Farm Open Day with the Mair Family – Discover Feed Efficiency with Stabiliser Cattle

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THIS EVENT HAS NOW HAPPENED.

Join us on December 11 for an exciting farm open day hosted by the Mair family, proud owners of the Muiresk Stabiliser herd. This unique event offers an opportunity to see their innovative approach in action as they trial a group of Stabiliser bulls within the Stabiliser Feed Efficiency Unit. In partnership with Harbro, this event will spotlight the importance of feed efficiency in cattle farming and how selecting for these traits can lead to substantial cost savings for herds.

Explore the Muiresk Herd

During the open day, you’ll have the chance to explore the Muiresk herd, which includes 90 Stabilisers cows and 40 Shorthorn cows. The Mair family have been Stabiliser Multipliers for six years and have become well-known for producing quality breeding cattle.

The Mair family also grows homegrown cereals for stock feed and rents out land for vegetable production. Their farm is home to 700 ewes, including North Country Cheviots and Suffolks. Calving starts in early March, and the family finishes everything at home, with all produce going to Morrisons at Woodheads.

Why Feed Efficiency Matters

Feed is one of the most significant costs in cattle farming. Choosing cattle with high feed efficiency can save producers thousands of pounds each year. Stabiliser cattle are specifically bred for efficiency, with Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) focused on feed efficiency traits. This provides invaluable insight for farmers looking to reduce waste and improve profitability.

Special Guest Speaker – Jill Hunter from Harbro

We’re excited to welcome Jill Hunter from Harbro as our special guest speaker. Jill will share insights on producing the ration for the feed efficiency unit trial and discuss the importance of tailored feeding strategies that can enhance efficiency even further.

This event promises to deliver valuable information for anyone interested in sustainable and profitable beef production.

Special Guest Speaker – Gareth Scott from Cogent

We’re pleased to announce that Gareth Scott from Cogent will be joining us as a featured speaker on our upcoming open day. Gareth will present an in-depth look at the evolution and advancements in sexed semen technology. This innovative approach has become increasingly popular among Stabiliser breeders, providing a strategic pathway for introducing high-quality maternal females into herds. Gareth will discuss how sexed semen technology has developed over time, its benefits in improving herd genetics, and its role in driving productivity and sustainability within Stabiliser breeding programs.

Event Details

Date: December 11
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: Kinnermit, Turriff, Aberdeen, AB53 4HA

Register Now!

Please register below so we can cater accordingly. We look forward to welcoming you to this informative day in December!

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