Society Latest

The first calf in the United States sired by imported semen from Marquis, owned by Stephen and Helen Illingworth, of Lockerbie, was born at a ranch in Missouri.

Bob and Betty Anglani own and operate Cedar Creek Ranch, a registered Limousin (pedigree) operation in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri in the central US.

Last year the Anglanis met Helen and Stephen Illingworth via the Internet which resulted in the purchase of semen from Marquis, the five year old bull imported from France by the Illingworths in February 1997.

"We met at an opportune time when we were making some breeding decisions to go in a different direction than most purebred breeders in the US," said Betty Anglani.

"Over the past few years, we felt that Limousin cattle in the US have veered off the path of muscling and have been more focused on eye appeal.

"Muscle and small birth weights are two of the main traits that were and still are attractive in Limousin cattle. Our desire is to stay close to the Limousin influence and we were looking for new genetics other than what was offered in the US. It was during our visit to their website that we happened upon Marquis.

"We were impressed with Marquis' length, smoothness of muscle and stature. We want to add muscle and new genetics into our herd and felt he would complement our programme.

"Helen and Stephen assisted us in clearing Marquis' semen to the US. We AI'd only a few head. Only one settled, but fortunate enough it was one of our best fullblood cows."
The heifer calf, First Lady Marquis was born in September last year and tipped the scales at 73 lbs.

Since the semen sale, the Anglanis have met the Illingworths in person, firstly at the Beef Expo in Louisville, Kentucky last year. The Illingworths have since been to Cedar Creek to see First Lady Marquis.