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New £60,000 project boosts iconic Welsh Black breed
Efforts to improve the iconic Welsh Black cattle breed have been given a boost thanks to a new scheme funded by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales.
The Welsh Black Cattle Society will receive £60,000 under the Rural Development Plan for Wales to performance record animals in terms of growth and ability.
HCC Project Executive Dewi Hughes said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the Welsh Black Cattle Society to naturally develop the genetic progress of the breed by exploiting the latest technology through ABRI performance recording and integrating linear assessments of cows to identify the best performers and the best of breed type.”
This new project also involves the selection of 12 top young bulls to be monitored for growth and muscle over a six month period at IBERS’ Gogerddan site near Aberystwyth.
Semen will be taken from the best bull on trial and offered to Society members free of charge to artificially inseminate their cows.
“Using a bull with superior performance figures can result in the value of any subsequent calves increasing by up to £47, so it makes sense for farmers to improve their herds in this way,” said Mr Hughes.
“Cattle breeds have steadily improved over hundreds of years thanks to selective breeding programmes instigated by farmers,” he said. “This new scheme introduced by HCC will enhance and accelerate this natural process for members of the Welsh Black Cattle Society.”
Notes for editors
The project will involve identifying the best possible cow on phenotype and breed from them.
The project forms part of the work carried out by HCC under the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013, which is financed by the European Union and the Welsh Assembly Government.
For further information please ring 01970 625050
