This is a subscriber-only article
The Limousin Cattle Society has suspended its commitment to the ICBF’s Whole Herd Performance Recording programme (WHPR).
This comes as a blow to the ICBF given that Limousin breeders make up the vast majority of participants.
The reason for this was the society’s stance on making the programme compulsory for all breeders wishing to exhibit at premier sales.
The society confirmed its backing of the programme shortly after its introduction in late 2016. However, most other breed societies refused to endorse the programme. This was down to a number of reasons which varied with each society, but most failed to see the benefits of the programme to breeders for their substantial monetary investment. Earlier in May, it was understood that a number of Limousin clubs had expressed that they wanted the compulsory requirement dropped and, following a council meeting with the ICBF last Wednesday night, it was decided to suspend their involvement.
Requirements
A statement released by the Irish Limousin Cattle Society to the Irish Farmers Journal said: “When the ICBF first met the Limousin Society council they outlined the requirements of the WHPR, what the stamp would mean and that the stamp would be an integral requirement for pedigree breeders wishing to sell pedigree cattle going forward.
“The ILCS adopted the programme and made it a mandatory requirement to have the WHPR stamp for premier sales. ICBF, however, have fallen well short of these commitments and as a result the society has suspended the mandatory requirement ruling for the October Premier sale.
“The Society is currently in communication with ICBF in relation to a number of areas where we feel ICBF needs to deliver what they promised.
“We are very hopeful that with dialogue the areas of concern can be agreed and the Irish Limousin Cattle Society will be able to endorse the scheme again.”
SHARING OPTIONS: