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bloodlines, with a number of the modern families going back to those original breeding lines, including the Gem family which originiated at Broham, as did the Freda and Unice families. We also have a number of families which go back to the Winton herd, including the Kathleen, Amy and Eva families. The fact these families are still in the herd some 50 years after we switched to black and whites is testament to the vision those breeders had back then and to the qualities we all know and love in the modern Holstein.” Of the favourite families in the herd at the moment
Stephen picks out the Figwort family as one which excels in both production and type, with Littleweir Boss Figwort classified EX92 and having produced 60t in six lactations and her daughter Littleweir Shottle Figwort classified EX91 as a fourth calver and another daughter, Littleweir Taboo Planet Figwort being an EX92 as a third calver.
“They are great cows which typify the sort of Holstein we aim to breed. They’re correct, well put together cows with great udders and feet and legs as well as being productive.” The herd, which is milked
twice a day averages a little more than 9600kg a cow at 4.12% butterfat and 3.30% protein, with Stephen having increased yields again in the last five years at the same time as improving the herd’s classification results through judicious use of both proven and genomic bulls. “We currently have 16 Excellent and 27 VG cows as well as five VG heifers in the herd, which for a herd of our size I think is a good reflection on the type of cow we’re aiming to breed, particularly as we maintain the herd at about 40% heifers to keep the herd as
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