Why Pedigree Shorthorns?
Recent new young member, Robert Kite, tells his reasons for changing to Dairy Shorthorns
We chose to switch to dairy shorthorns for a few reasons. We wanted a cow that was easy to manage on a simple system as we would have needed a big investment in new buildings as cubicles were becoming too small for our more extreme Holsteins. Also for the longevity, wear ability, fertility and there good legs and feet. With there ability to do well on a grass system. There will be less milk compared to the Holsteins but we believe all there other traits will make up for it and add a lot more value to bull calves.
As soon as I left school in 2003 I got straight into helping my dad with the farm. I then went onto Rodbaston College to study an agricultural course followed by a dairy herd management course at Reaseheath College Nantwich. Once completing the two separate qualifications I got straight back into working with my dad full time. We own 170 acres and rent a further 130 all down to grass. Work is taken on by my father and I, using contractors for silaging. I am now a in partnership with my father in the business. Our current herd size is of 170 and followers of which we have 150 all of a variety of colours, including at present, mostly black and whites, a handful of jerseys and Ayrshires and 45 Shorthorns all on grass and grass silage, brewers grains and a small amount of concentrates in the parlour.
We have always had the odd shorthorn come into the herd as my mum, Isobel, now sadly passed away, nearly always bought at least one coloured cow from market (this is where my passion for coloured breeds stems from according to my dad).
We brought some of our first shorthorns from the autumn society sale 2004 at Chelford. We purchased two, Winbrook Dairymaid 92 and Dunham Duchess
Ann 48, who was reserve champion in the show. Since then we carried on attending and adding a few more to the herd, the majority of which coming from the Rantonall, Dunham and Maxton. We purchased our first shorthorn bull in spring 2006 from David Winnington. The bull now known as Rantonall Rambo is now classified EX90. He has given us some very promising stock and huge value to our bull calves. His first daughters are due in spring 2009 at two years of age and he is still being used on the herd. I am also using bulls from A.I, mostly from RCG and two stock bulls, Rantonall Cruz, Rodway Marvel and have a young bull of my own Cotonhall Supreme by Rambo.
We had previously had letters from the society about keeping stock from the sales pedigree. This made us think, but wasn’t for us at the time. I became confronted with the question, do I want to keep producing commercial animals or become pedigree therefore more recognised and being able to take part in herd competitions and attending local shows? I finally chose to go pedigree in January 2008 under the prefix Cotonhall also taking on monthly milk recording for the herd.
Since joining up I have attended the AGM, hosted by the Collins family showing their herd Churchroyd which was a great weekend learning a lot more about the breed, cow families, showing, judging and clipping. I have also attended the local meetings which have a good atmosphere and very welcoming to new members.
We have big faith in choosing the dairy shorthorn and look forward to keep developing the breed on our farm for the future.
Robert Kite
