LIMO LEADER proves a worth while investment

The launch of LIMO LEADER herd health last May demonstrated the Irish Limousin Cattle Society’s ongoing technical drive to provide breeders and customers with top quality Limousin cattle that combine not only the highest genetic and visual appeal but with the added assurance of high health status. Clearly evident on sale pens at both of the Society’s recent Autumn sales, was the fact that breeders have been quick to avail of LIMO LEADER, recognising the industry value and marketing advantage the initiative will bring to the breed, it’s breeders and importantly our customers.

Commenting after the recent successful sales at Roscrea, Breed Secretary Paul Sykes said, “From a virtual standing start, the quick uptake of herd health programmes by our members is extremely encouraging. In the short 6 months since LIMO LEADER was launched over 80 breeders have joined with many more expressing intent. The importance of herd health cannot be over emphasised and I am delighted with the feed back we are receiving from both breeders and customers. I am particularly aware of the increased weigting our UK purchasers put on herd health with many now expressing that knowledge of herd health status is a must for them to contemplate purchasing. LIMO LEADER herd health is based on CHeCHs, the highest internationally recognised standard, and I am pleased to say it has been widely welcomed by our breeders and the industry at large as an important and leading project for the promotion of responsible Herd Health management”.

LIMO LEADER herd health is available to all members of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society, both pedigree breeders and associate members. Testing is affordably priced with programmes to meet all requirements. Contact Austin at the Irish Limousin Cattle Society office for further details.

Irish Limousin Breeders Launch New Initiative on Herd Health

The Irish Limousin Cattle Society has launched an initiative aimed at enhancing herd health among breeders and commercial users of Limousin cattle. 

Called LIMO LEADER HERD HEALTH, the initiative is being run in association with Independent Milk Laboratories (IML), the recently established independent testing company.  It will focus on BVD, IBR, Johne’s disease and Leptospirosis.  Other diseases such as Salmonella, Neospora and liver fluke may be added later.   It was launched at the Limousin breeders first premier sale of the year at Roscrea mart (Monday 7 March).

Under the initiative, which is the first to be undertaken in the pedigree or commercial beef sector in Ireland, the 2,400 members of the Limousin Cattle Society can avail of testing, eradication and disease-free accreditation options for each of the four diseases.   Breeders can avail of testing and control measures for individual animals, the pedigree portion of the herd or all pedigree and commercial cattle in the herd.

Associate members of the society are also eligible to avail of the service.  Blood testing of animals will be carried out by local vets and samples analysed by IML.    

 Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Roscrea Mart, the President of the Limousin Cattle Society, John McInerney, said it has the potential to confer substantial benefits for participating farmers in improved animal performance as well as big marketing advantages at home and abroad.  

 “The initiative is licensed by the UK-based Cattle Health Certification Standards, the only accredited health scheme for the cattle sector.  It is also supported by Animal Health Ireland.  I am confident this could act as a model for a much wider health initiative across the entire livestock sector.  There is no charge to join LIMO LEADER and testing by IML is being carried out at very competitive prices,” said John McInerney.

Welcoming the initiative, the Chief Executive of Animal Health Ireland (AHI), Joe O’Flaherty, encouraged Limousin Society members to participate.

“Three of the diseases targeted for attention are already singled out as priorities by the AHI.  There is a clear need to address these biosecure diseases at individual herd and national level to ensure that economic loss is minimised and that opportunities for trade are not curtailed,” he said.

The Chairman of IML, Professor Patrick Wall, said in the current economic climate expecting the government to take responsibility for herd health is foolhardy.

“The Limousin Society has stepped up to the plate and is taking innovative action to address disease control.  The society is setting an example of the approach that must be adopted if Ireland is to perform in the top league of beef and milk production,” he said