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Upgrading some pastures…
…and using a no-till drill. In addition to clover, which we often spread, this year we’re mixing in perennial rye, cereal rye, turnips, radishes and cow peas. We’re doing several pastures hoping to extend the natural grazing season. Not only should it mean extra nourishment for mama and calf in the winter slump but some of these plants put down very deep roots. The theory is that will loosen the compacted soil and bring more minerals closer to the surface to feed the plants. It also should help capture rain water, limiting the effects of drought. As they say on television…”only time will tell”! David
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Time flies…
It’s hard to believe but it was 10 years ago when we saw the first results of our traditional English Devon project. TDA 7 was the first calf we selected from our first English flush and she remains today one of the mainstays of our herd. “7” is the daughter of the great English cow Tilbrook Cashtiller by another great, Cutcombe Jaunty. Three years running Cashtiller was the Grand Champion in English shows and three of her sons topped later Devon national sales. In a few weeks ”7” will be calving again…always an exciting event. David
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The unending war continues…
…no not the one in Afghanistan but the fight over Roundup…the herbicide banned most places but here. It’s been going on almost as long! It’s a controversy that has, if nothing else, revealed the unholy alliance between Big Pharma and the government which is “here to protect us”. Along the way, there’ve been many successful lawsuits and government (not U.S.) bans against using the product. Now Bayer is advancing the defense that since the American government hasn’t outlawed its use, cancer victims have no right to sue for damages and wrongful death. Meanwhile Bayer plans to continue selling Roundup but under a new name. Joel Salatin in his latest blog…
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A great leap forward…
…for grandson Church as he departs Thistle Hill for veterinary school. For the past two years Church as stepped up in my absence to handle our Red Devon herd. All the while he also completed an advanced degree in biology. Now it’s on to Cornell University and one of the leading veterinary programs in the country. The competition for admission is fierce…exceeding only by the pressure from his high-powered class mates. Church has an amazing knack for handling animals. They just seem to want to do what he asks. We have no doubt that he will become a leading light in the veterinary world. Just to keep an eye on…
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Sad to report…
…the passing of legendary Devon breeder Ken McDowall of New Zealand. Ken’s Rotokawa bulls were at the center of the great Devon resurgence at the turn of the century. While there is some dispute over just who “discovered” Ken, there is no doubt it was Gearld Fry and Ridge Shinn who popularized the great Rotokawa bulls in America like 688, 982, 667 and many more. Eventually Fry, Shinn and a partner brought the entire Rotokawa herd here to the States where they’ve settled in Hardwick, Massachusetts. Ken was a great friend to Thistle Hill and he spent many days here freely dispensing his breeding wisdom. I treasure those conversations as…
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The class of ‘21…
…welcomed to the Perrine’s nearby Slainte farm by the year around dog in charge, Molly. This group of 14 includes both heifers and steers. The Perrines and their neighbors, the Ferro’s, have been taking our young calves for a number of years. That larger calf to the right is a Devon-Senepol cross…a testimony to the magnifying effect of heterosis or out-crossing. The mama cows remain at Thistle Hill and they’ll be delivering new babies in about two months. Separating these calves enables us to bring bulls to the main herd for rebreeding. Incidentally these calves aren’t the entire class of ‘21. There are another 7 that have moved under the…