Many farmers believe choice of terminal sire determines calving ease which ultimately can mean the difference between positive and negative profit margins, but by concentrating more on having good, big milky suckler cows, not only do you stand more of a chance of getting a good live calf to any breed, but also a cow that will produce many calves for years to come.
MOST FARMERS are continuously looking for ways to make their system as simple, yet as effective as possible, but when you have a full time job as well as a farm to run, that ease of management is more vital than ever.
With new classes and free entry, the Royal Highland Winter Fair is gearing up to meet the challenges that face the winter show circuit in a positive and pro-active manner.
Buying in the best of bloodlines certainly doesn’t guarantee success in pedigree breeding, but building up a strong female flock is an ideal way to start, and gives a solid base on which to work from.
The Brown family’s association with the Border Leicester goes back to the 1920s – but while the breed has experienced a major decline in numbers since then, Pete Brown remains confident that there’s still a place in today’s sheep sector for the right type of Border.
For a young Angus McTaggart, like his father before him, it was always one of his greatest ambitions to win the Blackface section at the Highland Show, and that passion has certainly been passed on to his middle daughter Isla, who hopes to one day emulate the show success of her father and grand-father.
Bringing out any animal to show winning potential is never an easy task and maintaining those championship credentials throughout the season can prove even more difficult.
SCOTLAND WILL be the centre-piece event for the 2010 Shorthorn World Conference this summer – the first time that the conference has been held in the UK since 1989.
