Farm Walk with the Cromwell Herd

On Sunday the 8th May 2011 around 125 visitors enjoyed a farm walk with Adam Neachell’s herd of Pedigree British Blue Cattle at Shrubbery Farm, Aldridge, Staffordshire. The day was fine if a little blustery at times but it proved an ideal climate for a walk around the fields of cattle on firm ground.

The farm has been in the family for 54 years and they have been the main Midlands agent for Ifor Williams trailers etc. for around 38 of those years. The farm has 400 acres of grassland that is harvested in house as silage and hay. The hay mainly being for feed for the 50 horse DIY livery stables that are on farm.

They started out with a commercial herd of cattle and the first pedigree Blue was a bull purchased from Danny Wyllie’s Tamhorn herd in 2001 for use on them. On a later visit they noticed Tamhorn Tinkerbelle a 12 months old heifer, by Cristal De Somme out of Norbreck Kitty, and followed her progress in the show ring until they purchased her in the autumn of 2002 and in the November/December of that year Tamhorn Something Special, a Penlas North Star daughter out of Olalla Van De Wolvendree, was also purchased privately from Danny and these two heifers became their herd foundation cows.

The Cromwell herd has around 20 breeding cows at any one time and the aim is to increase these to approximately 60 breeding cows by means of their stock bulls and by selective embryos and AI. They are fortunate enough to be able to graze 100 yearling heifers on Sutton Park a National Nature Reserve covering an area of some 2,400 acres consisting of woodland, heathland and wetland under the management of Birmingham City Council. Sutton Park was one of Henry VIII favourite hunting parks and was used for military training in the first and second world wars and even as a prisoner of war camp. When these heifers mature they are returned home and used as recipients.

Their first stock bull, Solway View Antonio by Serum D’anloy out of Springfield Tinga, had a very big impact on the herd producing many show winning progeny including a son, Cromwell Earl who was the Reserve Junior Champion Male at Carlisle in May 2010 selling for 6,000gns. They have Solway View Antonio semen available to purchase through Semenstore.

Bringlee Carlos is now their main stock bull and he was purchased privately from Graham Brindley in 2009. He was sent to Cogent for semen collection and his semen is now offered for sale. His first calves were born in 2010 and they feel very confident that he will further improve the herd. Carlos also has calves on the ground in eleven different pedigree herds

The family also own the Tradwell herd of Limousins and have in the region of 35 females combining both red and black genetics.

After the trip around the cattle a very welcome Hog Roast lunch awaited and a chance to catch up and discuss the cattle with friends from the Borders and the Wales and Borders Clubs, some having travelled a long distance to attend. With the generosity of many donated items an auction followed the lunch admirably conducted by our club chairman, John Okell with the able assistance of Adam. The genial bidding along with a generous sponsorship contribution from Cogent raised £520 for club funds and our thanks go to all those who donated and those who made the final bids.

A presentation was given by Paula Scales of the Scarsdale Veterinary Group on Johnes explaining how difficult the infection was to discover in its early stages with the capability that it has to stay hidden in the immune system until it is triggered by an event of some nature and how important it is to keep on testing to try and spot the onset at the earliest opportunity. Brian Allen of Harbro Ltd then gave a short introduction to the company whom are livestock nutrition specialists and advised that they have recently become established in the Midlands area. Stuart Boothman of Cogent was also on hand along with Greg Brookes of Midland Feed Services Ltd to offer advice on their services.

Adam paid tribute to his girlfriend Jess, his sister’s Sarah and Emily, his father Trevor not forgetting Paul Walker and Rhys Millichap who had all worked tirelessly to prepare the cattle and farm for the visit.

Further refreshments were then on offer and guests eventually made their way home having had a very enjoyable day out, viewing the excellent cattle, devouring plentiful food in agreeable company and appreciative that Adam and his family had provided a day to remember.

John Okell, North West Club Chairman, offers our thanks to Adam and Jess

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