The hardy characteristics of the Luing female are proving key to the success of Robert McCarlie’s suckler cow herd at Wester Hassockrigg, Harthill. “We have a lot of rough ground and with the high rainfall, it doesn’t make life easy. Being in such an exposed area and a dreich part of the country, it is challenging but the farm can grow good grass in the summer. “This is why we depend on the Luing and Sim-Luing for their hardiness and good temperament– we would struggle to find another maternal breed as good. The Sim-Luing provides the best of both worlds, having the hardiness as well as the power to produce a strong store calf,” added Robert, who has run Luings for over 20 years on the farm in between trialling various other breeds.