26/12/24 - Solomon the government bull

Solomon is just one of the bulls owned by the Scottish Government and welcomed by crofters as part of a unique livestock improvement scheme. Small scale crofters in the Highlands and Islands can choose a mate for their beef herds from a select stud of bulls owned by the Scottish Government. Groups of crofters band together to order an animal which spends a few weeks with each herd of cows before being returned to base near Inverness. The visiting animal is known across the Crofting Counties as The Department Bull, a reference to the original Department of Agriculture, and the scheme is highly valued by crofters. However, catching then removing a bull from his cows and transporting him to his next harem can be a tricky operation, especially if it is done out on a moor with no fixed handling facilities. We follow Solomon the Shorthorn on his journey. Produced and presented by Nancy Nicolson.