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COMMENTATORS NOTES

History

1982 – 2009 ~ 27 years of quality stockmanship and development

• Belgium breeders imported top Durham Shorthorn cattle from England from 1850 to improve native breed in the Ardennes

• By 1930 beef type was beginning to show and by 1960 the distinct meat animal seen today had begun to emerge

• 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

• First importation into the UK 1982

• Pedigree population in 2007 approximately 30,000 bulls and cows

• At the last count approaching 45% of the UK's beef inseminations are by ‘British Blue’ bulls

• 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

• 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.

• The British Society celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2007

Breed Characteristics

• A large long bodied animal with a straight back and sloping rump, hidden hips and very muscular hindquarters, strong legs with a fine bone.

• Gestation length at 285.6 day for males and 281.6 for females is slightly lower than bovine average.

• Milk yield of recorded cows 3.400kg at 3.56% fat.

• Calf birth weight averages 48kg for males and 44kg for females.

• Bulls on average grow to about 150cm and can weigh up to 1.300kg. 400-day weights have been recorded as high as 692kg.

• Food conversion is a major advantage. MLC found ‘British Blue's’ Food conversion was 13% better than other continental breeds.

• 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.

• 2003 The Supreme Champion at the National Primestock Show & Sale, at Bingley Hall - Sired by a British Blue

• 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!

• Twice won the Tesco Best Steak competition, once at the Royal Highland and once at Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland

• Supreme Champion carcass, National Primestock Show, Bingley Hall

• Top Priced Dairy bred calves – up to £420

• Top Priced Cull Values – up to & above £1400

• Top Priced Store & Finished values

• Top Prices paid for Export orders

• 2007 Tesco Best Steak Competition winner, Royal Highland Show

• 2008 – Supreme & Reserve Champion, English Winter Fair

• 2008 – Reserve Champion Carcass, English Winter Fair

• 2008 – Reserve Champion, Alhams Fatstock Show, Belfast

• 2008 – Reserve Champion, Smithfield Winter Fair

• 2009 – Burke Trophy Reserve champion (Royal Show)

• 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!

	web www.britishbluecattle.org

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