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The Springfield Herd was founded in 1969 by Tom Clarke.
It grew to around a dozen females in the early 1970’s, at
which time Tom was secretary for the Northern Ireland Charolais
Club, and served for a period on the BCCS Council of Management.
A decision was made in 1979 to reduce the herd size and concentrate
on the recently purchased Automart Livestock & Property Sales
Ltd, which conducted weekly commercial sales in addition to a calendar
of pedigree sales for beef and dairy cattle, pigs and sheep.
Tom retired from auctioneering in 2002 and the Automart premises
was sold for redevelopment. At this time Libby and her husband Gordon
Mc William decided to souce a limited number of Charolais females
represnting strong bloodlines and supported by where possible, BLUP
figures in the top ten percent of the breed.
Females have been selected from Moyness, Gretnahouse, Thrunton
and Coolnaslee Herds, and have to date impressed with their breeding
progeny.
We have endeavoured to select feminine cows and heifers, that
have plenty of size and scale.
Stock bulls have been acquired from Maerdy, Thrunton, Coolnaslee
and Logan Charolais. To date the most influential has been Coolnaslee
Rascal (Derrygiff Mills), who has bred daughters with terrific calving
ability and consistent breeders of top quality calves.
Logan Viceroy was purchased at Perth in October 2005 for 9000 guineas.
He was placed first in a strong class at the Highland Show 2006.
His first calves are pleasing, and show great style.
Thrunton Alpha was bought at Perth in February 2007 for 10,000
guineas. He is by the mighty Burradon Talisman who has bred bulls
to reach 55,000 guineas at auction.
BLUP figures are super for this young bull. Semen now available
for UK & Export (see Semen for
Sale).
The Herd will be maintained at around 20-25 females, and ran along
side the other pedigree and commercial units on the farm.
Bulls and a limited number of females are available for sale throughout
the year. Visitors most welcome by prior arrangement.
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