The reasons for this choice were varied. Firstly, we needed to
update all the cow facilities as the Holsteins were getting too
big to fit in the parlour and cubicles but by switching the Jerseys
we didn’t need to do this as they have plenty of space!
The farmland is all under Nitrate Vunerable Zone (NVZ)
regulations in which you are limited in the amount of slurry
you are allowed and when you are allowed to apply, therefore
smaller cows produce less slurry so we can keep more cows!
But the most important reason for us was that we like working
with the Jersey cow and they really suite our system.
During 2014 we were persuaded to show some calves at the
South West All Breed Calf Show and was amazed to come away
with Reserve Jersey Champion with a home bred heifer! Over
the next few years we enjoyed showing our girls at our local
agricultural shows, always coming home with ribbons.
In 2016 we were approached by A E Rodda & Son (the legendry
Cornish Clotted Cream makers) regarding the possibility of us
supplying them – which after a lot of discussion with our 3
boys (then 12/14/15) as this was very much for their future
and that of our farm. We accepted and joined the producer
group in April 2018 and by the August we were in the unique
contract to supply Marks & Spencer Cornish Gold (exclusively
Channel Island Milk).
Over the last 2½ years we have faced a really bumpy road here
with our small herd:-
In July 2018 at Stithians Show (the largest one day show in the
UK) we had 1 or 2 entries in each class coming 1st in each and
topped the day with Breed Champion!
In August of the same year at our annual bTB test we had the
worst results ever on the farm. We had 9 reactors, the first time
in 20 years that we had had any. 60 days later another 11. The
biggest heartbreak was most of these 20 were part of our show
team. The next 7 days were horrendous, mentally draining,
never have we had to say goodbye to so many well bred, classic
examples of the Jersey cow.
So over the next 11 months we proceeded to test every 60 days
and finally went clear in July 2019, too late for the local show
season, and the boys really had lost heart.
During those months we also had to contend with the beast of
the east, overstocking, increased feed and bedding purchases
all slowly putting a massive emotional and financial pressure
on us.
We finished 2019 on a more positive note and in a better state.
In the October we started to restock our herd with some fine
heifers and cows from the lady whom we bought our foundation
Jerseys from as she had decided to retire and the weekend
before Lockdown we purchased a further 6 heifers and cows
from a herd reduction – bringing our bevy of Jerseys to 150
We calve all year round and graze as long as possible through
the year. The milkers have access to out of parlour feeders by
night as well as grass and a silage buffer.
These trials and tribulations have certainly made us stronger!
The Lockdown hasn’t overly affected us here on the farm, it’s
very much business as usual and with such a dry spring
groundwork has been early – wholecrop for the winter, and we
have just finished our 1st cut of clamp silage and round bales.
Rural Life | 23