Red & White Holsteins: The Red Bloodlines
In the Appleby family, we have always enjoyed the diversity of life, and we enjoy things that are not the standard. It is no different on the farm in Steinbach, MB, Canada. We like red and white holsteins. We like the challenge of breeding in the red genetics.
For the majority of the time that Sardius Holsteins has been around, only pure red genetics have been used. As the herd is now about 95% red and white cattle, it will soon be time to begin experimenting with using some red factor cattle. Until recently however, we haven't had the number of red cattle needed to be able to build up and maintain an all red herd. It is very exciting to be at this stage with the animals.
Sam's interest in red bloodlines began at home in England where he took an interest in Ayrshires. Being a short but sturdy man himself (this is his son writing, having a chuckle at the expected reaction to this sentence), he appreciated some of the strong and powerful animals he saw. Now farming in Canada, he has sought to breed the best of red and white holsteins that carry themselves well, for a long time.
It has always been a challenge for us, the children in 4-H, as the red bloodlines tend to have slower maturing cattle that tend to really shine later in life when giving milk, and not earlier on when as kids we took them to the shows. We have always had the stubborn pride in them however, that took us through the good and the bad!
As on most farms, the cows are like family to us. We become attached to them, get to know them, and they learn how to manipulate us, as we learn how to take care of them.
The cows can fairly well take care of themselves now however, as from the beginning they have been bred to give birth to calves with sturdy frames, and as the animals have adapted to life in the free stall herd. We are not timid about using young sires, as it is our practice to look back on the previous 5 generations. If the line is fairly consistent along that many generations, we give it a try. Some, of course, are more successful than others, and it is exciting to find some of the beautiful animals that these young bulls can sire.
Some of the bulls that we have used include:
- Romandale Regal Red
- Marthaven Dynamic
- Dudoc Bacculum
- Howard-Home Caveman
- Gueriniere Milkshake
- Arnell Decibel
- Some STBVQ Rubens Sons
- Ron-Nan Mario
- Farquhar Horizon
- Horizon Lazer
- Roesbett Lakeside
- Stelbro Radius
- Sardius Caveman Rory
- And Others
As with everything in life, there is no secret to success. Only hard work, dedication, and prayer. The farm is still a family farm, though it pushes the edges of what one family can do. You can come to the farm any day of the week, and you will find someone from the family on the farm - though we do take it easy on Sundays, doing only basic chores.
If you are interested in the red bloodlines, or in dairy farming, then we wish you all the best. Feel free to get in touch with us, to share ideas, to ask advice, to give advice. God bless.