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Norbreck Genetics takes stock of Commercial Cowden bulls
J G Houseman & Sons run a pedigree Holstein dairy herd of 300 cows at Markington near Harrogate where they breed all their own replacements. Several years ago, Mr Houseman and his sons William and Richard started using Cogent for some of their beef semen. For the last two years, they have been buying all their beef semen from Cogent - “the bulls at Cogent are easy calving and are priced well for the market we want,” said Richard. They have had consistent success with Cowden Vesuvius, and more recently Cowden Arctic.
Cowden Arctic has a 279 day gestation The Houseman’s were not surprised at the latest proof for Cowden Arctic as it has mirrored their experience. William said “with a 279 day gestation length he is ideal for our dairy herd. We need top performance as quick as possible. The calves are smaller but they grow on quickly.”
We produce our own dairy replacements but when cows repeat more than once, they are served by AI with the British Blue – “getting them back in calf is the most important thing and the blue semen performs well”.
Consistency of marking Brothers William and Richard both commented that the Arctic calves are very consistent in marking and that both the bull and heifer calves do well. “The calves are all evenly matched, a good shape and are very thrifty. We have had people here who found it hard to believe the heifer calves were the same age as the bull calves – they have done well.”
Bull calvesgo to the local auction or are sold privately. The heifer calves are kept on and are sold as stores at around 14 – 8 months.
“We have had over 200 straws of Arctic and are so pleased with him that we have just ordered another 100 straws” William Houseman.
 
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Cowden Vesuvius progeny grow in to good store heifers
The Houseman’s first tried Cowden Vesuvius because he was part of a Cogent semen deal done with Barry Lawson; he was an unproven bull but looked fine on paper. “We had no trouble when the cows started calving to him and we were happy with the prices we received for the bull calves so have used him repeatedly.
The Holstein cross bull calves are sold at auction or to a private buyer, but the heifer calves are kept and reared – they are sold as stores in the local auction.
 
Two of the 14 month Cowden Vesuvius store heifers at J G Houseman & Sons
Standing in the middle of a pen of 14 month old store heifers, Barry Lawson commented that the heifers had grown on well. William Houseman said that the first batch of Vesuvius cross heifers were sold in January, making £4-500 when market value at auctions was well down. “Similar heifers today are making around the £600+ mark which we are happy with.”
Cowden Vesuvius has been a success at the Houseman’s pedigree Holstein herd. The semen is economically priced, the cows calve easily and the young stock sells well as calves and stores.
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Dafydd D'Ochain features in Farmers Weekly article
Norbreck Farm from the early years
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