Luings more than pay their way at Craigdarroch
THERE is no breed better than a Luing for producing an efficient hardy, hill cow to offset the higher feed, labour and building costs involved in beef production.
These are the views of the Graham family, of Craigdarroch, Sanquhar, who have been firm fans of the breed for more than 20 years.
“The Luing is extremely hardy and an efficient and fertile mother. Their ability to rear a suitable calf in adverse weather conditions is widely renowned and she is an easy calving figure,” said Billy Graham, who alongside fulltime stockman,Ally Smith, now runs a herd of 60 cows.
He added that the breed also boasts sound feet and legs and good locomotion to its considerable merits ensuring the breed remains a sound investment. Cows’ and bulls’ feet at Craigdarroch are never touched as they believe good feet are essential for any hill breed to cover ground.
“It is crucial to have cattle with good temperament when you have to work with them and at Craigdarroch, it’s a No 1 priority,” said Billy, who is in full swing halter training six bulls most of which are destined for next week’s breed sale at Castle Douglas.
Craigdarroch Arti, Alba, Alonso, Alves, Arnie and Ace, are all rising two year-olds, and all bound for the sale.
Four are sired by Kirkland Yorkie and two – Ace and Arnie – are sons of Plenderleith Wizard, the sire of last year’s 32,000gns record priced bull, Craigdarroch Zico sold at Castle Douglas.
“This is just the second crop of calves to be sold from Wizard – he has been breeding well for us, so we are excited to see how they perform this year.
“This is also our first crop of calves from Kirkland Yorkie, a homozygous polled bull from my sister, Una’s Kirkland herd, being Craigdarroch-bred on both sides as she tends to use a lot of my home-bred bulls as youngsters,” he added.
The newest stock bull, Harehead Yogi, was purchased for £15,960 at the breed’s online sale three years ago, with the first crop of bulls due next year for sale.
One of the most influential stock bulls was Harehead Jake, purchased in the early days at Castle Douglas for 7000gns. He bred a lot of dear heifers as well as the 11,000gns Craigdarroch Minstrel. Jake also left females with great udders, teats and feet with most of the Craigdarroch cows boasting his genetics somewhere in their pedigree, Billy said.
“Selecting stock bulls is not always easy and is