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Is there no limit…..
….to the magic of a cow? Perhaps Wooz would have said “yes” more quickly if I had thought of this! https://gma.yahoo.com/big-lego-fan-uses-lego-cow-pop-legoland-110324935–abc-news-sex.html
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So far, so good…..
….our Traditional Devon America™ bull, Churchill, has a second calf to his credit. She’s a day-old in this picture, the daughter of a Senepol/Devon cross heifer. The birth was easy (easy for me to say)….we saw the heifer go into labor…drove back across the street to get a tag…and the calf was actually already on its feet by the time we got back. We’ve used Churchill over several more pure Devon and this weekend he heads to our partner Bill Walker’s farm in South Carolina. His full brother, Wellington, will be in the trailer on the return trip, along with a half-dozen other English Devon.
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Attention, Michelle!!!
….your campaign for healthier eating doesn’t hold a candle to the rest of the world. For one thing, GMO foods are banned most places in Europe and when they eat, they eat lots of meat….and fat. We were reading Lois Aylestock’s Facebook page—she and her husband Doug own Blue Ridge Meats, our butchers—and that’s where I lifted this photo….and also an article about the school lunch program in France. Made me want to enroll. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-14845/what-french-kids-eat-for-school-lunch-it-puts-americans-to-shame.html
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Just curious….
….we were filling a water tank the other morning when this young heifer came along to see what we were doing. She was a long way from the herd and we enjoyed her company. She’s A133 and a granddaughter of both Rotokawa 688 and 667. Her dam is Thistle Hope; sire, Thistle Hill Reality. At 10-months, she’s not for sale….not yet. We keep our animals until they’re at least two before we part with any. It does remind me, though, that soon Wooz and I will be going through our annual battle over who stays and who goes. If you’re looking for a heifer, bred or open, you may want…
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The Devon sale….
….we’ve had two inquiries about the prices at this past weekend’s Devon show and sale. Eventually, we hope a complete report will be posted at the Red Devon USA website….but here are a few unofficial numbers. The top selling cow was Circle K Devons Mary, a six-year old daughter of Rotokawa 688. She brought $11,500 for breeder Kendall Schrock. The number two cow was Charlie and Martha Trantham’s Lenoir N311 with a calf at side and confirmed pregnant. She netted $9250. The 17 cows in the sale averaged $5,700. The range was from $3750 to $11,500.
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Thistle Hill Alumni Club….
….we took a side-trip on the way to the recent Devon meeting to visit the Tennessee chapter of the club. The girls at Tomina Farms near Waynesboro were clearly over-joyed to see us….or at least Wooz. We were just excited to see how well animals we had raised were doing so well under the care of Regina and Tom Tesnow. Regina clearly has taken Wooz’ indulgent treatment a step further, though. As we’ve reported earlier she even gives her pampering has paid off in a beautiful herd and we’ve gained dear friends in the processs. The undeniable star of Tomina Farms is this bull, calved three years ago…
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The annual Devon meeting….
….was held at Jacob and Jenny Owens’ beautiful “Brookview Farm” in Kentucky thoroughbred company. And the Owen’s more than hold their own in that high-powered company. The 600-acre farm is home to about 50 mama cows so, as one of the visitors put it, stocking density is not a problem. Calving season had just begun, adding both fun and an extra educational opportunity. The 100-plus attendees included quite a few new faces. If any scene typifies a Devon meeting, it is Gearld Fry (in yellow shirt) lecturing from a wagon bed about the proper cow. Among the listeners was Jacob’s herd, which crowded close and were rewarded to hear that their thymuses…
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The new Devon leadership….
….there was quite a turnover in the leadership of Red Devon USA this weekend. The new officers all come from the smaller of the two associations that recently merged to form the new blanket organization. Elected president is Roy Doan of Tennessee, Vice President is Jacob Owen of Kentucky, and Treasurer is Paul Calucci of New York. Guille Yearwood was added to the board. When the merger was first suggested, there was considerable opposition within the American Devon Cattle Association because of fear it would be gobbled up by the larger North American Devon Association (NADA). As a gratifying sign that the six-year long rift between the two groups has…
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Waiting for breakfast….
….the main herd watched this morning as we put a new, huge water tank in the Eastern pasture. They’ve been patiently waiting….and watching that succulent stand of Italian rye on the other side of the wire. Our chief-of-everything, Duane Ard, noticed the advance guard on the horizon while filling the tank. A few minutes later we were surrounded!
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Time out….
….no blogging for the next week as Wooz and I head for the annual Devon meeting in Lexington at Jacob Owens’ farm. If you’re looking for Devon females…and can’t wait for the Thistle Hill listing…there’ll be some good-looking females at the sale. There’s also a good-looking candidate for the board and I hope Wooz gets your vote! No one has worked harder or put in longer hours for the Devon breed…and no one cares more the pure Devon cow. Details about the meeting, the sale and the election are at the association website: www.reddevonusa.com