The Luing Journal – January 2020 Cadzow Brothers, Luing Isle of Luing, Oban, Argyll PA34 4TZ
IBR and BVD Accredited ~ Johnes 1 since 2012 ~ SIGNET recorded performance
data
Annual Production Sale – Oban – Saturday 14th November 2020
A SAC ELITE HiHealth herd, Euan Ferguson bred with an emphasis on driving Follow us on Facebook consistent quality and performance 01852 314210 / 07881 806537 for our latest news and updates. from a sustainable grass diet. [email protected]
www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 31 The Luing Journal – January 2020 Investing in Fertility to Implement a Compact Calving Period to Improve Suckler Producers’ Gross Margin
Key Messages This, coupled with potential post-Brexit • As indoor calving progresses, • Gradually reducing calving period subsidy reductions, means suckler diseases such as scours build up. to nine weeks will directly improve producers must improve profitability by A shorter calving period reduces gross margins, increasing calf increasing their efficiency. disease build-up, and more calves output and reducing labour costs Average farms calve for 15.3 weeks, being born earlier means fewer calves through easier herd management. but better fertility and management are at risk, increasing calf output and • Achieving a compact calving could shorten this to nine weeks. This reducing veterinary costs. period whilst minimising compact calving period will improve the • Calves born earlier in the calving replacement rate requires gross margin by increasing calf output period will have higher and more enhanced herd management to whilst reducing labour, forage and consistent weaning weights, increase conception rates through veterinary costs. increasing output. Figure 1 shows better nutrition, easier calving, bull a calf born in the sixth three- fertility and disease management. Importance of a Compact Calving week block can be 121kg lighter • A compact calving period therefore Period at weaning than a calf born in the brings multifaceted benefits to first period due to the former being herd performance with resulting A compact calving period of nine weeks 100 days younger. According to improvements in health and substantially improves profitability for Table 1, this calf will be worth £236 fertility also increasing profitability the following reasons: less at weaning. A 24kg increase in through more calves being born • Compact calving around spring weaning weight achieved through a alive, improved calf performance turnout can reduce feed and bedding cow calving one period sooner will and reduced veterinary costs. costs as cows are often turned out increase calf output by £46.80/cow. after calving for ease of supervision. • Cows calving earlier in the period Introduction Cows that calve sooner will be turned are likely to conceive sooner as cattle out sooner, maximising grazing, do not begin oestrus cycling until Average upland suckler producers are which is the cheapest feed source. their uterus has recovered about 40 subjected to low profitability with a gross • Calving supervision is only required days post-calving. Figure 2 shows margin of £26/cow, as shown in Table 1. for 9 – 10 weeks, reducing labour cows calving in the first and second The deadweight beef price has dropped costs. three-week blocks have three more by 45p/kg since October 2018, inevitably • Increased weaning weight and age opportunities to conceive than cows reducing store cattle prices and therefore mean replacement heifers are more calving in the fifth block as their lowering upland suckler herds’ output. likely to be suitable for calving in uterus has recovered before they go earlier periods at two years old. to the bull, hence the industry target of 65% of cows calving within the OUTPUT £/COW first three weeks. The later calving cow is less likely to conceive before Calf sales (195p/kg, 273kg calves, 86 calves reared/100 cows) 457 the bull is removed so will either be Less cow and bull depreciation, bull maintenance and calf purchases 166 empty or extend the calving period. Total output 291 • Table 1 shows a suckler cow incurs £265 of variable costs per year VARIABLE COSTS £/COW and therefore must produce a calf Cow concentrates (£200/t) 26 annually to pay for itself. A nine- week calving period minimises the Calf concentrates (£238/t) 14 number of less fertile and barren Vet and medicines 33 cows on the farm which would have a Straw bedding 56 calving interval above 365 days, thus maximising calf output. Misc (commission, haulage, tags, levies) 25 Total variable costs (before forage) 153 Achieving a Compact Calving Period
Gross margin (before forage) 138 Improving conception rates through Forage variable costs 98 herd management is key to achieving a nine-week calving period. Transition Purchased bulk feed 14 from the average 15-week period to TOTAL VARIABLE COSTS (inc forage) 265 nine weeks should be gradual, removing GROSS MARGIN/COW 26 the bull progressively earlier each year. Steadily culling the least fertile cows Table 1: A John Nix gross margin for an averagely performing, upland spring calving from the herd will avoid having too suckler cow per year. Output consists of the value of the weaned calf at 250 days old. many empty cows and replacements.
32 www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk The Luing Journal – January 2020 Investing in Fertility to Implement a Compact Calving Period to Improve Suckler Producers’ Gross Margin
A 65% conception rate equates to 96% of cows in calf after nine weeks with the bull, above the industry target of 95%. Improving conception rates after the first service by 1% can be worth £1.28/cow, therefore a 20% improvement would equate to £25.60/cow each year.
Improving Conception Rates
1. Body condition
Figure 1: The effect of calving date on age and weight at weaning. Assumed weaning at 8 months from start of first 3-week period, 1.15kg DLWG from 45kg birthweight. Figure 1: The effect of calving date on age and weight at weaning. Assumed weaning at 8 months Figure 4: The effect of cow body condition score at calving (―) and turnout (- - -) on the probability from start of 1st 3-week period, 1.15kg DLWG from 45kg birthweight. of calving in the first 42 days of the next calving season. Figure 4: The effect of cow body condition score at calving (–) and
turnout (- - -) on the probability of cows calving in the first 42 days of the next
calving season.
Adequate feeding in the 60 days before
and after calving is crucial for the cow to start cycling and get back in calf. Cows
need to calve at a body condition score of 2.5 – 3. Figure 4 shows that cows in this range have an 80% chance of calving in the first two three-week calving periods in the subsequent year, keeping future calving periods compact, and maximising the chances of having 65%
Figure 2: Number of mating opportunities for cows calving in each 3-week calving of cows calving within the first three Figure 2: Number of mating opportunities for cows calving in each 3-week calving period. H denotes
whenperiod. the Hcow denotes is in heat. when the cow is in heat. weeks.
This is important for the following reasons: • Thinner cows have lower conception
• Increasing cow life by one year can rates and a longer postpartum improve gross margin by £20/cow. anoestrus period, taking longer to • Replacement heifers cost over £1,000 start cycling due to reduced LH
to rear or buy, with no return on this production. Each body condition investment until the heifer’s first calf unit below three at calving increases
is sold, affecting cash flow. the calving interval by 11.2 days, • Rearing home-bred heifers limits the explaining the lower probability
farm’s capacity to rear saleable stock. shown in Figure 4 of thin cows • Purchasing replacements risks calving early in the next year. Calves
biosecurity, potentially importing of thin cows are likely to have lower diseases such as BVD. weaning weights, reducing output.
• Cows above 3.5 are overfat, carrying Figure 3: Percentage of cows in calf after a 12-week bulling periodFigure at varying 3 illustrates conception that rates. after nine weeks bigger calves, which leads to calving Figure 3: Percentage of cows in calf after with a bull, 15% more cows will be difficulties and uterus damage, a 12-week bulling period at varying pregnant if the herd conception rate explaining the sharp fall in the
conception rates. increases from 40% to 60%. conception rate for cows above 3.5.
www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 33
The Luing Journal – January 2020
Separating thin and overfat cows at 3. Calving ease weaning means they can be fed to optimise body condition before calving. Feed costs may not increase as lower PREVIOUS SUBSEQUENT BREEDING rations for overfat cows may compensate CALVING SEASON SUCCESS RATE for higher rations for thin cows. Whilst No assistance 96% increasing calf output by minimising calving difficulties and improving calf Assisted by stockperson 25% performance, optimising body condition Assisted by vet 34% also maximises the chances of the cow conceiving within a nine-week bulling Caesarean 74% period. Table 2: The impact of assisting calving on future breeding success. 2. Disease control: BVD
Reducing cases of dystocia (difficult Management: births) will improve conception rates and • Estimated breeding values (EBVs) profitability for the following reasons: for calving ease, gestation length and birthweight can improve calving • As shown in Table 2, stockperson ease. Figure 5 shows a bull excelling assistance can reduce successful in these direct calving ease traits conception in the next breeding although his daughters will be harder season by 71% compared with a to calve. These EBVs are particularly cow calving naturally. Assistance important in selecting easy calving increases the risk of damage to the bulls for heifers who are 9.7 times uterus, leading to uterine infections more likely to suffer dystocia. which delay oestrus cycling, meaning • Selecting traditionally easy calving, the cow takes longer to conceive and native breeds can help reduce calving so is unlikely to calve in the earlier difficulties. periods. • Cows calving at body condition • Assisting calving incurs labour and of 2.5 – 3 have a reduced risk of • BVD causes reproductive losses of veterinary costs, with caesareans dystocia. £43/cow annually in severely infected costing over £200/cow. herds. • Assistance increases the risks of cow Whilst increasing the number of • In early pregnancy, BVD prevents and calf mortality; calves assisted due live calves born, and therefore the formation of a corpus luteum, to dystocia are 12.8 times more likely output, improving calving ease will reducing conception rate. Later in to die in the perinatal period than also reduce veterinary costs and pregnancy, BVD can cause abortions. unassisted calves. maximise subsequent conception rates, • BVD reduces output from infected maintaining a compact calving period. calves as they are more susceptible to scours and pneumonia, compromising growth.
Management: • Infected calves can be identified using BVD tags at birth. BVD testing tags cost £3.45/calf more than a standard tag. • Persistently infected cows can be culled. • Cows can be vaccinated to restrict disease spread, costing £2.95/cow. • Biosecurity improvements, such as testing animals for BVD before purchasing, avoid importing the disease. Given BVD’s potential costs, eradicating it through culling and the small investment of £6.40/cow for tagging and vaccination will directly increase calves born alive, and improve calf performance and conception rates, resulting in a more compact calving period. Figure 5: EBVs for for a a Beef Beef Shorthorn Shorthorn bull, bull, Chapelton Chapelton Typhoon. Typhoon.
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The Luing Journal – January 2020
4. Bull management References AHDB (2014). Optimising Suckler Herd Fertility Irons, P., Nöthling, J. & Bertschinger, H. (2007). Bull fertility is vital to achieve a compact for Better Returns [Online]. Available from: Bull breeding soundness evaluation in Southern calving period, with 20 – 25% of bulls http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp/wp-content/ Africa. Theriogenology, 68(6), pp.842-847. sub-fertile. Bulls with low libido may uploads/2014/09/BRP-Manual-8-Optimising- McHugh, N., Fahey, A.G., Evans, R.D. & Berry, suckler-herd-fertility-090914.pdf. D.P. (2010). Factors associated with selling price of not serve cows in oestrus or may have [Accessed 21/10/2019] poor semen quality, meaning cows do cattle at livestock marts. Animal, 4(8), pp.1378-1389. not conceive. Given the limited mating AHDB (2015). Managing Replacement Heifers for Better Returns [Online]. Available from: opportunities shown in Figure 2, these Menegassi, S.R.O., Barcellos, J.O.J., Lampert, http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp-content/ V.D.N., Borges, J.B.S. & Peripolli, V. (2011). unsuccessful services may mean cows do uploads/2015/07/BRP-Managing-replacement- Bioeconomic impact of bull breeding soundness not conceive within nine weeks, resulting heifers-manual-11-030715.pdf. examination in cow-calf systems. Brazilian Journal in empty cows. Bull breeding soundness [Accessed 21/10/2019] of Animal Science, 40(2), pp.441-447. exams are therefore worthwhile: AHDB (2016). AHDB Beef and Lamb Stocktake NADIS (2017). Beef Herd Fertility [Online]. • As Figure 6 shows, physical fitness Costs of Production 2015/16 [Online]. Available National Animal Disease Information Service. from: http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp/wp- to mate and sperm quality are tested Available from: http://www.nadis.org.uk/bulletins/ content/uploads/2016/11/English-spring-calving- beef-herd-fertility/beef-herd-fertility-2.aspx. before mating, identifying sub-fertile suckler-herds-251116.pdf. [Accessed 23/10/2019]. [Accessed 01/11/2019] bulls. AHDB (2019). Deadweight Cattle Prices Neumann, A.L. & Lusby, K.S. (1986). Beef Cattle, • Earlier culling resulting from these [Online]. Available from: http://beefandlamb. 8th Edition. Published by Wiley Publishing, examinations can increase bull ahdb.org.uk/markets/deadweight-price-reports/ New York. pp.114-125. depreciation costs, but reducing deadweight-cattle-prices/. [Accessed 22/10/2019] Osoro, K. & Wright, I.A. (1992). The effect of body working life from five years to four Amer, P.R., Lowman, B.G. & Simm, G. (1996). condition, live weight, breed, age, calf performance, will only increase depreciation by Economic values for reproduction traits in beef and calving date on reproductive performance suckler herds based on a calving distribution £6/cow. of spring-calving beef cows. Journal of Animal model. Livestock Production Science, 46(2), Science, 70, pp.1661-1666. • The additional calves and earlier pp.85-96. Redman, G. (2019). John Nix Pocketbook for Farm calving resulting from only using Barbudo, A.V., Gunn, G. & Stott, A. (2008). satisfactory bulls increase calf output Management 2020, 50th Edition. Published by Combining models to examine the financial impact Agro Business Consultants, Melton Mowbray. p.62. by 24kg per cow each year, worth of infertility caused by bovine viral diarrhoea £46.80/cow according to Table 1. For in Scottish beef suckler herds. The Journal of Rypu A.K., Oneczka-Janeczko, K.P., Bania, J., Wa Agricultural Science, 146(6), pp.621-632. Ecka, E., Bierowiec, K. & Rozpe Dek, W. (2013). a bull serving 30 cows, this is £1,404/ Reduction of prevalence of persistent BVDV bull, 14 times greater than the £100 Blanc, F. & Agabriel, J. (2008). Modelling the infection in cattle herds by long-term vaccination reproductive efficiency in a beef cow herd: effect investment in an examination. program (preliminary clinical study). Polish of calving date, bull exposure and body condition Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 16(2), pp.381-383. at calving on the calving–conception interval and calving distribution. The Journal of Agricultural Penny, C. (2010) The BCVA’s bull pre-breeding Science, 146(2), pp.143-161. examination certificate. Veterinary Record, 167, pp.551-554. BVD Free (2019). BVD Free England [Online]. Available from: https://bvdfree.org.uk/. Pritchard, I., Logan, R., Hill, G. & Caldow, G. [Accessed 22/10/2019] (2017). A guide to improving suckler herd fertility [Online]. Available from: https://www. Chenoweth, P.J. & Mcpherson, F.J. (2016). Bull qmscotland.co.uk/sites/default/files/qm2879_ breeding soundness, semen evaluation and cattle suckler_herd _a5_brochure_aw_0817_single_0. productivity. Animal Reproduction Science, 169, pdf. [Accessed 23/10/2019] pp.32–36. QMS (2015). Improving Suckler Herd Fertility Craig, K. (2018). The Farm Management [Online]. Quality Meat Scotland. Available Handbook 2018/19, 39th Edition. Published by from: http://www.fertbench.com/userfiles/ SAC Consulting, Midlothian. pp.150-151. QMSbeeffertility.pdf. [Accessed 20/10/2019] Delaware Veterinary Group (2015). Bull Breeding Shearwell (2019). Primary Cattle Tags [Online]. Soundness Examination [Online]. Available Available from: https://www.shearwell.co.uk/ from: http://www.delawarevets.co.uk/wp-content/ tags-england-and-wales-cattle-new-run-primary. uploads/2015/10/delaware-farm-vets-bull- [Accessed 24/10/2019] breeding-soundness-evaluation.pdf. [Accessed 11/11/2019]. Shorthorn Sires UK (2019). SSUK Catalogue [Online]. Available from: http://www. Drennan, M.J. & Berry, D.P. (2006). Factors shorthornsiresuk. co.uk/index.php/catalogue. affecting body condition score, live weight and [Accessed 06/11/2019] reproductive performance in spring-calving suckler cows. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Thomas, H.S. (2009). Storey’s Guide to Raising Research, 45(1), pp.25-38. Beef Cattle: Health, Handling, Breeding, FigureFigure 6: A bull 6:breeding Criteria soundness for examination a bull breeding certificate criteria. 3rd Edition. Published by Storey Publishing, Farmacy (2019). Bovilis BVD 50 Dose [Online]. soundness examination certificate. United States. pp.282-286. Available from: https://www.farmacy.co.uk/ Woods, A. (2011). Achieving 365 Day Calving products/75-bovilis-bvd-50-dose. [Accessed 24/10/2019] Interval & 12 Week Calving Spread in Suckler Henry Scholefield, Herds- BETTER Beef Farm Experience [Online]. Gillandt, K., Hohnholz, T., Kemper, N., Volkmann, Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society Teagasc. Available from: https://www.teagasc.ie/ N. & Waßmuth, R. (2019). Risk factors for dystocia media/ website/publications/2011/Adam_Woods_ Student of the Year 2018 and perinatal mortality in extensively kept Angus Beef_Conf_Paper.pdf. [Accessed 29/10/2019] suckler cows in Germany. Agriculture, 9(4), p.85. Yavas, Y. & Walton, J.S. (2000). Postpartum acyclicity in suckled beef cows: a review. Theriogenology, 54(1), pp.25-55.
www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 35 The Luing Journal – January 2020
Harehead FarmsHarehead Farms
Luings, Sim-Luings, Blackface, Bluefaced Leicesters and Texels born & bred on top of the Lammermuirs
Luings, Sim-Luings, Blackface, Bluefaced Leicesters and Texels born & bred on top of the Lammermuirs
Professor W.A. Penny CBE Harehead, Cranshaws, Duns.
Contact: Neil Anderson, Farm manager Tel: 01361 890342 Mobile: 07747032545 Why not come along and see for yourself?
36 www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk
Professor W.A. Penny CBE Harehead, Cranshaws, Duns.
Contact: Neil Anderson, Farm manager Tel: 01361 890342 Mobile: 07747032545 Why not come along and see for yourself? The Luing Journal – January 2020 PLENDERLEITH
Luings and Sim-Luings in the Cheviot Hills Contact: Rory Bell Roxburgh Mill, Kelso 01573 450221 or 07740 697600
TEVIOT SIMMENTALS Polled bulls available
www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 37 The Luing Journal – January 2020
ANNUAL SALE OF PEDIGREE & COMMERCIAL LUING CATTLE ON WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY 2020
------
Following the tremendous success of our previous sales we look forward to continuing and expanding this prestigious event.
Also annual sale of Hi-Health cattle including Sim./Luing & SH x bulling heifers and annual sale of Highland cattle ------Weekly sales of prime and store stock held throughout the year. Special sales of store lambs, weaned calves, store and breeding cattle and sheep held throughout the Autumn as per our sales booklet (available on request). Ample lairage available before and after sales. Satellite markets at Lochmaddy (Isle of North Uist), Portree (Isle of Skye), Fort William and Stornoway (Isle of Lewis).
Dingwall & Highland Marts Limited t.. 01349 863252 f. 01349 865062 www.dingwallmart.co.uk
The Luing Journal – January 2019 The Luing Journal – January 2019
Chartered Certified Accountants
TENTH ANNUAL SALE Accounts Preparation • Book Keeping • VAT • PAYE OF Income Tax - all aspects • Business Planning & Forecasts PEDIGREE & COMMERCIAL LUING CATTLE ON Specialising in WEDNESDAY 22ND MAY 2019 All aspects of Farming including ------Basic Payment Scheme / Herd Basis / Planning Equipment Purchase Following the tremendous success of our previous sales we look forward to continuing and expanding this prestigious event. Main Contact
Also annual sale of Hi-Health cattle including Sim./Luing & SH x bulling heifers and annual sale of Highland cattle William A. Wyllie F.C.C.A ------Weekly sales of prime and store stock held throughout the year. Special sales of store lambs, weaned calves, store 1 Seaford Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 2BZ and breeding cattle and sheep held throughout the Autumn as per our sales booklet (available on request). Ample lairage available before and after sales. Satellite markets at Lochmaddy (Isle of North Uist), Portree (Isle of Skye), Fort Tel: 01563 522783 / 528486 William and Stornoway (Isle of Lewis). Email: [email protected]
Website: www.clementandson.co.uk Dingwall & Highland Marts Limited t.. 01349 863252 f. 01349 865062 www.dingwallmart.co.uk 38 www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk
38 www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 39 The Luing Journal – January 2020 Commonside Luings & Sim-Luings
Canadian Luing Report 2019
Iain Aitken As always, our year has been dominated It was a test for man, machinery and by weather issues. After extreme livestock, but the Luing cows came drought last year, 2019 started out through with flying colours. I didn’t hear even drier – until mid-June when the anyone complaining about them having heavens opened. We received over 10" too much hair last winter, but we did of rain in the following month, which have one potential customer visit, looking was enough to turn the dire pasture for cattle with more hair coat than his situation around, but it came too late to existing herd! boost hay crops. Unfortunately, a few Demand for our cattle continues to areas of the Prairies never broke the grow among ranchers interested in the drought cycle and are faced with herd “easy care” attributes of the breed. Interest liquidation this autumn due to lack of from American ranchers looks set to affordable feed. A second wet cycle hit result in some sales there for the first time the southern Prairies in September, in 25 years. The potential of this market is dumping another 7" of rain on us here, huge as the three US states closest to me which has completely halted harvest are home to over four million beef cows and does not bode well for getting the compared to 3.7 million in the whole crops off before winter. of Canada and around 1.5 million in Last winter, we recorded the the UK. This is an exciting opportunity, coldest temperatures I’ve experienced but to capitalise on it, we’ll need to keep in Canada, with two days of -49°C expanding the breed population, as well (factoring in the windchill effect) and as attracting more young breeders to one day of -51°C! Those are pretty carry the work forward. “Time waits for extreme by anyone’s standards. no man,” as the old saying goes! www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 39 The Luing Journal – January 2020 Glenlivet Luings
Initially, the Nairn family’s suckler cow Thereafter, additional bulling heifers herd was an ongoing criss-crossing were purchased at both United Auctions, programme, based on Limousin Stirling, and Dingwall. and British Blue breeding, as well as Admittedly, the family prefer to buy a pedigree British Blue herd which in mature bulls that are fit and ready to involved embryo transfer (ET). work and so that they can see previous However, expensive vet bills progeny on the ground, giving them a including a number of caesareans every better idea of how the sires are breeding. year, increased bedding costs and endless The first Luing bull at Clashnoir was amounts of hours taken up at calving Attonburn Hercules, a bull purchased time have seen the family drift away privately from the Symons’ herd at A farming family from Glenlivet in from the continental breeds and build Attonburn, Yetholm, in the Scottish Banffshire, has improved efficiency and up a herd of pedigree Luing cattle. Borders, before later buying Luing saved on both input costs and manhours “Our aim was to produce show calves Lawman at a dispersal sale at Thainstone. since introducing the hardy Luing breed and although they were shown successfully, He made a real stamp on the herd and to its business seven years ago. with many sold on to be exhibited at major produced “top notch females” with great First generation farmer Alastair shows across the UK, it just wasn’t viable natures and plenty of milk. Nairn, together with his wife, Jean, and any more,” said Stuart. “We were having to Other notable sires include Wooplaw their son Stuart, run a successful beef put away too many cross cows at a young Muldorich; Commonside Nick; Wellbeck and sheep enterprise across 2,000 acres age after bad calvings and caesareans or Torridon; and two other bulls purchased of hill and upland ground. They are because they wouldn’t take to the bull – it privately from the Isle of Luing. based at Clashnoir Farm, which they was a real waste. “We’ve experimented with the Luing have farmed on a secure tenancy from “A number of years ago though, bull on some of the cross cows and we the Crown Estate since 1982. Dad purchased 10 Luing cows from have been impressed with the results,” Situated right in the heart of malt Lord Lovat’s dispersal which were bulled said Alistair. “The Luing can be crossed whisky country, Clashnoir lies on the to the Charolais and Simmental. We with any breed to produce hardy, snow line and is home to one of the were very impressed with them for their productive and milky females. most inland herds of Luing cattle. With hardiness and productivity so when it “We particularly liked crossing the the Glenlivet area exposed to some of was time to make a change, we knew it Luing with the British Blue cross cows as the worst weather in the UK and the had to be the Luing,” he added, pointing you get a bonnie, roan-coloured calf.” well-known Lecht Ski Centre only 13 out that the vast majority of their ground With just 26 cows left in the miles away from Clashnoir, the nearby is situated 1,000 feet above sea level. commercial herd and the aim to phase Lecht road is one of the first roads in In 2012, Alastair purchased four them out over the next couple of years, the country to be blocked every year pedigree Luing cows with calves at the Nairns have continued to build up with snow.“We’re situated within the foot at a dispersal sale at Aberdeen and the pedigree Luing herd and now have Cairngorm National Park so we catch all Northern Marts’ Thainstone Centre, 130 pedigree Luing females due to calve the snow and bad weather,” said Stuart. and that same year, bought another four next year, with an additional 40 heifers “In fact, the nearby Tomintoul village is pedigree heifers from Angus McColl, retained for bulling. one of the highest villages in Scotland, if Golspie, at Dingwall and Highland not the UK.” Marts’ Dingwall Mart.
40 www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk The Luing Journal – January 2020
“Up to now, we’ve been keeping all of “We’ve found that the Luing breed Out with the beef enterprise at Clashnoir, our heifers for breeding so we’re in a produces easier fleshing progeny and we’re the family run a flock of 1,000 ewes to position to cull harder in the Luing herd getting more crops of calves out of the include 350 commercial ewes and 650 and perhaps sell on surplus heifers for cows compared to the previous herd. Blackfaces, of which half are crossed to breeding,” said Stuart. “We can keep more “Our bulls usually kill out at 350kg and the Texel cross Bluefaced Leicester tup to Glenlivet Luings Luing cows here than continentals and our most recent batch of 12, which sold to produce a hardy, easier kept cross ewe. we’re producing more from smaller cows.” Woodhead Bros, all produced R4L grades,” Stuart also runs a pure Blackface In contrast to the commercial herd, he added. flock and sells around 20 Blackie all of the Luing cows are out all year round As well as using less straw than shearlings every year through Dingwall and the majority of them calve outside on before, with the Luings utilising poorer and Highland Marts’ Dingwall and the hill throughout May and June, with performing ground, the Nairn family has Fort William centres. In the past, they only a handful brought into cubicles after also found the breed to be very fertile. have sold to a top price of £1,200 and the calves have been weaned. “One year, we had 70 Luing cows regularly average above the £500 bracket. This is a real advantage to the family calving and there was only one out of that In conclusion, it just goes to show that as all commercial cows had to be housed batch that was yeld,” said Stuart. “The cows the hardy and efficient Luing breed inside, which not only meant housing was are easy maintained at calving time as we has the ability to not only save on ever tight when they had a larger herd but it tend to only need to check them first thing increasing costs and manhours but also increased the workload, with cows in the morning and last thing at night.” can act as a dual-purpose breed and be virtually watched 24/7 at calving time. Both Alastair and Stuart praised crossed with other breeds of females to Calves are then introduced to creep the Luing Cattle Society for being so produce progeny well suited to market feed in November before weaning in welcoming and friendly to new members specifications. February. All bull calves are kept entire and added that Breed Secretary Una and sold at 15 months of age to ABP or MacQueen had been a huge help to them. Katrina Macarthur Woodhead Bros, Turriff, while heifers head back outside to grass at the end of May. A couple of the bulls have been kept on this year for potential breeding. “The creep feed is a good way of getting the calves introduced to feeding when they come inside and it’s much easier on their mothers,” said Stuart. Retired Farming Social Group
Jill Rennie Word soon spread about the planned Once again, thank you very much to the trip, with new people getting in contact Luing Cattle Society for your support. and wanting to join us. The bus was The Retired Farming Social Group meets booked, and we all met at Tarff in every month, and we have had a variety Dumfries to travel to East Kilbride of smaller local farm visits across the together, where we sat down to a lovely region, with speakers also lined up for the lunch. The afternoon passed very winter months. quickly as members had so many The group continues to grow, with interesting sections to look at, including new people enquiring and wanting the original 1950s farmhouse a short to join. If you would like further walk from the main museum. The information, please contact: The year got off to a flying start for the house had a lot of original décor and Jill Rennie, Co-ordinator Retired Farming Social Group, which furnishings, as if the farmer and his T: 0778 8583 687 received a generous donation from wife had just popped out. The farmyard E: [email protected] the Luing Cattle Society at their AGM had equipment from the 1950s, as well in Castle Douglas. The donation was as a variety of animals to look at, from earmarked to go towards a summer hens, pigs and cattle to Clydesdales. The trip for the group. We had been hoping museum housed an amazing collection to have the trip and, thanks to the of tractors and combines plus lots of generosity of the Society, were now able other interesting pieces of equipment to put our plans into action. which stimulated intense discussion The group wanted to visit the amongst members of the group. National Museum of Rural Life at East All in all, everyone had a great day, Kilbride, and this would be our first full and this would not have been possible day trip. without such a generous donation.
www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 41
WOOPLAW 30 YEARS OF LUINGS AT WOOPLAW
Bulls that shaped the Wooplaw herd
Monzie Esteem P Luing Laggan Wooplaw Torridon P
Wooplaw Luing Vagabond Knockando P Monzie Finlay PP
The Luing Journal – January 2020
Eight Young Bulls for Sale
WOOPLAW EXECUTIVE WOOPLAW EXPLORER WOOPLAW EXODUS WOOPLAW EXPERIENCE (H – Strathmashie) (P – Strathmashie) (H – Thor) (H – Torridon)
Members of SAC Premium Health Scheme Johnes Level 1 & BVD Accredited since 2004
WOOPLAW EXHIBITIONIST WOOPLAW XANADU WOOPLAW EXPERT (P – Strathmashie) (P – Scalpay) (H – Strathmashie)
Bob, Janene and Ben Moffat, Wooplaw Farm, Galashiels Tel: 01896860262 Mobile (Bob): 07746550531 Mobile (Ben): 07860456508 [email protected]
CURRENT STOCK BULLS Wooplaw Torridon P Wooplaw Strathmashie P Wooplaw Thor P Wooplaw Scalpay P
www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 43 The Luing Journal – January 2020
Premium Sheep & Goat Health Schemes
Disease Control for • BVD •Johne’s Disease • MV • CAE and other endemic diseases • Remove costly disease from your stock • Provide health assurance for your customers • Safeguard the health status of your herd/flock
At the forefront of animal health. A leading scheme with nationwide coverage and competitive prices. Contact: SRUC Veterinary Services Greycrook, St Boswells, Roxburghshire, TD6 0EQ Leading the way in Agriculture and Rural T: 01835 822456 E: [email protected] Research, Education and Consulting www.cattlehealth.co.uk www.sheepandgoathealth.co.uk fb.com/SRUCVets @SRUCVets AD21.5.2019
SRUC is a charity registered in Scotland, No. SC003712
44 www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk The Luing Journal – January 2020
www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk 45 The Luing Journal – January 2020 The 2019
Premier Bull Backmuir Warrior Sire: Harehead Savivatu Vendor: Mr P. Simmers Height at Shoulders: 57" Scrotal Circumference: 44.5cm Sale Line-Up Weight: 912kg Price: 6,500gns Buyer: S. Marshall, Concraig Herewith the 2019 Premier Bull Sale line-up. All details given are from the time of sale, and bulls are listed in catalogue order.
Backmuir Wildfire Luing Warpath Backmuir Wanderer Sire: Harehead Savivatu Sire: Luing Lad Sire: Finlarg Scorpio Vendor: Mr P. Simmers Vendor: Cadzow Bros. Vendor: Mr P. Simmers Height at Shoulders: 56" Height at Shoulders: 57" Height at Shoulders: 57" Scrotal Circumference: 41.5cm Scrotal Circumference: 41.5cm Scrotal Circumference: 44cm Weight: 848kg Weight: 972kg Weight: 828kg Price: 3,500gns Price: 6,000gns Price: 3,500gns Buyer: S. Marshall, Concraig Buyer: Messrs Finlay McGowan, Buyer: St Joseph, Muncraig Dirnanean
Culmaily Winston Benhar Woody Benhar Wrangler Sire: Benhar Nevis Sire: Benhar Lennox Sire: Culmaily Sheamus Vendor: A.L. & A.C. McCall Vendor: Robert McNee Ltd Vendor: Robert McNee Ltd Height at Shoulders: 58” Height at Shoulders: 56" Height at Shoulders: 58" Scrotal Circumference: 41.5cm Scrotal Circumference: 40.2cm Scrotal Circumference: 40.5cm Weight: 966kg Weight: 898kg Weight: 1014kg Price: 2,500gns Price: 3,000gns Price: 10,000gns Buyer: Glenlyon Estates, Glenlyon Buyer: Mr C. Young, Balintore Buyer: Kedzlie Farm Ltd, Swalemoor
46 www.luingcattlesociety.co.uk