Page 30 - Rob Haining News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

PREMIUM Knowe Farm team, Laura, Rachel, Jan, George Claire and Neil Ref:RH260421323 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer... For most pedigree farmers, there is nothing better than seeing the progeny of various mating programmes grow and develop and noted Ayrshire cattle breeder, George Templeton, has enjoyed a lifetime devoted to various cow families and that of his own – wife Jan and their three daughters, Laura, Claire and Rachel. As the third generation of George Templetons to milk cows at the Knowe, Auchinleck, and one which is about to celebrate a centenary of farming on this lowland...

Breeding Charolais cattle that will go on to produce a fast-growing store calf is the name of the game for Ian and Dorothy Goldie, and their Solwayfirth herd, at Greenfield, Cummertrees, near Annan. Ian took over the running of the Longbridgemuir Charolais herd in 1982 from his father, David and ventured out on his own in 1990, now running two neighbouring holdings which sit near the Solway coast, covering 280 acres in Dumfries and Galloway. The Solwayfirth herd was established in 2001 after Ian and Dorothy suffered the tragedy of losing all their livestock in the foot-and-mouth outbreak....

Few farming industries have seen more changes than the poultry sector over the years, and being the third generation to take on the profession, it is one which Forfar-based supplier, Robert Thompson, knows more than most about. Like so many family farms, the industry has seen the loss of many poultry units, with both egg laying and broiler production now in the hands of a select view. Such have been the changes within the sector, that the UK is now only 65% self sufficient in chicken and despite the mass influx of laying units, some eggs do still have to be imported.

A BLACKSMITH has played a major role in the farming and business life of Alasdair Houston, of Gretna House Farms, Gretna Green, in Dumfries-shire – the fourth generation of the family to farm there. While probably best-known globally for owning the Famous Blacksmith Shop and its equally celebrated anvil to conduct thousands of marriages as part of what’s now a major Scottish visitor destination, on the farming side, his Gretnahouse prefix has become a byword for excellence in no fewer than three breeds – Simmental, Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus. That latter breed is where the other...

Using the Limousin as a terminal sire over Holstein females to improve the quality and value of the progeny is providing a win win scenario for the Gould family, Grange Farm, Bomere Heath near Shrewsbury. Having milked cows all their lives, the family of Mick and Jean Gould, son Mick and wife Katherine, were looking to a new venture to future proof the business which they run along with three members of staff. The small herd of just 15 pedigree Limousin females plus young stock runs alongside 750 Holstein milkers and young stock. “We believe the Limousin is the top beef breed to pro...