The Whiterock Limousin herd was established after the disaster of foot and mouth, although not affected personally, the decision was made to produce top quality cattle for the beef, commercial and pedigree market.
So in May 2002 with sale restrictions lifted, off we went to the first official Limousin sale at Carlisle, there a bull took our eye, a huge well muscled chap by the name of Westside President, weighing in on the sale day at 1280 kilos, he was purchased for 7000 gns and so we began !!
We already had a herd of pure Limousins with a few pedigrees from the Sarkley, Tanat and Fleethill herds, but more were needed so we sourced them from society sales, with well known genetics, milk and style the main attributes, well if your stock is pleasing to the eye it tends to open purchasers wallets that little more, so heifers were purchased from the Sarkley, Glenrock, Haymount, Bapton, Grahams and Llanan herds.
By June 2004 the herd was expanding, a second bull was needed, so another trip to Carlisle was on, to the summer bull sale we went, and there standing proud with outstanding muscle and shape was Guards troy, and he was purchased for the top price of 6200 gns.
Disaster struck in November of that year as President had to be put to sleep due to an accident, our hearts sank that day, but he had left his stamp on the herd, with the females retained carrying his blood the herd was set.
The next big step forward in the herds future was to go to France, Brive La Gaillard was the venue of the KBS Prestige VI sale on August 27th 2005, two flights later and a lift with Bruno and his girlfriend plus a crate of beer that he kindly shared we got to Brive, the sale was set for 6 o clock and the first bull through the ring was Taon, out of Pacha 08 and Pelicule a Highlander daughter, catalogued as an elite bull and did he show it with elegance, perfect legs and a huge hindquarter, bidding was brisk but armed with Susie's credit card he was finally knocked down and heading back to the hills of Wales for 21000 euros + P&P.
Exciting times are ahead of us with Taon calves now on the ground, excellent Troy calves that have grown well over the summer, and with a number of cows and heifers incalf with the use of AI bulls, we are looking forward to the future with great anticipation.
Glyn & Susie.