|
Whitebred Shorthorns join
the Hardhillock Bazadaise
Herd
By Ann Malcolm
The Hardhillock herd of mainly Bazadaise cattle
was well established before the arrival in November
2009 of two registered Whitebred Shorthorn
heifers.
Now, in 2011, the herd comprises 18 cows
and heifers and 1 stock bull. Pure Bazadaise heifers
are retained in order to grow the herd or are sold
for breeding. Steers, pure and cross, are sold
store at 14-16 months.
 |
| Whitebred Shorthorn
Heifer with Bazadaise X Calf |
As well as pedigree Bazadaise, I keep some
Limousin and LimousinX cows, but all are put to
the Bazadaise bull with very satisfactory results.
The Bazadaise is a superior beef breed notable
for its grass finishing ability, mobility, muscling
and ease of calving. It has a well deserved reputation
for fine flavoured, low fat and well marbled meat.
During 2009, I decided that I should add a native
breed of cattle to my herd – but wondered ‘which
one’?
After doing some research, I decided
that the Whitebred Shorthorn might suit my system – my
herd is extensively managed on grass and haylage
and is outwintered. I expect my cattle to be of
excellent temperament, to calve unaided, to live
a long time and to be good mothers and good foragers.
It looked as though the Whitebred Shorthorn could
do all these things really well!
 |
| The 4 animals
in the photo are aged between 10 and 13 months
- the WhitebredShorthorn / Bazadaise X on the
left is the youngest. They've been inside for
6 weeks now and are on 4kg bruised barley/hd/dy
and haylage. The two bigger ones on the right
are about 430-450kg so the other 2 must be
400kg |
Well, my Whitebred
Shorthorn heifers gave birth to Bazadaise sired
calves – the calves are
an excellent beefy shape with a great back-end.
I suspected that the Whitebred Shorthorn would
cross well with the Bazadaise to produce a good
commercial store animal – and I was right.
My aim now is twofold:
- to increase numbers of pure
Whitebred Shorthorn females – my two cows
are now in calf to the AI bull, Murtholm Parky.
- to
use Murtholm Parky on some LimousinX cows to
produce a Lim/WBS cross that will then be put
back to the Bazadaise bull.
I have chosen to include the Whitebred Shorthorn
in my herd for purely commercial reasons. I am
happy with the contribution that these cows make
to the herd.
Please visit my website
www.hardhillock-cattle.com
|
