Latheronwheel crofter's record-breaking year using artificial insemination
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Latheronwheel crofter has entered into a record-breaking year using artificial insemination on his 10-strong herd of commercial cross cattle.
This season is James Black's 53rd of using the service run by "AI" Willie Mackay of Oldhall, Watten. Mr Mackay first visited the croft at Smerral in January 1970 and has never missed a year since.
Known to his friends and neighbours as Jimmag, the crofter's first choice of AI bulls for his cattle in 1970 were Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn.
After having success with continental breeds over the years, Mr Black has gone back to using through AI the same breeds on his cows that he started out with more than half a century ago – getting remarkable results using sexed heifer straws.
Mr Mackay said: "At the start of last year's AI programme, Jimmag wanted some female calves from his cows so I acquired a quantity of sexed heifer semen from two outstanding bulls – a Hereford, Netherhall 1 Daffy, and a Shorthorn, Chapelton Pioneer, from the AI cattle breeding giant Cogent.
"He is now into his 53rd year using AI on all his cows without the natural service of a bull and is the only crofter and farmer to have done so in Caithness."
In the past few weeks Mr Black has seen his first five cows deliver five heifer calves from the sexed straws used.
Mr Black is assisted on the croft by his son Iain, who also attends to 150 ewes on the 58 hectares. Throughout the winter the 10 cows are fed on hay crushed barley and silage.
