PRESS RELEASE
February 7, 2014
Breed-leading Charolais joins Cogent Signature range
A breed-leading Charolais bull has joined the Cogent Signature Beef range with
the promise of transmitting some of the fastest growth rates and best carcase
traits in the beef industry.
Balthayock Hamish has been selected for the stud on the strength of his
outstanding EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values) for growth rate, Self Replacing
Index and Terminal Index (both in the breed’s top 5%), combined with his own
good looks and placid temperament.
Added to this is an exceptional EBV for calving ease, which at +10.8, puts him in
the top 10% for the Charolais breed.
The story of Hamish begins with his sire, Ugie Echo, who was purchased by
David Walter of Balthayock, Perth and Jim Muirhead from Firhills Farm, Arbroath.
“We bought this bull for some very specific qualities,” says Mr Walter. “We were
attracted by aspects of his EBV, including very easy calving, terrific liveweight
gain and scrotal circumference, but he also has wonderful feet and a very placid
temperament.
“He has exceeded our expectations in every way, passing his strengths on to his
sons which are consistently stamped with his looks and good nature, and are
growing like mushrooms!”
Equally he says that of the 80 calvings by Echo across the two herds, only one
has been assisted.
Echo himself has also excelled in the showring, having taken breed and
interbreed beef championships and the male championship on his only two
outings, to Kirriemuir and Perth Shows respectively.
Balthayock Hamish was Echo’s ‘standout son’, according to Cogent beef
specialist, Boomer Birch, who selected him from the 2012 calf crop to join the
Cogent stud on the strength of his ‘powerful loin which followed through over a
fantastic set of square plates’.
“He will be perfect for use in any sector of the beef production industry, and the
outstanding conformation and fast growth rates he’ll transmit will make for high
value calves,” says Mr Birch.
The female side of Hamish’s pedigree is a further attraction and Mr Walter says
his dam, Balthayock Damson, has always bred well in his herd. Her sire is
Balmyle Thunderbird, who also bred Balthayock Adonis, an impressive proven
sire who has stood the test of time and whose 137 progeny in 21 different herds
have earned him exceptional EBVs.
“Performance runs consistently through this young bull’s pedigree and, at
Cogent, we are confident he has a great future,” concludes Mr Birch.
-EndsNotes to editors
Photos of Balthayock Hamish are attached, plus Balthayock Hamish with David Walter
and stockman David Nicoll (centre).
Also, a YouTube video can be viewed through the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF_s6nwBZK8
- Cogent is the pioneering business behind sexed semen technology and supply and is
the UK market leader. It is wholly owned by the Grosvenor Estate, and from its
headquarters on the Grosvenor Estate in Cheshire, has established a market-leading
reputation for its world-class UK breeding programme.
- Cogent's distinguished selection of high reliability UK proven bulls offers dairy and
beef farmers an unprecedented combination of production, type and value.
- In 2011, Cogent acquired the business and marketing rights of World Wide Sires UK,
the highly-regarded cattle-breeding business, and Dairy Daughters, the UK’s first
direct supplier of Holstein semen. These businesses remain a key part of the Cogent
business, and Cogent remains the exclusive supplier of WWS US products in the UK.
- For more information, please contact Catherine Jackson on 01244 622 074 or via
email at catherine.jackson@cogentuk.com
The text from this news release can be downloaded directly from the
Agriculture/Livestock section of the ABC (Agribusiness Communications Ltd)
Press Centre at www.abccomms.co.uk