Northern Farmers Updated On Bull Management

14th October 2006

Photograph of Northern Farmers Updated On Bull Management

The importance of looking after a newly purchased bull on the first few days following
it's arrival at the farm was one of the main messages to emerge from a bull
management day, held on an Invernesshire farm this week, and attended by over fifty
local beef producers.

This was the first in a series of events, "Farming for the Future", organised by SAC in
collaboration with NFU Scotland and supported by European Social Funding which aim
to help producers adapt to changes following the introduction of the Single Farm
Payment. Speakers were SAC Vet Sandy Clark, SAC Beef Specialist Gavin Hill, Ian
McCulloch, a vet from Orkney and Orkney farmer Terry Coghill

The focus for the day was bulls and their selection, maintenance and management for
efficient herd fertility - including housing and feeding of bulls, bull health, understanding
estimated breeding values, bull fertility and semen testing and what to look for when
buying a bull.

The event was held at Druid Temple Farm on the outskirts of Inverness, on Tuesday 10
October, courtesy of farmer Brian Grant. The 630 acre farm carries 160 beef cows
including 40 pedigree Simmental cows with Simmental, Charolais and Limousin stock.

The second event in the Farming for the Future series, attended by 25 farmers, was
held on Wednesday 11 October at Forise Farm, Westfield by Thurso, courtesy of Mr.W
R Mills.

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