Beef: Cattle bred to suit what the market wants

Ian Campbell’s philosophy on cattle breeding sounds simple: “If you choose a good bull and put it to a good cow, there is every chance that their offspring will show the same positive qualities.”

However, as any cattle breeder will know, building and sustaining a herd whose offspring are in demand year after year is not an easy task. When questioned in more detail, it emerges Ian and his brother, John, are totally dedicated to their goal, which is to supply the type of Charolais cattle they believe the market requires.

Such is the demand for their livestock that only 15 per cent of the cattle they produce go into the finishing system, before being sold through the local auction mart. Aside from the females which are retained as replacements, the remainder are sold on to other farms for breeding.

The two brothers are part of a family partnership that includes their parents, Colin and Phyllis. Ian is a tenant at Thrunton, a large mixed holding, while John rents a hill farm some 15 miles away.

The Thrunton herd was started by Colin, who bought two pedigree Charolais heifers in 1974 as an interest, with the aim of running them alongside the farm’s suckler herd with numbers now standing at 150 females plus followers.

While the main farming strategy has changed very little over the years, there is one exception. In 2005, the family purchased half a dozen pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cows. There are now 12 females, with some of the cows flushed and the Charolais used as recipients.

Spreading risk

“There is good market for Angus cattle and there are relatively few in this area,” says Ian.

“It’s all about spreading risk. Obviously, we consider that nothing can match the Charolais - we believe its popularity will continue into the future. But if you only keep one breed and it happens to go out of fashion for any reason, your business will be left in a vulnerable position.”

The addition of the Angus herd has pushed the stocking density close to its limit, he says: “On a tenanted farm, livestock are the main asset, so it is vital to keep as many head as possible.”

One management strategy that has helped to overcome stocking density issues is the out-wintering of around 60 dry cows on spring barley stubble.

The land at Thrunton is fairly free draining, and once the cattle are taken off in spring, the fields are ploughed up and put to a second cereal crop.

“As long as they have somewhere dry to lie down, we find that cattle do better when they are kept outside, compared with those in the loose housing,” he says.

“But we always select the younger, fitter cows for out-wintering. We use a feed trailer which is replenished every couple of days.”

Adult females in the herd will achieve a respectable average of nine calves over a lifetime. Feed at housing is kept simple, with silage, straw and minerals forming the staple diet. Once a cow is suckling, cereals will be added to her ration, until she is back in calf.

Closed herd

The Thrunton herd is closed to maintain its current disease-free status, which is carefully guarded. It is registered under SAC’s Premium Health Scheme and animals are sold with a declaration to prove they have tested negative for IBR, BVD and leptospirosis.

Buyers are increasingly looking for high health status, and the farm is fortunate to be in a TB-free area, says Ian.

The family has always bought the best bloodlines it can afford, he says. He ranks the three most crucial factors in bull selection in order of their importance as visual appeal, genetic background and EBVs.

Ease of calving and natural fleshing are two of the most sought-after traits demanded by his customers. He has noticed, however, the emphasis on commercial performance figures has increased as profit margins have been squeezed.

“We prefer to breed cattle that are not too extreme in any way,” he says. “Our cows are medium to large, weighing over one tonne as adults. The recent firming of cull cow prices has been a major bonus.”

Balmyle Dickler is one of the farm’s most recent – and most expensive – purchases. Bought at the Perth sales last October for 26,000gns, he will be two years old in March. Dickler will only be allocated 30 cows in his first season, to see whether his progeny live up to expectations.

The bull caught the eye of Ian’s son, Bruce, who saw him on-farm earlier in the year and was impressed by his conformation. Further investigation revealed he came from a good cow family and had excellent performance figures.

As long as they have somewhere dry to lie down, we find that cattle do better when they are kept outside

Ian Campbell

A bull that has already proved himself is Burradon Talisman, sired by Blelack Prince. Born in January 2002 and bred by the Curry family from nearby Morpeth, he was awarded the supreme championship at the Carlisle sales, before being knocked down to the Campbells at 15,000gns. The bull has left six crops of what Ian describes as ‘outstanding’ calves and is still in full health.

While Ian admits Talisman’s genetic worth on paper may dwindle over time, he is considered worth keeping because of his reputation for throwing good bull calves and pushing up sale averages.

His first 29 sons averaged 10,105gns at Perth, with many going to pedigree herds countrywide. Talisman also produced the supreme champion at the first Stirling bull sale in October.

The Thrunton herd is mainly autumn calving, apart from one small group which calves in the spring. This practice allows the family to offer breeding livestock covering a range of age groups. Perth and Carlisle are two of the most important outlets.

Ian makes no secret of the fact that bulls being prepared for the sales ring are fed to encourage muscling and enhance their general appearance.

Again with the aim of appealing to a range of buyers, many of the bulls are sold off the farm at commercial prices, often before sale preparations have begun.

Most go to local farmers in Northumberland and the Borders. A number of females are also sold privately, to breeders starting up new herds, or looking for new bloodlines.

All cattle that fail to reach the required standard are finished at grass. Depending on birth date, some may also be offered a total mixed ration, which includes home-grown barley and oats. They usually leave the farm at around 18 months old.

Ruthless

Ian credits the policy of ruthlessly culling inferior stock as key to the progress the family has made so far. He believes sticking to this system is the best way to achieve uniformity within the breeding herd.

With his two sons, Andrew and Bruce, already working alongside the brothers, and nephew Edward keen to join after he leaves school, he is hoping to continue building on sales of breeding cattle, in order to keep the business in profit.

“The best feedback is repeat custom and that has always been our goal,” he says. “We have never considered diversification because we enjoy what we’re doing.

“Our aim is to expand whenever the opportunity arises and carry on improving the quality of our herd into the future.”

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