Aberdeenshire Sheepdogs

Aberdeenshire Sheepdogs is based at Meikle Tillyeve, a 110 acre lowland farm 10 miles north of Aberdeen, with a further 105 acres rented locally as well. We are "young" farmers, both with full-time jobs off the farm, Gary is a Product Manager for ACT Scotland and Michelle is an Agricultural Consultant. The sheep and dogs are our hobby that we fit in in the evenings and weekends, we couldn’t possibly do our work without the dogs.

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We have a flock of around 700 commercial breeding ewes, mostly going to the Lleyn, Suffolk, Beltex & Logie tups, breeding replacement females and finishing the wedder lambs. We chose the Lleyn as they are a low maintenance sheep who is highly efficient enabling the ewe to rear two lambs. For most of the year, the ewes are grazing grass, although during the winter months they are strip grazed on turnips (neeps), with access to a TMR (total mixed ration) containing silage, barley, draff and minerals.

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At lambing time, which is during April/May for us, they are housed in sheds and our remaining polytunnel, the other blew down in Storm Arwen! All our hard work comes together at lambing time from the previous year and sets us some work for the year ahead. We don’t get much sleep during lambing but are always grateful for our family and friends helping us during this busy time.

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At Meikle Tillyeve, we are very proud to produce Scotch Lamb and are very passionate about promoting the versatility of lamb and the different ways to cook it.