Sussex breed comes to the Cheshire Show for the first time

Sussex have traditionally only been seen at shows in the south of England, but this year’s Cheshire County Show will have a new class for the distinctive breed, which is known for its glossy red coat.

 

Cheshire breeder Clem Ekin, who runs Holford Farm in Brownlow, Congleton, has worked with Cheshire Agricultural Society to set up the class and will be showing his own cattle at the show on June 19 and 20.

 

"Four breeders with over a dozen animals have already confirmed they are coming which is great for the first year the class is being run,” said Clem, 62.

 

"It is great to be able to promote our breed not only in the North of England but at one of the largest county shows in the country.”

 

Draught oxen from the Sussex Weald were selectively bred from the late 18th century to form the modern breed.

 

However, since the early 1950s Sussex have been cross-bred with other cattle to enhance the breed for the mass commercial market.

 

This commercial breeding has meant the number of pure Sussex cattle remaining in the country had dwindled. Clem spotted the breed at the Royal Agricultural Show at Stoneleigh Park in 2005 and – together with his family – started their mission to help revive the pure breed. They researched the remaining pure Sussex cattle in the country and set up their own herd.

 

"There is an important need for commercial breeding to meet the demand of the mass market, but I also believe it is important to retain pure bloodlines and our project here shows there is a real place for quality pure bred beef,” said Clem.

 

In September 2005 Clem bought his first cow in calf called Snow Princess and four weeks later he bought four more cows, all in calf, from the Sussex Cattle Society Autumn Show, with several more being purchased from various breeders during the following twelve months.

 

After their long journey to Cheshire, the Spen Moss Herd was formed. Initially the herd was kept in Astbury, near Congleton, but as the number of cattle grew, thanks to a successful breeding program, Clem and his family moved to Holford Farm, where they now keep over 100 animals.

 

As well as Clem’s work to set up the new Sussex class at the show, his partner Debbie and daughter Sarah will also be at the show to educate the public about the breed in the Sainsbury’s Agri-centre.

 

"Clem and I have tried to promote the breed over the past three years at the Cheshire County Show by showing our animals to the public in the Sainsbury’s Agri-Centre. This year we will also be doing butchery demonstrations and cooking our burgers from our home-reared beef,” said Debbie.

 

"The plough to plate message at the Cheshire Show and encouraging more people to learn where their food comes from is really important.”