Farm
Incheoch is a collection of four neighbouring farms (Incheoch, Parkhead, Newcraig and Shealwalls), totalling 1200 acres and rolling from 400 to 750 feet above sea-level.
Family History
3 generations are involved in farming at Incheoch. Finlay and Judy settled here in 1994 after gradually expanding their own farming business over 2 previous moves. They, along with their children Neil and Clare are active on the farm – with Neil and his wife Debbie responsible for management. Their children Tally and Angus lend a hand when studies allow and keep the family passion for animals to the fore. We are indebted to the many previous generations of our family and so many others who have shared their knowledge of the bull and ram business with us.
Environmental Stewardship
We have management protocols in place for the benefit of ground-nesting birds and are pleased to attract breeding lapwing and curlew. Winter bird feed is grown annually, and 850 meters of new hedgerows and 12 hectares of native trees planted since 2015. We are fortunate to have a Pictish Hillfort on the farm and cattle grazing help to protect and manage this site. Schemes to protect waterways have added benefits to habitats, where we have seen an increase in the owl and brown hare population as well as animal welfare through compliance with health scheme regulations.
Protecting Animal Health
The sheep flock is MV and Enzootic accredited and closed apart from the odd ram, with strict quarantine protocols designed to help keep free from CLA, OPA and CODD. Cattle herd health status is managed under the Premium Cattle Health Scheme with the herd BVD accredited and vaccinated. The herd has been pro-actively engaged in controlling Johnes disease for over 20 years.
All the recording …is it really worth the hassle?
The recording procedures we undertake are time-consuming, expensive, sometimes infuriating and create boxfuls and boxfuls of data. Sometimes it leads us up dead-ends (we are currently exploring 2 different methods of selection for worm tolerance in Lleyn sheep, one is leading-edge scientific research but with no guarantee it will work)! But when it all comes together – it’s hugely rewarding! Selection for ewe behaviour at lambing has made lambing the Lleyn flock outdoors much easier. Selection for more backfat in Simmentals has made for easier finished steers and earlier puberty heifers.
Take advantage of our efforts – don’t just buy a bull or a ram, invest in the programme behind him.
Debbie
