Breeding programme beefed up

Wednesday 30th September 2009, 2:58PM BST.

Richard Leith with the calf at Chalet Farm in St John. Picture: ROB CURRIE

THE first beef calf bred using imported bull semen has been born in Jersey.

Dairy farmer Richard Leith made history this month when, using imported Aberdeen Angus semen, one of his cows gave birth to the first crossbred animal in Jersey since the importation ban was lifted last July.

Mr Leith, of Chalet Farm, St John, who was a firm supporter of lifting the ban, said: ‘It looks different from Jersey calves, but this calf acted just like a Jersey when it was born.

‘It was born in the night but there were no calving difficulties. It was no bigger than the Jerseys and I think it dispels any fears that some people had.’

A second crossbreed bull calf has now been born on the farm. Unlike dairy calves, which have to be named, the beef crossbreeds have not been named. They do need, however, to be registered with the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

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