|
Welcome to the Hawkley HerdWelcome 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. |
  |
SelectionOur 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 birth weights and do the 200 day weights without creep feed. This gives us a direct indication of the mothers milking ability. 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. Good udders, feet and legs are vital for herd replacements. 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. HealthWe have always tried to maintain a high health status, and benefit from being in an area of the country with a low cattle population and a low incidence of TB. In order to give confidence to customers who buy stock from us, we joined Biobest Herdcare in 2006 and have been accredited since 2008 for BVD and Johnes. Bulls for sale can be semen tested at the request of customers. Our sheep flock is maedi visna accredited and genotyped for scrapie resistance. The overall health of the flock has been built up to a high level over many years through selection, and by virtue of minimal introduction of animals other than rams. |
 |
Designed and Maintained
by |
