LIMO Herd Dispersal
One of the longest running educational projects is coming to an end at the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Greenmount Campus in Northern Ireland with the dispersal of the famous LIMO herd on 6 October 2010.
This herd was set up in 1997 in conjunction with British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) to allow beef students to gain first hand practical, hands-on experience of breeding and management of a substantial herd of pure and ¾ bred bred beef cattle. In addition to the experience gained by the many students who participated in the project it proved to be a valuable asset in providing the beef industry with performance data and costs (particularly in relation to maternal values).
Results from LIMO were used to improve the understanding of EBVs and demonstrate how better EBVs translated into excellent stock that performed well on the ground. These key messages were helpful in making the Beef Quality Initiative project (2001-2009) a success and a major asset to the NI beef sector.
The decision to disperse the LIMO herd has been taken after serious consideration and full consultation with the various bodies representing the N.I beef sector. This change in policy will allow CAFRE to build on the experience of the LIMO project and investigate and develop new initiatives focussed particularly on crossbreeding in the lowland suckler herd.
The herd dispersal will take place at an evening sale at Ballymena livestock market (www.jamcclelland.com/livestock
) on 6 October and will feature 47 lots accredited for export status. These will include cows including foundation cows Operette and Parisienne and their daughters, the outstanding LIMO Verse bred by Shire Milton with a beef Value of LM+48 and females from the renowned stock bull LIMO Tanat, a Tanat Mostyn son, known for his ease of calving and production of breeding females. A number of in-calf and maiden heifers will also be offered for sale, bred from bulls such as Wilodge Vantastic and Fieldson Alfy. Details of the stock for sale will be catalogued on the BLCS website in the near future.
) on 6 October and will feature 47 lots accredited for export status. These will include cows including foundation cows Operette and Parisienne and their daughters, the outstanding LIMO Verse bred by Shire Milton with a beef Value of LM+48 and females from the renowned stock bull LIMO Tanat, a Tanat Mostyn son, known for his ease of calving and production of breeding females. A number of in-calf and maiden heifers will also be offered for sale, bred from bulls such as Wilodge Vantastic and Fieldson Alfy. Details of the stock for sale will be catalogued on the BLCS website in the near future. Charlie Kilpatrick
Farm Director
CAFRE Greenmount Campus
