Introduction and Contents
Uploaded March 2009

Snow again here this week but it has cleared pretty quickly and there are primroses in the hedgerows in the Devon lanes so perhaps Spring is on its way.

AGM
The Notice and Agenda for the AGM is online here and I hope a good number of members will be able to make it to Glebe Farm on the 5th April. Once again we are most grateful to Chris Coe for hosting the AGM and providing lunch. Do let her or Sharon know if you are coming.
 

BPA Bloodline Survey
I would like to thank everyone for their help with this. The BPA will be publishing the results shortly and they should also appear in the RBST's next Ark. Although the numbers are slightly lower than the previous year our breed seems to be holding up reasonably well. The lowest line in the Boars was Lassetter with 9 and in the females Mermaid with 22.
 

Waitrose
The discussions with BQP, BPA and RBST referred to in the last newsletter did not come to any satisfactory conclusion. Since then LACORS have produced their new guidelines and the background to these. I am most grateful to Richard Lutwyche for his report and indeed for all his lobbying on behalf of the Gloucestershire Old Spot Club, which was actively supported by the BPA and RBST. The results will also benefit Berkshires and all Pedigree pig breeds.
 

Shows 2009
The Show Calendar for the Major shows in 2009 can be found on the BPA website www.britishpigs.org.uk (and here: 2009 Show Calendar) and once again thanks to Club member Miranda Squire the list of Smaller Shows can be found at the back of the newsletter. A show that is included for the first time this year is the RBST Show at the Dairy event at Stoneleigh on 16/17th September where Native breeds of Sheep and Cattle are also being shown under the RBST banner. Pig Classes will probably be as per the original RBST Show & Sale at Stoneleigh, for July and Jan Gilts and Jan boars. Of the Major shows it is probably worth mentioning the plans for this year's Royal Show where the BPA, helped by the British Lop Society are mounting an large Pig Exhibition, both in the Pig (Kennel Club) building and with 3 outdoor enclosures across from the pig rings. Berkshire finishing pigs (from Glebe Farm) will be on display in the latter. The Exhibition will run right through the 4 days of the show. Pig classes will take place over the first three days only, with those exhibitors not involved in the exhibition, being allowed to leave at the end of the third day.
 

Berkshire boar at AI
Fairoaks Peter Lad 4 has just today arrived at the AI Centre in Northern Ireland. His sire is last year's Champion of Champions Fairoaks Peter Lad 2 and Dam is Dittisham Lady 250. This will be the first Peter Lad boar to go in the tank for the RBST and when fresh semen is available for breeders it will be posted on BK and BPA websites.
 

Berkshire CIub Website
Time to change the password for members again. Please note from 1st April password is in the newsletter sent to members.
 

Berkshires "Down Under!
It is good to hear from Peter le Bas and get his article on Berkshires in New Zealand where they are going from strength to strength. Peter will be over here again soon and his first judging assignment will be with Kune Kunes at the Welsh Smalholders Show. I hope there will soon be a New Zealand Berkshire Breeders Club affiliated to our own Club.
 

Berkshire Club in Japan
We have had a proposal from Japan where they want to form a British Berkshire's supporters Club and link to our Club. They have asked if they could translate our newsletters to use for their members and presumably we would also have reciprocal website links. Chris Jackson, the BPA export representative is meeting with the interested parties in Japan on our behalf and will report back on his return with more details of their proposals.
 

BPA/RBST Show and Sale
This has now been set for 10th October at the Auction Mart at Ross on Wye. This year, the event will possibly be extended to also cover native breeds of cattle and sheep. More details should be available from the BPA shortly.
 

Next Newsletter
The next newsletter will be late May/early June. It would be really good to be able to include some news or articles from members so please do get in touch and let me have an update on you and your Berkshires. Meanwhile, I very much hope to see some you at the AGM in April.

Viki Mills, Editor
01363 82465
07843 301903
vikimills@googlemail.com