CATTLE

Dunlossit has a wide variety of type of beef cattle ranging from the smooth-coated Limousin to the curly-coated Galloway.

To ensure that the herd is well looked after, all our stockmen follow the Codes of Recommendations supplied by DEFRA.

Highland Cattle are one of Scotland's native herds and at Ceannacroic Farm, farmed by Alan Hogg, plans have been under way for some time to bring pedigree stock back onto Dunlossit. The farm now has a thriving herd of healthy pedigree Highland Cattle and has recently been awarded a Certificate of Accredited Status by the Premium Cattle Health Scheme. This certificate shows that the herd is free of diseases such as Johne's and BVD. Dunlossit is proud to be members of the Highland Cattle Society.

All cattle are required by Law to be ear tagged at birth and registered with the BCMS. These tags have a unique number for each cow or bull which is recorded in a national register. This register holds the following information:

cattle births
cattle movements
deaths of an unregistered calf
deaths of cattle
the life history of each beast
a list of the cattle on each holding

Calving takes place mainly in the Spring and Autumn. Farmers are busy at all times through day and night to check on cows that are about to calve or have calved. Sometimes assistance is needed and the farmer must become a maternity midwife as well. Difficulties can arise at times which may require the assistance of a veterinary surgeon. Islay is lucky to have two vets who come out in all weathers day and night to help.

Click on the pictures below for a larger image.

Knocklearach Bull Here is one of Knocklearach's Limousin Bulls	Balleachdrach Bull The Galloway bull picture above is by Polly Pullar, renowned country life journalist and photographer.

Charloais Bull This fiercesome beast can be seen at Knocklearach.	Galloway Calf You can clearly see the ear tag on the Galloway calf. By law, all cattle are required to have an approved ear tag which has a number on it linked to a passport giving full details on the calf and its history.

Highland Calf This young chap decided he'd be better off on top of the feed rather than try to get in amongst the big cows.	Chaaaarrrrge! This rather big girl looks as if she could cope rather well in a bull fighting ring.....get out of the way!!!

Two bulls Mr Bull and a Highland bull on Turbine Moor. Which one looks more terrified?	Get outta the way! As you can see, Mr Bull is no longer in the picture. Can you guess where he is?

Highlanders in Loch Allan These Highland bulls were enjoying the heat so much, they decided to have a paddle in Loch Allan.