NBA Winter Magazine_2023_

BREEDING SALERS IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS
KAIMBURN | JEDFOREST | BACARDI | CLEUCHHEAD | CUMBRIAN
On Saturday 26 August 2023, five herds in the Scottish
Borders hosted a highly successful ‘taster tour’ of pedigree and
commercial Salers. It showcased the docility of the breed and
the incredible versatility in a variety of different management
systems on extremely different terrain.
Kaimburn owned by Mr and Mrs J A de Gier trade as Edgerston
Trading (2006) Ltd at Edgerston Home Farm, Jedburgh, the
farm extends over 1,000 acres, with 600 acres of grazing and
400 acres of woodland. Formed in 2014 the herd now consists
of 100 cows, with 60 put to the Charolais whilst the remaining
40 go to the Salers’ to breed replacements.
Jedforest Salers, also located at Edgerston Home Farm, is
owned by Greg and Lewis Ralston, and was founded in 2017
with the intention to start their own herd and show their own
animals. Lewis won the Overall Championship at the Premier
Show and Sale in Castle Douglas this year and shared the top
highest female price of 5,000gns for Jedforest Roxy.
The commercial arm of Bacardi is situated at Mervinslaw,
Jedburgh and showcased 120 Salers cows which reared
Charolais calves with high weaning weights, that were sold as
stores at 10 months of age.
Bacardi pedigree Salers founded in 2011 were located at
Gattonside Mains, Melrose. The Salers breed was selected
because they required minimal intervention as the co-owners
had additional full-time employment. Most of the Bacardi
bulls were sold privately, however they were keen to support the
Premier sale at Castle Douglas and promote the breed at local
and national shows.
Cleuchhead based at Lilliesleaf, Melrose was started in the late
1980’s by the Livesey family. The first cattle were imported
to be crossed with the Galloway, but the herd transitioned
towards pedigree Salers in 2008. The system focused on
selling pedigree females at a range of ages. Ten bulls were sold
annually, and the remaining males were sold as steers or bull
beef. Males were the by-product of the Livesey’s system, but
they insisted that they must hit carcass specifications.
Cumbrian Salers owned by Tom and Ian Walling at Over Whitlaw
Farm, Selkirk ran 80 pedigree Salers cows and followers on 500
acres, and 200 acres rented grazing. The farm lies between
700’ and 1000’ above sea level, calving took place outside in
May/June and over the past two years there had not been one
calving that needed assistance. Bulls not destined for pedigree
were fattened to 14/16 months and sold at 400 kg deadweight.
Breed Society News
WINTER 2023 | The National Beef Association Magazine 35