At Dundurcas Farm, Garry Patterson is hoping to rebuild the legacy of Delfur Simmentals. Based just outside Rothes, Aberlour, Dundurcas Farm is part of the 1000 acres owned by Conservative MSP Sir Edward Mountain. Local stockman Garry Patterson took over the management of the farm two years ago and he has his sights set on rebuilding the legacy of the herd once more.
“Here at Dundurcas we have 130 pure bred Simmental cows with the majority registered pedigree. Since I started here I have been trying to build the herd back up again and I am keeping quite a lot of heifers. I’ve only been working at Dundurcas for two years but I am hoping to slowly bring the Delfur legacy back to the forefront.”
Garry came from his own farming background to work at Dundurcas. He has his own farm in Keith where he runs both pedigree and commercial cattle.
Check out more of these photos in our Photo Sales section here
“I’ve always worked with cattle, my dad had commercial cows when I was growing up but then he started to introduce pedigree females. That started to grow arms and legs but it means I have a history with Limousins, Charolais, British Blues and of course Simmentals.”
Since Garry started managing the Simmentals at Delfur he has already made some big purchases for the future of the farm.
“I started in May 2022 and by that October I bought the top priced bull at Stirling, Islavale Magnum from Stewart Stronach for 28,000gns. The calves we are getting from him are looking quite promising so hopefully he was worth it.”
In February at the last Stirling bull sales February Garry bought Kilbride Farm Nebulus 22 for 13,000gns from Northern Irish breeder Norman Robson.
“Hopefully by investing in these quality bulls I can bring the stock back up to a higher level.”
Check out more of these photos in our Photo Sales section here
Garry also does a fair bit of work with AI and uses Paragon IVF for all embryo transfers.
“I try and use some of the old bloodlines as the breeding is still there and it’s a way to get use out of the older cows by flushing them. I do it all myself and it works well to keep precision in the breeding.”
When it comes to keeping cows Simmentals are well known for a long life span but Garry does want to try and keep the herd fresh.
“If a cow is breeding well still than there’s no point in getting rid of her and that’s why we have had cows living until they are 16 years old. It’s still important to keep bringing in new generations though and it’s why I am focused on increasing heifer numbers at the moment.”
Heifers calve at two to two and a half years old and calving takes place over two batches. One half in the springtime and the other half in October and November. All calving takes place indoors and the cows and followers are put back outside weather dependent in early May.
“The bad weather this year has made calving harder. It’s looking like we won’t be able to get the cows out until we are further into May. We also usually outwinter some of the spring calving cows out by the Spey but due to the weather they have had to come inside earlier than I would’ve liked.”
The cattle at Dundurcas are fed home grown silage and straw mixed with minerals. Over winter they also get fed some concentrate.
“We grow a lot of cereals here so we have 350 acres of spring barley used for malting and 40 acres of winter barley that we use for feed. We also grow our own silage at around 100 acres per cut.”
Surplus bull calves are sold as stores at Thainstone and any heifers that are not good enough for breeding are used as recipients for embryos. Of the stock that is kept Garry records the weights and all the bulls are scanned.
Check out more of these photos in our Photo Sales section here
“I want to improve the herds figures but the biggest thing for me is keeping the easy calving and milky traits present. I don’t pelvic measure for instance but it’s something I am keen to maybe do going forward.”
When he is selling pedigree bulls at the sales, Garry makes sure to give his bulls some extra attention.
“The bulls going for the sales at Stirling get a bit more TLC and I feed them a Galloway and MacLeod concentrate mix to get them ready for the ring. While I feed the younger stock Harbro beefstock nuts. My bulls are also all semen tested as fertility testing is something I am particularly focused on.”
At the Stirling bull sales in October 2022 Garry sold Delfur Maverick for 16,000gns. Last May his reserve overall champion Delfur Marvel made 9000gns with his pen leader Delfur Macbeth making 10,500gns.
For this year’s May sale, Delfur have five bulls going to Stirling. Delfur Nimrod, Delfur Nightrider, Delfur Nemesis, Delfur Number1, and Delfur Northstar.
“Hopefully we will get a good trade for them. Any that don’t sell in the ring I am open to sell privately. I often sell males and females at home so it isn't something I am opposed to.”
Garry had been working at Dundurcas mostly on his own with assistance when he needed it but in the last couple of months he now has the help of farmhand Andrew Kennedy.
Check out more of these photos in our Photo Sales section here
“I have been doing it all myself up until this year when Andrew started and he is getting on well so it’s worth mentioning him.”
When it comes to the future of Delfur Garry is hoping to get properly back into the show circuit to bring back the prestige to the Delfur name.
“We started showing again last year which proved to be quite successful, we got champion at the Agri Expo, senior reserve female at Stars of the Future and overall interbreed and reserve interbreed pairs at Livescot.
“Ultimately though if I can keep improving the figures and breeding in an effort to build up the quality of the herd I will be happy with that.”
Farm Facts
Farm size: 1000 acres, including 350 acres of malting spring barley and 40 acres of feed winter barley.
Livestock: 130 pure Simmental cows.
Who’s involved: Garry alongside farmhand Andrew.
Show success: Breed champion at Agri Expo 2023, Senior reserve female at Stars of the Future 2023, Overall interbreed and reserve interbreed pairs at Livescot 2023.
Bulls going to Stirling: Delfur Nimrod, Delfur Nightrider, Delfur Nemesis, Delfur Number1, and Delfur Northstar.
On the spot
Best investment? Islavale Magnum bought for 28,000gns.
One thing you can’t live without? The cameras I have round the farm. It means I can be anywhere and still keep an eye on the cattle.
The best thing about Simmentals? The maternal traits, Simmentals are unmatched when it comes to mothering ability.
Where do you see Delfur farms in 10 years? Hopefully winning some prizes at shows and getting top prices at the sales.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here