With the Taylor family having managed their pedigree herd of Moncur Aberdeen Angus cattle for the past 26 years, the time has come for the herd to be sold at auction next week.
Russell and Nancy Taylor are due to sell their “very special” award-winning herd at Stirling’s United Auctions Mart this Monday 22 October, with the complete herd dispersal seeing 27 cows with calves at foot, 12 in-calf heifers, one maiden heifer, two young bulls and one stock bull all set for the auction.
Both Russell and Nancy will be sad to see the herd go but as they note within their foreword of the sale catalogue: “We would like to wish the new owners all the best for the future and hope they have as much pleasure and gain as much friendship as we have over the last 26 years.
“It is a very special way to lead your life which very few people in other walks of life can experience.”
Founding the Moncur herd
The Taylor family have been farming in the Carse of Gowrie, in Perthshire, since 1927 when Russell’s father first bought Moncur Farm and began making his name by breeding pigs.
“I’m the second generation of the family farm and I’ve been here since I was 17 years old,” said Russell.
This cow and calf are part of the herd's Jill Erica bloodlines and are to be sold next week.
“We moved into cattle in 1959 with Lincoln Reds. We were going in and out of breeds really, we had Angus’ in the 60s and we got on the band wagon and started importing Simmental and Charolais. It was quite an interesting time. We then started with Angus in 1992.”
You’re always building up an asset and that is the most exciting thing about breeding cattle
It was Russell and Nancy’s late son Mark who really took an interest in the Aberdeen Angus breed and he wanted to resurrect his grandfather’s – Nancy’s late father Bob Adam - famous Newhouse Angus breed.
“Mark’s life revolved around cattle, he really loved them and wanted to get Newhouse blood into the herd. So we purchased four females and the herd really stem from them,” said Russell.
Mark began building up the herd by buying Netherton Frances M47, Netherton Fiona S23, Jill Erica of Culter Gourmet T1 as well as Edwina 2nd of Monkwood who was bought from the Monkwood dispersal in 1995 and was the nearest bloodline to the Newhouse breed.
Russell notes that these lines have remained the backbone of the herd over the years, with the addition of seven heifers bought in 2013 from Kincardine Castle in order to help expand the herd.
Stock bulls that have been purchased over the years include Blelack Black Bellringer Y391 and Hurdcott Emblem G252, among several others. Most recently, Hallington Prince P454 was bought privately and he is the sire of the majority of the calves being put forward for sale. However, due to an injury Hallington Prince P454 will not be sold next week.
This heifer being sold is part of the herd's founding Frances bloodline.
Over the years, Moncur bred bulls have won various show titles including supreme champion, male supreme champion and best bred exhibitor at the Royal Highland Show.
Sadly Mark was not able to see the success that his herd became as he passed away due to muscular dystrophy when he was just 28 years old.
“My wife and I are sad but we’ve got to move on. I’ve been working with cattle for over 60 years but I’m in my 80th year now,” Russell said.
Expanding the Taylor family
business
In recent years, Russell has been managing the herd at Middlebank Farm alongside stockman Eoin Cumming who joined the family business in June 2015. Last year, Eoin won the Aberdeen Angus Youth Development Programme and he is now preparing to set off on a study tour next month which will see him travelling around Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
Discussing his work with the Moncur herd and what he hopes to gain from his study trip, Eoin said: “It’s opened new doors for me. I’ve met people from all parts of the country.
“Whilst I am away I want to take in different breeds such as Charolais and Salers and in America I am hoping to see ranches where they have thousands of cattle.”
Eoin and Russell have been busy preparing the herd for sale next week.
In addition to breeding the cattle, Russell and his family manage around 600 to 700ac of land, and rent a further 100ac, spread out across a couple of sites which were added to the original Moncur Farm over the years – Middlebank Farm which was bought in 1947 followed by Mains of Inchture in 1992.
As well as running the herd of around 40 Aberdeen Angus cattle, the family grow a variety of crops, the majority of which is wheat, alongside winter barley and oil seed rape.
In 1986 the family also created Taypack Potatoes Ltd which Russell’s son George and his grandson James focus their efforts on the running of. Taypack Potatoes works in a partnership with Mackies to produce Mackies crisps.
Russell said: “We were looking for something alternative to do, and saw a void in the market with no crisps being made in Scotland. “And it’s gone from strength to strength since then.”
While the Angus herd is being sold to take some of the workload and pressure off Russell and Nancy, the other aspects of the farming business will continue as normal.
Saying goodbye to the Moncur herd
Throughout his life Russell has maintained an active interest in Aberdeen Angus cattle and he previously spent seven years on the board of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society. Russell was also president of the society from 2013 to 2014.
This cow and calf being put forward for sale are part of the Edwina bloodline.
He has also travelled around Scotland, as well as further afield, to judge various classes at shows including the Royal Highland Show. Most recently, Russell was in the Czech Republic judging at the European Angus Show.
Preparing the herd for sale next week, Russell said: “They are all good options for anybody wanting to start a herd.
“In particular our heifer calves are outstanding. They are looking tremendously well, the bulls really knitted with the herd.”
While Russell continues to be involved with farming and various family ventures, he will look back fondly on his time managing the Angus herd.
“The most exciting thing in my life has been breeding cattle. There’s ups and downs of course but you also meet great people,” said Russell.
“For me and my wife it’s been the most enjoyable way to spend our lives. You’re always building up an asset and that is the most exciting thing about breeding cattle.”
A digital sale catalogue all of the Moncur herd dispersal lots can be found here.
With the Taylor family having managed their pedigree herd of Moncur Aberdeen Angus cattle for the past 26 years, the time has come for the herd to be sold at auction next week.
Russell and Nancy Taylor are due to sell their “very special” award-winning herd at Stirling’s United Auctions Mart this Monday 22 October, with the complete herd dispersal seeing 27 cows with calves at foot, 12 in-calf heifers, one maiden heifer, two young bulls and one stock bull all set for the auction.
Both Russell and Nancy will be sad to see the herd go but as they note within their foreword of the sale catalogue: “We would like to wish the new owners all the best for the future and hope they have as much pleasure and gain as much friendship as we have over the last 26 years.
“It is a very special way to lead your life which very few people in other walks of life can experience.”
Founding the Moncur herd
The Taylor family have been farming in the Carse of Gowrie, in Perthshire, since 1927 when Russell’s father first bought Moncur Farm and began making his name by breeding pigs.
“I’m the second generation of the family farm and I’ve been here since I was 17 years old,” said Russell.
This cow and calf are part of the herd's Jill Erica bloodlines and are to be sold next week.
“We moved into cattle in 1959 with Lincoln Reds. We were going in and out of breeds really, we had Angus’ in the 60s and we got on the band wagon and started importing Simmental and Charolais. It was quite an interesting time. We then started with Angus in 1992.”
You’re always building up an asset and that is the most exciting thing about breeding cattle
It was Russell and Nancy’s late son Mark who really took an interest in the Aberdeen Angus breed and he wanted to resurrect his grandfather’s – Nancy’s late father Bob Adam - famous Newhouse Angus breed.
“Mark’s life revolved around cattle, he really loved them and wanted to get Newhouse blood into the herd. So we purchased four females and the herd really stem from them,” said Russell.
Mark began building up the herd by buying Netherton Frances M47, Netherton Fiona S23, Jill Erica of Culter Gourmet T1 as well as Edwina 2nd of Monkwood who was bought from the Monkwood dispersal in 1995 and was the nearest bloodline to the Newhouse breed.
Russell notes that these lines have remained the backbone of the herd over the years, with the addition of seven heifers bought in 2013 from Kincardine Castle in order to help expand the herd.
Stock bulls that have been purchased over the years include Blelack Black Bellringer Y391 and Hurdcott Emblem G252, among several others. Most recently, Hallington Prince P454 was bought privately and he is the sire of the majority of the calves being put forward for sale. However, due to an injury Hallington Prince P454 will not be sold next week.
This heifer being sold is part of the herd's founding Frances bloodline.
Over the years, Moncur bred bulls have won various show titles including supreme champion, male supreme champion and best bred exhibitor at the Royal Highland Show.
Sadly Mark was not able to see the success that his herd became as he passed away due to muscular dystrophy when he was just 28 years old.
“My wife and I are sad but we’ve got to move on. I’ve been working with cattle for over 60 years but I’m in my 80th year now,” Russell said.
Expanding the Taylor family
business
In recent years, Russell has been managing the herd at Middlebank Farm alongside stockman Eoin Cumming who joined the family business in June 2015. Last year, Eoin won the Aberdeen Angus Youth Development Programme and he is now preparing to set off on a study tour next month which will see him travelling around Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
Discussing his work with the Moncur herd and what he hopes to gain from his study trip, Eoin said: “It’s opened new doors for me. I’ve met people from all parts of the country.
“Whilst I am away I want to take in different breeds such as Charolais and Salers and in America I am hoping to see ranches where they have thousands of cattle.”
Eoin and Russell have been busy preparing the herd for sale next week.
In addition to breeding the cattle, Russell and his family manage around 600 to 700ac of land, and rent a further 100ac, spread out across a couple of sites which were added to the original Moncur Farm over the years – Middlebank Farm which was bought in 1947 followed by Mains of Inchture in 1992.
As well as running the herd of around 40 Aberdeen Angus cattle, the family grow a variety of crops, the majority of which is wheat, alongside winter barley and oil seed rape.
In 1986 the family also created Taypack Potatoes Ltd which Russell’s son George and his grandson James focus their efforts on the running of. Taypack Potatoes works in a partnership with Mackies to produce Mackies crisps.
Russell said: “We were looking for something alternative to do, and saw a void in the market with no crisps being made in Scotland. “And it’s gone from strength to strength since then.”
While the Angus herd is being sold to take some of the workload and pressure off Russell and Nancy, the other aspects of the farming business will continue as normal.
Saying goodbye to the Moncur herd
Throughout his life Russell has maintained an active interest in Aberdeen Angus cattle and he previously spent seven years on the board of the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society. Russell was also president of the society from 2013 to 2014.
This cow and calf being put forward for sale are part of the Edwina bloodline.
He has also travelled around Scotland, as well as further afield, to judge various classes at shows including the Royal Highland Show. Most recently, Russell was in the Czech Republic judging at the European Angus Show.
Preparing the herd for sale next week, Russell said: “They are all good options for anybody wanting to start a herd.
“In particular our heifer calves are outstanding. They are looking tremendously well, the bulls really knitted with the herd.”
While Russell continues to be involved with farming and various family ventures, he will look back fondly on his time managing the Angus herd.
“The most exciting thing in my life has been breeding cattle. There’s ups and downs of course but you also meet great people,” said Russell.
“For me and my wife it’s been the most enjoyable way to spend our lives. You’re always building up an asset and that is the most exciting thing about breeding cattle.”
A digital sale catalogue all of the Moncur herd dispersal lots can be found here.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: