In May 2009, a delegation from the Irish Limousin Cattle Society travelled to the Limoges area of France to identify potential bloodlines which could be of interest to Irish Limousin breeders. Early starts, late finishes, long days and high temperatures, everything was faced over 5 days as the team travelled to see many different progeny, all with the goal of providing Irish breeders with different alternatives. The views of the team are attached below. This has been presented to all clubs in recent weeks.

Thanks to the council members who gave up their own time to go on this trip – John Quinn, John McInerney, Ian Stewart, Sean O’ Sullivan, Kevin Bohan and John O’ Grady.

Limoges Bull/Progeny Review 2009

• Visited approximately 20 farms in Limoges area, with emphasis on progeny of bulls
• Utilised expertise of Sersia and KBS Genetics to gain access to relevant breeds
• Focus placed on well muscled animals, with strong growth potential also with continued emphasis on docility
• Reviewed results of polled breeding programme

Worthy of further consideration INDECIS and FRANCHON parentage Capable of producing strong, beefy males and strong maternal females Good on docility Not many progeny scored On-Dit

Scores suggest easy calving with good muscle development NELOMBO and OVALE parentage with GENIAL and EPSON in bloodline Thetis

General perception is that ROESTI is a good bull to cross with a Mas Du Clo female HIGHLANDER and LUMIERE parentage with EPSON in bloodline Balanced across all key traits Roesti

EPSON and PAILLETTE parentage with HIGHLANDER in bloodline Balanced on key traits Worth consideration Tastevin

Good option if extreme muscling is sought PAX and LIBERTE parentage with IDEAL in bloodline Usted

ULTRABEAU and SAUTERELLE parentage Strong weight gain Good muscle development with good width and thickness Good breed characteristics Acejou

SAUVIGNON and LIQUEUR parentage with ESPOIR and MEXICAIN in bloodline Good hindquarter with good length and strong legs Good docility Achille

NAVARIN and PRALINE parentage Good development of hindquarter Represents new bloodline to work with Vermeille

NESTOR and MELODIE parentage Muscle development in bloodline Good breed characteristics Wide back and pelvis Good docility  Ramses II

LUX and MANILLE parentage with FERRY in bloodline Could be size improver Scoring suggest good maternal characteristics Feminine daughters Good docility Panda

Polled bull Good width and depth Strong breed characteristics Good docility Ryde Uranos

Good muscle development Good docility Back breeding suggest good muscle Scores suggest easy calving Vivaldi

Please be aware that although progeny of the animals in this presentation were viewed, the Limousin Society is providing no guarantee of results.