The recently formed Scottish Beef Association (SBA) is to hold its first specialist event next spring.
It will be held on Wednesday May 27 at Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie, where Peter and Murray Alexander run a suckler herd of 1,000 Limousin cross cows and a commercial flock of 2,000 Blackface and Mule ewes extending over four units.
The organising committee will be chaired by well-known Luing cattle breeder Robert McNee, of Over Finlarg, Tealing, Dundee.
Adopting the theme of beef from the hills, the event is being designed to demonstrate all the latest technologies for sustainable beef production.
“The opportunity of viewing Mains of Mause, with its reputation for the production of high quality cattle and sheep, will be a major attraction for livestock farmers and we are grateful to the Alexander family for kindly agreeing to host this important event for the Scottish beef industry,” said SBA vice-chairman, Jim Stewart, Kinbroon, Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire.
Host farmer Peter Alexander said the aim was to hand the organisation of the event over to the younger generation who see their future in beef production.
“We will be five months into the new Common Agricultural Policy at the time of the event and Robert McNee will lead a team of enthusiastic younger farmers with new ideas to demonstrate how beef production can be made profitable and the relentless downward trend in suckler cow numbers in Scotland reversed,” said Mr Alexander.
Mr McNee said Mains of Mause was an excellent example of how costs could be controlled and efficiency improved in suckler herds by utilising high hill land for summer grazing, making the best use of grass, using top genetics, achieving a high calving percentage, calving at two years of age, maintaining a high health status, producing quality calves and ensuring labour efficiency.
“Mains of Mause ticks all the boxes and is the ideal farm to demonstrate the management of a beef suckler herd in the new era of reduced support,” said Mr McNee.
“Reducing costs and maximising returns from the market will be key to the future of beef production and we will be looking to demonstrate all the latest technologies for efficient production at next year’s event.”
The Limousin is the breed of choice at Mains of Mause because of its easy calving, suitability for breeding replacement heifers and producing quality beef.
Black Limousin genetics from North America have been introduced in recent years to enhance the maternal characteristics of the herd.
All the 1,000 Limousin cross cows are put to the Limousin bull with 80% calving in the spring and the rest in the autumn.
The cows utilise rough grazing which would otherwise be idle at over 1,000ft in the summer and are mostly outwintered on a silage based diet fed from a covered and scraped feed stance in each field.
The herd is BVD and Lepto accredited and a robust culling policy is adopted to eliminate Johne’s disease.
Last year a calving percentage of 95% was achieved.
Cull cows last year averaged over £1,000.
Around 300 yearling steers are sold at Forfar Mart each April with remaining calves, except for heifers retained as replacements, finished and sold to Scotbeef.
The sheep flock comprising 600 Blackface ewes and 1400 Mule ewes is also self-contained with all lambs finished on the farm for Scotbeef except for ewe lambs retained for breeding.
Mains of Mause was the venue for NSA Scotsheep in 2002 and in recent years has also hosted the International Limousin Congress and the annual British Grassland Society tour.
The members of the organising committee are Patrick Lambert, Greig Farms, Gateside, Fife; David Houstoun, Glenkilrie, Blairgowrie; Graham Mackie, The Ross, Madderty, Crieff; Allen Drysdale, Middle Drimmie, Blairgowrie; Lesley Wylie, ABP, Perth; Craig Robertson, Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry, Willie Paterson, Lawrie & Symington, Forfar; and Murray Rainnie, United Auctions, Stirling.