British Charolais shipped to Poland

George and John Morris with their Charolais heifer shortly prior to departing for Poland

The first consignment of British Charolais to Poland was made this week with a shipment of 27, 12 month old heifers from the Morris family’s 230 cow pedigree Dorcas herd based at Easington, Aylesbury.

The heifers are destined for Top Farms, a 26,000ha operation based near Krakow where a new pedigree Charolais herd is being established to run alongside a commercial suckler herd and a 2,500 pedigree Holstein cows.

The deal, which was facilitated by Phil Halhead, of Norbreck Genetics, comprised a mix of Blelack Topgun, Maerdy Ozone and Mowbraypark Stirling daughters selected for their uniform conformation, good locomotion and maternal traits – each had been bred from lines selected for ease of calving and milkiness.

“Exporting stock is a new and exciting venture for us after supplying the UK market with heifer replacements,” explained George Morris who manages the pedigree Charolais herd with his wife, Claire and parents, John and Rosemary. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this vast new market opening up for British Charolais genetics in Eastern Europe and beyond, both for live animals and embryos. ”

Phil Halhead added: “Following various trade missions to Poland with British Charolais Cattle Society representatives in the last 12 months, we were pleased to facilitate this very first exportation of the breed to Poland. A number of Charolais bulls are scheduled to follow shortly, along with further heifer consignments.”