The Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society is a United Kingdom-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion, registration, and improvement of the Murray Grey breed of beef cattle. The society operates as a charitable organization, registered under charity number 274498.

Overview

The society focuses on supporting breeders and enthusiasts of Murray Grey cattle, a breed originally developed in Australia. The Murray Grey breed is known for its polled (hornless) condition, grey to silver coat color, and excellent beef qualities such as feed efficiency, growth rate, and superior carcass traits. The society provides pedigree registration, performance recording, and breed promotion services within the UK.

History and Purpose

The Murray Grey breed originated between 1905 and 1917 in the upper Murray River valley of Australia. The breed was formed from crossbreeding Aberdeen Angus and Shorthorn cattle and has since become valued internationally for its beef qualities. The Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society was established to administer breed registration and performance records with internationally recognized standards, such as Breedplan.

In the UK, the society serves as the official breed registry and resource center for breeders. It promotes the breed’s characteristics, including its hardiness, early maturity, feed conversion efficiency, and docile temperament. The society also maintains herdbooks and encourages the use of genetic evaluations to improve the breed's performance and meat quality.

Activities

• Registration of Murray Grey cattle and pedigree certification
• Recording and monitoring of performance data on growth, milk, and carcass quality
• Promotion of the breed to commercial cattle producers and the broader agricultural community
• Educational resources and events to support members and breeders
• Collaboration with international Murray Grey associations and societies to maintain breed standards

Significance

The Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society plays a vital role in sustaining the heritage and advancement of the Murray Grey breed within the UK, ensuring breeders have access to reliable registration, performance data, and support to maintain breed quality and reputation.

Note: This article is based on publicly available information related to the Murray Grey breed and the role of breed societies. Specific operational details of the UK Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society align with common functions of cattle breed societies.