Limousin breeders shocked over Ballinloan passport crisis

Cattle farmers embroiled in the registration crisis surrounding the Ballinloan herd have reacted with disbelief after 62 top-class Limousins had their passports withdrawn.

The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) said it made the move because of “errors relating to the registration of either the date of birth and/or the parentage of the animals concerned”.

See also: Society advises breeders to avoid bull during DNA inquiry

Almost all of the 62 were high-value pedigree animals, and the list included the bull Ballinloan Jaegerbomb, which has already been the focus of an inquiry into parentage.

Doubts about the identity of the Carlisle 2015 junior champion’s dam were first raised a year ago.

In March 2018, it emerged breeder Stuart Fotheringham had mistakenly recorded the dam as the Neuf daughter Ballinloan Fruttella.

After the error was spotted, the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) used DNA testing to confirm Jaegerbomb’s dam was actually Ballinloan Geneva.

The test result appeared to resolve the issue and the breed society confirmed the bull would keep its pedigree status.

“The pedigree for the bull will be amended accordingly. For clarity, Ballinloan Jaegerbomb retains his pedigree status.

“All calves registered to Jaegerbomb will have full pedigree status as normal,” the society said at the time.

A temporary suspension was lifted and semen straw sales continued, many of which changed hands for £50 each.

Further doubt

However, the BCMS has now stepped in and cast further doubt on the parentage of Jaegerbomb and the 61 others from the Ballinloan herd.

An RPA spokesperson said: “We are aware of this case. While it is not appropriate to provide full details, the issues in this case did not arise through any error of the Cattle Tracing System operated by BCMS.

“In cases where the traceability of cattle appears to have been compromised, the relevant authorities are responsible for safeguarding the food chain by removing cattle passports, pending further investigation.”

Jaegerbomb alone is thought to have produced and sold more than 2,000 straws.

Concerned owners, who fear they could see their pedigree status scrapped, have been contacting the breed society for news.

In a statement released today (8 May), the breed society said Mr Fotheringham was under investigation by the BCMS and the Trading Standards department of two local councils relating to alleged registration errors.

The society said its own investigation – regarding breaches of its rules – were on hold to avoid prejudicing the investigation of the statutory authority before it is complete.

In the meantime, they have advised members that own the animals in question to ensure they are properly described on the register, taking into account the BCMS notice.

They also advised members considering purchasing or selling any Ballinloan and/or Ballinloan-related animal, including progeny, to seek legal advice. 

Utterly devastated 

Since the full list was revealed on 1 May, pedigree Limousin breeders have also taken to social media to express their shock.

Ballinloan Jaegerbomb owner Ian Handley of Gunnerfleet Limousins used the herd’s Facebook page to respond to the revelation.

“We are utterly devastated, as you can imagine, to be told that the progeny of Jaegerbomb cannot be sold,” said Mr Handley, who paid 24,000gns for the bull at Carlisle in 2015.

“We are doing all we can to try and resolve any issues. But at this present time our future with Limousin looks bleak – there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

“Our hearts go out to all the other breeders in the same devastating situation as us, unable to trade any Jaegerbomb progeny. Also, please do not AI any cattle to Jaegerbomb until further notice.”

Since he posted his reaction last week, Mr Handley said he had received huge support from other breeders and fellow farmers.

“We would like to thank everyone for your support, kindness and messages in the past few days, which have been a very stressful and draining time. Without their support, this ordeal would have been so much harder to deal with. Hopefully we can continue breeding Limousins.”

Other farmers have also used Facebook to express their disbelief.

 Thomas Peters said: “Look how many are on the list – I thought it was just one bull!”

And Philip Broome revealed that his business was caught up in the fallout. “I have half my herd in calf to him [Jaegerbomb] and I only have 10 ped cows, but it’s a lot for me trying to build up a good herd.

“I thought the BLCS issued a statement that it was OK to go ahead and use Ballinloan Jaegerbomb again?”

Andrew Mairs responded to Mr Broome. “Same here. I specifically phoned the society to check before using him and was told it was all sorted and fine to use


,” Mr Mairs said.

The BLCS has said it would make further comments once investigations are completed.