Luings tick all the right boxes for Pip and Hannah

Twelve years ago Pip went looking for a breed that could ease management and improve efficiency within the beef enterprise at Poole Bank Farm. He settled on the Luing, a breed established on the Inner Hebrides of Scotland in 1965 by the Cadzow family.

Poole Bank Farm is nestled close to Lake Windemere and rises from 1,200ft at the farmyard to 1,700ft at its peak. As a result it provides rough, hilly terrain for livestock to graze and a less than desirable climate in the colder months.

The farm has been in the family for three generations now, and was originally taken on as a tenanted farm before the Simpsons purchased it 14 years ago.

“We run a herd of 70 suckler cows as well as a flock of 350 ewes,” says Pip. “For us the Luing ticks all the right boxes. Before making the switch to Luing, we ran pedigree Limousins.

“These were costly to keep, and we were having to house them from September to May, which was not practical or cost-effective, so we decided to look at breeds that would be more suited to living and grazing on the hill.”

Hannah and Pip

Pip farms alongside his partner, Hannah. Often working alone, and with many tourists crossing their land, temperament was paramount for Pip and Hannah.

One of the first breeders of Luing cattle in the Lake District, Pip strongly believes now – 12 years later – that they are the breed of the future.

“They out-winter well and thrive on the fell,” says Pip. “Our system has gone from being high-input to low-input, with less management, virtually no calving issues and less issues with temperament.”

The herd is predominantly outside and is only brought inside for calving before immediately being turned out thereafter. They are given no additional feed except when they return from their deferred grazing in February for calving. During this period they are fed round bale silage and minerals.

Youngstock are housed for their first winter and get a grower’s cake along with round bale silage and minerals.

“Heifers calve down at two years old, which in itself has considerable benefits. We used to end up with cows around 800kg, however, since switching, our cows are now around 620kg, which makes calving much easier and improves fertility. It also has huge benefits for the ground and when it comes to handling,” adds Pip.

Herd of Luing cattle out on winter grazing on an upland moor in Lake District

“Heifers are kept as replacements and young bulls head North-East to be fattened after coming off their mothers at six or seven months of age.”

Predominantly a closed herd, Pip and Hannah choose to only buy in stock bulls, sourcing privately from very traditional herds.

Pip says: “Our biggest challenge is keeping them traditional and true to type. We stand in the spirit of the original Cadzow Luings and are passionate about breeding cows with the same traits. This is why we tend to purchase directly from the Cadzow Brothers – they are the ultimate breeders.”

A trip to the dedicated annual production sale of pedigree cattle held by the Cadzow Brothers is an unmissable event in Pip and Hannah’s calendar.

This year 106 head of cattle will pass through the sale ring at United Auctions Livestock Market, Oban, on Saturday, November 12. The genetics on offer at this unique sale come from the founding herd of Luings and are highly sought after by breeders from all four corners of the UK.

Established by combining Beef Shorthorn and Highland Cattle, the motivation behind the breeding was to produce a good beef cow that can raise a calf under poor weather conditions and fatten well on sub-quality grazing.

The Luing’s excellent grass conversion rate is not reserved purely for hill ground. When grazed on better quality and clover-rich pasture, the Luing can also display some impressive growth figures.

On Luing, steers will wean at an average of 270kg at 200 days, while no bull calves weaned less than 300kg in the same timeframe. In both cases they had no additional creep feeding whatsoever – just milk and grass!

Such qualities have never been more suited to the current challenges facing the livestock industry as they have the capability to thrive on low-input, grass-based systems.

“The Luing is very well suited to our land here, which is very similar to that on the Isle of Luing,” explains Pip. “They are hardy animals and easy to flesh on poorer quality grazing. They produce one calf every year and tick every box for us. I really don’t know why more farmers in the area don’t have Luings!”

Pip and Hannah are happy to show anyone interested in the Luing breed their herd at Poole Bank Farm. To discuss this call Pip on 07713 122828.

For a catalogue prior to the Oban sale or to visit the Island of Luing in advance of the sale to see the Cadzow Brothers’ consignments in their natural environment, call Archie Cadzow on 07493 372377 or email cadzow@luing.net