Norbreck Farm from the early years

Phill Halhead and his family have farmed on the Lancaster coastline since 1937 and have always been enthusiasts for quality breeding across all types of stock reared. Producing quality stock has run in the family for generations.

The introduction of a modern beef breed was no surprise and the first Belgian blue cattle came to Norbreck Farm over 20 years ago. An advocate of the breed Phil has developed an affinity with other breeders and has combined his love of travel with sourcing the best from Belgium.

Respected judge
Phil has judged Belgian Blue cattle for the last 10 years and in 2005 judged shows including The Three Counties Show in the south and the Westmorland Show at Kendal.

Days on the farm.
The farm management is overseen by Phil, with the day to day running supported by a team headed by James McMullen. If you have ever visited the farm you will notice a great pride in keeping the place tidy. “You never know when someone will ask to visit at short notice.”

Hands on approach
The development of elite sires begins at home, where a policy of testing provides hard evidence of the successes. If you are visiting the farm in the next few months you will see some outstanding calves by Norbreck's elite sires.

Breeding Consultant
Phil is often called upon as a Breeding Consultant for commercial and dairy farms looking for sires to improve finished beef animals. He now travels the world providing advice and support and has built strong relationships with beef farmers as far away as Brazil.

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Tamhorn Sumo in demand

TAMHORN SUMO x OVATIE V..D.Wolvendreef The results of a contract mating between Sumo and Ovatie* has born 'fruit' in the birth of three heifers at Norbreck Farm. They are now part of the flushing programme.

"These are the types of female we will continue to flush for embryos and breed the bulls of the future,” said Phil Halhead, Managing Director of Norbreck Genetics.

*Ovatie is owned by Alan & Diedre Wilkinson (Springfield Herd).

Strong demand for Tamhorn Sumo in Belgium and great success in Britain. After negotiating sale of semen to Euro-Genetics in 2002 Danny Wyllie and Philip Halhead visited several farms to see first hand the development of Tamhorn Sumo calves. Belgian farmer were very satisfied with the British sired progeny, all breeders are reporting average/high birth weights from pure bred cows. The calves are extremely lively at birth, "every calf is up and suckling very quickly" explained one Belgium Farmer.

One area of particular interest to Belgium farmers is the correctness of the calves "putting a good leg in each corner" explained Danny.  Already the Sumo calves are showing the growth potential that we hope will continue to help improve the breed in its native home. The success of Tamhorn Sumo has paved the way for other high growth rate bulls, bred in the UK, to sell semen into the Belgium market.