Finishing 150 quality Aberdeen-Angus cattle each year off 150 acres is no mean feat for Lanarkshire farmer and butcher Michael Shannon. To do so with no concentrate feeding – and without sheds, machinery and only his own part-time labour to rely on – is nothing short of remarkable.

“The key is fresh forage,” he explains. “Either as grazed grass/clover leys or as brassicas, with constant access and close control of quality being essential to the success of an inherently simple system.” Proof in this instance is most certainly in the eating, with the majority of beef produced being sold direct to the public through the business’ own butcher’s shop.

Thankerton Camp Farm, situated between Lanark and Biggar, has been home to Michael and Michelle Shannon since 1996. It is not the easiest land to farm, but 150 acres of ploughable and grazeable ground has been improved over the years and now supports a highly productive rotation that comprises 100 acres of young high quality leys, 25 acres of forage brassicas and 25 acres of spring cereal and pea wholecrop (under sown with a following crop).

This forage combination supports a fluctuating population of Aberdeen Angus cross cattle, bought in from suckler beef herds at 6 – 12 months of age, all to be finished off forage on the farm.

“As far as possible we try to manage stocking rates to follow the grass growth curve on the farm,” explains Michael. “So we are mainly buying in stores in the spring when the grazing areas will support up to 1500kg liveweight an acre and reducing our numbers later on when forage availability is almost halved.”

The high quality grass and clover leys are divided into paddocks and managed on a rotational system akin to the best dairy farms, with the infrastructure of water pipes and electric fencing being the biggest investment made on the farm. Aber high sugar diploid perennial ryegrass varieties are the preference for their superior ground cover and persistence, selected from the Recommended Lists on the basis of maximum yield and D-value. Currently, typical leys comprise the intermediate heading AberDart HSG and AberMagic HSG and the late heading AberAvon HSG, with the medium leaf white clover AberHerald considered best suited to the rotational grazing system.

“We are achieving 1.5kg daily liveweight gain, averaged across steers and heifers, during the spring and summer months from grazing alone,” adds Mr Shannon. “We aim to keep quality grass in front of the cattle at all times, which is achievable by maintaining the right stocking rates and by taking the surplus growth as silage cuts. Allowing for the cost of reseeding, I calculate the cost of feeding cattle on quality grazing to be about 25p/head/day.”

Forage brassicas come into play in the autumn and winter, with the kale/rape hybrids Swift and Redstart typically strip-grazed before Christmas and Maris Kestrel kale used later. These crops are normally drilled around the longest day, usually after the oldest grass and clover ley has been cut for silage, sprayed off and ploughed up in June. The rotation allows opportunities to establish optimum pH and soil nutrient levels, with generous applications of poultry manure a favoured input for restoring phosphate and potash levels.

Brassicas, grown effectively, are highly valued forage within Mr Shannon’s system, with cattle being strip grazed while having simultaneous access to baled silage as an important long fibre source. He calculates the cost of feeding cattle on brassicas is about 50p/head/day, achieving growth rates of 1kg/head/day.

“In most cases the bales are the final grass silage crop made off that same field prior to ploughing up to drill brassicas,” explains Mr Shannon. “The bales never leave the field and are simply placed at each side in situ for being available as the electric fence is moved each day.”

Whole-crop pea and barley silage is the other forage grown on the farm, this being used as a nurse crop for grass and clover leys. The whole-crop usually follows a brassica crop that has been grazed over winter, and is again drilled following a full cultivation regime. The whole-crop is usually harvested in mid-August, and is ensiled in a pit for feeding during the winter when some additional cattle are housed.

A new idea proving successful this year is to under sow the whole-crop with Swift hybrid brassica. Harvested at the same time, the silage contains quite a high proportion of the brassica – potentially improving the feed value – while the crop then has the ability to re-grow and provide a bonus grazing.

Cattle are finished at anywhere between 20 and 28 months, with steers averaging 350kg dead carcass weight and heifers about 320kg, both at a target R 4L carcase classification.

Of the 150 Aberdeen-Angus cross cattle finished each year, Michael currently uses most through his own butcher’s shop in Lanark, marketing the highly flavoursome meat as from cattle that are free to roam outside, grazing only fresh and natural grazing, 365 days a year.

This enterprising dimension to his business trades as Damn Delicious and has an online platform that draws orders from customers nationwide, in addition to the local retail outlet. It’s a compelling proposition that keeps consumers coming back for more.

Photography: MacGregor Photography.

The County Londonderry herd owner farms over 200 acres and has been using Aberdeen-Angus stock bulls for more than seven years. The 55-cow herd comprises of cross-bred Limousin, British Blue and Simmental cows, and is managed alongside a flock of 250 commercial ewes.

Michael Lagan, vice chairman, NI Aberdeen Angus Club, pictured with Garvagh suckler farmer Hugh McFetridge

“I like a good growthy cow and the Continental crosses have good sized frames, hybrid vigor and plenty of milk,” said Hugh McFetridge. “Difficult calvings and a high number of caesarean operations prompted me to change my farming policy and switch to Aberdeen-Angus. It has been the right move as the cattle are easily managed and easily calved, which significantly reduces overhead costs and veterinary expenses.”

Hugh purchased his first black bull from the neighbouring Baronagh herd, but his two current stock bulls are the November 2009-born Deveron Latimer son, Lakeside Lord Jupiter and the two-year-old Denamona Black Idalot K915, a son of the 6200gns Blelack Prince Camelot F588, purchased in February at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s show and sale at Dungannon.

“When buying a stock bull I am looking for a growthy bull with good conformation, sound legs and feet, and good hindquarters. My decision is largely based on visual appearance, but good figures are a bonus,” explained Hugh.

Aberdeen Angus calves are spritely and lively at birth

The herd is spring calving with the majority of cows calving indoors. They are turned out onto rough, sheltered ground, and are then moved onto good quality grass from mid-April onwards, depending on the weather and grass growth.

“My farm is a one-man operation, and thankfully most of my cows calve on their own with no assistance. The fact calves are polled also eliminates the need for de-horning, which reduces labour and routine management tasks.  The Aberdeen-Angus calves are spritely and lively at birth and the ease of calving reduces the stress on the cow which in turn influences fertility.”

Creep feed is introduced shortly before weaning, and the calves are taken off the cows in October before they are housed for the winter. During the winter months they are fed silage and creep feed, while the cows get a diet of grass silage.

All calves are finished off the farm with cattle slaughtered at Foyle Meats under the Aberdeen-Angus Quality Beef scheme, or through another producer group operated by Dunbia in Dungannon. Prior to slaughter bullocks and heifers are fed a TMR ration of home-grown barley, maize meal, distillers grain. Heifers receive 3kg, while the bullocks get 4-5kg/head/day.

Aberdeen Angus cattle are economical to finish and attract substantial bonuses at slaughter

Heifers and bullocks leave the farm aged between 18 and 24-months.  “The Aberdeen-Angus cross cattle are naturally finished, and reach appropriate slaughter weights more cost effectively than their Continental counterparts. “

Both Foyle Meats and Dunbia are currently sourcing Aberdeen-Angus cattle which have been sired by a pedigree registered Aberdeen-Angus bull, and achieve deadweights between 280kg and 380kg. They are paying a bonus of up to 32p/kg over market beef price, for all carcasses which meet the criteria.

Hugh McFetridge’s heifers usually weigh around 280kg to 330kg, while the bullocks reach deadweights of about 330kg to 380kg.  “It takes a really exceptional Aberdeen-Angus beast to make a U grade, but the majority of my cattle attract R grades. On average the bonus works out at between £80 and £106/head, which is very satisfactory,” concluded Hugh.

Dungannon April sale of Aberdeen-Angus

Dungannon Farmers’ Mart is the venue for the native breeds show and sale on Tuesday, April 17.

The catalogue for the one-day event includes 26 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus bulls and six pedigree heifers from many of the Province’s leading herds. Judging commences at 10.30am, followed by the sale at 1pm.

Bulls range in age from May 2010 to April 2011, and entries have been received from the following herds: Camus, Carmean, Coltrim, Denamona, Drumgar Lodge, Drumhill, Drummeer, Glenhoy, Granabeg, Hazeldene, Jian, Lana, Old Glenort, Prospect, Railview and Woodvale.  Heifers range in age from January 2010 to August 2010, and are on offer from the Macknagh Mills, Carmean, Drumhill and Railview herds.

Catalogues are available on request from Dungannon Farmers Mart on Tel: 028 8772 2727.

The McLaren family and a party of top international food and drink journalists

The top food and drink writers from as far afield as Portugal, Italy, Austria, France  and Israel were among the first to see the farm’s new state-of-the-art new sheds and cattle handling facilities which are nearing completion with the final work taking place on a reception area at the farm. This area will give guests to the farm an all-weather facility in which to hear more about the combination of tradition and modern technology behind the 87 year-old herd.

QMS’ Carol McLaren said many of the journalists had never had the opportunity to see cattle at close quarters before and they made the most of the opportunity to ask the McLaren family questions. “They were particularly keen to know about what makes the ‘Scotch Beef’ brand special and to hear about the grass-based diet the cattle receive and the natural environment in which they are produced.

“They also took an interest in the welfare aspect of good stock management and in particular they were intrigued by the length of time calves remain with their mothers in the Scottish suckler beef system.”

The Keenan Ruby Anniversary Tour, sponsored by one of the world’s leading feed technology companies, Keenan, will celebrate the club’s 40^th anniversary and will take in visits to no fewer than 16 herds over five days from Thursday, October 4, to Monday, Monday, October 8.

The programme will also include a special sale of elite Aberdeen-Angus females, open to herds from throughout the UK, to be conducted by Aberdeen and Northern Marts at Thainstone Centre on Saturday, October 6.

The tour coincides with the 150^th anniversary of the publication of the first Aberdeen-Angus Herd Book in 1862 and this will be marked by the unveiling of a plaque on Friday, October 5, at the site of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s first office in Banff.

A civic reception to welcome delegates is being hosted by Aberdeenshire Council on the first day and the final dinner on the Sunday night will be hosted by the society as part of the 150^th anniversary.

“The organising committee has planned an exciting, if hectic, programme which has captured the imagination of breeders from throughout the UK and Ireland as well as overseas who are keen to visit herds in the area where the breed was founded,” said club chairman, Wendy Willox, Home Farm of Druminnor, Rhynie.

Similar tours organised by the club in the past – the Aberdeen-Angus Heritage tour in 1995 and the Thousand Cow tour in 2002 – attracted more than 200 visitors and the club hope to a similar number will join this year’s tour, along with local members of the club.

“Bookings are already trickling in and enquiries have been received from interested breeders in several continental countries and also Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa,” said Mrs Willox.

The club is greatly indebted to both Keenan and the breed society, and a number of other sponsors, for their generous support which will enable the club to organise a first class promotional event for the Aberdeen-Angus breed in the North-east.

“The breed is continuing to expand and there is world-wide interest in UK Aberdeen-Angus genetics again,” said Ms Willox. “Some of the leading herds in the country are in the North-east and the Ruby Tour will provide a great shop window for the breed.”

Keenan managing director, Gerard Keenan, said he was delighted to sponsor such an important event for the Aberdeen-Angus breed which would give Keenan an opportunity of demonstrating the company’s latest technology – the iKeenan – to a large and influential international audience.

“Many of the herds to be visited have already invested in Keenan technology and we are delighted to reciprocate their support for Keenan by becoming main sponsor of the Ruby Tour,” said Mr Keenan.

The tour will conclude on the Monday morning with a visit to Ballindalloch Castle to view the Ballindalloch herd owned by Banffshire Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Claire Russell, and her husband, Oliver. The Ballindalloch herd was founded by an ancestor of Mrs Russell, Sir George Macpherson-Grant, in 1860 and is the oldest herd of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus in continuous existence anywhere in the world.

Further information available from the club secretary, Eddie Gillanders, on 01330 811616/07801 186303.

The all new Young Show Stars Challenge 2012 has been made possible thanks to major sponsorship from the Three Counties Agricultural Society. In classes teams of three handlers aged between 14 and 23 will compete on various tasks including preparing, showing and promoting cattle in a bid to accrue points.

The team collating the most points will be facilitated to attend Canada’s premier winter livestock show in November 2012, with runners-up awarded a host of other prizes.

Paul Westaway, Beef Expo 2012 Chairman, says the Young Show Stars Challenge 2012 is an opportunity not to be missed. “As show organiser, NBA is tremendously proud to be able to offer such a prestigious prize, thanks to our sponsors, while promoting young talent from within the UK cattle sector.

“As an industry we must do all we can to encourage young people to see the sector as an exciting and challenging career for their futures. UK livestock can only thrive if it attracts young people to join the ranks of the more experienced but aging population of livestock farmers and handlers.”

The competitive classes will take place at Beef Expo 2012 on Thursday 24^th May. Each team, made up of three members between 14 and 23 – one of whom must be 18 or younger – must be supported by a team sponsor, such as a breed society or commercial organisation. Having selected two cattle under 20 months old to bring to the show untrimmed, teams will then be judged on the preparation, handling, knowledge and promotion of the cattle shown in a bid to collect a maximum of 1,000 points.

Each aspect of the Young Show Stars Challenge 2012 – cattle presentation and promotion, stall presentation and promotion, stockjudging and reasoning, parading and ring etiquette, and individual interviews – will be judged by a panel of experts. These include showmen Colin Hutchings, George Bowen and Jonathan Maycock, as well as Farmers Guardian Editor Emma Penny.

“We expect a huge amount of interest, not only from individual breeds but supporting organisations putting teams forward. For the winners the top prize really will be the trip of a lifetime,” says Mr Westaway, who adds that the competition itself will have an international angle, as a trio of young handlers from Canada will be competing alongside the UK teams.

“The Young Stars Show Challenge is set to become one of the competitive highlights of Beef Expo and the NBA is grateful to all sponsors – both The Three Counties Agricultural Society for supporting this competition and Lloyds TSB Agriculture for being the mainline sponsor or the whole event – for helping bring a fantastic opportunity together while encouraging and promoting young talent in UK livestock.”

Entry costs £36 (inclusive of VAT) per team and nominated teams should apply to Euan Emslie, NBA Beef Expo 2012 Organiser, by Friday 20^th April by calling either 01430 441870 or emailing euan@nationalbeefassociation.com. Full details are posted in the “competitions” section at www.beefexpo.co.uk .

One of the guest speakers at the AGM was Peter McQuaid of Equestrian and Farm Feeds, Knockmore Road, Lisburn. Peter, who is also a pedigree cattle breeder, spoke of his own quest to find the right feed at the right price and of high quality. Redmills feed is steam cooked to retain nutrients and is bagged and not offered in bulk to ensure optimum freshness.

The second speaker of the evening was Ruth Blackburn daughter of John and Sandra Blackburn who gave an entertaining insight into the four and a half month Young Farmers Club exchange trip to Tasmania. Ruth shared photographs and highlights of the trip and gave a detailed account of the various activities that she took part in.

The Chairman John Blackburn then presented his report outlining some of the key events within the NI Aberdeen-Angus Club calendar and talked briefly about successful events that have already happened this year.

At the recent Beef Expo, which returned to Dungannon Farmers Mart, club members manned the stand and took third place in the breed stand section for tgeir efforts. A guess-the-weight of the bull competition on the day raised money and awareness for the YDP. A total sum of £282.50 was raised.

The Chairman then invited Peter McQuaid to conduct the election of office bearers with the following being elected:

Office bearers elected chairman John Blackburn, secretary Gail Matchett, treasurer Sandra Blackburn and vice chairman Michael Lagan

Chairman- John Blackburn, Vice-Chairman, Michael Lagon, Secretary- Gail Matchett, Treasurer- Sandra Blackburn.

New committee members Michelle McCauley, Ian Brown, Noel Hook and Adrian Parke

A proposal was made to add an additional four members to the committee, with the following four members elected – Michelle McCauley, Adrian Parke, Ian Browne and Noel Hooke.

The next event on the Northern Ireland Aberdeen-Angus calendar will be the Native breed sale on 17^th April at Dungannon Farmers Mart. For further information contact Secretary Gail Matchett on 028 38852302 or visit the breed society website at www.aberdeen-angus.co.uk.

Society President Angus Stovold presenting John Moores of the Moss herd with his lifetime achievement award

The award, which is named after one of the original founders of the breed, has been commissioned to recognise and reward individuals who have significantly helped improve the Aberdeen-Angus breed throughout the years.

John, a past president of the society, founded his The Moss herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus in 1964 with wife Jane, which is now under the careful management of son Kevin.

He was among the first breeders to import cattle from Canada and one of the first to bring in bulls and embryos from the States. Cattle carrying The Moss prefix have since been sold as foundation stock across Europe to the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, and the Azores.

One of his landmark achievements in the breed, John is responsible for breeding The Moss Mr Eshton D409, sold in Perth for 36,000gns in 2006 – the fourth highest price for an Aberdeen-Angus bull sold at auction in the UK.

Following the presentation at a private ceremony at Formby Hall Golf Hotel on February 29, Ron McHattie, chief executive of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, said: “John’s commitment to the breed has helped it grow to what it is today. There are few people like John who had put so much in – he’s an innovator who saw a vision others didn’t.”

John was presented with the award by Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society president Angus Stovold.

Graeme and Adrian Parke (far right) with Coolermoney Rhoda and the Mayor of Derry who officially launched Cow Parade in Northern Ireland

The world famous “Cow Parade” is coming to Co Derry and Belfast this summer and it will be the first time the project has spread out over an entire region. Some 200 fibreglass cows will be dotted across Northern Ireland from Belfast to Giant’s Causeway and local artists will get the chance to decorate the cows. The event will formally open at the Balmoral Show in May before taking place throughout the summer, culminating in a charity auction in October.

Speaking on the day of the launch, Graeme Parke said: “It was great to be involved with “Cow parade” and to be able to include one of our Aberdeen-Angus cows was a great advert for the herd and the breed.”

The animals, which consisted of a bull and a heifer with calf at foot, were exported to France via BritishAngus.com to their new owner Mr Yves-Marie Morault who farms in Normandy, with the help of the EBLEX team in France.

These three cattle are part of a group of more than 100 cattle that BritishAngus.com exported to France in the last 12 months to help a group of keen Aberdeen-Angus breeders establish a new Herd Book in France.