Building suckler herds and profits in focus at Deeside Monitor Farm summer meeting

Duncan and Claire Morrison, the Deeside Monitor Farmers, are inviting visitors to their home farm at Torphins to discuss building a profitable beef suckler herd at their upcoming Monitor Farm open summer meeting.

With optimism in the North East among livestock farmers who aim to maintain and increase their herd numbers profitably, the meeting is now open for booking. To be held on Tuesday 22 July from 12.30-4.30pm at Meikle Maldron near Banchory, visitors will hear from three speakers focussing on the topic ‘Building a Suckler Herd, Breeding for Profit’.

Gavin Hill, senior beef specialist at SAC will open the meeting with a discussion on critical mass in the Scottish suckler herd. He will follow this by leading a discussion on building up a profitable suckler herd and what it means to the industry in a wider context.

North-east vet Tim Geraghty, a European specialist in cattle health and production, will discuss health plans for cows and heifers. He will highlight best practice in choosing replacements and introducing them to an existing herd.

Everyone seeks the ultimate suckler cow – one that is productive, efficient, healthy, long-lasting and profitable. Neil McGowan who runs Simmentals, Angus and Luing cows with his wife Debbie at Incheoch Farm near Alyth, will talk about how to identify this rare beast and maintain her throughout her lifetime.

Neil says: “We understand that fertility in a functional, robust cow is the key to an efficient and profitable suckler herd. Our breeding programme is designed to promote these traits – we have over 200 pedigree, recorded cows managed in commercial conditions with a policy of calving at two years-old.”

Peter Beattie, Monitor Farm regional advisor says: “Duncan and Claire have shown previously how they produce high quality, profitable heifers, stirks and bulls largely off grass. This meeting at their home farm at Meikle Maldron takes visitors right back to the foundation of their business, focusing on their high performance suckler cows, replacements and youngstock.

“It will be a practical afternoon with plenty of opportunity to discuss and debate the different perspectives our speakers and Monitor Farmers offer about building and maintaining profitable suckler herds.”

Booking is essential for catering purposes, as the meeting will be followed by a Scotch Beef BBQ. No dogs are permitted, and car parking is limited, so car share if possible. For biosecurity please ensure vehicles, clothing and footwear are clean before attending. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy/waterproof footwear.

• ‘Building a Suckler Herd, Breeding for Profit’ at the Deeside Monitor Farm on Tuesday 22 July from 12.30-4.30pm at Meikle Maldron Farm, Torphins, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 4NR.Book your place here: https://bit.ly/sucklerherd