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Traditional Hereford embryo export to Argentina
A valuable export order for UK cattle genetics to South America has been won by Traditional Hereford breeders, following herd visits by a contingent from the Goyaike ranching company in May 2011.
The visitors examined the cattle they saw in great detail, as they were looking for a very specific type of animal which they believe exists in the Traditional genetics of the Hereford breed.
Pictured above left, Albany Prettymaid 14th with calf from FW Cook & Son, one the females flushed for embryos.
Growing their stock on tough Argentinian pampas land, the traits the cattlemen were seeking are what the Traditional Hereford is famous for; being able to easily convert grass into good quality flesh.
Following these visits the buyers selected cattle from the Albany (F W Cook & Son), Shefford (Paul Carter) and Llandinabo (Peter Symmonds) herds to be included in a flushing programme co-ordinated by Stella Scholes at Bovine Genetics. A total of 91 embryos were successfully taken and frozen of which 49 have already arrived in Argentina, with the remaining 42 awaiting shipment. The embryos had been fertilised using semen from Heritage Postman, Llandinabo Zest, Llandinabo Mackie and Llandinabo Quirk.
This is a significant landmark for the breed, as the promotion of genetic export is a fantastic way to show what we have to offer to stock systems both in the UK and all over the world.
Buoyant Trade at Dungannon's January Sale
It's a long time since twenty Hereford bulls have been sold at a Sale in Northern Ireland. However, that's exactly what happened at the January Hereford Sale in Dungannon, where 20 bulls sold to an average of £2,300.
The Sale is very encouraging for the Breed in NI and will help to assist in securing future supplies of Hereford beef to the various Beef Schemes currently operating in the Province. Chairman Raymond Pogue commented, "We have three Beef Schemes plus private individuals who need as much Hereford beef as they can get their hands on and at present demand is outstripping supply. So the positive Sale results can only help with beef supplies".
The leading price of £4,000 was paid for Solpoll 1 Handsome, winner of the Junior Bull Class, from J & W McMordie and was purchased by NCBC for their stud at Enfield in Co. Meath. Sired by Fisher 1 Charlie, bred by WJ Hutchings, West Sussex, this young bull, pictured with John McMordie above, has impressive EBV’s including a Calving Ease Direct value in the top 1% for the Breed.
The Supreme Champion was Graceland 1 Giles from Robin Irvine’s Graceland herd and is a first son of current Reserve N.I. Bull of the Year Greenyards 1 Dougie and sold to dairy farmer Peter Flack at £2,950. Pictured right with "Giles" is Robin Irvine with John Henning from Northern Bank who sponsored the event.
Reserve Supreme & Senior Male Champion was Solpoll 1 General from J & W McMordie, by Solpoll 1 Dynamite, he was purchased at £2,800 by Tony McCarthy, one of the Finalists in the 2011 N.I. Suckler Herd Competition.
Pictured left are John McMordie with John Henning, Northern Bank, and Judge Robert Parker.
The Female Champion was Richmount 1 Gloria exhibited by James Graham, who can be seen right being congratulated by Judge Robert Parker. Another female Paul Beatty’s Tirelugan 1 Tiny, by Castlepoll 1 Bronco and out of Castlepoll 1 Tiny sold for at 1,600 guineas.
Other leading prices were as follows:–
Christa McMordie sold Riverdale 1 Gallileo, by Solpoll 1 Dynamite, for £2,700.
Another son of Greenyards 1 Dougie, Graceland 1 Guisepi from Robin Irvine sold for £2,625.
JE, RI & W Haire, received £2,600 for Dorepoll 1 158S Shiraz, an E.T. son of Remital Shiraz.
J & V Peters, £2,400 for Corriewood 1 King, a son of Graceland 1 Topper.
David Wilson, Magheraveely, sold two bulls; one for £2,400 a son of Lisrace Lionheart IV and £2,300 for a son of Lisrace Lancelot.
Cecil Beattie sold at £2,200, while J & W McMordie and James Graham realised £2,100 for their bulls. Also at £2,100 was Corraback Fulgent from Mervyn Richmond, who travels south to join the pedigree herd of Francis Scott, Rathdowney, Co Laois.
Winners All – An impressive line up of class winners at the N.I. Hereford Breeders' Association's Premier Show and Sale at Dungannon Mart, Co. Tyrone.
Full Show Results:
Class 1
1. Appel 1 Mike - Andrew McMordie
2. Solpol 1 Goldstar - J & W McMordie
3. Fortview Governor – David Smyth
Class 2
1. Solpoll 1 General – J & W McMordie (Res Champion)
2. Corraback Fulgent – R. M. Richmond
3. Riverdale 1 Gallileo – Christa McMordie
Class 3
1. Graceland 1 Giles - Robin Irvine ( Supreme Champion )
2. Richmount 1 Granville – James Graham
3. Castlepoll 1 Benjamin - C & M Beatty
Class 4
1. Graceland 1 Guisepi - Robin Irvine
2. Dorepoll 1 Shiras - JE, RI & W Haire
3. Blackwater Giggs – S & N Heatrick
Class 5
1. Solpoll 1 Handsome – J & W McMordie
2. Tarason Brandy - Stephen Baxter
Heifers
1. Richmount 1 Gloria - James Graham
2. Richmount 1 Georgina – James Graham
3. Tirelugan 1 Tiny - Paul Beatty
Hereford Export to the Czech Republic
In a first for the Hereford breed in 32 years Romany Herefords have exported a 16 month old bull to the Czech Republic.
The bull, Romany 1 Hawkeye D1 H28, from J R B Wilson & Sons, Cowbog, Kelso was chosen by Faflak Miroslav for his established herd.
Faflak selected “Hawkeye” whilst on a trip to the UK last October, organised by Sheila Eggleston of Eggs-port Ltd, Hexham.
“Hawkeye” is a high performance bull boasting 200, 400 and 600 day EBVs in the Top 1% of the Breed, Milk EBV in the top 5%, Eye Muscle Area in the top 10% with a Terminal Index of +35 and Self Replacing Index of +42.
The young bull’s dam, the home bred Romany 1 Lucy R22 D5, is by former Hereford Sire of the Year, Crickley 1 Figurehead. She was shown successfully, being awarded First place and Reserve Junior Female at the 2008 Royal Highland Show.
Romany 1 Hawkeye’s Sire is the imported Danish bull SMH Castro, one of the Romany Herd’s Senior stock bulls. “Castro” was bought as a promising five months old, in 2007 and is proving to be great addition to the herd. His first son to be sold at auction was Romany 1 Gem, Reserve Grand Male Champion at the Breed’s 2011 Autumn Show & Sale in Hereford and who was exported to a new Hereford Breeder in Germany. A further son is entered for Stirling Bull Sales in February.
THE HEREFORD TICKS ALL THE RIGHT BOXES
When asked why he switched from continental bulls to the Hereford bulls now running with his 120 suckler cows Benburb beef producer David Weir was very clear that the native breed bull ‘ticks all the right boxes.’
David, who farms with sons Simon and Alan, finds the modern Hereford bull produces calves that grow fast to finish early off grass. “Hereford sired stock produce high value, quality beef with traditional taste. On farm they are easy to calve, easy to work with and easy to finish using less meal.”
“We use crossbred Hereford, Angus and continental cows imported from the west of Ireland, dams with decent frames that cross with Hereford bulls to produce cattle that please us on the farm and prove ideal for retailers and consumers.
“Almost six years ago with son in law Clayton Moore, a butcher, we opened M & W Farm Meats in Scotch St off the Moy Road out of Portadown. So now we see Hereford bred beef animals proving their worth on the bottom line of both our farm and butcher’s shop accounts!”
Pictured above left are Benburb farmer David Weir, left, and Clayton Moore of M & W Farm Meats with Robin Irvine of Hereford NI in their Scotch St, Portadown butchery where home reared beef, sired by Hereford bulls, gives customers the natural flavour they desire. Beef with taste that is preferred by diners in the nearby ‘Head of the Road’ award winning NI Pub of the Year.
Widely respected as knowledgeable stockmen, the Weirs place great emphasis on producing better cattle from grass whilst maintaining high standards of herd health in co-operation with their local veterinary practice.
This importance of planning to prevent disease problems has been emphasised by Mairead O’Grady, veterinary advisor with MSD Animal Health.
“Prevention of common diseases is much more cost effective than treatment. For example, controlling calf scour involves good husbandry and hygiene to minimise losses seen every springtime on many farms.
“In addition to improved management measures many farms have implemented a vaccination programme administering Rotavec Corona to dams prior to calving in order to increase the level of protective antibodies in their colostrum.
“The higher levels of antibodies in colostrum protect calves from common causes of scour when fed sufficient colostrum.”
The MSD Animal Health veterinary advisor also urges herd owners to consider adopting a broadly protective vaccination programme against common causes of respiratory disease in calves using Bovilis IBR marker live and Bovipast RSP. This vaccination programme can start from as early as two weeks of age if necessary.
For butcher Clayton Moore marketing home reared beef largely from his in-laws farm at Benburb is a pleasure. “Hereford sired beef has that traditional fat cover needed for the flavour our customers prefer. Our list of customers now includes up to a dozen other outlets ranging from the award winning ‘Head of the Road’ pub beside us in Portadown to the popular Cohannon Inn at the M1 Moy roundabout.
“We have the product range that pleases, consistent quality and knowledgeable staff who value our customers.”