Charolais

Springfield Charolais Draft Bound For Dungannon Sale : Friday 4th November 2011

The Springfield Herd of Charolais cattle are set to offer a select number of young cows with calves at foot at the NI Charolais Club Show and Sale taking place at Dungannon Farmers Mart this Friday 4th November 2011.

Tom Clarke founded the Springfield prefix in 1969, and was one of the founder members of the NI Charolais Club when formed in 1971. He was an active Club member and held the post of Secretary for many years during which time the merits of the breed took a firm grip in the Province. Tom and his daughter Libby have enjoyed working with their Charolais cattle for many years and are delighted to offer a draft from their Springfield Herd.

The draft features young cows with calves at foot by the Burradon Talisman son "Thrunton Alpha" who was purchased at Perth for 10,000 guineas. His sons have sold to 8000 guineas at Carlisle 2011.
The majority of these young cows are first and second calving, andhave been running with Edenhurst Cognac. "Cognac is a super bull offering a blend of Egbert and Hofmeister bloodlines. His first calves have been outstanding".

This is a great opportunity for new and established breeders to acquire some new bloodlines for their herds.

The Springfield Charolais Draft features calves at foot by the 10,000 guineas Thrunton Alpha who is sired by the noted Burradon Talisman.
Tom and Libby Clarke will offer a number of young Charolais cows with calves at foot at the NI Charolais Club Sale to be held at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Friday 4th November.
The Springfield Draft includes "Gretnahouse Agents" who has a super Thrunton Alpha daughter at foot, and is scanned in calf to Edenhurst Cognac.	The cows have been running with Edenhurst Cognac who is a super bull carrying Egbert and Hofmeister bloodlines.

Background

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.