COMMENTATORS NOTES
History
1982 – 2009 ~ 27 years of quality stockmanship and development
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Belgian breeders imported top Durham Shorthorn cattle
from England from 1850 to improve native breed in the Ardennes
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By 1930 beef
type was beginning to show and by 1960 the distinct meat animal seen today
had begun to emerge
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The breed today is a specialist beef / meat producer
of large size, prominent double muscling, sloping rump, hidden hips, a
straight back and strong fine legs
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First importation into the UK 1982
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Pedigree population in 2007 approximately
30,000 bulls and cows
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At the last count approaching 45% of the UK's beef
inseminations are by ‘British Blue’ bulls
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BCMS Statistics indicate
that, now, over 178,000 calves are sired by a British Blue every year.
This makes the British Blue the 5th most influential beef Breed Society
in the UK
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The late 1990’s saw the breed development, in the
UK, being specifically recognised, as the “British Type” of
Blue. A further step forward in 2007 saw the British Herd Book being promoted,
here and overseas, solely, as “British Blues.” The Herd
Book name being changed accordingly, to The British Blue Cattle Society.
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The
British Society celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2007
Breed Characteristics
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A large long bodied animal with a straight back
and sloping rump, hidden hips and very muscular hindquarters, strong
legs with a fine bone.
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Gestation length at 285.6 day for males and
281.6 for females is slightly lower than bovine average.
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Milk yield
of recorded cows 3.400kg at 3.56% fat.
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Calf birth weight averages
48kg for males and 44kg for females.
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Bulls on average grow to about
150cm and can weigh up to 1.300kg. 400-day weights have been recorded
as high as 692kg.
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Food conversion is a major advantage. MLC found ‘British
Blue's’ Food conversion was 13% better than other continental
breeds.
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The breed has a very high boning out percentage. Up
to 85% with an excellent yield of top quality / price cuts. The meat
is very lean and has a much lower fat content than other breeds.
The story of the ‘British Blue’ is one of evolution and
improvement. During
the second half of the 19th century Shorthorn bulls were exported from
the
UK to Belgium, to improve the native population, which were primarily
of a
dairy type. Between 1920-1950 there was active selection for this dualpurpose
type of animal. 1950 -1960 saw a move to favour animals with more
heavy muscling. As a result of skilful selection the ‘Blue’ as
we know it
today was born. Animals of this type were then imported back into the
UK in
the early1980’s. In this new Millennium, British Blues genetics
are playing a
major role in shaping the carcass sought after by the modern, efficiency
conscious, UK meat trade as is demonstrated by competition results
in
recent years.
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2003 The Supreme Champion at the National Primestock
Show & Sale,
at Bingley Hall - Sired by a British Blue
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2004 Supreme Beef Carcase,
National Primestock Show and the
Supreme Champion ‘Rib of Beef’ at the Royal Smithfield
Show were
both sired by a British Blue – obviously!
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Twice won the Tesco
Best Steak competition, once at the Royal
Highland and once at Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland
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Supreme Champion
carcass, National Primestock Show, Bingley Hall
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Top Priced Dairy bred
calves – up to £420
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Top Priced Cull Values – up
to & above £1400
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Top Priced Store & Finished values
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Top Prices paid for Export
orders
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2007 Tesco Best Steak Competition winner, Royal Highland Show
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2008 – Supreme & Reserve
Champion, English Winter Fair
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2008 – Reserve Champion Carcass,
English Winter Fair
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2008 – Reserve Champion, Alhams Fatstock
Show, Belfast
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2008 – Reserve Champion, Smithfield Winter Fair
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2009 – Burke
Trophy Reserve champion (Royal Show)
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2009 – Winners of the Beef
Competition, the International Beef Group
Competition and The Interbreed Junior Beef Group Competition – Great
Yorkshire Show
Coat colour can be from white through to black. If they are
marked they are either a
blue roan or black and white.
The breed is noted for its quiet temperament and easy handling
qualities.
When crossed with extreme dairy type animals, such as Holsteins
and Channel
Island cattle the British Blue produces excellent commercial fattening
animals,
which produce higher than average carcass quality with low fat content
meat.
Crossbred calves fetch a premium at market and the majority
of champions at
recent fatstock shows have been British Blue crosses.
A Beef Recording service is provided by the global leaders in
Genetic Evaluation,
“Breedplan International.”
The British Blue is really a beef breed
that is providing that which is required by
both the meat trade and the consumer.
The British Blue – Your
Natural Choice!
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