Welcome to the website
of Berry Grove Farm, a 300 acre mixed farm in Hampshire, and home
of the Whitcombe family. We have farmed here since 1990, and have
established pedigree herds of South Devon and Red Angus cattle,
and a pedigree flock of Border Leicester sheep. We manage the
farm ourselves, with part time help; the livestock being our main
source of income. Our priority is commercial success; all stock
being selected for easy management, fertility and productivity.
They are also managed to organic standards , so most feed is grown
on the farm and all animals have to be grown on a predominantly
forage diet. |
Our breeding and selection philosophy
is the same for all our livestock. Genetic improvement is the
most economical way of improving the profitability of livestock
– genetically inferior animals cost just as much to keep
as superior ones. We are aiming for consistency without extremes,
and our main interest is efficient, functional animals, and selecting
for strong maternal traits. These are easy birth, milk and mothering,
fertility and long life. A live calf every year from every cow
in the herd is the number one priority, and this must be achieved
in a tight spring calving season.
We record with ABRI Breedplan, and use the data as one of our
selection tools. We measure as much as possible, to help improve
accuracy of data, and we believe the minimum is to measure birth
weights, 200 day weights (without creep feed), and scrotal circumference
of bulls. Over the last 20 years recording has concentrated on
growth traits. Now we believe more attention should be given to
carcase traits, to focus on predicting yields of high value cuts,
and eating quality. We still want growth, but it needs to be fast
early growth, combined with moderate birthweight.
In selecting replacement heifers, or bulls for sale, we look
first at family history, visual appraisal and temperament. Then
we look for above average EBV’s across the board. Anything
too extreme is not kept. So anything too small at 200 days goes
for beef, and high birthweight calves are not kept for breeding.
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