THE British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) is returning more than £100,000 to its members in two breed improvement incentives.

The breed improvement refund scheme will pay back just over £65,000 and almost £40,000 under the herd health initiative.

In the 2013 financial year £65,750 was paid back to British Limousin breeders in pedigree refunds – up £5,000 on the year. A long-established breed improvement tool, the monies-back-incentive allows breeders to assess the quality of the stock they have registered up to the age of 450 days.

If the breeder chooses to de-register the animal before it has reached that age, a flat rate refund of £20+VAT per animal is returned.

John Phillips, BLCS vice chairman, said: “This is a simple but highly effective breed improvement tool that has seen the Society return over £650,000 of registration income to breeders.

“It is a significant investment in the breed’s future and is indicative of the Society’s on-going intent to encourage breeders to be selective and drive continuous breed improvement in the British Limousin Herdbook.”

In 2013, an additional £100,000 in savings and returns to members was achieved by the Society through its Herd Health Initiative; reduced performance recording fees; subsidised DNA testing; and efficiencies in the BASCO herd book system.

Over the last five years alone, more than £500,000 in returns and savings have been made and passed back to BLCS members.

Within these figures, £39,512 was refunded to members through its Herd Health Initiative in 2013. The cash-back scheme, based on £4+VAT for each calf registered in the past year, financially supports breeders who are making the long-term investment into herd health assurance. To receive the financial support, herds need to adhere to the terms of a CHeCS licenced scheme and have an approved animal health scheme in place.