Page 33 - Britich Blue Year Book 2023

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“At Cockermouth I won a first in the class for an in-milk or
served female and second for an unserved heifer. Hesket
Newmarket was next and again it was a first for heifer or
cow in-milk and second unserved heifer, but also then won
the Blue championship and reserve champion animal on
the field. At Westmorland County Olympia was again,
champion British Blue.”
Ellglen is a small herd in the Border Club’s herd
competition and in that, Ellen had a red rosette with the
cow and a second with the young heifer and after all those
achievements, Ellen said her only regret was not having
entered the Great Yorkshire and the Royal Welsh as well.
British Blue bulls are also used on the family’s dairy herd,
apart from cows bred pure or being used in three-way
crossing for replacements, and Blue sired calves are sold
privately to both a finisher and another rearer who sells as
stores.
Says Ellen: “I might want to try and buy some of those
heifers back as recipients at some point although the cattle
accommodation at home does limit how many Blues I
could keep, but if I do flush Olympia then I will retain some
of those embryo calves. As for colour, I am not really
bothered but would not go for all white by choice.
“The other thing I will always do is help and encourage
young British Blue breeders because I know how valuable
the help was that I got from different people and which
have contributed to my achievements so far.”