Helen Sloan of Rigghead, Dumfries, is next in the lime light to share her experience of using Charollais sheep for the ease of lambing as well as using them as a terminal sire to increase muscle and growth rates in lambs.
What is your background?
Farming was always going to be a large part of my enjoyment, which started at Boreland of Balmaghie, Castle Douglas. There, I enjoyed farming life along with my brother, Jim, where we farmed dairy, beef and sheep.
Sheep were always my favourite and I was soon lambing at a very young age. Being very sporty growing up, I think it gave me the competitive edge required for showing.
Where did your stock career begin?
Showing Galloways gave me my first taste in the show ring with dad’s herd of Glenswinton Galloways, which was soon followed by Charollais sheep.
I married David Sloan in 1983 and my dad gifted me one Charollais ewe lamb and that was when the Rigghead flock started.
Young Farmers played a big part in my love of showing, especially the SAYFC stocksmanship programme. I took part for several years and the highlight was wining the beef pairs with Alister Goldie and the Glasgow Herald Team Trophy in 1987. This competition is a great opportunity for you to learn about other breeds of cattle and sheep.
Why Charollais?
We chose the Charollais as an easy lambing terminal sire that suits all breeds with great carcase quality. They have lots of lean meat on a large carcase and I’m confident the Charollais will meet the market requirements for now and beyond.
The rams cover a lot of ewes and they produce a sought after lamb in the market place at the end of the line and suit both early lambing and mainstream lambing.
We now run 30 Charollais ewes and sell the majority of the rams as shearlings at Kelso. We take a selection of gimmers to the Saucy Sale, at Worcester, in October, to create a different market.
What is its place in the commercial market?
Quick growth and fineness of bone that the breed is renowned for ensures easy lambing and also contributes to the higher killing out percentage of progeny.
The best animal you have shown?
Rigghead Milkyway which was supreme at Dumfries Show as a ewe lamb, then went on to be Charollais sheep champion in 1990 and 1991 at the Royal Highland Show.
Hobbies?
Showing working hunter ponies started out as a hobby, but it grew 'slightly' to become a big part of my life.
I now enjoy judging working hunter ponies as well. In doing this you get to meet a lot of interesting people from all walks of life.
Ponies took over from sheep for me after the disappointment of foot-and-mouth for a considerable time.
I take great enjoyment preparing the horses for the showring and whether it be a horse or sheep a lot of my time goes into this. I also enjoy watching a lot of sport.
Biggest achievement?
Winning Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International Horse Show in the same year with Tinka’s Flash.
Best sale day?
When we topped the ram lambs at Stoneleigh in 1988 at £4200 when Rigghead Mariner sold to Clive Billington, West Sussex. On the same day, we sold our stock tup for £2400 which was bred by Jim Hastings and sold to the judge, Jim Kinnaird.
Another unforgettable day more recently was in 2019 when we sold Rigghead Untouchable for £4600 to Dave Roberts' Boyo flock.
Biggest disappointment?
Losing the Rigghead flock to foot-and-mouth. A lot of time had been spent building up family lines that were wiped out and it took a long time to built back up to where we are today.
Best stockmen?
The Ingram family, of Logie Durno, have the ability to win inter-breed titles the length and breadth of the country and still have the capability to run a very large-scale sheep enterprise.
The other person I thought highly of was Jim Guthrie as he would explain the qualities of everything from poultry to sheep on many occasions over the years.
Best animal you've shown?
Rigghead Milkyway
Best you’ve ever seen?
Jimmy Kinnaird's Findatie Queen of the Ring. She had a fantastic carcass with deep gigots and had great presence in the ring.
If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Paperwork, it is such a time consuming job, there needs to be less of it. There are so many pointless rules that are counterproductive to efficient farming.
Most influential person?
My dad and brother were the first people I’d ask for advice.
Best investment?
It would have to be the Clipex handling system that we installed to make life easier when we are working with sheep.
Best advice?
An Irishman once told me to work on the job and not in the job. Enjoy showing, but don’t forget the backbone of your business as this allows you to continue to do so.
The future of showing circuit?
Shows have been greatly missed and are a great place to show of your stock to all.
I do believe that the cost could play a big part in the future for youngsters to get involved. The ongoing problem of fewer staff on farms will also put people off showing due to the time constraints of getting stock ready and leaving the farm for a day to travel to a show.
However, all-in-all my life would be totally different without showing, it has brought me lifetime achievements and memories I will never forget.
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