Thistle Hill goes “global”…Part Two….
….by coincidence, the same day of our South Africans visit, (see Global Part One below) we received an email from all the way around the globe in New Zealand. We’re always surprised at the readership this blog receives in far-away places….and gratified when we hear from afar.
Frankly, it makes me a bit ashamed that I don’t devote more time to our Blog to make it more deserving of your attention.
But here’s the note we received from Helena Barrio:
Although originally from Devon, I now live with my family in New Zealand. We farm a small stud in the north island.
I love Devon cattle, and I too am quite saddened and worried about the trend for larger, longer and taller cattle driven by the meat markets here, and finishers wanting a quick turn around. I think it is wonderful that there are still people out there who value cattle breeds for what they are.
Personally I know what I want to see from my cows, and am just breeding them how I want, which although might not be financially the most rewarding, certainly is rewarding to me. The reason I want Red Devons, is because they are just that, and for all their good qualities, not a hybrid.
Anyway, I just wanted to say ‘Hello’ and to express how pleased I was to see a like minded set of people, all be it many miles away!
All the best,
Helena Barrio
Helena, as they say in Devon, that is “brilliant”! We couldn’t agree more and have been saddened to see the contortions some breeders put Devon through to make them more “commercially acceptable”. We’re convinced that fads and trends come and go, but the quality of the Devon and their meat have a place in this world…and that quality should not be sacrificed.
That’s what motivated us in the Devon Associations, what caused us to seek out traditional Devon in England, and what prompts us always to resist “standards” imposed by so-called experts. We’ve learned not to trust the latest perceived wisdom; it’s always just the “latest”. Like Helen, and like our mates over in Southwest England, we know what’s right for us and that’s what we’re breeding for.
PS: Be sure to check the link to Helen’s farm above!