Cattle Exports

FIRST SOUTH DEVON EXPORT TO POLAND!

The South Devon Herd Book Society is delighted to confirm the first bull export to Poland, following successful negotiations with AgroIrlandia in Warsaw.

It had been hoped to have a number of British bulls, including a South Devon, at the Farma exhibtion in Poznan, Poland, in September 2007, but plans had to be shelved when Foot & Mouth, and then Bluetongue livestock movement restrictions disrupted trade.

Brafferton Trooper 4, bred by Mr Paul Harrison from Tollerton, Yorkshire, whose Brafferton pedigree herd of South Devons is well known throughout the country, was finally shipped out in the first week of March as part of a larger consignment of British genetics, and as part of a long-term beef improvement programme, backed by the Polish Beef Association.

The yearling bull was sired by Portman Burtley Trooper 4, and his bloodlines go back to the Trevassack, Lumbylaw, Edmeston, Trewint and Brafferton herds.

The South Devon breed was selected by Simon Gill, managing director of AgroIrlandia, particularly for its exceptionally quiet temperament, fast growth rates, and milky qualities. Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are also an essential part of pedigree export marketing.

Caroline Poultney, Breed Secretary, said “Opportunities for the South Devon beef breed, which is such a good converter of forage to beef, are very exciting in Poland, and other eastern European countries, but we still have a lot of work to do to raise the awareness of the emerging beef sector.”

She went on to say, “Brafferton Trooper 4 has been chosen, we are told, for his ‘good looks, charm and personality’, and will be used for demonstration purposes to show off the attributes of the breed, as well as having his own herd of cows to look after.”

Export arrangements for the shipment have been made by Sheila Eggleston’s specialist business, Eggsport Ltd.