The Haymount Herd in Kelso is one of the herds that will be visited during the World Angus Forum, and we’ve been speaking to Tom Arnott in the build-up to the Forum to learn a bit more about the herd which has been in operation for almost a century.
Since it was founded in 1932 by the late John L Arnott, the Haymount Aberdeen-Angus Herd has been successfully run by the Arnott family from their farm in the South-East of Scotland in the Scottish Borders, Near Kelso, Roxburghshire. On Tuesday 27th June, the World Angus Forum attendees will get the chance to visit the herd which is now run by Tom and Wendy Arnott. Tom and Wendy are in fact the fourth generation of Arnott’s to be involved in the breeding of cattle at Haymount, dating back to as early as 1904.
The Haymount Aberdeen-Angus Herd was founded with four judicious purchases of females from four different families; Erica, Pride, Witch and Georgina. For the past 85 years, careful herd sire selection has meant that a depth of breeding has been created, entering into various herds around the world. Haymount cattle are seen in all the major cattle breeding continents, and have been for many years.
The Arnott family’s operation has a very rich and successful history, notably having exported a large number of bulls in the 1960s all around the world, as far afield as Argentina, North America and South Africa. The Arnott family has always been very well-respected in the world of cattle breeding, with Tom having previously been President of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, and both his father and grandfather having travelled further afield to judge cattle in places such as New Zealand and Palermo, Buenos Aires.
Some notable animals from the breed’s past include Emitre of Haymount and Pampas of Haymount. Emitre of Haymount was reserve supreme champion at Perth in 1959, selling for 7,000gns to Staley and Blue Sky Farms, before becoming USA international grand champion bull in 1960, resold in the USA for $300,000. Pampas of Haymount was 1st prize winner in the older class at Perth in 1953, selling for 6,500gns to James Schofield for export to Argentina.
The Queen visited this herd back in 1962, and to this day it continues to build on the foundations that John Arnott laid to ensure that modern day stock farmers can be confident of success with Haymount bloodlines.
We can’t wait to visit the Haymount Herd during the Forum and find out more about its history and current activity!