Two guest speakers to attend Limousin AGM

Chairman Henry Savage and the Executive Committee have organised a very interesting night for members to discuss the progress of the 10 year breeding plan and future of improving Limousin genetics.

Alison Glasgow, BLCS Technical Manager, will join the meeting to update on the Society’s progress in delivery of its 10-Year Breeding Improvement Plan adopted in 2014.

The most recent development has been introduction of the new Limousin Genomic Breeding Values (GEBVs) for Carcase Traits and time will be taken to talk through and discuss the opportunity they present. GEBVs are breeding values that not only use performance information in their calculation but use information from the animal’s DNA as well. Their advent is a first within the beef sector and their direct relevance to VIA payment grids offers significant opportunity to all producers of Limousin cattle.

Wider discussion will include current research in to establishing Female Fertility and Calf Survival GEBVs, and Limousin’s progress to date with the Beef Feed Efficiency Programme. The latter is a DEFRA-funded initiative to establish breeding values for the traits associated with Feed Efficiency. In combination with wider measures within the Breed Improvement Plan, these core areas of work are placing the breed in the strongest possible position to serve the industry and its increasing pressures well, both now and in the future.

Also attending is Dr Steven Morrison who works for Agrisearch on behalf of the Agrifood Strategy Board (AFSB). His role is Livestock Improvement Project Manager and he will talk about the progress with the Agri-hub initiative, which is a key part of the AFSB’s work to improve the way information on livestock performance is managed for everyone’s benefit.