May 23, 2007

British cattle rebirths its presence as world breeders takes UK stock

After a ten-year ban on all exports of beef as well as live cattle, industry players in the United Kingdom are again vibrant in doing business in cattle after interest in British ruminants is now gathering speed with a vigour that has surprised the industry. This optimism was confirmed when the National Beef Association (NBA) revealed that last week's Beef Expo 2007, staged at Skipton in North Yorkshire, had resulted in sale orders worth just short of GBP 500 million for 332 breeding cattle from 12 countries. In addition the sale of a further 196 cattle is expected to be concluded later this week with orders from Kenya, Germany and Turkey and with sales of Charolais semen to France.

Polish orders secured included ten Simmental bulls and females, three Hereford bulls, 120 Limousin heifers and two bulls, with the possibility of a further 40 to follow, 15 Blonde females, 30 Highland bulls, one South Devon bull and 80 Holstein Friesian females. In recent months large numbers of Aberdeen-Angus cattle have been exported to Belgium, Germany and Denmark while an order has been received for 1,000 Holstein Friesian females for Turkey.

NBA policy adviser Kim Haywood added said they are very pleased with the outcome and the "dating agency" role undertaken by the NBA to match sellers with buyers. Haywood added this good start hopes to continue the momentum and put back the lost luster of British cattle which was in its high point in late 1950s and 1960s.