Meuse Rhine Issel Cattle Society of the United Kingdom

Why use M.R.I?

Higher milk quality

Protein production approaching 4%

The right type of protein - high Kappa Casein-B for cheese making

Fat production over 4%

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Good milk yields

Up to 10,000 kgs is not unknown. Large numbers of cows giving yields of 7500 kg

Longevity

Healthy cows, with good disease resistance and strong legs and feet.

Proved in all UK conditions

MRIs are being kept in all parts of the UK, from the Welsh mountains to the Somerset wetlands, and their owners are all delighted with them

"After eight lactations"

Higher calf values

Strong will to live
Take readily to bucket feeding
active, lively calves
sturdy and disease resistant
good feed conversion
good beef quality
ideal for bull beef

Buyers recognise the potential of these calves

Calf groups regularly award them Quality status.

Beefing quality

Good conformation and high daily gains

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Average milk production

From NMR Annual Production Report 1998/99:

Year	Total lactations (cows and heifers)	Average milk yield (kg)	Average fat (%)	Weight of fat (kg)	Average protein (%)	Weight of protein (kg)	Average cell count (‘000s)
2000/01	1,258	5,534	4.07	225	3.43	190	155
1999/00	1,347	5,373	4.11	221	3.43	184	137
1998/99	1,225	5,301	4.12	219	3.42	181	143
1997/98	1,131	5,364	4.20	225	3.44	185	139
1996/97	927	5,274	4.22	223	3.45	182	141
1995/96	1,003	5,217	4.10	214	3.36	175	167

Beef Production

	Number of	age	liveweight	daily gain
	cattle	(days)	(kg)	(g)

Performance test:
Eickelborn	10	299	370	1255
Ruhwinkel	43	365	468	1234

Progeny test:
Eickelborn	57	389	450	1136
Kalkreise	37	425	503	1210
Futterkamp	97	290	355	1209

Field test:
(auction sales)	2345	446	564	1179

Semen from a range of M.R.I bulls is available from the Society

A list of bulls and prices is available from the Secretary, who can also supply names and telephone numbers of members in your area who will be happy to talk about their herds.

History of the Meuse Rhine Issel breed

This hardy and productive breed originates in the Netherlands and Germany.

In the Netherlands, it was developed in the region of the three rivers from which it gets its name. In Germany it comes from the regions of Westfalia, Rhineland and Schleswig Holstein, and is known there as the Rotbunt.

The Dutch Herdbook was formed in 1874 and the German Breed Societies in 1900. They were run as one breeding area across the border until 1914. During the 1920s, the Dutch bull 'Sjoerd 1 925' was used extensively in the Rhineland area and played a large part in establishing a good M.R.I. type there.

Between 1920 and 1950, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Denmark founded their own Red & White Dual Purpose breeds, based on the Dutch and Geman stock.

M.R.I. cattle were first imported into the U.K. and Ireland in the early 1970s. Current milk pricing structures ensure a huge demand for this extremely profitable breed, where yields of 8,000 to 9,000kgs at 4.0% protein are not uncommon.

Registering and upgrading cattle

M.R.I cattle are classified as either pure-bred or as pedigree.

Pure-bred cattle are exactly what the term implies - they have only M.R.I ancestors, and are directly descended from imported cattle. Pedigree cattle must be at least 87�% MRI.

Any breed of cattle can be upgraded to pedigree M.R.I, by using registered bulls, and notifying their progeny to the Society. The cost of registering cattle starts at only �2 to notify a first cross which is not of the required red and white. Pedigree and pure-bred cattle cost �10 per head to register. Full details will be supplied on request.

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