RICHAVEN - REAPS
THE REWARDS
owned or had bred 56 animals
When Richard Bown and his wife
under his Richaven prefi x and
during 1997, the decision was
Dawn founded the Richaven prefi x in 1993,
made to register all new births
as Richaven to provide a new
they had one goal – to breed the best.
start after privately selling the
bulk of the original Castlerhydd
Only 16 years later, it is apparent that they
herd. When Mark retired three
years ago, Richard took over the
have succeeded. Alison Maddrell business in its entirety. He had
went to fi nd out how
originally left home in 1988 to
focus on working the clipping
O
circuit whilst also building up a
n their fi rst attempt at competing in the Premier Pedigree Herd Com-
successful summer contracting
petition, the Bown’s initially came out on top in the West Midlands
business based at Northfi eld
Club heat before conquering the Western region. No-one seemed surprised
Farm and this is what has
apart from Richard when judge Mark Logan (Clandeboye) announced the
enabled him to take on the farm
overall winner, stating it was one of the best herds he had ever seen. Anyone
he never thought he would run
who has ever had the good fortune to visit the 85-strong Richaven herd and
himself.
130 youngstock situated below the rolling Malvern Hills in Worcestershire
Knowing Richard’s relentless
will understand Mark’s point
work ethic and penchant for
of view.
perfection, this award is no
80 years ago, Richard’s
real surprise until you consider
grandfather Charles took on
the other enterprises that the
the tenancy of Northfi eld
he undertakes. Northend Farm
Farm. Charles Bown expanded
now houses the youngstock and
in 1957 and took on Northend
contracting still provides useful
Farm on the opposite side of
additional income, although
the road and sons Michael and
Richard has wound it down
Mark eventually succeeded
considerably to concentrate on
him, with Michael based
the cows. As if two farms weren’t
at Northend and Mark at
enough, when a neighbouring
Northfi eld. Twelve years ago,
farm on the estate became
Richard’s uncle Michael retired
available, Richard seized the
from farming and Richard
opportunity to take on another
returned home to go into
partnership with his father,
LEFT Flettdale Stardust Kay EX96-7E
Mark. At this time, Richard
LP130 is one of the UK’s highest
scoring cows and has
started a great family at
Richaven.
FAR LEFT Richaven
Astre Squaw EX93-5E is
one of six EX daughters
from the brood cow
Severnvales Chief
Squaw EX93-3E.
LEFT Astre Squaw’s
daughter, Richaven RR
Squaw 2 VG88-2yr was
nominated All Britain
Junior Heifer in Milk
2008.
26 THE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2009
e6-09 Richaven.indd 2 11/11/2009 17:25:50
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