Press Release - National Beef Association AGM & Farm Walk, 6th July 2010

NATIONAL BEEF ASSOCIATION AGM AND FARM WALK – July 6th.
The National Beef Association will be holding their AGM on 6th July at 2.30 p.m. after a farm walk and BBQ at Oakham Farm Buildings just off the M5 at junction 19. The farm walk will commence at 11.00 a.m. and anyone wishing to join the NBA is welcomed to attend as well as all existing members.
The NBA is grateful to David and Sue Knights for allowing us all to visit Oakham Farm, which is the home of the Doncombe Herd of Blondes. The herd was started in 1985 with the purchase of a pedigree heifer called Druk Valda from Chris Lewis’ Druk Herd. The purchase of 3 more cows followed and the Doncombe Herd became established.
With their strong links with the Druk and Aveton herds in Oxford, it is no surprise that they have used several Druk and/or Aveton bulls. Aveton Dominic, Druk Heathcliffe, Aveton Monet, Druk Thor and especially Druk Lance. Druk Lance was chosen as a calf from the Druk herd and his consistency in breeding has been vital to their success and they consider him second to none. At 14 years old he is still within the herd.
David and Sue moved from the Doncombe Valley in Wiltshire 5 years ago, having secured the tenancy at Oakham. At that time they had 50 breeding cows, and followers, a number which had to be increased in a hurry to stock the farm and this was mostly achieved with home bred animals.
Two years ago the Doncombe Herd won the National Pedigree Blonde Herd Competition and Druk Thor was the runner up in the National Stock Bull and Progeny Competition.
They now run approximately 100 cows put to a range of stock bulls and also to A.I. which would be mainly French genetics. Their cows are all selected not for how they look, but for what they can breed, which is after all, the whole point of the exercise.
The majority of their bulls are sold through Carlisle and Worcester. Over the years they have had 15 Carlisle Supreme Champions and hope to have many more in the future.
For information about NBA AGM and the farm walk please contact:
Rosemary Risdon on 01409 271510 or the NBA office on 01434 601005.