United Kingdom-Award for beef farmer.

UNITED KINGDOM-A Farmer from Nailsworth recently won a national award for having the most improved cattle herd during 2007/08.

Ernie Hemmings runs a Paulern herd of British Blue cattle on 130ha near Nailsworth, and has been involved with the breed since its introduction into this country in the early 1990’s.

The fine boned, heavy muscled cross-bred offspring grow fast and produce a high percentage of saleable meat.

The herd has been recorded for more than 16 years and Mr Hemmings uses tools such as Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for important traits such as calving ease, to ensure the herd progresses in the right direction.

He was awarded by the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) Better Returns Programme.

These awards are presented to the recorded herds that show the most impressive improvement to their genetic merit over a 12-month period. There is a separate award for each of eight UK breeds.