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Recap Two Landmark Stabiliser Open Days
Lee Leachman Joins Us At Two Landmark Stabiliser Open Days
This January, the Stabiliser Cattle Company held two exciting open days. These events gave farmers and industry professionals a chance to explore the benefits of Stabiliser genetics and learn more about sustainable beef production. Both open days highlighted innovative techniques, practical results, and data-driven management strategies. The events took place at two remarkable farms: Glangwden Farm in Powys and Folly Farm in Leicestershire.
Glangwden Farm Open Day – January 7th
The Jerman family welcomed visitors to their 800-acre Glangwden Farm to showcase their thriving Stabiliser herd. Established in 2021, the herd has quickly gained recognition for its genetic excellence and efficiency. Alongside their Stabilisers, the Jermans manage a diverse operation, including 900 Texel-cross ewes, 64,000 layer hens, and 40 pedigree Limousin cattle.
Farm Practices and Achievements
- Calving Success: Average birth weights of 38kg, with a compact nine-week calving window.
- Efficient Growth: Bulls finished at 12–14 months and steers at 18–20 months, primarily on grass.
The visit began with an insightful presentation by Ffion Jerman, providing an in-depth look at Glangwden Farm’s operations. Following this, Chris and Matthew led a tour around the herd, where we had the opportunity to see the full range of cattle at different stages of production. This included the main herd of cows, weaned heifers and stock bulls. We also viewed the weaned bull calves being fattened at home, as well as the breeding bulls that had been selected and placed on a specialised breeding bull diet.
Since running Stabilisers, the Jermans have seen marked improvements in calving ease, with minimal need for veterinary assistance. Additionally, the breed’s docile temperament and strong fertility performance have stood out, with recent scanning results showing an exceptional conception rate—exceeding 100% due to twins.
A major advantage for the Jermans has been leveraging genetic data to drive decision-making, optimising long-term productivity and operational efficiency. By combining data-driven insights with practical experience, they continue to refine their breeding strategy, ensuring a sustainable and profitable future for Glangwden Farm.
Folly Farm Open Day – January 9th
Hosted by the Herrick family, Folly Farm showcased why they were named 'Beef Farmer of the Year' at the British Farming Awards. Their expanding herd of 130 cows—including 70 Stabilisers—is central to their goal of growing to 250–300 cattle while maintaining efficiency and sustainability.
Farm Practices and Results
- Rotational Grazing: Daily cattle moves optimise pasture use and enhance soil health.
- Calving Efficiency: 96% calving rate within nine weeks.
- Growth Performance: Weaning weights average 280kg at seven months, without creep feeding.
- Finishing: Bulls finish at 14–16 months, heifers and steers at 17–20 months—all on-farm.
James Herrick emphasised the impact of Stabiliser genetics, highlighting their measurable efficiency benefits. “We’ll stick with the Stabilisers because they have the data. The feed efficiency savings are guaranteed, regardless of abattoir price.”
Why Stabilisers?
- Birth Weights: Heifers average 35kg, bulls 37kg.
- Calving & Grazing Strategy: Cows calve indoors and are turned out within 24 hours, with a long-term goal of outdoor calving in mid-April.
- Selective Breeding: Problematic animals are culled, continuously improving herd performance.
- Feed Efficiency: Stabilisers finish at 14–15 months on silage with a grain top dressing—no TMR ration required.
James has found that Stabiliser calves are particularly alert and well-adapted to outdoor conditions. “If you don’t tag that Stabiliser calf within 24 hours, you’re not catching it,” he noted.
Stabiliser carcass quality is comparable to Charolais, achieving U and R grades at 340–360kg dead weight. However, Stabilisers finish 4–6 weeks earlier, delivering significant cost savings. “You could get a 30p premium with another breed, but with Stabilisers, the feed efficiency savings are guaranteed.”
Insights from Lee Leachman
At both events, Lee Leachman of Leachman Cattle emphasised the power of genetic data in maximising profitability. Key traits like calving ease, moderate cow size, and feed efficiency drive long-term herd success. “Data means you can pick the right bull to produce cows that will be in your herd for the next 10–20 years,” he explained.
Leachman challenged attendees to rethink breed selection: “Is breed a religion, or is breed a tool?” His answer? Use breed as a tool to increase efficiency and profitability. The ultimate goal is to maximise output with minimal input—a philosophy that led to the development of the Leachman Stabiliser.
What is a Stabiliser?
Built on USDA research at the Meat Animal Research Center (MARC), the Stabiliser is a composite of Angus, Red Angus, Simmental, Gelbvieh, and South Devon—originally known as the Marc II composite.
Why Crossbreeding?
USDA studies showed that crossbreeding boosts productivity by:
✅ Increasing weaning weights by 8% in crossbred calves.
✅ Producing 23% more weight per cow due to better milk production, faster rebreeding, and longer lifespans.
A Breed Built on Science
Scientists at MARC developed composite breeds to retain hybrid vigour without the complexity of rotational crossbreeding. The Stabiliser maintains this advantage, offering uniformity, adaptability, and efficiency for modern beef producers.
Shared Lessons from Both Open Days
Although each farm had its own approach, the shared message was clear: Stabiliser genetics, combined with good management and sustainable practices, can lead to efficiency and profitability.
Top Takeaways for Farmers:
- Use data to make better breeding and management decisions.
- Keep systems low-cost by focusing on rotational grazing and reducing inputs.
- Prioritise traits like calving ease, moderate cow size, and growth efficiency.
Whether you are new to Stabiliser genetics or want to refine your herd management, these open days provided useful ideas and actionable insights to help farmers succeed.
