54 HALF MOON FARM AUG / SEP 2021 • farmers-mart . co . uk
from Dunbia they are able to continue to get their lambs to an even higher standard . The buyers like the breed for its length of loin and chops .
With such a good system and the development of such a strong and financially viable flock and an absolute passion for the breed , it was no surprise to learn that Louise has now become breed secretary , web editor and Northern Coordinator for the EasyCare Sheep Society . Breeding sheep are sold from the farm or at Society Sales .
Louise is a pillar of wisdom and a mine of information on all things EasyCare . She finds herself imparting knowledge , advice and help to members and new breeders daily . Today the EasyCare breed is a very well-established commercial sheep with flocks of 1,000 ’ s all over the UK , yet it is also an ideal sheep for the smallholder . As I spoke with John and Louise , it became apparent just how good the EasyCare is as a breed and a financial proposition .
The other part of John and Louise ’ s livestock side is their equally important Stabiliser herd , which is 100 sucklers . The Hobsons are Multipliers with the Stabiliser Cattle Company . The herd has been developed over the past 20 years . The scientist and engineer in John has had equal play here . Initially they bought the usual , wellknown breeds of cattle to run alongside the Stabilisers . The other breeds ate too much , and some got too big , so they settled on the Stabilisers . The Stabiliser breed was much better all round for the Hobson ’ s farming system and land . Initially the Stabilisers were brought in by the SCC from Montana , USA as research showed they were a good solid maternal cow bred to withstand both mountain lions at calving time and the Montana winters !
The Stabiliser is docile , medium-sized , and fertile and is the most scientifically proven feed efficient breed in the world , which appealed to the scientist in John . Embryos were bought from the USA
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C H ART ERED A C C OUNTA NTS & REGI S T ERED A U D I TORS primarily as they have better genetics . John has put a lot of work into achieving the right animal . They have a net feed efficiency measurable trait which is 37 % heritable . So , if they can select animals with this trait , they will eat less than others whilst achieving the same weight as others . A 35kg bull calf can reach up to 650kg in 12 to 16 months . The heifers calve at 2 years old . Calves are weaned at 8 months old , those that are not going for breeding are sent to Doug Dear ’ s finishing unit at Selby . Then at 12 to 14 months old go as deadweight to Dunbia , ABP or Morrisons . Going to Doug ’ s finishing unit means the cost weight quality ratio is optimised as they are closer to feed and drawn for slaughter at the optimum time . This , coupled with the feed net efficiency ration means they can produce the same excellent quality at less than their competitors .
Breeding bulls are sent to the Net Feed Efficiency Unit at JSR farms for the correct rations for breeding bulls . The data for the bull is fully recorded and all data is
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available for buyers , the bull is then priced according to its figures , which means buyers can purchase with a high level of confidence .
All the Hobsons cattle are on an ABRI system and on a worldwide database . Animals can be searched for by name , and you are able to select maternal bulls or finishing bulls .
The breeding cattle are all sold via the Stabiliser Cattle Company so the best price can be achieved . They have a fantastic website where all the animals can have both videos and photos uploaded . This makes the commission to the SCC more than worth it .
On the farm , John and Louise ’ s investment means the cattle enjoy a high quality of life . They are fed sileage and straw mixed as a TMR and fed in front of barriers during the winter and are at grass through the summer . They are housed in winter in recently reconfigured sheds , new sheds have been erected for calving heifers and to house the breeding bulls . Ever the innovator , Oscar has introduced easily cleaned water troughs to ensure clean water and has used concrete panels instead of the former gates to divide the sheds , reducing
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The cattle are turned out in groups of 30 to 35 , with a bull going in at the beginning of June and removed in mid-August . They carry out embryo and AI work on the heifers to bring in new bloodlines from the US without compromising herd health .
The health of their livestock is paramount . Routine vaccinations and blood testing is carried out to ensure all is correct and in line with the SAC health scheme . No breeding animal leaves the farm without a full health check to ensure it can do its job on its new farm .
Both John and Louise don ’ t believe in showing their animals , they believe they should stand on their own commerciality , “ We want Respect not Rosettes ”, John said to me .
It is easy to see why John and Louise have built and developed such a thriving farming operation . They have done wonders for the EasyCare Sheep breed . I ’ m sure Iolo Owen , now in his late 80 ’ s , is very proud of the Hobsons as champions of the breed and what they are doing to carry on his great work .
John and Louise are yet another fantastic example of just what can be achieved even when you are not handed down a farm and land but start from scratch . Early diversification and always thinking outside the box as to how things can be improved has paid dividends . They have embraced change and new ideas , utilised modern equipment for greater efficiency and run the farm as simply as possible . However there has been no skimping on both animal care and the infrastructure . John is a firm believer that in today ’ s modern farming world you need an eye on the numbers always .
Half Moon Farm is a farm embracing development , technology , and diversification , along with first class animal care , securing continued prosperity .