Black Butterfly helps Mike keep on his winning streak

WHEN IT COMES to breeding prize cattle, North Devon farmer Mike Kirby is proving to have the knack after bagging one of the country's top awards twice in just three years.

His pure bred Aberdeen Angus heifer, Black Butterfly, has just scooped the Duke of Norfolk trophy at the prestigious Smithfield show, often referred to as the Crufts of the cattle world.

Mike's wife, Lizzy, said: "You are up against the crème de la crème and just to get a placing is incredible but to actually get a first and to win a cup is out of this world.

"Winning at any show is fantastic but winning at Smithfield is indescribable. Just to be able to take part is a great experience."

It is the second time Mike has done well at the show. In 2006 he swept the board, winning the Duke of Norfolk, Royal Cornwall and Queen Mother's Trophy with his Aberdeen Angus heifer Top Totty, Black Butterfly's half-sister.

"This was an incredible feat made even more so by the fact that she is a pedigree Angus and a native breed," said Lizzy.

But she added that entering cattle shows was "not all about winning" as they played another vital role in the farming community.

"There is also the social aspect to showing. Farming is a very lonely and relentless job but it is also a way of life for many. There is not a proper farmer who can honestly say that they are not proud to produce the finest whether it is beef, lamb, milk, straw, hay or barley.

"This is why the demise of the local markets is such a travesty, not only because this is when the everyday farmer gets to sell their fine produce but it is also an opportunity for these farmers to socialise and I suppose even to network."

Mike and Lizzy moved to Blackberry farm in 1998. They are mainly sheep farmers owning 250 breeding ewes which produce around 600 lambs a year. They also have a herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus and Limousin cattle and a flock of chickens.

In 2002, Mrs Kirby opened Lizzy's Larder on the farm after she struggled to buy local, high quality, traceable produce. "I tidied out the original meat larder by the farmhouse, made some cakes and preserves, picked some vegetables from the garden and invited local people to bring their goods to sell or barter for two hours every Saturday morning. It was so successful that we expanded and Lizzy's Larder was born," she said.

The Aberdeen Angus beef from this award-winning herd is available direct from Lizzy's Larder at Blackberry Farm.