Ladyfield Herd Visit & AGM
On 11 April 2010 the Group AGM was hosted at Clows Top in Worcestershire by Maurice Day, the retiring Chairman, and his daughter and son–in- law Christine and Peter Clarke . Maurice and Christine co-own the Ladyfields herd.
As so often the case at Dexter events the view alone would have made the visit worthwhile. Add to that perfect April weather, warm enough for us to hold the meeting outside and we had all the elements of an enjoyable day-out.
The business part of the day progressed on schedule with some lively debate and plenty of ideas for future events. Michael Bancroft agreed to stand as Chairman in the Group’s Silver Jubilee year, and was duly voted in, a fitting choice, as Mike was one of the founder members of the MDG.
This was followed by an exceptional homemade lunch laid on by Christine and Peter, with a choice of dishes which did justice to their home -grown Dexter beef and Wiltshire Horn lamb. Most of us managed to leave a little corner to sample the desserts!
After lunch, a group of 22 members joined Maurice and Christine for a walk round the farm. The first animals to be seen were two of last year’s August born calves, recently weaned and awaiting castration.
On the way to see the rest of the Ladyfields herd we had an opportunity to see Maurice’s fine flock of Wiltshire Horned sheep, the ewes with their spring lambs at foot. Even at this early age they were all sporting an impressive set of horns, especially the males, and were bouncing with health.
The main Dexter herd, still housed in the purpose-built barn but due to be turned out soon, was made up of a mixture of red and black animals, three cows, a bulling heifer, a weaned heifer and two finished steers. Everyone was impressed by the condition of the animals, especially the two steers. These were the animals which won first prize for Maurice and Christine in the Steer Class at the MDG Calf and Steer Show last August.
Many thanks to Maurice and his family for laying on such an enjoyable day for us and making us all so welcome in their home.
As so often the case at Dexter events the view alone would have made the visit worthwhile. Add to that perfect April weather, warm enough for us to hold the meeting outside and we had all the elements of an enjoyable day-out.
The business part of the day progressed on schedule with some lively debate and plenty of ideas for future events. Michael Bancroft agreed to stand as Chairman in the Group’s Silver Jubilee year, and was duly voted in, a fitting choice, as Mike was one of the founder members of the MDG.
This was followed by an exceptional homemade lunch laid on by Christine and Peter, with a choice of dishes which did justice to their home -grown Dexter beef and Wiltshire Horn lamb. Most of us managed to leave a little corner to sample the desserts!
After lunch, a group of 22 members joined Maurice and Christine for a walk round the farm. The first animals to be seen were two of last year’s August born calves, recently weaned and awaiting castration.
On the way to see the rest of the Ladyfields herd we had an opportunity to see Maurice’s fine flock of Wiltshire Horned sheep, the ewes with their spring lambs at foot. Even at this early age they were all sporting an impressive set of horns, especially the males, and were bouncing with health.
The main Dexter herd, still housed in the purpose-built barn but due to be turned out soon, was made up of a mixture of red and black animals, three cows, a bulling heifer, a weaned heifer and two finished steers. Everyone was impressed by the condition of the animals, especially the two steers. These were the animals which won first prize for Maurice and Christine in the Steer Class at the MDG Calf and Steer Show last August.
Many thanks to Maurice and his family for laying on such an enjoyable day for us and making us all so welcome in their home.
