Freelance stockwoman, Jennifer Hyslop takes to the limelight for Stockmen of Our Time this week

Background?

I have always been involved in agriculture being brought up at Balluskie Farm, Barrhill, a 2500-acre hill farm running 200 spring and autumn calving Limousin cross suckler cows and 1200 breeding ewes.

After leaving school, I took a year out to work at home before going off to join Genus Abs as a RMS technician in the Dumfries and Galloway area for five years. It was a job that always interested me as we synchronised and AI’d the majority of the cows at home.

In 2018, I went to join the Grahams herd, based in Stirling, where I stayed for just over three years.

I am now in North Yorkshire where I have started my own freelance business and excited to see what the future holds.

Why did you choose to go down the freelance route?

At the beginning of 2021 my family retired out of Balluskie and relocated to a small holding in North Yorkshire. All of my own cattle moved with them, and I saw an opportunity in the area for freelance work alongside show and sale prep. It’s proved a great success so far and I just hope it continues.

What got you started in showing?

Back in 2004, Ian Anderson was our area rep for Macmin selling minerals, he was out visiting and he planted the seed of showing in my head and it all started from there…

My first show being with a Charolais cross heifer from Allanfauld, which was such a success in the show ring that we kept her for breeding.

THE WINNING tap out – and Jennifer knows and likes how that feels!

What do you look for in an animal?

For me, a commercial show animal has to have the same confirmation basics you’d look for in anything else. A correct well-balanced animal with a leg in every corner that is full of meat with that little bit of character.

On the pedigree front, I like females to look like females with a nice head and a good set of legs to her. If you have the basics right, you can add muscle with the bulls that you choose.

You have got to have some power to the males and they need to out power your females.

Chosen breed’s place in the commercial market?

My chosen breed would be the Limousin. It is a great all-round breed that leaves sought after suckle calves.

The Limousin-sired animals tend to top store and fat sales, producing the ideal modern carcass for the modern-day butcher.

Has the breed improved for the better?

Temperament has vastly improved within the breed since coming into the UK. However, with more and more myostatin breeding going on, calving problems do seem to be more common.

When you add shape, you are always going to get some more calving problems, but cow management is a huge influence to that side of things as well and it is something all breeders need to be careful of.

Which other breed would you go into?

If I had to choose another breed to go into it would be Charolais. As a terminal sire, the Charolais can put frame and power into the commercial cattle making them well sought after in the store and fat job.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Charolais cattle when it comes to fatstock showing, it is hard to beat a nice golden yellow heifer!

Best Royal Highland Show achievement?

In 2017 we won the commercial championship with the Charolais cross heifer, Golden Girl, bred by Luke Bowen.

The following year, I was lucky enough to be the pilot of Grahams Niaomi, leading her to be breed champion and beef inter-breed champion at Ingliston.

Best showing achievement?

There has been several over the years but two that springs to mind is the Limousin National Show in 2011 with Mystique who went onto win five anniversary shows in the same year.

And the other is the Royal Smithfield in 2016 with Sassy Lassy.

Both of these heifers were bred by John and Mandy Smith Jackson.

Which is the best animal you’ve brought out?

Again, there been many of the years but if I were to pick my best three they would have to be:

Sassy Lassy – the Smithfield heifer in 2016.

Grahams Naomi – the Royal Highland Show inter-breed champion in 2019.

And possibly my all-time favourite would be Queen of Hearts, the best heifer we have ever bred. As someone once told me, any silly bugger can buy them, but it takes skill to breed them.

A FAVOURITE is Queen of Hearts, top at the Great Yorkshire in 2019

But, what is the best animal you’ve ever seen?

That is an easy one – Milbrook Gingerspice bred by William Smith. She was simply perfection on legs. She has everything you would want in a female and her progeny are now making their mark within the Limousin breed.

Abiding memory?

In 2011 at the Scottish Winter Fair, I had three beasts in the final six line up. We ended up winning supreme champion with Mystique, reserve steer champion with Mickey Finn and reserve heavy heifer with Miss Dynamite – not a bad day all round.

Biggest disappointment?

I am lucky enough not to have had any significant disappointments just good days and bad days but that’s just life.

Most influential person?

My mum. She has always been there to support us. She also does a lot of the background work when I’m busy with my own work, which I will always appreciate.

Best stockman of all time?

Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, has to be one of the best. Whether it is Limousin, Charolais, Texels, Blackies or Bluefaced Leicesters, the Allanfauld name is at the top more often than not.

Another that comes to mind is John Smith Jackson, again at the top of his game in all his breeds, producing top end commercial show calves, Mule ewe lambs and pedigree Limousins.

Two fantastic all-round stockmen.

Favourite quote?

Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut, you’ll learn a lot that way.

What advice would you give to any youngsters?

Work hard and be prepared for some setbacks. Every day is a school day.

Are there any difficulties of being a woman in agriculture?

There have been few difficulties but it’s never held me back, you are always compared to men in the industry. You just accept it and get on with your job.

Best investment?

A Charolais cross heifer bred by David Henderson of Auchenrivoch in 2009 which I bought for £2100. She has bred a show calf every year, being the mother of Queen of Hearts and she is due to calf at the beginning of March, 2022, so fingers crossed again…

Do you see any changes in your future?

I have always fancied having my own small herd of pedigree Limousins and possibly a small flock of Blue Texels, but I’m lucky to do what I do.

What is the future of the show circuit?

After the pandemic I do hope we get back to some form of normality. I fear that a lot of smaller local shows may struggle to get back on their feet after two years with nothing, but we've got to be positive and support them.

Could you imagine your life without showing?

It’s not just the showing that I enjoy it’s the social aspect as well, which has been a huge part of my life. You meet so many nice people and friends for life in this industry.