Latest news with #Aberdeen-Angus
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Scotland's 12 best steaks maturing in Portlethen
About 150 beef producers across Scotland entered the latest Kepak McIntosh Donald-Tesco steak competition. Judge Scott Jarron chose his 12 favourite cuts of meat at Kepak McIntosh Donald's site at Portlethen. These will be cooked and judged for a final time on the Tesco stand at next month's Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh. Scott is the co-owner of Broughty Ferry butchers Scott Brothers. He was helped in his difficult task of whittling the entries down to just 12 steaks by his son, Thomas. Alan Brown, primary operations director, Kepak McIntosh Donald, described the initial entries as a 'fabulous show of steaks'. This made the judging process 'very hard,' he said, adding: 'It was an excellent show of quality.' Thanking all participants and Kepak McIntosh Donald's 'loyal and dedicated' suppliers of 'top-class' beef and lamb, Mr Brown said the business had enjoyed 'excellent' growth over the past few years. Kepak Group processes hundreds of thousands of cattle annually across its UK and Irish operations. Its McIntosh Donald business, based in Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, is the largest beef and lamb processor in Scotland. Kepak McIntosh Donald is on track for processing around 100,000 cattle this year. Tesco is one of the firm's key customers and the steak competition partnership dates back to the late 1990s. Last year's title title was awarded jointly to a pair of Aberdeenshire producers. The Grubb family of Mountpleasant, Ardallie, Mintlaw, shared the top prize with John and Brian Troup, from Southbank Farm, Skene, Westhill. The final round of judging for this year's competition will take place on Friday June 20. Kepak McIntosh Donald procurement manager Ewan Hutcheson explained that by then the 12 competing steaks will each have completed a 30-day maturation process. There are four finalists from Aberdeen-Angus cattle, with eight from continental breeds. Messrs I&A Beaton, East Quartains, Banchory (A-A cross heifer, 353.2kg, R4L, 21 months and 24 days); E Buchan, Glenisla, Torphins (A-A cross stot, 320.8kg, R4L, 23 months and 12 days); Grubb Brothers, Moutpleasant, Ardallie, Mintlaw (A-A cross heifer, 312.1kg, R4L 13 months and 24 days); W Barr & Co, Thirlestane Farm, Lauder (A-A cross heifer, 276.2kg, R4L, 20 months and 18 days). A&C Watson, Glasslaw Farm, Stonehaven (Limousin cross heifer, 360.3kg, R4L, 22 months and 15 days); IJ Blackhall & Sons, Milton of Durris, near Banchory (Simmental cross heifer, 385kg, R4L, 19 months and 16 days); GM Masson, Denhead Farm, Catterline, near Stonehaven (Charolais cross heifer, 394.5kg, -U4L, 23 months and 23 days); J&M Troup, Southbank Farm, Skene, Westhill (Simmental cross heifer, 324.3kg, -U4L, 21 months and 11 days); D Sutherland & Co, Middleton of Brims, Forss, Thurso (Simmental cross stot, 365.8kg, -U4L, 15 months and 11 days); Messrs D Coghill & Sons, Skinnet Farm, Halkirk (Charolais cross heifer, 325.2kg, -U4L, 21 months and 10 days); J&J Watt, Stoneyhill, Keith Hall, near Inverurie (Limousin cross heifer, 350.1kg, -U4L, 22 months and 28 days); JS Baird & Son, Lurdenlaw Farm, Kelso (Limousin cross heifer, 339kg, R4L, 23 months and 10 days).
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
80-strong offering at Airedale Angus annual on-farm production sale
THE eighth annual production sale of 80 head of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle on behalf of the award-winning Airedale herd run by David and Judith Isherwood, and son Josh, takes place on Saturday, June 7. It is again being conducted by CCM Auctions in conjunction with the Aberdeen-Angus Society and for the second year running will be staged at the family's Airedale House Farm, Kildwick. It was a new format that worked particularly well last year, giving potential purchasers an opportunity to view the ring-fenced environment where the cattle have been raised on 117 acres of rich meadow and pasture land alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Multiple four-figure selling prices were successfully recorded. First registered in 2012/13, the Hi Health status Airedale herd – the 2024/2025 North West of England Angus Breeders Club champion herd – now comprises 184 head. Going under the hammer is a wide-ranging selection, including young bulls, maiden heifers, Autumn-calving cows and a notably strong entry of cows with calves at foot, Three solid sires figure prominently in the breeding. As last year, one is the herd's main and highly regarded stock bull, Shadwell Rock 'N' Roll X245, though this is his last crop, another Airedale Everest Y815. Both are well-bred sons of Shadwell Evolution T003, National Champion 2019, whose own dam was also a National Champion. The third bull, Airedale Mr Essen Y781, also has a strong pedigree and forms part of the production sale, as do a number of straws from Rock 'N' Roll. David explained: 'Airedale cattle are full of leading genetics, offering breeders the opportunity to obtain quality cattle to start a new or introduce into an existing herd. We believe they will go on to do well for their new owners.' The sale is scheduled to start at 1pm, with a catalogue posted online at Meat from the Airedale herd also remains in ready demand at the family-run Isherwoods Butchers in Kirkgate, Silsden
The Courier
15-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
Everything's coming up roses for Fife farmer Alex Nelson
There are few things nicer in life than receiving a delivery of flowers through the front door. If these flowers are grown and packed in Scotland, even better. Fourth generation dairy farmer Alex Nelson is doing her bit for flower growing in Scotland. She runs a peony rose and dahlia business at Easter Upper Urquhart Farm near Strathmiglo in Fife. Alex explained that more than 85% of cut flowers sold in the UK are imported. She is, therefore, proud to be able to supply Scottish-grown, seasonal flowers under her brand name, Jack Blooms. In 2014, following a degree in geography at Aberdeen University, Alex, the eldest of four girls, came home to work on the family farm with her mum and dad, Ben and Susan Jack. The farm is a traditional mixed enterprise, with dairy, arable and sheep. Although Alex had always helped out during holidays, there was a lot to learn. The herd of 350 Holstein cows is milked three times a day by a team of three dairymen, with help from relief milkers. It's a 'flying herd', meaning all the replacement heifers are bought in and the cows are bulled with an Aberdeen-Angus, with the calves being sold to finishers. It is also one of the Glasgow Vet School herds and the farm team works closely with staff and students, learning from their expertise. Meanwhile the students learn from the Jack family's dairy system. Alex said: 'Dairying is very intense, it is relentless work seven days a week, 365 days a year.' The family also run 1,000 cross ewes, which lamb outside in May, with the help of local contract shepherds. The Suffolk cross lambs are finished on grass and turnips alongside bought-in Blackfaces in time for the Easter market. As if she was not busy enough, and with her 2020 wedding postponed due to Covid, Alex was looking for something else to do during lockdown. Her grandad, Colin Grahame, grew prize-winning dahlias, so she decided to put up a small polytunnel and, with lots of Facetime instruction from Colin, she started growing flowers to sell locally. From this inauspicious start, Alex thought it would be interesting to grow flowers commercially on a field scale. She settled on peonies because they are robust flowers which cope well with the Scottish climate, can be grown outside and are perennial. There is also a well-established market for the flowers with retailers. Alex said: 'I really wanted to have something within the business that was mine, from idea to implementation. I did a lot of research and decided peonies were a great diversification to add to our farm calendar.' The initial peonies were planted in 2020, with the first small harvest in 2022 – too late, unfortunately for Alex's 2021 wedding to Angus Nelson. It has been a steep learning curve since then, she told us. She has, with the help of skilled workers on the farm, developed a planter and picking rig and also purchased a second-hand processor, which sorts the flowers into bunches of five, with equal length stems, ready to be transported south to the distribution centre. Alex continued: 'We usually start picking around the second week in June for 10 to 14 days. 'But there are so many variables with the weather – every year there is a different challenge to meet the tight specification.' She employs local people on holiday from school or university to de-bud and pick. 'One of the great things to come out of this is giving young people the opportunity to work on a farm,' Alex said, adding: 'This has led to some coming back to help with milking or other jobs. I am very proud of my young team.' Most of the flowers are transported to a packhouse in England, where they are distributed to various retailers, but in 2023, Alex developed her Jack Blooms boxes. She said: 'I wanted to add value, but also to create a brand and a more luxury arm to the business.' The flowers are picked in bud and packed, 10 stems at a time, in boxes before being posted out to customers who order on her website. Because they are robust flowers which happily survive several days without water, peony roses are ideal for this market and can be pre-ordered from May 30. The dahlias, however, are best sold at local farm shops and retailers. Alex took a break from growing dahlias when her daughter, Sibella, was born last year but has recently been cleaning out her tunnels to plant some more for this season. Managing a toddler, dairy farm, staff rotas and a flower business keeps her very busy. But she is showing no signs of slowing down and at the time of writing was planning to travel to Norfolk to pick peonies and see if she can find ways of improving her business. She said: 'Growing flowers in Scotland extends the season for home-grown UK flowers, so the demand is there. 'In the future, I would like to try out different varieties to find out what is possible to grow successfully in our climate.'
Press and Journal
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Keith Simmentals named show champion and reserve at Stirling Bull Sales
A variety of breeds descended on Stirling Mart for United Auctions' multi-breed show today, prior to tomorrow's sale. Charolais took to the ring first, with Orkney's Magnus Baillie tasked with judging the 50 bulls on offer. For champion, he selected Ouston Unwin, a rising two-year-old bull from Richard and Carol Rettie, of Dyke Farm, Slamannan, near Falkirk, which was bred by Ouston Farms. Sired by Major, this one is out of a Thrunton Florida daughter, Ravensworth Jasmin. Magnus, who runs pedigree Charolais and Angus herds at Biggins, Deerness, was impressed with the bull's commercial attributes. He described the animal as 'a long, clean bull, with power'. He said it was a close contest between his champion and reserve, which was Silvermere Vortex, a 15-month-old bull from Michelle Hanson and Darren Irvine, of Upper Drakemyres, Forgie, Keith. Vortex is an AI (artificial insemination) son of Wesley Equinox, out of Silvermere Solitaire – a heifer by Allanfauld Neptune which was reserve junior champion at the Stars of the Future calf show. She is one of eight females in the couple's herd. The Simmentals were next into the show ring, judged by Gavin Brown, of Springfield, Penicuik. It was an Islavale double triumph in the championship, with the Stronach family, of Berryleys, Keith, securing the champion and reserve tickets. Finishing top of the line was Islavale Pegasus, a 17-month-old by home-bred stock bull Islavale Lucifer, which has so far bred sons up to 13,000gns. The dam is a Curaheen Bandit daughter, Islavale Damaris Ex92. Taking reserve for this 200-cow herd was the second prize winner to the champion, Islavale Pilot, another Lucifer son, out of Islavale Candy, a daughter of Curaheen Bandit. The judge said his champion was an impressive commercial bull, with 'size, scale and flesh', with the reserve animal showing 'tremendous character'. Heading up the Aberdeen-Angus classes was Tonley Victor Z053, a 21-month-old bull from the Wattie family's 100-cow herd at Mains of Tonley, Alford. He is a son of the privately bought Gretnahouse Krack Light, which has previously sired daughters to £10,000. Used on the Tonley herd last year, this bull is out of a Blelack Evermore daughter, Tonley Vine W731. Judge of the Angus classes, Ewen MacGregor, of the Raddrey herd in the Black Isle, said his champion had 'bone, presence and power', while his reserve was a 'real stylish bull with good length and top'. That was Drumhill Pure Contemporary Z651, from Northern Ireland-based breeders Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, of Cookstown. Resident in Scotland since February, this bull is the second son offered for sale off Saville Big Man, a bull bought privately at the Royal Highland Show. The dam, Weeton Princess Chartreuse W125, was bought at the Weeton dispersal. A small but select entry of Salers was dominated by bulls from Gill and Malcolm Pye's Rednock herd, based at Port of Menteith, Stirling. Their Rednock Top Gun took the champion rosette, while Rednock Topol finished in reserve. Both are sons of Senateur, a bull imported from France which has previously sired bulls to 11,000gns for the herd. He has plenty character and looks like he'd breed good females.' Neil Girvan, judge. Kelso-based Neil Girvan judged this section and felt his champion had everything he would look for in a Salers. 'He has plenty character and looks like he'd breed good females,' added Neil, who runs 300 Salers cows, with 200 going to Charolais bulls, to produce calves to sell as yearlings. In the Beef Shorthorn ring, judge James Rea, of Grange, Castle Douglas, plumped for Drumsleed Thor as overall champion from Gerald, Morag and Douglas Smith's herd at Fordoun, Laurencekirk. The family run 14 Beef Shorthorn cows and 80 pedigree Simmentals, with Thor being an embryo calf by Meonside Javelin, out of Coldrochie Broadhooks, a cow bought at the Coldrochie dispersal several years ago for 8,000gns. Reserve in that section went to Trade Mark of Upsall, from Upsall Castle Farms, Thirsk. He's by Nelson of Upsall and out of Nonpareil X928 of Upsall, one of 85 cows in the herd. The first seven sons of Nelson of Upsall have sold to an average of £10,000. Last breed of the day were the Limousins, with a slightly higher entry of 67 bulls. Alistair Cormack, of Leven, was the man in charge of selecting best in show her, from what he described as a 'very level, good quality show of bulls, especially the top end'. Best overall was Anside Urban, a 19-month-old son of the prolific AI bull Plumtree Fantastic, from the Irvine family's 55-cow herd at Drummuir, Keith. Securing a third overall championship at this May event for the herd, this bull is out of a show heifer, Anside Solero, an Anside Orton daughter. The reserve champion, , Grahams Valkyrie, is from Robert and Jean Graham's Stirling-based herd. It was the youngest Limousin bull in the catalogue. Stirling Bull Sales continue today.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blues top at 7200gns at CCM pedigree cattle triple header
CCM's 2025 pedigree beef season opened with a show and sale triple-header - the annual 'Blue Wednesday' highlight for British Blues, a new Beef Shorthorn Society-supported Spring fixture for breed bulls and females, another for Aberdeen-Angus, Hereford and Lincoln Red bulls. Blues saw a solid entry of cattle, with a good selection of mobile correct bulls and just one high quality female presented for sale, all achieving total clearance. Top call on price and walking away with the reserve champion rosette was an April '23-born home-bred bull, Greystone Tarzan, from North Craven vendor Graham Coates, Rainscar Farm, Stainforth. By Almeley Ginola, the natural-born black and coloured bull reached 7200gns, the successful bidders being T&K Ellison, Sedbergh. Poignantly, Tarzan was the last of the Almeley Ginola lineage bred from the favourite 14-year-old stock cow, Greystone Gleam, to be offered for sale. Taking top spot as overall champion was Springfield Timmins, an impressive light-coloured bull just gone two years old from Alan and Deirdrie Wilkinson, who have been breeding Blues under their Springfied prefix since 1992 at Out Rawcliffe, Garstang. The farming family were also butchers in the past, rearing their own beef for their Widnes outlet. Timmins, home-bred by Round Hill Ice, out of an Empire d'Ochain cow, Springfield Izzie, mother of ten calves, was knocked down for 4600gns to E Middleton, of Spilsby, Lincolnshire. The title winner was tapped out by Roughlee judge Mark Hartley, who has run his family's Pendle herd for the past 29 years. He said the nine bulls and single female in the show ring were very good examples, his choice of champion being 'true to the breed with excellent muscle.' The day proved to be a red rosette double-header for the Wilkinsons, whose 13-month-old black show heifer, Springfield U Bonnie, sired by Ballygrange Alex, out of Springfield Olive, herself a daughter of the renowned Cromwell Fendt, bred by the Dunsop Bridge Walkers, took first prize and reached the day's second high price of 6500gns. She goes to the Midlands to an undisclosed buyer. Reaching 4800gns was 19-month-old Sand Lane Terrance, one of two bulls from Guy Elsworth, who runs the Sand Lane herd in Raskelf, Easingwold. The Almeley Ginola grandson, sired by Greystone Noveltee, out of Sand Lane Oasis, was bought by WH Dixon & Son, of Hayscastle, Pembrokeshire. The vendor's second entry, the March '23-born Sand Lane Trojan, also by Greystone Noveltee out of Tamhorn Fenella, sold for 4000gns. Bringing a brace of bulls from West Yorkshire and her Towngate herd was Clayton's Rosie Metcalfe, who achieved a notable 4700gns when selling Towngate Tinder, a 23-month-old Goodyhills Emperor son out of the 2014 Stonebyres June. He was bought by mart regular Colin Whitelock as a good prospect for use on his dairy herd in Gargrave. From the same home, the May '23-born Towngate Teddy, by Greystone Mastercard out of Towngate Evie, sold for 4500gns. Dacre British Blue breeder Stewart Gill, Hallfield herd, saw his November '23 Hallfield Tornada sell for 4600gns to Simon Wheelwright, of Halifax. Tornado is by another Greystone bull, Poncho, who is a Lutin Du Bouchelet son, out of the Tamhorn Enterprising cow, Hallfield Peppa. Mart regular, Ken Gamble, hailing originally from Upper Wharfedale, but now running his Linthorpe herd with wife Hazel at Brickyard Farm, Easingwold, said he was pleased with his third prize win for Linthorpe Toblerone, a powerful black two-year-old Homilton Jupiter son out of Brennand Olga. Toblerone sold for 4400gns to Calderdale mart regular Brian Lund, Walshaw. Selling for 4000gns was Bordley farmer John Stephenson's home-bred Bordley Toploader, a June '23 Topside Maverick son, out of Bordley Olympia. The Nidderdale buyers were the Challis family, Middlesmoor. Blue bulls averaged £4993. A busy midweek fixture – 563 cattle were forward - also included the fortnightly sale of young feeding bulls, beef feeding cows, store bullocks & heifers. The 126 young bulls met another strong trade, averaging £2293, with the strongest regularly over £2600 and Jeff Pickles, Chapel-le-Dale, topping at £2880 with a Limousin-x. Nineteen beef feeding cows averaged £1,841 to a high of £2700 for a strong Limousin from the Masons, Oddacres, Embsay, while 390 bullocks and heifers featured more yearlings among the entry, with short-keep cattle certainly still good to sell and harder farmed and longer-keep cattle seeing a slight resistance. A detailed market report is at
