and for more than three years Stowbeck cattle were sold at every Border and Lakeland Club Sale. In total 140 cows and heifers have been sold during the past three years to average close to £2000.
The herd has won the Border and Lakeland points trophy on several occasions for points gained at the pre-sale show. Numerous consignments have sold for more than 2000gns with the highlight being Stowbeck Sid Dewdrop who made 2800gns in December 2013 when she sold to James McNeil, Cairnpat, Stranraer. Despite regularly selling young cows and heifers the herd is reasonably young with nothing more than eight lactations and a replacement rate of 29%. The herd has 40 EX and 140 VG animals and a 12 month average production of 10,088kg at 3.8%bf and 3.24%p, calving interval runs at 402 with a SCC 98.
Individuals that stand out in the herd include the EX94 scored Tal- ent daughters Stowbeck Talent Lillibet and Stowbeck Talent Lorna 5.
ABOVE LEFT The farmyard has been added to over the years to accomodate growing numbers.
ABOVE RIGHT The TMR is made up of grass silage, whole-crop wheat, straw , soda wheat, blend straights, molasses, rape, soya and sugarbeet.
WINNERS OF THE BORDER & LAKELAND POINTS TROPHY ON SEVERAL
OCCASSIONS
Lillibet has produced close to 90t in seven lactations averaging 4.36%bf and 3.62%p, while Laura is also in her seventh lactation. Talent Lillibet is the third generation of Excellent cows and her Windbrook son Stowbeck Lynx was used as a herd sire at Stowbeck. Len adds: “Talent bred exceptional udders and his daughters have lasted well in the herd. Windbrook, Jordan and Stanleycup are bulls that are breeding good young cows that are balanced and look well.” Len’s pick of the young cows is Stowbeck Fever Mabel, a VG87 scored second calver that is projected to give 10,870kg at 4.46%bf and 3.39%p. Stowbeck Windbrook Mavis is regarded as the best heifer in the herd. Having classified VG86 as a two year old she has given 9970kg at 3.77%bf and 3.36%p in her first lactation and is backed by two generations of Excellent dams.
“I have always aimed to breed a balanced herd of cows with plenty of strength, chest width and capacity, good feet and legs and wearing udders. Ideally a hassle free cow,” he adds.
“I’ve always opted for higher type bulls in the past and they have produced daughters that have lasted well. Heifers are given up to two services of sexed semen and then conventional and we also use a young bull to sweep up. The aim is to calve heifers at two years old, but at the moment we are averaging 25 months. We’ve had good results with sexed semen, but it does require attention to detail for success.
“With regards the cows, limited sexed semen is used with the most of services being to conventional semen. Beef sires are used on problem cows and the bottom end type which helps to keep improving the herd.”
THE JOURNAL AUGUST 2015 51
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