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CHRISTMAS HILL FARM
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| The South Devon is one of the
largest of the native British Breeds and is renowned for its placid
nature. At the same time that we were looking for large numbers of mouths to eat the wide acres of grass at Christmas Hill, our neighbouring Elvedon Estates had taken a decision to sell their large herd of South Devon cattle. This was forced on them by the restricted grazing allowed under an environmental scheme. It suited us both that the 200 cows and calves should make the two mile trip from one farm to another, so the Elvedon South Devons joined the Longhorns and Belted Galloways on the farm. |
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South Devon cows newly arrived and settled in amongst the water courses at Lakenheath. |
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Amongst the Purebred group, there was a mixture of both pure bred calves and Charolais cross calves and, also, there is a separate, registered Pedigree group with pedigree calves. As a result, we have some fine cross breed animals growing nicely and quickly so they will produce quality meat for the commercial market - and we have a group of gleaming pedigree heifers for sale to a breeding herd. |
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South Devons are ideal for crossing with a terminal sire to produce top quality, quickly maturing, commercial beef. Being a milky breed, the cows give the calves a good start with their plentiful and rich milk. Many owners say that their docile nature makes the breed ideal for both intensive and extensive rearing conditions. |
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 Being
another breed that is thrifty and a good converter of poorer pastures,
they have done well on our lush pastures and we have to be careful that
they don’t get too fat!We are able to offer, for sale, well grown breeding animals and will soon be able to add South Devon meat to our list of products available. The South Devon Herd book society looks after the interests of the Breed and their web site can seen at www.sdhbs.org.uk |
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