Receiving the inaugural 2006 Andrew Stebbings Memorial Scholarship has been a once in a lifetime opportunity I will never forget. In the last six weeks I have traveled to the North East of Scotland and down to the South West of England trying to chase the sunshine in what has been the wettest June period since 1914. I have had the opportunity to visit and stay with highly respected commercial and pedigree Aberdeen Angus producers, and attend three of the major agricultural shows in the United Kingdom .
Touring the Border and North East regions of Scotland was an exceptional experience within the first 3 week of the Stebbings Scholarship. The structure, size, skin type, muscularity and functionality were all impressive attributes of the cattle I viewed at Wedderlie, Rawburn, Galawater and Auchincrieve. Not unlike anywhere else in the world the Scottish beef production system is dependant on the environment and subsequent climatic factors. Production systems revolve heavily around ryegrass pasture management for spring/summer grazing and silage production and conservation for housing cattle over the autumn and winter period. This requires a higher cost input system than what is traditionally used in Australian beef production.
Attending the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh was a great chance to see what Aberdeen Angus in Scotland had to offer. The quality of the females on the day were quiet exceptional. I strongly believe that the female component of a herd is as, if not more important than the stud sires which are used. The champion and reserve champion were two young cows which were certainly testament to this; they would not have looked out of place anywhere in the Angus world.
The Royal Norfolk and Royal Stoneleigh Show at Warwickshire were the next and final stop on my show tour. The Royal Norfolk Show was the highlight of the three agricultural shows I attended. Judging the young handlers and beef cattle paraders classes, was one of the toughest but most rewarding opportunities I have had in recent years. Although the Royal Stoneleigh Show at Warwickshire was marred by bad weather, the quality and variety of cattle, sheep, and pigs was a standout.
With my remaining two weeks I ventured from Norfolk south to the picturesque regions of Somerset , Cornwall and Devon where I stayed at and viewed the Maplejacks, Bosullow and Woodington and Kingston herds. The scenery at the Minack Theatre, Porthcurno and views over Dartmoor and Exmoor were quiet exceptional. The Aynho herd was the last and the oldest herd in the UK I visited. The Aberdeen Angus in England tended to be slightly smaller in frame size and weight but were softer fleshing animals of good type and functionality. When these breed characteristics are combined with the Angus premium currently paid by Waitrose supermarkets it is hard to find Angus bulls still for sale within well known pedigree Aberdeen Angus herds.
I would especially like to thank Trevor and Kate Stebbings for sponsoring the Andrew Stebbings Memorial Scholarship. It was an honour to be associated with such caring and generous people, without whom the future of Angus youth would not be as bright as it is. I would also like to thank the Aberdeen Angus breeders throughout Scotland and England who opened up their herds and homes to me, Angus Youth, the Aberdeen Angus Society and Angus Australia, without their efforts my trip would not have been possible.
Above: At the Minack Theatre (Porthcurno)
