COMMENTATORS NOTES
History
1982 – 2012~ 30 years of Quality Stockmanship and Development
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Belgium 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 2011 approximately 44,818 animals
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At the last count approaching 45% of the UK's dairy beef inseminations
are by ‘British Blue’ bulls
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BCMS Statistics indicate that, now, approaching 180,000 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
recognized, 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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A Beef Recording service is provided by the global leaders in Genetic
Evaluation “Breedplan International”
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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Coat colour can be from white through to black, including Blue
Roan
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Gestation length at 285.6 days 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
- Food conversion is a major advantage. It has been found
that ‘British
Blue's’ Food conversion is 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. Between1920-1950 there was active selection for this dualpurpose
type of animal. 1950 -1960 saw a move to favour animals with
heavier 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. British Blues genetics are now 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.
Here
are just a few examples: -
SUCCESS WHERE IT MATTERS
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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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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
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2009 – East of England Show – Winners of the ‘Beef
Quartet’
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2010 – winners of the Nat West Team of 5 at the
Royal Welsh Show
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Agri-Expo (Carlisle) - Supreme Champion a BBX
heifer
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Welsh W. Fair – Supreme Champion & Baby Beef
Steer Champion, a BBx
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AgriLIVE Smithfield – Reserve Champion a BBx
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English Winter Fair – Reserve Champion
a BBx
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2011 – Winners of the Nat West Team of 5, at the Royal Welsh
Show
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2011 – Champion & Reserve – Asda “Tastiest
Steak” competition RWAS
THE BRITISH BLUE ? THE PREMIUM BEEF BREED
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Quiet temperament
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Easy handling qualities
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Premium Calf prices
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Premium Cull prices
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Premium Crossbred prices
Renowned for SHORT
GESTATION and LOW BIRTH WEIGHT –
And a PREMIUM Quality Carcass |
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