Farmer Focus: Cattle aren’t the problem, but we can do better

“Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about.”

That’s what Amy Hughes, my predecessor as chairman of the British Cattle Breeders Club (BCBC), said when I asked for any hints or tips on choosing a theme for the year ahead as I succeeded her in the post.

Some months earlier, I had undertaken a US road trip. I started in Chicago, and wound my way through Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota before visiting Donny Leddy, a South Dakota cattle breeder.

See also: How selection pressure is building a resilient beef herd

About the author

Ben Harman

A fourth-generation farmer with 247ha on the Chiltern Hills, Ben Harman owns the UK’s oldest herd of Charolais, as well as Salers and meat brand “Chagyu” (Charolais cross Wagyu). He is chairman of the British Cattle Breeders Club, vice-chairman of the National Beef Association and is a Checs board member. 

Read more articles by Ben Harman

From there I headed south, visiting cattle breeders, bull studs and friends old and new until I found myself on Mustang Island on the Gulf of Mexico.

I assiduously avoided freeways throughout the trip – there’s always more to learn on the road less travelled.

The part of the trip most relevant to my theme for the 2024 BCBC conference was the first 600-odd miles before I reached South Dakota.

For mile after mile on one side of the road would be corn (maize) and on the other side soya. Not a weed to be seen.

Every verge was perfectly mown, every flagpole pristine white and every barn the signature American red (originally from the home-made paint combining rust, milk and lime).

Somewhat weary and jet-lagged, I climbed out of my luminous green rental car in Cresco, a small town in Iowa, to book into a motel.

I glanced back at the Camaro and it dawned on me: there was not a bug splatter to be seen on the lurid fender or bonnet – 400 miles and the car was clean.

The farms were fabulously productive, but at the expense of biodiversity. Where were the bugs, birds and bees?

Back at home, I farm 600-odd acres (247ha) atop the Chiltern Hills at the last stop on the London Underground.

I’m striving to maintain productivity and improve profitability while reducing my reliance on fertiliser and sprays.

Most importantly, I want to improve the biodiversity and ecology of the land that is in my care.

I love the wildlife we have, but I know we can do better. I know cattle are not the cause of global warming, but I know we can help reduce their effect.

And so the theme for BCBC 2024 was born: “Green genes – revolutionising cattle breeding for a sustainable future”.