BLCS European Breed Promotion Tour meets with strong demand in Poland

The first leg of the British Limousin Cattle Society’s European breed promotion campaign got away to a highly encouraging start at the Polagra Agricultural Fair held in Poznan, Poland from 12th to 15th October 2006.

Headed up by Richard Saunders, BLCS Development Manager, and Limousin Breeder Raymond Crawford, the Society’s team were met with a tremendous Polish interest in sourcing British Limousin cattle, semen and genetics and also, the provision of integrated IT database solutions.

L-R are: Ania Mikulska of Top Farms, recent importers of Limousin heifers from England, Philip Halhead of Norbreck Genetics; Limousin breeder Raymond Crawford and Richard Saunders British Limousin Cattle Society

Some of the UK Beef Breed Societies held a meeting with the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers. Raymond, who attended the meeting on behalf of the British Limousin Society explained the the qualities of the British Limousin, the fact that they are now officially the no 1 beef breed in the UK, how the UK breeders breed their limousin's, particully for ease of calving, which the Polish farmers insist on, and also the genetic pool of breeding that is in the UK limousin which is among the best in the world.

"Limousin without doubt is the breed of choice in Poland already accounting for 44% of the country`s beef herdbook and 80% of all semen sales in Poland are limousin, this market has been dominated in the past years by the French but after being out in Poland and speaking with farmers, embassy and government officals there is a lot of opportunity for limousin breeders to do business in Poland, and I believe the Northern Ireland breeders can be strong contenders in this market in both live exports and semen exports.

With regard to the live exports issue, as we well know Northern Ireland is the worst region in the UK for red tape on a range of issues introduced by a gold plating policy of DARD and unless DARD wake up and adopt a more sesible approach towards these rules on live exports, we, as farmers and breeders are not going to be competitive enough to do business with EU Countries and Accession States" comments Raymond Crawford.

For the first time, the British Limousin Cattle Society was represented within the British Pavilion as one of 16 other farming based companies hoping to take advantage of new markets following on from the easing of the restrictionson live exports.

Historically a country with a well-established dairy industry, there is now significant demand in Poland from farmers and livestock agents alike to develop a beef sector whilst at the same time seeking to capitalise on EU funding. In particular, and in immediate demand, are 10-12 month old maiden heifers and in-calf heifers in large numbers. The funding structure in place means that the first window of opportunity to be taken runs up to the turn of the year.