Springfield Farm Walk
The farm walk on the 29th August 2004 at the home of Allan and Deirdre Wilkinson’s
Springfield herd and at Keith and Linda Wilkinson’s commercial herd was
enjoyed by North West club members and our friends from the Borders and Wales
clubs who accepted the invitation to join us.
Around 70 belgian blue enthusiasts, greeted by a bright and sunny day and with
a stiff breeze blowing in from the Fylde coast, were provided with a glorious
setting.
After welcome refreshments for members, some of whom had travelled many miles,
the first stop was in the fields accommodating the commercial cattle of Linda
and Keith and what a magnificent sight they were. The cows with calves at foot
were very impressive and looked in sparkling form after all the mixed weather
we have been suffering over the summer.
With the senior stock bull resting, the young bull Springfield Urchin was running
with the cows and looking every inch up to his job. Many of the suckler cows
were originally from Limousin stock and after running with the belgian blue bulls
had produced calves of the highest quality. Some of the stock viewed were to
be sold at the Society’s next Chelford Sale on the 4th September and would
undoubtedly be sought after and much admired.
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| A group of admiring visitors |
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| Keith Wilkinson introduces
some of his suckler cows |
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| Springfield Urchin |
Next it was onto the pedigree Springfield herd of Deirdre and Allan and very
thoughtfully transport between the fields had been provided by tractors and trailers,
a great boon to the ‘seniors’ and great enjoyment for the ‘juniors’!
Before us lay field after field of quality belgian blues, young bulls, heifers
and cows with calves of the finest breeding. What a pleasure it was to meet with
their highly regarded cow Springfield Pepsi mother of many prize winning progeny
and of course their renowned cow Ovatie van de Wolvendreef who time after time,
and with a variety of bulls, has produced stock that have gone on to grace many
a fine herd. Both cows were out in the field with their fellow herd members enjoying,
along with us, the fine afternoon sunshine.
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| ‘All aboard’ one
of the very welcome tractor & trailers |
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| Springfield youngsters |
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| One of the ‘new arrivals’ |
Eventually it was time to return to the farm and after viewing the ‘new
arrivals’, who are sure to be stars of the future, enjoy a barbeque
and take part in three competitions which were to amuse and test our skills.
One to guess the weight of a heifer, one to guess the price a heifer would
make at the Chelford sale and one to judge four heifers. The four heifers were
then judged professionally and six competitors agreed with the judge surely
something that must be rare on the show circuit! (If you took part in the competitions
the results are given below).
The day can be summed up as:-
racing weather
rilliant organization
ritish cattle with quality throughout
onvivial company
In fact at their best.
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| Deirdre (on the left) keeps
an eye on the chefs |
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| Some of the irrepressible
youngsters having fun |
Many thanks from all of us to the Wilkinson families.
Competition results:
Guess the weight?
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| The actual weight was 492kg,
congratulations to the winner: E. Parkinson of Dunsop Bridge |
Guess the price?
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| The heifer was knocked down
at £850, Congratulations to the winner: Mr. G. McGregor of
Roweltown |
The judge’s decision placed the heifers as follows:
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| 1st Heifer Y |
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| 2nd Heifer X |
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| 3rd Heifer B |
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| 4th Heifer A |
Congratulations to the winners:
Wayne Frith of Ashbourne
Isabella Hartley of Nelson
E. Parkinson of Dunsop Bridge
Geoff Walker of Dunsop Bridge
John Parkinson of Dunsop Bridge
Keith Belfield of Sheen
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