The Herd

We are proud to be able to say that this year the herd is in its 50th year since Alister McKerchar established its foundations in 1966.

We usually winter 200 cows including heifers calving as 2 year olds. Due to the drought last season we wintered only 180 and this year we aim to winter 190. At Merrylea our aim is to finish all cattle but this season with the dry spring we sold most of our fattening heifers in November and December. As we have reduced our ewe numbers we are now purchasing 50 to 60 steers and bull calves each year to fatten and 60 rising 2 year old bulls are wintered for the dairy market after being leased as yearlings.