I remember going on a trip with a group of pedigree breeders to the Limousin show and sale in Carlisle a number of years ago. Among the group were a father and son from the west. These were quiet, unassuming people who had a passion for pedigree breeding. They just had five pedigree females in the herd, but as I spoke to them, they knew exactly where they wanted to go with their breeding policy and how they were going to achieve it. That day, they secured a super pedigree breeding heifer for £5,000. A lot of money, but yet they were willing to make the investment in a bid to bring a new line into their herd. They had done their homework. They had studied her ancestry, they studied her figures and spent the entire day studying her. There was no fuss or drama – they just got on with their business.
This father and son team are indicative of many pedigree breeders around the country. They know how to breed and they are passionate about their cows. But they didn’t learn it overnight.
The eurostar indices has introduced a new tool to pedigree breeding. It’s a tool – just like bloodlines, ancestry and visual appearance. A sensible approach to using each tool – and not a dependency on one particular tool – is critical when making decisions.
I’m hearing reports of some younger pedigree enthusiasts ringing up breeders who have animals for sale, asking for the ear tag number and nothing else. A quick browse on the web will bring up the animal’s star ratings.
Are we witnessing a new generation of pedigree breeders who are becoming engrossed with figures and stars without ever looking at the actual animal itself?
There are over 12,000 breeders in the country. They play a huge role in determining the future direction of our commercial suckler herd. Pedigree breeders are a vital cog in the wheel. It has taken generations to learn the art of pedigree breeding. Don’t lose it.
Read more
Focus supplement: Pedigree breeding
I remember going on a trip with a group of pedigree breeders to the Limousin show and sale in Carlisle a number of years ago. Among the group were a father and son from the west. These were quiet, unassuming people who had a passion for pedigree breeding. They just had five pedigree females in the herd, but as I spoke to them, they knew exactly where they wanted to go with their breeding policy and how they were going to achieve it. That day, they secured a super pedigree breeding heifer for £5,000. A lot of money, but yet they were willing to make the investment in a bid to bring a new line into their herd. They had done their homework. They had studied her ancestry, they studied her figures and spent the entire day studying her. There was no fuss or drama – they just got on with their business.
This father and son team are indicative of many pedigree breeders around the country. They know how to breed and they are passionate about their cows. But they didn’t learn it overnight.
The eurostar indices has introduced a new tool to pedigree breeding. It’s a tool – just like bloodlines, ancestry and visual appearance. A sensible approach to using each tool – and not a dependency on one particular tool – is critical when making decisions.
I’m hearing reports of some younger pedigree enthusiasts ringing up breeders who have animals for sale, asking for the ear tag number and nothing else. A quick browse on the web will bring up the animal’s star ratings.
Are we witnessing a new generation of pedigree breeders who are becoming engrossed with figures and stars without ever looking at the actual animal itself?
There are over 12,000 breeders in the country. They play a huge role in determining the future direction of our commercial suckler herd. Pedigree breeders are a vital cog in the wheel. It has taken generations to learn the art of pedigree breeding. Don’t lose it.
Read more
Focus supplement: Pedigree breeding
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