Trendsetter wins award for impact on livestock sector

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 20:05

DREW Adam, who farms at Newhouse of Glamis, near Forfar, is the winner of this year's Sir William Young Award, presented by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in recognition of "outstanding contributions to the livestock industry".

There is little doubt the late Young, who farmed at Skerrington Mains, near Kilmarnock, would have approved of the award going to Adam.

Initially involved with his father, Bob, in both Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorn cattle, Adam enjoyed huge success at the annual February Perth Bull Sales, securing numerous prize tickets and high prices.

The peak was reached as long ago as 1962 when the Angus bull Newhouse Elrick sold to the US for 35,000gns.

The previous year, nine bulls sold for an average of 7,530 – a figure most of the current generation of breeders would be happy to accept.

However, Adam saw the potential of breeds from mainland Europe and in 1979 imported both Charolais and Limousins following the dispersal of the Angus herd.

That proved to be a sound business decision. Earlier this year the Newhouse herd won the award from the British Charolais Cattle Society for having demonstrated the best genetic improvement in Scotland.

Setting trends rather than slavishly following fashion has been Adam's trademark and he was one of the first to import the black strain of Limousin cattle from Canada to Scotland.

This move was greeted with a degree of scepticism among many of his fellow breeders. However, that decision has been more than vindicated. In February 2009 Newhouse Black Colorado won the supreme championship at the Perth sales and sold for the top price of 16,000gns.

He will be presented with his award at the RHASS headquarters on 16 July, by John Dykes, the society chairman.