Welsh co-op switches to composites
Welsh co-op switches to composites
A WELSH beef producers co-operative has obtained a £200,000 grant to switch to using composite suckler cows to improve the quality of members suckler herds.
Lleyn Beef Producers, which recently amalgamated with Uwchaled Cattle Breeders, will buy semen, embryos and bulls from the Yorks-based Beef Improvement Group, the company which handles the sale of Leachman Stabiliser composites in the UK.
Carol Thomas, the co-ops organiser, says that 25 of its 250 members will take part in the three-year project, but the benefits will trickle down to the whole membership.
"We established the co-op four years ago to produce and market top quality beef cattle in north west Wales, but members have found it increasingly difficult to get ideal replacement suckler cows," says Mrs Thomas.
"The Agri Food Partnership grant will meet 50% of project costs, with producers providing the remainder. We hope to set up two demonstration farms so that members can see the results for themselves."
A second application for 50% of the cost of using semen from high estimated breeding value bulls on the best of the 12,500 cows on members farms failed. The group supplies cattle for the Booker companys Extra Mature Beef line. *