Buyers of the females were Mr and Mrs C H de’ Wilde who are establishing a new herd of Angus cattle to replace their previous herd of Belgian Blue cattle which have since been dispersed. The couple already run a commercial Angus operation and are well used to the merits of the breed.

Along with that shipment, Anneke and Gerrit Vervoorn have purchased a Penguin-bred bull by the herd’s stock bull Haymount Wurz F676. This bull is an addition to females that were originally purchased and exported from the Penguin herd in 2008.

The breed’s beef is widely recognised as being some of the finest in the world and that has been capitalised on across the world, from the UK to the USA, South America and across Europe too, he says. “The eating quality of Aberdeen-Angus beef is a unique selling point that the breed must continue to make the most of that, but crucially breeders must also ensure their cattle suit the commercial producer.

“Without commercial farmers using Aberdeen-Angus bulls there won’t be sufficient beef to fulfil the demand, so we must ensure they can buy bulls that do the job for them,” he explains.

“And over the time I’ve been involved with the breed it is clear that breeders have adapted to change and responded to commercial demands. The change has been immense and there’s no doubt the cattle we see today are a more commercially viable type than those that were around nearly 40 years ago when I first started in the business.

“And, while I believe there’s a great future for the breed that must be tempered by careful management to ensure the cattle are still of a type wanted by commercial cattle producers.

“The breed’s great strength lies in its ability to adapt to a huge variety of farm conditions and systems. Angus cattle are great when bred pure and are equally as good when crossed with other breeds, either as a terminal sire or as the maternal line.”

Paramount to this maternal use though is the milkyness of the Aberdeen-Angus dam and in breeding for size and power there is a danger that some of this could be lost, believes Mr Leggat. “The Aberdeen-Angus cow is great at producing calves off grass and in the changing economic climate as grain prices rise and forage based, lower input systems come to the fore this could be an important facet of the breed.”

He says the variety of type within the breed, while seen by many as a weakness is in fact a benefit. “One type of beast does not suit all situations and the variety available means that buyers can buy stock to suit their farm and system. Additionally, it means breeders can adapt the breed to suit future market demands without having to select from outside the breed.” It is thanks to the dedication of a small band of breeders that the breed is where it is today, adds Mr Leggat. “A nucleus of herds worked hard to keep the breed on the map and there will always be a debt of gratitude owed to them. The local clubs were instrumental too in promoting the benefits of the breed and the cattle we see today are the result of many years of careful and selective breeding by committed breeders who knew the breed had the attributes to perform commercially.”

Allied to this dedicated pool of breeders were a number of processors who also ‘put their money where their mouths were’ and backed the breed, says Mr Leggat.

“Without the belief shown in the breed by the likes of the Galloway family of Scotbeef and also Dovecote Park the breed may not have made the strides it has today. And the work of many leading chefs has been paramount in driving demand for Aberdeen-Angus sired beef too.”

Looking at the wider industry Mr Leggat believes there is still a future for suckler production in the UK. “But many farmers are rightly looking closely at their costs and paring them back wherever possible.

“This could well be a good thing for the Aberdeen-Angus breed. Aberdeen-Angus cross cows are a good size and tend to be very fertile too.

“With feed and labour being two of the key costs for many suckler herds cattle which eat less and require less management should be in greater demand in future.”

But while this may be one way for the breed to capitalise on the shrinking suckler herd it, like all breeds, faces the threat posed by the general slow-down in the economy and the pressures coming on the industry from increased costs and environmental issues. “I’ve been lucky to be involved in the beef industry at a time when new breeds have been imported and have evolved and adapted to suit the UK market. This has helped the native breeds refocus on their ambitions and the Aberdeen-Angus has led the way in this.

“But all breeds must be on the mettle in these changing times and that’s one real benefit of multi-breed sales. Seeing what’s going on in one breed can often be a major catalyst for change for others.”

And much like the other breeds there have of course been a number of animals which have been at the forefront of driving this change when it’s been needed, says Mr Leggat.

“However, it is very hard to pick out any particular sires which have done more good than others. After all everyone’s idea of what makes a good bull is different. It is true to say though that we’ve sold some exceptional bulls through the Perth Sales over the years, some of which have gone on to breed well and others less so.

“There have of course been some great imported sires over the years too and these have left an indelible mark on the breed and have added many great attributes to herds where they’ve been used.”

Looking to the future Mr Leggat believes the current crop of major sires being used can have every bit as bigger influence as previous generations have. “But there is much more required by buyers now than before. They want a correct, well fleshed bull, but they also want good EBVs and a known, sound health status. All of which is understandable and to be applauded, what breeders must do is be mindful of this and be clear with their buyers what it all means.

“Many buyers are still confused by the myriad of information available at a bull sale and it can be hard to understand what it all means while also looking for the bull that will suit their needs.”

The most important thing breeders can be seen to be doing is to bid on their new stock sires at a Society sale, as this helps increase confidence in the quality being offered

However, he believes one of the most important things breeders can do to give commercial men confidence in the breed is to be seen to bid on and buy stock bulls at auction. “If commercial buyers don’t see pedigree breeders seriously considering bulls at a sale they can quickly lose faith. There are a number of them who will quickly say that if there’s nothing worthy of a pedigree herd then what will be there be for them.”

Thankfully, this is a rare occurrence and at most sales there are good bulls to suit every budget and system and again this is testament to the dedication of Aberdeen-Angus breeders and the adaptability of the breed to changing market circumstances.

The latest consignment, which totals 46 head includes 35 heifers which have been bought by one of the world’s leading professional sumo wrestlers is the latest recruit to the ranks of Aberdeen-Angus breeders.

Estonian, Kaido Hoovelson – who wrestles under the name of Baruto and is currently the number two sumo wrestler in the world – has purchased 35 yearling heifers as the foundation stock for an Aberdeen-Angus herd on his farm in Estonia.

The heifers have been purchased from the Rosemount herd of Alex and Wendy Sanger at Prettycur, Montrose, Angus, and are due to be shipped to Estonia later this month.

Alongside this group are a batch of 10 heifers and a bull which are heading to established Estonian Aberdeen-Angus breeders Meelis and Piret Marmor of Aberdeen Top Genetics, whose 90-cow Marmorland herd, built up over the past six years on Scottish bloodlines, is now firmly established as the leading Aberdeen-Angus herd in Estonia.

“Kaido is a farm boy at heart and has opted for Aberdeen-Angus after considering several other breeds,” said Mr Marmor, who is advising Mr Hoovelson on his new venture. “The Aberdeen-Angus breed is the most popular breed in Estonia with strong local demand as well as a thriving export trade to countries such as Romania, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Latvia.”

Mr Marmor has sold 15 bulls for breeding over the past year and another to Mr Hoovelson for his new herd. There is also a strong demand from Turkey for weaned Aberdeen-Angus bull calves for finishing as bull beef.

Netherton Red Essence H483 pictured at 2009 calf show

These embryo’s are available for export and carry some of the best Red and Black genetics the breed have to offer with Red Essence H483 being a daughter of the twice Canadian Show Female of the year DMM Red Sten Essence in 1999 and 2009. Red Sten Essence as a two year old won grand champion female at Farmfair, Agribition, Gold Show and the Calgary Stampede, as well as interbreed champion at Agribition, Gold Show and the Calgary Stampede and as a 10 year old she was reserve supreme champion at Agribition. 42G isn’t only a great show cow, but her breeding record is also great with over $500,000 worth of progeny sales. On the sire side she goes back to DMM Miss Essence, another Twice Canadian Show Female of the year and the foundation cow of the successful Missie family at Netherton. For more information contact William McLaren Jnr on 07740786112 or email mclaren672@aol.com.

A Dazzle calf

Ring 01386 462534 A & C Sutherland  or email abbertonangus@talktalk.net or visit www.abbertonaberdeenangus.co.uk

2011 was an amazing year for YDP with some fantastic workshops ld with some of the breed’s finest stockmen and women taking part in the training – you really are learning from the best this industry has to offer. So why not fill in the form and you too could be learning some real tricks of the trade and you could be one of those taking part in the National Final which will be held later in the year.

Please telephone 01926 843460 or email info@heartofenglandfarms.com

Flodden Elegant at the Winter National Show

The April 2010 daughter of Wedderlie New Era H573 is out of Wedderlie Elegant H634 and was first prize junior yearling heifer at the Royal Highland Show last June and first place junior yearling and junior champion at the Great Yorkshire Show. She continued a successful show season at the Aberdeen-Angus Winter National Show in Carlisle where she stood yearling champion and reserve overall female champion.  She sold in-calf to Ardrossan Admiral.

-  Aberdeen Angus Bulling heifers,

-  in-calf heifers,

-  weaned heifers,

-  cows with calves at foot.

Health status required :    IBR, BVD, Johne’s and Tuberculosis free (IBR vaccination not allowed, BVD vaccination allowed).

If you have any of these animals for sale, please contact us by email ( info@victorycattle.com ) or by phone (0033 6 30 19 06 59).