Quiet temperament = safety + time saving: Beef Shorthorn’s priceless assets
Balnespick, Kincraig, Inverness
111 acres grassland and arable
35 acres woodland
20 Beef Shorthorn cows and followers
Cathryn Williamson with yearling heifers from her Balnespick herd
“Beef Shorthorn is definitely the native breed for me, and I’d recommend to others, who like myself also work off farm,” says Cathryn Williamson, who after more than a decade’s experience with the breed established her Balnespick herd in 2017 which has since grown to 20 breeding cows and followers.
“It’s Beef Shorthorn’s temperament that is so attractive; the cattle are extremely docile. Although I do have help when needed, I’m often managing the farm single handed so safety is a priority. Docility also makes for time saving which is really important when I have a busy life as a book keeper, as well as duties as the breed society’s president,” says Cathryn who was elected to the role in February 2019.
“Beef Shorthorn is also suited to my low-cost system. Being such good foragers, the herd is cost effective simply because it lives solely on forage - grazing and silage. And since it’s essential this enterprise remains self-sufficient 365 days of the year, I’m planning to build the herd to just 25 high health breeding cows and followers - that’s going to be the limit for this farm.”
She continues: “Cows close to calving are brought inside for a day or two for ease of management and I can monitor them on cameras. They invariably calve without assistance since the calves have a relatively low birthweight, and these cows go on to make for excellent mothers with plenty of milk. Their calves are thrifty, they are up and sucking in no time at all.
“Within 24 hours of calving, I turn cows and calves out to grass, and they stay there. In fact, all females are out wintered and fed home-grown baled silage and minerals throughout, although cows with young calves at foot have access to accommodation if the weather is inclement. The herd has proved time and again to be so hardy. That was the case during last winter when they had access to a shed full of straw, but both cows and followers definitely seemed to prefer to be outside.”
Rothesay Hayley Ex90, one of the herd's foundation cows
Balnespick’s foundation females were carefully selected for maternal traits within the breed’s top 10% from Alvie, Barwood and Caramba herds. “Good feet and udders are amongst my key selection criteria, as well as taking in EBVs for maternal traits; Breedplan performance recording and linear classification are amongst my selection tools, however I have to like the look of an animal - good confirmation and scale are equally important - I’m looking to breed a moderate size female,” she explains.
“One of my herd objectives is to market heifers surplus to replacement requirements for breeding purposes for both the pedigree and commercial sector; in fact the first six heifers were sold privately last year as a Christmas present for a start-up herd, whilst my first entries for Stirling are scheduled for 2020. Ten to 12-month-old steers are sold through the ring at Dingwall and they are price matching other native bred cattle and their Continental counterparts.”
Cathryn also relishes the other aspect of cattle breeding - the show ring, and it’s thanks to help from Victor Watson prepping up the show team, along with Cathryn’s grandson, Connor who also assists at weekends, that they returned home from the region’s circuit at the end of the 2019 season with a fistful of tickets, including two reserve championships. “The show ring is not just about winning prizes, it’s also a route to engaging with prospective, new and existing members together with showcasing the breed, and Beef Shorthorn has come a long way in the last few years.
“I’m very supportive of breed enthusiasts considering start-up herds and new members, particularly next generation. However, I’d offer caution - do not buy on impulse.”
“The same can be said of the burgeoning interest in Beef Shorthorn; the breed’s unique set of maternal features match commercial producers’ demand for a modern functional suckler cow. In fact, Beef Shorthorn continues to remain Britain’s fastest growing native breed according to Defra.
“Going forward, I believe Beef Shorthorn is very well placed to develop it’s positioning within the sector and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of that journey, both as society president and with my own herd.”
Eight top tips for new members and start-up herds from Cathryn Williamson, President of the beef Shorthorn Cattle Society
Buy the best stock you can afford - cattle with accompanying Breedplan data and from a recognised Beef Shorthorn herd
Take advice from the Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society and make sure the animals are registered
Consider buying in calf cows or with calves at foot to start the ball rolling; heifers take time to mature and breed from; herd dispersals can be a good source
Buy a stock bull well ahead of the breeding season; give him plenty of time to settle in and semen test pre-start of breeding
Be aware of the health status of the cattle you plan to invest in
Join a registered CHeCS scheme as early as possible
Start performance recording your animals which will help with management decisions and future marketing of your stock
Join the Society and your regional club; it will open the door to members with a mine of information on cattle genetics and management