Read all about it … Stabiliser in the News!

It’s been a busy few months here at the Stabiliser Cattle Company, not least because in September, we hosted American ranching legend Lee Leachman who toured some of our Stabiliser multipliers in Scotland and the north of England.

Lee Leachman of Leachman Cattle of Colorado.

For the few who don’t know, Lee is the CEO of the Leachman Cattle Company of Colorado and is the third largest seedstock breeder in the US. He has also done more than anyone else worldwide to develop the Stabiliser breed, creating the ultimate suckler cow that optimises efficiency and profitability for commercial beef producers.

Understandably, Lee was in demand by the British agricultural media during his visit and undertook a number of interviews with top tier titles. Here is a synopsis of the coverage that followed his visit:

Farmers Guardian

Lee was interviewed by Alex Black, business reporter of the Farmers Guardian. In this interview, Lee discussed how the functionality of the cow is the key driver of profitability in the suckler herd in both the US and UK, and that this should not get lost in the drive for muscle and growth.

He said selecting continuously for growth and muscle would have a detrimental effect on cow functionality, creating cows which were harder to breed and harder to calve if maternal traits are not prioritised.

To read the full interview, click here.

British Dairying

In a fantastic article by Olivia Cooper of British Dairying, Lee discussed how the use of Stabiliser bulls on British dairy cows can maximise returns for the dairy-bred beef sector.

Lee recounted his experiences from the US, explaining that when used on Jerseys, the calves finished in just 18 – 19 months old, with steers finishing at 667kg and heifers 644kg liveweight. With Holsteins, the calves finished at 15 – 16 months, Lee said, averaging the same weight as the Jerseys.

He said Stabilisers delivered for the dairy farmer, beef finisher, and the processor.

You can read the full article here (you must be a subscriber to read the online version of the publication).

Scottish Farmer

As Lee’s travels took him north of the border, it was no surprise he was also in demand by the Scottish agricultural media.

Speaking to the Scottish Farmer’s northern reporter, John Sleigh, Lee said the UK beef sector needs to prioritise eating quality over yield and put a ‘quality grid’ in place.

He advised the UK sector to produce better marbled beef for ensure greater customer satisfaction.

Lee said: “Marbled beef is getting a real premium in the US. Higher than any other time in history. Global and domestic demand for good beef is through the roof. A steer hitting the top ‘prime’ marbled grade is getting $2500 compared to $2000 for a less marbled animal.”

To read more of Lee’s thoughts on quality in the UK beef sector, click here.

Farming UK

Farming UK reported Lee’s thoughts that the Stabiliser should be the standard suckler cow in the UK to help British beef producers meet future challenges, adding that the breed was the ‘best kept secret in temperate areas’.

Lee said that for the first time, society was demanding that cattle are productive while at the same time delivering for sustainability and the environment.

Hybrid genetics, on which the Stabiliser is based, is a game changer when it comes to optimising production, Lee advised.

You can read the full article here.

Cumberland News

Lee also spoke to the Cumberland News farming editor, Maureen Hodges, as one of the farm visits took place in Cumbria, on the farm of A Dixon & Son, at Kitcrag, Selside, Cumbria.

Lee spoke about how hybrid genetics in beef production suited the UK well.

“Britain has particular requirements,” he told Maureen.

“Running cows on grass, overwintering them inside, feeding them low quality forage and still trying to produce shapely cattle. The best way to do that is by producing hybrid cows.

“Stabilisers thrive here. They produce well over a 95% calving rate so anything that does that must thrive.

“The shoe fits. Everyone breeds cows for different reasons, but if you looking at data and trying to make money, then hybrid genetics are the way forward.”

The full article can be found in the Friday, September 30^th, edition of the newspaper.

Farmers Weekly Podcast

As well as speaking to the UK agriculture print and online media, Lee also did an interview with Hugo Broom for the Farmers Weekly podcast, where again he promoted the benefits of hybrid genetics for the UK beef sector.

The interview is yet to be broadcast as it took place shortly before the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II and the podcast it was schedule to be on was rightly given over entirely to the late Queen’s devotion for British farming and the country way of life.

However, do keep an ear out as we are assured the interview will run in the future.

You can find the Farmers Weekly podcast here.