20 FARM NEWS AUG / SEP 2022 • farmers-mart . co . uk
Native breed finds new popularity in the marketplace
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ONE of the UK ’ s longest-established breeds of cattle is elevating its reputation as a go-to choice for grazing systems , thanks to a number of new entrants in recent years . The British White breed has been steadily gaining in popularity , in part due to a move by many grass farmers and arable managers to integrate traditional grazing practices into their rotations , with the once very rare breed now seen on more farms across the country from smaller holdings to large , high-profile estates , and from hill and heath land to lowland settings and fen landscapes .
With the government ’ s phasing out of the Basic Payments Scheme
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( BPS ) and movement towards the new Environmental Land Management Schemes ( ELMS ), some farm businesses have been preparing for the changes by bringing in native cattle such as the British White to manage grassland and cover crops in accordance with the first of the new schemes , the Sustainable Farming Incentive ( SFI ), which focuses on the management of soil , organic matter and green cover .
British White Cattle Society Breed Secretary Sarah Cook comments : “ We are delighted to have seen an increased interest in the breed of late , with the vast majority of enquiries specifically seeking out the breed for its ability to thrive on low-input systems , and to work with a wide range of vegetation , land types and climate conditions . Our members have been working hard over many years to continue the improvement of the breed and to ensure its viability within the beef industry , and we believe that now is the ideal time for moderate-framed , easily managed breeds such as ours to see a resurgence as the demand for low-maintenance land management solutions continues to grow .”
Indeed with a growing interest in the breed alongside the elevated beef price of late , the British White has experienced a boost in pedigree sales too . At the most recent spring breeding sale held at Melton Mowbray Market in April , the breed broke their records for both the top-priced British White male ( 3500gns ) and female ( 3300gns ) ever sold at auction , as well as their highest ever sale average ( 3090gns ).
Society sales are now held in the spring and autumn at both Melton Mowbray and Welshpool markets , and breeders can also be found supporting agricultural show classes up and down the country to promote the British White , which Sarah says is an essential part of the calendar : “ For a numerically smaller breed like ours , it ’ s important to attend events which put us in the public eye and give our breeders a chance to promote their cattle to farmers and to the general public . During the pandemic we had to increase our online activity to reach customers , which worked well , but it ’ s great to now be back on the show and sale circuit in person , for people to see these wonderful cattle in the flesh , and to chat face-toface about how the breed could work for them .”
BWCS
MELTON MOWBRAY SHOW & SALE 9 TH & 10 TH SEPTEMBER
AUTUMN SALES
WELSHPOOL LIVESTOCK SALES 8 TH OCTOBER
For more information and to receive catalogues , contact Breed Secretary Sarah Cook
2022
01954 232796 | 07771 333303 admin @ britishwhitecattle . co . uk
www . britishwhitecattle . co . uk