Situated just outside Letham in the heart of Angus is Newton of Idvies, home of renowned Aberdeen Angus breeders, Alastair and Graeme Fraser of FJ Fraser and Son.
The Fraser family has been at the location since 1952 with Alastair’s father purchasing the 112-acre farm in 1959. The farm now spans an impressive 560 acres with the purchase of a further four units in the time since.
Father Alastair lives at Idvies with his wife Muriel, with son Graeme staying up at Hillkirk Farm with his family including daughter Neve.
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The business is primarily beef with the family also growing barley for malting, wheat, potatoes, and their own silage. The crops are used for feed with the rest being sold. The animals are managed on a commercial system with the cattle being bred as replacements.
When it comes to pedigree breeding, however, according to Alastair it has always been the Aberdeen Angus.
“No other breed will do! We originally had bred commercial cattle but built up the funds to buy two pedigree Angus cows and it went from there,” he said.
Idvies is now regarded as the oldest running traditional Aberdeen Angus breeder located in Angus.
Alastair attributes the family’s success to keeping the herd closed apart from the occasional female. Only stock bulls are bought in to bring fresh new bloodlines to the herd. When buying in bulls, Alastair requires them to tick all his boxes.
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He said: “What I am looking for is easy flesh, good feet and legs with good locomotion. Breed character is also very important. Figures have come into all the breeds in the last 10 years. If I look at a bull and he catches my eye and he happens to have good figures, that’s a bonus.”
Bulls are only put to heifers over two years old with most of the heifers being over three years before they are in calf. “We are a bit old fashioned in that respect but it means we are less likely to lose calves and we find the heifers are better mothers at that age,” he said.
The bulls are put out to the cows in April and May for calving the following February with all calving done inside. Idvies is renowned for its stock, selling around 20 bulls a year with many going into top pedigree herds.
“Even at the upcoming sale in Stirling, there are four sons of Idvies Eric coming from Ireland to be sold. It’s definitely a good legacy to have when you see the progeny of your top bulls take to the sale ring.”
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Idvies has six bulls for the sale ring in Stirling, which include Idvies Kansas sired by previous Stirling champion, Idvies Ferrari, and out of Idvies Kim; and Idvies Europa by Rawburn Lang Syne from the famous Laura family, Four sons of Lang Syne’s first crop sold for five-figure sums.
Europa’s mother, Idvies Euxone, is descended from former Royal Highland Show beef champion, Shadwell Black Broughton. The next two lots are the Ferrari sired Idvies Eriskay and Idvies Eurofighter. Both bulls are daughters of Black Broughton, Idvies Erminie, and Idvies Euxomy. Idvies Evasion is one of the last two bulls destined for the ring – he is by Lang Syne and out of Idvies Evoline.
She is the granddaughter of Rawburn Rommell, a bull who sired over 600 calves.
The last entry for the Frasers is Idvies Eustace – he is a son of the top priced Thrunton Panther bought in 2018 for 15,000gns at Stirling. The dam, Idvies Eugenia, is a daughter of the 10,000gns Gretnahouse Prince Cool. Her paternal brothers include top selling Idvies Eric and prize-winning Idvies Ferrari.
When it comes to the sales, Alastair is proudly loyal to Stirling.
“I have always used United Auctions throughout my lifetime, it’s the best place for us to sell. We do sell at Carlisle sometimes but over the years I have been loyal to United Auctions,” said Alastair, who makes the decisions alongside his son Graeme.
“Everything is quietly discussed. We don’t agree on everything but it is the family business and it is important to weigh out all the pros and cons.”
They are also ably assisted by new farm worker Robbie Wills. “I’ll have to admit he’s only been here a couple of weeks but I can really see the potential in him,” said Alastair. “He works hard and does well so I can only hope that he is a great benefit to the farm.”
Alastair has been working in the business ever since his late father took over the tenancy.
“I was desperate to be on the farm – I couldn’t get away from the school quick enough,” he explained.
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“My dad was a tattie merchant in Forfar originally so we lived in the town and I used to get out of school and cycle out to Letham every day until I was old enough to get a motorbike.”
In 2023, Alastair was honoured with the Hugh Watson Memorial trophy from the Aberdeen Angus Society.
This was awarded for outstanding service to the breed and was presented to Alastair at the October Stirling Bull Sale last year.
“I found it quite touching to be honoured like that it’s very special to me,” he concluded.
“I am fortunate to have been able to learn from many of the best stockmen in the breed and I will always be very grateful for that.”
Farm Facts
Farm size: 560 Acres over four locations including Newton of Idvies, Hillkirk and Gardyne.
Livestock: 75 breeding Aberdeen Angus cattle.
Arable: Spring barley, wheat, potatoes, and silage.
Who is all involved: Three generations of Alastair, Graeme, and Neve Fraser alongside farmhand Robbie Wills and freelance stockman Richard Rettie.
Recent show success: Overall beef champion at RHS 2015. Breed and Female champions at Stirling Bull Sales 2018 and 2021. Breed champion at Kirriemuir show 2023.
Top prices: £22,000 for the privately sold Idvies Fellaini and 20,000gns for Idvies Jarvis Eric sold through the ring at UA Stirling.
Best bought bull: Castle of Mey Elscot bought for 8000gns at Perth in 1996.
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