LATEST NEWS AT INKSTACK


May 2019 - New Junior Herdsire at Inkstack

Inkstack Paletta U812 is now out with the Prometheus daughters after this year's round of AI'ing.

He is the pick of the El Paso sons, and, combined with his breeding, made him the obvious choice as new Junior Herd Sire.


May 2019 - Bulls out to grass



Good to get the bulls out the shed and onto some grass.









Top cattle shifter and determined photobomber Molly also making an appearance.


May 2019 - Prometheus out at last

The big lad finally got out to his women this week - although with a lot of cows held back for AI he won't see as much action until 3 weeks time! Pictured here at 5 years old he is maturing well, easily the best stockbull we have used.


Apr 19 - Scanning Results are in!

Thats all the bulls and heifers scanned this morning - thanks again to Linda for the fantastic job!

This is the highest average scanning results we have ever had at Inkstack - delighted!!

Inkstack Powerhouse U831 topped the EMA results with a scan figure of +121, and the DLWG results with 1.65 kg/day, all from the youngest in the bunch at only 380 days old.

The heifers also averaged nearly 50 kg heavier than last years lot, with the Prometheus daughters topping the show again.

Top cattle shifter Molly showing them who's boss!!


Apr 19 - Prometheus Heifers doing the Business!

We are delighted with how the Prometheus heifers are doing. Cracking confirmation, lovely udders, calves that pop out and are up and sooked - exactly what we are trying to breed!!

Some lovely calves on this years lot again with a real shine on them already - exciting times!


Mar 2019 - Time to start the washing

Not always the best job to be doing in horizontal rain and sleet, but got to be done none the less.

Started washing the young lads today in prep for spring time - some cracking lads starting to do!

We will have 10 yearlings for sale this spring time.


Feb 2019 - Panther comes back up the A9!

Inkstack Panther made the long trip down the A9 to the Stirling bulls sales. He behaved perfectly during the trip down and is such a lovely natured bull.

He was first in the show ring, and placed well in a strong class getting a 4th place rosette.

We were delighted to find out it was fellow Aberdeen Angus breeder, Benjy Mackay, who bought Panther, who lives just along the road from us!


Jan 2019 - Hogamany = Rules out the window








Hogmany at Inkstack farm this year.

Both Molly and Misty decided to take full advantage of the merryness and good will floating about and took great delight in plonking themselves in the kitchen!!

Dec 2018 - Photo reunion 17 years later

17 years between the 2 photos - memories!!

The Tait grandchildren got the photo re-enacted from childhood with Granny and Grandad Tait.


Nov 2018 - Inkstack Aberdeen Angus on Tour - New Zealand Trip Kick Off!








Trip to the other side of the world under way to see AA herds, beautiful scenery and visit family.


Sep 2018 - Orkney Contingent Farm Visit

Inkstack were delighted to Welcome the Orkney Agricultural Discussion Society over for a farm visit and tour of the cattle.


It was a pleasure to host, and even more pleasure to grab a few drams afterwards and catch up with everyone.


Thanks again!!


Aug 2018 - One man and his dog, went to bale a meadow..

In what has been one of the driest years we've ever seen at Inkstack, It was nice to get the the last of the bales in the stack.

There will have been a lot of good silage and hay made this year for sure.


Aug 2018 - Orkney Show Judge 2018

It was a great honour to be asked to judge the Aberdeen Angus and Shorthorn cattle at this year's Orkney show. 

It was a tremendous show of cattle as always (which didn't make the job any easier!!) and an enjoyable day, with the hospitality shown second to none!. (First ever outing on the other side of the judging in the show ring).


May 2018 - Cows to grass



It was a dreich day today as we shifted the cows in look of grass that must be growing somewhere!!


Apr 2018 - We won!!



Thanks to Sandy at Swordale Angus, we were lucky enough to win their prize giveaway of Nightingale Bart straws.

We look forward to seeing how we get on with these next year!


Feb 2018 - Calving gets underway!











Calving 2018 is underway!




Feb 2018 - No luck for Fantom before the sales

Inkstack Fantom S717 looking well before the bull sales.

Unfortunately he got a scratch on his eye lid that didn't heal in time, so was unable to make it.

It was a real shame as we felt he was looking good and in good show condition. (Note. He sold a few weeks later to a noted cattle breeding farm in the North)




Jan 2018 - Life long friends continue the new year drams

Denny (Dad, Grandad, DL - and I'm sure a few other nicknames in his time!!) pictured here with life long friend, Donnie Mckenzie. They pair have some stories from their times, having been best friends since they were 16.

In what has become somewhat of a new year tradition here at Inkstack, Donnie and family visit the farm on the 1st for a few drams to celebrate the new year.

Great fun as always, good crack and life stories, you canna beat it - here's to 2018! Cheers!



Dec 2017 - Links drainage continues!

Local contractor Gordon Robertson has been busy in the links, cleaning ditches and sorting out drains.


We have had a lot of success lately in wintering the cattle on poorer areas, improving the drainage in the wetter areas and then reseeding out the following year.


Nov 2017 - Autumn skies at Inkstack








Lovely Autumn skies as it gets closer to winter! First 24 hours without rain in a while!!


Oct 2017 - Inkstack Eros Sells at Stirling Bull Sales for highest price of the senior classes

Pictured at the October Stirling Bull Sales last weekend, Eros S679 just missed out on a Senior Championship ticket in the show, however he went on to sell as the highest price bull from the senior classes.

He is heading over the water to Messers Muir, Gorn, Orkney. We wish them all the best.


Oct 2017 - 20 years, 3 generations, 1 herd of Aberdeen Angus

Mike, Denny and Michael (jnr) - from left - celebrating 20 years of breeding for Inkstack Aberdeen Angus this summer.


Sep 2017 - Prometheus Finishes 3rd year out with cows at just over 3 years old




Prometheus (pictured here at 3 years of age, after finishing his 3rd year out with the cows) is growing into a temendous bull. He is one of, if not the, longest bull we have bred at Inkstack, and has the shape to go with it. He puts shape, length and muscle into his calves, and each crop seem to get better and more consistant.


Aug 2017 - Like Pea's in  Pod

Prometheus' bulls are like pea's in pod - long, thickset, shapey and great locomotion. His 2017 calves are turning out to be just as good, if not better!!

Pictured left are 2 Prometheus sons aged 15 month, early one Saturday morning.


July 2017 - Caithness County Show - ANGUS CHAMPION 2017

Inkstack Eros S679 was crowned Champion Aberdeen Angus at this years Caithness County Show (2017). Fantom and Eros (pictured below respectively) both settled in fine on what was a rather wet show day, behaving well and showcasing what Inkstack Aberdeen Angus is all about.


Jun 2017 - AA World Forum - Northern Exposure Event, Dingwall, 2017

Inkstack Aberdeen Angus attended Northern Exposure 2017: Aberdeen Angus showcase at Dingwall Mart at Dingwall & Highland Marts Limited.

Inkstack Eros S679 and Inkstack Fantom S717 enjoying the show, representing Inkstack Angus at the AA World Forum Event. Fantastic show of cattle from all around the north of Scotland.

Cracking day was had.


May 2017 - 20 Years of Inkstack Angus





Looking through old photos and stumbled across this photo – Inkstack Red Premier, the first ever Inkstack Aberdeen Angus calf born 20 years ago.

 

How time flies when your having fun (or kept busy trying to breed AA!!)


April 2017 - Synchorinising AI's - The Results!

We are delighted to say 7/12 of the heifers held (slightly lower than our success rate when catching normal but alot less early mornings!) and some thumpers of calves too.


So pleased with the calves and results that we will be trying the same again on this year heifers.


Feb 2017 - Inkstack Red Eddie goes Locally





We are delighted to sell Red Eddie to a local commercial farm at under 12 months old. Eddie is a shapey, thick lad with good structure and locomotion.

We wish the every success with this lad!


June 2016 - New Farm Sign!

After 25 years of careful planning (well, talking about it after a beer or two!) a new farm sign has finally been erected at Inkstack. 


Many thanks to Ian Renton from Caledonia Signs for the sign.


July 2016 - Hiefers AI'd

Usually trying to catch them naturally, this year we decided to try synchronising the heifers.

12 heifers AI'd to some top bulls:
 - 1 x Nightingale Ploughman,
 - 1 x Bosullow Elmark,
 - 5 x Sondergard Fred 
 - 5 x Netherallen Peter Pershore.

Many thanks to AI Willie Mackay for the top notch service as always.


June 2016 - Good to see such positive news for Idvies from Inkstack Ely's first crop of calves.

The Scottish Farmer

http://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/business_sales/14561453.Idvies_Angus_in___22_000_private_deal/


April 2016 - First crop of Prometheus calves are looking exceptional

Prometheus is leaving easily calved, long shapey calves that are looking as good a crop of calves as we have had. We have maximised the number of females put to him this year such is our initial thoughts on the calves he is leaving


Feb 2016





We were very pleasantly surprised last night to have been awarded the Highland Area AA Club "Pedigree Herd of the Year". Given the quality of the other herds involved, it was very pleasing to receive such a fine trophy at the annual get together in Inverness. A few celebratory drams were had!


July 2015 - Fabio joins the sires

INKSTACK FABIO P610 out with the yearling bulling heifers. An ELY M501 son, with easy calving and good figures across the board combined with real style made it a simple choice. He went to work like an experienced campaigner!!


June 2015 - Powerhouse out as well.







INKSTACK POWERHOUSE N529, our backup bull went out to the calved heifers to replace Eusebio. He's a tremendous size and length and the calves he left last year are looking strong.


June 2015 - Eusebio off to the borders

INKSTACK EUSEBIO P594 is off to the borders, again to a previous customer. He was out with the calved heifers but was chosen to head south, his meatiness and figures being key factors.


May 2015 - Prometheus goes out as main herd sire

INKSTACK PROMETHEUS P583 was put out as main herd sire. His length and shape, plus his breeding, made this an easy choice to replace Picasso.


May 2015 - Now on Facebook!

Finally entered the 21st century and joined the facebook bandwagon. Follow us on facebook to see all the latest pictures and updates here at Inkstack.

Just search for "Inkstack Aberdeen Angus" and give us a like!


Apri 2015 - Picasso goes to new home

Before the bulls were put out Picasso was purchased by a local commercial cattle farm, returning to get another bull. We were sad to see him go but we had a good selection of young bulls to cover the cows after AI, so we could afford to let him go. He has a great width and shape and we look forward to seeing his calves grow. They calved very easily, mostly less than 40kg and are starig to flesh up nicely.


Nov 2014 - Black Beauty Bonanza

Being such a pleseant temperment, Prometheus P583 was a doddle to get ready. Looking very stylish for his age, we decided to take Prometheus to the Black Beauty Bonanza in Thainston.

He behaved well when we were there and looked well in the ring.

July 2014 - Tour from the Borders

Inkstack welcomed a tour from the borders, to come and visit the Inkstack herd on there way to Orkney. Fine day was had, and the weather held up too!


June 2014 - New Herd Sire

INKSTACK PICASSO N574 has been retained as the main Inkstack Herd Sire. His dam was the pick of the 2011 heifer crop, from a tremendous female line. When she calved we knew Picasso was a potential stock sire due to his shape and his pedigree. Exceptional scanning figures in April confirmed him as our choice to continue improving the carcass quality of our calves whilst maintaining the maternal qualities that are the mainstay of the herd. 



May 2014 - Inkstack Overall Champion at Dingwall Bull Sale

Inkstack Panther M491 won the Aberdeen Angus Championship at the annual Spring Bull Sale at Dingwall, before going on to be awarded the interbreed Champion. 


He then went on to sell to Messrs Alllan, Durran Mains, just a few miles along the road from Inkstack!


May 2014 - Premier moves to Borders

We are very pleased that Inkstack Premier has been purchased by the Threeburnford Herd in the Borders. Andrew Halliday came up in April to have a look at him and his offspring having seen he was for sale in the AA Review. Andrew liked the cattle he saw and thought Premier a suitable sire for the Threeburnford herd. 


Our most successful herd sire to-date, Premier now has too many daughters and close relatives in the herd to stay on at Inkstack. We are very pleased with the stock he has left us with many retained heifers and the commercial bulls he left have sold well. We hope he goes on to be as successful for Patricia and the Threeburnford team. 


February 2014 - Inkstack Ely sells for 12,000 gns 

Inkstack Ely won his class in Stirling on Monday - our first Class win at the Stirling Bull Sales. He then went on to sell for twelve thousand guineas - our highest sale price to date - to Messrs Fraser of the famous Idvies Herd. We thank them for choosing Ely and wish them ever success with their purchase. He is a big powerful bull with great fleshing. At his size he was incredibly easy doing. That, with his shape and breeding, led us to use him last summer on our heifers and close relatives of Premier. 


(Note Summer 2014 - he has consistently left very good calves, as good a bunch of calves as we have had with any bull used in the past. He stamped his style on all the calves. Photos to be posted on calves 2014)


October 2013 - Inkstack Fortress heads down south

INKSTACK FORTRESS M526    has sold to the Easton Greys herd. 


Mathew Stoker, herd manager at Easton Greys, travelled to Caithness in September to view the herd and selected Fortress as his pick of the bulls. “Fortress is a long, thick, meaty bull, who is very powerful for his age with a tremendous stature and from a very strong female line at Inkstack. His figures match his looks, with fantastic growth, carcass and milk figures, he should compliment the females within our herd”

We took it as a real compliment that Mathew travelled all the way from Wiltshire to view our herd and purchase a bull.  Fortress looked to have the making of a stock bull since he born and we wish the Easton Greys’ team all the best with him in the future.
 


New 400 day weight record for Inkstack - April 2013

INKSTACK ELY M501- "LEVI" - has set a new weight record for Inkstack. An actual on farm weight of 805kgs at 402 days, Levi becomes the first bull to pass the 800kgs at 400 days bred at Inkstack. 


Levi is a Rawburn Elysium son, out of a Ranui Impact daughter. He combines the length of Elysium with the deep New Zealand type body


Sale of Inkstack Earlson - Feburary 2013

We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Inkstack Earlson L470 by Messers W A Robertson of the Nightingale herd. We used Earlson ourselves on heifers last year as we really liked his shape and easy doing qualities, as well as his breeding. We are very pleased he has gone on to one of the top herds in the country. We wish the Robertson's well with their latest aquisition.


Summer 2012 - Inkstack bull to Logie

Inkstack Excalibar K417 sold to Logie Estates. Having been used at Inkstack to sweep up after the Ai'ers this year, Excalibar is off to Aberdeenshire, where we hope he will do well.  

(Note - Summer 2014 - we have retained a son of Excalibar as our Herd Sire. Excalibar has consistently left tremendous shape and size in his offspring and, with calves on the ground and scanned, his EBVs have soared)


New Herd Sire - May 2011

Due to an injury to Fusilier, we have decided to keep INKSTACK PREMIER K387 as our new herd sire. Tremendous shape, length and locomotion, combined with excellent figures & pedigree, and a great character, we feel he is a must keep for the Inkstack Herd.


Flush and Embryo transfer - April 2011 - THE RESULTS!

Having implanted 8 of the 11 embryos from the flush, we were delighted that all 8 scanned in calf and all made it safely through calving. We now have 6 heifers and 2 bulls from the flush.  They are very smart, stylish calves, like peas in a pod!


Flush and Embryo transfer - July 2010

We recently flushed one of our top cows at Inkstack, Inkstack Flhame A033 to Ankonian Elixir 100. Her fantastic muscle definition, length and structural corretnss made for an easy decision that she had to be flushed, and Elixir, well he speaks for himself!


Her lovely calf this year, Flhame K394, (pictured left at only 6 month) by Ankonian Elixir, confirmed this decision!

Jul 2010 - NEW WEBSITE!!!!

New website launched to promote the Inkstack Aberdeen Angus herd to customers, advertise bulls for sale and give general info about Inkstack Farm.

Enjoy!!