Tweeddale herd wins ELBEX award

The award is presented by the EBLEX Beef Better Returns Programme (BRP) to the performance-recorded herd that shows the greatest genetic gain for commercial characteristics over a 12-month period. There is a separate award for each of 10 UK breeds.

Bowsden Moor is a 600-acre livestock farm. It is home to two pedigree flocks and three pedigree herds, with a total of 300 sheep and 160 cows respectively.

Third-generation farmer Jonathan Watson runs Bowsden Moor in partnership with his uncle Brian Redhead.

Their focus is on producing quality pedigree livestock to suit the commercial needs of today’s modern farmer, with animals that are born easily with good growth rates to promote efficient production systems.

The Tweeddale herd frequently attend the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh shows, as well as the Livestock Event at Birmingham.

“Selling pedigree cattle is the main part of our business and the main reason for showing is to provide a shop window from which to advertise our stock,” said Jonathan.

They aim to sell 20 Charolais bulls a year; the embryo work allows them to concentrate on their top breeding cows to produce as many calves from them as possible each year.