alan a
Ex97 Addict!
Registered: 06-2003
Location: Fermanagh
Posts: 1149
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
Yes, seen plenty of really good cows in really bad set ups. Either the owner can't afford to improve facilities, or isn't interested. Sometimes it's where a son is in charge of trying to breed a good herd, with a father who just wants to produce milk. How the son stays around in those situations always amazes me, they have a lot more patience than I do.
Also saw one place where the son works in a day job, and runs the breeding at home. Father quite often sells the best heifers if he thinks he is getting a good price.
I don't know if it counts as 'bad management' but there also some good herds of cows being systematically starved on a strict grass-based system in some places here. The better type cows are trying to produce, but so lacking in energy that they won't go in calf, or anything else much. But as one such farmer told me 'My definition of a good cow, is one that is still around.'
--- Alan Armstrong
Semex Ni Area manager
Part owner in a few cows and calves (details and contracts on request)
Also test a few bulls of our own (all orders accepted)
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30/1/2004, 16:56
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foxleigh
Ex97 True blue dinky-di maverick
Registered: 06-2003
Location: southern,oz
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
given this thread started off comparing 2 jed sons , what does any/everyone think about mr jed approval?
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1/2/2004, 21:37
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Big Bird
Cowtalk Staff
Registered: 06-2003
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
Poor cell count, poor components, poor rump angle - wouldn't look twice.
--- 65 cows - 9500 litres @ 3.8 fat, 3.25 protein. 25 VG, 4 EX
Also rear surplus dairy heifers + beef stores.
Simple system, grass based, no TMR. No full time labour.
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1/2/2004, 22:35
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broa
Registered: 12-2003
Location: Martebo
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
mr Jed Approval ? HELP :uo
--- "Dum spiro, spero"
Cicero
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1/2/2004, 23:51
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Will Richardson
Ex 97 2E
Registered: 06-2003
Location: Close to a pub
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
Journalist Jan04 proof
-129kgs milk +9.0 kg fat (+0.23%) -0.7kg protein (+0.05%) type 3.28TM
--- 100 cows North East UK ... no staff employed.
8500kgs 4.30% fat 3.33% protein 82 points average on type.
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9/2/2004, 14:04
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Big Bird
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
First 2 here classified VG85 & GP84 as 2yrs.
Look like maturing into decent cows. Would bet VG heifer will go EX with 3rd or 4th calf, and I'm not usually prepared to say that. 84 pointer should wind up VG.
Milking fine. Pleased with them. Looking forward to calving plenty more.
--- 65 cows - 9500 litres @ 3.8 fat, 3.25 protein. 25 VG, 4 EX
Also rear surplus dairy heifers + beef stores.
Simple system, grass based, no TMR. No full time labour.
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9/2/2004, 22:51
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Big Bird
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
quote: Will Richardson wrote:
Journalist Jan04 proof
-129kgs milk +9.0 kg fat (+0.23%) -0.7kg protein (+0.05%) type 3.28TM
Interesting one from my point of view.
If I saw this set of figures on a new bull I would be unlikely to use him, but I am genuinely pleased with my milking Journalists and really like the look of the ones in our youngstock. I think they look the part and will make the productive sort of cow I am looking for. They may not be the highest yielding heifers though.
Also the HUK classifiers would not have rated the bulls daughters so highly if they thought they wouldn't milk, and the classifiers have more experience about cows than me.
Have to wait and see whether the science is right or whether the breedrs eye is.
--- 65 cows - 9500 litres @ 3.8 fat, 3.25 protein. 25 VG, 4 EX
Also rear surplus dairy heifers + beef stores.
Simple system, grass based, no TMR. No full time labour.
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10/2/2004, 14:33
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CHARITY
EX95
Registered: 01-2004
Posts: 698
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
Seen some good ones around but i would not
use him because of Gibson.Gibson are better
cattle with more milk.I find very strange
how this bull is nearly -700 for milk.
Red Marker,Starbuck,Linjet all have more milk
than him.
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11/2/2004, 14:35
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Big Bird
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
Journalist hasn't come out too badly here.
We calved in 23. 70% have managed at least 3 calves and 30% have either had 5 calves or are in-calf for a fifth time. Roughly 20% of my current herd are Journalists.
Milk yields on the lower producers still here have been below average, but with very high components KG's of F + P are around herd average. Highest yielder is up to 45 tonnes of milk in 4 lactations.
Most of the culls have been for fertility, but fertility on the survivors has been remarkably good. They either seem to concieve quickly or not at all.
4 EX and 11 VG out of the 23 with the prospect of more going EX.
Gibson, on the other hand has been a near complete disaster. Only 1 managed a 3rd calf and one bad calving killing an 88 point second calver.
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1/2/2010, 22:32
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Big Bird
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Re: Ridge-Star Journalist
Having seen a couple of recent posts looking back at Gibson & Leduc I thought I'd update this.
We are currently milking 10 Journalists.
9 are either over 50 tonnes or will pass 50 tonnes by the end of their 5th lactations, with 2 over 70 tonnes.
3 are classified 87 or 88 points, 6 excellent with the highest being EX94 5e.
There is annother one of ours which we sold which I believe is still alive, EX and over 100 tonnes at Shanael.
We do have one younger one which is neither productive or fertile enough and will be lucky to survive the chop when she calves next time.
Don't think that's too bad a success rate though.
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5/12/2012, 10:04
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