Macaulay Land Use Research Institute » Glensaugh News

Glensaugh News – 28 March 2011

Media Releases — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:28:36 +0000

At Glensaugh we are bringing our winter routine to a close as sheds are emptied of ewe hoggs and set up again for lambing ewes. Meanwhile calving of cows continues but at a slower pace than in 2010, perhaps reflecting last year’s cold and late Spring. The industry-wide shortage of fodder is also being felt here but strict rationing should see us through. Rising soil temperatures are allowing some new growth which will provide for our ewes once they have lambed. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 28 February 2011

Media Releases — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:14:48 +0000

At Glensaugh we have started calving our suckler cows. The latest bovine celebrity is L5 who calved a pair of Charolais twins. Multiple births in hill cows are regarded as a disaster because the demands of two calves (who incidentally are doing well) quickly outstrip the resources of the mother. Our strategy therefore is to offer additional milk to the calves while they are young and impressionable so that one of them can be weaned if no foster mother is found. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 31 January 2011

Media Releases — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:01:24 +0000

Winter at Glensaugh is on hold for the time being, slowing down the alarming depletion of our fodder stocks and allowing us to undertake some value-added work alongside our routine chores. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 17 January 2011

Media Releases — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:00:53 +0000

Glensaugh has endured the third period of ice and snow of the winter. This time the cold has been less severe and the quantity of snow much less than in December. The winter routine of feeding and bedding dominates our lives and there is little time for value added work. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 20 December 2010

Media Releases — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:01:49 +0000

At Glensaugh a new production year has begun with the tupping of our ewes with the tupps (rams) introduced into the Cheviot and blackface flocks. The date for the tupping of hill ewes is “set in stone” (usually 22 November). What is not set in stone is the onset of winter and heavy snow began to fall on 25 November since when we have been storm feeding all of our sheep, a task that is occupying virtually the whole working day. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 22 November 2010

Media Releases — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:00:48 +0000

At Glensaugh we are hard at work on our Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP)works. The concrete floor slab for the biomass boiler has been placed and the boiler and accumulation tank are now in-situ awaiting connection. Meanwhile we are sourcing a log splitter which will partly mechanise the fuelwood procurement process; the purchase of this is also being supported through the SRDP. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 8 November 2010

Media Releases — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:00:24 +0000

At Glensaugh the season’s livestock work is almost complete as we sell remaining lambs and calves and begin housing stock for the winter. The last of our spring born suckled calves will be sold at Forfar on Saturday. The one in the picture is not enjoying its pre-sale hair cut. Otherwise known as cattle dressing, this serves little purpose other than adding to the aesthetic appearance and uniformity of the stock. While others are indulging in this activity we reluctantly follow suit. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 11 October 2010

Media Releases — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:00:31 +0000

At Glensaugh we are continuing to market our livestock. The last of the deer calves (2009 crop) have been sold to John Fletcher for £122 per head. Sheep marketing also continues and the majority of the 2010 lamb crop has now been sold. At our annual outing to Forfar’s store Blackface sale we took second prize for our top wedder lambs (which sold for £54 per head) while our ewe lambs sold for a respectable £52. While being “in the limelight” is satisfying it was a hollow victory because many well managed hill flocks have been dispersed in recent years, significantly reducing the competition. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 27 September 2010

Clare Neely — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:00:19 +0000

At Glensaugh we are continuing to sell finished lambs from grass, always reducing overall stocking density as we move towards autumn. Our suckled calves have been vaccinated to cover them against a broad range of respiratory diseases in readiness for weaning and housing. Meanwhile all our deer calves have been weaned to their winter quarters in the “Black Shed”. [continue reading ... ]

Glensaugh News – 30 August 2010

Clare Neely — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:29:22 +0000

The first of Glensaugh’s 2010 lamb crop were sold on 18 August and averaged £69 per head. The market remains strong. All lambs are now weaned on to silage aftermaths. For the first time we have retained 45 Texel cross ewe lambs as breeding stock, a further move towards closing our flock and which will reduce the number of gimmers which we require to purchase in 2011. [continue reading ... ]