Scottish

Herd competition: focus on females

Two thousand miles and 31 herds made for an epic journey. The weather was exceptionally kind which showed off the cattle to their best. The variety of farms and systems showed that Beef Shorthorn is adaptable and thrives in many situations.

The standard of the cattle was so high that it made judging both the herds and individual classes an exacting task. Every herd that we visited had cattle that could have been worthy winners and we are sure that many of the animals entered in the classes will be names we will hear of in the future, but there are only so many prizes to go round.

For us the herd competition was all about the females and our criteria for judging was for a balance throughout the herd, with cows doing a good job of their calves. Femininity, correctness, good udders and natural fleshing played their part. Being able to see quality young stock that would add to the herd was integral. The bulls needed to be smooth, fleshy and have good mobility. The placing of the top herds was tight and required considerable discussion between the two of us!

Every breeder’s enthusiasm and passion for their cattle and the breed bodes well for the future as does the standard of the cattle we saw. The breed has a bright future and we were particularly impressed by the dedication from the younger participants. Beef Shorthorns will be served well by both the cattle and breeders we met on the tour.

Congratulations to the prize winners and many thanks to those who welcomed us on to their farms and took the time to show us around. It was a huge privilege to be asked and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of visiting so many cattle in such a short space of time.

Charles and Sally Horrell

Judges: Charles and Sally Horrell CHAMPION AWARDS Overall: Glenisla Reserve: Chapelton Small herd 1, Leeburn, David Clark 2, Headlind, Alan Jackson 3, Corskie herd, Laura Green Medium herd 1, Balnabroich, Sir M and Lady S Nairn 2, Mountbenger, George Irving 3, Muiresk, Stuart G Mair and Sons Large herd 1, Glenisla, Major JPO Gibb and Catriona Gibb 2, Chapelton, JW Biggar 3, Fearn, John Scott and Partners CLASS RESULTS Cow with calf at foot 1, Chapelton Sister 505120, JW Biggar 2, Glenisla Sally Broadhooks J106, Major Gibb and Catriona Gibb 3, Coldrochie Broadhooks G1, Laura Green Stock bull 1, Chapelton Nomad, J W Biggar 2, Alvie Galaxy, Stuart G Mair and Sons 3, Meonside Nosty, George Irving Heifer born in 2019 with calf at foot 1, Bushypark Beauty, James Frame 2, Glenisla Sally Broadhooks N415, Major J Gibb and Catriona Gibb 3, Fearn Juliet, John Scott and Partners. Heifer born in 2019 in calf 1, Glenisla Foxglove Flake, Major J Gibb and Catriona Gibb 2, Headlind Hollie Nutmeg, Allan Jackson 3, Cairnsmore Nabby Gabby, Bill, Jane and Bobby Landers Heifer born in 2020 1, Glenisla Sally Broadhooks P477, Major J Gibb and Catriona Gibb 2, Dunsyre Daisy Greta, Carey Coombs 3, Balnespick Yantara Pixie, Cathryn Williamson Registered bull born in 2020 1, Chapelton Petrus, JW Biggar 2, Muiresk Peroni, Stuart G Mair and Sons 3, Rattray Papa Smurf, Rattray Estates Heifer calf born in 2020 1, Cairnsmore Tricia, Bill, Jane and Bobby Landers 2, Mountbenger Rachel, George Irving 3, Wells Serena 20, John Wood Bull calf born 2021 1, Chapelton Reuben, JW Biggar 2, Westbroad Rishi, Duncan Welsh 3, Corskie Ranger, Laura Green

Herd visits: to Glenrinnes and beyond

In spite of Covid, most of our Club members continued to keep in touch either at markets or watching sales by webcam but it was much more exciting in early August when approximately 60 members and friends met at Glenrinnes Home Farm for our day.

Estate manager, Alister Lang explained the estate’s different enterprises on the estate, all of which is an organic system. Together with his stockman, Glenn Dean, we walked out to the bull paddocks where we saw a variety of good lengthy bulls all for sale and one of the stock bulls, Creaga Phoenix. We went on to view the very placid Beef Shorthorn herd full of well-shaped, fleshy cows, rearing very good calves, together with equally impressive bulling heifers all running with the second stock bull, Coldrochie Jeronimo. We also took in the Blackface sheep with Greyface lambs and commercial heifers some of which were about to go to the bull.

We also visited the Estate’s deer enterprise and its latest enterprise, a gin and vodka distillery.

Our weekend trip to Orkney in September was well summed up by one of our members ‘what can I say….wow.. you didn’t disappoint…stunning scenery, fantastic stock, great food and of course not forgetting the amazing hospitality from the folk of Orkney’. A truly memorable trip due in no small measure to Phyllis Harcus, a well-known Orcadian Aberdeen Angus breeder who organised the itinerary and hotel for us and we even managed a quick stop to view her impressive herd. John Copland, a retired auctioneer from Orkney Auction Mart was our courier and he shared his incredible knowledge of the farms, their families and the island’s history.

Day one, first we visited David Scarth’s Cavans herd where we saw approximately 50 purebred Shorthorns plus 120 cross cows on a grass based system, taking all cattle through to finishing. By using AI to bring in outside genetics, David is able to breed his own stock bulls. Our second visit was to a very forward thinking young man, a Nuffield Scholar and ex-monitor farmer, Steven Sandison, who has built up an admirable farming business from scratch through drive and determination. His Salers cross Simmentals were very impressive. Our final visit was to Shona and Bruce Slater’s Queenamoan herd where quality not quantity shone through; a herd still in its infancy. Day two, we visited John and Jacqueline Lennie’s very uniform Nearhouse herd, where Nearhouse Lyall, a son of the well-known Pentland Emperor is certainly leaving his mark on an impressive field of his in calf daughters. Moving on we stopped at the Italian Chapel, an artistic and moving experience, and then to Graham Taylor (Odi), South Ronaldsay to see his pegree Beef Shorthorn herd and then on to Brough to view his Shorthorn cross Highland cows.

Day three, we stopped by at Orkney Mart where John Copland explained the mart’s history. Moving on we headed for Evie to visit the Cursiter family (Lagas). Michael runs small pedigree Beef Shorthorn and Limousin herds which are the base for his very successful commercial herd where we saw many first class Beef Shorthorn crosses. Looking for something a bit stretchier his newish stock bull Westbroad Jackpot Explorer stood well in the field. Sheep are a large part of their enterprise and our members enjoyed viewing the purpose-built sheep shed.

• The Scottish Club raised £230 for RSABI on our Glenrinnes trip, whilst our Scottish Beef Shorthorn Supper and Herds

Competition prize-giving raised £500. We presented £450 to RSABI, whilst a £50 prize was made to Bobby Landers for guessing the lucky square on a 100-square board.

Scottish Club secretary, Rosemary Dickie

Viewing the Glenrinnes herd