Initial Herd Judging Comments:

An outstanding and well managed Autumn and Spring calving herd, grazing mostly poor pasture over a large area.

A very consistent herd, comprising large framed cows with evenly matched calves.

The yearling stock had superb growth rates; the Stock bulls and Young bulls were a credit to you and even the last ‘odds and ends’ group were impressive.

This year’s cow and calf winner with Eldridge Poll Heedless 36th.

Overall comments from Keith Jempson

Here we have a much larger and older herd of cattle, now in the hands of the third generation, and under the hands of the new stockman, having been with the herd for just a year,

This herd is run over an estate near Canterbury with differing land types. Here I saw a wide selection of very good stock.  The selection of stock bulls has obviously helped in the progression of this herd.

I saw 4 very promising 2025 born bulls which would grace any commercial or pedigree herd.

Because of the very wide area this herd is managed over I saw about 50% of the herd, but this was enough for me to access the very wide diversity of the herd management.

A yard of very good fattening bulls and steers, again coming to be ready for selling in the next 3-4 months.

My last group was of cows with 2026 born bull calves, again doing a very good job in this tough summer.

In my opinion here some bull calves could be castrated at birth and some left entire.

Personally, I would leave them all until weaning, which I think is now being discussed.