FARM OPEN DAY DAY – ABERDEENSHIRE – 12TH OF JULY

By Kind Permission of the Lind Family, Overton Of Keithfield

A day out in the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire, admiring livestock and meeting like-minded people is something we can all enjoy. The opportunity to visit Overton of Keithfield is particularly special, as this is the first Stabiliser open day to be held there. The 12th of July is definitely a date to put in the diary as there will be plenty to see on this large multi-enterprise farm. The open day is to be held at Overton of Keithfield, Methlick, Aberdeenshire, AB41 7EU.

Overton of Keithfield is home to the KEITHFIELD prefix and has been breeding Stabiliser cattle since 2018. The large multi-enterprise farm extends its reach across beef, arable and a substantial seed potato production, including a seed potato operation in Poland. The Lind family pioneered in the production of high-health seed potatoes from plantlets grown in their own on-farm laboratory, which was the first in the country and is still a major part of the farming business now.

Previously Overton of Keithfield was a milking farm, but the decision was made in 2015 to stop milking when substantial investment was required and returns from dairying didn't justify. It was at this point Stabilisers were considered due to their unique approach which emphasised selection on performance traits rather than solely on appearance.

In 2018 a visit was made to Robert Robinson who ran the Snipe House herd in Alnwick, Northumberland, and 250 bulling heifers and 9 stock bulls were purchased, which was the start of the Lind family's Stabiliser venture. Over the past five years, the Lind family have placed the highest degree of importance on farming profitable suckler cows. All heifers calve at two years of age, and cows are a more moderate 650kg, which is smaller than the average cow in the area. This allows to keep more cows per acre and keep feed costs down whilst producing a higher carcass weight at the end.

The farm tour will include taking a tour of the 250 cows and calves out on grass, as well as looking at the fattening bull unit. There is also the opportunity to check out the recently built cattle courts and handling system which has been tried and tested this winter.

We are sure this will be a day to remember and look forward to welcoming you all. For catering purposes please register at the bottom of the page.

Wednesday, July 12th - 15.00 pm

Overton of Keithfield, Methlick, Aberdeenshire, AB41 7EU.

To register your interest, please fill in the form below. We will be in touch in due course but if you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch via our contact page

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

FARM OPEN DAY DAY – ABERDEENSHIRE – 12TH OF JULY

By Kind Permission of the Lind Family, Overton Of Keithfield

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