Native breeds photographs

[Cowgirl]

Interesting.
The reason I ask is because something I'm pondering at the moment is what to use as a terminal sire over small (and very small!) natives that I don't want to breed replacements from. I've had a couple of cows that have had Hereford calves, but not from any of my own bulls. Calving ease is top of the list and finding anything remotely "terminal" that offers this, without the bull being too big for the cows, easy calving etc is difficult to say the least. I'm now wondering if a young OP Hereford bull would fit the bill, especially if he won't hit fully mature weight and size for a while, so wouldn't put too much strain on the cows mating them.

I see @Woolless has just asked the question I was going to ask - how small are they? I certainly think an OP bull might well suit so long as the birth weights are low. Don’t know how reliable EBVs for calving ease are in OPs - most have positive EBVs because they are being compared with modern Herefords and refer to pedigree herds. Generally OP calves are 30-40 kg at birth. Try to find one bred from old MMB semen if you can perhaps.
We have plenty but not for long - vet is sharpening the knife

 

[Tim G]

Ixworth chicks we've hatched out.

 

[Cowgirl]

This is the sort of 'angus' I don't like. Too much belly. Rocket launcher hook to pin, thurl too far back and not enough loin. But they're 'popular'.

View attachment 952792

I’m no Angus expert but to me this shape is very typical of American Angus, and Polled Hereford, and Shorthorn and.... They all look like clones now but in different colours.

 

[Johnny Whiteheads]

Droimeann Calves out of Jersey cross heifers. Will be heading to the hill soon I hope.

 

[ImLost]

What breed are the cows?

The largest being smallish red poll type cows and the smallest being dexters with various x breda in between as well.
I do have larger cattle, which go to a larger bull.

 

[Woolless]

The largest being smallish red poll type cows and the smallest being dexters with various x breda in between as well.
I do have larger cattle, which go to a larger bull.

Aha! I have a pet theory that an (OP) Hereford X Red Poll would make an excellent suckler cow on a low input type system. How do you get on with your Red Polls? What bull do you use currently? Any bother with too much milk at calving?

 

[Cowgirl]

The largest being smallish red poll type cows and the smallest being dexters with various x breda in between as well.
I do have larger cattle, which go to a larger bull.

We have sold bulls to a number of people now with exactly those types of cattle.

 

[ImLost]

Aha! I have a pet theory that an (OP) Hereford X Red Poll would make an excellent suckler cow on a low input type system. How do you get on with your Red Polls? What bull do you use currently? Any bother with too much milk at calving?

I'm yet to calve any red polls, I've only got heifers in the herd at the moment or cows that haven't previously calved with me, but I like what I've seen from observing other peoples. Too much milk doesn't seem to be an issue, but the cows can be extremely fiesty when they are freshly calved. I like the idea that they are native to this area and do suit the ground quite well. I'll probably wait until I've had more experience with my own before I draw too many more conclusions, but I like what I see.
Red devons are another breed I would like to give a go, possibly even along side red polls.

 

[Woolless]

I'm yet to calve any red polls, I've only got heifers in the herd at the moment or cows that haven't previously calved with me, but I like what I've seen from observing other peoples. Too much milk doesn't seem to be an issue, but the cows can be extremely fiesty when they are freshly calved. I like the idea that they are native to this area and do suit the ground quite well. I'll probably wait until I've had more experience with my own before I draw too many more conclusions, but I like what I see.
Red devons are another breed I would like to give a go, possibly even along side red polls.

Interesting, thanks. Be sure to keep us updated please

 

[honeyend]

Red poll cows, with Lincoln Red X calves. Very quiet cows, calved outside September. The calves are growing really well, I thought they were a bit short, but actually they have a very deep body and the LR stocky legs. Both cows had lots of milk and one fed twins easily. The LR was a young bull I bought in and again easy to handle. Do well on rough grass, straw and a bit of hay. The summer 'grazing' is borrowed rubbish that hasn't seen fertiliser, grass seed or a harrow for ten years, the last tenant ploughed it and left it.

 

[Old Tip]

Snug Suffolks for you @Nithsdale Farmer

 

[gadgewalker]

View attachment 947275
First calf from the Traditional Hereford heifers which arrived in November. The proud mum is my favourite and it's a heifer calf
@Cowgirl @gadgewalker

Perfect. Strong size! How is she looking a month on?

 

[gadgewalker]

1st one here last week!

 

[JP1]

1st one here last week! View attachment 954266

My friend Philip's Pulham bull doing great things in France

In the Creuse mid-way between Salers territory and Limousin "Parc naturel de Millevaches en Limousin".

 

[Woolless]

Perfect. Strong size! How is she looking a month on?

Like a calf in a children's book, perfect!

 

[delilah]

Our breed society sec has just circulated the attached, thought would share here in case anyone interested ( @Old Tip apologies if already posted elsewhere ) .

 

[JP1]

Our breed society sec has just circulated the attached, thought would share here in case anyone interested ( @Old Tip apologies if already posted elsewhere ) .

Interesting role.

 

[Old Tip]

Our breed society sec has just circulated the attached, thought would share here in case anyone interested ( @Old Tip apologies if already posted elsewhere ) .

Thanks, no, not seen it myself till now, let’s hope we get some good candidates

 

[Old Tip]

1st one here last week! View attachment 954266

Interested in your handle, Gadge is a term used a lot on the west coast of Cumbria for a man you met but don’t know that well. Like “yon gadge from oer yonder”

 

[Woolless]

Interested in your handle, Gadge is a term used a lot on the west coast of Cumbria for a man you met but don’t know that well. Like “yon gadge from oer yonder”

Used in a similar way in Newcastle and Northumberland. At home (Perthshire) it was used more as a term for tinkers or gypsies. I think it's a Romany word.