The Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association (HCBA) Annual Christmas Calf Show at Shrewsbury Mart produced another superb line up of top quality calves this year.

Grand Male Champion Haven Neptune: Taking the limelight was Haven Neptune from EL Lewis & Son, Dilwyn, Herefordshire. This 13 month old calf, who is in the top 1% for 200 day weight and has Terminal Sire and Self-replacing indices in the top 10% of the  Breed, is out of Haven Shela 27th and by Haven Kingpin. Following seven very strong bull classes it was Haven Neptune who took the Grand Male Championship sponsored by The Hutchinson Partnership.

Reserve Male Champion Haven Northstar: Standing Reserve was stablemate Haven Northstar another top notch bull calf by “Kingpin”. Nine month old “Northstar”, who is out Haven Curly 124th, has an excellent range of EBV traits with many in the top 10% of the Breed.

Pair of Bulls (Haven Neptune and Haven Nugget – both by Kingpin) – Haven Herefords

Group of Three by the same sire (Haven Neptune, Haven Northstar and Haven Nugget – all by Kingpin)- Haven Herefords. In reserve were another well-known local herd, Free Town Herefords from RA Bradstock & Partners, Tarrington, Herefordshire with three smart matching animals sired by Mara Humorous.

Progeny of Kingpin have been making its mark here in Ireland also. Semen of Kingpin (HKP) is available through the Society’s breed improvement program and has been moving steadily since its arrival. Those wishing to obtain Kingpin semen should be place their orders with the Society soon as quantities are becoming limited given demand in recent months since progeny was first exhibited.