A Limousin Export First as Embryos Shipped to Australia
05/09/08

Interest in UK Limousin genetics has gathered further momentum this week with what is believed to be the first ever export of Limousin embryos to Australia, eight in total, by Hexham-based Eggs-Port Ltd on behalf of Harry Emslie, Kinknockie, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

“We are getting enquiries from all over the world from breeders interested in upgrading their herds with top-quality British genetics,” says Eggs-Port’s Sheila Eggleston.

The consignment of embryos shipped to Australia this week includes eight from two of the top cows in the Emslies Limousin herd. This is believed to be the first export of Limousin embryos to Australia and the first export of embryos of any breed to Australia for two years. Mr Emslie and his partner, Lynwen Evans, are currently carrying out an extensive embryo programme in their 50-cow herd.

The embryos are from the cows Ballymoney Noisette and Wilodge Ritzy, and were fertilised with semen from Wilodge Tonka, Beefbreeder Champion at the Royal and Royal Welsh Shows in 2002 and later sold for 30,000gns, and the leading French sire, Celestin.

Ballymoney Noisette is the dam of Ballymoney Veronica, a winner of six major Interbreed Championships in 2006, while Wilodge Ritzy was Breed Champion at the Royal Show in 2002 and was purchased by Mr Emslie for 20,000gns as the foundation cow for his Emslies herd.

Limousin breeders are among a group due to visit Bavaria in early October on a trade mission organised by Eggs-Port in conjunction with the Bavarian Cattle Breeders’ Association. This comes on the back of an inward mission last autumn when a delegation of 35 Bavarian farmers visited the Emslies and Shannas herds in Aberdeenshire as well as the Newhouse herd in Angus.

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