NORWEGIAN Red bull Braut has taken the title of crossbreeding bull of the year for 2013.

Promoted through the Dairy Crossbred blog, votes came in from around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, UK, Ireland and New Zealand.

Braut is the most widelyexported Norwegian Red sire to date and has been used in 22 countries.

Bred in the south of Norway by husband and wife team Ommun and Torbjørg Braut, the bull has production data for 10,403 daughters and confirmation data for 372 daughters around the world.

Geno UK’s Wes Bluhm said: “I am not surprised at his popularity. He has shown himself to be an ideal sire in cross-breeding systems here in the UK and in many other countries.

“Many producers are looking for easy keeping, compact, sturdy cows that fit their systems.

Braut fits the bill: owners describe his progeny as ‘peas in a pod’.

“Braut has the added advantage of extremely high fertility. As a breed, Norwegian Red has put emphasis on fertility for 40 years and Braut is among the best.”