One of the most renowned pedigree cattle breeders in the north-east has announced plans to sell up his farm and herds.
Graeme Massie, who runs the Blelack pedigree livestock enterprise in conjunction with his father Neil, has put his farm and Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais and Shorthorn herds on the market.
The Massies are a familiar name in the cattle world often winning championship prizes at shows across the country and achieving top prices at the Stirling Bull Sales.
Mr Massie, 49, said he had decided to sell up because neither of his children – Hayley and Jack – were interested in taking on the business.
“I’ve been running the farm for the past 15 to 20 years and now I want a slight change of lifestyle,” he said.
He plans to retain around 120 acres of land, outwith Blelack, and in the future start up small pedigree Aberdeen-Angus and Charolais herds using embyros from the Blelack herds.
The farm, near Aboyne, and stock are being marketed by CKD Galbraith in conjunction with United Auctions.
Around 449.87 acres of land, principally Grade 3 (2) by the James Hutton Institute, is up for sale. The farm offers a mix of arable and grazing ground, with an area of well-sheltered free draining permanent pasture for overwintering cattle.
The sale will include a five-bedroom farmhouse – Rose Cottage – and a further three three-bedroom cottages, a one bedroom flat and an extensive range of farm buildings to provide housing for more than 400 cattle.
United Auctions executive chairman, David Leggat, said: “The sale of Blelack and the herds of Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais and Shorthorn cattle together with the world renowned ‘Blelack’ herd prefix presents a unique opportunity for anyone wishing to enter the pedigree cattle breeding business at the highest level as the herds have a consistent record of producing top grade bulls and females.
“Blelack has achieved the highest number of Aberdeen-Angus champions and reserve champions at Perth and subsequently the Stirling Bull Sales with a total of 12 in all.”
Prior to the formation of the Aberdeen-Angus herd, the Blelack Charolais herd was founded in 1970 and has also secured a number of championships at both the Perth and Stirling Bull Sales.
Mr Leggat added: “The herd has been a ready source of pedigree and good commercial stock bulls with bloodlines from Blelack to be found in most of the leading herds in the UK.”
Mr Massie hopes to sell the farm business privately as a going concern, and failing that the farm will be put on the open market this summer.
A provisional sale date of November 21 has been booked at United Auctions in Stirling to sell all the cattle if they have not yet been sold.
* Read a full feature on the farm and stock for sale in Press and Journal Farming on May 9.