01 March, 2012
The decision to invest in Dairy Shorthorn cows has
allowed one Dorset farmer to make a successful transition to
organic operation.
Speaking to the Farmers Guardian, Pipplepen Farm's Trevor Cligg
explained that he and his wife have gradually built up their
business since 2003, investing a significant amount of money to
improve facilities at their farm in South Perrott.
He described how 90 per cent of his herd are Dairy Shorthorn and
the breed has been ideal for his organic approach to dairy farming,
although Mr Cligg admitted that he tries not to over-complicate his
operations with complex farming strategies.
"We brought 230 cows and 150 youngstock with us, and bought in
about 70 Brown Swiss crosses, Jerseys, and some organic black and
white cows. But over the years we have come to the conclusion the
Shorthorns suit us the best because they are so hardy and easy to
care for," said the farmer.
Mr Cligg originally milked a herd of 140 Holsteins in Devon, but
the foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001 meant he and his wife had to
start again, this time choosing to go with Shorthorns.
The Cornish Guardian offered an indication this month of the
price buyers can expect to pay for a Shorthorn steer, reporting
that the top-priced example of the breed was on sale for the
equivalent of 185 pence per kilogramme (p/kg).
For the South West regional market, the average price of a steer
was 171.65p/kg.
Source: Vertical Leap
