242 | OBITUARIES
Biggar’s Hereford association by Clive Davies Shock, was the experience that moved around the beef cattle world as the news of Donald Biggar’s passing at the end of January 2021 became known. At just 68 years of age, this leading personality of beef cattle breeding died unexpectedly. He was of the lineage of one of the greatest cattle raising families that have been known. Running their grassland farms near Castle Douglas, Donald had progressed from where his forefathers had left things, always with a view of improving the situation and taking-on the challenges presented. Established by Walter Biggar, himself a world respected cattleman, Grange Galloways and Chapelton Beef Shorthorns were joined by a Hereford herd in 1976. Foundation females were selected from leading herds, BC, Crickley, Grafton, Lowesmoor and Ridgeway among them. A succession of half a dozen bulls were imported from Louada Farms of Wib Donaldson, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Louada female herd was highly regarded and the influx of these bulls brought to Britain a concentration of the bloodlines of American, Glen Klippenstein. Undoubtedly, these breeding combinations fast tracked the Chapelton poll Hereford herd to great success. The combinations of animals, the judgement, plans and skills of Donald and his father, James, together with the unquestionable talent of herdsman Robert Grierson, enabled the UK Hereford scene to enjoy some top-class cattle and their use to promote their section of the industry by this highly professional team. Chapleton bulls were in demand and have influenced leading herds throughout the Hereford Cattle Society’s hinterland. Bulls such as Ambassador, Fanfare, Field Marshall, Heritage, Highlander, Juryman, Kinsman,
Logic and Merlin plus many others have made their mark. As well as attaining top prices, the Biggars were twice awarded the championship at the breed’s premier sale and twice won the Royal. Their leader in 1988 was Louada 930K Sensation which took the supreme beef breed championship. The champion of 1990 was Louada 856 Voyageur 105W and its son Fanfare stood reserve male champion and went on to win the junior interbreed performance class. Since then Voyageur has produced nearly 700 head of offspring to appear on the breed’s database and so must rate as one of the most utilised bulls within UK Hereford herds. Chapleton Herefords were sold-on in 1999 but it is the case that the project was an unqualified success and has left its mark. It wasn’t only the cattle breeding element that Donald brought to the breed. His tireless work in supporting breed activity at sales, shows and within the administration of the breed was outstanding.
L-R Donald Biggar and Princess Anne at the 1996 Royal Show
Many have commented since his loss at his method when attending committee meetings. He was in the main quiet, but just at the right time said a few words, usually the last ones spoken and this invariably brought a consensus which carried the day. He was a great professional as a judge in the show ring. Never egotistic but efficient and decisive and was always able to pass on a constructive comment. He served on the Hereford Cattle Society council for many years and was breed president in 1996 during which time the celebrations of 150 years of publication of its herd book were arranged. He had also served as president of the Shorthorn Society, chair of Royal Smithfield Club and chaired QMS, Scotland’s levy body, at a very critical time, in addition to many other appointments.
Although the Herefords had moved on before the turn of the century, tragedy struck soon afterwards when the family’s livestock were lost during the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001. This included the demise of the world’s oldest Galloway herd, the Grange herd first registered in 1846. But dusting down, Donald showed all of his spirit and reinvested. The farms now run pedigree herds of 80 cows of Beef Shorthorn and Aberdeen Angus. These breeding herds supply the genetics to maintain over 200 head of home-bred commercial cows. The scene is set for future Biggar generations to do their bit. Emma and her family Jamie, Rachael and Duncan will make their mark, but how fortunate the Herefords were to have been part of the story and Donald’s life.
