Some 21 embryos from MA Barlow and Sons' Denizes pedigree Simmental herd from Leyland, Lancashire, have been sold and exported to the United States-based company Horizon Genetics.

The company which was looking specifically to source Simmentals from the UK, first approached the Barlow family through Facebook.

Extensive discussions and exchanges of pictures followed, to ensure specific cattle met Horizon’s criteria of visual appearance, bloodlines, and performance figures. The required matings were established, and the embryos thereafter collected and subsequently exported through Mark Knutsford, Celltech Embryo Transfer Ltd.

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In all, 19 Grade A embryos were collected and exported from the mating of the 2018-born Denizes Cadette 37, a Kilbride Farm Delboy 12 daughter out of Denizes Cadette 28. The sire of the mating is Ballinalare Galaxy 15.

A further two Grade A embryos were exported from the mating of Denizes Nelly 8, a Cairnview Snazzy daughter out of Denizes Nelly 5, and sired by Brookwood Alla King. In both instances semen for the matings was supplied for the respective bulls by the Chester-based Cogent UK. The bulls had required to be tested for Schmallenburg prior to collection.

Commenting on the sale, John Barlow said: “We are delighted to see Denizes Simmental genetics sell to the United States. Horizon Genetics are showing considerable interest in British Simmental and in sourcing these embryos they are looking for quality female lines from which to breed bulls.”

Over the course of the previous two years, Horizon Genetics have sourced a number of British Simmental bulls subsequently exported to an AI centre in Italy and with semen collections destined for distribution and use in both the USA and China.

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Over the past two years, a number of export sales has seen a combination of British Simmental live cattle and genetics sold to Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria; in addition to Italy; USA; and China.