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The number of pedigree registered Angus and Hereford calves rose last year with almost an extra 900 calves registered in 2017 compared to 2016.
According to figures from ICBF, Angus was the most registered breed with 9,706 calves up 4% (395) on 2016. In 2015, Angus overtook Limousin as the most registered breed in the country. Limousin remains the second most registered breed with 9294 calves registered.
Hereford showed the largest increase of registered calves up 11% (496) on 2,016 to 5,000 calves. The registration of Charolais calves continued to decline down 3% (239) to 8,048. Simmental pedigree registrations have remained stable at 2,528 calves.
Aubrac
Outside of the top five breeds, Aubrac saw the largest increase in registrations, up 28% (170) to 770. There was a similar increase for Blonde calves up 25% (69) to a total of 346. Belgian Blue saw the largest percentage drop of all breeds in 2017 down 21% (60) to 223 calves.
In total, there has been a 3% increase in beef pedigree registrations, up by 972 calves.
Compared to 2012, the number of pedigree calves registered as Angus or Hereford have risen by 50%. In contrast, the number of Charolais and Limousin registered calves have dropped by 19% and 7% respectively.
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