John Wight, Midlock farm icon, dies at 85

Loved by his family and many friends, he will be sorely missed not only by the local community to which he gave so much support, but also the livestock industry throughout the length and breadth of the UK where his knowledge of the sector was extremely valued.

John was born at Midlock, on May 3, 1938. The news of his arrival was carried up the glen by the postie on pushbike. However, by the time the postie came down the glen his twin brother, Allan had appeared. Little did the postie know that the births led to one of the most successful partnerships in the history of livestock farming.

The brothers had two sisters Jessie and the late, Helen.

John didn’t have the easiest childhood as he suffered badly from TB as a youth and spent a long time in hospital. He also loathed school and having attended Crawford Primary and Biggar High, he couldn’t get away quick enough to join Abington Young Farmers’ club which he became chair in the late 1950s. When the club ceased, John moved to Biggar YFC.

A keen shearer, he was renowned for his hand-shearing both at home and in competitions, and he won the Ben Wilson Trophy out right.

It was through that well known dating agency, the YFC that John met his wife, Netta. They were married in 1962, and had their three children, Colin, Fiona and Jack. He was very proud of their children, their partners, their eight grand-children and more recently their first great grand child.

In the early days Midlock was predominately a sheep unit with few buildings. John, Allan, and the family worked hard to build up the business. They were a brilliant team and made the farm a household name in the Scottish Livestock industry.

The enterprise is now spread over five units and extends to 7600 acres, with the focus being on the production of top-quality pedigree and commercial sheep and cattle. Their cattle business started modestly with the rearing of beef calves on dairy cows.

John then ventured into raising dairy heifers which he sold at the point of calving. A successful herd of Hereford cattle was established. He then founded one of the top suckler cow herds in the country based on Irish-bred Blue-grey cows which were crossed with the Charolais, to produce quality suckled calves.

In 1979 an in calf Charolais cow was purchased which led to the Midlock pedigree herd being established. The herd quickly developed a reputation to produce top-quality bulls at the Perth and Stirling sales.

Such was his passion for the breed, that John was a member of the council of the British Charolais Cattle Society for 22 years. He was highly thought of by the membership and was elected treasurer, chairman and president of the society. He worked tirelessly to promote Charolais cattle at events all over the world.

One of their most enjoyable trips was to the World Charolais Conference in Australia in 1992 where their long term friendship with David and Med Benson was developed.

John also judged various breeds in Australia and in Brazil and had the distinction of selecting the winners at the four Royal shows as well as the Royal Smithfield and the Winter Fair.

An excellent PR man; John loved the banter and excitement of the shows and sales and was in his element meeting potential customers for Midlock stock.

Whether Blackface or Bluefaced Leicester tups, Mule ewe lambs, suckled calves or Charolais bulls he was justly proud of what he, Allan and the family have produced over the years.

Off farm, John was elected a director of the RHASS in 1981 and served for a 26-year period. He loved being part of this organisation and made countless friends along the way. He took his duties very seriously, always on time and always very smartly turned out. He was chief cattle steward for many years, a role which he relished.

He served as a director of the United Auctions Group for many years. He was a very supportive and hard-working director, whose wise counsel was always valued.

It was John and Allan’s love of livestock and their stockmanship abilities that took the business to the fore, with the duo appearing in The Scottish Farmer’s Living Legend series in 2000.

Their undeniable contribution to superior livestock breeding also saw the twins win the prestigious Sir William Young Award in 2004.

John also served as a council member of the NFUS as well as being an NFUM assessor. He was also a director of RHET Clyde as well as many other organisations.

Out with farming, one of his great interests was Biggar Rugby Club, where Robert Reid and the late Bill Warnock were the gate attenders for many years at home matches. Latterly, when he was less able, he loved watching them play from his car.

Golfing at home and abroad with friends, was another of John’s passions. He and Netta had a time share in Maderia for 25 years, in which they enjoyed taking the time to relax and take in the scenery.

He also loved curling and enjoyed the sport, the chat, and the company of his fellow competitors. He was a past president of Coulter Curling Club, and he skipped the winning league in 1989.

An inspiration to all and who helped to build a family farming empire John also worked tirelessly for others while having a lot of fun along the way.

His legacy lives on in the huge number of friends he made and in the family of his wife, Netta, and their children, Colin, Fiona and Jack; father in law to Fiona, Cameron and Elma. He was also a devoted grandpa to Susan, Alison, Lyndsay, Laura, Julie, John, Iain and Eilidh and great-grandpa to Gregor.