Rural Payments and Services

The Bull Hire Scheme provides Scottish Government owned bulls for hire to groups of crofters in the crofting counties. The scheme has enabled crofters to access high quality, high health bulls and consequently supply quality calves to the Scottish beef industry.

The publicly funded scheme originally started in 1897, where it supplied bulls and rams to crofting townships. Initially, Aberdeen Angus and Shorthorn bulls were the most popular breeds but by the 1980’s there was an increased demand for more terminal sires followed by a subsequent demand for continental bulls. In 1981 Simmental bulls were being supplied through the scheme and then in 1987 Limousin bulls were introduced. Since the 1980’s Limousin’s have maintained their popularity and remain the most sought-after breed. The Ram Scheme ran from 1897 until 2004.

In the early 1990’s the Bull Hire Scheme aim evolved into; “To maintain the number of cows in the crofting counties and increase returns from livestock through genetic improvements”. The scheme aim has continued to evolve over the years to what it currently is. In the early 2000’s the scheme became known as the Crofters Cattle Quality Improvement Scheme. It was then again changed to the name it is known as now.

The aim of the scheme is to provide a service to areas which are impractical in maintaining their own bull, especially during the winter months, and where there is no other viable means to hire a bull, use an AI service etc.

The scheme also provides an environmental benefit by encouraging the keeping of cattle in specific areas in Scotland that would benefit from cattle or mixed livestock grazing for wader birds and corncrakes.

The use of high-quality bulls helps produce high value calves which provides an economic benefit to the Scottish beef industry.

The scheme can also provide social and collaborative benefits for crofting townships by encouraging regular communication between crofters and communal working.

The scheme is open to crofters who are within the defined crofting areas. To apply, crofters need to be a group of 2 or more. Crofters who cannot form a group, perhaps where they are the last cattle keeper in their township, may be considered eligible for the scheme. However, they must be able to demonstrate that:

• there are no alternatives
• there is no opportunity to work together with neighbouring townships who are hiring a bull
• they can still deliver the scheme benefits

There are several breeds of bulls available for hire: Aberdeen Angus, Charolais, Limousin, Luing, Saler, Hereford, Shorthorn and Simmental.

Applicants can apply for any of the breeds of bulls available, however SGRPID reserve the right to supply a breed which is considered more suitable. Where herd replacements are made from homebred heifers, suitable breeds for that purpose will be provided.

The application form and conditions of hire can be found on the forms page or to request a paper pack please contact SGRPID Inverness Area Office or the Bull Stud Farm Manager.

In the application form, each Township/Group must provide details of each individual crofter benefiting from and sharing in the cost of the bull hire. Details must include full name, address with post code and their Main Location Code number. A signed acceptance of Conditions of Hire form must also be submitted with the application form.

Applications must be submitted by the 16th of January each year. If your application is received after the closing date you may not be able to be supplied with a bull or it will significantly reduce the potential for you to get the breed of bull you have requested.

Please note, document submission does not signify approval for entry to the scheme. Each application will be considered on its merits and the applicant(s) will be notified in due course.

Applications not approved will be notified.

The scheme subsidises bull hire by groups of crofters, by up to 50% of the full cost of owning and keeping a bull.

Costs:

	Breed of bull supplied
	Continental/Native
Flat rate hire fee (all bulls)	*£1,600.75
Flat rate hire fee (if wintered in township)	£1,152.53

* Wintered at Scottish Government Bull Stud Knocknagael. All prices include VAT at 20%.

The hire of a bull is a flat rate charge and includes VAT at 20%. A VAT receipt will be issued upon request.

Responsibility for the payment lies with the grazing clerk/constable or secretary/representative of the group. Payment should be collected and submitted by cheque or internet banking when invoiced. Invoicing will occur on approval usually February/March.

SGRPID will be responsible for the delivery and uplift of the bulls from townships. The custodian must be present when the bull is being delivered. If the custodian is not available then the group must appoint a responsible member or representative of the group, with prior agreement being sought from the Bull Stud Farm staff. This person must be competent in handling such livestock and must be personally present to receive the bull. The nominated representative and their contact details should be provided on the confirmation section of the Conditions of Hire document.

In the absence of a competent person to take delivery at the appointed place and time, the bull will be returned directly to SGRPID. Should the delivery driver have reason to be concerned as to the competence or fitness of any person taking delivery of the bull, he may refuse to offload the bull and return it to the Bull Stud at Knocknagael.

The group is responsible for ensuring that the facilities at the delivery point are suitable for the safe delivery and handover of each bull. The delivery driver has sole discretion to judge the facilities and may refuse to offload the bull at an unsuitable facility. The delivery driver will pass the cattle passport and delivery note to the custodian when the bull is delivered. The delivery note must be signed by the custodian acknowledging receipt of the bull and passport, the delivery note is then returned to the driver. At this point the group becomes the keeper of the animal, assumes responsibility for the bull, for all movement recording and safekeeping of the bull’s passport. The custodian must ensure that all movements are reported to SCOTMOVES+ and that entries are made in the appropriate herd registers.

For the uplift of the bull, SGRPID will contact the group to arrange the time and place for uplift and will confirm the name of the individual responsible for the handover of the bull(s). These details will again be confirmed by telephone in the week prior to uplift.

All bulls must be haltered and tethered prior to being handed over by the named individual who must be competent in handling such livestock. The same individual will hand over the cattle passport to the delivery driver. At this point SGRPID becomes the keeper of the animal(s), assumes responsibility for it and for all movement recording and for the passport. The driver will not uplift the bull if the cattle passport is not available at the time of uplift.

The group is responsible for ensuring that the facilities at the uplift point are suitable for the handling of bulls. The delivery driver has sole discretion to judge the fitness or otherwise of the facility and may refuse to uplift the bull from an unsuitable facility. In the absence of suitable facilities, the presence of the competent person or if the bull is not suitably haltered and restrained at the appointed place and time, the bull will not be uplifted.

In the event that bull(s) are unable to be delivered/uplifted due to failure of the group to provide suitable facilities, lack of a competent person being present or the passport not being available the group will be liable for all additional charges associated with the return of the bull(s) to and from the Bull Stud.

Groups or the members of the group will be responsible for replacing any passports that go missing during the time they are responsible for the bull(s).

Bulls are normally returned each autumn to the Bull Stud at Knocknagael for wintering. However, if a township requests to over winter a bull and there are adequate facilities and keep available then any such arrangement requires the approval of SGRPID.

Whilst the bulls are out on hire, they are considered to be part of the scheme participant’s herd and should be kept within the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Codes of Practice and Guidelines. Any breaches of the aforementioned found at inspection or reported to the Bull Stud Farm staff, will be followed up and appropriate action taken.

If the Bull is losing condition due to inclement weather, poor grazing or harsh environment, it should have access to supplementary feeding e.g. hay/silage, compound feed, cobs, bruised barley or oats.

The bull must be available for the service of cows in the township or group for which it is supplied. On no account must any other stock be served by the bull unless SGRPID’s approval has been obtained. The bull must not be used on animals that have aborted within the previous 2 months. Also, please note that the maximum number of cows and heifers put to an individual bull, must not exceed 40-50 at any one time. Anything in excess of this, has a significant effect on the bull's performance and may result in a number of cows proving not in calf, which could result in financial implications for the individual.

If any medicines or animal health products are administered to the bulls this must be entered in the appropriate medicines records and copied to the Bull Stud Farm Manager.

If the bull has an accident or dies while out on hire the group/custodian must report this immediately to their local veterinary surgeon and to the SGRPID Farm Manager or SGRPID Office in Inverness. If the bull dies the veterinary surgeon’s report stating the cause of death must be sent to SGRPID without delay and the carcass disposed of in accordance with regulations.

If the bull does require veterinary attention, SGRPID are to be invoiced by the veterinary surgeon with a detailed report attached.

SGRPID officials or their representatives have the right to inspect the bulls while they are out on hire at any time.

All bulls are condition scored on leaving and returning to the Stud. Any animal returning in excessively poor condition, will result in follow up action being taken.

If there are breeding difficulties with the cows that are to be served, then service may be refused by the custodian and the case reported immediately to the Clerk of the Committee or group representative who should inform the Bull Stud Farm Manager. Where there is evidence of abortion or it is found difficult to get cows or heifers to hold to the bull, the local veterinary surgeon should be consulted, and the Farm Manager informed.

During the period of hire SGRPID has arranged cover for the townships and groups under public liability insurance up to £2,000,000 and also minimal cover for the custodians under personal accident insurance.

Bulls are purchased at pedigree bull sales from herds with a hi-health status. Bulls are selected based on the following credentials:

• only from Scottish on North England herds with TB4 status
• EBV figures within the top 40% for their specific breed
• consideration is also given to replacing index, calving ease and calving interval
• easily handled and of sound temperament
• well grown and developed for age
• good conformation with strong hindquarters and not too heavy in the shoulders
• strong legs and feet to be able to deal with undulating hard or soft ground
• good set of testicles and a correct mouth.

Once new bulls arrive at Knocknagael Farm (Bull Stud) they undergo routine tests and treatments:

• blood and Dung sample to screen for: BVD, IBR, Lepto and Johnes disease
• TB Test if required
• vaccinations (depending on status)
• worm/parasitic control
• given a high iodine trace element bolus

During the winter period the bulls are checked/treated:

• feet inspected and trimmed if required
• routine visual inspection and treatment as required
• all stud bulls and additions are semen tested
• blood and dung sample for Johne’s disease
• pour-on to treat for residual Fluke Worms and External Parasites
• any bulls wintering away will be tested for TB/Brucellosis carried out by local vets/AHVLA

Bulls that are going out on hire between March & July are visually inspected, hoof trimmed, and condition scored. They will also be treated for Ticks and Flies with a pour-on liquid. Only fertile bulls found free from clinical evidence of disease are dispatched to townships.

Over the summer months any spare bulls being kept at the Bull Stud are routinely visually checked and treated for ticks and flies. Bulls that are returning from townships due to injury or not working are held in a separation unit at the Bull Stud. They are visually/physically inspected and treated as required as well as being semen tested and having their sheath washed.

Between September and November when most of the bulls are returning from townships, they undergo routine treatments and checks:

• routine TB and Brucellosis test
• blood sample to establish Johne’s disease status and a follow up if the count is high
• test for BVD, IBR & Lepto
• sheath washed to detect Campylobacter Foetus
• vaccinations; BVD, IBR, Lepto, 10 in 1 Clostridial
• wormed and treated for ticks and flies
• given a high iodine trace element bolus
• condition scored

Any bulls that are to be sold are not vaccinated or treated as they will be going to the mart and not to the wintering quarters in the Bull Stud.

If the group fail to comply with the conditions of the Scheme, SGRPID will refuse to supply further bulls on hire. In all cases of dispute, SGRPID’s decision is final.

Our aim is to provide a good standard of service but if there is any aspect of the administration of the Scheme about which you have a complaint, we shall investigate this fully.

Make a complaint