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From that moment on the couple were taken with the way the breed is,
with good mothering ability, low maintenance, and easy calving - in fact
this year their commercial herd of 43 cows (comprising Limousin, Belgium Blue, Blonde, Aberdeen Angus and Simmental crosses)
produced 43 calves, and the couple didn't have to attend one birth, which
says a lot.
"We bought crosses with calves at foot, and a bull in May 2000," Rachel
says. "Then in April 2002 we bought our first pedigree breeding cow, and
bought two pedigree heifers from France in February of this year."
It is marvellous to see a young couple building up a new herd, primarily for
breeding not slaughter at the moment; although despite being relative
newcomers to the breed they are at the stage of being able to sell all bulls
to interested breeders.
"I was interested in cows and wanted something that is quality so that we
could offer a breed that is more individual," adds Rachel on why they
plumped for the Bazadaise, "and although they tend to have short legs,
they are stretchy, weigh a lot and show themselves well."
Keen to promote the properties of its breed, the British Bazadaise Cattle
Society has just had its first sale at H&H at Carlisle, and although there
are few to sell in this country at the moment (there are only 505 registered
cattle in the UK from 27 full breed members), an impressive turnout of 30
cattle means the sale may become an annual event.
"We've had interest from people who want to see the cattle," Rachel tells
me, "and a few are wanting bulls to put onto commercial cattle."
Its been a learning curve to some extent, the couple now feeding their
Bazadaise on a ration specially devised by Jamesons.
"You see we wanted a ration that was going to bring heifers up for bulling,"
Rachel explains. "Now we have a total ration for bulling heifers, and give
80% ration, 20% barley to calves, whereas young claves get 100% ration
and then we start adding barley."
As for protein, the cattle are given 20% at the start, and then 13.5% to
finish.
"Commercial bulls are sold as fat through Darlington auction mart,
although we've sold two to Cleveland Meats," Rachel says, "which killed
out at U+3 with percentages 60% and above."
Heifer stores go to Leyburn at 22 months - and the couple have always
been pleased with the results achieved.
Married for 5 years, Simon previously farmed with his father at Unthank
Farm, Constable Burton, moving to West Layton to make the farm a more
viable unit in April 2000, with the two farms run as one.
"Usually we calve at Unthank," Simon tell me, taking a break from spraying, "then bulls and heifers are in a shed here and cows go to
Unthank fro the winter."
Alongside the cattle, there are 360 North of England Mules (which lamb in
March and April and go fat through Leyburn) and 400 acres of Wheat,
Barley and Oil Seed Rape.
If that's not enough to keep them busy, a baby is on the way, due the first
week of January - another sign that West Layton is a thriving young farm
run by a couple who are interested in building it up for the next generation.
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