A working farm in the district of Carrick
Kileekie sits above Crosshill in south Ayrshire, in the old district of Carrick. Andrew and Serena Sykes have farmed here as a family partnership, breeding Traditional (OP) Herefords since 2011.
Why Traditional Herefords
The Traditional Hereford is the original population of the breed, unmixed with imported bloodlines. It is listed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist as “At Risk”, and every registered calf matters to its survival.
They suit this ground. Hardy, docile and thrifty, they finish on grass alone and leave the land better than they found it. We breed for the qualities the old herdsmen valued: constitution, character and a true Hereford head.
How we farm
We are a Pasture for Life certified farm. Our cattle eat grass and forage, nothing else, their whole lives. The herd is chemical free and managed for the health of the pasture as much as the stock.
We are members of the Hereford Cattle Society, the Traditional Hereford Breeders’ Club and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and SRUC PCHS accredited for BVD, IBR, Lepto and Johnes Level 1*.