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Deriving from a respected dairy farming family and now undertaking the presidency role on behalf of the UK Holstein Society, this week’s breeder of our time, John Jamieson of the Firth herd needs little introduction.
What’s your background?
I was born and brought up at Upper Locharwoods Farm and my family have farmed here for 70 years. I was schooled in Dumfries and studied agriculture at SRUC’s Barony campus, before coming home to farm full time. Upper Locharwoods has always been home to pedigree dairy cattle.
In the late 1970s I spent a summer in Canada working with several herds which is where my interest in Holstein cattle first developed. I have to give credit to my father, John, as he gave me his blessing to change breeds, which I’m extremely grateful for.
I married my wife Helen in 1982 and in the same year we registered the Holstein herd under the Firth prefix. Helen and I have three of a family – Emma, Hannah and Graham – who are all married and we now enjoy spending time with our five grandchildren.
We started by grading up the Holstein herd for first 10 years before buying in animals and embryos from Canada. We also bought individual calves and flushed cows from herds including cows at Joylan, Hanoverhill and Jacobs. Some of the best females we introduced to the herd included Joylan Jed Gloriette, Roybrook Charity, Belfast Astre Camara and Sterndale Ruby Tuesday, all which gave us a great base to develop the herd.
One of the biggest decisions in my farming life would be making the move into organic farming, in 1999. The farm and the cows have evolved over the years and now produce similar yields but in a more sustainable way – it’s strange that we had to take a step back to go forward.
What qualities do you like about the Holstein?
The Holstein cow is popular worldwide as the ideal dairy animal, capable of producing quantity and quality yields with desirable health traits and super temperament. The extensive choice of bulls allows breeders to select genetics to suit any system.
What do you look for in a good Holstein?
We always try to buy as correct animal as possible and also look for a pedigree with no holes in it – because that will always be there regardless of how well the animal does.
What was your first big breed show achievement?
Our first championship award was at the 1991 Royal Highland Show winning the champion rosette with a young Holstein Friesian cow called Pitkierie Present, which was purchased from Alan and Rhona Clements, from Anstruther. It wasn’t just a special day for us but also for the breeders.
Best animal that you’ve ever seen?
It was during a trip to the Swiss Expo where I first saw the three-time Swiss grand champion, Decrausaz Iron O’Kalibra Ex-97. She was also awarded the all-time world champion title in 2020 and she was a seriously impressive animal. We have recently bought into that cow family so we live in hope to see some similar animals coming into the herd.
You’re most abiding memory?
Watching my daughter, Emma, stand as champion showman at the 2004 All Breeds All Britain Calf Show.
Biggest disappointment?
Breeding a proven bull, Firth Bullion, and losing him with a leg injury while in quarantine at the AI Centre, which stopped him fulfilling his semen contract for the UK and abroad.
Most influential person in your career?
Without a doubt I would say my grandfather, John Jamieson, and my father, also John and uncles David and Keith. All were great stockmen and I hope that we can continue their legacy in the generations to come.
What’s been your favourite sale over the years and why?
It would be the Black and White sale held at Carlisle. It is still regarded as the elite sale in the breeders calendar and has a bit of magic about it – the atmosphere is just amazing.
Your choice of best breeder ever?
I would have to say Mark Nutsford of the Riverdane Holstein herd. He is just an exceptionally good showman and one of the top breeders in the country.
Best advice you would pass on?
To encourage the younger generation to travel if given the opportunity as it is so difficult to be able to travel and learn about the industry later in life. My father travelled to South Africa in his 20’s and also gave me the same opportunity to travel to Canada where I gained experience and learnt a great deal about dairy farming.
My own son, Graham, also took the opportunity to travel to America to work on one of the big dairy units in New York State. I believe you meet so many people through these experiences – so if given the chance, encourage young people to take it.
Biggest achievement?
Winning the 1995 National Holstein Show with Burtleemorr Roybrook Inspired. She was a daughter of Roybrook Charity and by Hanoverhill Inspiration, which was imported as a young calf from the Roybrook dispersal in Canada. She went on to calf as a two-year-old with twin heifer calves before going on to win the Futurity Award at the 1994 National Holstein Show. She calved again the following year and then went on to win AgriScot, before taking the grand champion title at the National where there were 37 young cows in her class. She was a huge influence within the herd and lived until she was 18-years-old.
Advice you would give to someone wanting to get into the breed?
Buy the best pedigree animal or embryos that you can afford from a proven cow family. Don’t be frightened to ask advice!
If you could’ve gone into any other breed what would it have been and why?
We do have Pedigree Aberdeen-Angus’ which are great grazing cattle and suit our organic system. We did have a major reduction of the herd selling 40 head of Angus to a German breeder in order to focus more on the dairy side of the farm. The dairy cows are the main enterprise and it’s difficult to give two breeds our full attention.
Best investment?
I would say spending time with Helen and the family – family time is priceless.
Something you thought you would never achieve and have?
Standing as president for the UK Holstein Society and following in the footsteps of past Scottish presidents including Jack Brewster, Billy Kilpatrick, Colin Davidson and Drew Sloan. My father was also the UK Ayrshire president in 1977, which is unusual for a family to have represented both societies.
I’m very proud to be heading up the society and I’m very much looking forward to the Holstein Celebration taking place in June, which is a two-day event – so please come and join us!
Hobbies?
I enjoy shooting in the winter and have been part of a syndicate for 35 years. I was even spotted in the garden during lockdown so there’s hope yet!
Challenges within the industry?
The biggest is the aim to be Net Zero by 2040, which is a challenge but it is achievable. For dairy farmers, it can be done through efficient breeding and feeding but the UK are already reducing our carbon footprint by 5% annually, so we are heading in the right direction.
There is a quote that was mentioned at COP26 that has stuck with me and really highlights our standards here within the UK: “If all the 278 million cows were as efficient as cows within the UK, we would only need 80 million to produce the same amount of milk.”
What’s the future of the breed?
The Holstein Friesian breed was established over 100 years ago and it has developed in that time to become a very versatile animal that can perform under many different systems. We have access to genetics from all over the world, and with health testing and genomics, we are able to comply with many of the requirements of our ever-demanding milk buyers. If you milk a Holstein, you will never want to milk anything else.
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