Page 99 - Britich Blue Year Book 2023

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This means the herd can boast an average natural calving
rate of 90 per cent, and this year there was just one
cesarean carried out by the vet.
Charles aims for the cattle to have above average figures
across the board to provide better genetic potential. They
are weighed at birth, and at 200, 400 and 600 days and
measured for muscle and fat depth.
For the first time this year, pelvic measuring has been done
on the 30 heifers which are retained in the pedigree herd.
This has been introduced as Charles is aiming to bring first
calving age down to 24 months, rather than 28 months.
"This is all a trial for us, and is an effort to improve
efficiency," he says.
Traditionally, the commercial herd was made up of Blues
which were put to a Limousin and their progeny then put
back to a Blue bull.
However, in search for a change in direction, five years ago
they introduced a Hereford bull to increase fat cover and
take advantage of the breed's ability to fatten off grass.
"From this, we have bred what we call a BlueFord," says
Charles. "Our pedigree Blue heifers run with the Hereford
bull before returning to the pedigree herd.
"These calves come out with the white head stamp of the
Hereford, but otherwise they are of various colouring;
some follow the red or black hereditary colour, and some
follow the Blue, with a light frosting colouration."
It has taken a few years to breed the numbers up for the
BlueFords, but Mr Carter says that they are easy calving
with heifers currently running with their Limousin stock
bull, Ashledge Leofrick, which he says will put the
conformation back into their progeny.
He has also started marketing meat boxes of the
BlueFords.
He says: "We are pleased with how they have killed out,
with the last beast at 60 per cent. They have only been sold
by word of mouth so far, all with positive feedback."
Two other commercial herds are run, Blue cross cows which
are put to Ashledge Leofrick and Limousin cross cows
which go to a Blue bull. These calves are taken through
until they are sold as stores at 15 to 18 months. For the
past five years, some of these have been purchased
privately and finished on a unit in Oxfordshire.
The remaining of these are sold in Worcester livestock
market along with cull cows.
Charles says he has a hard culling policy once the cows
reach 10 years old.
"We like to do this to retain udder quality and keep calving
easy. They are still valuable to sell at that point," he says.
With thanks to Ellie Layton and Farmers Guardian
for the use of this article
97
A batch of BlueFords A Typical Blue with BlueFord Calf
Farm facts
The Carters have farmed at Twyning Ash
•
for 100 years and have built the farmed
area to 263 hectares (650 acres).
Their British Blue herd is the UKs longest
•
recording herd
They supply genetics to beef and dairy
•
farmers through their AI company.
The farm business also includes three
•
holiday cottages and a campsite.