NEWS (updated 12/11/10)

What no Horns!!!

Glenisla Coliseum ( aka Walnut) our new 20-month-old Beef Shorthorn bull from the famous Glenisla fold.

Churchill represents the start of a new venture for us here at Borland. We decided to look at different revenue sources for the farm and that resulted in us deciding for the first time to cross some of the Highland cows. We are very much looking forward to seeing the first crop of calves next year. We have noticed a strong trade for cross Highland heifers locally and we expect to be able to add about 50 -100kgs extra carcase weight to the steers and finish them a year earlier. Time will tell.

 

 

Highland Stock bull Hector of Grisphol

 

             

 

Hector has been out with his girls for the 3rd year. This year he was with 23 cows and heifers on the Coldrach hill and seems to thrive very easily on the hardest hill we have. His quiet nature is coming through in his offspring and we are delighted with the way the yearlings and this years calves are growing. We have available for sale heifers of all colours from Hector.

 

 

                 

 

Winter feed

The recent good weather has allowed our whole- crop oats to establish well and we are hopefully of a bumper crop. The oats are under sown with a medium term ley and during the first few weeks the oats give protection to the young grass and clover allowing it to establish. The young grass boosts the protein and energy levels of the final crop. The oats are mowed when  the seed starts to move from the "milky" stage to the hardening off stage. After cutting, the crop is allowed to wilt for 2-3 days depending on the weather.

The crop gives us much needed bulk to our winter forage supplies and the cows in particular, love it.

 

 

 

 

Overseas guests

Recently we were visited by a small party of Swiss travelers. Three of them are Highland Cattle Breeders and the others were enthusiatic and interested about our farming practices. One of the group spoke good English and we noticed the others got a lot better after a few wee drams at lunch.

Interestingly there is a strong demand for Highland beef in Switzerland and one of the party (a butcher) brought along some delicious smoked Highland Beef sausage. We hope to be able to offer such a product at our market stall in the near future.