An Orkney farmer has been named chairman of the British Limousin Cattle Society.
Michael Cursiter, who runs the Lagas herd of Limousins with his wife Ruth, is one of the breed society’s most northerly members.
He was appointed chairman at the society’s annual general meeting in Leamington Spa, replacing John Phillips who has held the post for three years.
Mr Cursiter, who has been the society’s Scottish regional representative on its council of management for nine years, is the 16th chairman of the society in its 46-year history. “I am very honoured to have been elected as chairman of the UK’s leading beef breed society,” said Mr Cursiter.
“Continuing to drive the strong position of the breed and the society within the industry, I will be working hard with the council and its members in sustaining and building upon the outstanding achievements of the past three years.
“In line with the Breed Improvement Plan, further development of the breed and adding value through new breeding technologies as they become available will remain at the heart of the work we do.”
He said early results of a feed efficiency project being undertaken by the society were promising for the industry. “I will continue to place emphasis on robust communication and promotion of messages like this to every level of the industry so that this kind of research is translated into real, tangible outcomes for members and commercial producers,” he added.
The new chairman’s herd was established in 1994 with the purchase of two heifers from Newhouse and two from the late Doug Edgar. Laga Farm is a family-run business stretching across 1,700 acres. In addition to the pedigree herd, the Cursiters run a commercial cattle enterprise, sheep flock and a children’s nursery.
The society has also appointed a new vice-chairman – Brian Lear, who runs the Turville herd at Creslow, Buckinghamshire – and Jonathan Watson of the Tweedale herd joins the council of management.
