The Mill Brow herd of Limousin cattle owned by G & P Long of Ambleside, Cumbria, has been recognised by EBLEX (English Beef and Lamb Executive) and Farmers Guardian as the Most Improved Herd of Limousins 2006/07.

Clive Brown, EBLEX, Pat and George Long,
and Netta de la Cour, EBLEX.

The award is presented by the EBLEX Beef Better Returns Programme (Beef BRP) to the recorded herd* that shows the most impressive improvement to its genetic merit over a 12 month period. There is a separate award for each of eight UK breeds.

Mrs Pat Long of G & P Long said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award. The introduction of a new stock bull we purchased from Ireland in 2004 has made a real difference and this award backs that up. Enquiries for semen have been coming through from people who have seen his progeny at various sales.”

The Longs run the herd of 12 breeding females on 80 acres of Severely Disadvantaged Land in Cumbria. The herd was founded 20 years ago, and they have been performance recording for four years. Mrs Long supports the use of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to help producers breed for better returns.

“I think EBVs are the way to go and people should use them more,” continued Mrs Long. “As time has gone by I have certainly noticed an increase in the number of customers using EBVs to make breeding decisions.”

Netta de la Cour, Beef BRP Project Manager, EBLEX said: “Using EBVs in a commercial herd can improve returns by around £30 per calf. Through this award we hope to highlight not only the excellent progress made by breeders but also the opportunities available to beef producers.”

Iain Kerr, Chief Executive of the British Limousin Cattle Society said: “The number of Limousin breeders recording with Signet’s Beefbreeder service is at an all time high, with more than 250,000 cattle included in the latest round. The figures for the breed are very encouraging with an increase of 5% on last year for 200- and 400-Day Growth Rate and a 7% improvement in the muscle depth EBV.

“I am very pleased for the Mill Brow herd which is an excellent example of the quality available to commercial producers through the Limousin breed.”

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