sara | December 20, 2008
The bull has been separated from the rest of the cows to try to stop the bull from serving the cows that are coming into cycle. We have segregated the bull in order to try to get all the cows calving at a similar time as this year we have had calves born throughout the year.
Our [...]
sara | August 21, 2008
One of our Saler cross cows, who I call One Ear, as she has a floppy ear, is a bit unpredictable and when she is in calf or has just had a calf, no one can go anywhere near her. This year she was due to calve late so we put her out in the [...]
sara | May 9, 2008
During Autumn and Winter the Charolais cattle are kept in the fold yard and are fed silage twice a day. Here is a video clip of the Charolais cows and bull eating the silage.
It is interesting to note that the bull is at the front end of the trough and this is where he always [...]
sara | May 8, 2008
I was recently sent an email asking, “Do you know what a “pointed stick for driving cattle”is called?” Derek.
Hi Derek,
I have found out that a pointed stick for driving cattle is called a goad.
I found this definition from the dictionary reference site which is interesting:
“1. a stick with a pointed or electrically charged end, for [...]
sara | May 7, 2008
At this time of year the suckler cows and calves are put out to grass in a field with an electric fence so that the cattle do not escape from the field. The calves were born in the fold yard and are not used to the electric fence so we placed an electric fence in [...]
sara | April 4, 2008
Some people can’t tell the friesian and holstein cattle breeds apart but the holsteins have more white and the friesians more black traditionally and the holsteins are smaller I believe than the friesians.
Friesians are a bonnier animal than an Holstein, which is bred for as much milk as possible and is a thinner leggier animal [...]
sara | March 3, 2008
A calf was born at the weekend to one of our black saler cows. The calf is a heifer and is a real beauty. She has a lovely black nose and a grey tinge to her coat as she is a saler, charolais cross, having parents who are a saler cow and charolais bull. The [...]
sara | February 28, 2008
Charolais cattle have been bred and reared on our farm for nearly 50 years as they are a large fast growing breed of beef cattle. TBird asked about the temperament of Charolais cattle.
What kind of temperament do your cattle have. My husband thinks Charolais are famous for a not-so-great temperament.
We raise Hereford/Angus cross. We have [...]
sara | February 23, 2008
There are lots of wooden objects and buildings on the farm but one of the most important wooden objects for a livestock farm are the feed troughs.
These feed troughs are in the fold yard and are used by the beef cattle.
The cattle get barley, fodder beet, potatoes or silage in these troughs depending on the [...]
sara | February 20, 2008
I received this comment from Eric about his Dexter herd in South Africa. I thought the comment was very interesting.
I have been breeding Dexters on the harsh South African Highveld for over 33 years. I run a small herd, split into reds, blacks and commercial of about 250 females.
They are remarkable animals. I also run [...]
