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Beef Values of LIMO calves have trebled

By Dr Steven Johnston, Senior Beef and Sheep Technologist, CAFRE

The LIMO project was established in 1997 as a partnership between the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS), Linden Foods and Greenmount Campus. The objectives and targets set for the project over its lifetime have been met and have resulted in many excellent achievements.  The genetics and stock within the pedigree herd will now be offered for sale on the evening of  6 October 2010 commencing at 7.30pm  at Ballymena Livestock Market.
The LIMO project provided an excellent forum for beef students at the college to ‘learn by doing’. Furthermore it provided the beef industry with performance data and costs (particularly in relation to maternal values). This was especially appropriate when developing and delivering the Beef Quality Initiative project (2001-2009).  
Since its formation the LIMO herd has been performance recorded using the Signet Beefbreeder Service. This has allowed students and staff to make informed stock selection decisions based on genetic potential. These decisions have resulted in improvements in the commercially important carcase quality traits within the herd.
  • The Beef Value of calves born has increased from LM11 to a current LM34. The Beef Value is an index designed to increase the financial worth of the carcase by genetically improving carcase weight, fat and conformation scores in line with current commercial carcase pricing structures.
  • The Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) of the current calves place the herd in the top 10 percent of the breed for 400 day growth, muscle depth and overall Beef Value.
  • The genetic improvements to growth and carcase traits achieved within the herd since re-establishment in 2002 are worth over £100 a calf.
The herd dispersal will take place at an evening sale at Ballymena livestock market (www.jamcclelland.com/livestock) on 6 October commencing at 7.30pm and will feature 70 lots.
Details of the stock for sale are catalogued on the BLCS website  www.limousin.co.uk

Dr Steven Johnston, outlining the benefits of performance recording at a LIMO Open day. The growth and carcase improvements achieved within the LIMO herd since 2002 are now worth over £100 per calf.