTLE GROUP

Impressing a panel of judges to win the Archie Opie Cup were the Simmentals - made up of animals from the Bosahan and Tregnether herds - with the Warren family's Jersey trio standing in reserve!

Please feel free to comment, tag, share and enjoy! 😁

24/06/2025

💥 TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY 💥

Who doesn't love a glow up post! 🌟

We first met a nine-month-old Treverbyn Norman 22 (P) at the 2022 Cornwall Pedigree Beef Calf Show, where he was crowned continental and overall supreme champion! 🏆

And would you just look at him now! 😮😍💪

After standing breed and overall continental champion at the Royal Cheshire County Show, interbreed judge Andrew Sellick awarded the supreme beef title to Norman, bred and owned by Ant Hart from St Austell. Currently residing with producers G H Farming based in Chepstow, the January 2022-born Simmental is by Coose Monopoly (P) and out of the homebred cow Treverybyn Keira, a Skylark Geronimo daughter.

Norman’s success at the Royal Cheshire, which was held in Tabley on June 17-18, continues a rich vein of form which has seen the bull take male and reserve breed champion at the Royal Cornwall and Royal Three Counties Show. He was also judged supreme interbreed beef champion at the Dunster Show in 2023.

Commenting on his champion, Mr Sellick said Norman had “good mobility and strength”, all that is required for a “good breeding bull” in the future.

Congratulations to Norman's connections! 😁🥳🥂

09/06/2025

🫅 ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW 🫅

A perfectly timed break in the weather saw a quality display of livestock from near and far battling it out for the supreme honours at the Royal Cornwall Show last Friday! 👊🏆

Judging from the photos, you'd never believe that Thursday and Saturday were both more like January than June! 🌧

Without further ado, here are your 2025 Royal Cornwall Show champions - and what a good looking bunch they are too! 😍

🥇 SUPREME BEEF: Foxhill Princess Carina Z178, an August 2023-born Aberdeen Angus heifer bred and exhibited by Michael and Melanie Alford of Foxhill Pedigree & Commercial Livestock, Blackborough;

🥈 RESERVE SUPREME BEEF: Millerston Irania Rainbow, a March 2021-born Beef Shorthorn cow owned by Mary Cormack, bred by Grace Ramsay and produced by Foxhill Livestock;

🥇 SUPREME DAIRY: Whinchat Bradnick Farrah 4 EX92, a Holstein third calver owned and exhibited by Ian and Max Davies of Davlea Holsteins, Ilminster, Somerset;

🥈 RESERVE SUPREME DAIRY: Rivermead Verdi Pixie EX95, a Jersey sixth calver bred and exhibited by the Davis family of Rivermead Jerseys, Westleigh, Tiverton;

🥇 SUPREME SHEEP: A Blue Texel shearling ewe bred and exhibited by Anthony Carter of the Millcroft flock, Dawlish;

🥈 RESERVE SUPREME SHEEP: A Suffolk shearling ewe bred and exhibited by Brandon Roth of the Tolgus Suffolks flock, Redruth;

🥇 SUPREME PIG: Liskeard Pride 175, a July 2024-born British Lop gilt bred and exhibited by Julian Collings of Treburley, Launceston;

🥈 RESERVE SUPREME PIG: Hazeway Haunbjerg, a August 2024-born Duroc gilt bred and exhibited by Hayley Loveless from Bridport, Dorset.

Sorry we couldn't be there on Saturday to cover the pig supreme - if anyone has any photos of the champions then please feel free to share in the comments below! 🐷📸

20/05/2025

☀️ DEVON COUNTY SHOW ☀️

Hello, again! 👋 We've woken up from our social media slumber for what is already shaping up to be another super summer - starting of course with Devon County Show at Westpoint Exeter!

The weather couldn't have been better for showing off the best of what Westcountry agriculture has to offer, and the livestock were certainly as bright as the sun in the sky! We say this every year, but what a testament to our farmers! 😍👌 So thank you for putting on another incredible display! 🐮🐑🐷

👇 Your 2025 Devon County Show champions 👇

🥇 SUPREME BEEF: January 2024-born Aberdeen Angus heifer, Foxhill Princess Caroline A265, bred and exhibited by Michael and Melanie Alford of Foxhill Pedigree & Commercial Livestock, Blackborough, Cullompton;

🥇 SUPREME DAIRY: Holstein second calver, Beaconhill Chief Harriet VG88, bred and exhibited by Olly and Rebecca Reed of Beaconhill Holsteins, Blackborough, Cullompton;

🥇 SUPREME SHEEP: A Devon and Cornwall Longwool old ram bred and exhibited by M & S Darke of South Pool, Kingsbridge;

🥇 SUPREME PIG: October 2024-born Hampshire gilt, Fulneck Anna 2, owned by eight-year-old Henrietta Barker from Pudsey, Leeds and exhibited by her mother, Isabel Soar.

As always, please feel free to share and tag your friends! 😄

05/12/2024

🎄 TRURO PRIMESTOCK SHOW 🎄

City and country’s annual festive get-together was celebrated at the Truro Christmas Primestock and Produce Show yesterday!

One of the South West’s best-loved agricultural events, farmers and members of the public gathered at Lodge & Thomas - Agriculture & Auctions Truro Livestock Market for what was the 122nd renewal of the traditional festive showcase.

Established in 1902 and organised by the Truro Christmas Primestock and Produce Society, the event aims to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the local farming community, with a range of classes for everything from cattle and cakes to floral art, fodder beet, honey and woodwork.

In the cattle classes, Craig and Oliver Penellum from Trispen, Truro claimed the supreme and local championship with their March 2023-born South Devon heifer, Blossom. Weighing in at 580kg, she was later purchased by David Wilton of Wilton Family Butchers in Truro for £4.80p/kg (£2,784).

Judge Michael Alford, from Blackborough near Cullompton and owner of Taunton-based Stillmans Butchers, described his champion as a “perfect retail butchers’ beast” with a “fantastic top”.

Reserve supreme also went to the Penellum brothers with their reserve local champion, April 2023-born and 734kg Limousin cross British Blue heifer, Missy, selling to Chris Dale of Dales Family Butchers in Helston for £4.60p/kg (£3,376.40).

A hotly-contested sheep section saw Paul and Lin Calcraft from Payhembury, Honiton take the championship with their pair of 47kg Beltex lambs, which went on to sell for £355 per head to Primrose Butchery of Truro.

Reserve champion was handed to Gwen Renfree from Altarnun, Launceston with her 47.5kg pair of Beltex lambs, selling for £320 per head to Archie Rowe of R J Trevarthen Ltd in Penryn.

There was an emotional interlude between proceedings as Devon farmer Andrew Pedrick, from Buckfastleigh, offered a Beltex cross Charollais ewe lamb for auction in aid of the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK. Sold 13 times over, a grand total of £5,650 was raised for the two charities.

It follows a challenging year for Mr Pedrick, who suffered a succession of four heart attacks in January with emergency stents fitted, followed by another operation in the summer to fit more stents. Subsequently, after multiple scans, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and a rare skin and blood cancer called Mycosis Fungoides.

19/11/2024

Incredible scenes from up on the rostrum at Kivells Agriculture Holsworthy Market earlier today, where the ring was fit to burst with emotion as what must have been in excess of 400 farmers, members of the public, local councillors and associated tradesmen gathered to protest against Labour’s so-called ‘Family Farm Tax’ ❌🧑‍🌾🚜

It was such a privilege to stand in solidarity with our farmers and their families today ... We're right behind you! 💪

01/10/2024

We've been lucky enough to have a sneak peek and this really is a BEAUTIFUL book! 🥰👏📚

Exmoor Hill Farming Network
Exmoor Society
Exmoor National Park

Exmoor Farms: A Year on the Moor promises to be a page-turning tribute to the farmers of Exmoor, whose stories are as varied as the landscape itself

30/09/2024

😍🐂 COWS, COWS, COWS 🐂😍

A huge thank you to Tregondale Farm. Pedigree South Devon Cattle. for letting us join your herd walk over the weekend ... What a lovely way to spend the afternoon! 😁 Cattle were looking tip-top and the sunshine even made an appearance! ☀️

More than 70 people enjoyed the best of the weekend weather at Tregondale Farm, where an award-winning herd of South Devons was the main attraction.

Cornish breeders Mervyn and Richard Rowe played host to an appreciative crowd last Saturday (September 28) after winning the Truro South Devon Cattle Club's annual herd competition, earning the judging panel’s approval against seven other herds from across the county.

Tregondale, nestled between rolling hills in Menheniot near Liskeard, has been home to a pedigree herd of South Devons since 1947. A truly family-run business, Mervyn and his wife Stephanie farm some 220 acres - with another 80 acres rented - in partnership with Richard and his wife Helen, plus their three daughters Charisse, Imogen and Elexis.

Keeping 80 spring-calving suckler cows, with about 15-20 heifers retained as replacements each year, the herd is health scheme assured and an electronic tagging system is used for recording and weighing. Producing prime beef to finish at 14-20 months, the family also sells sustainable native beef boxes.

Studying Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and polling, Tregondale currently has six stock bulls at work: North View Alfie, Polkinhorne Indiana 2, Waddeton Claude 8, Tregarrick Lydford, Tregondale Alfie 4 and Arncliffe Viking; bringing together a variety of local and national bloodlines.

Breeding cattle for natural fleshing, size and ease of calving, Mervyn and Richard also enjoy showing and have had a successful 2024 season with their star performer, April 2020-born cow Tregondale Dewdrop 180, standing female and breed champion at the Devon County Show, female and reserve breed champion at the Royal Cornwall Show, reserve breed champion at the Liskeard Show, first in her class at Launceston Show and one half of the interbreed champion beef pair at Okehampton Show.

The Rowe’s also keep 50 pedigree Devon and Cornwall Longwool ewes and 100 Longwool cross Suffolk ewes, with the latter being put to a Suffolk ram for lambing during late January and early February. Hoggs are put to a Hampshire ram.

Away from the livestock, the family have worked hard to diversify the business with Tregondale Manor Farm offering five-star luxury bed and breakfast accommodation and a gold award-winning self-catering holiday cottage.

Furthermore, in 2002 the old piggery at the entrance to the farm was lovingly converted into rural offices - Ashleigh Meadow - which the family lets to local businesses.

South Devon Herd Book Society

11/09/2024

It's Back British Farming Day! 🎉🚜🇬🇧

Farming's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it and here in the Westcountry, we couldn't be in safer hands! Thank you for all you do, come rain or shine. Your hard work and dedication is truly admirable, and we are so grateful ☺️🙏

Thank you, farmers! 💚