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The Aberdeen Angus breed of cattle has been important to the UK meat industry for many years and continues to grow in supply and demand. Chrissie Lawrence finds out how this has led to one breeder's success
A BELIEF THAT the future for Aberdeen Angus meat sales is good, will not deter the Tilson family from continuing to improve the quality of the stock they produce.
Established in 1913, the Wedderlie herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle is the third oldest in Britain and one noted in the Scottish Borders for producing prime cattle and rearing top quality heifers and bulls for replacements.
Lying at 55m to 118m in the heart of the Lammermuir Hills in Berwickshire, Wedderlie Farm is ideally suited to carry Angus cattle, with low maintenance costs, good fertility and longevity. It's the ideal breed, says Marion Tilson, who runs the farm with husband John and daughter Wanda.
Based at Gordon, the 1050ha (2600-acre) the farm carries 195 pedigree Angus cows and 1800 Blackface, Greyface and Mule ewes with a flock of 120 pedigree Texel ewes. "Texel tups have replaced the Bluefaced Leicester for prime lamb production from grass or kale." An area of spring barley is also grown for feed.
The Angus herd is spring and autumn calving, with spring-born steers finished off grass at 17-18 months for sale through Scotbeef. These attract a significant premium of 10-15p over the base price, as purebred Aberdeen Angus. Autumn-born calves are sold in October through St Boswells market.
Although pedigree, cows are run as a commercial unit, with youngstock producing carcass weights of 350kg at a minimum grade of 4L. "But we have to sustain a sound, productive cow herd. Growth and weight must be balanced by maternal abilities and weaning weight is a good indication of growth and the dam's milking ability."
The marbling effect of Angus meat is acknowledged worldwide as a prime eating quality factor, but unfortunately it isn't considered by the MLC. So, the Tilsons look at carcass figures for related bulls from other countries to improve meat quality.
"Herd sires are carefully selected to complement or improve a combination of these important traits." Temperament is also a high priority and the cattle are well known for their docility, she adds.
The Tilsons use a variety of bulls to suit both heifers and cows in the herd. "Home-bred junior bulls are used on heifers for easy calving and are then sold at Perth. Two embryo transfer bulls from Canada - Wedderlie Blackadder and Wedderlie Blackbest - run with the rest of the herd."
GENETIC BOOST
To boost the herd's genetic base, the Tilsons jointly bought a bull this February, Aynho Rossiter Eric, from Banbury-based Alex McLaren, with Alastair Fraser for 16,000gns.
The herd is MLC Signet recorded, but with constant frustration over lack of maternal figures, they are pleased at the breed society's plan to change over to the Australian Breed-plan recording system.
As Aberdeen Angus Society president, Mrs Tilson feels the move to Breed-plan marks the single most momentous decision the society has ever made. "Although it will prove a huge benefit for pedigree breeders to have a greater range of figures available, commercial breeders are likely to see greater benefits following the move to carcass traits."
The top 30% of bull calves from the Wedderlie herd are registered and sold either privately or at Perth sales in February and October. Their last bull, Wedderlie Netmark A281, sold through Perth for 25,000gns.
Having kept back about 20 heifer replacements each year, the Tilson's hold an annual draft sale of heifers during September-October where other breeders are invited to sell their stock as too.
BEST OF BORDERS
"Our last sale coincided with the Best of the Borders Angus tour and attracted 50 head of cattle and 17 ring-side buyers." A top bid of 16,000gns was made for John Elliot's two-year-old heifer Rawburn Lady Rush A113.
Although it requires plenty of planning and effort, she feels the sale is an excellent chance to display the herd's quality characteristics and it will become an annual event. "Buyers also have the advantage of seeing the dam, sire and other family members in their home environment."
Demand for the breed remains strong, so much so that Mrs Tilson has sold many bulls to breeders looking to replace breeds, such as Limousin or Blonde d'Acquitaine to breed heifer replacements. The demand for quality meat will be more important after CAP reform, believes Mrs Tilson. "A premium price has to remain for producing a quality product."
WEDDERLIE ANGUS
• Third oldest in Britain
• Pedigree and commercial unit
• Prime eating quality meat
• On-farm sale of heifers
PHOTO (COLOR): The demand for high quality meat, such as the Aberdeen Angus produces, is likely to be more important when CAP reform comes into force.
PHOTO (COLOR): With low maintenance, good fertility and longevity, the Aberdeen Angus is the ideal breed, say Marion (right) and Wanda Tilson.
~~~~~~~~
By Chrissie Lawrence
Edited by Jessica Buss, 020 8652 4936
A BELIEF THAT the future for Aberdeen Angus meat sales is good, will not deter the Tilson family from continuing to improve the quality of the stock they produce.
Established in 1913, the Wedderlie herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle is the third oldest in Britain and one noted in the Scottish Borders for producing prime cattle and rearing top quality heifers and bulls for replacements.
Lying at 55m to 118m in the heart of the Lammermuir Hills in Berwickshire, Wedderlie Farm is ideally suited to carry Angus cattle, with low maintenance costs, good fertility and longevity. It's the ideal breed, says Marion Tilson, who runs the farm with husband John and daughter Wanda.
Based at Gordon, the 1050ha (2600-acre) the farm carries 195 pedigree Angus cows and 1800 Blackface, Greyface and Mule ewes with a flock of 120 pedigree Texel ewes. "Texel tups have replaced the Bluefaced Leicester for prime lamb production from grass or kale." An area of spring barley is also grown for feed.
The Angus herd is spring and autumn calving, with spring-born steers finished off grass at 17-18 months for sale through Scotbeef. These attract a significant premium of 10-15p over the base price, as purebred Aberdeen Angus. Autumn-born calves are sold in October through St Boswells market.
Although pedigree, cows are run as a commercial unit, with youngstock producing carcass weights of 350kg at a minimum grade of 4L. "But we have to sustain a sound, productive cow herd. Growth and weight must be balanced by maternal abilities and weaning weight is a good indication of growth and the dam's milking ability."
The marbling effect of Angus meat is acknowledged worldwide as a prime eating quality factor, but unfortunately it isn't considered by the MLC. So, the Tilsons look at carcass figures for related bulls from other countries to improve meat quality.
"Herd sires are carefully selected to complement or improve a combination of these important traits." Temperament is also a high priority and the cattle are well known for their docility, she adds.
The Tilsons use a variety of bulls to suit both heifers and cows in the herd. "Home-bred junior bulls are used on heifers for easy calving and are then sold at Perth. Two embryo transfer bulls from Canada - Wedderlie Blackadder and Wedderlie Blackbest - run with the rest of the herd."
GENETIC BOOST
To boost the herd's genetic base, the Tilsons jointly bought a bull this February, Aynho Rossiter Eric, from Banbury-based Alex McLaren, with Alastair Fraser for 16,000gns.
The herd is MLC Signet recorded, but with constant frustration over lack of maternal figures, they are pleased at the breed society's plan to change over to the Australian Breed-plan recording system.
As Aberdeen Angus Society president, Mrs Tilson feels the move to Breed-plan marks the single most momentous decision the society has ever made. "Although it will prove a huge benefit for pedigree breeders to have a greater range of figures available, commercial breeders are likely to see greater benefits following the move to carcass traits."
The top 30% of bull calves from the Wedderlie herd are registered and sold either privately or at Perth sales in February and October. Their last bull, Wedderlie Netmark A281, sold through Perth for 25,000gns.
Having kept back about 20 heifer replacements each year, the Tilson's hold an annual draft sale of heifers during September-October where other breeders are invited to sell their stock as too.
BEST OF BORDERS
"Our last sale coincided with the Best of the Borders Angus tour and attracted 50 head of cattle and 17 ring-side buyers." A top bid of 16,000gns was made for John Elliot's two-year-old heifer Rawburn Lady Rush A113.
Although it requires plenty of planning and effort, she feels the sale is an excellent chance to display the herd's quality characteristics and it will become an annual event. "Buyers also have the advantage of seeing the dam, sire and other family members in their home environment."
Demand for the breed remains strong, so much so that Mrs Tilson has sold many bulls to breeders looking to replace breeds, such as Limousin or Blonde d'Acquitaine to breed heifer replacements. The demand for quality meat will be more important after CAP reform, believes Mrs Tilson. "A premium price has to remain for producing a quality product."
WEDDERLIE ANGUS
• Third oldest in Britain
• Pedigree and commercial unit
• Prime eating quality meat
• On-farm sale of heifers
PHOTO (COLOR): The demand for high quality meat, such as the Aberdeen Angus produces, is likely to be more important when CAP reform comes into force.
PHOTO (COLOR): With low maintenance, good fertility and longevity, the Aberdeen Angus is the ideal breed, say Marion (right) and Wanda Tilson.
~~~~~~~~
By Chrissie Lawrence
Edited by Jessica Buss, 020 8652 4936
