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Are Native x Dairy more hardy than Continental x Dairy?

There are natives and there are natives, but yes if a hill bred Galloway were crossed with a Holstein it would be tougher than say a BB or Lim X Holstein.

But I'd say that something like an AA x Hol isn't much tougher than many continentals.

Some breeds like a Hereford or Shorthorn will add an ability to carry fat better than many continentals, with the Hereford having the ability to dramatically reduce the desire of the Holstein to milk themselves to bits.
 
Well , since a lot of Native bulls are now actually taller off the ground than most Continental bulls , you'd need to select your bull with care.

Some of these massive AA and BSH bulls are going to leave giraffes rather than cows. Massive things that off a Hol, cow are going to be like a toast rack. Easy kept - never.

Horses for courses - perversely , the more dumpy , old fashioned Native bulls that aren't popular for going on beef cows will be exactly the sort of thing to go on to a Holstein cow.
 

GTB

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
According to a few Hereford breeders I've spoken to, most dairy farmers aren't too fussy about the bulls they buy as most calves are sold at a couple of weeks old.
 

GTB

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
That's not a great advert for dairy x replacements, I wonder is that the case with all beef breeds bought by dairies?
Not necessarily. Some of them rear and finish all their calves so are concerned about how their calves turn out, but again, they're more concerned with growth and finishing ability than maternal values.
 

foxbox

Member
Location
West Northants
Are Native x Dairy any more hardy than Continental x Dairy cows as sucklers?
Are Continental x higher input?

We've got Hereford X, Sim X and a few AA X dairy in our suckler herd and the Herefords are by far the most consistent.

The Sim X cows have tended to have a lot worse feet and picked up the more random problems in the herd but they've also got tighter udders and seem less prone to mastitis. They also seem less settled than the Herefords, cull values higher too but we're having to cull them more regularly.

The Herefords are quieter, smaller, easier to manage, last a long time in the herd and consistently produce an excellent calf. In the autumn they also regain condition after weaning but before they are housed a lot quicker than the Sims which stand still in that time meaning we can save a little on feed costs.

Where would you source Hereford X replacements up your way @Newby ?
 

foxbox

Member
Location
West Northants
According to a few Hereford breeders I've spoken to, most dairy farmers aren't too fussy about the bulls they buy as most calves are sold at a couple of weeks old.

That's the most frustrating thing; I'd gladly pay more for Hereford X replacements where some thought had gone in to the bull used to produce a decent suckler cow rather than just having had a named sire lobbed in. You can't get a calf in the bulk tank though so it appears the vast majority aren't at all bothered :(.
 

GTB

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
We bought some Hereford x Holstein heifers for breeding. They had poor conformation, were always lean and if anything had too much milk. We put a Hereford bull on them and the resultant heifers have made good sucklers. They are pretty damn close to the Hereford x British Friesians of old.
 

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Webinar: Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer 2024 -26th Sept

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On Thursday 26th September, we’re holding a webinar for farmers to go through the guidance, actions and detail for the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer. This was planned for end of May, but had to be delayed due to the general election. We apologise about that.

Farming and Countryside Programme Director, Janet Hughes will be joined by policy leads working on SFI, and colleagues from the Rural Payment Agency and Catchment Sensitive Farming.

This webinar will be...
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