1982 – 2008
26 years of Quality Stockmanship
and Technical Development
History
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1850’s the ‘Durham Shorthorn’ was exported
from England to Belgium.
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1930’s by natural selection, a distinct beef
type was beginning to develop.
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1960’s the distinctive ‘Blue’ as
recognized today, had begun to emerge.
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1990’s saw the British bred
animal recognized specifically as the ‘British Type’.
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1982 the
first importation back into the UK, from Belgium.
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2006 75% (approx) of
the UK's Dairy Beef AI are by ‘British
Blue’ sires.
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2007 the Society celebrates its 25th Anniversary and
changes its name to the British Blue Cattle Society.
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BCMS Statistics confirm
that the ‘British Blue’ is
the 5th, most numerous Beef Breed, by sire, in the UK.
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2008 the Pedigree
population in the UK reaches approximately 30,000.
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 structure.
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Short Gestation Period and associated
low birth weight.
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Milk yield of recorded cows 3.400kg at 3.56% fat.
-
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.
Research 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 and alleged
to be low in cholesterol.
-
Coat colour can be from white through to
black. If they are marked they are either a blue roan or black and
white.
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The breed is noted for its quiet temperament and easy handling
qualities.
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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 and Winter Fairs; have been ‘British
Blue’ crosses.
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A Beef Recording service is provided by the
global leaders in genetic evaluation, “Breedplan International.”
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The ‘British
Blue’ is a beef breed that is
providing what is required, by both the meat trade and the consumer.
Recent Successes
-
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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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
-
Top Prices paid for Export
orders
-
Thrice winning the Tesco Best Steak competition, twice at
the Royal Highland Show and once at Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland
A National Judge once called the ‘British Blue’
The Modern Breed For Modern Times!
Your Natural Choice For A Quality Carcass
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