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Littleweir Shallot Figwort EX91, a fourth calver.
The Figwort family is breeding consistently for the Murch family, with three EX classified cows in the herd at present.
Littleweir Boss Figwort an EX92 classified sixth calver.
a great year with them last year, including Bethany being reserve champion handler at Bath and West Show and Vikki picking up a first prize there too. “Then at the Devon Holstein Club’s qualifier for ABAB Vikki was first in the handling classes and also first with her calf, Ruby Adventure Tina Red, while Bethany was second in the handling and third with her calf, Leedham Seismic Boo Red. Bethany’s calf has since been flushed to sexed Arvis semen, with an exceptionally good result,” he adds.
Milked twice a day the herd is fed to yield in the parlour with a 50:50 mix of grass silage and maize silage fed in ring feeders while cows are housed over winter. “We aim to have cows in for as little time as possible though, turning out usually in the second or third week of March and not housing cows
Littleweir Planet Figwort EX92, a third calver.
again until November most years. We’re achieving close to 19l a cow a day from forage at the moment and I’m pleased to see that, particularly bearing in mind the current issues surrounding milk prices.” Selling to Arla the Littleweir herd calves at about two and half years old, with the aim of allowing heifers to grow well before calving. “Its working for us and means we have well developed heifers entering the herd which suits out system. Calves are reared on buckets for eight weeks and then weaned, with Sally, ViKki and Bethany having responsibility for calf rearing.
“Once they are weaned calves move on to a home mixed dry feed as well as haylage or big bale silage. They go out to grass according to season.” Meanwhile, bull calves are steered and then reared to 12-
14 months old before being sold at stores. “We don’t generally use much beef semen, only really on the worst performing cows, so most of our steers are Holsteins. They sell reasonably well, although at the moment they’re not a great trade.” Current chairman of North Devon Holstein Club, Stephen says the family are committed to both Holsteins and milking for the foreseeable future. “We’re perhaps in a lucky position of not being as financially exposed as some and being able to manage the herd and the farm largely on our own with one full time equivalent helping us. It helps that the girls are keen on the cows too and calf showing has given them a great hobby to pursue and a fantastic way of meeting like minded youngsters, both locally and further afield,” he adds.
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