Introduction to Society Sale Protocol
The British
Limousin Cattle Society organises approximately 17 sales at six sale
centres in the United Kingdom each year. Animals entered are catalogued
with pedigree details, recorded performance data and the Society's
helpful animal index line.
Once at the sale centre, all entered bulls and females have to pass
through an official inspection. This usually takes place the day before
the sale and differs slightly for the two genders.
All animals are checked by the Society's vet for eye cataracts, over
or under-shot jaws and general health. In addition, bulls have their
scrotal circumference measured and testicles are checked by hand for
any irregularities in form or texture. Similarly, the vet checks the
females' udders for abnormalities.
A team of three appointed inspectors then assesses bulls and females
for locomotion, temperament, conformation and breed characteristics
to a Society standard. Tattoos and/or ear tags are also checked by
an official representative and must be accurate and legible. In addition
to the above, bulls less than two years old must attain a minimum weight
for age as defined by the Society The animals' rump and wither heights
are also measured for Society records.
Any bull or female that fails the inspection is rejected from the
sale. The only exception is over or under-shot jaws described by the
vet as marginal these animals can be sold, but not shown in the sales
shows. These take place prior to each official haltered sale, and provide
a good opportunity for visual assessment by potential bidders.
The standard of stock brought to the sales is high and the inspections
are in place to give buyers added confidence when assessing prospective
purchases. Similarly, the carefully worded auction rules and conditions
of sale agreed by the industry through the National Beef Association
ensure that buyers purchase guaranteed stock. These rules are independently
administered by the Society's officially appointed auctioneers.
As part of the after-sale service, all pedigree certificates are transferred
free of charge and any non-member purchasers are forwarded with information
about the Society and how to join.
In addition to the Society's official sales, many breeders hold production
or reduction sales. These take place under Society rules either at
an appointed auctioneer°s market or on-farm. However, these animals
are not sold subject to the full inspection described above and have
a tag and tattoo check only. The sales attract both pedigree breeders
and commercial producers and are particularly useful for sourcing specific
bloodlines.
The Society advertises its official sale dates in the national agricultural
press, relevant regional papers and in its own publications. If you
are unable to attend a sale or simply have a query about the availability
of Limousin stock, the staff at the Limousin centre will be pleased
to assist you.
Each area of the country has an affiliated Limousin club. The representatives
of these clubs provide a local contact for the breed and are happy
to provide information or answer any queries.
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