South Devon Herd Book Society Hosts Lively Winter Development Day at Hill Farm

Members and guests of the South Devon Herd Book Society braved a crisp winter’s morning on Thursday 20th November for the Society’s annual Development Day, held at Hill Farm by kind permission of the Paton family. Though the air carried a definite winter chill, bright sunshine and the warmth of the corn shed heater provided the perfect backdrop for a day packed with learning, lively discussion, and practical demonstrations.
The morning opened with a welcoming spread of freshly toasted crumpets topped with homemade jam, which proved a hit among attendees as they gathered in the corn shed. The convivial atmosphere soon turned to focused attention as the day’s first presentation began—an in-depth briefing from AHDB on the current global and national agricultural markets. Their overview of shifting supply chains, currency impacts, and evolving consumer trends prompted a series of thoughtful questions from members. Discussions ranged from the challenges of maintaining competitiveness in international beef markets to opportunities for premium native breeds like the South Devon in a changing retail landscape.
Following the session, the group divided to explore two specialist topics. One half joined Nigel from ABP, who offered a practical look at finishing cattle efficiently. His session covered ration formulation, growth rate optimisation, and carcass grading—highlighting where producers can make the biggest gains in feed efficiency and market consistency. Attendees appreciated the chance to question an industry buyer directly about current specifications and future trends in beef demand.
Meanwhile, the second group gathered with Liz from Shearwell Data, who demonstrated the latest developments in animal management tags and electronic identification. Her talk explored how modern EID systems can streamline record-keeping, aid disease traceability, and support selective breeding decisions. Members showed particular interest in how data collected through tags can contribute to improving herd performance over time, as well as the growing integration between EID and farm software platforms that help simplify compliance and herd planning.
Lunch proved another highlight of the day, with Annabel’s farm kitchen serving generously filled plates of slow-cooked beef brisket and hearty burgers made from local produce. The meal was followed by an irresistible selection of homemade cakes crafted by Andrew and Rachel Paton’s daughter-in-law—her carrot cake earning especially enthusiastic praise.
The afternoon began with a highly informative presentation from Katie of Towcester Farm Vets, who covered the principles and benefits of pelvic scoring and synchronisation programmes. Katie explained how pelvic scoring young heifers can reduce calving difficulties and improve long-term herd performance, while synchronisation can offer more controlled breeding windows, better use of labour, and improved conception rates. Her practical examples and clear explanations made the session particularly valuable for breeders looking to refine their herd reproductive strategies.
The day concluded with a relaxed farm walk guided by members of the Paton family. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to see the family’s impressive South Devon cattle—excellent examples of the breed’s temperament, conformation, and maternal qualities—while discussing the morning’s topics in a more informal setting. The walk also offered a chance to appreciate the thoughtful way the Patons integrate breed characteristics with practical farm management.
As the sun dipped behind the hills and members made their way home, the sense of enthusiasm was unmistakable. The Development Day once again proved its worth as a hub of shared knowledge, good food, and strong community spirit—an event that both celebrates and strengthens the future of the South Devon breed.