Creep feeding fat production lambs as early as two weeks old to reduce the number of days on farm, is the primary function for Ali Gordon of Northfield Farm, St Abbs of Eyemouth.
The very much tourist scenic area of Berwickshire is surrounded in coastal routes and stunning views around the 380-acre farm with an additional 120 rented acres from National Trust Scotland (NTS) which is home to 250 North Country Cheviots, 750 Cheviot Mules and an 80 suckler cow herd. The farm has been in the family since 1980 having previously farmed at Lockerbie, Ali’s father was looking for a new challenge so bought Northfield Farm at St Abbs. After a couple of years in New Zealand and Australia Ali came home to farm the livestock enterprise, after the passing of Ali’s father she took over the running of the sheep and cattle and now farms along with her partner David.
The exceptional view from North Field Farm
Aiming for that early market, the team begin lambing at the end of February with their home-bred Cheviot Mules which are put to the Suffolk terminal sire the first year and the Texel there after. Since everything is lambed inside through the sheep shed which can only hold 280 at one time, the tups go out in groups to create a staggered lambing, as well as using teasers to ensure a tighter lambing period.
Among the pure Cheviots, everything will be lambed outside from April 1, buying in 80-100 draft ewes annually to produce their own Cheviot Mule ewe lambs for replacements, aiming to get two years out of the ewes or until their teeth go. “We originally ran Blackface sheep, however switched over to the Cheviot 15 years ago because as a cull ewe they are worth a lot more, as well as having good confirmation, milkiness and are good mothers.”
Producing the Cheviot Mule requires the traditional Bluefaced Leicester tup in the system, which Ali acquires from Ian Smith of West Bolton at Kelso Ram Sales. Cheviot Mules will be hitting a scanning percentage of 200% with the Cheviot ewes scanning out at 170%. Prior to lambing pure Cheviots due to have twins and triplets and all the Cheviot Mules will be fed Davidsons Animal Feeds Ewelac rolls. “It keeps the ewes in good condition on the run up to lambing and they milk well off the Ewelac 18%. “Along with the products, the service Davidsons provides is second to none. Drivers are also excellent at communicating as to when they will be arriving, so it is easier management for us,” added Ali. The lambs will be creep fed from 14 days old with Davidsons Animal Feeds Rapid Start, everything is finished on farm and will be sold through Farm Stock, which Ali is a director of, as well as being chair lady of Scott Country Lamb – she certainly likes a challenge in her spare time!
“The lamb creep is an exceptional product for us, it works well in our system and to get the value out of your lambs, I feel it is vital to creep feed them that bit earlier as that is the important growth
stage of their life. Last year, the majority were gaining 500grams per day, with batches killing out at 21.3kg, creating tremendous feed conversion rates,” added Ali.
The first of the lambs will be sold the third week of May at 36-37kg, and thereafter will be finished at 12 weeks onwards once hitting 40kg, to get the lambs finished as quickly as possible.“We dry off really quick here, and the fewer mouths we have through the summer the better, we can’t afford to carry too many. This year has been the worst we have seen for grass growth, we just hope to get a big burst of rain to save our crops,” said Ali.
On the cattle front, the 80 Limousin Friesian cows are autumn calvers, with a dozen Sottish bred heifers bought in each year privately. “The Limousins are used for their shape and confirmation, and with the cross of the Friesian through them keeps them that bit more milkier,” said Ali. The heifers will be put to the Aberdeen-Angus being spring calvers, and the following year will join the autumn calvers and go to the Charolais bull.
“We use the Angus on the heifers for easy calving, the less interference with a heifer the better. The Angus are quick onto their feet and suckling soon after birth. “The Charolais cross without a doubt is what the finisher wants, and they continue to dominate the market with their fast growth rates,” added Ali. Calves won’t be weaned until July to prevent mastitis on the cows, being housed through the winter with calves having their own creeping area in the shed. The majority of cow’s calves will be sold at 12-14 months of age, with the heifer calves getting sold at 12months. Just last month Ali sold the first batch of bullocks weighing 570kg for £1430 at St Boswells, which is up £150 on the year. Although the farm is at full capacity, Ali never stops at finding more work for herself, as part of a diversification the farm started up a small caravan site last August. “We had a really busy spell to start with and of course had to close down over winter due to lockdown restrictions, we are looking forward to a busy summer again with bookings coming through our ears.
Charolais cross store calves
“Running just five plots allows a good start up for us to see how successful it would be without having to go into all the planning permission and providing facilities. It is a great diversification for the farm being in such a touristy spot,” said Ali, who’s sister, runs the café at the farm welcoming customers to enjoy the area. More and more farmers are beginning to diversify to widen their horizons, when it comes to agriculture there are a lot of ongoing concerns in the industry. “The future of farming is reliant on the next generation, but the numbers coming back to farm are not what they used to be. Large areas of hill ground are being planted up in trees where large numbers of sheep used to be kept. The grants are attractive and there are fewer good shepherds to be found.
“This last year in lockdown has shown that consumers want to know where their food is coming from, they want to buy locally produced products. We should try to reduce importing food products and reducing the carbon footprint, it is important to support Scottish farming and all those that work hard to keep it going,” concluded Ali.
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