Douglas Barr explains to the group at Delfur

Delfur Farms

Where Douglas Barr has been the farm manager for five years. Douglas came to Delfur from the RSPB farms on Islay, and on his arrival needed convincing that the Simmental breed could compete.

Now an enthusiastic and committed convert Douglas, along with his employers Sir Dennis and Mr. Edward Mountain, finds the same finishers coming back year after year to purchase their steers while the demand for breeding female replacements continues to increase.

At Delfur Farms the performance of the 7/8ths + Simmentals exceeds the commercial ‘black’ Limousin herd.

Autumn 2002 suckled calf sales at Huntly saw some quite remarkable returns: 39 April/May 2002 steers averaged 311 kgs @ 177p/kg (Top price of £570 for a pen of 3 averaging 328 kgs). 22 bulling heifers born Spring 2001 averaged 502 kgs @ 115p/kg (Top average of £1.27/kg for a pen of 3 at 472 kgs/head).

Glenlivet

Group discussion on the farm of Michael Durno, Glenlivet

Michael Durno from Glenlivet is highly respected for the top quality stock he brings to market. With 125 Simmental cross cows selling 12 month old stores, Michael Durno uses Charolais and Simmental AI at first service across all his herd before the bulls are introduced.

This is just one herd wherea Simmental bull has been purchased as a move away from the previous practice of having all Charolais bulls – not only do the Simmental heifers offer cows of the future, but the steers are right up there in the store ring as well.

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