UK Sire Services (S Devon Branch)

“Why this Devon based Company thinks that Britain is still ‘Stockyard of the World!’”

A talk by Robert Wills about his innovative cattle breeding business based in Devon. See https://www.uksires.co.uk/

Robert writes: “Having set up UK Sire Services Ltd in 2001, the Company has grown to employing 28 staff and with trade in over 50 countries. I am passionate about the incredible history behind the breeds and the stockmanship here in Great Britain that has provided the backbone to many countries over the years. We have been a very small cog in a massive wheel and we are proud of that involvement.”

DA members £4, non-members £6. Includes tea and biscuits after the talk.

Report on the talk

Robert is a proud Devonian from a long line of Devon farmers. From the challenges of BSE (Mad cow disease) and the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, UK Sire Services was born. Licences are needed along with a team – vets and stockmen to name a few. Initially Yeo Valley rented the business some land and they have been helpful in supporting Robert with his venture.

The world has 1.6 billion bovines. Brazil has the most with 240 million, India comes second with 195 million. The UK is well down the list with 9.6 million. Bovines are ruminants and grasslands cover 30% of the world’s land surface. The world population is growing and there is a need for sustainable food production, especially in Africa.

There is a world market for bull semen, led by the USA taking $300 million. Again the UK is a small but vital player contributing $29 million. Every bull must go through health checks to ensure healthy offspring.

Cattle breeding is still dominated by imported genetics, especially Holsteins. The giant companies like ABQ and ST have a policy of only using their own bulls and as they are dairy cattle producers, they are only interested in female calves.

UK Sire Services is an independent company serving individual farmers. The farmer takes their bull and UK Sire Services collects the semen. This can be sexed (dairy farmers wanting female calves) but not by Robert’s team – the semen has to be sent away for this process.

Great Britain has a history of developing breeds since the Industrial Revolution when the population grew rapidly and needed feeding. As the British Empire grew then our breeds of cattle were taken to these new lands. These breeds are still found all over the world – Aberdeen Angus, Herefords, South Devons, Galloways, Friesians and Ayrshires to name but a few. Continental breeds such as Charolais all have a British breed in their past.

UK Sire Services plan to remain independent and will continue to utilise new technology, especially genomics. Robert has a young team that are gradually taking over, ensuring the survival of the business.

So next time you are in Australia admiring a small calf – remember they could have been sired in Devon! What a thought!

Chris Reader
April 2025