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. Replacement females were then sourced mainly from the Moyness, Ugie, Brampton and Basset herds to get back up and running again.
By Neale McQuistin Housing restrictions for poultry, that were introduced in mid-December due to the threat of Avian Influenza (AI), were lifted at midnight last night (March 31). However, with a new case recorded in Cheshire last week, poultry keepers are urged to keep strict biosecurity measures in place and ensure contact between poultry and wild birds is prevented. The Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) requiring enhanced biosecurity will remain in force across GB but yesterday was the last day poultry needed to be housed. NFU Scotland’s poultry policy manager Penny Middleton said: “The decision to lift the requirement for all poultry keepers, large and small, to house their birds is great news. It reflects the hard work put in by all poultry keepers in complying with the rules and reflects the reduced risk Avian Influenza (AI) now presents.
A 23-year-old farmer has taken on a five-year farm business tenancy in Yorkshire as part of a Next Generation programme. Robert McAneney grew up on his
Establishing a viable agricultural business from scratch is far from easy, but share farming with a good working contract, is certainly working a treat for former freelance shepherd, Neil Sandilands. A finalist in the 2020 Sheep Farmer of the Year, Neil entered a shared partnership agreement with Jedburgh-based arable and livestock farmer, Stephen Withers, from Upper Hundalee, and his feet haven t touched the ground since. But, after much, blood, sweat and tears and some extremely long, long days, Neil who lives with his partner Lorraine Gotterson, and their young family of Harris (8) and Isla (5), admits they are making money having transformed what was once a mediocre commercial sheep unit into a extremely productive, progressive enterprise that has more than doubled in size.