Berardelli Family - "The Ranch"

The Berardelli Family have lived and worked The Great Glen Cattle Ranch, Spean Bridge since 1983.  ‘The Ranch’, as it’s known locally, is currently run by Paolo and Elspeth with the help of their 5 children. With spectacular views of Ben Nevis and surrounding mountains The Ranch comprises of 1800 acres mainly rough grazing holding a herd of 100 pure Galloway cows and a flock of 450 BF ewes with 100 acres cut for big bale silage each year.  The land rises from almost sea level to 750ft and receives around 100 inches rain per annum.

The Ranch has been certified Organic with SOPA since 2005 and benefits from Organic Maintenance Scheme which is part of an overall AECHS scheme set up to improve habitat for Black Grouse and other key species.  A herd of Blue Grey cows was run at The Ranch in the ‘80s and ‘90s alongside a small nucleus Galloway herd kept to provide replacement breeding stock.  With the onset of Organic conversion the decision was taken to move towards a pure Galloway herd of 100 cows and followers.  “When we converted to Organic we simplified things by going towards a pure Galloway herd” Paolo explains “This meant we could marry more closely the genetic potential of the cows with the overall potential of the land.  Having the right cow for the place is fundamental – better to have smaller easily fleshed cows that will thrive on rough grazing rather than larger continental type cows that although might produce a heavier calf will undoubtably need far more supplementary feeding.  The Galloway herd is easily sustainable on our rougher land and produces a readily saleable crop of calves each year with minimal inputs required”

Cows are outwintered in 2 main herds and fed home produced silage alongside bought in hay in feed trailers every 2 days.  Each herd has access to wooded areas for shelter and calve on wintering grounds from 1^st April onwards.  Cows are left in peace to express natural calving behaviour “As long as the cow is fit, knows where shelter is if needed then we have faith in the cow to deliver a live calf with a strong mother and calf bond”

In mid June 2 bulls are turned out with each herd of 50 cows  - 3 Whitbred Shorthorn bulls and 1 Galloway in total.  Whitbred bulls are purchased from Adrian Wheelwright, Kinross and Galloways from R&M Fergusson, Nether Rusko and Barlaes.  At weaning all bullocks are sold to Mid Coul Farms, Inverness for organic finishing.  Blue grey heifer calves are sold direct to return buyers from Ardnamurchan, Glendaruel and Campbeltown.  The balance is bought by Ray Flintoff at Sourhope, Kelso who in turn sells in calf heifers at Newcastleton sale. “Blue grey heifers have always been sought after but the last few years we have had far more enquiries than we have heifers available.  There has been a great resurgence of interest in Blue Greys lately as hill farmers look to go back to an easy care native bred cow – this can only mean a bright future for Galloway breeders who have hung in there..!”