FIELD MARGINS | Calves play catch up after drought

It’s been a tough one for Kennieshillock due to the summer drought affecting grass growth resulting in low yields of silage and reduced grazing for the livestock, but we’ve battled through as all farmers do and I’m still here to bore you with another article!

Last week, like many others, I received an email from the Scottish Government telling me that our grant application for the Future Farming Investment Scheme had been unsuccessful. Although very disappointed in the outcome, it came as no surprise as the scheme was seriously oversubscribed.

It would however be beneficial to those who were turned down to receive some correspondence as to why they were rejected and some guidance on hopefully being accepted in future schemes.

Social media has been awash with criticism of this scheme and the way it has been dealt with but I think as a nation, Scotland has by far the best rural affairs department and at least we are getting offered these grants and continued support compared to our counterparts in England and especially Wales who seem to be getting washed down the river by their respective departments.

On the farm, things are slowly adjusting to the winter routine with the young stock all weaned and housed. I had left the pedigree spring-born calves on their mothers for longer to play catch up, as after a long summer of burnt grass and straw they were looking well behind where they should be.

After a few weeks of the cows receiving some draff and silage and the calves getting around 2kg of creep per day, they have transformed and I’m pleased to say that I’m chuffed with them now and all seem to be healthy for the time being as we enter the pneumonia period for the next few weeks.

As I write this, it’s starting to snow and only 10 days ago I was shifting the electric fence for the cows in my shirt sleeves. It’s amazing how the weather has turned and dare I say it, it’s quite wet, but I vowed during the summer months I would never complain about the wet weather again.

The past two months have seen two of the best herds of Charolais cows in the north dispersed. Firstly, the Glenernan herd owned by Billy and Moira Milne and latterly the Kinclune herd owned by the late Jock Wilson. It was brilliant to see both herds selling really well and many to new breeders – I hope all your purchases are a success.

As young boys, we accompanied Dad to the bull sales and we would pick our bulls and endevour to buy our top one, but nine times out of 10, Jock Wilson would buy the bull we wanted and any of you who knew Jock would know he would not be beaten on a bull so the second choice it was!

Billy’s cows were of particular interest to me as many were sired by a bull he purchased from us, Elgin Jagger. It’s great as a pedigree breeder to see your genetics coming through and doing a good job. Special mention to Billy as he sold his stock bull Kinclune Superman for 31,000gns, a bull which coincidently he bought from Jock Wilson at the Aberdeen Spring Show for a modest sum.

The bull had bred some tremendous calves resulting in the sale but it’s a testament to the high level of stockmanship and knowledge that Billy possesses. I’m sure Billy will be around for a long time but I will miss his comradery at the bull sales, he is a true gentleman.

Calving has been slow these last few weeks but all has been well with calves born being small and lively the way they should be! We’re down to single figures to calve so hopefully all will be calved by mid December. All are sired by our junior stock bull Falleninch Stormzy – his calves certainly have a stamp and they can be identified minutes after birth from their cocky heads and lugs!

Entries are now being accepted for the spring bull sales. The bull shed is full of young guns that will be split between the February and May sales – hopefully there will be a few stars among them too.

It’s heartening to see livestock prices keeping up and by all means it looks as if next year will carry on where this one has left off.

I will sign off now as I’m away to watch my beloved nation make history and qualify for the World Cup next year. I hope to God I haven’t cursed this now, but I am old enough to remember France ‘98 and how great it was seeing our wee nation rub shoulders with the very best in the footballing world – I hope we’re not waiting another 30 years!