Brussels Agribex 2004 was, again, a great success; much enjoyed by the many British and Irish Belgian Blue breeders present.

The improvement in the walking and legs of the 200+ cattle forward, in the 19 classes, was even more noticeable this year, with the top end of most classes, reflecting the needs of our own beef industry.

With judging starting at 10am and continuing until gone 5.30pm, it was a test of stamina of both exhibitors and spectators. The system of using 2 judges for each class, the 4 pairs rotating throughout the day, does not, perhaps, lead to a sense of urgency, but does all add to the spectacle in the huge arena at Agribex and there is certainly a consistency of type placed at the top.

The only slight controversy was during the cow championship, when the much-fancied black and white cow of Ann Adams, only received 1 vote, whilst 2 white cows tied on 2 votes each. The President had to step in with a casting vote, which he gave to the Du Fond Du Bois cow, a daughter of Osborne Van Terbeck.

The De Fooz herd had one of the most successful days in their history, with their 6 animals forward, all being placed in the top 3 and, also, winning the heifer Championship with a daughter of Lasso Van T’Kookshof.

Other successful herds were, De L’Orgelot, with the Champion bull, a son of Vigoreux De St Fontaine, De Belle Eau, De Bocheroule, Du Coin, De Roupage, Du Pont De Messe, Van De Wolfendreef, D’Embise and Van Terbeck.

The winning sires were mainly from 3 lines, with Fausto De Fontena having 3 sons and one grandson, all siring 11 animals in the top 3 and, the Champion heifer, Brulot De Somme having 3 sons and one grandson, all siring 6 animals in the top 3 and the champion cow.

The most popular sires used in the catalogue were: -
Radar Van Terbeck, (23 progeny), Osborne Van Terbeck (19), Cubitus Du Pre Rosine (17), Lasso Van T’Kookshof (14), Torrerro Du Grand Courty (12), Bionique Du Pre Rosine (11), and Brutal De St Fontaine (10).

Despite Osborne’s great success with his daughters (5 in the top 3) he, again, had no sons in the top 3, the same as in 2002.

M Read

Show Results Rationalised according to sire
B=Bull, C=Cow, H=Heifer
Ajuste De Bronheit	1st H
Artaban De St Fontaine	1st C, 3rd C, 2nd H
Belier Des Freines	2nd B, 3rd B, 3rd H
Bionique Du Pre Rosine	3rd C
Biscuit D’Embise	1st H, 1st H, 2nd H
Bruegel D’Au Chene	2nd C, 3rd H
Brulot Du Somme	1st C
Brutal De St Fontaine	3rd B
Casino De Centfontaine	1st C
Cubitus Du Pre Rosine	2nd B, 3rd B, 2nd C
Fausto De Fontena	3rd C
Fervent De Somme	2nd C
Futur D’Atrive	2nd B
Gulliver Du Coin	2nd C
Igloo De Bocheroule	1st B
Labrador De Haut	3rd B
Lasso Van T’Kookshof	1st H, 1st H, 2nd H, Ch Heifer
Leader L’Escaill	1st H
Mambo Du Drayon	2nd B
Napoleon De la Neuve Cour	3rd C
Notez De Pont De Messe	1st H, 3rd H
Osborne Van Terbeck	1st C, 2nd C, 2nd H, 3rd H, 3rd H, Ch Cow
Orvet Du Bois Bauloye	2nd B
Radar Van Terbeck	1st B, 2nd H, 2nd H, 3rd H
Seduisant De Fooz	1st B, 3rd B
Soleil De L’Auster	2nd H
Taquin De Centfontaine	2nd C
Tenor De Jeneffe	1st B
Torrero Du Grand Courty	1st C, 3rd C, 3rd C
Ubidet D’Aux Houx	1st B, 1st C
Vigor Du Grand Courty	2nd B
Vigoreux De St Fontaine	1st B, Ch Bull
Wait And See Des Roches	3rd B