Total membership of the society stands at 2,319, following the enrolment of 222 new members during the year, and Volume 130 of the Herd Book, published in the summer, contained the registrations of 4,350 bulls and 7,147 heifers born during 2005.

The continued expansion of the breed is attributed to the strong consumer demand for Aberdeen-Angus beef and the society says firm action will be taken against traders found to be abusing the Aberdeen-Angus brand. "We remain indebted to those wholesalers and retailers who support the Aberdeen-Angus brand, either through the society's Certified Aberdeen-Angus Beef programme or their own branded programmes," the report states.

"The society continues to take an aggressive stand with those who infringe consumer rights in relation to the Aberdeen-Angus brand and has worked closely with trading standards' officers in the prosecution of such offenders."

Source: ic Teesside.co.uk