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Re-charging our batteries – 3
….our visit to the new two of our partners had to be short because of the intrusion of real life. Margaret Elliott’s mother had been hospitalized unexpectedly earlier that day…and Angus and Joy Cottey were both recovering from very serious illness. We confined ourselves then to brief courtesy calls. We were pleased to see that our Falcon’s brother, Millennium Monte, who had been ill himself, was doing much better now that he was under the care of Margaret at her Cutcombe Farm. We also paid our respects to one of the grand old bulls of English Devon, Bywood Jasper, who is living out his days in semi-retirement at Cutcombe. Jasper’s breeder,…
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Recharging our batteries – 2
….after a brief detour to the Cotswolds to stay in one of our favorite inns—Russells in Broadway—we plunged into the heart of Devon country. This is famed Exmoor, in legend at least the birthplace of Devon. The moor is both beautiful and forbidding but nearby are some of the finest Devon farms in the world. And there is none finer than Ashott Barton, one of our partners’ properties just outside Exford. There, Shiamala Comer and her son, Jeremy, have an outstanding herd of truly traditional Devon. Not only her colleagues agree with her, but Shiamala’s devotion to detail—and the results she has achieved—can’t be denied. It was she who bred Millennium Falcon,…
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Re-charging our batteries….
….every year we return to England…and follow the same path…visiting old friends like Gavin Hunter of Tilbrook farm not far from Cambridge. We find looking at, and talking about, Devon with breeders like Gavin is a diversion and a challenge. Gavin is the top supplier of Devon bulls in England and we generally make Tilbrook our first stop, not just because he’s a great friend and breeder but he’s closest to the airport! It’s become something of a ritual for Gavin to meet us in his yard with his latest treat….this time, a new young bull named Tilbrook Prince. And this time, our grandson Church made the trip with us…not…
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All too brief….
….we’ve just returned from a trip to England to visit our friends and partners in Traditional English Devon™. As always, the friendship was warm and (progress of sorts) the beer was cold! Then the icing on the cake: we found two cows and a bull that fit perfectly in our program. There’s all sorts of bureaucratic red tape and multiple health tests to go, but it is exciting to be planning (and dreaming) again. It was also sad to see that three of our cooperating herds have or will soon be closing down. But it underscores our belief in the importance of Traditional Devon; to save the purist genetics possible.…
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Now you have seen everything….
….in England, pink wrap for hay bales….part of the breast cancer awareness campaign. Thanks to Juliet Cleave of Kew Herd in Cornwall for the picture.
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Meanwhile, back home….
….our English partner, Gavin Hunter, continues to breed exceptional bulls. In fact, he probably sells more Devon bulls than any other breeder. His great cow, Tilbrook Cashtiller, had an unbroken string of three top sellers in the Devon show and sale. And now her daughter, Cashtiller 10th, is carrying the flag. Here’s her son, Tilbrook Oz. The sire was an Australian bull, Bongalabi Atlas.
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The waiting game….
….begins again! And this time with added suspense! Embryologist Dr. Jim Evans implants English embryos into our cows….always a bit nerve-wracking but particularly since these little ones were tied up in England for almost three years because of a mystery virus that hit a number of herds and sheep flocks. Looking on are Jane Narrimore and Duane Ard who served as our wranglers. For recips this time we selected from our own herd….our 10 best cows with unblemished records of breeding, calving and mothering. We were determined to do all we could to improve the odds. Dr. Evans was also particularly selective…and knocked out four as not being perfectly ready…
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BREAKTHROUGH!!!!….
….just before 2015 joined us, we got the welcome, long-delayed news that all our English embryos, tied up for almost two years, had finally arrived in the United States. So we can now hope that some “Little Norahs” will soon be capering around the pastures. That’s “Big Norah” on the right and her breeder, Ivan Rowe of Goldings Farm in Cornwall. Norah, Buttercup and Snowdrop had been quarantined thanks to a minute gnat that carried the Schmallenburg virus across the Channel. The virus can cause birth defects and even death in calves and, because it was something of a mystery to the experts, they closed down the export of all genetic material. …
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Now here’s a Christmas story….
….we often get requests for standing rib roasts….particularly at Christmas time. But we fear we would cheat too many of our regular customers so we are resigned to disappoint….even ourselves. But just to understand what we’re missing, British TV chef (and Devon farmer) Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s salute to a real Christmas decoration! http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/dec/09/foodanddrink.recipes2 Hugh F-W, as many of you know, has written the premier book on preparing all meats: “The River Cottage Meat Cook”. A gift idea for your favorite chef. He doesn’t call it a Cook-book because it is more than a collection of receipes, it is an appreciation of meat in all its varieties. All vegetarians should read it!…
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Recent arrivals…
….at Thistle Hill. In the background, an English Traditional Devon™ heifer just brought up from the recip farm in Georgia. She’s a Cashtiller/Jaunty 8-month old beauty. In the foreground, a ™bull calf born here a few weeks ago to TDA 4. And the sire was Ashott-Barton Falcon. Here’s where it gets complicated, so pay attention: The heifer is a full sister to the little bull’s mother. Do they know they’re related? Talk about a family reunion! Then there’s this late arrival…just a few hours old. (Hang on now.) His sire is Churchill, who is a brother to the heifer above and uncle to the little bull above. Got it? The…