The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2020 - Issue 69 | Page 5

• JUN/JUL 2020 WHY BEEF SHORTHORN...? Beef Shorthorn: the story so far… FARM NEWS 5 BEEF Shorthorn is providing a solution for suckler producers who are seeking a modern functional cow following the demise of quality replacements sourced for many years from the dairy sector combined with certain influences from the Continental breeds. Furthermore, with trends towards developing closed herds for biosecurity and health purposes, Beef Shorthorn fits well into herd replacement strategies. Beef Shorthorn combines its natural maternal characteristics with performance and ease of management. Suckler producers introducing Beef Shorthorn to their herds are finding the genetics are improving • Calving ease – low birth weight • Docility
 • Milkiness • Fertility • Hardiness – ability to winter outdoors
 • Feed efficiency - excellent foraging ability Beef Shorthorn cross cattle are suited to low input, sustainable systems. Whilst Beef Shorthorn cross heifers are retained for replacement purposes, steers – previously a by-product are now in demand for Morrisons Shorthorn Beef Scheme. The brand is also increasingly appealing to high street butchers and farm shops. Beef Shorthorn is able to deliver since breeders have modernised the breed; they’ve introduced new genetics and carefully selected within the breed. Those selection strategies are on-going with the help of Breedplan, the society’s performance recording register which is enabling breeders to select for specific traits reflected in Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs). Beef Shorthorn also offers high health status: all registered animals offered at Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society official sales are from CHeCS approved health scheme herds. For further information see www.beefshorthorn.org BEEF Shorthorn is the native breed with a rich past, a dynamic present, and one that is fit for future purpose. Beef Shorthorn is undergoing massive resurgence; a 60% increase in pedigree registrations since 2012, and documented by Defra as the fastest growing native breed. Those trends are credited to breeders who have selected for specific modern maternal performance traits whilst retaining the breed’s native characteristics. Beef Shorthorn has a long and distinguished history. The breed evolved over the last two centuries from Teeswater and Durham cattle found originally in the North East of England; in1822, the first pedigree herdbook was published – for Beef Shorthorn cattle. Since then, Beef Shorthorn genetics have been globally used in developing over 40 different breeds. Native breeds came under increasing pressure in the 1960s and 1970s following the invasion of the Continental breeds, however after three decades they were back in vogue. Beef Shorthorn is amongst those witnessing a major turn-around. NSA update on NSA Sheep Event 2020 It is with regret that the National Sheep Association (NSA) is today announcing the unfortunate cancellation of this years NSA Sheep Event 2020. THE flagship event in the NSA calendar, NSA Sheep 2020, had originally been planned to take place in July but hopes were still in place for the show to go on with the event being postponed to a later October date. However, like so many other events, the difficult decision has now been made to cancel the event entirely for this year, this is due to the ongoing restrictions and concerns surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19), and after taking careful account of the latest Government and Public Health guidance. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “All at NSA are so disappointed to have to cancel our most popular of events. We recognise the event provides the opportunity for the sheep farming community to come together for a valuable day of knowledge exchange, a chance to view new and innovative products and to enjoy an opportunity to catch up with friends. But the ongoing Covid-10 pandemic and uncertainty surrounding it have unfortunately left us with no choice but to cancel the event this year.” The national event will now return to its usual home at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire in 2022, as a biennial event on Wednesday 27th July 2022. In the meantime, NSA is now planning new and different ways to deliver some of the seminars, workshops and more that visitors would have enjoyed at the event via webinars and virtual activities. NSA Sheep Event Organiser Helen Roberts comments: “We are immensely disappointed to cancel Sheep 2020 but we are now working on some really interesting plans to keep our work with the sheep industry alive until we can get back to more normal times. Thinking about this positively we may not be able to do a one-day event, but our emerging plans could be seen as a forthcoming ‘season for sheep farming’. Most of our plans will offer opportunities for trade, breed societies, and other interested organisations to be involved, to promote their products and offers to the industry. “The changes that sheep farming is facing will not be put on hold until we can get back together face to face, and it is crucial that we press forward, hopefully with the support of the sector to help our industry through what is a challenging time and to make sure we capitalise on the opportunities ahead.” Further information on the initial plans for NSA’s increased online activity will be shared very soon but to discuss potential involvement in this and other NSA Activities please contact NSA Sheep Event Organiser Helen Roberts on 07976 803066 or email helen@ nationalsheep.org.uk.