Norwegian reds

Slowcow

Member
We've got a few Norwegian red x British Friesian cows milking now.
The only reason I used them was at the time they were the 'sperm vital' straw the air man had in his flask. We used them for third service.

Thing is I now wish I had more of them, they suit our system well, we're organic fairly low input.

At the moment most of our cows are pedigree Friesian, I'm seriously thinking about putting all this years ai to the reds, the crosses milk better and seem pretty robust.

Are their decent sexed straws available? I can't remember off hand which bull we used.

Anyone have any going through robots? The ones we have do have a bit of hybred vigour about them! We are going that way but that's another story!

Cheers
 

Scholsey

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Herefordshire
We've got a few Norwegian red x British Friesian cows milking now.
The only reason I used them was at the time they were the 'sperm vital' straw the air man had in his flask. We used them for third service.

Thing is I now wish I had more of them, they suit our system well, we're organic fairly low input.

At the moment most of our cows are pedigree Friesian, I'm seriously thinking about putting all this years ai to the reds, the crosses milk better and seem pretty robust.

Are their decent sexed straws available? I can't remember off hand which bull we used.

Anyone have any going through robots? The ones we have do have a bit of hybred vigour about them! We are going that way but that's another story!

Cheers

4399A055-F962-45E9-89B2-79EAC21FF034.png


Organic Norwegian Red X Holstein going through robots, bought her from a sale 2 years ago as a fresh calved heifer, absolute picture to look at, just bought a lorry load from Sweden to match.
 

Bald Rick

Moderator
Moderator
Location
Anglesey
We've got a few Norwegian red x British Friesian cows milking now.
The only reason I used them was at the time they were the 'sperm vital' straw the air man had in his flask. We used them for third service.

Thing is I now wish I had more of them, they suit our system well, we're organic fairly low input.

At the moment most of our cows are pedigree Friesian, I'm seriously thinking about putting all this years ai to the reds, the crosses milk better and seem pretty robust.

Are their decent sexed straws available? I can't remember off hand which bull we used.

Anyone have any going through robots? The ones we have do have a bit of hybred vigour about them! We are going that way but that's another story!

Cheers

Should be able to get sexed through Viking Genetics.
Go on their website and fill your boots
 

Slowcow

Member
4399A055-F962-45E9-89B2-79EAC21FF034.png


Organic Norwegian Red X Holstein going through robots, bought her from a sale 2 years ago as a fresh calved heifer, absolute picture to look at, just bought a lorry load from Sweden to match.
That's some going for a organic cow! Would it be rude to ask how much cake she's eating for those figures?
 

Stuart1

Member
I have 3 Gopollen daughters & 1 Enger daughter out of pedigree Holsteins. Only 2-3 months old but look strong calves. Glad to hear such positive feedback on them. I was a little sceptical but going by the recent posts on this thread they should be fine.
 

Spudley

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
We've used NR on our freisians for the last 2 years. The first ones will calve in January, they are Gopollens. We have also used Smaagarda and Nymoen. All from Genus, we had Liam Healey come out to recommend some bulls for us, he said the NR and the Vikings have only recently gone their separate ways, and that the NR has more emphasis on health traits and the vikings more on production.

First calf is a Smaagarda, these are very strong and wide. The spotted calf is a Nymoen, she was born 7 weeks early and never looked back. These are more dairy but also very fit. IMG_20191030_094952.jpgIMG_20191030_094837.jpg
 
We've got a few Norwegian red x British Friesian cows milking now.
The only reason I used them was at the time they were the 'sperm vital' straw the air man had in his flask. We used them for third service.

Thing is I now wish I had more of them, they suit our system well, we're organic fairly low input.

At the moment most of our cows are pedigree Friesian, I'm seriously thinking about putting all this years ai to the reds, the crosses milk better and seem pretty robust.

Are their decent sexed straws available? I can't remember off hand which bull we used.

Anyone have any going through robots? The ones we have do have a bit of hybred vigour about them! We are going that way but that's another story!

Cheers
Do Norwegian reds give high milk yield?
 

Sparkymark

Member
Do Norwegian reds give high milk yield?

My current highest yielding cow is a Norwegian Red.
IMG_2600.JPG

Having used both Norwegians and Vikings, i cant say which is the better. They both cross well over a Holstein to produce a similar beast.
Gopollen would be my first choice for a no holes bull. Not sure he’s available sexed though. Currently im using Onstad.
 

Stuart1

Member
My current highest yielding cow is a Norwegian Red.
IMG_2600.JPG

Having used both Norwegians and Vikings, i cant say which is the better. They both cross well over a Holstein to produce a similar beast.
Gopollen would be my first choice for a no holes bull. Not sure he’s available sexed though. Currently im using Onstad.

I see your NR there is 7 years of age, is that correct? If so how is she holding up in terms of feet and fertility? Thanks
 

Sparkymark

Member
I see your NR there is 7 years of age, is that correct? If so how is she holding up in terms of feet and fertility? Thanks

Yeh 7 years old and in 5th lactation. Fertility been good, slipped a few months between 3rd and 4th lactation.
Feet are sound, nice hard black hooves.
 

Slowcow

Member
I'm not seeing anything to put me off yet! The only time being pedigree has really been a benefit for us is if one gets taken with tb.

The extra milk my newest nr x heifer gives over her Friesian chums will pay the difference I feel.
 

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