Strong maternal characteristics and excellent temperaments have been highlighted during the first calvings of the Michael and Melissa Lunn’s pedigree Sussex herd.
The birth of the first calves is another milestone for the project at Coopers Farm, Hadlow Down, East Sussex, which was established in May 2008.
Three Sussex bull calves and one heifer have now calved easily, pleasing farmer Michael Lunn who is in charge of the herd. Next year we will be calving 9 heifers.
"The Sussex heifers have been extremely easy to manage. Thankfully, all the heifers had no help in calving and the majority have all had quiet temperaments," he said.
We nearly lost one calf after finding it one morning in the water trough, but with quick actions and rub down with straw the calf was fine. Each calf is really strong, and it’s a job to catch them. They will be turned out onto the grass at the end of April.
As the project develops at Coopers Farm, it is intended that some locally produced beef will be available for local people to purchase, along with other produce.
The heifers' gestation length average was within the standard bovine 290 days, ranging from 282 to 290 days.
Temperament of the heifers has been excellent with all but two being given top temperament scores. These first two heifers which were the first to calve were separated from the rest of the herd so that Mum and calf could develop a good bond.
The heifers maintained their condition during gestation with their scores ranging from 3.5 to 3.75. From housing in October, they were fed organic hay. After calving the heifers have all began bulling again and will be put to a Bull in the next few weeks.
