34 Photography by Jane Steel, Richard Hodgson and Mooandbaa.
Breeding Excellent cows has always been the aim of Kevin and Christine Wilson who run the 350 head Warnelview herd.
Warnelview herd is very much a team effort. “We’ve always aimed to breed balanced cows,” comments Kevin. “Correct, functional cows that are productive and last. I strongly believe that the depth of breeding in a cow family always comes through.”
M
There are many strong cow families in the herd at Warnelview which have contributed to the 107 EX, 158 VG and 68 GP, with 118 multiple Excellents classified since 1st January 2014. The herd not only oozes type, but balances this with production, averaging 10,700kg at 4.3%bf and 3.3%p. Both Kevin and Christine agree the Ruby family are the stand out family in the herd, with Warnelview Iota Ruby a particular favourite at the moment. Classified VG89 as a second calver she is currently the number one GPLI cow in the UK. She is the third generation to have positive butterfat, protein and fertility, combined with negative cell count. “The Ruby family combines everything modern dairy farmers want – type, components and production. Numerous bulls from this family are in stud or sold in to pedigree herds,” explains Christine. Iota Ruby’s first milking daughter is a VG85 classified two year old Altaoak daughter, her son Warnelview Rex is at Cogent and her other sons have
anagement of the recently awarded Master Breeder
Tom, Kevin, Will and Christine Wilson with one of the herd favourites, Warnelview Jeeves Ruby.
The Wilson’s first home bred cow to score EX96 was Warnelview Final Cut Nita.
all sold as stock bulls in to other herds. She also has First Class embryos due in May. “We don’t flush too much, but, when we do we flush cows that we know will offer saleable sons. The Ruby family is one we’ve flushed most, with continued success, all bulls have been used or sold
for breeding and the females continue to tick all the boxes,” adds Kevin.
Another Iota daughter from the Ruby family is the VG88 second calver Warnelview Ruby Iota which produced 12,830kg at 4.44%bf and 3.46%p. She bred Warnelview Rollio which was champion at the Border
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116