The NewPole British Blue herd started in 2004 with the purchase of an in-calf Belgian bred cow, Licence de Fond du Bois and some frozen embryos from Mr Stephen Potter of the Brookfield herd.
So 2005 saw our first homebreds born, NewPole Ab Fab (ex Licence) and NewPole Asset (Dafydd D'Ochain ex Brookfield Rhanne). From there, our herd has now expanded considerably and we have a good spread of genetics which we aim to produce quality cattle that are mobile, typey and capable of producing quality stock over both dairy and suckler herds for other people - all with the good, sensible temperament characteristic of the British Blue!
Natural calving is the aim and our pedigree cows have all calved naturally since 2007 with only one exception and we have had several recipients calve naturally also - a trend we hope to continue without losing the unique attributes of the British Blue. The Newlands dairy herd runs Blue bulls and so we know just how important it is to have soundness, conformation, good temperament and mobility as key qualities in a good stock getter.
Foundation cows and heifers in the herd are represented by such sires as Osborne, Cristal, Totem, Daffyd, Danseur, Seduisant and Ingenieux and have been purchased from several well-respected herds, including Tamhorn and Hazelwood. We have also purchased embryos from Andy Ryder's Annanwater herd, some of which have now been born or are currently in utero. We are very grateful for the good advice so freely given by both Danny Wyllie (Tamhorn) and Andy Ryder (Annanwater).
We've shown our stock where possible since 2006 and achieved some encouraging results with our youngstock, including Reserve Female Champion at Devon County in 2006 and 2007, Reserve Male Champion 2006 and 2007 and in 2006, Almeley Uvita and her January born bull calf, NewPole Bouncer, were unbeaten at the three shows they attended, collecting Breed Champion and Reserve Inter-Breed at Woolsery Show.
Right: Pippa White on her way to winning best Young Handler Overall at North Devon Show 2008
See the Showing News page for the latest updates.
