BAVARIANS KEEN TO BUY PEDIGREE BEEF CATTLE FROM NORTH-EAST HERDS

 The development of an export trade in pedigree beef cattle to Germany is on the cards following a four-day tour of North-east herds by 35 Bavarian breeders.

 The inward mission was organised by Hexham-based export company, Eggs-Port Ltd, and was supported by Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Grampian. The group last week visited nine Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais, Limousin and Simmental herds in Aberdeenshire and a Highland cattle fold at Kinross.

 “We were very impressed with the quality of all the breeds we saw on the various farms,” said Manfred Winhart, chairman of the 600-strong Fleischrinder Verband Bayern (Bavarian Cattle Breeders Association) who led the delegation.

 “Our members are interested in importing breeding cattle, semen and embryos once export restrictions relating to foot-and-mouth disease have been lifted. We look forward to developing a regular trade with breeders in the North-east of Scotland. Two of our members have already bought Aberdeen-Angus bulls at the Perth sale in February.”

 Eggs-Port managing director, Shela Eggleston, said the interest of the Bavarian group was very encouraging.

 “They were really impressed with the standard of stockmanship on all the farms visited and we have already received a number of positive enquiries about possible purchases,” said Ms Eggleston.

 “Several members of the group plan to return for the Perth bull sales in February and an outward mission from North-east Scotland to Bavaria is planned for next autumn.”

 Aberdeenshire Council’s rural development officer, Vicky Thomson, said the inward mission was the first step in developing a rapport and trading relationship between breeders in the North-east and Bavaria.

 “There is a long history of exporting cattle from Aberdeenshire to Bavaria dating back to the 1950’s and we are looking for this trade to be revived with all the breeds we now have available and the inherent stockmanship skills of the North-east farmer,” said Ms Thomson.

 “Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Grampian were delighted to support this mission which will hopefully generate a significant economic return to the North-east farming industry in the long term.”

 The Bavarian group visited Gerald and Morag Smith, Drumsleed, Laurencekirk (Simmental), Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford (A-A), Henk and Helen Rennie, Westfield of Ardoyne, Insch (A-A), Charles McCombie, Auchincrieve, Huntly (A-A and Charolais), Hamish Sclater, Denhead of Dunlugas, Turriff (A-A), Jimmy Wilson, Barnyards, Mintlaw (Charolais), John and Margaret Penny, Shannas, Mintlaw (Limousin), Harry Emslie, Jun, Kinknockie, Mintlaw (Limousin), Drew and Bob Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar (Charolais and Limousin) and Ken Brown, Craigowmill, Kinross (Highland).

 They also enjoyed a visit to Glen Garioch Distillery, Oldmeldrum, a barbecue at Morris’s Hotel featuring a whole Aberdeenshire sirloin of beef barbecued on a revolving spit by Ian Davidson, Moss-side, Oldmeldrum, and a Taste of Grampian dinner in the Barn and Bushel Restaurant at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.

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 Issued by Agricultural Communications Ltd. Tel: 01330 811616. Mob: 07801 186303. E-mail: eddie.gillanders@btopenworld.com

 October 30, 2007