Demand for bull movement to save calf crop

By Jeremy Hunt

BOTH beef breeders and suckler-herd owners are calling for bull movements between herds in areas unaffected by foot-and-mouth to preserve next years calf crop.

While eradicating the disease remains the main priority, representations have already been made to MAFF regarding a derogation on cattle movements, to allow some bulls to travel directly from breeder to buyer.

The National Beef Association has been in discussion with government officials to highlight the problem of suckler-herd owners who need replacement bulls to start work in late spring.

“There are still huge numbers of beef cows in the UK that are unaffected by the disease,” said NBA chief executive, Robert Forster.

“I hope that individual bulls, all identified and totally traceable, could be moved from farm to farm.

“This would not be a large number of bulls, but it would be very important for many suckler herds who desperately need bull power.”

He described MAFFs response to the idea as “not totally dismissive”.

“MAFF recognises the problem. This is a very important matter that needs to be addressed if we are to safeguard the 2002 calf crop, and we are certainly going to need every calf we can produce.”

David Benson, chief executive of the British Charolais Cattle Society, said there were two issues at stake affecting both pedigree breeders and commercial bull buyers.

“The foot-and-mouth crisis has prevented several hundred pedigree Charolais bulls coming on to the market this spring.

“These bulls are still with their breeders who are facing a massive financial loss if they are unable to sell them.

“Some breeders, who would have sold 10 or more bulls this spring, are looking at a loss of 30,000 and more.”