October Featured Breeder: Oak Hill Farm Devons

Approximately eight years ago, while visiting friends near Crediton, Devon England I saw my first herd of Red Ruby Devon grazing in a pasture off the road. We were traveling, towards a pub for lunch and a jar. On the way home I insisted that we retrace our route to look at them again. That was that!

I went into full research mode and everything I found pointed to their suitability for me in Central Virginia. They seem to do well with the vagaries of Virginia weather, finish well on grass and possess temperate natures. To cap it all, I found a big Devon breeder, ready to help me start very near by. With his help I was on my way.

So this September, back with my old Devon friends, I asked if we might find that same farm near Crediton and pay a formal visit. Colleton Farm is owned and run hands on by Grania and Simon Phillips. I cant even begin to describe the house, but it deserves a piece all on its own.

Grania gave us the grand tour of the stock and was ready to answer any questions as they popped into my head. I was very impressed by all the cattle we were shown and I think we saw everything from weanlings, yearlings to potential herd bulls, cows and a full grown herd bull.

I was interested to find that their entire herd is horned but de-budded early on whereas we seem to be heading towards 100% polled. Their coats were thicker and curlier, similar to a Virginia winter coat, but they have had a hard cool summer. I found the Colleton herd to be generally strong “blockie”, broad and deep. Grania remarked that one of the young bulls was a bit short in the leg which surprised me as I prefer that to leggyness and saw no problem.

All the promising young stock are broken to halter. There are far more opportunities to show than in the USA where unfortunately large distances and fewer herds make showing impractical. Judges there ask to see the animal walk about and inspect each of them at close range. Pen shows make this almost impossible.

The alternative for the likes of me is to simply go and see other herds whenever possible and discuss, assess and evaluate how one might improve ones own herd. Besides making new friends within the worldwide Devon community, it is an invaluable tool to gaining a better understanding of one’s ideal Devon Cow. I have yet to meet a Devon breeder who does not love showing off these beautiful, gentle cattle.

Thanks to that little jaunt down a Devon Lane eight years ago, I embarked on a new passion and am so delighted that we chose that pub, that day and passed Colleton Farm when the herd was grazing softly by the fence.

September Featured Breeder: Lenoir’s Creek Devon

Long time Devon breeders Charlie and Martha Trantham are our featured breeders. Charlie former ADCA president and Martha former ADCA registrar recently offered up several animals at the NADA select sale in Tampico, IL. The top seller was a cow calf pair bringing a handsome $33,000 (only bested by the sale host’s, Kendall Schrock, who received $35,000 for a registered cow). Their total take home was upwards of $80,000 for all of the animals they brought. Charlie and Martha have both been long time supporters of the Devon breed and have been indispensible to the Association. Below is a short bio of these two phenomenal Devon breeders. We wish them the best in all of their pursuits and are glad to hear of the recent sale figures, top animals should always bring top prices.

U.S. Devons are Alive and Well

Charlie and I have been raising Devon since 1988. Charlie had a back surgery that left him unable to do his job as a carpenter. He was asked if he would help the person that was watching over the herd take care of medical procedures on some of the bulls. This was an answer to a prayer that we didn't know was coming. Long story short the farm needed a manager, we moved to the farm in 1990, and we are still here. Circumstances are different now, as we started leasing the farm in 1995, with a part of it ours along with calves out of the herd. We started our herd with 18 head and still don't know when we are going to stop building it. This is home, this is where we raised our two children and now we have two Grand daughters to watch grow up on the farm.

We started with Devon when they seemed to be a lost unheard of breed. Most of our calves were taken to the stock yard because no one seemed to want this diversified breed. Not only did they not understand the breed they did not know the benefits of a bovine with a red hide. We could sit in the stands and watch the price of our calves drop about 10 cents a pound because they were red in color. It was hard watching our weaned calves go for around $200 a head. There was no way we could make a living with just the Devon. We grew tobacco and did tailgate produce. Our children were taught valuable lessons about the value of the dollar, and how it feels to earn their money out of the fields they helped work. They also have herds started from the heifers they picked out when they turned 16. (1999 & 2000) I am glad we remained with this docile breed, when they were not popular.

Thanks to the rising interest in grass fed beef, Devon are now making a come back. In the past few years we have met many new people and made new friends all because of the Devon. It did our hearts good when we went to the NADA sale in Tampico, IL and one of our own, N308, was the 2nd highest seller. We had another cow/calf pair and our daughter in law, Julie, had a cow/calf pair. All sold beyond our expectations. It seems God is still answering our prayers and has been very good to us through the Devon.

Martha Trantham