An outstanding herd of diminutive Dexter cattle near Great Yarmouth retained the top title as 16 farms competed in the second biennial East Anglia Dexter Group Herd Competition.
The Clobell Herd, owned by Paul and Jackie Brind from Belton, won the large herd section and the Christine Brookes Memorial Salver for the 2017 Herd Of the Year – repeating the farm's previous triumph in 2015.
Cattle judge Ray Bowler said: 'This herd consists of nine breeding cows with associated youngstock. The cattle are all red which gives a great uniformity to the herd. There isn't an animal in the herd which isn't of the highest type.
'On the day visited they were grazing the marsh and just looked an absolute picture. They were quiet, easy to look at and just had that 'wow factor'.
'Paul's attention to detail in his breeding is excellent as is his knowledge of the breed and in what direction he wants to go. The udders of all the cows were outstanding with not a poor one in sight, the top-lines and depth of body were to the fore as well.'
Runner up in the large herd section was Derek Eagle's Tannslane Herd, from North Lopham near Diss, founded just six years ago.
The small herd section shield was awarded to the Brookes Syndicate's Driftside Herd, based in Hepworth, near Diss, with the runners-up prize going to the Endway Herd owned by Robin Creighton, from near Chelmsford, Essex.
The Bull of the Year was awarded the Pat Short Memorial Cup – a special prize named in honour of the former president of the UK Dexter Cattle Society. The inaugural recipient was Derek Eagle's bull Multumin Parvo Hugo.
ABOUT DEXTER CATTLE
The Dexter breed is the smallest British breed of cattle. It is a dual-purpose, early-maturing breed, with the average weight of a cow being around 300kg-350kg, and standing 92cm-107cm at the shoulder.
The animals are predominately black, but can also be red or dun in colour. The breed society says Dexter beef is popular with consumers due to its quality and flavour with good marbling, small joints and minimal waste.
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