The herd was originally established by Buccleuch Estates Ltd in 1995 with Newsham high health stock. These N25 sows were crossed with Large White boars, and the progeny sold through Scotlean Pigs to a range of outlets including Grampian Country Pork at Broxburn and a firm at Saltcoats in Ayrshire. Preservation of disease-free status, helped considerably by the splendid isolation at Thomhill (at least 50 miles to the nearest pig unit) encouraged the transformation of the herd into a multiplication unit for Newsham. The herd now consists of grandparent stock bred with Duroc blood, and crossed with Landrace boars . This breeding strategy also satisfies the present market for finished pigs to Marks & Spencer through Scotbeef.

The sow herd is based at Floors Farm, a 45-hectare unit between Thomhill and Penpont village. This is free-draining land, which allows sows to be kept outside easily, despite the high rainfall in this area. The acreage in fields available allows the herd to be rotated on a two-year basis. Sows are farrowed in individual fenced paddocks, with the weaning taking place around day 26. The sows are then housed for serving, and remain housed for 4-5 weeks before being moved back out to dry sow paddocks.

The piglets, once weaned, are transferred to the weaning unit at Low Gardens which is about 2 miles away. This is straw-bedded accommodation, where the piglets can be kept in their weaning groups until 30-35 kgs in weight. Once they have reached this weight they are then transferred to the finishing accommodation, about 100 m. away.