Crossbrae Stabiliser Herd Open Day- Fraserburgh

THIS EVENT HAS NOW HAPPENED. We are delighted that Stuart Johnston has agreed to host a Farm Open day for SCC.

A well-regarded Multiplier in Aberdeenshire the Crossbrae herd consists of 120 pure Stabiliser cows to calve this year increasing to 150 for 2027.

Allan Johnston, Stuart’s father first saw Stabiliser cattle when on a farm tour around Canada and the US visiting Leachman Hairpin Ranch at Billings Montana in 2002.

Years later in 2014 Allan ventured down to Givendale with his good friend Ian Partridge in the anticipation of setting up a Stabiliser herd.

First purchase was a group of in calf heifers from the well-established Crugeran herd in north Wales in autumn 2015, following up in the spring with a group of bulling heifers and a Stabiliser bull from the Auchenbainzie herd in Dumfries and an older bull from mid Wales. This helped establish the start of the Stabiliser herd at Crossbrae.

The Stabiliser herd ran along -side the commercial herd of Limousin cross and Simmental cross cattle, this enabled Stuart to see how the performance of the breeds compared. There was also a small pure Limousin herd at Crossbrae.

It was soon apparent to Stuart and Allan that the benefits and efficiency of the Stabiliser outperformed his continentals. So rather than grading up which takes a lifetime they improved their herd by purchasing Pure bred heifers.

In 2017 they became Multipliers, Stuart’s interest in recording and data quickly showed through with his herd’s performance gaining momentum each year by purchasing top grade bulls and the use of AI.

Stuart wanted to go that next step and in 2023 implanted his first US embryos through SCC born in the spring 2024. Following with another implant in 2024 and one of bulls Crossbrae Black Clyde has been selected for semen collection and is in the Cogent stud now being collected.

Crossbrae Stabiliser herd is a well- respected herd within the Stabiliser Cattle Company marketing breeding stock, helping other breeders take the advantage of the performance and efficiency of the Stabiliser.

Three generations are working together at Crossbrae, headed up by Granda Tom, son Allan and grandson Stuart, Granda Tom is still very active daily on the farm and celebrating his 88^th birthday April 1^st.

On the day Stuart will enlighten us on what is happening now and going forward with guest speakers

· Jill Hunter – Harbro discussing “Epigenetics”

· Ewen Jamieson – Meadow Vets “Health for Profit”

· Ursula Taylor – Stabiliser Cattle Company update

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, 26th May
📍 Location: Coulterfanny Farm, Boyndlie, Fraserburgh, AB43 7DT

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What our farmers say…

We are trying to produce beef that meets market specification and make the most profit possible. Using Stabilisers we are achieving our objectives, we have a low cost, low labour cow and good quality finishing cattle that meet the needs of the market.
- Mel and Pete Momber, Hampshire
I’m excited by the prospects the Stabiliser can deliver for us. The proof was there based on scientific research, backed up by a large gene pool and precise management systems. It seemed the perfect breed for our farming system.
- Will Evans, Machynlleth
On weaning in May at 10 mths old the Stabiliser calves were on par with the Blue and Angus calves. These were turned out to grass until early September then housed. This is when I was surprised by the differences between the breeds, the Angus averaged 480kg, the Blues 490kg but the Stabilisers were 530kg.
- Robin Talbot, Laois – Ireland
In 2011 we bought 46 Stabiliser heifers plus 3 bulls and sold our 3 Belgium Blue bulls. The results were clear to see, by the time we pregnancy tested our 100 cows later that year. We went from historically having 15% barren cows to only 3% barren in a 9 week mating period.
- Jeremy Iles, Gloucester
I have found Stabiliser cows to be very forage efficient. Their ability to put weight on in the summer months means I can save on winter feed costs. This has allowed me to keep more cows on the same resources.
- Jono Cole, Cornwall
We have an easy-care system that is as profitable as any other beef enterprise. We benchmark our herd against the AHDB industry figure and we sit comfortably ahead of the top third performers. I believe we are now producing a carcass with the conformation and eating quality consistency that the market wants.
- Dan Burling, Cambridgeshire
Docility, feed efficiency tested, easy calving, hybrid vigour, fertility, growth AND carcass traits from highly maternal cattle, what’s not like?
- Robin Norrie, Fife
We aim to get most out of grass as possible. The hardy nature of the cattle seems to suit this system very well. Hardly any assistance is required during calving, combined with the excellent calf vigour produce healthy and strong calves which further reduces labour costs.
- Llion and Sian Jones, Conwy
We’re over 10 years into our Stabiliser journey, we’re reaping the rewards. Moving to the Stabiliser has been a game changer for efficiency and job satisfaction, allowing us to increase cow numbers on the same area and finishing bulls averaging over 380kgs at 13 months. Our only regret is that we didn’t do it sooner!
- Peter and Jackie Storrow, Pembrokeshire
Stabiliser cattle are a specialised suckler beef breed with the added bonus of hybrid vigour. The cattle are multi-trait performance recorded to produce EBV’s, this has a huge positive economical effect on our business. All of this is crucial for us to have a financially improving suckler herd on the farm.
- Harri Parri, Llyn Peninsula
We chose the Stabiliser breed for their docility and easy calving traits, but with the added benefit of turning grass into meat. We soon saw all of these traits were true. Our first home bred steers were finished off grass at an average age of 19 months.
- Dyfed Roberts, Anglesey
Despite our rainfall, we outwinter our cows on kale, the stabiliser cow will lay down excess fat, and successfully rear her calf. During the winter considerable cost savings are made. By changing to Stabiliser cattle I keep approximately 50% more cows as they only weigh 650Kgs, which meant more beef being produced.
- Matthew Cooke, North Devon
We started using Stabiliser bulls 20 years ago. The fertility of the breed has enabled us to calve our own heifers at 24 months and reduce our calving period to nine weeks. This together with their good temperament has encouraged us to increase cow numbers. Consequently, the farm is now producing a lot more kilos of beef.
- Edward and Ellis Griffith, Pwllheli
Minimal labour is required at calving time, with easy calving cows and calves up and suckling in no time at all. This gave us the ability to increase our cow numbers with no extra labour. The growth rate of Stabiliser cattle is exceptional, producing high weaning weights whilst converting feed efficiently.
- John and Ianto Pari, Gwynedd
We started using stabiliser genetics in 2016, we have not looked back since, they exceeded all our expectations. Changing to stabilisers has enabled us to calve heifers at 2years old with no problems, cows wean a higher percentage of their body weight, we have increased cow numbers without any need for extra labour.
- Carys Jones, Camarthenshire

Crossbrae Stabiliser Herd Open Day- Fraserburgh

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