British Blue bull is exported to Belgium

After years importing Belgium Blue semen and cattle from their Belgium homeland, one of the UK's main 'Blue' genetics companies has reversed the trend.

This month, Norbreck Genetics saw their 10 month old British Blue bull, Norbreck Express depart for Belgium.

Express is a son of Bringlee Volkawagon out of Norbreck Baltimore - one of Norbreck's highest index, naturally calving brood cows. He was sold to the Belgium owned AI company, FABROCA whose team were impressed by the bull's pedigree and confirmation.

The British Blue is recognised globally for the functionality that UK breeders have introduced into this heavily muscled animal, says Philip Halhead, Norbreck Genetics MD.

"After successfully completing the rigorous health and genetic defect tests we finalised the sale and shipped our bull to Belgium."

Norbreck has been working with FABROCA for some time and have already exported two bulls on behalf of other breeders, but this is the first Norbreck bull out of a naturally calving cow to be exported.

"Whilst selling Blues to Belgium could be describes as selling snow to Eskimos, the UK is producing a more modern animal," says Mr Halhead.

"These early stages are just the tip of the iceberg. Over the next few years, UK breeders must look at export markets to strengthen sales of the British Blue, particularly from high health herds."