Stabiliser® Cattle Company

THE COMPANY OPERATING MANUAL 2019

PEDIGEE STANDARDS

• OBJECTIVES • BREED STANDARD • OPERATING RULES • HERD BOOK RULES • QUALITY CONTROL • EFFICIENT SERVICE • RULES OF PROCEDURE

Southburn, , East YO25 9ED UK Telephone: 01377 227790 Fax: 01377 229253 www.bigbeef.co.uk Beef Improvement Grouping Limited1 t/a Stabiliser Cattle Company Registered in No 2848266 VAT Registration No 599 1558 78 SCC’s Objectives

The objectives of the Stabiliser® breeding programme are to increase the competitiveness, efficiency and profit potential for suckled calf produces in the UK by driving down production costs and by increasing the value of output per cow mated.

SCC Aims to:-

• Improve the value of suckler cow productivity by breeding more efficient cows

• Use animal performance records and EBVs for maternal and terminal sire traits simultaneously to optimise the rate of genetic improvement through mandatory performance recording

• Reduce feed and overhead costs by measuring and selecting animals for Net Feed Efficiency through GrowSafe technology

• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by selecting animals with improved feed efficiency

• Manage the direction of the Stabiliser® breeding programme to optimise animal performance in order to maximise the profit potential for Stabiliser® breeders

• Develop marketing strategies for surplus breeding stock from recorded Stabiliser® herds

• Develop a marketing plan for finished cattle to offer farmers the chance to capture a higher share of retail value for lower production costs

• Satisfy consumer requirements for eating quality, traceability, animal welfare and environmental management

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SCC – Breed Standard

The Stabiliser® is a dual-purpose suckler beef breed of cattle

Breed Name: Stabiliser®

Coat Colour: Red or Black with occasional white patches

Temperament: Docile - Animals with nervous dispositions are actively culled

Size: Moderate Approximate mature cow weight of 650kg at calf weaning

Fertility: High conception rates averaging 97% in-calf in 9 weeks Early puberty - two year first calving is the norm Bulls are used extensively as yearlings

Scrotal Circumference: 34 cm – minimum standard for yearling bulls

Average birth weight: 38kg

Maintenance Requirement: Low Net Feed Efficiency research to set benchmark

Physical: Robust structure – sound feet, udders & legs

Horned / Polled: Polled

Productive Life: 10 year cow working life producing average of 8 calves

Meat Eating Quality: High - monitored using Tenderscot technology

All Stabilisers® sold for breeding are inspected for correct identification, breed type, soundness and conformation by SCC personnel prior to sale.

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SCC’s Operating Rules

SCC owns the “Stabiliser” Trademark in the EU

SCC supplies and controls:-

• All registered Stabiliser® breeding material to consigned pedigree breeders in the EU

• Registration and performance recording services for all pedigree calves sired by Stabiliser® bulls intended for breeding in the UK

• Management of the national breeding programme by advising Stabiliser® breeders about the most appropriate breeding decisions

• The collection and marketing of embryos from all Stabiliser® donor females

• The selection of all Stabiliser® bulls intended for semen collection

• The marketing of all Stabiliser® semen through SCC’s consigned agent, Cogent Breeding

• The marketing & sale of all officially registered Stabiliser® males and females intended for breeding

• Stabiliser® promotion at public events to demonstrate the economic advantages of the breed and to enhance the marketing opportunities for Stabiliser® breeders

• SCC provides a marketing service for all cattle sired by Stabiliser® bulls and intended for slaughter, through SCC’s marketing partnership with Morrisons Plc

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SCC Herd Book Rules

1. The Herd Book of the Stabiliser® Cattle Company consists of the Main Section, the Supplemental (Grade) Section and the Commercial Section. References in these rules to ‘Herd Book’, ‘Main Section’, ‘Supplemental (or Grade) Section’ and ‘Commercial Section’ shall be construed accordingly.

1.1 Only those animals registered in the Main Section, in accordance with the rules set out below shall have Full Pedigree status.

1.2 Only grading up female animals may be registered in the Supplemental Section.

1.3 Any non-pedigree males may be recorded in the Commercial Section. Any animals that are in the Commercial Section cannot be used for breeding.

1.4 The rules of SCC as set out below shall be applied equally and fairly between members and there shall be no discrimination between members.

2. EU, The Isle of Man and UK-bred

2.1 All animals entering the Herd Book must comply with all applicable EU requirements existing at the date of entry in relation to identification, including but not limited to possession of a date of birth and ear tag number.

2.2 Female – in addition to 2.1 above, the requirements for registration of a female are:

Full Pedigree

2.2.1 the sire should be entered into the Main Section and the dam entered into the Main Section

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or

2.2.2 the sire should be entered into the Main Section with the dam plus the maternal grand dam entered into the Supplemental Section before a daughter will be admitted to the Main Section.

2.2.3 Before entry into the Main Section is permitted all females must have a DNA profile lodged with the Society, to such specification as may be required by the Society at the time of application.

2.3 Male – in addition to 2.1 above, the requirements for registration of a male are:

2.3.1 Both parents and all four grandparents must be entered into the Main Section before a male is accepted in the Main Section.

2.3.2 Before entry into the Main Section is permitted all males must have a DNA profile lodged with the Society, to such specification as may be required by the Society at the time of application.

2.4 Embryo Births – in addition to 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 (as applicable) above, before entry into the Herd Book is permitted, all embryo calves and their parents must have a DNA profile lodged with the Society, to such specification as may be required by the Society at the time of application.

3. Procedure in the event of an inconsistency between the Herd Book and the central bovine database of an EU member state, or The Isle of Man

3.1 Where the content of a Herd Book entry is found to vary (as regards date of birth, sire or dam identity, pedigree or any other matter) from the position stated in the central bovine database for any EU Member State, then the UK may write to the breeder and/or owner of the relevant animal requiring evidence to confirm either:

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3.1.1 That the information in the relevant central bovine database is correct – in which case the Herd Book entry will be amended accordingly; or

3.1.2 That proof of an amendment to the relevant database has been made to bring it into conformance with the Herd Book

3.2 The breeder and/or owner of the animal will have three months in which to satisfy SCC’s enquiry. Thereafter the animal and any progeny may be suspended from the Herd Book, or have its status amended, until SCC considers there to be satisfactory evidence to verify the Herd Book entry.

SCC – Quality Control

Through individual animal information and the use of science and technology

Protecting the integrity of Stabiliser® cattle for its breeders is a priority for the Stabiliser® Cattle Company while, at the same time, customers throughout the food chain rightly expect assurances about the provenance, animal welfare, environmental and consumer satisfaction levels associated with its production.

To that end, routine checks, protocols and the use of established and novel technologies are used as deemed appropriate by the SCC.

Current checks and requirements include:-

• Annual breeder visits by SCC staff which include random cross- referencing of ABRI database information against animal passports

• Imported Stabiliser® semen, embryos or live animals to have a pedigree from their country of origin which meets EU full pedigree requirements

• SCC include animal identification verification as part of their weight authentication service

• DNA sampling of all males for natural service or semen collection

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• DNA sampling of all female for embryo donors

• From 2019 it is mandatory to DNA sample all new-born calves using the Caisley Geno Tissue Sampling Tags

SCC is at the forefront of research in the UK to improve the productive performance of its cattle, the meat eating quality, feed conversion efficiency and reduction in the environmental footprint of efficient, lower cost beef production.

As an integral part of this industry leadership the ABRI database provides SCC and its breeders with pedigree and performance data on each individual animal are recorded.

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SCC – Efficient Service

SCC’s commitment to providing an efficient service which adds value to breeders’ businesses

The Stabiliser® Cattle Company (SCC) operates on the basis of equal opportunities and non-discrimination on behalf of employees, members and customers.

The Stabiliser® Cattle Company is highly focused on:-

• Supplying an efficient service to its breeders

• Providing accurate information, breeding advice and marketing services

• Ensuring quality of cattle and service continues to develop and improve in line with industry requirements

• Treating all breeders equally, within their chosen service level

• Monitoring and controlling the costs of the Stabiliser® Cattle Company’s working operations

The pedigree breed herd book, individual animal pedigree and performance data are held at: www.bigbeef.co.uk Online Database

Further support is provided by SCC with the employment of a Business Manager, a Supply Chain Manager a Systems Technician and a Data Analyst.

The combination of the in-depth database plus qualified and experienced personnel gives a platform for improving efficiency, profitability and competitiveness for breeders and customers alike.

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SCC Rules of Procedure

Discrimination Declaration

In order to comply with Commission Decision 84/247/EEC Stabiliser® Cattle Company declares that there will be no discrimination between members.

Equal opportunities/non-discrimination

Operate on the basis of equal opportunities and non-discrimination on behalf of employees, members and customers. None of these should receive more or less favourable treatment on the grounds of:

• Race • Colour • Ethnic or national origin • Gender • Sexual orientation • Marital status • Disability • Religion • Age

Complaints Procedure

• Ursula Taylor (07790018637 or [email protected]) is the first point of contact between BIG and breeders in the event of a complaint.

• Calls will be responded to promptly or forwarded on to Seth Wareing (07496 415984 or [email protected]) for his attention.

• Correspondence addressing the complaint whether paper or electronic will be answered within 15 working days of receipt. Where this deadline cannot be met, a holding reply explaining the reason for the delay will be sent within 5 working days.

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STABILISER® CATTLE COMPANY

GRADING-UP EXPLANATION

EEC RULE 3.2.1 Both parents and all four grandparents must be entered into the Main Section before a male is accepted in the Main Section

ONLY FULL PEDIGREE BULLS WITH ALL 4 PURE GRANDPARENTS CAN BE USED IN A PEDIGREE GRADING-UP PROGRAMME

FEMALES MALES

FIRST CROSS: F1 CROSS (1/2) 1ST CROSS

SECOND CROSS: F2 CROSS (3/4) 2ND CROSS

THIRD CROSS: F3 (GD) PURE (7/8) 3RD CROSS

FOURTH CROSS: F4 (D) PURE (15/16) 4TH CROSS

FIFTH CROSS: F5 PURE (16/16) PURE

This means that an F4 female mated to a full pedigree bull will produce a full pedigree male.

Please note that cross-bred bulls must NOT be used in full pedigree recorded herds.

Cross-bred bulls can be sold to commercial breeders who do not intend to grade up to Pure Stabiliser® but they must be informed of the bulls’ pedigree status which will be detailed on pedigrees.

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