Belgian Blues host Chilean and Belgian visitors to Beef Expo 2004

The British Belgian Blue Cattle Society was pleased to invite to the UK and to Beef Expo 2004, two of its overseas business contacts. This is the first time the Belgian Blue Society has applied for Inward Mission funding, in its drive to raise the awareness of British Genetics overseas.

The first visitor Felipe Elizalde, a Research Scientist, Farmer and Businessman, from the Orsorno region of Southern Chile. Felipe Elizalde is currently undertaking a trial on his native jersey diary cattle, using British bred Belgian Blue Genetics.

In addition, he has also agreed to act as an agent, through his company, “Genesis Ltd” for the marketing of British Bred Belgian Blue genetics, throughout Chile. Felipe is no stranger to the UK, having completed his PhD. in Dairy Cow Nutrition at Queens University, Belfast, a number of years ago.

He was accompanied by Peter de Swaef, from Hofstade in the Northern, Flanders region of Belgium. Peter de Swaef is a Veterinary Surgeon and ET Specialist, who is currently marketing British Bred Belgian Blue Genetics, in Belgium. Peter de Swaef is particularly impressed with the size; mobility and growth rate of British bred sires, which he feels has a major contribution to play in Belgian agriculture.

Both visitors were very grateful to have the opportunity to visit Beef Expo 2004, so as to enable them to further develop their understanding of the UK Beef Industry and they were very impressed with what they saw.

The combination of farm visits, a conference and the event itself, with its commercial trade stands and excellent show of pedigree Belgian Blue, Hereford Limousin and commercial cattle made the event particularly valuable for them, as visitors from overseas.

The opportunity to see over 45 top quality Belgian Blues, gave them the opportunity to see first-hand, the “British Type” of Belgian Blue, renowned for its high degree of mobility, size and reputation for easier calving.

The Society is particularly indebted to the Export department of MLC and the British Livestock Genetics Consortium for facilitating this Inward Mission: Both visitors will return home as staunch ambassadors for British Genetics and it is hoped that this will manifest itself into future business.