Northern Ireland British Blue Cattle Club 2013 AGM
Ivan Still Blue Leader
Kilkeel dairy farmer and British Blue pedigree cattle breeder Ivan Gordon was re-elected chairman at the NI Blue Club 2013 AGM for a third year.
Jason Edgar from Downpatrick continues as vice chairman and Libby Young of Ballynahinch as secretary with David Young the new treasurer.
The following were elected to the executive committee, Andrew Craig, Coleraine, Jim Ervine, Newtownabbey, Basil Dougherty, Kircubbin, Alan Cleland, Downpatrick and James Martin, Newtownards.
The strong team of office holders elected at the NI Blue Cattle Breeders
Club AGM were quickly down to work planning for the British Blue spring
show and export sale in Moira on Sat, March 23. Seated, from left,
secretary Libby Young, chairman Ivan Gordon, and vice chairman Jason
Edgar. Standing, from left, are executive committee members Alan Cleland,
Basil Dougherty, James Martin, Andrew Craig, and Jim Ervine.
Picture: Columba O'Hare
Blue Cattle Breeders Club secretary Libby Young briefs, from left, Harold McKee, Alan Cleland and Ivan Gordon on plans for the coming year.
Why Blue Is Best
Kilkeel dairy farmer and British Blue pedigree cattle breeder Ivan Gordon has urged fellow breeders not to hide their breed’s bright light under a bushel.
As NI Blue Club chairman Ivan is adamant that the British Blue is the ideal terminal sire to produce stock that sell for extra money as calves, stores, finished stock or cull cows or bulls.
“With their short gestation period and low birthweight crossbred Blue calves are ideal, especially for dairy farmers,” Ivan affirmed.
“As for suckler herd owners using a high EVB sire based on Breedplan Records has the potential to add £6000 to the balance sheet.
“British Blues have been bred this past 30 years to produce more quality beef, at a profit. Described as the ‘Butcher’s Dream’ a U2 crossbred Blue steer can typically kill out around 62% at a boning rate of 78%.
“In plain terms, that can add another 70kg of saleable meat when compared to an ordinary R3 carcass sired by another beef breed.
“As a dairy farmer I am equally impressed as using a Blue bulls adds value to every calf out of a dairy cow. Indeed demand is particularly good for dairy bred crossbred blue heifers.
“With the voluntary BVD eradication scheme underway in Northern Ireland over a year later than in Scotland or in the Irish Republic it is noteworthy that under British Blue Cattle Society rules all stock offered at breed sales must be tested for BVD and vaccinated for BVD.
“Buyers can also bid at our sales knowing that only cattle blood tested negative for Johnes Disease, inspected by a vet and from vendors in a CHeCS approved health scheme are offered for sale.
“For carcass quality and value that other breeds still seek to match the message is clear, buy a British Blue, the ultimate terminal sire that helps maximise outputs and income.”
