| I enjoyed the two herd visits at Cochranes and Grahams, especially having hosts that know their cows so well. It is important to know what you are driving towards when breeding cows as we on average achieve five generations of breeding in our life as a dairy farmer, so we can't afford to make to many mistakes if we are to achieve a fine herd. Both herds were of a high standard with the main difference in outward appearance being cow size due to the heavier Holstein influence in Toms herd and possibly a heavier feeding regime. Its a pity there is not just "one red cow population" here, as a stranger looking in could walk away thinking, both these guys seem to be breeding for the same thing. Good looking functional healthy cows, that are driving profit. Apart from the two different management systems these cows look much the same from the outside. The perception of Scandinavian Reds having no type, should now well and truly be "dead in the water". Thanks again to Sam and Tom and families and keep breeding those great cows, to carry and promote Reds well into the future. |
